Darkest Dungeon 2 has been out in some form since 2021, continuing the roguelike RPG franchise, but will soon be coming to consoles.
Developed and published by Red Hook Studios, Darkest Dungeon 2 is the sequel to Darkest Dungeon. The game features multiple characters, each with their own strengths and abilities that will help the player advance. Players can equip these characters with specialized accoutrements and combat items to accentuate certain traits.
The world is navigated by stagecoach, with the end goal being to reach the mountain. An evil force has taken over the in-game world and is making the mountain its base, but before the player can reach the mountain, they will need to explore and overcome various obstacles along the way.
Many of these are centered around turn-based combat, with heroes needing to be positioned correctly to make the most of their skills – some can be unusable if standing in the wrong place.
The sequel has been fairly well-received among fans, receiving an 81 point rating on game review aggregation site Metacritic (compared to the original’s 84). Additionally, the game already seems to be laying the groundwork for a third installment, with the game’s end coming to the final conclusion that the Eldritch forces are still active and may need to be defeated once again.
For now, let’s take a look at when Darkest Dungeon 2 was originally released, as well as some details about its much-anticipated wider release that’s expected to arrive soon.
When is Darkest Dungeon 2 release date?
Darkest Dungeon 2 was first released in Early Access for Windows in October 2021. The full version of the game was then released on May 8, 2023, on both the Epic Games Store and Steam.
However, it will be available on consoles other than PC in the near future.
Darkest Dungeon 2 release date for Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation
Specifically, a wider release is planned for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Scheduled for July 15, 2024This marks the first time Darkest Dungeon 2 will be available as a non-PC game.
What is Darkest Dungeon 2: Kingdoms?
The main story of Darkest Dungeon 2 is already available for the PC game, but a new update is planned for late 2024. The additional content, titled “Kingdoms,” will It will feature a new campaign and three enemy factions called the Coven, the Beastmen, and the Crimson Couriers. PC Gamer The update will “blend some of the persistence and roster management of the original Darkest Dungeon with the traversal and combat of Darkest Dungeon 2.”
The update is completely free and reintroduces certain gameplay features from the original game, and appears to be aimed at longtime fans of Darkest Dungeon. Players will travel through the in-game world, similar to Darkest Dungeon 2’s confessional storyline, but the main focus will reportedly be gathering resources that can be used to upgrade heroes’ skills and strengthen inn defenses, which act as checkpoints to progress through the game.
Like in the main game, when your heroes die they’re gone for good, but the stagecoach is still there to transport a group of heroes to liberate a besieged inn. You can get a sneak peek at which kingdoms are involved in the trailer below.
Darkest Dungeon 1 vs 2
The two Darkest Dungeon games are quite different from each other and each have their own identity: while the first game was centered around developing your character and combat skills, the sequel takes the opportunity to expand on the lore of the in-game world.
Of course, there are some technical updates as well, including improved graphics, more complex (and therefore versatile) combat, and a roguelike style that makes the game more replayable.
In some ways, Darkest Dungeon 2 takes what was great about its predecessor (particularly the combat and style) and improves on it, nowhere is this more evident than with the Kingdoms update, which brings the game even closer to the original series.
Where to get mods for Darkest Dungeon 2
Now just over a week since its release, the popular PC game has a ton of mods available to help you tweak your Darkest Dungeon experience. Nexus Mods If you haven’t already, this is a good place to start, as it gives you more trinket slots, sellable items, or the option to equip all skills at once.
If you want to start the game a little easier, there are also mods that allow you to start the game with more space or more mastery points. This is a popular option for replay players, as the mastery point mods give you an edge and take the pressure off of you in the early stages.
Featured Image: Red Hook Studios