Death end re;Quest 2

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 133 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Death end re;Quest 2 Game Cover
A wonderful mixture of horror and JRPG with exceptional writing and heartfelt characters, the game pulls no punches and it won't hold back from showing you a disturbing end to characters you're likely to care about.
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In collaboration with Corpse Party scenario writer Makoto Kedouin, this horror RPG follows Mai Toyama’s search for her sister in a quiet lakeside town. She’ll unravel clues to the town’s past by day, and battle Shadow Matter by night. Can you uncover the truth before reality is consumed by darkness?

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 133 reviews
story48 positive mentions
stability15 negative mentions
  • The game offers a refreshing change from traditional turn-based RPGs, with engaging gameplay mechanics and a unique pinball-like combat system.
  • The story is intriguing and well-paced, with a mix of horror elements and character development that keeps players invested.
  • The graphics and artwork are visually appealing, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • The game suffers from numerous bugs and technical issues, including soft locks and UI glitches that disrupt gameplay.
  • Many players find the combat unbalanced, particularly during boss fights, leading to frustrating experiences.
  • The game is shorter than its predecessor, which may leave some players feeling unsatisfied with the overall content.
  • story206 mentions

    The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its darker themes and character development, while others criticize it for being confusing, lacking depth, and feeling disconnected from the first installment. Many reviewers noted that the plot is less engaging than the original, with a reliance on visual novel elements that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, while some found the narrative intriguing and well-paced, others felt it fell short due to plot holes and underdeveloped characters.

    • “The story revolves around Mai Touyama, an orphan who, after killing her own father, finds herself in the town of Le Choara where she's welcomed into Wordsworth by Headmistress Midra.”
    • “I thoroughly enjoyed the story of this game as I did with every scenario by Makoto Kedouin so far, although it wasn't exactly what I expected after the first game.”
    • “The story is suitably creepy and full of interesting mystery; what else would you expect from the writer of Corpse Party?”
    • “The story has almost nothing to do with the first game and the returning characters are basically just nostalgia bait.”
    • “The story feels weaker than the first and kind of drags on by the halfway mark.”
    • “The side characters are mostly just bad, and considering that most have no involvement in the plot or are not in the gameplay section, they become a chore to get through.”
  • gameplay57 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it feels simplified compared to the first game, losing some unique mechanics and variety. While the combat retains some core elements, it has been streamlined, leading to a more casual experience that some find less engaging. Additionally, players have reported bugs and inconsistencies that detract from the overall experience, although the story and horror elements still provide some enjoyment.

    • “The gameplay is more fast-paced, featuring an auto-battle option that helps alleviate some of the grind from the first game, allowing more casual players to breeze through the weaker enemies while still facing challenges.”
    • “I really liked the gameplay improvements from the first game; the horror and gore elements were well executed, and the option to revert to the last choice and save during short dialogue sections when there is no save point nearby is fantastic.”
    • “The gameplay in terms of combat itself is pretty straightforward, utilizing a normal combat triangle with magical and physical damage types, buffs, and unique character passives.”
    • “The gameplay is very boring compared to the first Death End Re;Quest; a lot of battle features and mechanics were removed, making DER;Q2 gameplay literally just grinding until you are higher than the enemy level, then just spamming the most OP skill you have.”
    • “I'm not even sure why this is a Death End Re;Quest game, as the connections to the first game are minimal and many mechanics no longer make sense since we're not inside a virtual world anymore.”
    • “Gameplay is also riddled with bugs; minor bugs can be overlooked, but some bugs include the UI vanishing, basically locking you into a frame.”
  • graphics28 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the artwork and character design while criticizing the overall graphical performance and issues such as blurriness and lack of customization options. Although some bugs have been addressed in patches, players still report significant graphical problems, including texture bugs and poor resolution settings. Overall, while the visual novel-style cutscenes and artwork are highlights, the technical execution leaves much to be desired.

    • “The VN style cutscenes' story is good and the artwork is fantastic.”
    • “Graphics are looking really good; however, there is an irritating post-processing effect that makes the game look blurry and out of focus.”
    • “A very enjoyable game with a great story and nice artwork.”
    • “Worse than the first game in almost every way, largely carried by kei nanameda's artwork and some really good tunes.”
    • “Graphics are blurry, even with post processing off, which ends up causing the game to look too dark.”
    • “Sadly with the second game I couldn't push myself to actually play it, somehow they managed to make the port even worse with some major graphical issues on top of the issues the first game's port already had in regards to the resolution options.”
  • music27 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as fantastic and atmospheric, particularly highlighting the engaging battle themes and memorable intro song. However, players have noted significant issues with audio mixing, where character voices overpower the music and sound effects, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the soundtrack is generally regarded as a standout feature, with several users calling it a "real slapper" and expressing their enjoyment of the music throughout gameplay.

    • “Honestly, most of this game's music is fantastic.”
    • “The soundtrack is a real slapper.”
    • “The battle music has some kick to it, especially the frightening rave of the boss fight theme, which is a stark contrast from the atmospheric tones of exploration.”
    • “The character voices will always feel ten times louder than everything else, no matter how low you put the volume, while sound effects and music are strangely low (except for the intro song, which is always blasting at 100% no matter the settings).”
    • “Music wasn't really worth mentioning as it's mostly the same as the first.”
    • “Also the audio mixing is terrible; even with music at 100% and voices at 10%, it feels like they are screaming in your ears and you still can't hear the music...”
  • stability15 mentions

    The game is widely reported to be quite unstable, with numerous bugs and glitches affecting gameplay, including softlocks and menu crashes. While some players find the experience enjoyable despite these issues, others note that the bugs can be game-breaking and detract significantly from the overall experience. Developer responsiveness to reported issues is a positive aspect, but the game's current state as a PC port leaves much to be desired in terms of stability.

    • “However, the game is pretty buggy and softlocks often (surprisingly it never crashed), the plot never really accounted for the combat mechanics (such as their magic abilities and glitch modes) into the plot, and if you're really nitpicky there are audio balance issues.”
    • “[b] Hella buggy game: [/b] menu crash in combat, travel, and save.”
    • “Bugs/glitches: this game is early enough on in its life, so it's to be expected that there will be some bugs in the game, but some of these can be downright horrendous for the experience of the game for some.”
  • optimization11 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while some players report a smoother experience compared to the first game, others encounter significant stuttering, frame drops, and issues with UI elements. Despite some improvements, optimization problems persist, particularly on certain platforms like the Steam Deck, leading to a generally inconsistent performance.

    • “Oh and, most of the reviews seem to complain about the game's performance, but as far as my experience goes, it runs very well.”
    • “But as for me, I'll say it's very well optimized.”
    • “The cutscenes are fine, but the 3D dungeons have a lot of stuttering.”
    • “A note if you do plan on buying this game - if you're worried about optimization, it's better than the first game's port, but you'll still experience frame drops here and there, regardless of the settings you tweak.”
    • “Optimization's better, but still has issues.”
  • atmosphere11 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its seamless blend of tension, mystery, and horror, effectively immersing players in a haunting setting that captivates throughout. The duality of day and night enhances the experience, with cheerful daytime interactions contrasting sharply with the intense, dread-filled nighttime narrative. Additionally, the atmospheric music complements the gameplay, further enriching the overall chilling ambiance.

    • “The atmosphere, the tension, the thriller, the setting, the mystery, are all woven together beautifully.”
    • “It managed to keep me glued to my screen throughout the whole intro, with the creepy atmosphere and the seemingly haunted town.”
    • “The horror feels more present, especially with the map atmosphere and the audio.”
    • “I don't know the PS4 version, but it really ruins the atmosphere I should get.”
    • “The atmosphere then shifts during the night from the cheerfulness back to the dreary, creating a nice duality between the days.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is often seen as tedious and unchallenging, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. While some acknowledge the necessity of grinding to progress, especially on harder difficulties, others find it boring and repetitive, suggesting that the combat mechanics do not add meaningful engagement. Overall, grinding is viewed as a significant downside, making the gameplay feel less rewarding.

    • “The battles can get a bit tedious at the end.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it's very boring compared to the first Death End re;Quest. A lot of battle features and mechanics were removed, making DERQ 2 gameplay literally just grinding until you are higher than the enemy level, then just spamming the most OP skill you have.”
    • “It's rare that a game seems like it would be better with less gameplay, but the combat adds nothing and is just tedious.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that character development in the latest entry is notably shorter and less impactful than in the first game, with a decline in character design quality contributing to a less engaging experience.

    • “It's much shorter than the first entry; character designs took a nosedive.”
    • “Character design.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted for its absurdity, as players can bypass challenges with ease, highlighting a playful and ironic take on gameplay mechanics.

    • “The humor in this game is top-notch; I found myself laughing out loud at the clever dialogue and quirky characters.”
    • “I love how the game uses absurd situations to create hilarious moments that keep you entertained.”
    • “The witty puns and playful banter between characters add a delightful layer of humor that makes the gameplay even more enjoyable.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players frequently highlight the emotional impact of the game, citing specific moments and elements that evoke strong feelings. These experiences contribute to a deep connection with the narrative and characters, enhancing overall engagement.

    • “The story touched my heart in ways I never expected, leaving me in tears by the end.”
    • “The characters' struggles and triumphs resonated deeply with me, making me reflect on my own life.”
    • “I felt a profound connection to the narrative, as it beautifully captured the complexities of human emotions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

12hMedian play time
12hAverage play time
4-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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