Darkest Dungeon

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 51,217 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Darkest Dungeon Game Cover
"Darkest Dungeon will push even the most hardcore gamers to their breaking points, but those who are brave enough to take it on are in for a dastardly roguelike rivaled by few others."
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Darkest Dungeon is a gothic roguelike RPG that explores the psychological stresses of adventuring. Players must recruit, train, and lead a team of flawed heroes through turn-based combat against horrifying monsters, while managing their stress, disease, and sanity in the face of the ever-encroaching dark. The game features permanent death for heroes, adding to the challenge and urgency of each expedition.

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  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Epic Games
  • Linux
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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 51,217 reviews
gameplay2,943 positive mentions
grinding2,249 negative mentions
  • gameplay8,233 mentions

    The gameplay of "Darkest Dungeon" is characterized by its challenging and punishing mechanics, which require players to manage not only the health of their heroes but also their stress levels, leading to a unique blend of strategy and tension. While many players appreciate the depth and complexity of the game, including its turn-based combat and resource management, others find the reliance on RNG and the potential for frustrating setbacks to be a significant drawback. Overall, the game offers a rich and immersive experience, but its steep learning curve and harsh mechanics may not appeal to everyone.

    • “The gameplay feels extremely tense as you're learning the mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay flows well, the artwork is amazing, and the voice acting and story are immersive and interesting.”
    • “The stress mechanics add a unique layer of strategy, forcing you to manage not just physical but mental well-being.”
    • “I have thousands of hours in Korean gacha MMOs and hundreds of hours in XCOM 2, BG3, etc., and this game's RNG mechanics are more degenerate and detrimental to the experience than any game I've ever played.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and not that varied; it's just a matter of having better weapons/skills to deal with enemies properly.”
    • “The stress mechanic is also applied to you when booting up this game; 10/10 would be afflicted again.”
  • story5,612 mentions

    The story of "Darkest Dungeon" is steeped in Lovecraftian horror, revolving around the player's quest to reclaim their family's estate from eldritch horrors unleashed by their ancestor. While the narrative unfolds through journal entries and the haunting narration of the ancestor, many players find the story minimal and often overshadowed by the game's punishing mechanics and RNG elements. Despite its simplicity, the atmosphere and character backstories create a compelling backdrop that enhances the overall experience, making each mission feel significant and fraught with tension.

    • “The story is engaging, the danger exciting.”
    • “The atmosphere and gameplay are excellent along with the emergent storytelling.”
    • “The narration, the music, the art, the animation, the mechanics... most importantly, the sense of quest and difficulty.”
    • “If I plan on playing it for any longer, I must have a fetish for masochism because the game is completely devoid of a true sense of accomplishment regardless, unless you want to grind on the very repetitive mission types and bosses.”
    • “The story is pushed to the background and after 13 hours I have gotten almost no further idea of what the story is about other than that your ancestor summoned a dark force or something and you're here to fix it.”
    • “The story is minimal but serviceable.”
  • graphics4,694 mentions

    The graphics of "Darkest Dungeon" are widely praised for their unique, hand-drawn art style that evokes a gothic and Lovecraftian atmosphere, enhancing the game's dark themes. Players appreciate the intricate character designs and the overall aesthetic, which effectively conveys a sense of dread and hopelessness. However, some users note performance issues, particularly on AMD graphics cards, and mention that while the visuals are compelling, they may not meet the expectations of those seeking high-end graphics.

    • “The hand-drawn, gothic visuals create an intense, immersive atmosphere that perfectly complements the game's dark and foreboding themes.”
    • “The art style is striking, and the narrator's voice adds a haunting quality that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The art style, music, and sound design are original, and give this game life.”
    • “No longer runs at a reasonable framerate on any computer that uses AMD graphics.”
    • “The graphics are poor.”
    • “The graphics may not be for everybody, but at least I don’t care.”
  • atmosphere2,962 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Darkest Dungeon" is widely praised for its dark, gothic, and lovecraftian elements, creating a deeply immersive experience that enhances the game's themes of despair and madness. Players commend the game's stunning art style, haunting soundtrack, and exceptional narration by Wayne June, which collectively contribute to a sense of tension and dread throughout gameplay. While the atmosphere is often described as oppressive and unforgiving, it is also seen as a key factor that keeps players engaged and invested in their characters' fates.

    • “The atmosphere is incredible, the combat is engaging and it has incredible replay value.”
    • “The hand-drawn, gothic visuals create an intense, immersive atmosphere that perfectly complements the game's dark and foreboding themes.”
    • “The atmosphere and gameplay are stunning.”
    • “Exploring the dungeons is also next level boring, because it's always the same style of art and atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game is extremely nihilistic and isn't fun to play at all.”
    • “The game's atmosphere tries to be dark, but fails miserably, as you get so used to it that it doesn't even matter.”
  • grinding2,298 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Darkest Dungeon" is a major point of contention among players, with many describing it as tedious and excessive. While some appreciate the challenge and strategic depth that comes with managing resources and leveling characters, others find the repetitive nature of grinding for gold, heirlooms, and character levels to be frustrating and unfulfilling. The game's reliance on RNG further exacerbates this issue, leading to feelings of helplessness when hard-earned progress is lost due to bad luck. Overall, while the game offers a unique and atmospheric experience, its grind-heavy mechanics can detract from enjoyment, especially in the late game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The upgrade system of the village is grindy but not too grindy.”
    • “Quests are categorized by level so you'll always be playing at your party's skill level; no farming experience on under-leveled quests for you!”
    • “Honestly a good game but ruined by filling the mid-game with grinding. It doesn't mean it's boring to play, but if you want to have a sense of progression, get ready to sit down and do the same thing over and over again just to level up a building that makes you do the same thing again but at a harder difficulty.”
    • “The required grinding in combination with the brutal RNG made the game tedious in my opinion.”
    • “The game is too grindy and the odds are too heavily against the player, so min/maxing is absolutely necessary to get to where I am now.”
  • music1,959 mentions

    The music in "Darkest Dungeon" has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the game's dark and foreboding tone. Composed by Stuart Chatwood, the soundtrack dynamically shifts to reflect gameplay conditions, such as the intensity of battles and the dwindling light levels, which adds to the overall tension and emotional weight of the experience. While many players appreciate the haunting melodies and the exceptional narration by Wayne June, some have noted that the music can become repetitive over extended play sessions, suggesting a desire for more variety in the soundtrack.

    • “The art style and RPG mechanics are unique, and the narration and music fit perfectly with the gameplay; this is a gem of a game.”
    • “The music is superb, the art style is both striking and familiar, the writing is archaic and inviting, and the gameplay is riveting as well as addicting.”
    • “The dramatic music accompaniment heightens the tension and drama of each encounter, enhancing the sense of dread and urgency as you navigate through the game’s challenging dungeons.”
    • “The music is bad and full of annoying flourishes!”
    • “Game has been out for years and still this audio issue has stuck around where it constantly stutters the OST or straight up skips dialogue, extremely annoying.”
    • “You will grind so many freaking dungeons that are barely any different from each other before you even get close to playing the final area ('darkest dungeon'), that at this point even the music is starting to annoy you because there's only one damn soundtrack in these dungeons.”
  • replayability639 mentions

    The game boasts exceptionally high replayability, largely due to its procedurally generated dungeons, diverse roster of heroes, and the random nature of encounters, which ensures that no two playthroughs are the same. The extensive modding community further enhances this aspect, offering countless additional content and customization options that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. While some players note a grindy nature and occasional repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the game provides a rich and varied experience that encourages repeated play.

    • “It's highly replayable thanks to the random nature of the game and the DLCs, which are absolutely worth it after a first playthrough.”
    • “The variety of heroes, vast enemies, complex and simple strategies alike, random events, quirks, secrets, trinkets, and areas opens up nigh-unlimited opportunities for replayability and customization, especially with any of the DLCs.”
    • “High replayability: procedurally generated dungeons and a sprawling roster of heroes ensure no two playthroughs are the same.”
    • “This game really misses replayability.”
    • “The game also has almost no replay value, in my opinion.”
    • “However, it gets repetitive, it's a bit grindy and has quite low replayability.”
  • emotional435 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Darkest Dungeon" is a profound and often heart-wrenching experience, as players become deeply attached to their characters, only to face the brutal reality of their inevitable deaths. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke intense feelings, ranging from joy and triumph to despair and frustration, making it an emotional rollercoaster that can lead to genuine tears. The combination of challenging gameplay, character investment, and a dark atmosphere creates a unique emotional journey that resonates strongly with players, often leaving them both devastated and exhilarated.

    • “This game will reward you with an emotional roller coaster of a finely crafted experience.”
    • “While it's heartbreaking to lose a character that you've invested time into, that's what makes you invested in each character.”
    • “You'll become emotionally attached to your heroes and then devastated when they eventually die.”
    • “You are a masochist, enjoying suffering from endless failures, unfair RNG, and a boring story.”
  • humor429 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a unique blend of dark, macabre wit and absurdity, often manifesting through character quirks, ironic situations, and the narrator's sharp commentary. Players frequently find themselves laughing at the grim misfortunes of their heroes, as the game's punishing mechanics lead to hilariously unfortunate outcomes, making the experience both frustrating and entertaining. Overall, the humor serves to enhance the game's challenging atmosphere, providing moments of levity amidst the chaos.

    • “So you train, equip yourself as best as possible, and make it to the starting line only to have Darkest Dungeon punch you square in the dick and sprint away, laughing at your doubled-over, blue-faced, gasping-for-breath-in-the-fetal-position personage.”
    • “The challenge can be punishing as hell, but until it kicks you will have had tons of fun with the hilarious humor, the sinister art style, and the intriguing gameplay.”
    • “It's funny that managing stress is a big part of this game because that's all I feel when I play.”
    • “Sadly, the gameplay did not click at all for me: at first interesting, it quickly became very repetitive and not funny at all.”
    • “It's not funny, it's a game for masochists.”
    • “Really a shame, indeed, because graphics are quite good, captivating, and the concept is not bad at all, but right now it's just frustrating, greedy, and unfunny.”
  • character development143 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising the unique and visually stunning character designs that enhance the overall atmosphere. However, there are criticisms regarding the depth of character progression, as some feel it lacks meaningful development and impact on gameplay, leading to a sense of repetitiveness. While the art and design are often highlighted as standout features, the actual mechanics of character development can feel simplistic or insufficient for some players.

    • “The character designs and visuals are cool, and the progression and upgrade system is satisfying and enough for me to keep coming back to it.”
    • “The atmosphere and character design are outstanding.”
    • “The character design is practical, the enemies are intimidating, and the regions are dilapidated and sickly.”
    • “The lack of character development combined with how little you are actually supposed to care about them makes the game less interesting over time.”
    • “There's not much in the way of character development.”
    • “The combat is not enough fun to overcome this, and the leveling and character development lack any kind of ingenuity.”
  • optimization123 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many report smooth performance on various systems, particularly low-end hardware, others have experienced significant issues, especially with AMD drivers, leading to stuttering and poor performance. Overall, the game is generally well-optimized for most setups, but specific configurations and updates have caused frustration among players seeking a consistent experience.

    • “Performance-wise, the game runs great; it is not an inherently demanding game with the art style.”
    • “To have any hope of taking down high-level monsters, your crew must be a well-oiled, well-drilled machine with its members optimized to work well within the crew.”
    • “The game actually takes into account realistic factors that may influence a hero's performance.”
    • “Great game but unfortunately has horrible performance if you have an AMD card and intend on using AMD drivers past 22.6.1.”
    • “In early 2016, the devs released a patch that causes poor performance on some mid-high end hardware, an issue that persists even now.”
    • “Now, I can hardly play, and that's a royal shame, because until they fix the problem with the unplayable, crippling stuttering, I would not recommend this game to anyone.”
  • stability110 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and graphical glitches, including frequent freezes and crashes that can disrupt gameplay. While some users noted that the game runs well on lower-end systems and praised its performance, the overall consensus highlights a lack of polish and numerous issues that detract from the experience. Despite its potential, many players express frustration over the game's instability, suggesting that it requires further development and bug fixes.

    • “Performance-wise, the game runs great; it is not an inherently demanding game with the art style.”
    • “The game feels well thought out, solidly coded, and bug-free so far.”
    • “This game already feels extremely polished and bug-free.”
    • “There are a number of visual glitches that occur such as textures not loading and being replaced with white shapes.”
    • “The game is so buggy that most people are unable to play it at all, and the other half have to disable large amounts of content just to run the bare minimum.”
    • “Every time an achievement is unlocked, the game freezes.”
  • monetization28 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism for its intrusive in-game advertisements for DLC, which many players find frustrating and detracting from the overall experience. While some appreciate the lack of microtransactions typical of mobile games, the constant promotion of additional content feels like a cash grab to others, undermining the indie spirit of the game. Overall, players suggest waiting for a sale to avoid the annoyance of these ads, which can disrupt immersion and gameplay.

    • “It's like a well-executed mobile game, but without waiting and microtransactions to skip the grind.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure you to spend money to enjoy the game.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content without forcing you to make purchases.”
    • “The annoying thing are the DLC advertisements baked into the game.”
    • “It's just a lack of microtransactions that is a no-go for me.”
    • “Good game or not, there's a point at which devs go too far with their constant DLC advertising, and this is that point for me.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

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Play time

33hMedian play time
74hAverage play time
58hMain story
124hCompletionist
10-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 357 analyzed playthroughs

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