Darkest Dungeon®
" Challenging gothic roguelike RPG with deep stress mechanics but heavy RNG frustration "
Darkest Dungeon® Review
Darkest Dungeon® is a punishing and atmospheric roguelike dungeon crawler known for its brutal difficulty and deep strategic gameplay. Players manage a roster of flawed heroes battling through cursed dungeons filled with monsters, stress, and madness. The game’s core challenge lies in balancing physical and mental health, as heroes suffer afflictions and quirks that impact combat. The turn-based tactical combat demands smart team composition, resource management, and adaptability to unpredictable RNG elements. While the game’s difficulty and randomness can feel unfair, many players find the tension rewarding and the progression deeply satisfying.
Visually, Darkest Dungeon features a striking hand-drawn gothic art style complemented by Wayne June’s iconic narration, which enhances the oppressive atmosphere. The game offers extensive replayability through mod support and DLC content, though some players note the grind and endgame difficulty can become tedious. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy challenging, strategic experiences with a dark narrative tone and do not shy away from repeated failures.
Highlights
Players praise Darkest Dungeon for its deep and engaging gameplay mechanics, particularly the stress system that adds psychological depth to combat. The tactical turn-based battles require thoughtful team synergy and preparation, rewarding strategic planning.
The game's distinctive gothic art style and immersive narration by Wayne June are frequently highlighted as atmospheric and memorable. Many appreciate the game’s challenging yet fair difficulty curve and the extensive modding community that adds variety and replay value.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the game’s heavy reliance on RNG, which some players feel leads to frustrating and unfair losses despite careful planning. The grind, especially in the late game, is seen as time-consuming and repetitive, with some endgame missions requiring optimized setups that can feel like a time tax.
Additionally, the difficulty spike in final missions and the permadeath system can discourage players who prefer skill-based challenges over luck. Some also mention that the gameplay loop becomes monotonous due to repeated animations and sound effects.
Pros
- • Deep strategic gameplay with meaningful stress and affliction mechanics.
- • Tactical turn-based combat rewarding preparation and adaptability.
- • Striking hand-drawn gothic art style enhances immersion.
- • Wayne June’s narration adds a memorable atmospheric layer.
- • Extensive mod support increases replayability and variety.
- • Challenging yet fair difficulty curve for patient players.
- • Rich character progression and team composition options.
Cons
- • Heavy RNG can cause frustrating and seemingly unfair losses.
- • Late-game grind and farming can feel tedious and time-consuming.
- • Endgame missions demand optimized setups, limiting experimentation.
- • Repetitive animations and sound effects reduce long-term enjoyment.
- • Permadeath system punishes players harshly, deterring casuals.
- • Some design choices feel like artificial difficulty spikes.
- • Level restrictions on quests limit team flexibility.
Rating Criteria
Darkest Dungeon is a challenging gothic roguelike turn-based RPG about the psychological stresses of adventuring. Recruit, train, and lead a team of flawed heroes against unimaginable horrors, stress, disease, and the ever-encroaching dark. Can you keep your heroes together when all hope is lost?
