Darkest Dungeon II on PC
To say Darkest Dungeon II generally is a brutally punishing recreation could be an understatement.
On multiple event, I noticed promising runs floor to a halt due to unlucky essential hits from enemies and fewer than excellent skills assigned to my occasion. A matter of minutes noticed runs go from being the very best I’d ever needed to the worst I’d ever seen, and what may have been a triumphant trouncing of a boss became a torturous train in taking place with the ship alongside the occasion members I’d led into premature deaths.
It’s the epitome of a recreation that revels in pitting gamers towards overwhelming odds. And but, this additionally made overcoming the challenges the sport presents that rather more gratifying, and established Red Hook Studios‘ newest providing as some of the rewarding roguelike video games I’ve performed in a very long time.
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A part of that is due to how Darkest Dungeon II builds upon what got here earlier than it. Just like the primary title within the collection, the sequel facilities round a gaggle of troubled souls who’re drawn right into a mission to remove an eldritch pressure that threatens humanity. Not like the unique Darkest Dungeon although, this entry sees the forces of darkness let unfastened on civilization, decimating and corrupting the broader world.
In consequence, the occasion of unlikely heroes should journey the world, preventing horrors as they go and struggling to keep up their sanity within the face of more and more monstrous obstacles. All of the whereas, bits and items of knowledge are revealed relating to how this occurred, and what awaits those that will stay as soon as the mud settles.
It’s a dire sufficient setup, and supplies an excuse for a few of the gameplay mechanics which have been applied for the reason that first recreation’s launch. Most of those show themselves within the type of quality-of-life enhancements, which serve to make the sequel really feel like an enormous step up by way of ease of entry and playability.
Working example: Gamers now navigate linear maps and areas by way of a carriage which permits one’s occasion to traverse the sport’s maps extra shortly. Gamers can nonetheless select the place they go and what they’ll expertise to an extent, however there’s now not an choice or have to travel round a cramped space in an effort to full missions. Gamers also can nonetheless fall sufferer to hazards and threats simply because the occasion from the unique did, however with far much less useful resource administration, backtracking, and normal stress.
![Darkest Dungeon II Review - A Light in the Darkness](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Darkest-Dungeon-II-Party-Fighting-Abominations-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C563)
Alongside this have been enhancements starting from extra readily accessible occasion member sorts as a substitute of randomly recruitable characters, and the elimination of the starvation mechanic altogether. Although these would possibly appear to be small options to newcomers, they find yourself radically altering the sport and honing in on the problem introduced by the sport’s fight.
Talking of which, the battles in Darkest Dungeon II are the place the title actually shines. Although it’d appear to be normal fare for a turn-based tackle fights, the system is deceptively deep with a slew of stats, illnesses, and buffs to maintain observe of. Failing to take action can shortly spell the distinction between a profitable run and one doomed to fail. There’s additionally elements like a celebration member’s positioning, and whether or not or not they’ve the damage-dealing potential wanted for a given encounter.
Early on, I discovered myself consistently flattened by Occult enemies which appeared insurmountable as a result of harm they dealt and the illnesses they hit my occasion members with. After doing a little experimenting although, I discovered that they might be simply dispatched by blinding, poisoning, or burning them accordingly, after which transferring particular courses into place to inflict the utmost quantity of injury. Earlier than lengthy, they ranked among the many foes I may dispatch even with pretty underdeveloped occasion members.
Including to this are a slew of auxiliary mechanics which serve to additional affect one’s possibilities of survival. These embody returning options like equipping Trinkets with particular results or correctly treating the occasion throughout their temporary respites at Inns, in addition to coping with the totally different traits assigned to characters which strengthen and debilitate characters in equal measure.
Alongside these are new components similar to segments which flesh out the backstories of characters in an effort to unlock new skills for them, and relationships between characters that kind primarily based on their actions in fight. Using them correctly can show simply as pivotal in how nicely one’s run goes, and are price determining sooner fairly than later.
![Darkest Dungeon II Review - A Light in the Darkness](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Darkest-Dungeon-II-Highwayman-Storyline-First-Chapter-Key-Art-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C563)
Granted, that is simpler mentioned than executed, particularly for newcomers to the franchise. As with the primary recreation, Darkest Dungeon II generally is a little obtuse in the way it presents its mechanics to the participant. Contemporary gamers could have a metric ton of options thrown at them proper off the bat, and the reasons for how one can use them aren’t all the time as detailed as they might be.
There’s additionally the RNG components to bear in mind. Whereas gamers can definitely get round a few of the title’s problem by way of expertise and follow, there’ll nonetheless be runs which can be made unsalvageable as a consequence of a string of essential hits from enemies or the worst doable traits triggering and debilitating one’s occasion. There’s no actual option to account for this, and the one resolution is often to simply accept a loss even when victory appeared to be in sight moments in the past.
Each of those can show irritating, however by no means serve to make the expertise not possible to get pleasure from or a waste of time. Even when my early hours noticed me overwhelmed or pissed off by sudden losses, I used to be all the time drawn again in by the potential for a greater run sooner or later the place I had a greater understanding of the mechanics, or the place I stumbled upon a celebration with the right traits.
Previous that, the remainder of Darkest Dungeon II will be counseled for a way nicely it’s designed. When it comes to the artwork and graphics, the title exhibits a transparent step up from the unique due to its leap to 3D. Each by way of the carriage and the sprites for characters in battle, the sport pops by way of small animations and actions. The artwork model bolsters these additional, lending all the things the identical stylistic vitality as the unique by way of darkish and jagged portrayals of assaults and reactions.
Sound-wise, the sport is simply as memorable as the primary in most each regard. The music runs the gamut from morose and haunting to intense and adrenaline pumping, whereas the sound results guarantee gamers will really feel each meaty blow or otherworldly howl all the way in which right down to their bones. Particular point out additionally goes out to Wayne June, who as soon as once more serves because the inimitable voice of the narrator all through the journey and lends a particular aptitude to even the extra mundane facets of the sport.
Darkest Dungeon II isn’t a simple expertise to dive into, however it’s a worthwhile one. These keen to muscle by way of its punishing design and RNG components will discover the most effective roguelike titles round, and may count on to be drawn again into its world for months or years to return.
![Darkest Dungeon II Critic Review](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Darkest-Dungeon-II-Key-Art.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&w=1000)
Reviewer: Keenan McCall | Award: Editor’s Alternative | Copy offered by Writer.
Professionals
- Deep and rewarding fight.
- Lovely visuals and audio.
- In depth quality-of-life enhancements.
Cons
- RNG can really feel unfair at occasions.
- Steep studying curve for newcomers.
Launch Date
Might 8, 2023
Developer
Pink Hook Studios
Writer
Pink Hook Studios
Consoles
PC