Darkest Dungeon II Reviews
So if you don’t mind the fact that it’s not Darkest Dungeon But More and it’s Darkest Dungeon But Different…it’s worth caveating that the first 10 hours are so are basically just punching you in the face over and over again and normally I don’t put up with that at all before going “okay yeah but then it gets good” but I am an unemployed goth degenerate, so what else am I gonna do?
That’s actually a frequent issue with Darkest Dungeon II. I admire that the team at Red Hook Studios took a real swing here, trying new paths forward for the series instead of just tinkering around the edges and making an iterative sequel. The issue is that most of the game’s strengths are still the parts that came from the first game, with most of what’s new feeling fine but also like downgrades to what they’ve replaced. It leaves Darkest Dungeon II in a strange place where, on its own merits, it’s an interesting and well-made game that doesn’t quite live up to the example set by its predecessor.
In the realm of punishing roguelike experiences, Darkest Dungeon 2 stands as one of the greats. With its immersive art style and complex gameplay mechanics, paired with relentless difficulty, players will be left more battered and bruised, but also wiser and more satisfied as they keep on playing.
Darkest Dungeon 2 had me feeling mixed at first. Ultimately, this sequel feels more fleshed out, and I grew to appreciate the direction it took, giving our heroes more life by giving them backstories and how they interacted with each other in the world.
The official sequel to Darkest Dungeon seemd chose to abandon the management system and offer more rogue-lite fun instead based on the theme of carriage travel. While the concept proved itself with much deeper combat mechanic, but it barely feels like a fresh gameplay.
Review in Korean | Read full review
The premium price tag is well justified. Red Hook’s sophomore release showcases an excellent display of this small but mighty team’s talents. It was well worth the wait with another exceptional addition to the roguelite genre. A gorgeous yet gloomy art direction, impeccable sound design, addictive combat, and more replayability than you can shake a stick come together graciously in Darkest Dungeon II.
Darkest Dungeon II is not just a game, it’s a masterpiece. It has such a rich environment to see and explore, and a massive multitude of enemies to slay, and it takes strategy to new heights with how the heroes interact with each other. This is not a game for the faint of heart, but with some patience and maybe some out of the box thinking, anybody can learn to love this game and all the strange horrors it’ll introduce you to.
A sequel that at first sight seemed to be unnecessary, has managed to crown itself as one of the best role-playing experiences of the last few years. Suffering, masochism and injustice are part of the fun in this incredible roguelite.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Darkest Dungeon II will appeal to fans of the old game and new victims. I mean, players, alike. The cosmic nihilism and battle to preserve hope in Darkest Dungeon II’s narrative is paired with solid gameplay improvements that are less likely to turn players into nihilists themselves.
Darkest Dungeon 2 is a game that offers a good amount of content and replay value. However, its rogue-lite focus and slowness between battles make the experience less satisfying than the first game. Despite its graphical improvements and gameplay changes, it lacks some of the charm that made the original so special.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Darkest Dungeon II conquers us with its tense and macabre journey. The sequel dares to completely change its style, offering a more focused and lean roguelike structure without leaving aside the atmosphere full of complications. Combat is the most notable point with its countless nuances and interesting possibilities, which result in dense and complex tactical clashes. The pilgrimage is not free of problems: unpredictability and bad luck take away the player's control, creating unpleasant and annoying situations. In addition, there is a lack of a greater variety of events and situations. Luckily, there's plenty of content to explore in the form of characters, challenges, and campaigns, which eases the sense of repetition. Frustration, anguish and heartache await those who decide to explore the dangers of Darkest Dungeon II. The road is dangerous and exhausting, but it's worth crossing.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Darkest Dungeon II creates a new framework for the stress inducing cosmic horror series, and is just as challenging as its predecessor.
Darkest Dungeon 2 is not trying to replace the first game. It aims to occupy a spot right beside its predecessor. There are some things the sequel does well and some things it doesn’t. The streamlined (in a good way) combat, reduced grind and improved character dynamics comes at a cost of the removal of the comfy base management of the original.
Darkest Dungeon 2 takes everything about the first game and amplifies it. It's darker, and more brooding, but oozes more personality. It's not easy, but the long exhale after a successful expedition is difficult to match.