Roguelike adventure game Darkest Dungeon 2 has left early access and been released for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows on 8th May 2023. It has a faster pace than its predecessor but retains the same atmosphere and art style.

Darkest Dungeon 2 is not so much a sequel as a complete revamping of the original system. It provides a different gaming experience but one you’ll most likely love if you enjoyed the original. The 2D dungeon is replaced by a 3D world that you traverse across in your little stagecoach.

One run of Darkest Dungeon 2 will last a couple of hours as you make it through as many of the five regions as possible, defeating the boss at the end of each. You’ll select a path to travel as the lantern on your carriage slowly dims. Various members of the party will have an opinions about what path you take and may effect the relationships they have with each other.

To keep the harmony between party members you’ll want to keep their individual stress levels down. Keeping the flame burning brightly on the carriage also keeps everyone happy and getting along with each other.

Combat has been given an overhaul with nice crisp graphics and and an easier to understand combat system. Instead of tool tips Darkest Dungeon 2 uses icons to indicate damage types, buffs and debuffs from abilities and so on. Pressing CTRL will bring up a glossary showing you what each icon means.

The original Darkest Dungeon was so well received that developing a sequel must have been a daunting task. Darkest Dungeon 2 doesn’t rely on good will from the first game but is a pretty great game all on its own.

 

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Filed under: Adventure • fantasy • RPG

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