Red Hook Studios, an independent game developer, is happy to announce that its rogue-lite turn-based adventure game, Darkest Dungeon 2, is leaving Steam Early Access.
Based in Vancouver, Red Hook Studios is an independent game development company established by seasoned professionals Chris Bourassa and Tyler Sigman. Their debut creation, the highly praised Darkest Dungeon, reached over 6 million sales. Obviously, the natural progression after a successful first game is to launch another incredible game under the same name.
Is Darkest Dungeon 2 Still in Early Access?
Darkest Dungeon 2 is now out of Early Access and officially titled a 1.0 build. The game was originally released in October 2021 and has spent over 18 months in development. The Early Access journey was exclusive to the Epic Games Store, and the team, successfully, sold over 300,000 copies.
To mark the launch, both Steam and the Epic Games Store are treating gamers to a limited-time bundle. This offer includes Darkest Dungeon and Darkest Dungeon 2 at a 25% discount. Steam allows you to take advantage of this with its “complete my bundle” functionality, so existing owners of the first game will be able to purchase the sequel at a discounted price.
Additionally, players who took part in the Early Access program on the Epic Games Store can seamlessly transfer their save files to Steam, allowing them to continue their gameplay on the platform of their choice.
What’s New in Darkest Dungeon 2 1.0 Release?
The 1.0 release of Darkest Dungeon 2 offers a wealth of content for players to explore. There are five campaigns, dubbed “Confessions”. These present unique mechanics and terrifying bosses to challenge gamers.
A roster of 12 heroes, including the fan favourite Flagellant, is also available. All characters, except for the mercenary Bounty Hunter, boast five-part interactive backstories, leading to persistent skill unlocks for players.
In their journey, players will encounter four major regions in addition to the Valley, the Sluice, and the Mountains per Confession. The Altar of Hope, an extensive metagame progression hub, provides both strategic and cosmetic unlocks. There are also over 60 achievements that can be earned on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Furthermore, there are ten distinctive companion pets, each with run-defining properties, available to assist players. Optional difficulty modifiers in the form of Radiant and Infernal Flame equippable items are also available to cater to gamers seeking less or more of a challenge.
What is Darkest Dungeon 2?
Darkest Dungeon 2 is a rogue-lite turn-based adventure set in a decaying world with a gothic crow quill art style. Players form a party, outfit their stagecoach and traverse the hazardous landscape to prevent an apocalypse resulting from their own failures. Throughout the game, players uncover the stories of characters and locations while facing twisted forests and desolate crypts.
The innovative Affliction System requires players to manage heroes’ stress levels and deal with various emotional states, significantly influencing gameplay. The most formidable challenges come from within the heroes themselves, as they confront inner struggles like paranoia, fear, famine, disease and the ever-present darkness.
To achieve the ultimate goal of reclaiming their ancestor’s estate, players must recruit, train, and guide a group of imperfect heroes, grappling with both physical and psychological battles in this immersive, challenging, very dark game.
Is Darkest Dungeon 2 on Steam?
Darkest Dungeon 2 is available now on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store for US$39.99 / AU$58.50. Players can also pick up the game at a discounted rate on Steam if they own the first one.
