📢 IT'S A FESTERING ABOMINATION! 📢
Not talking about the game, you should know what I mean if you've played it. 😉
A year ago I reviewed Darkest Dungeon II. This was when the game was still in very early access and I was just getting hold of it. Now, I have little more to say about DD2, but it is so different from the first game that I had to compare the two. Ergo, this article! 🙌
Darkest Dungeon is no joke one of the most successful indie games ever made. both in terms of reception and revenue. So it's past time we talk about this giant of the, not just indie, but gaming industry in general.
So❗️ In this edition of Through the Lens 🎞, we'll be taking a look at Red Hook's breakout RPG hit from 2016: Darkest Dungeon Roll it! 📽
🔶 UP TOP 🔶
The soundtrack is filled with mind-bending terrorful tunes meant to take you down the road of madness. Yes. This soundtrack strikes the perfect note and should be listened to with care. I think it's the perfect companion to an article such as this one. 😤
I played Darkest Dungeon all throughout its Early Acess journey and after its release and numerous DLC releases. I love this game to bits and in this article, I hope to accurately describe why this game is so special for a lot of people.
When I pose that question the first thing that comes to mind is the tone. And the expertly set setting. So let's start there.
🔶 LOVECRAFT-AND-A-HALF 🔶
The inspiration for this game isn't lost on anyone. If anything it's what drew so many people to it in the first place. For one thing, the concept of sanity and the mental aspect of dungeon crawling is not a new one. But none before handled it as well as Darkest Dungeon.
The top-notch presentation also helped in bringing this dark fantasy to life. We will talk more bout why that is later on, but the art and music definitely played a big role in establishing and keeping this game's tone.
Every design decision made was about outlasting the inevitable cosmic horror set upon you. So when things are streamlined as such it's easy to keep track of what and how you want the design to go.
From the battles to the overblown narration to the art style to the futility of the combat system - it all goes hand in hand with delivering a singular vision. 👀
So let's talk about this game's main selling point already, shall we?
🔶 PRESENTATION 🔶
The first thing you will notice about Darkest Dungeon is the amazing voicework done by Wayne June. Wayne has become a legend ever since the game's release. And if you have heard any lines of dialogue you would instantly know why.
Wayne delivers the overblown, overemphasized writing with a nihilistic tendency that just screams 'help me!'. The game would truly feel incomplete without his voice, and I'm not sure of an example where that's the case. Even in Supergiant's case, games like Bastion and Transistor. Those games would still be playable and enjoyable without the narration. Darkest Dungeon? I have no idea how you pull that off. 😂
The art style is the second thing you would notice in this hypothetical we are laying out here. The thick black lines that outline all the characters and items make them POP! and bring them to life in a way that flat shading just cannot.
As for the content of the art, it's eldritch horror next to medieval horror next to eldritch horror. 😅 The Lovecraftian inspiration is evident, and its execution is immaculate.
So it looks and sounds great. But how does it play? Well, I'm glad you asked!
🔶 TRETOROUS 🔶
I use that heading intentionally, this game isn't difficult per see. If you know what you're doing it's as difficult as any other RNG-based game. Nah, this game is out to get you! 🤬
The combat is a turn-based 4-on-4, position-based, battle. In it, we can strike, apply status effects, heal, and move our enemies and or party. The effective numbers in this are all based on a scale. And you may also crit or dodge any attack. So that's where the RNG aspect comes in. You also have a stress meter in addition to your health. Sometimes it's better to die than for your stress/sanity meter to go to full and your character becomes insane. They might take the rest of your party down with them. 😬
The metagame aspect and your home is the Hamlet. This is your base of operations and the location where you spend your spoils of war. The Hamlet has a lot of facilities that can heal the many elements your characters can have, regardless if said elements are physical or psychological.
You need to outlast, hire enough heroes and keep them hale and hearty enough for them to take on the toughest challenge - the Darkest Dungeon. Beat the dungeon and the game concludes. But that's way easier said than done. 😁
🔶 CONCLUSION 🔶
One of the most famous indie games ever made. Maybe the most famous indie RPG ever made. This comes from its uniqueness in presentation and design. Along with its stellar execution.
It also helps that the second game is designed totally differently. It's a lot more rouge-like than the first one. This I think only increases the first game's legacy. As its timeless design holds fast.
If you haven't given this game a try (which I highly doubt) you owe it to yourself. It is frustrating, and you will have to use an external wiki to play it optimally, which I know for some people is a turn-off. If you can look past that, you will get super addicted to the uniqueness that is Darkest Dungeon.
Thank you for reading, you rock! (and maybe roll) 👏👏👏
Shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙
I can't believe I've never talked about this game. It's a definite must to try out if you haven't! I highly recommend it!
Hope at least one person sees this and gives it a shot. 😁
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Have a great rest of your day! 🙌