Darksiders II confirmed for 2012, first artwork released

THQ's confirmed its much-awaited Darksiders sequel for a 2012 release today, dropping a few scant details and showing a first piece of artwork for Game Informer's July cover.

The actioner - releasing on PS3, 360 an PC in calendar 2012 - follows Death, one of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, in a story that runs parallel to the events in the first game. War was the focus of the original.

The game sends Death through various light and dark realms as he tries to redeem his brother War, the horseman blamed for prematurely starting the Apocalypse in Darksiders.

Darksiders II's world is described as "dramatically larger" than the first game, and will feature "full weapon and armor upgrade systems as well as bigger and more challenging dungeons and a vast array of new enemies and bosses."

The Game Informer cover features art from Joe Madureira. The latest issue should be hitting mailboxes soon, and includes a 10-page spread on the game.

Check out the full cover image through here.