Darksiders II Preview

Official Xbox Magazine is offering another hands-off preview for THQ and Vigil Games’ Darksiders sequel, which seems to be taking the franchise in RPG territories. Here’s a snippet:

Death’s speedier nature also made the combat a much more exciting experience. His primary attacks came courtesy of a pair of scythes, which functioned similarly to War’s sub-weapon in the first game (read: faster than the hulking sword could manage). The pistols didn’t seem to work all that differently than they did in War’s hands, but the quicker nature of the scythes should make the combo opportunities even crazier.

Of course, for those who like their combat methodical, series developer Vigil offers a few options beyond beefier weapons (like the new-to-Darksiders hammer). As you level up, choosing new abilities from the (Necromancer) side of Death’s skillset (as opposed to the melee-focused (Harbinger) skills) will add magic-based attacks like summoning zombies to help fight against groups or siccing a flock of ravens on a single enemy. Regardless of your attack repertoire, the game will give you the power to command (Constructs) giant enemy creatures you can use to destroy obstacles underfoot, create makeshift chain bridges over chasms, and yes, destroy enemies in your path.