Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf Darksiders II looks horrible to you, first separate a dislike of its visual style from a technical image problem. The right next step depends on whether you mean the art direction, a blurry or dim picture, or a platform-specific rendering fault. THQ Nordic advertises improved graphics for the PC Deathinitive Edition and 4K features for the newer PS5 and Xbox Series remaster, but those specifications do not guarantee that every player will like how the game looks.
What do you mean by “horrible” graphics?
“Horrible” can describe very different problems, and an edition upgrade will not solve all of them. Identify what you are seeing before changing settings or choosing another version.
- Art direction: You dislike the character designs, environments, colors, or overall visual style. That is a subjective reaction, not evidence of a display fault.
- Image clarity: The picture looks blurry, jagged, or lower-resolution than expected. Check which edition and platform you are playing and what output resolution is selected before assuming the game is defective.
- Brightness or contrast: The scene looks too dark or washed out. On the original PC release, the manual documents a title-screen gamma setting.
- Rendering fault: You see a specific abnormality, such as missing or corrupted visuals. The supplied official guidance does not identify a universal fix for such symptoms; troubleshooting depends on your platform, edition, and what happens.
How the editions differ visually
THQ Nordic describes two relevant updates, but their claims are publisher specifications and marketing descriptions—not independent measurements or a promise that the game will look good to everyone.
| Edition | What the publisher says about visuals | Platform and availability details in the cited sources |
|---|---|---|
| Deathinitive Edition | THQ Nordic says the PC edition has an improved graphics rendering engine, reworked level, character, and environment graphics, and native 1080p resolution. Steam’s listing repeats the graphics and native 1080p claims; these are product descriptions, not independent assessments. | The PC release date listed on Steam is November 5, 2015. THQ Nordic also describes Deathinitive Edition as having reworked graphics on its game page. |
| PS5 and Xbox Series remaster | THQ Nordic describes the remaster as 4K, with ray tracing and improved lighting and shadows. In a January 28, 2025 announcement, the publisher advertised “4K Resolution & 60 FPS”; that is a publisher claim, not an independently benchmarked result. | THQ Nordic announced a physical retail edition for PS5 and Xbox Series in its January 28, 2025 announcement. The announcement does not establish current stock at any particular retailer. |
These descriptions make the editions worth comparing if your concern is resolution or rendering features. They do not establish that either edition changes the underlying style enough to address a subjective dislike.
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- Become the most feared of the legendary Four Horsemen, able to destroy entire worlds and battle forces beyond heaven and hell
- Explore startling game world environments reminiscent of heaven and hell
- Customize your experience with varied armor sets, weapons, and skill trees allowing players to create their own Death
- Explore a vast open world, complete dozens of side quests and customize your Death with a full leveling system, skill trees and endless equipment combinations
- Death is a nimble and agile character capable of incredible acrobatic feats allowing the player to explore the world like never before
What to check on the original PC release
The official manual for the original PC release documents a gamma adjustment at the title screen. Its guidance is to adjust gamma until “the outer runes of the image are faintly visible, but not entirely black.” This is a brightness calibration instruction; it is not a general fix for blur, low resolution, or an art style you dislike. The manual also directs players to the installed game’s readme for the latest troubleshooting and support information.
For a problem beyond gamma, note the platform and edition, describe the symptom precisely, and consult the readme or support information for that installation. The cited guidance does not establish one setting or fix that applies across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox versions.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Become the most feared of the legendary Four Horsemen, able to destroy entire worlds and battle forces beyond Heaven and Hell.
- Explore startling gameworld environments reminiscent of heaven and hell.
- Customize your experience with varied armor sets, weapons, and skill trees allowing players to create their own Death.
- Explore a vast open world, complete dozens of side quests and customize your Death with a full leveling system, skill trees and endless equipment combinations.
- Death is a nimble and agile character capable of incredible acrobatic feats allowing the player to explore the world like never before.
Rank #3
- Darksiders 2 with all DLC included and integrated into the game which offers a total playtime of more than 30 hours
- Play Death: Become the most feared of the legendary Four Horsemen, able to destroy entire worlds and battle forces beyond Heaven and Hell
- Player Choice & Customization: Customize your experience with varied armor sets, weapons, and Skill Trees allowing players to create their own Death
- Replay-ability: Explore a vast open world, complete dozens of side quests and customize your Death with a full leveling system, Skill Trees and endless equipment combinations
- Epic Universe: Unlike anything the player has seen before, delivered in the unique style of Joe Mad
Rank #2
- Used Book in Good Condition
How to decide whether an edition change is relevant
- If you dislike the art direction: Treat that as a matter of taste. The publisher’s claims about reworked graphics or higher resolution do not promise a different visual identity or a style you will prefer.
- If you want the documented PC update: Deathinitive Edition is the version whose publisher and Steam descriptions specify reworked graphics and native 1080p.
- If you want the newer console features: THQ Nordic describes the PS5 and Xbox Series remaster as 4K with ray tracing and improved lighting and shadows, and advertised it at 4K and 60 FPS in its 2025 physical-release announcement. Those remain publisher claims rather than independent test results.
- If the picture appears technically wrong: Identify the platform, edition, display, and exact symptom before concluding that a different edition is the answer. The documented gamma option applies narrowly to the original PC release.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
