Darkest Dungeon II Reviews

Darkest Dungeon II is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
IGN
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
May 12, 2023

Darkest Dungeon 2 takes a bold new direction for the turn-based tactics ideas established in the first game, but its early hours lean heavily on randomness and it can be a trial to stick with it until you see the light.

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PC Gamer
Top Critic
75 / 100
May 10, 2023

Darkest Dungeon 2 is a challenging yet fun roguelite experience, even if it does sacrifice some of what made the original great.

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Recommended
May 8, 2023

A copious and often brilliant, if not quite unmissable reworking of a powerfully grim fantasy.

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8.5 / 10.0
May 8, 2023

When I found myself shouting in relief and frenetically raising my fist in the air after a hard battle ends in my favor, I can’t deny the following fact: Darkest Dungeon II is a harsh but fantastic game whose white-knuckled battles and hazard-filled exploration will trap you for hours. If you’re willing to make the needed sacrifices, it’s a journey well worth taking.

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4 / 5.0
May 9, 2023

Darkest Dungeon II brings fresh ideas to an already stellar series.

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Unscored
May 9, 2023

A roguelite sequel that takes a few steps forward and one or two back from the original, but keeps the gloomy but intense spirit alive.

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Unscored
Nov 1, 2021

In the transferral to true roguelike, Darkest Dungeon 2 has got a little lost in the woods. But from what I've glimpsed through the trees, it'll be a handsome coach when it finally arrives, done and dusky. I'll happily hop aboard then.

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8 / 10
Jul 15, 2024

Darkest Dungeon 2 may not be the sequel that ardent fans of the original wanted it to be, but its unique approach to that hard-edged, brutal roguelike gameplay is compelling all the same. A memorable art style, tons of replayability, and lots of mechanical depth make this one an easy recommendation to any roguelike fans, even if it can be a little grindy at times. If you've been looking for yet another tough roguelike to add to your collection, Darkest Dungeon 2 is certainly worth your time and your money.

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8.5 / 10.0
Jul 15, 2024

Darkest Dungeon II will either break your spirit or give you strength you never knew you had, offering a tough but rewarding experience.

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9 / 10.0
Jul 16, 2024

Addictive, fun and challenging, Darkest Dungeon 2 is a remarkable, almost outstanding game that knows how to contribute to the original formula while maintaining everything good that its predecessor already had. It is a thrilling journey through the intricacies of the mind and madness in a fusion of grimdark with the Cthulhu mythos.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

87 / 100
Jul 15, 2024

Darkest Dungeon 2 is a different bet from the first title, a game that allows itself to be cradled by the most mainstream roguelike while maintaining what made the first installment so unique and so difficult. Its proposal is very different and that is why the value of this sequel skyrockets.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

TheSixthAxis
Steve C
Top Critic
7 / 10
Jul 31, 2023

Darkest Dungeon II is to be applauded for not resting on its laurels, instead opting to make significant changes from its predecessor. The style, challenge, and strategic brilliance remain and that is enough to make it stand out still. However, the focus on roguelike randomness and excessive grind does make this a very different experience and one that didn't gel for me. If you have the patience to explore the rich detail of the mechanics and the stoicism to deal with the inevitable deaths and disappointments then this is a journey worth taking. Just don't expect it to be a comfortable ride.

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Shacknews
Top Critic
8 / 10
May 31, 2023

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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8.5 / 10.0
May 15, 2023

A masterful entry in the horror rpg genre. The extremely high difficulty is a challenge worth of any gamer's time. An overreliance on random details and a story a bit too nebulous are the only real problems.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Metro GameCentral
GameCentral
Top Critic
8 / 10
May 9, 2023

A solid sequel to one of the best roguelike games of recent years, that personalises the conflict against Lovecraftian madness while adding to the original's compelling turn-based battles.

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May 11, 2023

Darkest Dungeon II showcases how sequels can surpass the original through its captivating gameplay, stunning art style, and immersive music. While the game's complexity may prove challenging, those who venture forth are rewarded with hours of engrossing gameplay and a constant yearning for one more expedition.

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7 / 10
Jul 15, 2024

Darkest Dungeon 2 is quite a departure from its predecessor, so much so that fans of that game might not gel with its more streamlined systems and mechanics. However, Red Hook has managed to retain that same dark spirit, and if you can get on board with it, it'll keep you coming back for more until the very last.

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Dexerto
Top Critic
May 8, 2023

Yet all in all, Darkest Dungeon 2 is a worthy sequel to the 2015 original. It’s a fearless alteration of a well-known formula, while also building a game that you really don’t need any context for. Despite issues with some of the best aspects of the game being thinned by its new formula, Darkest Dungeon 2 remains one of the most exciting strategy games in a while.

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9.5 / 10.0
May 8, 2023

Red Hook Studios refined the art of Darkest Dungeon in every sense, making it extremely difficult to find any defects. It's a brutally challenging strategy games and it's well suited to embrace the new roguelite form. Do yourself a favour and try it right now.

Review in Italian | Read full review

GamePro
Top Critic
80 / 100
Jul 15, 2024

Darkest Dungeon 2 is a well-done, atmospheric roguelike that still stands in the shadow of its grandiose predecessor.

Review in German | Read full review