2K Games have passed development duties for The Darkness 2 Digital Extremes, a studio most-famous for releasing the not-exactly-groundbreaking Dark Sector in 2008.
Set a little while after the original, The Darkness 2 sees antihero Jackie Estacado running his own criminal empire, no longer the low-level hitman we know and (sort-of) love. The Darkness powers have been overhauled, and early info suggests that only one darkling will accompany you throughout the adventure.
Anyone who played Starbreeze’s original masterpiece will remember that a great deal of the game’s dark comedy – essential for balancing the often shocking storyline – came from the antics of Jackie’s imp-like demonic helpers.
Although Digital Extremes haven’t set the world alight before now, the fact that they’ve been trusted with a franchise like The Darkness at least inspires faith in them. If they can nail the creepy atmosphere, the unflinching shock-and-awe, the jet-black comedy and Starbreeze’s gorgeous lighting tech, this might be the game that establishes them as serious players.
