Death end re;Quest 2

60%
Game Brain Score Based on 269 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Death end re;Quest 2 Game Cover
Death End re;Quest 2 tells an impressively dark story with aplomb, and if you can handle the subject matter and difficulty spikes is a must play.
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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

60%
Audience ScoreBased on 269 reviews
story97 positive mentions
stability30 negative mentions
  • The story is engaging and features interesting characters, with a dark and creepy atmosphere that keeps players invested.
  • The combat system is fun and allows for strategic gameplay, especially with the knockback mechanics.
  • The game includes quality of life improvements, such as the ability to save during dialogue and a more coherent map design.
  • The game is plagued by numerous bugs, including UI issues and crashes, which can disrupt gameplay significantly.
  • The sequel feels less impactful than the first game, with many players expressing disappointment in the story and character development.
  • There are fewer death ends and less gore compared to the first game, which may disappoint fans expecting a similar experience.
  • story413 mentions

    The story of "Death End re;Quest 2" has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its darker themes and character development, while others criticize it for being confusing and lacking the impact of its predecessor. Many reviews highlight the game's visual novel style and engaging moments, but also point out significant plot holes and a reliance on tropes that detract from the overall narrative. Overall, while some players found the story intriguing and enjoyable, others felt it fell short compared to the first game, leading to a divided reception.

    • “The story itself is focused on a small, remote town where mysterious things happen.”
    • “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.”
    • “Death end re;quest 2 tells an impressively dark story with aplomb, and if you can handle the subject matter and difficulty spikes, it is a must play.”
    • “The story feels weaker than the first and kind of drags on by the halfway mark.”
    • “If you wanted a continuation of the first game's story, you will be sorely disappointed.”
    • “The story has almost nothing to do with the first game and the returning characters are basically just nostalgia bait.”
  • gameplay115 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many noting that it feels simplified compared to the first game, as several unique mechanics and mini-games have been removed. While some players appreciate the quality of life improvements and the faster-paced combat, others find the overall experience less engaging and more grind-heavy. Additionally, the game is plagued by bugs and inconsistencies, which detracts from the enjoyment of the gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is more fast-paced, it has an auto battle which can help fix some of the grind of the first game and allows the more casual player to cruise through the trash mobs while still posing difficulty.”
    • “I really liked the gameplay improvements from the first game, the horror/gore elements of the game were well done, and the option to go back to the last choice and save during short dialogue sections when there is no save point nearby is great.”
    • “The gameplay in terms of combat itself is pretty straightforward, with a normal combat triangle, magical/physical damage types, buffs, and nifty character unique passives.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it's 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 enemy level, then just spamming the most OP skill you have.”
    • “The story doesn't have an equivalent sense of mystery like the first game; combat is tweaked yet inferior to the first game mechanics, even going as far as to remove features, retcons, etc.”
    • “Gameplay is also riddled with bugs; minor bugs can be overlooked, but some bugs include the UI vanishing, basically locking you into a frame.”
  • graphics56 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the artwork and character designs while criticizing the overall graphical performance and options. Players noted issues such as blurriness, lack of customization, and various bugs, although some improvements were made in patches. Overall, while the visual novel-style cutscenes and artwork are highlighted as strong points, 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.”
    • “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.”
    • “The graphics customization is so limited you'll wonder what they were thinking.”
  • music54 mentions

    The game's soundtrack has received high praise for its quality, with many describing it as engaging and atmospheric, particularly highlighting the battle themes and the standout intro song "Bug Fixer" by Gesshoku Kaigi. However, there are significant complaints regarding audio mixing, as character voices overpower the music and sound effects, making it difficult to enjoy the soundtrack fully. Overall, while the music is considered a strong point, the audio balance issues detract from the experience.

    • “I wanted to add this part because honestly most of this game's music is bangers.”
    • “In addition, much of the area music has a more atmospheric feel to it, adding to the chill factor here.”
    • “Also, the soundtrack is awesome and the fighting system kept me engaged over the about 30 hours I've played so far.”
    • “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...”
  • stability30 mentions

    The game is reported to be significantly buggy, with frequent softlocks, menu crashes, and game-breaking glitches that can detract from the overall experience. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, the stability problems are notable, especially in the PC port, leading to frustrations with combat mechanics and audio balance. Developer responses indicate awareness of these issues, but many players still encounter persistent bugs reminiscent of the previous installment.

    • “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.”
    • “However, some players on the discussion boards have experienced some game-breaking glitches like 'when I look up in free roam mode I can't see anything/the game crashes,' and have thankfully been getting some dev responses saying they'll look into it, and to submit an issue ticket on the forum site so others can be updated in case they suffer from the same issues as well.”
  • optimization22 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing significant stuttering in 3D dungeons and frame drops, particularly on the Steam Deck. While a few users report a smoother experience compared to the first game, many still encounter issues such as freezing and unresponsive controls. Overall, it appears that while there are improvements, optimization remains a concern for a substantial portion of the player base.

    • “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.”
    • “BGM volume is broken, there is no way to adjust brightness (don't you like bumping into an enemy because you simply didn't see it), and constant stuttering on Steam Deck doesn't help either despite the verified mark.”
  • atmosphere22 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its seamless integration of tension, mystery, and horror, creating a captivating experience that keeps players engaged. The duality between day and night enhances immersion, with cheerful daytime interactions contrasting sharply with the eerie, dread-filled nights. Additionally, the atmospheric music complements the setting, further enriching the overall experience, although some players noted that the PS4 version may detract from this 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.”
  • grinding14 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, particularly in comparison to its predecessor. While level grinding is necessary to progress, many feel it detracts from the overall experience, as the combat lacks depth and challenge, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable gameplay mechanic. Overall, grinding is seen as a frustrating necessity rather than a rewarding feature.

    • “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 spam the most OP skill you got.”
    • “It's rare that a game seems like it would be better with less gameplay, but the combat adds nothing and is just tedious.”
    • “It took me 12 hours to finish the game. I spent time grinding once before understanding that it was useless.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Reviews indicate that character development in the game is lacking, with a notable reduction in depth compared to the first entry, and a decline in character design quality.

    • “It's much shorter than the first entry; character designs took a nosedive.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted for its absurdity, with players finding amusement in the ability to bypass challenges effortlessly, highlighting a playful and ironic take on gameplay mechanics.

    • “The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever dialogue and hilarious situations that keep you laughing.”
    • “I love how the game uses absurd scenarios to create humor; it never fails to surprise me.”
    • “The witty banter between characters adds a delightful layer of comedy that enhances the overall experience.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Users highlight that the game evokes strong emotional responses through its storytelling, character development, and impactful moments, making players feel deeply connected to the narrative and its characters.

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 6 analyzed playthroughs

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