Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition

Developer: Gunfire Games
Release: Nov 5th 2015
Platforms:
Action
Adventure
RPG
Addictive
Creative
Expansive
Buggy
Repetitive
Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition Poster

Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition Review

Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition is a sprawling action-adventure RPG that expands on the original Darksiders with a larger world, deeper RPG mechanics, and fluid traversal. Players control Death, one of the Four Horsemen, on a quest to redeem his brother War and humanity. The game blends hack-and-slash combat with loot systems, skill trees, and puzzle-filled dungeons, offering a rich, mythologically inspired narrative.

While praised for its engaging combat, striking art style, and expansive content, the game is marred by technical issues such as bugs, crashes, and performance inconsistencies. Some players find the pacing uneven with excessive backtracking and repetitive fetch quests. The inventory and UI systems are often criticized for being clunky and limiting. Despite these flaws, the Deathinitive Edition's improved graphics and inclusion of all DLC make it a definitive way to experience Death’s journey, appealing especially to fans of action-RPG hybrids who can overlook its rough edges.

Highlights

Players praise the game’s fluid, fast-paced combat and highly customizable RPG elements, including loot and skill trees. The traversal mechanics, featuring wall-running, climbing, and teleportation, add satisfying exploration and platforming.

The art direction stands out with its gothic, comic book-inspired style, complemented by Jesper Kyd’s atmospheric soundtrack and strong voice acting. The story’s mythological themes and charismatic protagonist Death provide depth, while the expansive world and clever dungeon designs offer engaging content and replayability.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include frequent bugs, crashes, and frame rate drops that disrupt gameplay. The camera system is often described as frustrating and hindering combat and exploration.

Many players find the game’s pacing uneven, with excessive backtracking, repetitive fetch quests, and lengthy dungeons that drag the experience. Inventory management is cumbersome due to limited shortcuts. Some narrative elements are convoluted or underdeveloped, and the RPG loot system can feel overwhelming or imbalanced, especially early on.

Pros

  • Engaging and fluid combat system with satisfying combos and customization.
  • Expansive and visually striking environments with rich, mythological lore.
  • Diverse and clever dungeon design featuring puzzles and platforming.
  • Robust RPG elements including loot, skill trees, and build variety.
  • Strong soundtrack and voice acting that enhance the atmosphere.
  • Inclusion of all DLC content integrated seamlessly into the main game.
  • Improved graphics and lighting effects over the original release.

Cons

  • Frequent bugs, crashes, and technical issues affecting progression.
  • Frustrating camera controls that impair combat and exploration.
  • Excessive backtracking and repetitive fetch quests pad game length.
  • Cumbersome inventory and UI management with limited shortcuts.
  • Uneven pacing with long, sometimes tedious dungeon sections.
  • Some narrative elements feel convoluted or lack character development.
  • Loot system can be overwhelming and imbalanced early on.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

The ultimate DARKSIDERS II experience! 1080p native resolution. Reworked and tuned game balancing and loot distribution. Improved Graphic Render Engine for even higher visual quality, lighting and shadows. Improved and reworked level, character and environment graphics.

Release Date Nov 5th 2015
Publisher THQ Nordic
Developer Gunfire Games, Vigil Games, THQ Nordic
Platforms

User Reviews

Mostly Positive (4,564)
76% Positive 24% Negative