Darkest Dungeon II Review – Highway to Hell

thesixthaxis.com:

2016’s Darkest Dungeon still stands up as one of the greatest strategy combat games. Its Gothic aesthetic, intricate combat and ridiculous level of depth combined to make an experience that is as unforgettable as it is uncompromising. Recently, the complete Black Reliquary fan mod was released on Steam to add even more content to the original too. That being said, it is seven years since Red Hook’s debut title and masochistic players are ready for some more hurting. The sequel, imaginatively titled Darkest Dungeon II, has been in early access for a few months but is now finally fully released. I pulled on my Gothic coat, closed the curtains, and prepared myself for a whole new world of pain. As this review will explain, I certainly got that but not necessarily for the reasons I expected.

The story of Darkest Dungeon II is a continuation from the original. The evil corruption you fought there is revealed to be just one example of a much wider malaise. To combat this, you must abandon the Hamlet base that formed the headquarters for your first adventure and set forth on a stagecoach. Travelling through harsh and unforgiving lands in order to reach the Mountain from whence the evil came, you and your party of chosen warriors must rely on your wits, your blades, and the sacred flame that protects you from becoming lost to the madness.

Graphically, DD II is an upgrade to the flat visuals of the original – although some will prefer the more classic style. The heavy pen lines and florid Gothicisms are maintained but everything now has more depth with a third-person perspective for exploration and 3d models in the combat screens. The artistry is again top-notch with character designs really standing out and enemies ranging from