Darkest Dungeon II

About

"Darkest Dungeon II" is the sequel to the popular gothic horror RPG, promising another grueling journey filled with madness and peril. Players must prepare their parties for the daunting expedition, as they face new challenges and confront the horrors lurking in the shadows. The game pushes you to your limits, testing both your strategic skills and emotional resilience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,372 reviews

gameplay645 positive mentions

grinding539 negative mentions

The game features stunning graphics and a beautifully detailed art style that enhances the dark, Lovecraftian themes.
Character development is significantly improved, with meaningful relationships and deeper backstories that add depth to the gameplay.
The music and sound design are exceptional, contributing to an immersive atmosphere that captures the essence of the original game.

The gameplay mechanics have been criticized for being tedious and reliant on RNG, with some players finding the stagecoach driving and grinding aspects frustrating.
The story lacks coherence and depth compared to the first game, often feeling disjointed and less engaging.
Many players report significant performance issues, including bugs, stuttering, and a lack of optimization, which detracts from the overall experience.

gameplay
2,879 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
70%
8%
The gameplay of "Darkest Dungeon II" has sparked a wide range of opinions among players, primarily due to its significant departure from the mechanics of the original game. While many appreciate the introduction of roguelite elements, streamlined progression, and the new relationship system that adds depth to character interactions, others criticize the game for its reliance on RNG, tedious mechanics like the stagecoach driving, and the lack of meaningful character development. The combat remains engaging and retains the strategic depth of the first game, but some players feel that the overall experience is marred by poorly explained mechanics and a repetitive gameplay loop. Overall, "Darkest Dungeon II" offers a fresh take on the series, but its changes may not resonate with all fans of the original.
- “Battles retain the punishing, strategic mechanics of the first game, requiring careful positioning and synergy between heroes.”
- “The gameplay feels familiar but fresh.”
- “The core gameplay is the same, but instead of a long hard campaign, you have one chance at a mad dash to victory.”
- “If you want to succeed, look up builds and guides or waste your time trying to learn the unfair mechanics.”
- “The gameplay leaves something to be desired though.”
- “The game forces you to play an absolute piece of garbage minigame as a central game mechanic, has completely incomprehensible ability cards that force you to wiki everything to know what it does until you've played for 20 hours.”
graphics
1,246 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
51%
1%
The graphics of "Darkest Dungeon II" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visual presentation, successfully transitioning the original game's distinctive art style from 2D to a richly detailed 3D format. Reviewers highlight the impressive character animations, atmospheric environments, and the overall aesthetic that enhances the game's dark, Lovecraftian themes. While some fans of the original game express disappointment over gameplay changes, the visual upgrades and artistic direction are consistently praised as a significant improvement.
- “The art style is absolutely stunning, with each environment and character design dripping with detail and atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are vastly improved, the overall artwork, enemy design, and character animations are fantastic.”
- “The transition from 2D to 3D was an interesting choice and executed flawlessly, and the overall aesthetics and art style has been impeccable since the first game released.”
- “The graphics lost all their uniqueness; the theme went from dark gothic to bizarre surrealism.”
- “I feel they spent way too much time and money on the graphics, which in my opinion, aren't as good as the basic original one.”
- “If you buy this game expecting to find the original darkest dungeon just with upgraded graphics and new enemies, you're gonna have a bad time (and you kinda deserve it).”
story
1,195 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
73%
4%
The story in "Darkest Dungeon II" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the deeper exploration of character backstories through voice-acted narratives and unique gameplay mechanics. However, some critics feel that the overall plot lacks coherence and depth compared to the first game, often describing it as disjointed and less engaging. While the game introduces a more hopeful theme and a roguelike structure that allows for character development, it has also been noted that the pacing and delivery of the story can feel tedious, detracting from the immersive experience.
- “Such a refreshing and unique take on the whole Darkest Dungeon world by allowing us, the players, to explore the world and the sheer impact of how the darkness has spread beyond the quaint little hamlet you called home in the first game. The exploration of each hero's backstories really adds a lot to the characters, as in Darkest Dungeon 1, all you had to go based off the hero's backstories was their barks and item descriptions. In the sequel, you can have fully voice-acted expositions with a unique utilization of the combat to illustrate the backstory of each character.”
- “The story is in-depth and spine-chilling. The game excels in narrative, sound design, and storytelling. The overall plot is great, with themes of redemption, hope, and coming to terms with your past and trauma.”
- “The story is much more relevant than the first one, with more interactable obstacles that straight up tell you more about the characters you play with, whereas in the last game you had to go out of your way to find those bits of story.”
- “The lore and story are also a huge letdown, perhaps my greatest disappointment.”
- “In DD2, there barely is a coherent story.”
- “The story is both more and less.”
music
549 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The music in "Darkest Dungeon II" has received widespread acclaim for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, with many praising composer Stuart Chatwood for delivering a soundtrack that enhances the game's dark themes and immersive experience. While some players feel the music lacks the memorable impact of the original game's score, the overall sound design, including voice acting and ambient tracks, is consistently highlighted as a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere. Despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness and a perceived decrease in variety compared to the first game, the music remains a standout feature that many players appreciate.
- “The music is phenomenal, the art style and animations are gorgeous, and the sheer amount of personality the heroes showcase through their dialogue is fantastic.”
- “The soundtrack is once again amazing, the art style with the animations how the characters prepare for different skills are incredible, the narrator like in the first DD nails every single line.”
- “The music, narration, artwork are all stellar, as one would hope from Red Hook.”
- “The music isn't quite on par, and the narrator isn't as quotable as before, but the changes to the mechanics suit the game so amazingly well as to elevate it beyond its predecessor.”
- “There is not enough music variety, and the music is toned down compared to its predecessor.”
- “The traveling music is the same as the menu music; it gets old fast.”
grinding
543 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The grinding aspect of "Darkest Dungeon 2" has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the reduced grind compared to the first game, many find the progression system tedious and frustrating, often feeling like a chore rather than an engaging experience. The game's reliance on grinding for candles and character upgrades can lead to repetitive gameplay, with some players expressing that the grind detracts from the overall enjoyment and sense of accomplishment.
- “No grinding for heirlooms to finish that final patient cells upgrade, or build the mighty red hook.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Every fight is a tedious chore, with no sense of progression.”
- “I loved the original DD, but could never bring myself to 'complete' the game because there's too much grinding.”
- “The game is just so tedious to play.”
atmosphere
375 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
42%
1%
The atmosphere in "Darkest Dungeon II" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, haunting music, and immersive storytelling, effectively capturing the dark, gothic essence of its predecessor while introducing new elements. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings of dread and tension through its art style, sound design, and compelling narration, particularly from Wayne June. However, some reviews note that the atmosphere may feel less oppressive compared to the first game, with certain gameplay mechanics, like the stagecoach, detracting from the overall immersion.
- “The atmosphere is amazing, the art design is stellar, the music is great but the gameplay needs so much attention.”
- “The dark atmosphere is even more tangible - if only because of the extremely beautiful graphics and the really successful voice acting.”
- “The atmosphere and lore of this series is excellent.”
- “The atmosphere is oppressive, the creatures are abominable, and the stories are tragic.”
- “The atmosphere loses some of its eeriness; the roguelike nature of the game means there's certainly less emotional investment in each encounter, and the combat plays a bit differently.”
- “The atmosphere of the original is just gone completely.”
replayability
200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
68%
5%
The replayability of "Darkest Dungeon II" is a mixed bag among players. Many appreciate the introduction of new modes like "kingdoms," which significantly enhance replay value through diverse character paths and dynamic gameplay elements, while others feel that the game's lengthy runs and repetitive elements diminish its overall replayability compared to its predecessor. Overall, while some players find it endlessly replayable with various strategies and builds, others express concerns about its long-term engagement and balance issues.
- “The different character paths add a lot of replayability.”
- “There's so much replayability here, and every run feels fresh thanks to the dynamic elements that keep things interesting.”
- “This gives the game virtually infinite replayability.”
- “Darkest Dungeon II has the best parts of the original removed, and replaces them with uninspired roguelike mechanics that hurt its replayability.”
- “Runs are terribly long (2-4 hours), decreasing replayability and increasing the punishment for losing.”
- “The replayability is lost as well after you've run through all the areas.”
optimization
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues such as stuttering, low frame rates, and long loading times, particularly in specific areas like the Tangle. While some users report that the game runs smoothly on high-end systems, others experience frustrating lag and a lack of optimization options. Overall, while the game is visually appealing and offers a solid experience, it still requires further optimization to enhance performance across various hardware configurations.
- “Beautiful graphics (and well optimized to run pretty much on anything)”
- “Bugs are very rare, optimization is solid, system requirements are mediocre at best.”
- “Darkest Dungeon 2 is competently made, no major bugs or glitches (as you would expect), runs smoothly, has its moments of fun.”
- “If your team is not optimized, you're going to get crushed at some point.”
- “5 months after the release, the game has barely had any improvements regarding balance, optimization, new heroes, or really anything substantial.”
- “The game is dumbed down, less optimized (wagon controls are clunky, and prone to sludgy framerate drops), more grindy, and overall less of an enjoyable experience than its predecessor.”
emotional
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The emotional aspect of "Darkest Dungeon II" has garnered mixed responses from players. While some appreciate the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through themes of perseverance and hope, many feel that the lack of character permanence diminishes emotional investment compared to the original game. Players express a sense of loss and detachment due to the roguelike structure, which leads to less attachment to characters and a more disposable experience, though some still find moments of emotional resonance amidst the gameplay.
- “It felt rewarding and you felt powerful when you found a strong trinket in DD1, and losing it in a team wipe was heartbreaking, and then you had the chance to claw it back from the shrieker and it felt difficult but rewarding.”
- “Themes of perseverance, madness, and hope are interwoven beautifully into every element of the gameplay, making each run emotionally resonant.”
- “Absolutely incredible game; as a big fan of DD1, I can say that this game delivers punches to your brain and soul. It's almost scary how emotional I get playing this instead of DD1, but that's just a part of it that I love.”
- “You drive a wonky carriage that has a lantern on it, and have to sit through boring story segments if you want to see a character's class get upgraded.”
- “They added tedious story elements and a bafflingly lame horse and buggy.”
- “Boring story, fights that drag on for hours, and the battles don't feel more strategic or skillful than the first game; it's just buff up, use all the buffs, repeat.”
humor
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is described as a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely hilarious and others feeling it falls flat or becomes frustrating due to gameplay mechanics. While there are moments of comedic relief, such as quirky character interactions and absurd situations, many reviewers express that the humor can be overshadowed by the game's difficulty and balance issues. Overall, the humor is appreciated by some but criticized by others for not consistently enhancing the gaming experience.
- “Sometimes it's hilarious and you laugh out loud, and everyone in the house thinks you are insane (most of those are insanely hilarious digs that are also bad).”
- “Embark on a wholesome road trip and experience new antics of your favorite characters, meet old friends and quirky locals, participate in funny and inventive pranks, get your heart warmed by student years memories, spend romantic nights at motels, see how relationships bloom, buy pets, customize your vehicle, and play funny minigames while you drive through the highway to the huge rock festival in the mountains!”
- “The fact that any broken relationship can be fixed with excessive alcohol will never not be funny to me.”
- “However, I have the feeling the game has become so hard that it is not funny anymore.”
- “So much RNG that it's not funny.”
character development
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
52%
7%
Character development in the game has received widespread praise for its depth and impact on gameplay, with many reviewers noting significant improvements over the previous installment. The character designs are described as stunning and detailed, enhancing the overall atmosphere and storytelling, while the relationships between characters feel more meaningful and influential. However, some players express concerns about the grind associated with character progression, suggesting that while the design and narrative aspects are strong, the mechanics may still require repetitive gameplay.
- “Character development is much stronger in this game, and there's a better sense that relationships between characters are forming, and have an actual impact on the game.”
- “The story and character development seem incredibly in-depth, but not overly complex.”
- “The character design, both in revamping existing characters and in new characters, is charming and masterfully done.”
- “Everything but the character designs seems like a downgrade from the first game... and they got rid of the crusader.”
- “This game requires a significant amount of grinding towards class development rather than character development, as characters are treated as disposable.”
- “Lacking on customization and character development you will find yourself grinding the same thing over and over.”
stability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, UI freezes, and performance issues, particularly during combat and while navigating the environment. While some users have noted that the game runs smoothly at times and has potential, the overall consensus is that it remains quite buggy and unbalanced, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Despite these issues, a few players have not encountered major problems and express hope for future updates to improve stability.
- “The game is finished, not buggy, discounted for DD1 owners, and is fun.”
- “I’m also playing this game on the Steam Deck, and while it needs Proton to run for now, it still runs great.”
- “I waited for a couple of DLCs and many patches/updates before purchasing, and still the game is buggy and unplayable.”
- “It's buggy, completely unbalanced, and the interface alternates between counter-intuitive and non-functional.”
- “The user interface is also bloated with frame-freezes present at every window opening (this is baked into the code and not dependent on hardware).”
monetization
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
5%
79%
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers feeling that it exploits nostalgia without delivering meaningful content. While some appreciate the absence of microtransactions and battle passes, the overall sentiment is that the game relies heavily on predatory practices and lacks originality, leaving players feeling disappointed and exploited.
- “I've given it a thumbs up because they don't have a battle pass or any in-game purchases, and that's a rarity these days.”
- “About the only way they could have made this worse would have been by adding microtransactions.”
- “It feels more like a freemium game without the microtransactions.”
- “This was just a cash grab off of a good IP.”
- “Entire game feels like developers made a quick cash grab using a few themes from the original game.”
- “The spirit of the old game is gone and this just feels like a cash grab.”

85%Critics’ scoreBased on 31 critic reviews

Buy Darkest Dungeon II

48h Median play time

100h Average play time

12-100h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 119 analyzed playthroughs

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