Players return to post-Apocalyptic Earth in the sequel to 2010's Darksiders, this time as former protagonist War's fellow Horseman of the Apocalypse, Death, the pale rider.
Vigil Games supposedly began working on the sequel just a couple of months after releasing Darksiders, and it is currently scheduled for a 2012 release.
Gameplay
Death's arsenal of weaponry is yet to be revealed but if promotional art is accurate his iconic scythe, named The Harvester, will be the primary weapon of the game, as was the case with War's Chaoseater It was possible for War to obtain the Harvester as a secondary weapon in the original game, but only as a pre-order bonus or through a cheat code. Otherwise, he used a different scythe, and therefore War holding the Harvester is considered non-canon. Death is said to be a much more magic-focused character, and if the magazine cover is to be believed his weapons will have both two-handed and dual wielded forms.A new more in depth loot system will be replacing the original's more Zelda -like item acquisition system. Dungeons are bigger and more diverse and there will be a much larger number of NPCs to interact with.
The new combat system is much faster and more reliant on offensive agile maneuvers than War's more tank-like reactive combat with the primary focus on Deaths dual Scythes that form a single more powerful weapon at the end of each combo attack. Wrath is once again the 'magic' of the game offering up special attacks and abilities to add variety to combat as well as secondary weapons for changing up combos and reacting to specific enemy types.
The new loot system puts a bigger emphasis on allowing the player to create a version of Death that plays the way they want to with for example items that give more wrath allowing you to be more like a spell caster and weapons designed for melee giving bonuses to regular combat. Stats are now also a big part of the game emphasizing how much more of an rpg Darksiders II is compared to the first game.
Story
Set during the same time period as the original game, Death's ultimate goal in Darksiders II is to restore Humanity; the Apocalypse was meant to occur once the Human race was ready to join either the side of Good or Evil in the End War, tipping the Balance and ending the war between Darksiders and Lightsiders once and for all. However, because the Apocalypse occurred millenia too soon, Humanity was completely wiped out by the demons who rampaged across the Earth. At the same time, Death seeks to keep his brother War protected during his journey to clear his name after he is framed for causing the Apocalypse.
There is an unfounded rumour of human survivor characters making an appearance alongside War and Death's other two companions Strife and Fury. In the first game it was never revealed who set the events in motion that lead to the premature Apocalypse, and in Darksiders II, this will likely be a primary story motivator.
Presumably Samael and Vulgrim, key characters of the first Darksiders, will be making appearances in Darksiders II. Because the sequel covers the time period before his death at the end of the game, it is possible that the Watcher may also make an appearance. It is hoped by fans that Wicked K, the "Gentleman Zombie" who appeared in select locations to fight War, will be returning as well.
A sub-plot in regards to the origins of the four horseman and their once glorious race known as the Nephilim will be a part of Darksiders II as well as further explanation about who The Makers were. There was an official Comic released that focused on the other houseman and it has been hinted many times that they will all appear a lot more in Darksiders II.
Death
Death was designed very differently from War, appearing lean but not emaciated, a distinct contrast to his usual depiction as a cloaked skeleton. His armor is very similar to War's in design, though with Death preferring to forsake any torso or shoulder armor to give him the maximum amount of manoeuvrability - unlike War, Death cannot block, and relies entirely on dodges to avoid injury.
The four horseman themselves are the last remaining members of a race known as the Nephilim, incredibly powerful super-beings with varying forms relatively similar to that of humans. The four were controlled by the neutral faction known as the Charred Council, initially represented as three giant stone faces in the first game. The Nephilim were almost wiped out after they declared war on Heaven; it was believed that the role of the species who would sway the Balance in the End War would go to the Nephilim, who were outraged when instead that destiny was given to the mortal race of Humans. The forces of Light wiped out all but four of the Nephilim in the ensuing war.