Darkest Dungeon
Release Date: January 19, 2016
RPG, fantasy, turn-based, roguelike, horror, 2D, dungeon crawler, indie games, classic RPG, singleplayer
Gamepressure
Steam
A dark fantasy cRPG developed by debuting studio Red Hook. The story is set in a dark, medieval-like universe. While exploring ruins of an old castle and its dungeons, you face off against forces of darkness that overwhelmed the land because of the reckless actions of its previous sovereign. As you delve into the depths, you discover the dark history of a family who brought the evil upon the world.
Darkest Dungeon for PC, PS4 and etc. is a turn-based, cRPG game, in a dark fantasy setting. It was developed by Red Hook studio. The action takes place in a grim fantasy world, with its technological level similar to that of the Middle Ages. The campaign mostly takes place in the ruins of an abandoned fortress and the enormous dungeons underneath it. The stronghold has been overrun by the forces of darkness due to the foolishness of the castle’s last owner, during your adventures you will uncover the history of his house and the truth about the filth which its members have brought upon this world.
In Darkest Dungeon, released for PC, PS4 and etc., you will spend most of your time exploring the endless corridors of the ruins, however, the quests themselves are constructed differently to those you would find in your ordinary RPG. The key to success in Darkest Dungeon is not the equipment of your adventurers but their emotional state. The members of your team are not stout-hearted heroes and the horrors you will encounter during your journeys will have a great influence on how they feel and behave, forcing great stress on them and sometimes changing their character. Everyone who you will hire to take part in your quests will have his own set of personality traits and will react to some encounters differently than the others (e.g. stumbling upon a corpse would cause some distress for the Highwayman but could at the same time strengthen the Crusader’s resolve). If you are to achieve success in Darkest Dungeon you have to monitor the stress levels of your adventurers, because otherwise they will succumb to depression and descend into madness.
The combat in Darkest Dungeon features a turn based system. The formation and placement of your heroes is the key and you have to think carefully about your every move, if one of your team dies his death is permanent and you will never have a chance of getting him back. The developers combined the old school depth of combat strategy with some newer features which allow you to counter your opponents and combo attacks. Monsters aren’t the only danger you will face on your road, traps could also prove dangerous just like internal conflicts within your party and darkness, the torches you carry burn out over time and spending too much time in darkness inflicts more stress on the members of your quest.
To keep your adventurers in a good mental condition you can relief their stress at a nearby town, where they can e.g. drink their sorrows away or get into a bar fight to help them forget about the horrors of the dungeons. The riches you gather can be used to renovate the town, which opens new parts of it, allowing you more options of stress relief and upgrading your heroes. The game also allows you to camp in dungeons themselves, making it possible to mend some of the damage your party suffered without abandoning the mission.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
Last Update: June 21, 2017
Darkest Dungeon Game Guide & Walkthrough
This unofficial guide to the game Darkest Dungeon is perfect for those who are willing to discover the deepest secrets of the gloomy dungeons which spread under the ancient and hostile mansion.
February 1, 2016
Darkest Dungeon review – a captivating RPG for the determined ones
The most demanding game of the recent months is here. Darkest Dungeon is a hardcore RPG that you will love… or hate.
Videos and Screens
[1:12] Darkest Dungeon launch trailer
[0:48] Darkest Dungeon trailer #2
Gamepressure Review
Darkest Dungeon
The most demanding game of the recent months is here. Darkest Dungeon is a hardcore RPG that you will love… or hate.
The main pros of the game
- Challenging Gameplay: Many players appreciate the high difficulty level, which requires strategic planning and tactical thinking. The game is often compared to "Dark Souls" for its punishing mechanics.
- Unique Mechanics: The stress management system and character quirks add depth to gameplay, making players invest emotionally in their heroes.
- Atmosphere and Art Style: The gothic art style, sound design, and narration contribute to a haunting and immersive experience.
- Replayability: The game offers a variety of character classes, randomized dungeons, and modding options, enhancing replay value.
- Engaging Combat: Players enjoy the turn-based combat, which emphasizes positioning and tactical choices.
The main cons of the game
- Punishing Difficulty: The game is criticized for being overly punishing, with many players feeling that RNG (random number generation) can lead to frustrating and unfair outcomes.
- High Learning Curve: New players often struggle with the mechanics, leading to frequent failures and character deaths, which can be discouraging.
- Resource Management Issues: Players note that the game can feel grindy, with a lack of resources making progression difficult.
- Frustrating Mechanics: Some mechanics, such as the stress system and character afflictions, are seen as overly punishing and can lead to a sense of futility.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Better Tutorials or Guidance: Some players feel the game lacks adequate tutorials to help new players understand complex mechanics and strategies.
- More Balanced RNG: There are calls for a more balanced RNG system that doesn't lead to punishing outcomes regardless of player skill or preparation.
- User Interface Improvements: Several users mention that the user interface can be unintuitive or frustrating, leading to mistakes that impact gameplay.
- Diversity in Character Classes: Some players express a desire for more unique abilities among character classes to allow for varied playstyles without being forced into specific roles.
Summary
- Overall, while "Darkest Dungeon" is celebrated for its atmosphere, depth, and strategic gameplay, it is also critiqued for its difficulty and mechanics that can lead to frustration, especially for new players.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 2530 votes. 721 players anticipated the game.
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2
GAMES
in Darkest Dungeon Game Series
Game Series
Darkest Dungeon Series
A series of RPG games with roguelike elements maintained in the style of dark fantasy. The series was created and is being developed by the independent studio Red Hook Studios.
2 video games
Darkest Dungeon Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows January 19, 2016
Switch January 18, 2018
PlayStation 4 September 27, 2016
Xbox One February 28, 2018
Apple iOS August 24, 2017
PlayStation Vita September 27, 2016
Developer: Red Hook Studios
Publisher: Red Hook Studios
Darkest Dungeon System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Dual Core 2.5 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card 512 MB GeForce 8800 or better, 900 MB HDD, Windows 7
Recommended: Dual Core 2.5 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 512 MB GeForce 8800 or better, 900 MB HDD, Windows 7
Apple iOS
Requirements: iPad
Darkest Dungeon 2 Failed to Repeat Predecessor's Success
Darkest Dungeon 2 is struggling to match the original. The sequel's activity results on Steam can be considered disappointing.
video games
Adrian Werner
June 30, 2023
Darkest Dungeon Will Get New Campaign Thanks to Fans
Next week will see the debut of Black Reliquary, a fan-made expansion that will add a new campaign to Darkest Dungeon.
video games
Adrian Werner
March 14, 2023
Darkest Dungeon for Free on Epic Games Store
Another free game has appeared on Epic Games Store. This time we are offered Darkest Dungeon. You can pick up the game until tomorrow.
special offers
Agnes Adamus
December 25, 2020
Here's Some Impressive Figures From Darkest Dungeon Board Game
Red Hook has established a partnership with Mythic Games, which will result in a board game based on the hit roguelike Darkest Dungeon. This fall, a campaign on Kickstarter will be launched to finance the release of the game.
video games
Milosz Szubert
August 4, 2020
Darkest Dungeon PvP Mode Launches; Free Trial Available
The free Darkest Dungeon: The Butcher's Circus expansion launches today. The release of the DLC introducing PvP mode to the game will be accompanied by its first free weekend on Steam.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
May 28, 2020
Darkest Dungeon Multiplayer Coming in The Butcher's Circus DLC
Red Hook Studios announced that Darkest Dungeon will receive a new expansion, The Butcher's Circus. It will introduce the possibility of PvP battles.
video games
Bart Swiatek
April 3, 2020
Darkest Dungeon 2 Announced
Fans of Darkest Dungeon can rejoice, as the team at Red Hook Studios revealed that they are working on the second installment of the cycle. Darkest Dungeon II will borrow a lot from the prequel, but it will be bigger and better.
video games
Christian Pieniazek
February 19, 2019
Darkest Dungeon: The Crimson Court launches today
If you've enjoyed the grim adventure in Darkest Dungeon so far, it's almost time to expand the experience with The Crimson Court DLC, launching today on PC.
video games
June 19, 2017
Darkest Dungeon: The Crimson Court to hit PC on June 19
Darkest Dungeon: The Crimson Court is first coming out on PC on June 19. As for PS4 and PSV versions, they will follow about one month later.
video games
May 26, 2017
Darkest Dungeon to get The Crimson Court DLC in early 2017
A new playable class will come as a part of the first DLC for Darkest Dungeon entitled The Crimson Court. The add-on is scheduled for release in early 2017.
video games
October 4, 2016