Darkest Dungeon II Reviews

Darkest Dungeon II is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
10 / 10.0
May 9, 2023

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.

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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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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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4 / 5.0
May 9, 2023

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

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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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Gameblog
AlexLeCoq
Top Critic
8 / 10
May 10, 2023

Darkest Dungeon 2 is a great sequel to an already great games. Red Hook Studios took risks by changing the way the game plays itself but it becomes one of the main strengh of this new game which as adapted to the time. If you like hard RPG, tough but passionate experience, Darkest Dungeon 2 is probably made for you !

Review in French | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
May 10, 2023

Darkest Dungeon 2 suffers from the lack of an engaging story and some monotony, but the developers have delivered on their promises. This game is better than its predecessor in almost every way.

Review in Polish | Read full review

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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INVEN
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
May 11, 2023

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

9 / 10
May 11, 2023

Darkest Dungeon 2 doubles down on what made the original so special, presenting a roguelike adventure where swings in mood carry just as much weight as swings of the sword.

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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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Unscored
May 12, 2023
Darkest Dungeon 2 | Review in 3 Minutes - YouTube video thumbnail
95 / 100
May 13, 2023

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.

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3.5 / 5.0
May 13, 2023

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.

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4.3 / 5.0
May 14, 2023

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.

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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

8 / 10.0
May 18, 2023

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.

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4 / 5.0
May 19, 2023

Ultimately, Darkest Dungeon 2 will leave you battered and bruised yet desperate for another dance with despair. It encapsulates the spirit of its predecessor while forging its path. It may not be a game for everyone, but it offers a twisted pleasure that’s hard to resist for those who embrace the darkness. Despite its flaws and initial stumbling blocks, the game delivers a haunting and immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression. In the grim ballet of Darkest Dungeon 2, despair and joy are two sides of the same coin, and that alone makes it worth a spin.

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6 / 10.0
May 21, 2023

Darkest Dungeon 2 wanted to move away from the formula of the first part as much as possible and send us on a new adventure, but something went wrong. The project simply lost the gloomy atmosphere of its predecessor and never figured out how to replace its mechanics.

Review in Russian | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
May 22, 2023

Darkest Dungeon II keeps everything good from the original and elevates it to create something different but equally brutal.

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