When THQ collapsed, it could not find a proper home for the Darksiders franchise and its developer, Vigil Games. After the studio closed, many of its former members found a new home in Crytek USA.
David Adams, now-CEO of Crytek USA, says that his company now plans on bidding for the franchise rights, saying that "it belongs at home with its creators."
"Maybe you can imagine what it feels like when you read the list of who bought what only to discover your name is not on the list. Why? Did we do something wrong? Were we not good enough? Were we not worth 'anything?' Imagine that," Vigil's Ben Cureton posted on NeoGAF after finding out that the Darksiders studio would not be picked up at THQ's liquidation auction.
However, the newly-formed Crytek USA promises to take some of that talent, offering "a new start" for members of that team.
THQ has taken a bow and sold off its properties to various other publishers. Jason Rubin, brought in as president when the company's fortunes looked grim, had a front row seat and has now shared some reflections on the experience.
Yesterday we finally got word of where THQ's franchises were going, as the company's intellectual properties were sold off piece-meal to various publishers. One notable exception, however, was Vigil Games and the Darksiders franchise, which went unclaimed. The series' fortunes look bleak, but Platinum Games has signaled an interest in saving it.
The "Instant Game Collection" on PlayStation Plus is getting yet another addition this week. Vigil Games' Darksiders will be "free" to download for Plus subscribers. The first game in the Zelda-inspired RPG franchise has you playing as War, one of the Horseman of the Apocalypse. People seemed to really like the game.
THQ's recent bankruptcy filing led to a flurry of speculation, but the company's new president wants to reassure fans that this actually means good things for the company's future, pointing out that "whatever happens, the teams and products look likely to end up together and in good hands. That means you can still pre-order Metro: Last Light, Company of Heroes 2, and South Park: The Stick of Truth."
It's a hard job, being Death, as there are always more people dying to deal with, especially if you go around whacking them with your scythe. Death's troubles in Darksiders 2 aren't over yet, as THQ today announced it'll release a second sizeable helping of downloadable content next week. 'Abyssal Forge' will see the horseman looking into the eponymous forge, which has been used to construct an army that "threatens all creation." That's probably bad.
Darksiders 2 is coming to the Wii U a bit later than the other consoles, but THQ and Vigil Games are packing in a few extra goodies for the wait, in the form of pre-order bonuses bundled all together.
If you're hankering for s'more Darksiders, you're in luck. THQ has announced that the first DLC pack for Darksiders 2 will be available to download next week on PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, and PC.
Argul's Tomb contains two new dungeons, new enemies, new loot, and new bosses. It is specifically "tailored towards players that have finished at least the first three zones of the main game."
Sometimes the first entry in a series is more notable for its potential than pure quality. Usually they come in the form of B-tier franchises, beloved despite their blemishes. When (or more likely, if) these titles get another entry, it's particularly important to stick the landing on the second go-round. I'm glad to say that in Darksiders 2, Vigil Games has largely made good on the series' potential with plenty of room to expand on it in future games.
Oh, what a bother it was when you finish a single-player game's campaign and must find something else to while away the dragging hours of your life! With Darksiders 2, however, you'll be able to return in New Game+ mode or jump into a wave survival mode, publisher THQ announced today.
Vigil Games decided that bigger is better in Darksiders 2, making the world as much as four times larger than the original by some accounts. As Vigil wraps up work on the game, it's already thinking about the next step in the franchise--and might just scale things down for the next title if the reaction and sales call for it.
Read more: Smaller size could allow more 'detail and destruction' »
If the first Darksiders was Vigil's take on the Zelda formula, then perhaps Darksiders 2 is their take on Shadow of the Colossus? This new "all gameplay" Darksiders 2 trailer shows Death, the most feared horseman of the Apocalypse, beating down baddies to try to save the human race from extinction and redeem his brother, War. You'll get to see him riding horseback towards giant bosses--and that's generally a good thing.
Requisite for all big-budget games these days is DLC. However, THQ's upcoming action adventure title, Darksiders 2, promises to have enough to warrant a DLC Season Pass.
The Darksiders 2 Season Pass will let gamers pre-purchase all three planned add-ons for a discounted rate. All three expansions promise "significant new single player content," with the first being available roughly one month after the game ships. The second and third packs are planned to drop every month afterwards.
The horsemen cometh, but they cometh a little slower than you thoughteth. Darksiders 2 has been delayed until August, following some telltale comments from executive VP Danny Bilson that started churning the rumor mill. The announcement claims this will give the game "additional time for polish and to ensure that all aspects of Darksiders 2 meet the high-quality bar the team is targeting."
"Great! I hope it happens. I'd like to see them finish the series."
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