This is just one of many examples – the game is filled with abilities that can shift either your heroes or your enemies. This could be beneficial as it allows him to take cover behind a stronger character, but it also prevents him from using the point-blank shot again since he’s no longer in the first position. For instance, the highwayman has a point-blank shot that inflicts heavy damage on the enemy in the first position and simultaneously pushes the highwayman one position back.

Many heroes possess abilities that alter their positioning. This adds a significant layer of strategy to the game! Darkest Dungeon II places a much greater emphasis on this aspect: Not all of your attacks can target every enemy position, so this is another element to keep in mind. The positioning of your heroes is critical, as certain attacks and abilities can only be executed from specific places. Your quartet of heroes stands in their designated spots, squaring off against up to four enemies. The combat is perhaps the most similar aspect to the original game. You may also find yourself stopping at a field hospital or running into a merchant, among other possibilities. In other situations, you experience flashbacks from your character’s past, revealing aspects of their story and unlocking new combat abilities. Sometimes you meet struggling travelers and must decide whether to help them.

Eventually, these paths lead to an inn where the party can rest before embarking on the next leg of their journey. The route is chosen in a manner reminiscent of Slay the Spire, with choices of two or three paths following each encounter. Instead, the player guides a team of heroes on a stagecoach journey toward a distant mountain. Contrary to what the title suggests, there are no actual dungeons in this game, merely minor lairs.

Many aspects have been tweaked since the original game. But will the sequel measure up, or will it prove that the original was a one-off success? Fans loved the original game when it first debuted. Darkest Dungeon II has emerged from a lengthy early access period on the Epic Game Store and is now fully available on Steam too.

Darkest dungeon ii review