Big Darkest Dungeon 2 update introduces progression system and hero 'memories'

pcgamer.com:

When Darkest Dungeon 2(opens in new tab)  launched into early access on the Epic Games Store in October 2021, it shared a pretty substantial piece of the campaign: it was populated with enemies and equipment, and you could reach an endpoint at The Mountain, defeating the boss that lies at the end of the game's first act. 

What it didn't have, though, was much of a progression system. But that's all about to change thanks to a major update that has brought the Altar of Hope(opens in new tab), a permanent base similar to the Hamlet in Darkest Dungeon where players can unlock classes, items, and other upgrades.

The new progression system will grant players Candles of Hope for completing objectives, progressing through areas, and defeating evil, which can then be used to acquire various upgrades which will (hopefully) make your future journeys more survival and profitable. Naturally, daring deeds will earn the greatest rewards, but if you push your luck too far, you'll be punished for it: You can end your current expedition at any inn and keep whatever candles you've earned up to that point, but if you press on and wipe, there will be a penalty. «It’s always better to make it to the next Inn,» developer Red Hook Studios said.

The only exception to that rule is for players who make it to the mountain, the home of Darkest Dungeon 2's current final boss: Even if you ultimately fail in your quest, you'll keep all candles earned.

Candles of Hope are a currency, then, that can be spent at the Altar of Hope, which players will visit at the start of each journey, to improve attributes in one of four categories:

General Upgrades

Heroes

Items

Memories

The last category is different from the first three because it's not permanent: