Darkest Dungeon II is a punishing but rewarding trip through hell. We won’t lie, DD2 isn’t the dungeon crawler sequel we expected. All the base-building and party management mechanics that made the first game a mashup of a roguelike and fantasy football are thrown away in favor of a fast-paced, pure roguelike structure. This may put off some fans of the original 2015 game, but DD2 carves its own bloody path with some fresh strategic combat, exploration, and character development.

It’s a roguelike, you know the drill. DD2 is a relentless gameplay loop trekking across a ruined world. But, instead of playing as a single character, you assemble a team of broken heroes, each with their own strengths and vulnerabilities — both physical and mental. As you battle monstrous enemies and navigate the treacherous world, your team will face both physical and mental strain.

A different beast: DD2 is a challenging and unforgiving game. If you’re looking for a casual experience or a fun roguelike to sink some time into, this isn’t the one for you. But if you’re the type to crave strategic combat and a deep well of replayability, DD2 offers the nightmarish experience you’re looking for. Just be prepared to lose a lot. And love the misery.

💯 Rating: 7/10 on Steam, 8/10 on IGN.

⌛ Hours of gameplay: 25.5 hours for the main objective, 144 hours for 100%.

🔁 Replay value: 8/10.

👾 Platforms: Steam and Epic Games for PC, and soon on Nintendo Switch, Playstation, and Xbox.

💵 Price: USD 18.99 on Steam and Epic Games, USD 39.99+ on Nintendo, Playstation, and Xbox.

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