Darksiders 2: Deathinitive Edition PlayStation 4 Box Art Revealed

Box Art and Title Revealed

The PlayStation 4 box art for the remastered version of Darksiders 2 appeared on an updated Amazon listing, confirming the project’s official title. Publisher Nordic Games revealed the name as Darksiders 2: Deathinitive Edition, a pun on the protagonist Death and the “Definitive Edition” trend for current-generation ports. The online retail page was also updated to accept preorders for the PS4 version.

This reveal was the most concrete piece of information for the re-release since Nordic Games acquired the property. While the publisher had previously confirmed its intention to bring the series to new platforms, the appearance of the box art and a retail listing signaled that the game’s launch was approaching. The cover art itself features the protagonist, Death, in a dynamic pose, consistent with the original game’s marketing.

Original Release and Gameplay

Darksiders 2 was first released in North America on August 14, 2012, for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. It was developed by Vigil Games and published by the now-defunct THQ. The game later served as a launch title for the Nintendo Wii U, arriving alongside the console on November 18, 2012.

The gameplay is a unique hybrid of popular genres. It draws heavy inspiration from The Legend of Zelda for its world structure, which features large overworlds connecting various puzzle-filled dungeons. The combat, however, is much faster and more combo-driven, often compared to the God of War series. Players control Death, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who possesses agile traversal abilities and a loot-driven character progression system with customizable armor and weapons, adding RPG elements to the action-adventure core.

From THQ’s Bankruptcy to Nordic Games

The Darksiders franchise underwent a significant change in ownership prior to this remaster. The original publisher, THQ, filed for bankruptcy in 2013, forcing the company to liquidate its assets. This event led to the auction of its many intellectual properties and the closure of several development studios.

Nordic Games emerged as the new owner of the Darksiders IP during this period. Unfortunately, the original Austin-based developer, Vigil Games, was not acquired in the process and was shut down. The development of the Deathinitive Edition was therefore handled by teams working under Nordic Games’ supervision, with the goal of preserving the original experience while updating it for new hardware.

A Potential Series Revival

Darksiders 2: Deathinitive Edition was expected to launch in late 2015 for the PlayStation 4. For fans, this re-release represented more than just a chance to replay the game with technical improvements. It was seen as a crucial test of the franchise’s commercial viability under its new ownership.

The original two Darksiders games were critically well-received but had a complex sales history under THQ. The success of the Deathinitive Edition was widely considered a prerequisite for Nordic Games to commit to developing a Darksiders 3. The hope was that strong sales would demonstrate a continued audience for the series, justifying the investment required to continue the epic story of the Four Horsemen.