Editor’s Note: This is now number seven of our twenty-five most anticipated games of 2012. After culminating a comprehensive list of the confirmed games for next year, the MediaKick team voted on the games they are most looking forward to for next year, and after processing the results through a methodical algorithm we’re here to bring you the results. Taking a closer look at both what we know so far and why the team are excited for each game, we’ll have an article at midday everyday until Christmas – when we’ll reveal our most anticipated game of 2012. Be sure to check out the previous games so far if you haven’t already – #25, #24, #23, #22, #21, #20.

When someone asks me to describe my experience with The Darkness all the way back in 2007, I always maintain the same answer – “diamond in the rough.” As far as I was concerned, The Darkness was a terrific first-person shooter encompassing an intriguing plot, a terrific protagonist and unique special abilities. I always had the impression however, that although most critics gave The Darkness decent scores, the game itself was never really taken seriously as a truly fantastic game, which I believed wholeheartedly, was the case.

Now The Darkness has spawned a sequel, continuing Jackie Estacado’s battle against the demonic darkness while caught in a bloody mob war. The loss of his girlfriend plagues our heroes mind, making him weak and susceptible to the influence of the darkness – setting up what looks like a thrilling and engaging experience. I urge every single one of you to get a copy of the original like my fellow writer Harry Bandall who told me “I’ve got The Darkness ready and waiting to play through; that alongside the preview content available of the sequel is only getting me more excited to get involved in The Darkness franchise.”

So what do we know so far that’s got us so excited about The Darkness II? Besides my time with the predecessor I also had the opportunity to play one of the two available demos for The Darkness II at MCM Expo London. Immediately what stuck out for me was the dramatic change in art style for the sequel – a cell-shaded approach has been put in place to resemble the comic books from which the series originates. MediaKick News Editor, Ryan Martin, also pointed to the art design in particular as a key interest, comparing it to Borderlands and suggesting “the art style fits in well with the obscene nature of the game, which instantly attracted me to it.”

We also know that a quad-wielding mechanic will be set in motion, allowing players to use the supernatural powers of the darkness along with conventional weapons to do serious damage to their enemies. Grotesque finishing moves and further exploration of the Darklings will help make The Darkness II a gory and violent experience, most likely not for the feint-hearted. The darkness will be your most powerful tool yet your worst enemy, forcing you to get involved in what I hope will be a narrative full of twists and turns. The story could potentially tug at a few heart-strings too – Jackie Estacado was a surprisingly likable protagonist despite the amount of murders he committed in the original, nevertheless his struggle against the darkness should be a thrilling part of what is shaping up to be an engrossing tale.

I believe The Darkness II has all the elements to be a great game and I truly think the series deserves more praise and recognition. Hopefully the sequel will hit heights the original simply couldn’t muster but it’s us gamers that need to get out there and give The Darkness II the chance it rightfully deserves. Hopefully, being pushed from an October release this year into next year will have given some additional development time as well. So get stuck in and play the original game – prepare yourself for one of 2012’s most interesting first-person experiences.