Some productions, in their history, often contribute to elevating the collective imagination with the aim of creating a kind of perennial and brutal darkness. This is the same darkness present in Darkest Dungeon 2, which we discovered in the past on PC and rediscover today in a great occasion, that of the arrival of the title on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo, exactly like its highly original and appreciated predecessor, which has set standards and revealed one of the most gruesome and brutal stories we have come across. Imagine the originality of creating a tale with the aim of elaborating the definitive impact that explores a real difficulty, at its peak in this title thanks to the approach of Red Hook Studios, which, in the meantime, has released countless additional content. Included in the package we have touched with our own hands, there is also Darkest Dungeon 2: The Blinding Blade, with the addition of two incredible heroes that we have tried in the course of the week. If in the past you happened to play the first chapter, and you were struck by it, the second iteration of the franchise changes its setup completely, with a new look and, above all, game design once again at its best.
Let’s proceed in order, though: from a context that, willingly or unwillingly, could fascinate anyone. And it’s a praise to the creations of Lovecraft and Edgar Alan Poe that are all the perspectives. The developers, in this sense, have taken a lot from both authors, giving the ludic meaning and the narrative context excellent ideas that we have once again found absolutely spot-on. They are best expressed on PlayStation 5, the console on which we have tried the entire experience and its porting, developed and cared for with attention and absolute passion. In our opinion, it was really necessary for the title to also arrive on consoles, on all consoles, to allow players of the other platforms to be able to touch with their own hands the excellent work done by the team, in our opinion absolutely superlative and cared for in every aspect.
The path of the fearful man, on the other hand, is full of pitfalls. Ezekiel said it sighing and with dreamy eyes, and he repeats it – again – the one who is forced to walk through the valley of death, with the aim of finding beauty in what remains of a now completely unraveled, desolate and stripped of its essence world. There is no more beauty in anything, only fleeing inhabitants, for corruption has arrived and threatens the life of all. It is a dance of death that goes hand in hand with the remnants of an unrecognizable world, only in its beauty and deprived, moreover, of every positive aspect. If in the first chapter there was very little left, in the second iteration, instead, what remains is in the hands of those who have to move slowly, without taking any kind of risk. It is the beauty of Darkest Dungeon 2 in every aspect. What fascinates the most is the way everything is revealed, refined and cared for, with the wonder felt where no one would imagine. Nothing better could be desired. The lights, real and tangible, come from the people.
The Charm of a Cursed Journey
The historical context and plot surrounding Darkest Dungeon 2 are only roughly outlined, which might lead one to believe the story is not significant. However, we assure you that’s not the case: just like Dark Souls and other works of this nature, Darkest Dungeon 2 aims to present a unique and detailed setting. This production showcases a distinct and enjoyable personality, linked to the literary creations we mentioned earlier. The story of Darkest Dungeon 2 details a world frayed and deprived of its essence, where everything – even the unimaginable – teeters on the brink of the abyss. Red Hook Studios has depicted a brutal path with this second installment, improving on the decidedly different narrative structure of the first game, where the absence of secondary and supporting characters was quite evident, despite their presence.
The story in this work has progressively improved and become more captivating and valuable from start to finish. There’s nothing better than immersing oneself in a finished world to understand one’s own, with the latter drained to the point of being irretrievable. This is the framework around which the entire story of the title revolves, captivating and involving the player, delving deep into their gaming passions and every aspect. It’s a tale of blood and brutality, of death and the spread of color, told by Red Hook Studios, which follows a different but engaging approach, with the sole aim of enhancing and detailing a story where everything is on a razor’s edge. This becomes clear when, with the diligence, you arrive at a tavern or a place cleaned up by some survivor, who needs listening and support. This is the beauty of the title, which shatters the gloom represented and brought to the game in every aspect, both immersive and aesthetic. The team has improved both approaches to highlight the wonders within it, then focused entirely on the rest, giving the production even more narrative depth than its predecessor. The context takes center stage in Red Hook Studios’ title, doing so in a completely original way, as everything is interwoven through brilliant and dark atmospheres that grip and keep players glued to it.
How many, indeed, have dreamed of suddenly becoming a sort of Van Helsing next door, armed to the teeth, brimming with new weapons capable of striking and sinking the blow? Probably many, perhaps too many, and this allows for a better understanding of the sad yet addictive stories, where nothing is as it seems, and everything is to be decided. Everything is moldable, even one’s playstyle.
Darkest Dungeon 2: Well Beyond Expectations
Darkest Dungeon 2, just like its predecessor, is a turn-based rogue-like where every choice is in the player’s hands. They can decide the strategies and formations in battle at the inns, before diving into the fray, and the choices to be made are numerous and varied. What differs significantly from the past is the continuation of events within the game: now, instead of moving on foot, you travel in a diligence that can be maneuvered through various scenarios – six in total – with the sole aim of reaching the end without taking significant risks along the way.
Taking risks, however, is the beauty of the game’s structure. Just like the first installment, appreciated and loved by many players, Darkest Dungeon 2 offers an excellent turn-based system with two-dimensional graphics where everything happens quickly. It is wise, however, to carefully calculate each choice made, to be ready to deliver lethal blows. The party, which we’ll call for convenience, can consist of various figures: from a young girl able to throw knives and hack at the undead with a pickaxe, to a paladin capable of striking with a shield. Our favorite, however, is a gunslinger who reminded us for a moment of the great Western heroes and night-time avengers like Solomon Kane, the well-known and appreciated fighter who has dazzled many. Nevertheless, the improved gameplay structure immediately impresses with a decisive and enjoyable approach, enhanced by randomness, expressed unexpectedly and pleasantly, where everything is in the player’s hands.
A Convincing Port!
As mentioned earlier, the player can choose how to improve the characters’ abilities by gathering candles and other useful items before proceeding into the hell on Earth excellently created by Red Hook Studios. This progression occurs by giving the player all the choices and possibilities to perfect the necessary style and approach to win each battle. The tough and exciting fights give Red Hook Studios’ video game even more depth. They derive from brilliant, engaging, and overwhelming methods, all based on the strategies to follow depending on the selected characters. Anyone can go insane or trigger the stress bluff during combat: it is essential to avoid this to prevent enemies from gaining the upper hand, as they can indiscriminately massacre anyone in their grasp.
Therefore, finding synergy with all characters is crucial to allow them to give their best within the adventure, opening up further possibilities of all kinds to reach the end effectively. It is not a simple path, because none really is, but it is the most beautiful and real in the story brought forward by Red Hook Studios. Thanks to a fascinating artistic direction, what happens on screen is delightful: on PlayStation 5, just like on PC, the details are at their maximum, and the frame rate is stable at 60 fps, with every element finely hand-drawn, accompanied by a sumptuous soundtrack. What more could one want from this perpetual journey into darkness?
Complex, all-encompassing, and engaging, Darkest Dungeon 2 sets up an even more complex game system than before, giving the player decisive and significant control over the diligence and the entire party. The longevity is infinite, as levels can be repeated at will, generating an even more gruesome and dark journey. Recommended for anyone who loved the first installment and perhaps intended to catch up with the second on console.