The Darkness II shining this fall

In 2007, publisher 2K and developer Starbreeze Studios unleashed The Darkness for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC to a warm critical reception. As revealed at Comic-Con 2010, the publisher is moving forward with a second entry in the series, but Starbreeze won't be developing it.

Announced today was The Darkness II for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Due out at the tail end of this year, the title will continue the narrative of criminal Jackie Estacado and his mystical power, The Darkness, as told in the comic book franchise created by Top Cow Productions.

The title will be developed by Digital Extremes, the Canadian development shop behind Dark Sector, the multiplayer component of BioShock 2, and the upcoming PC version of Homefront. The studio also assisted on The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena.

2K says The Darkness II will distance itself from other first-person shooters with its quad-wielding gameplay mechanic. This option allows players to "slash, grab, and throw objects and enemies with their demon arms while simultaneously firing two weapons."

The game's announcement was light on narrative details. However, what is known is that players will be thrust back into the gritty boots of Estacado, now the don of the Franchetti clan and presented with an all-new storyline.

Unable to rid his mind of the demons associated with his girlfriend's death since containing his mystical powers, Jackie finally breaks. A reasonless attack on Jackie's life kick-starts a full-on mob war, a perfect situation for The Darkness to reemerge. Jackie will travel to "hell and worse" throughout the story of The Darkness II and will learn the reason he was attacked and even the "motivations" of his supernatural powers.

No word yet if Faith No More singer Mike Patton will return in The Darkness II to reprise his role as the voice of Estacado's inner demon, The Darkness.

For more on the original, check out GameSpot's review of The Darkness.