I’m a really big fan of the first game but for some reason I never got around to playing this sequel until just now and it was solid but flawed.
I knew when the first action I did in the game was turn to check out a waistress’ tits to learn how to control the camera I was in for a good time. This game ditches the dark and serious broodiness of the first in exchange for a more over the top and comedic tone. The cell shaded art style and color pallete enhances this decision with the bright red blood really popping everytime you disemember an enemy. It’s clear a ton of effort went into the script for this game with tons of dialogue with various characters that are all fleshed out pretty well and given their own personalities. The story comes pretty natural from where the first game left off. There’s a lot of comedy and one liners here but still maintains an emotional hook through the game and the relationship between Jenny and Jackie is believable.
The gameplay is similar to the first but more streamlined with the open areas and side missions removed now in favor of more linear levels which I don’t hate but it always felt like I was spending more time in dialogue, dream sequences and cutscenes than plowing through enemies.
The shooting feels great and feedback is very responsive. Your darkness powers are what separate this from an average shooter and they really shine here with your abilities to slash enemies vertically or horizontally. You can also pick up many objects in the levels and use them as shields or hurl them at enemies to impale them or slice them in half. You’ll also be able to grab stunned enemies and perform executions and depending what execution you do you’ll get back ammo, health, shields, etc which is a mechanic I really enjoy. The more violently you play the higher your score gets and then in turn these score points can be used to buy upgrades and new moves at checkpoints. Including a new game plus to unlock all the abilities is a nice touch too.
The other main gimmick in this game like the predecessor is staying out of the light as you can’t use your powers in light. You’ll neee to shoot them out or avoid them. This game has some annoying ass enemies that shine flashlights at you and throw blinding flash grenades. It makes sense in the story but these enemies are never much fun to fight since the only real tool you have to stop them is shooting their flashlight out which can be a pain while you’re swarmed with other enemies and can’t use any of your powers.
The game is too short too clocking in at around 5 hours including all the optional dialogue and cutscenes. I really felt like I was only in the action for 2-3 hours and kept getting frustrated as it would end so briefly and go back to story moments.
All in all the gameplay is extremely satisfying outside some annoying enemies and some frustration with the pacing. There’s a couple sections you play as your darkling sidekick which are pseudo stealth sections that are awful but very brief and there’s an on rails section that’s also brief but equally as pointless.
I wish this game played more to its strength and gave me more time eviscerating enemies because that’s really what you’re there for. This game is really fun when you actually get to play but there’s just too much holding it back from being great.
6/10
I knew when the first action I did in the game was turn to check out a waistress’ tits to learn how to control the camera I was in for a good time. This game ditches the dark and serious broodiness of the first in exchange for a more over the top and comedic tone. The cell shaded art style and color pallete enhances this decision with the bright red blood really popping everytime you disemember an enemy. It’s clear a ton of effort went into the script for this game with tons of dialogue with various characters that are all fleshed out pretty well and given their own personalities. The story comes pretty natural from where the first game left off. There’s a lot of comedy and one liners here but still maintains an emotional hook through the game and the relationship between Jenny and Jackie is believable.
The gameplay is similar to the first but more streamlined with the open areas and side missions removed now in favor of more linear levels which I don’t hate but it always felt like I was spending more time in dialogue, dream sequences and cutscenes than plowing through enemies.
The shooting feels great and feedback is very responsive. Your darkness powers are what separate this from an average shooter and they really shine here with your abilities to slash enemies vertically or horizontally. You can also pick up many objects in the levels and use them as shields or hurl them at enemies to impale them or slice them in half. You’ll also be able to grab stunned enemies and perform executions and depending what execution you do you’ll get back ammo, health, shields, etc which is a mechanic I really enjoy. The more violently you play the higher your score gets and then in turn these score points can be used to buy upgrades and new moves at checkpoints. Including a new game plus to unlock all the abilities is a nice touch too.
The other main gimmick in this game like the predecessor is staying out of the light as you can’t use your powers in light. You’ll neee to shoot them out or avoid them. This game has some annoying ass enemies that shine flashlights at you and throw blinding flash grenades. It makes sense in the story but these enemies are never much fun to fight since the only real tool you have to stop them is shooting their flashlight out which can be a pain while you’re swarmed with other enemies and can’t use any of your powers.
The game is too short too clocking in at around 5 hours including all the optional dialogue and cutscenes. I really felt like I was only in the action for 2-3 hours and kept getting frustrated as it would end so briefly and go back to story moments.
All in all the gameplay is extremely satisfying outside some annoying enemies and some frustration with the pacing. There’s a couple sections you play as your darkling sidekick which are pseudo stealth sections that are awful but very brief and there’s an on rails section that’s also brief but equally as pointless.
I wish this game played more to its strength and gave me more time eviscerating enemies because that’s really what you’re there for. This game is really fun when you actually get to play but there’s just too much holding it back from being great.
6/10