Deal | First time $1.50 instead of $30 – Highly rated FPS (91% positive) with unique tentacle mechanic hits lowest price on Steam
The Darkness II was developed by Canadian studio Digital Extremes and published by 2K Games in 2012, making it almost a retro title today. Based on the comic book The Darkness, the game once again puts players in the role of Jackie Estacado, head of the Franchetti crime family. Caught between rival crime syndicates and shadowy secret societies, Jackie must come to terms with a devastating loss and the dark power he carries – the sinister force known as The Darkness.
The Darkness grants Jackie Estacado superhuman abilities, allowing him to control shadows with demonic tentacle arms that can tear enemies apart. But this power comes at a price – it feeds on his pain and constantly seeks to take control. In terms of gameplay, The Darkness II is a fast-paced first-person shooter in which the tentacle arms play a central role. Light and shadow aren’t just visual effects – they influence the mechanics as well. Jackie’s powers are strongest in the dark, directly shaping the game’s level design. Another standout feature is the set of optional co-op missions, where up to four players can take on parallel stories using different characters.
In its German GameStar review more than a decade ago, The Darkness II earned a score of 80 out of 100. The emotional storyline, distinctive cel-shaded visuals and innovative four-limb combat system were particularly well received. However, the campaign was criticized for being too short – lasting only 4 to 5 hours – and for lacking variety despite the unique abilities. Reviews on Metacritic echo this sentiment, with a Metascore of 80 and a User Score of 7.6. On Steam, the reception is even more positive, with 91% of over 20,000 reviews recommending the game.
95% discount on Steam for the first time
The Darkness II has been on sale many times before, but never with more than a 90% discount. Now, for the first time, it’s available at 95% off – bringing the price down to around $1.50 instead of $30. According to SteamDB, this is the lowest price the game has ever reached. Handheld players aren’t left out either: Steam lists the game as “Playable” on the Steam Deck (currently available for $425 on Amazon).
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
