February 7, 2012 - Good - I applaud everything that developer Starbreeze did to establish The Darkness in video game form, but Digital Extremes takes things a step further and the end results are truly impressive.

February 8, 2012 - Good - When you're dodging through shadows, impaling far-off snipers on signposts and breaking bodies apart like wishbones? At those times The Darkness 2 manages to be not only an improvement on the too-often overlooked original game, but an incredibly stylish and competent shooter compared to almost anything else on the market.

February 7, 2012 - Good - Despite the anticlimactic ending, shoddy boss fights, and lackluster multiplayer, The Darkness 2 is an extremely impressive game. It oozes style, packs an emotional punch, and manages to be effectively balance bombastic violence with understated character development, ensuring that when the Darkness is unleashed you care.

February 7, 2012 - Good - The Darkness II is a fun, very short FPS without the authentic atmosphere and subtle touches that made its predecessor so intriguing. Still, if you've got a lust for virtual blood, The Darkness II leaks enough of it to satiate you.

February 7, 2012 - Good - Somewhat ironically, The Darkness II is bright spot amongst first-person shooters, supernatural or otherwise. If this good gory fun is any indication, it's a shame the first game never made it to PC, but given that this one ends on a post-credits cliffhanger, number three will be something to look forward to.

February 7, 2012 - Good - Despite some problems with polish and a story that takes time to develop into something great, The Darkness II ends up as an early treat in the new year. The narrative elements help the pacing considerably, breaking up Jackie's engaging and brutal murderfests. It may not end up being the best shooter of 2012, but it could very well be the one that makes you feel the most powerful.

February 7, 2012 - Good - The Darkness II is a dumb shooter that's three times as clever as it looks. So too is Jackie's murderous repertoire three times as extensive as that of other shooters. It might not last long and the action doesn't alter its tone, but The Darkness II's charms stuck with me long after I turned out the light.

February 9, 2012 - Good - It's a decent, if overly-busy shooter, a cacophony of gore and screaming. But it's also a surprisingly smart take on familiar territory, with some really interesting twists. I really was only expecting brains to feature when splattered across my monitor.