The Darkness 2

Jackie's back. You remember him, right? Dark, moody, bit of a goth, bumped off by his uncle? Yeah, we'd be pissed too. But he wasn't in the bit we played, so he can sod off.

We checked out the new multiplayer mode called Vendettas, where you choose one of four of Jackie's top guys, go out and slay some dudes that need slaying with up to 3 more of your buddies in true co-op fashion. All the characters on offer, naturally, have their own darkness power, and are fully fleshed out in their own right. Let's meet the gang shall we?

Inugami - a samurai style badass with an equally badass glowing sword.

Jimmy - token Scottish bloke. Clearly pissed, in alcohol and anger levels. He has a Darkness infused axe.

Shoshanna - A Mossad agent, she probably would've kicked enough backside without her darkness powers, but she's decided to bring her Darkness guns with her for the hell of it.

J.P. DuMond - token black man. Big. Scary. VOODOO MAGIC MON. He has a complex and a Darkness voodoo staff that can twist people in half. Naturally, he was our first choice.

Our first mission, which we accepted cos we're evil, was to go and massacre some TV executive. He also happened to be a boss in the group that double crossed Jackie in the first game, but we should imagine TV executive is what's on his CV. The environments were lush in detail, well laid out and full to the brim of highly challenging, smart enemies, that want you dead as much as you share similar feelings for them.

When you hit the right mix, combining your darkness power with a gun is awesome, but not as awesome as lifting some poor goon in the air with your voodoo staff from across the room, running up to him, and using the Darkness to rip him in two. Sounds fun right? You damn skippy it is.

We forgot to mention that DuMond (and the others) all have one special ability, which can be unleashed after a certain charging period. DuMond can summon black holes that suck people into another dimension and send loads of blood flying back out. Would be handy on the Central Line during rush hour.

Downed enemies can, much like the first, have their hearts ripped out in order to refill your health and special ability. This means that there is rarely a dull moment, as health won't recharge on it's on. No ULTRA REALISTIC WAR GAME SCENARIO OF HIDING BEHIND WALLS TIL YOU FEEL BETTER THEN GOING OUT ALL GUNS BLAZING. You must often continue on into the line of fire, just in order to survive. Which you won't half the time, cos this lot know how to fight.

And fight you shall. Something Darkness this way comes.