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Platform 360, PS3, Win, Wii U Publisher THQ Developer Vigil Games Release Date 08/14/2012

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Darksiders 2 review: into the light

By Philip Kollar on Aug 14, 2012 08.14.12

Darksiders 2 signals a shift for developer Vigil Studios. For all its strengths - lengthy, captivating dungeons and a brutal hack-and-slash combat system with enough depth to set it above its competition - 2010's Darksidersdemonstrated the insecurity of a fledgling team's first release. Vigil proved capable of emulating mechanics borrowed from other games, but the full experience didn't gel into something remarkable. Rather than follow up Darksiders with a rehash with new dungeons, Vigil has reimagined its very core, building in significant new RPG and platforming mechanics. With those additions, Darksiders 2 seems destined to be a studio-defining title. The influence of The Legend of Zeldaand God of War can still be felt, but the changes in Darksiders 2 demonstrate a new sense of...

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Darksiders 2 disappearing from Wii U eShop after March 31

By Emily Gera on Mar 29, 2013 03.29.13

Darksiders 2 will no longer be available from the Wii U eShop after March 31, Nintendo Life reports. This news comes following a statement posted on the European Wii U eShop which adds that users who already own the title but need to re-download it will still be able to after March 31. As of press time there is no similar statement on the North American eShop. We have contacted Nintendo regarding the status of Darksiders 2 in North America, in addition to why it is disappearing in Europe. We will update when further information is available.

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Xbox 360 Spring Value Bundle contains 250 GB console, Darksiders 2, Batman: Arkham City for $299

By Samit Sarkar on Feb 28, 2013 02.28.13

A new Xbox 360 package, the $299 Spring Value Bundle, packages a 250 GB console along with Darksiders 2 and Batman: Arkham City, Microsoft announced today. The bundle is shipping today and will be available "for a limited time, while supplies last, at select major U.S. retail stores this spring," said Microsoft's Major Nelson. Also featured in the package are a wireless Xbox 360 controller, a wired headset and a free one-month subscription to Xbox Live Gold. Darksiders 2 is included on disc, while Arkham City comes in the form of a download token. Check out an image of the box above.

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All Havok tools now available on Wii U

By Samit Sarkar on Jan 30, 2013 01.30.13

The full set of Havok middleware tools is now available to Wii U developers with today's release of the Havok Vision Engine on the platform, the company announced. Havok released free binaries of its physics and animation tools on Wii U last March. Wii U developers can now also purchase source licenses for Havok's variety of middleware — Havok Physics, Animation, AI, Behavior, Destruction, Cloth, Script and Vision. "We have shared a long-term partnership with Nintendo and are pleased to offer licensing of our entire product suite for Wii U developers worldwide," said Brian Waddle, Havok's vice president of sales and marketing, in a press release announcing the availability. Existing Havok-powered Wii U games include Assassin's Creed 3, Darksiders 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.

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Vigil Games and properties fail to find buyer, remain as part of THQ's bankruptcy case

By Dave Tach on Jan 23, 2013 01.23.13

The assets for Vigil Games, developers of the Darksiders series, were not sold at auction today and Vigil employees jobs have ended as the studio's fate remains part of THQ's Chapter 11 bankruptcy case, according to a letter from THQ CEO Brian Farrell. "Some assets, including our publishing businesses and Vigil, along with some other intellectual properties are not included in the sale agreements," Farrell wrote in a letter to all THQ employees provided to Polygon by a former employee. "They will remain part of the Chapter 11 case. We will make every effort to find appropriate buyers, if possible." Farrell sent the letter today as an auction took place in which THQ's games were sold title by title, but Vigil and its assets apparently failed to find a purchaser. "If you are an...

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Darksiders 2 on Wii U has reduced visual quality, frame rate dropping issues

By Alexa Ray Corriea on Dec 10, 2012 12.10.12

The graphics quality of Vigil Games' Darksiders 2 on Wii U does not hold up to the game's other versions, and suffers from a significant drop in performance due to a low frame-rate that affects playability, reports Eurogamer. In a video comparing Darksiders 2 on the Wii U and PlayStation 3, the Wii U version replaces shafts of light among trees with a simpler glow, tones down water splash effects and removes trees from some of the more open areas. Denser forest areas have retained all foliage and are rendered with a higher resolution, although select textures in a few areas are rendered a lower resolution than the surroundings. The frame-rate level also drops during scenes in more expansive environments. However, full motion video cutscenes are identical across the Wii U, PS3 and Xbox...

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Darksiders 2 add-on The Demon Lord Belial launches Dec. 4 on PS3, 360, PC

By Samit Sarkar on Dec 03, 2012 12.03.12

The Demon Lord Belial, the third downloadable content pack for Darksiders 2, launches in North America tomorrow, Dec. 4, on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC, developer Vigil Games announced today. It will be available for 800 Microsoft Points ($10) on Xbox Live Marketplace, and $9.99 on PlayStation Network and PC. Players who purchased the Darksiders 2 season pass will receive the add-on at no additional cost. The Demon Lord Belial launches worldwide tomorrow except on PlayStation 3 in Europe, where it will be available on Wednesday, Dec. 5. A release date for the content on Wii U has not yet been announced, but a THQ spokesman told Polygon in September that Darksiders 2 DLC will be sold through the console's eShop at some point. We've reached out to the company to ask about the game's...

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Japan Review Check: Layton vs. Ace Attorney, Super Robot Taisen OG2

By Kevin Gifford on Nov 21, 2012 11.21.12

A recap of the most interesting games coming out soon in Japan, courtesy of the reviews section in the latest issue of Famitsu magazine. - Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney (9/9/9/8, 35 out of 40 points): The Nintendo 3DS adventure/puzzle crossover (written by Ace Attorney creator Shu Takumi) manages to score pretty high overall. "These two titles work in different directions," wrote one reviewer, "but the the setting and story skillfully weave them together and make them into a seamless experience. Attention has been paid even to little details, like how you can use Layton's hint coins in the courtroom segments. I'm also really impressed by how well the polygonal Ace Attorney characters turned out." However, Famitsu also admitted that this crossover sequel really doesn't add much...

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Nintendo bringing Wii U, 3DS to malls across America

By Samit Sarkar on Nov 14, 2012 11.14.12

Nintendo will set up shop at malls nationwide during the holiday season, letting shoppers get hands-on experience with the Wii U and 3DS, the company announced today. Dubbed the "Nintendo Holiday Mall Experience," the setup will offer people the chance to try out Wii U games such as New Super Mario Bros. U, Nintendo Land, ZombiU, FIFA 13, Madden NFL 13, Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition, Just Dance 4, Darksiders 2 and Scribblenauts Unlimited. The 3DS XL will also be playable; the list of available games includes New Super Mario Bros. 2, Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Pokédex 3D Pro, Skylanders Giants, Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion, Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!! and Sparkle Snapshots 3D. "The Nintendo Mall Experience is your oasis from the shopping...

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Darksiders 2 Abyssal Forge DLC set for Oct. 30 release

By Dave Tach on Oct 24, 2012 10.24.12

The swamplands of The Abyssal Forge, the second DLC for Darksiders 2, will be available worldwide later this month, according to the game's official blog. The DLC's title refers to "a living machine designed to harness the unfocused dark power of the Abyss and create the most powerful legendary weapons," according to the post. The game's protagonist, Death, will venture into the Shadow Lands, a new area that includes two new dungeons, enemies and loot to collect. The Abyssal Forge will be available worldwide on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC Oct. 30, 2012, with the European PlayStation 3 version following on Oct. 31. The game's first DLC, Argul's Tomb, was released Sept. 25. Earlier this week, Darksiders 2's creative director and former comic book artist, Joe Madureira, announced on...

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Darksiders 2 creative director Joe Madureira leaves Vigil Games

By Emily Gera on Oct 22, 2012 10.22.12

Joe Madureira, the creative director behind Darksiders 2, is leaving studio Vigil Games, he announced in a post on his official Facebook and Twitter account. Thanking his former colleagues, Madureira took to Twitter, stating: "So long @Vigilgames @THQ thanks for all the memories! @Darksiders was definitely a career highlight. Keep on kicking ass I'm a fan for life!" A longer message was offered on Facebook, hinting at his plans for the future, which includes work on numerous comics. "After 7 long years and 2 hit games ( Darksiders BABY! ) I'm afraid the time has come for me to move on to new adventures," wrote Madureira."I could not be more proud of what we achieved, or the awesome people who helped build up this studio. I can safely say Vigil's future is in very good hands, so...

Darksiders 2 Releases
North America
  • Xbox 360
    • Released 08/14/2012
    • Publisher THQ
    • Developer Vigil Games
    • Score 9
  • PlayStation 3
    • Released 08/14/2012
    • Publisher THQ
    • Developer Vigil Games
    • Score 9
  • Windows
    • Released 08/14/2012
    • Publisher THQ
    • Developer Vigil Games
  • Wii U
    • Released 11/18/2012
    • Publisher THQ
    • Developer Vigil Games
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