Split-screen on PC

The Darkness II

Up to 4 players on one PC, with controllers or keyboard and mouse.

4Verified handler

Handler “DarknessII” by Talos91, version 4

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 4 players can play The Darkness II together on one PC, each in their own part of the screen, with controllers or keyboard and mouse. The free community handler “DarknessII” by Talos91 does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 4, updated 16 Jan 2023. The Darkness II is a shooter game from 2012.

Players4
ControllersSupported
Keyboard and mouseSupported
Several keyboards and miceNot supported
Hub moderatorsVerified

How to play The Darkness II split screen on PC

Get Nucleus Co-op
Download Nucleus Co-op, free for Windows 10 and 11, and unzip it into its own folder, for example C:\NucleusCo-op. There is no installer.
Keep it out of Program Files, your user folder and OneDrive.
Download Nucleus Co-op
Install the The Darkness II handler
In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for The Darkness II and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where The Darkness II is installed.
Download the handler file (.nc)
Take a seat
Each player presses a button on their own controller to join and takes a spot on the screen. Pick a layout that fits your players.
Launch and connect
Press Launch: Nucleus opens one copy of The Darkness II per player and lays the windows out on your screen. Then link them in game, usually one player hosts a LAN or online session and the others join it. The handler notes say how.

What you need

A Windows 10 or 11 PC
Nucleus Co-op runs on Windows only. System requirements
The Darkness II for Windows
Installed on that PC. Nucleus starts every player's window from that one install.
Nucleus Co-op, free
With .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later and the Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtimes (x86 and x64). Download
Something to play with
One controller per player; one player can use the keyboard and mouse. Controllers
A PC that can run 4 copies
Each player runs their own copy of The Darkness II, so the PC carries several times the usual load. Lower the graphics settings if it struggles. Performance tips
A multiplayer mode
Nucleus links the windows through the game's own LAN or online mode; the handler takes care of it.

Handler notes

Has campaign co-op mode.

PCGamingWiki page.

Authors and Contributors of this handler: Talos91 from the Split Screen Dreams Discord.

About The Darkness II

Quad-wielding™chaos: slash, grab, and throw objects and enemies with the Demon Arms while simultaneously firing two weapons, adding a new dimension to the FPS category. Co-op campaign: up to four players play through a separate campaign as unique characters each capable of wielding weapons infused with Darkness powers. Customized ability progression: collect dark essence to upgrade weapons and Darkness powers to suit your playing style. Harness an unstoppable power: master the Demon Arms and summon the powers of The Darkness for even more explosive gameplay. Kill the lights: the vicious powers of The Darkness manifest only in the shadows so use the environment to your advantage and watch out for enemies who will use light as a weapon. Intense and personal journey: experience a dark, twisted and gripping story written exclusively for the game by acclaimed comic book author Paul Jenkins whose credits also include The Incredible Hulk, Wolverine, and the original The Darkness game. Distinctive 'graphic-noir' visual style: graphic novel shading and color combined with the dramatic lighting of film noir pays tribute to the source material and brings the pages of the comic series to life.

Summary from IGDB