The examination of the title begins rather well since we realize immediately that, for once, the publisher and the developers have not forgotten that they are working on an interactive medium. In other words, they leave players with certain choices, such as enjoying the adventure in their original version with subtitles if they wish. This is particularly justified in the present case since the voice of the evil entity, called Darkness, is none other than that of Mike Patton, the singer of Faith No More. Another choice left to the player at the very beginning of the adventure: whether or not to attend a summary of the events that took place in the first episode. It's simple, frankly useful for newcomers, very pleasant for connoisseurs, and yet it remains the exception rather than the rule despite the incredible number of sequels that come out each year in the video game industry. This "Previously in The Darkness" therefore briefly reminds us of the story of Jackie Estacado, mafia boss possessed by the Darkness and still in love with his late love, Jenny. In terms of form, this sequence mainly uses images taken from comics but also gives us a glimpse of the very particular graphic style of this new playful episode. For convenience, many will be content to call it "cel-shading" even if, technically and artistically, the process goes further. Although he took up the classic contour trimming using black lines, he abandoned too simple solid colors for real sketched textures and shading effects faithful to what a draftsman could do on paper. After the surprise effect (good or bad depending on sensitivities), the sauce inevitably takes. Some scenes give us the impression of evolving in a real comic book, and we are regularly surprised to admire this or that graphic detail. Since we are in technical and artistic praise, let's also salute the soundtrack, consisting essentially of very effective original compositions, and sprinkled moreover with a few well-known pieces, such as the famous "Black Betty" by Ram Jam, that a lost radio in one of the decors diffuses carelessly.
The aunt corners
The gameplay is not to be outdone since one could almost qualify it as abundant. Sometimes even a little too much. Expect to struggle with the controls at first as they go off the beaten (and hackneyed) path of classic FPS. The latter are generally satisfied with a weapon in the right hand. Sometimes they allow you to shoot two guns. The Darkness II goes much further since in addition to having to manage a weapon in each hand, you also have to take control of the two evil tentacles that come out of the hero's shoulders. The left is primarily for catching and throwing, while the right specializes in slicing. On occasion, the two can collaborate for particularly gory "finish moves". If you don't like the sight of human entrails, move on! A bit like a Bulletstorm, the game also encourages us to kill with creativity, since certain acts earn points. The executions mentioned above, the impalement of an enemy using a pole, the decapitation of another using a fan or a car door, or even the tearing hearts from freshly deceased bodies are all ways to earn black essence, which can be spent later on acquiring specific skills. There are about XNUMX of them, but many are only improvements of the most useful talents. Still, the combat sequences are particularly intense since we use weapons, tentacles and powers at the same time. It's relaxing, and rather rewarding for players who will be able to intelligently combine the different possibilities. We must add to all this another essential component of the gameplay: photosensitivity. Understand by this that the Darkness is allergic to light, which must therefore be avoided at all costs. All it takes is a lamppost that's a little too powerful for Jackie to lose all her means. The tentacles and powers then become inaccessible, while his view blurs in an elegant way for the player, but still annoying (the image goes black and white and the bright areas dazzle more than reason).
O dark hero
It is therefore necessary to regularly shoot the bulbs to facilitate the progression, and even from time to time destroy generators supplying lights protected by grids. Unfortunately, this management of shadow and light is not exploited as much as it should be. We would indeed have appreciated being able to play at times while undercover. The developers have tried the maneuver a bit, but far too timidly. Thus, twice we take control of the Darkling, this little character who always accompanies Jackie to help her in the slaughter of enemies in a chain. This evil gremlin must completely avoid bright areas, otherwise it will burn very quickly. And he's disarmed! But apart from a few dark detours that we will necessarily have to take to reach the objective and a few opponents that we can approach from behind, it is still possible to pass these sequences without really showing finesse. It is enough to press a button for the darkling to pounce on its prey and assassinate it with its bare hands in a few seconds. And this, even if she faces him. Under these conditions, playing shrewdly is of little interest. Too bad, there was a way to do much better on this specific point. In terms of criticisms, some will not fail to mention the linearity of the game. More than the architecture of the levels (after all, the scripted FPS genre does not lend itself well to an open world) it is above all certain limitations that can be pointed out. Thus, the left tentacle can only grab certain very specific objects, which appear highlighted in the sets, while certain lights turn out to be a little too opportunely indestructible. Nothing catastrophic however. On the other hand, we can frankly rail against the management of the player's progress. It is indeed impossible to replay a mission that has already passed, or even to start several games in parallel. You wanted to show a friend a very particular passage?
You will not be able to ! Want him to try the game? His progress will crush yours! Finally, we will close the notebook of grievances with the short lifespan of the adventure, which ends in six or seven hours. However, this point should be relativized in many ways. First of all, a player in too much of a hurry who would skip the few sequences of discussions and strolling (which take place roughly between each combat mission) would stupidly deprive himself of very good times. Thanks to the excellent acting of the original actors, to the presence of some earthy characters, and to the exciting scenario, the more narrative than active sequences are really very pleasant, and sometimes even moving. Special mention to the sequences taking place in the mental asylum, which will make you constantly wonder what is the part of reality and madness in the story that you are told. On the other hand, the game can be played a second time in "new game +" mode, where you keep the powers acquired in the previous part. Finally, the developers had the good idea to support the single-player campaign with an independent coop mode. It no longer embodies Jackie but one of the four characters specifically created for the occasion. None of them have tentacles but all of them still inherit some powers from the Darkness. Some missions can be played solo, others provide some additional information on the scenario of the campaign... Nothing revolutionary in all that, but it's still a very nice way to prolong the pleasure. However, it only takes two short hours to go around it, even if nothing prevents you from replaying it regularly afterwards, as you would with a Left 4 Dead. In the end, the biggest flaw of The Darkness 2 is therefore that it leaves a taste of too little. Which proves that we spend very good time in his company.
