Nordic Games, having acquired the Darksiders license from the now-defunct THQ, is evaluating the potential for a future third installment of this last-generation classic. How much does this remake on PS4 and Xbox One truly offer compared to the original?
Original compared to the remake. The differences lie primarily in the details and the lighting.
The original Darksiders game emerged as an unexpected surprise in 2010, garnering a significant fan base on Xbox 360 and PS3 towards the end of the THQ era. While clearly inspired by Sony’s acclaimed God of War series, Darksiders provided a distinct and often stylish hack-and-slash experience, incorporating puzzle-solving and classic platforming elements. The narrative centers on the four horsemen of the apocalypse, who break free from their intended duties to intervene in the war between humans and nephilim (angel-demon hybrids). The first game follows War, while the second shifts focus to his brother, Death. For those unfamiliar with the original, we won’t reveal plot spoilers, but Death’s mission is directly related to the conclusion of War’s journey in the first installment.
The developers at Gunfire Games, largely composed of veterans from Vigil Games (the original developers), spearheaded this remaster, aptly named the “Deathinitive” edition. The primary enhancements lie in the graphics, featuring 1080p resolution (on both PS4 and Xbox One), updated textures, and, most notably, enhanced lighting effects. Indeed, Darksiders 2 has never looked better than it does here, surpassing even the slightly improved (and gamepad-optimized) version released on the Nintendo Wii U in 2013. The frame rate is capped at 30 fps, likely to mitigate screen tearing. This is somewhat disappointing, as Darksiders 2 is capable of running at 60 fps given its technical demands, which are not as taxing as titles like Nathan Drake Collection. Unfortunately, the “Deathinitive” edition struggles to maintain even 30 fps consistently, particularly on the Xbox One. The PS4 version, as is often the case, offers greater stability, achieving the target frame rate more reliably. It’s worth noting that Darksiders 2 can run flawlessly at 60 fps on a moderately equipped PC. While the improved resolution is welcome, a stable 60 fps at 720p would have significantly enhanced the overall gaming experience.
The sound design remains a strong point, carried over from the original. The voice acting is commendable, and despite a somewhat lackluster narrative in this second installment, the character of Death is compelling, exhibiting an acidic cynicism and a penchant for dry wit. His vocal delivery is reminiscent of a young Jeremy Irons, drawing parallels to Scar from The Lion King. The surround sound mix is also well-executed, with the music providing a foundational layer for the sound effects, enabling precise spatial awareness of approaching enemies.
The controls are generally functional, although the game’s age is apparent. Lessons could be learned from studios like Santa Monica, Insomniac, and Naughty Dog in this area. While Death typically responds as intended, and the wall-running mechanics are engaging once mastered, the game suffers from an occasionally unwieldy camera, making combat challenging, especially when facing multiple opponents. An improved auto-loot system is available, and the upgrade system, featuring enhanced equipment and a skill tree for new abilities, is intuitive and easy to navigate. However, be prepared for certain sequences to be more difficult than necessary due to the less-than-optimal camera. Consequently, the boss fights remain the most enjoyable and memorable aspect of this installment.
Darksiders 2: Deathinitive Edition doesn’t aspire to compete with the latest AAA titles on the market. Given its current price point (approximately 199 SEK at the time of writing), it represents excellent value for a well-crafted and engaging game that is steadily achieving cult status. Furthermore, it includes all DLC packs, consisting primarily of new weapons and individual locations. While the original may hold a slight edge, perhaps due to its novelty and contemporary feel at the time, those with a penchant for action games featuring robust platforming elements will find this remake a worthwhile investment, serving as an appealing prelude to the forthcoming third installment.
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