Release Date: May 8, 2023
The second installment of the cycle of grim RPGs, which was launched in 2016. The story told in Darkest Dungeon II focuses on the apocalypse and the hardships of a long, exhausting journey, while the gameplay is based on the mechanics known from the original. Players must, therefore, travel through gloomy locations, facing the dangers lurking there and taking care of the emotional state of the characters.
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Darkest Dungeon II is a sequel to the highly acclaimed RPG with heavy roguelike elements from 2016. Just like its predecessor, it was developed by the independent Red Hook Studios.
Darkest Dungeon II is set during the apocalypse. The playable characters find hope in the distant, looming mountain, but the road to reach it is long, exhausting and difficult. It's up to us to lead them there, sound of body and mind. Wayne June returns as the game's narrator.
The gameplay of Darkest Dungeon II is similar to the first installment, though also featuring numerous changes. We play as four characters selected from a larger roster. Each character represents a different class, with different skills, strengths and weaknesses. The characters either return from the first game or are entirely new. One such newcomer is the Runaway, a frontline fighter specializing in fire-based attacks.
The dark realm traversed throughout the game is divided into smaller zones. In them, we'll find enemy encounters, ruins and dungeons to explore and NPCs in distress. Helping them and battling enemies is necessary to maintain our torch, as if the flame of hope dies out, our heroes will soon follow. Character death is permanent, and losing our entire squad forces us to restart the entire run. That, alongside the restriction of having only a single representative of each class, encourages the player to take better care of the heroes.
Just like previously, the player must keep an eye on the characters' mental condition. Characters' traits and behavior determine the relationships they form with their teammates. Positive relationships grant positive effects, while hostile relationships are detrimental to the team. Difficult and horrifying experiences build up the characters' stress meters. It can be lowered in inns, where the team can rest after a difficult journey by playing cards and drinking. Neglecting rest and letting the stress meter fill up eventually causes the character to break down, resetting all their relationships. A seasoned player can use this to their advantage, deliberately edging the character closer to madness to get rid of undesired relationships.
Enemy encounters are once again turn-based, shown from the side, with the heroes and the enemies set in formation on the battlefield. Proper positioning is once again extremely important. The system was significantly changes due to the introduction of tokens representing effects (such as a chance to block the next attack or to stun the target). Both the protagonists and the enemies can benefit from them. The game also no longer lets us heal in combat.
As we progress through the game, we learn new skills and acquire special items providing various effects. We also gain Hope points, which serves as currency and is the only resource retained between runs.
Darkest Dungeon II retains its predecessor's grim artstyle. The sequel made a jump towards 3D graphics, leaving behind the characters' exaggerated proportions.
Platforms:
PC Windows May 8, 2023
PlayStation 4 July 15, 2024
Xbox One July 15, 2024
Nintendo Switch July 15, 2024
PlayStation 5 July 15, 2024
Xbox Series X/S July 15, 2024
Age restrictions: 18+
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A series of RPG games with roguelike elements maintained in the style of dark fantasy. The series was created and is being developed by the independent studio Red Hook Studios.
Darkest Dungeon II Review: It Only Gets Darker
Darkest Dungeon II continues the original’s legacy, thrusting the player into incredibly dark, brutal, and complex strategic turn-based combat.
Last Update: May 9, 2023
Darkest Dungeon 2 guide contains advice for the game, tips and tricks and best tips for heroes, combat, stress and expeditions. We describe all locations, tokens, icons and also system requirements.
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Top s for Darkest Dungeon II Video Game:
mod Darkest Dungeon II - Cheat Table (CT for Cheat Engine) v.9052023 - May 10, 2023
trainer Darkest Dungeon II - 2021.11.04 +12 Trainer - November 5, 2021
trainer Darkest Dungeon II - 2023.02.18 +12 Trainer - February 26, 2023
trainer Darkest Dungeon II - v0.12.32067 +18 Trainer - March 24, 2022
mod Darkest Dungeon II - Ultrawide Fix v.0.0.1 - November 30, 2023
trainer Darkest Dungeon II - v1.0 +12 Trainer - May 9, 2023
trainer Darkest Dungeon II - 2022.06.21 +12 Trainer - June 24, 2022
trainer Darkest Dungeon II - v1.01 +12 Trainer - August 25, 2023
trainer Darkest Dungeon II - Trainer v.v1.0-v2.0+ - February 18, 2025
System Requirements for Darkest Dungeon II Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-4460 3.2 GHz / AMD Athlon X4, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 950 / Radeon R7 370 or better, 6 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.
Recommanded System Requirements:
Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 950 / Radeon R7 370 or better, 10 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.
List of Game Expansions for Video Game:
Expansion
January 27, 2025
RPG
The second large expansion for the 2023 RPG. Darkest Dungeon II: Inhuman Bondage offers a new Catacombs mini-region and a new playable Abomination character, capable of transforming from human into a monster. There are also new types of items to be found in the DLC.
List of Game Add-Ons and DLCs for Video Game:
DLC The Binding Blade December 11, 2023
Game Ratings for Darkest Dungeon II Video Game.
Darkest Dungeon II Review: It Only Gets Darker
Darkest Dungeon II continues the original’s legacy, thrusting the player into incredibly dark, brutal, and complex strategic turn-based combat.
Eurogamer: by Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
A copious and often brilliant, if not quite unmissable reworking of a powerfully grim fantasy.
RageQuit.GR: 93 / 100 by Pavlos Geranios
Inhuman Bondage offers a few extra elements with the arrival of Abomination and a small area, but they improve on the already very good original package. The coincidental and planned release of the free mode, Kingdoms, elevates the game to its best form yet.
Shacknews: 8 / 10 by Greg Burke
For our in-depth thoughts on Darkest Dungeon 2, be sure to watch our full review on YouTube. For more video game reviews and gameplay videos, subscribe to the Shacknews channel.
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