The story follows the efforts of player character Death to clear the name of his brother, War, who stands accused of wiping out humanity.

The game makes frequent use of interactive puzzle elements, requiring the player to think their way through a series of levers, doors, elevators, portals, etc.

Maps are vast and each contain open world regions that can be explored freely on foot or by his horse Despair, along with numerous dungeons where quest objectives are generally carried out.

Death is aided by Despair, a horse that is available for use in open areas of the overworld for faster travel, and Dust, a raven that guides him to his objectives.

Other abilities like "Soul Splitter" and "Interdiction" are acquired, which allow the player to control multiple characters to traverse puzzle areas.

"Stonebites", which are colored stones hidden throughout the world, can be collected (after several quests have been completed) and traded to a character named Blackroot, in groups of three, in exchange for various permanent statistic upgrades.

Death kills the Crowfather, who shatters the amulet and embeds the fragments in the Horseman's chest before sending him into a portal.

Death wakes up in the Forge Lands, a world populated by the Makers, physically imposing beings who are the architects of Creation.

With the help of a Maker named Karn, Death reaches the tainted Guardian and destroys it, allowing it to be reassembled free of Corruption.

Death is transported to the Kingdom of the Dead, where he encounters the merchant Ostegoth, who explains he must find the Well of Souls to bring back mankind, and to that end he must speak with the Lord of Bones.

After completing trials to gain an audience with the Lord, Death is transported to the City of the Dead to find a soul who knows about the Well: the Crowfather.

The Crowfather tells Death that the souls of humanity have been transported to the Well, which is where the spirits of all things living are cleansed and renewed before they are sent out to be reborn.

The Archon sends Death to Earth to bring back a powerful holy weapon, so the way to the Ivory Citadel could be cleared.

After traveling to the Ivory Citadel and confronting its custodian, Death realizes the Archon has possessed the key the entire time and has fallen to Corruption himself.

After traversing the fortress through time, Death finally meets Samael, who tests him in a fierce battle, and gives the key expecting "an interesting show".

After its critical and commercial success of the original game, THQ's creative director Luis Gigliotti revealed in an interview with GameAxis that Darksiders would be a franchise and that they were contemplating a sequel.

[6][7] An article on the Official Xbox Magazine website confirmed that Darksiders II was expected to be released in 2012.

[11] James Cosmo (who appeared as a priest in "The Last Sermon", a live-action trailer for the game)[12] provided the voice of Maker Elder Eideard,[13] Death's guide throughout the story.

Along with higher-resolution graphics and a revamped lighting engine, the studio also made changes to adjust the balance of the game.

The Deathinitive Edition of the game, released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, include these story expansions as well as extra equipment.

Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Darksiders II for "Adventure Game of the Year".

[49][50] Darksiders, along with Red Faction and MX vs. ATV, was purchased by Nordic Games in the final transaction of THQ's assets.