The Darkness II delayed to February 7

It looks as if The Darkness II will stay cloaked in shadow for longer than expected. 2K Games confirmed for GameSpot today that it has pushed The Darkness II beyond its previously announced October 4 release date. The publisher now expects to release the Digital Extremes-developed title for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on February 7 in North America and February 10 internationally.

The Darkness II will pick up several years after the events of the well-regarded original, with players once again taking the role of Jackie Estacado, now the don of the Franchetti clan. While he has controlled the chaotic powers inside him since the events of the first game, a reasonless attempt on his life kick-starts a full-on mob war in New York, a perfect situation for the Darkness to reemerge.

While the original Darkness game was made by Starbreeze Studios (The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay), development for the second installment has been entrusted to Digital Extremes. The Canadian studio is perhaps best known for 2008's third-person action game Dark Sector, but it has more recently been working on the PC port of THQ's Homefront, as well as the multiplayer mode of 2K Marin's BioShock 2.

Along with news of the delay, 2K Games confirmed The Darkness II's presence at Comic-Con 2011, which descends on San Diego July 21-24. The publisher will be hosting a panel for the game on July 21 at 12:00 p.m., and it will feature voice actor and Faith No More singer Mike Patton. Talent from franchise creator Top Cow Productions, as well as Digital Extremes, will also be on hand.

For more on The Darkness II, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.