With the arrival of 2K Game’s gore-drenched first-person shooter this week, The Darkness II, we’ve put together a quick guide to some essential bits of information you should probably know before plunging into the sequel. The following primer will get you up to speed on key characters, features, as well as why you should (or shouldn’t) care about playing it in the first place. Warning: some major spoilers ahead...

Why Should I Even Care About This Game? 
Based on Top Cow’s graphic novel series, 2007’s The Darkness emerged as an entertaining and somewhat underrated action horror game. The Darkness II, however, is far more ambitious in that instead of delivering merely “more of the same,” like too many videogame sequels, The Darkness II actually strives to take the series in a bold and exciting new direction.

From its luscious graphic-novel-style visual direction -- which gives the game a living comic book aesthetic -- to its engrossing storyline and satisfying blend of carnage and action, The Darkness II looks to please even gamers who weren’t exactly blown away by the original.

Reviewer Cameron Lewis even hails it as “the most perversely invigorating horror shooter in ages,” in OXM’s review of the game.

Who Is Jackie Estacado?
Part of the Franchetti crime family, Jackie Estacado (the protagonist in The Darkness series) is anything but your conventional made man. Brought into the criminal underworld at the ripe age of 12 by his uncle Paulie Franchetti, the hardboiled hitman quickly moved his way up in the family, becoming a proficient killing machine.

Jackie’s life became even more complicated once he discovered that a century’s old demonic curse (called, “The Darkness") passed down from his bloodline is living inside his flesh, just waiting to be unleashed upon his enemies. His newly discovered supernatural powers, coupled with his troubling relationship with his girlfriend, Jenny Romano, sends Jackie down a bloody path where he’s constantly questioning the loyalty of those around him.

What, Exactly, Are Jackie's Supernatural Powers?
While most of us obtain the ability to drink legally at the age of 21, a much more life-altering and sinister power awakens within Jackie Estacado on the night of his twenty-first birthday.

Alleged to be “older than the universe itself,” The Darkness is a demonic entity within Jackie that grants him superhuman powers -- most notably, tentacle-like appendages that sprout out of him that can eat the still-beating hearts out of his enemies.

The Darkness II takes his dark powers several steps further by introducing a huge selection of upgrades and the concept of “quad-wielding,” which as its name suggests, allows you to independently operate four appendages (two human, and two demonic) to maim and gun down enemies simultaneously.

Who Are Some Of The Series’ Other Major Characters? 
Jenny Romano - Jenny is Jackie's love interest and one of the only positive things in his life. But his feelings for Jenny eventually make life as a mobster increasingly difficult for Jackie.

Paulie Franchetti - New York City mafia don, Paulie Franchetti, plays a pivotal role in the series, too, as he not only introduces Jackie to a life of crime but, puts major events in motion when he attempts to murder Jackie.

Eddie Shrote - New York City police captain, Eddie Shrote, is a key antagonist in the first game, and one of NYC’s dirtiest cops. With the help of Paulie, Eddie sets out to destroy Jackie and the people close to him.

Victor Valente - Leader of an ominous organization known as The Brotherhood, badly disfigured occultist Victor Valente desperately wants The Darkness powers for himself, and will stop at nothing to obtain them.

Darkling - The Darkness II introduces Jackie’s Darkling companion, a ghoulish and diminutive creature that aids him in combat, and also happens to don a feline carcass as a hat.

Anthony Estacado - Jackie's great-great grandfather, Anthony Estacado is the man responsible for introducing The Darkness into the Estacado bloodline.