What to expect from early access and beyond in Darkest Dungeon 2
October 27, 2021When it hit, Darkest Dungeon proved that there was still so much more to plumb from the typical role-playing game. Its dire setting was matched by a nihilistic view of the world and its heroes. Most importantly, though, it examined the deep, psychological impact adventuring has on adventurers. Soon, players were finding themselves managing the sometimes deadly quirks of their crew as much as focusing on their abilities to kill and explore.
In a word, Darkest Dungeon was an unerringly dark game. A masterpiece of role-playing, but also overwhelmingly pinned to suffering.
Darkest Dungeon II, which hits the Epic Game Store today in Early Access, appears, in some ways, to be a tonic to that brooding original title.
The world is still spinning dizzily to its end, but the journey has players moving toward the light rather than away from it.
In this wide-ranging interview, we chatted with Red Hook Studios creative director Chris Bourassa and design director Tyler Sigman about the original game’s inception, how early access will shape this sequel, and why the duo say this game is more like a family road trip than the original game’s brutal hockey game.
To read the rest of this interview, which first ran on Oct. 27, 2021, visit Epic Game Store.
