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Darkest Dungeon® II
Indie
RPG
Strategy
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
Steam Trading Cards
Steam Workshop
Steam Cloud
Family Sharing

Darkest Dungeon II is a roguelike road trip of the damned. Form a party, equip your stagecoach, and set off across the decaying landscape on a last gasp quest to avert the apocalypse. The greatest dangers you face, however, may come from within...

Developers: Red Hook Studios
Publishers: Red Hook Studios
Release Date: May 8, 2023
Price (USD): $39.99
Current Players: 1.3k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mostly Positive(76%)
atmosphere
visuals
voice acting
combat mechanics
dark aesthetic
relationship mechanics
roguelike format
complex mechanics
learning curve
grindy progression
slow pacing
lost features
The general sentiment about Darkest Dungeon II is quite polarized. While it inherits the engaging atmosphere and art style that fans appreciate from its predecessor, many players are critical of its grindy progression system and unexplained mechanics. The changes in gameplay structure, moving towards a more roguelike format, are seen as either bold or misguided, depending on the player's expectations. Players who enjoy strategic depth and are fans of the original's atmosphere may enjoy this title, but those expecting a direct continuation or improvement of the first game's mechanics might find themselves disappointed.

Positive Points

  • The game features an excellent atmosphere, visuals, and art style that many players found appealing and immersive.
  • Voice acting, particularly by the late Wayne June, is praised and adds significant depth to the game.
  • Combat mechanics are refined with a new token system, which some players found provides more strategic depth.
  • The game retains the series' dark, gothic aesthetic that fans love, with enhanced 3D models and animations.

    • Negative Points

  • There is a steep learning curve, and the game starts with a significant amount of unexplained mechanics, leading to player frustration.
  • Some players find the game excessively grindy, particularly in the early stages, as unlocking key features and items can take many hours.
  • The pacing of the game is critiqued as being too slow, with some elements like stagecoach travel feeling like unnecessary time sinks.
  • The loss of the base-building and character management features from the first game is a common point of disappointment for fans.

    • Mixed Points

  • The new relationship and stress mechanics received a mixed reception; some players liked the added depth, while others found them frustrating and random.
  • The shift in game structure to a more roguelike format is polarizing; some appreciate the change, while others miss the original's campaign style.
  • Some appreciate the complex new mechanics and the challenge they present, while others feel they add unnecessary complexity to the game.

    • Common Themes

  • Players compare the game heavily to its predecessor, often highlighting the significant changes in mechanics and structure as a core point of contention.
  • There is a strong appreciation for the game's artistic elements, including visuals, sound design, and narrative style.
  • The game's difficulty and requirement of strategic thinking are both a draw and a detriment, depending on personal preference.
    • Updated 5/19/2026, 12:00:59 AM UTC
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