THE DARKNESS
For XBox 360
Price: Rs 2,799
Bag it or junk it? Action-packed, gory and not boring at all.
Jackie Estacado is back and with him, that power to control the Darkness. The foul-mouthed, action-packed game has disturbing images. While, the bad things happen only to wicked people, you will still be shaken by the gore.
The first thing that catches your attention in Darkness 2 is that our Italian gangster moves a lot faster than in previous editions. Press sprint and that is exactly what Jackie does.The Darkness movements too are in sync with our anti-hero's. So while the left tentacle grabs and throws both items and people, the right not only knocks out rivals but also rips them apart.This implies unbelievable flexibility in combat for you-you can shoot down your enemy and simultaneously pick up objects and throw it at others. This total carnage at will is a rare feature. This time around the Darkness gets additional powers like a swarm of insects to tear your target apart or a powerful firing capability when you temporarily boost the guns. Unlike in its previous edition, in Darkness 2 you can develop and enhance new abilities with which you customise your attacking skills.
To make things more interesting, the game developers, Digital Extremes, have also added a multi-player option called the Vendettas. This mode is more a cooperation amid 2-4 players but all have to use different systems. The game has two main modes-Campaign and Hit List. The first one has a complete different story where you go through a set of missions with your friends. Hit List is again a co-op in which you take part in separate missions. These missions are short and quick. Like the protagonist, all the four characters have the power of the Darkness inside them.
The visuals have purposely been worked in a way to give a graphic-novel feel so that the sinister Darkness' presence is felt all time. The graphics makes sure the gruesome executions and blood stand out.
The plot keeps you glued as you find out that a local mafia crew was hired to push Jackie into using the Darkness because an organisation called The Brotherhood, which knows a lot about the demon, has plans to use the shadowy character do their bidding. Also unlike the common thugs, the Brotherhood knows Jackie's weaknesses and attacks him using magical weapons and floodlights which saps his Darkness powers. The game will last from 6 to 8 hours if you play the single campaign mode. This way one doesn't leave you bored, believe us.
