A Stagecoach to Hell: Darkest Dungeon II’s Roguelike Journeys Take Centre Stage

For fans of the super-popular roguelike genre, the launch of yet another title with that ‘just one more go’ feeling is sure to delight. Darkest Dungeon II is the sequel to Darkest Dungeon, which released back in 2016 and quickly established a dedicated player-base. 

Can you survive the long and dangerous expeditions in this eerie world, and emerge victorious?

All Aboard!

Now available on Xbox, PlayStation and Switch – the first console launches for a game that has been PC-exclusive for about a year now – Darkest Dungeon II comes to us from developers Red Hook Studios. 

And if it’s more of the medieval adventures that will test every fibre of your being that you are after, then the sequel to the original delivers in spades. The biggest difference between the two titles is undoubtedly the emphasis on travelling around in a stagecoach – a lot of the decisions you make in the game will be centred around where you travel in the world. This, in turn, informs who you meet, the enemies you must face off against, and the precious loot you can get your grubby mitts on.

With a variety of heroes to play as – and even more if you decide to pick up the accompanying The Binding Blade DLC – synergy between your characters is essential if you wish to make it to the end of the game. 

Of course, as befits any roguelike, you certainly aren’t expected to see the credits roll on your first roll of the dice; gradual learning of the game’s mechanics between runs is required.

Key Features

• Gather your courage and ride out into the chaos of a world undone – Four heroes and a stagecoach are all that stand between darkness and salvation.
• Tried and True Turn-based Combat, Improved – The ground-breaking genre-defining combat from Darkest Dungeon returns, but everything from stats to rules has been refined and improved. The all new Token System helps make your decisions impactful while adding even more depth of play.
• Unforgettable Heroes – Uncover and experience the tragic origin stories of each hero. Unlock their full potential via new skills, paths, items, and more.
• Roguelike Runs, Each With Its Own Emerging Story – Each expedition lasts from 30 minutes to several hours. Even an untimely end will arm you with resources that can be spent to improve your next journey.
• The Altar of Hope – Engage with a massive system of upgrades and boons that opens up new strategies for each expedition. Choose what’s important to you as you formulate your assaults on the Mountain.
• The Affinity System – As travels progress, heroes bond with each other or grate on each others’ nerves, leading to desperately needed combat synergies or journey-ending dysfunction. Manage their stress and interaction to keep the team together until the bitter end.
• Nightmarish Environs – From the burning Sprawl to the diseased Foetor, the long road to the Mountain will challenge your strategies and your endurance.
• Explore Five Distinct Regions – Each with their own unique creatures and challenges.
• A Moment’s Peace – Rest your weary, shell-shocked heroes at the Inn, where you can relieve their stress and try to improve their relationships with a variety of diversions and delights.
• Face Your Failures – Journey to the Mountain and face down five terrifying manifestations of your weaknesses.
• Signature Art Style, Evolved – Darkest Dungeon’s genre-defining art now improved with no expense spared on 3D visuals, animation, and visual FX.
• A Feast for the Ears – The audio team from Darkest Dungeon is back. Revel in an all new narration performance by voice actor Wayne June, a brand new expansive score by Stuart Chatwood, and bone-crunching sound effects from Power Up Audio. 

Play Today!

Darkest Dungeon II is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Switch and PC. You can pick up a copy of the Standard Edition for £33.74 via the Xbox Store. 

Alternatively, the Oblivion Edition costs £38.49, and comes with The Binding Blade DLC as well as the base game.

Look out for our full review of Darkest Dungeon II for Xbox, coming soon!

Darkest Dungeon II Description

Darkest Dungeon II is a roguelike road trip of the damned. Form a party, equip your stagecoach, and set off across the decaying landscape on a last gasp quest to avert the apocalypse. The greatest dangers you face, however, may come from within…