Darksiders II (Wii U) Review

Bonus DLC included
One of the best things about the Wii U version of Darksiders II is that it includes half of the DLC that they already released on the other platforms. One DLC that you can play in the Wii U version of Darksiders II is Argul’s Tomb in which it will add an hour or two of additional gameplay. Also, item packs DLC will also be included where players will have access to ‘Angel of Death & Shadow of Death’, and Deadly Despair in which it includes items like an armor and a horse that you can use.

Playing on the Game Pad
Another cool addition to Darksiders II on the Wii U is the ability to use the Game Pad to play the game. If at some point you decide to play the game on the go and walk around the house, you can simply switch the screen to play right on your Game Pad. If you are worried about the quality, don’t be as the game does look phenomenal on the decent sized screen of the Game Pad. Assuming you get tired of playing on the game pad, you can play on the TV and make the Game Pad be your inventory screen. All of the Death’s equipment, stats, and map can be viewed directly on the Game Pad screen. Regardless of which method you want to do, you will have the same experience.

More Things to Do
Darksiders II is a quest based game and if you are looking for things to do, you will find a lot in this game. Since the world that you will explore is big, you can easily get side tracked as there are dungeons that can be explored and loots to get. With a decent amount of quests that you can do, there are additional hours of gameplay offered here. If questing is not your think and it’s the arena you’re looking for where you can fight endless enemies, you then can participate in the Crucible. In the Crucible mode, players will have a chance to participate in some sort of an arena-type gameplay where you beat waves of enemies and the more you take down, the more rare items that you get.

NOT

Frame Rate Issues
Similar to the previous version of the game on other platforms, Darksiders II on the Wii U suffers from frame rate issues. When playing, expect the frame rate to drop occasionally and in this version, it’s occurs more. It may sound like a bad thing but it’s tolerable and it shouldn’t be a hindrance to enjoy such a magnificent game. If at some point you notice the game is slowing down when there’s a lot of enemies, don’t panic and continue playing as it’s normal.

No Word if New DLCs will be available
For someone who is enjoying their way in Darksiders II, you might seek for more DLCs and may want to play the two more downloadable content that THQ released for other platforms. As of right now, there is no word if the Abyssal Force and Demon Lord Belial DLC will make its way on the Wii U. If it doesn’t, then that’s one disadvantage that you will have with the Wii U version of the game. Let’s hope that in the next month or so, THQ will reveal that they will have plans to bring the other two, as both are additional content that fans will surely appreciate.

VERDICT

Editor's Choice AwardDespite the frame rate issues found on the Wii U version of Darksiders II, the game is still a remarkable one and no gamer shouldn’t miss it. With a lot of content that the game offers and a solid action-adventure type gameplay with a heavy emphasis of RPG elements, Darksiders II is one of those games where you will feel that the money you spend is justified. Those who haven’t played Darksiders II and have a Wii U, they should definitely pick this game on that platform as it will not only give you the same experience other people did in other versions, but it will also allow you to play the game using the Game Pad.

[Editor’s Note: Darksiders II was reviewed on the Nintendo Wii U platform. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]