It’s a moment that deal hunters and retro gaming enthusiasts live for. Dust off your wishlist, because a cult-classic first-person shooter has just shattered its all-time low price on Steam. The Darkness II, the acclaimed 2012 title from Digital Extremes and 2K Games, is now available for a mere $1.50—a staggering 95% discount from its regular $30 price tag.
For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can own a piece of gaming history that boasts an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam, with a whopping 91% of over 20,000 reviews singing its praises. This isn't just another sale; according to price-tracking site SteamDB, this is the deepest discount the game has ever seen.
A Brutal Power, A Heartbreaking Story
For the uninitiated, The Darkness II is a sequel that masterfully blends crime drama with supernatural horror. You step into the shoes of Jackie Estacado, the don of the Franchetti crime family. On his 21st birthday, Jackie becomes the host for an ancient, demonic force known as The Darkness. This entity grants him unimaginable power, manifesting as two vicious, sentient tentacles that erupt from his back.
But this power is a curse. It feeds on Jackie's pain and constantly battles for control of his soul. The game’s narrative is far more than a simple power fantasy; it’s a gritty, emotional story of loss, revenge, and the struggle for one's own humanity, caught between warring mafia factions and a mysterious secret society hell-bent on stealing his power.
Gameplay That Still Feels Fresh: Four-Limbed Carnage
Where The Darkness II truly shines—and why it remains so highly regarded today—is its groundbreaking gameplay. This isn't just another FPS. Dubbed the "Quad-Wield" combat system, it allows you to seamlessly control Jackie's two human hands (for firearms) and two demonic tentacles (for melee and object manipulation) simultaneously.
One tentacle can snatch an enemy from across a room, another can impale a second foe, while you freely aim and shoot at others. The game encourages creative and brutal combos, making you feel like an unstoppable force of nature. Crucially, the mechanics of light and shadow are woven directly into the gameplay. Your powers are strongest in the darkness, forcing you to shoot out lights and use the environment to your advantage, a feature that directly influences level design and strategy.
Beyond the gripping 4-5 hour single-player campaign, the game also features a set of separate, fully co-operative missions for up to four players. These missions tell parallel stories, allowing you and your friends to play as different characters endowed with their own unique Darkness abilities.
Ready to embrace the darkness? The deal is live right now on the official Steam store.
What Did the Critics Say?
Upon its original release over a decade ago, The Darkness II was met with strong critical approval. German publication GameStar awarded it a solid 80/100, praising its emotional story, distinctive cel-shaded comic-book visuals, and the innovative four-limb combat system. The primary criticism, which still holds true, was the relatively short campaign length and a desire for more environmental variety.
These sentiments are reflected on aggregate site Metacritic, where the game holds a Metascore of 80 and a User Score of 7.6. However, the passage of time has been kind to this title, with the modern Steam user base elevating it to a must-play status for fans of unique action games.
The Verdict: An Unmissable Offer
Let's be clear: at $1.50, The Darkness II isn't just a good deal; it's an absolute steal. You are getting a highly polished, narratively rich, and mechanically innovative shooter that has stood the test of time. Its unique tentacle-based combat still feels fresh and visceral even by today's standards.
And for handheld gamers, the fun doesn't stop at the desktop. The game is officially verified as "Playable" on the Steam Deck, making it a perfect addition to your on-the-go library.
Whether you're a fan of FPS games, supernatural horror, or just incredibly compelling video game deals, this is one offer you won't want to let slither away. The sale is live now, but history tells us prices this low don't last forever.
Looking for a handheld to play it on? Check out the current price for the Steam Deck on Amazon.
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