Sure, I do know. That’s a hyperbolic title, however we love hyperbole on the web, proper? Darksiders 2 has simply re-re-released on current-gen consoles, with some love given to the code to make it as shiny and easy as potential. That’s all nicely and good, however what this return actually showcases, is simply how good the sport is, was and at all times will likely be.
Let’s get the reason out of the way in which. I’ve purchased Darksiders 2 on each single platform that it has launched on. It is likely one of the causes – alongside Monster Hunter 3 Final and Xenoblade Chronicles – that I’ll by no means promote my Wii U, and that’s barely psychological once I can play it on Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, PC, Nintendo Swap, and Xbox One by way of backwards compatibility. And that’s earlier than its newly enhanced launch on PS5 and Xbox Sequence consoles – it’s a free improve to be a full cross-gen recreation now. The one place I can’t play it anymore is on Google Stadia, and I can nearly dwell with that.
So, I like the sport. An enormous a part of that’s the paintings and design of Joe Madureira. The previous Marvel Comics artist was Inventive Director for the Darksiders sequence, and his ethos, outlook and chunky artwork fashion permeates the sport. The opening cutscene is delivered by way of his distinctive comic-style paintings, and it instantly units the tone for the sequence, whereas catching you up on the occasions of the primary recreation.
It’s a real feast for the eyes, and the improved 4K decision of the re-release implies that it’s crisper and extra vibrant than ever earlier than. There’s now ray tracing and improved ambient lighting, and all of it zips alongside at a hard and fast 60fps, so Loss of life simply feels slicker, appears higher. In some ways, it simply doesn’t look a recreation from two console generations in the past, because of the Joe Mad’s timeless design.
It’s price noting that you simply don’t should have performed the primary one, and when you undoubtedly ought to if you wish to take advantage of the world, and to completely perceive each ingredient of the story, Darksiders 2 is the superior recreation in just about each manner. With this current-gen improve, there’s now a chasm between the 2.
You play as Loss of life. He’s a gravelly-voiced, violent, and barely immodest central hero, however he’s extremely highly effective, and unequivocally cool. He can utilise a number of extraordinarily giant weapons, zip across the battlefield, and climb and clamber throughout the panorama with ease, and he’s only a delight to regulate and embody. Few video games have mechanics which are as stable and easily gratifying as Darksiders 2.
That ties into the Zelda-like puzzling and exploration that carried over from the primary Darksiders, whereas bringing a brand new dungeon-crawling outlook to loot, with a gradual stream of barely completely different weaponry and armour to sift by and equip, usually making Loss of life look even cooler. If that’s even potential.
Maybe the one level the place you may inform that is an older launch is in a few of the animations. Loss of life’s motorisation is noticeably much less easy than you’d anticipate in 2024, however you quickly overlook when lava creatures are attempting to tear you limb from limb. The 60fps supply additionally makes it really feel more energizing and extra fast, and Loss of life virtually feels lumpen and fewer agile going again to the earlier PS4 Deathinitive model, by no means thoughts the unique PS3/360 launch.
There are parts of my Darksiders 2 obsession which are fairly inexpicable. I like Loss of life’s voice far more than I ought to do – Michael Wincott delivering an excellent efficiency that’s part-man, part-shingle seashore – and it’s basically an easy Xbox 360 journey by a fantasy world, harking back to many video games from the period.
However, and it’s an enormous BUT, Darksiders 2 overcomes any questions of age or mechanics by merely being massively gratifying. For me, it’s a dwelling comedian e book, stunning and intriguing, and similar to your favorite graphic novels, Darksiders 2 deserves to be picked up and browse, again and again. With this new launch, that’s solely extra apparent, and it genuinely makes it nigh-on important in the event you’re a fan of fantasy motion video games.
I do know, I’m as shocked as you might be.