Darkest Dungeon II
| Developers & Publishers | Red Hook Studios |
| Release Date | July 15, 2024 |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows |
| IGN Rating | 8/10 |
| Steam Rating | 7/10 |
Darkest Dungeon II is the sequel to the acclaimed Darkest Dungeon. Developed by Red Hook Games, it launched on PC on May 8, 2023, and will eventually come to PS4 and PS5 this month. This RPG/roguelike boasts a “grueling journey” rather than a single-location dungeon adventure.
The world has gone to hell, becoming a twister apocalypse. Through the game, the player controls a party of heroes on a dangerous journey. The ultimate goal in this game is to reach a mountain and confront an evil of the game, more like a Lord of the Rings-like story. Joining players again is the infamous narrator Wayne June, guiding them through the twisted, darkened world.
There are new heroes and returning ones in the game. Everyone starts with four, but more are available when further progress is unlocked.
The game is divided into five parts called “Confessions”. Each part ends with a different final boss. Players drive in a stagecoach across a ruined kingdom and have to keep a flame lit to protect their party. The player will travel through various regions, each with their difficulties and different enemies. Heroes can either be bonded or rivals and this will influence their performances. Tokens were also introduced that are more like buffs and debuffs of the game.
Darkest Dungeon II also offers special editions with exclusive content. The combat tuning-up for the sequel is very engaging to the fans of the original series.
Release Date
Darkest Dungeon II is coming to PS4 and PS5 on July 15, 2024. It is going to provide the game fans with a taste of intense strategic battling and very dark, drowning gameplay on new consoles. Accompanying this long-anticipated release, PlayStation will now have new heroes, gripping bosses, and exciting adventures.
Gameplay Mechanics
Deeper Battles, Darker Enemies
Darkest Dungeon II features an intense and strategic battle. You will encounter terrifying enemies who will put you under stress and every strategy to a certain. Stress can result in either a hero meltdown or those rare times of resolute strength.
Amazing New Locations
You’re going to experience the journey across the burning Sprawl to the diseased Foetor. Further, each region has its special kind of challenge and enemy.
The Story Continues
This game is about hope, grit, and determination. You have to find salvation through your actions, not waiting for it.
Roguelike Runs
Each run may take from 30 minutes up to several hours in real-time. Even in the case of failure, you will gain some resources for further attempts.
Altar of Hope
You can upgrade heroes and strategies by using the Altar of Hope system.
In Darkest Dungeon II, you have access to one important aspect of the Altar of Hope, which contains a whole system of upgrades and buffs. This is how you’re going to fortify strategies for any given expedition.
A closer, more in-depth look at what the Altar of Hope offers includes the following:
- New heroes are unlocked with Candles of Hope.
- Level up the hero in his skills to be at the best.
- Strengthen heroes as good relationships would give synergies during combat and enhance team performance.
- Manage stress and interactions to avoid bad effects. Apply upgrades suiting your playstyle and strategy.
- Each expedition earns you resources, whether success or failure.
- Spend these resources at the Altar of Hope to improve your chances in future runs.
The Affinity System
Heroes bond with each other based on the company they keep. They can develop friendships or rivalries that enhance or detract from their effectiveness on the battlefield. Balance stress and relationships to keep your party functional.
Nightmarish Environs
Experience five regions instead: The Valley, The Sprawl, The Foetor, The Sluice, The Shroud and The Tangle. Each is filled with unique creatures and challenges.
Signature Art Style, Evolved
3D now in visuals, animations, and visual effects. Moreover, the gothic-glorious presentational style is improved to a great extent in Darkest Dungeon.
A Moment’s Peace
Take a break from your heroes in the Inn and remove their stress while creating camaraderie with exuberant repartee. There are several activities to do at this time.
Confessions
The game is divided into five acts known as Confessions. At the end of each act is the final battle at The Mountain location. These acts include the following:
- Denial
- Resentment
- Obsession
- Ambition
- Cowardice
Exploration
You will experience a journey to The Mountain in a stagecoach, guided by your mentor, The Academic. Keep the Flame lit to protect your party. Extinguishing the Flame triggers deadly cultist attacks. Surviving restores the Flame for one last chance.
Combat
At The Crossroads, choose four heroes. At the Inns, hire new heroes. Another large portion of gameplay is the heroes’ relationships and stress management. Armour, abilities, or weapons are not bonded with skills. Effects like Bleed, Blind, and Burn are shown by combat tokens. Hits are guaranteed unless enemies dodge or block.
Comparison with the original Darkest Dungeon
- While Darkest Dungeon zeroed in on the bleakness of a single location, Darkest Dungeon II symbolizes a “grueling journey”. There are also additional features like an Altar of Hope for upgrading. The relationships have also become more complex alongside stress management.
- The sequel refines the visuals into 3D models and improves the quality of the animation. Originally, it had a 2D art style.
- Both games have different heroes. Darkest Dungeon II adds new ones, like the Runaway, while keeping old favourites like the Plague Doctor.
- If the first Darkest Dungeon zeroed in on a lone estate, then Darkest Dungeon II is about a journey to a faraway mountain.
Characters and Heroes
Hope Candles can be used to unlock heroes, including the Plague Doctor, Grave Robber, Highwayman, Man-at-Arms, Hellion, Runaway, Jester, Leper, Occultist, Vestal, Flagellant, and Bounty Hunter.
Here’s a complete overview of the Darkest Dungeon 2’s heroes:
| Hero | Availability | Abilities/Skills |
| Plague Doctor | Available at start | Battlefield Medicine, Noxious Blast, Blinding Gas |
| Grave Robber | Available at start | Pick to the Face, Lunge, Flashing Daggers |
| Highwayman | Available at start | Pistol Shot, Duelist’s Advance, Open Vein |
| Man-at-Arms | Available at start | Defender, Bolster, Rampart |
| Hellion | Unlocked at the Altar of Hope | Iron Swan, Barbaric YAWP!, Breakthrough |
| Runaway | Unlocked at the Altar of Hope | Firestarter, Run and Hide, Smokescreen |
| Jester | Unlocked at the Altar of Hope | Slice Off, Solo, Finale |
| Leper | Unlocked at the Altar of Hope | Hew, Withstand, Revenge |
| Occultist | Unlocked at the Altar of Hope | Wyrd Reconstruction, Vulnerability Hex, Abyssal Artillery |
| Vestal | Unlocked at the Altar of Hope | Divine Grace, Judgment, Divine Comfort |
| Flagellant | Unlocked at the Altar of Hope | Punish, Redeem, Endure |
| Bounty Hunter | Unlocked at the Altar of Hope | Collect Bounty, Flashbang, Mark for Death |
Bosses and Challenges
The game has strong bosses and challenging fights. Each region has its bosses that need to be defeated. In the first act of the game, you will be fighting a Denial boss. The Resentment, Obsession, Ambition, and Cowardice bosses are waiting in the subsequent acts. Your final confrontation is waiting in The Mountain. Each of them requires different approaches to their combat. It is not about the strength of the combat; it is about managing stress and resources in which The Flame helps you survive. Keep it lit to ward off lethal cultist attacks. You will face a myriad of enemies across many different regions, from the sprawling cityscape of The Sprawl to the rancid alleys of The Foetor. Every single combat is another test of your heroes’ and your own limits.
Tips and Guides For New Players
Know Your Team
- Barristan excels in the front ranks; he deals with Guard and Riposte abilities to a great extent, having high HP and self-healing.
- Paracelsus excels in the back ranks. She is a ranged damage dealer and healer. Most of her skills require DOT effects.
- Audrey fits well in the middle ranks. She possesses high critical strikes and Stealth abilities, using Blight abilities and self-heals.
- Dismas is versatile and performs well in any rank. He starts with Duelist’s Advance and has a high HP and critical strike chance.
Upgrading Skills and Quirks
- Earn Mastery Points and spend them at Inns. Choose skills that complement each other.
- Quirks are random traits. Turn off undesirable traits at Field Hospitals for a price.
Hero Paths and Unlocking Abilities
- Start the Wanderer path for extra candles. Access more paths through the Altar of Hope.
- Try out new heroes in your current build.
Items and Inventory Management
- Candles are used to rank up a team at the Altar of Hope. They are also used to access new heroes and items.
- Combat items heal characters and offer other ways to attack. Items from the Inn reduce stress and increase relationships.
- Gear up with trinkets to gain extra stats. Upgrade your Stagecoach to increase inventory space and morale.
Knowing the Map and Battle
- Watch Towers are used for revealing the map. Shy away from areas that raise Loathing.
- Battles are turn-based, and each character may either attack, move, or use an ability. Efficiently deploy DOT attacks and Riposte abilities.
Special Editions and Add-ons of Darkest Dungeon II
There are a variety of special editions in Darkest Dungeon II, which more or less come with some additional content and several add-ons.
The Darkest Dungeon II: Oblivion Edition exclusively holds in-game items and skins enticing enough to be a dedicated fan, which includes the following: new trinkets and powerful curios that give strategic advantages in your odyssey.
The Collector’s Edition contains a detailed art book and soundtrack perfect for those admirers in love with the game’s dark aesthetics. The Deluxe Edition gets access to new heroes ahead of time and adds unique trinkets to get you a head-start on your Adventure.
On add-ons and DLCs, Hero Packs unlock new heroes who have special abilities that open up possibilities for different gameplay. Each pack adds new strategies and game dynamics. Expansion Packs add new regions and bosses to the game. They bring more challenges and extend the story of the game.
Exclusive items can be included, too. Be among the first to obtain special items and heroes by using Pre-Order Bonuses. It’s a great way to kick one off with a head start over others. Unlock all DLCs and updates released in the future with the Season Pass.
Darkest Dungeon II Other Options To Enjoy
Make Darkest Dungeon II is relatively new to the mods and cheat engines. However, the devs appreciate players providing mods to the game. These mods will increase your gameplay remarkably and bring the kind of flair and convenience that you will love.
With the Darkest Dungeon II cheat engine, you can modify game values like hero stats, item effects, and so much more. And if that is too much, just take Steam Workshop support, there you can download mods created by the community. Some of them come as mere tweaks, but there are also huge content packs.
Modding allows you to adjust the gameplay as much as you desire. This is where you can make your game easier or harder. Mods and cheat engines can bring life into Darkest Dungeon II from the very depths.
Excitement for Darkest Dungeon II on PS5
Dark Souls is kind of under pressure at the thought that Darkest Dungeon II is coming to PS5. It is just unbearable for fans to wait and play out the game’s most relentless, strategic battles and eerie atmosphere on the new console. Further detailing improved visuals and immersive gameplay, adventurers will wander through dark landscapes twisted in maddening ways, fighting fearsome enemies and managing their heroes’ stress and relationships. The PS5 is supposed to bring out every grim detail and chilling moment. No matter if you’re experienced in the series or fresh off the boat, Darkest Dungeon II really gives you a new, blood-pumping moment on your PS5.
Final Thoughts
Darkest Dungeon II is a much more intense and amazing experience on PS5 than the original, adding new heroes, regions, and game mechanics, all coasting on the original title. Challenging roguelike gameplay, strategic turn-based combat, and tension in profound hero relationships. And, this is not all that awaits the player in overcoming the most formidable foes. These 3D visuals flesh out the dark gothic atmosphere with improved animations. It’s a fresh, exciting opportunity.
For fresh content and a list of top games, visit PlayStation.shop. We have carefully crafted lists of upcoming and new games that you can enjoy on PS5. With us, you can stay updated on the newest releases with professional game tips.
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