Before i begin, i'd like to clear a popular misinterpretation:
Darkest Dungeon is not a role-playing game! It is part management, part tacticle, turn-based battles, with some portions of dungeon-crawling, settled in a dark fantasy setting, und playing under rogue-like conditions, which means: very hard, extremely unforgiving, and iron-man only.
If you are looking for a classic RPG or dungeon-crawling experience, i recommend to delete the game from your wishlist and stop reading already:
Darkest Dungeon is designed for a very specific niche, and can be a really nightmare for the casual player!
As well as it can be salvation for the right person...
...
Still reading and interested?
Then hear my personal story...
My first experience with DD was terrible. I remember playing the game for 5 minutes, and experiencing so much troubles, that i deinstalled and refunded right away.
A year later, and still unsatisfied with all those AAA titles in my library, i stumbled upon the game once more, and decided to give it another, this time serious try.
That was the beginning of a relationship, that changed my life!
Switching between ragequitting and mastering the steep learning curve, i slowly began to understand the deeper mechanics of the game, and realized, that playing good is just not enough, and that DD may very well be one the most demanding games of all time, but also, that the game, in its very core, is a fair and balanced experience, and that excellent play is rewarded immensely...
Now, several dozen hours later, im more hooked than ever!
Darkest Dungeon is one of those immensely rare games, that manage to stay exciting and attractive, and it is not even finished, with new patches and DLC still released!
And even though the game does not entertain in a traditional way, but more like a puzzler, it is the only game in my endless library, that i always return to, and that i appreciate in an unparalleled way.
Which is astounishing, as i spend the most time in DD with... thinking!
I do literally spend hours (!) with the preparation and execution of each single single dungeon run, with micro-managing my party, their professions, their positions, their active skills, both fighting and camping, with curing and buying and improving and planning and preparing... and exploring and fighting and looting!
And even while doing the action part, i think about optimal strategies each step i take. And i, who, admittedly, isnt the most patient and clever person around, love it! And love that i do!
Playing this game seriously does also mean, to have to work on important real-life skills. In a game, that leaves no room for lazyness and brainless play (DD is the most unforgiving game i have played in my entire life! In fact, a single decision can cost you the game!), you either do your very best, or wont get anywhere!
In fact, every time that i fail, do i take my time to think everything through, and realize, that it could have been avoided. Every failing is a lesson, i try to learn from...
Now, some people claim, that this game is driven by a cruel, unfair RNG. Which is not completely false. The whole combat relies on chances, as well as several other, small mechanics. Still, a well prepared and optimally played party works together like a charm, and can handle almost every mechanic there is in this game...
And the feeling, when everything works as intended, and when a party returns safely, packed to the brim with treasures, that can then be used to work on the strategy layer (the town), and prepare for the next tactics-part, is simply amazing!
And even when RNG screws you completely over, and you should fail without fault, do i feel, that the real goal in this game is doing the best you can, and that the path is the real award in this game.
So, even when you fail, and you will, because we are just humans: Take a break, relax, learn from your mistakes, and start a fresh run with a new party.
I still recommend to use guides, as learning everything by trial-and-error IS an annoying and unnecessary part, and i wished, that the game would contain more and extended information!
Also, while talking about negatives, dungeon-runs become a bit repetitive, and i hope, that this part will be extended, with more opportunities to do...
The same flaws apply for the tactical battles: the little monster-variety, without any random elements added, will eventually lead to the same couple of strategies, used again and again...
And lastly, the RPG-part is too shallow, with extremely simple random hero-attributes, and leveling up and improving skills is very unspectacular.
Im also painfully missing some skill-tree, some options to specialize heroes.
I really liked to have lesser heroes for hire, but more options to develop them...
But, im sure that we havent seen the last patch and expansion, or maybe there will even follow a sequel :)
Now, if you have read to this point, and am still interested, this might be the game you are looking for.
A word of advice, though: The beginning of a new game starts pretty rough, with very little to do, and much to learn. Dont let you discourage in this stage: The more you play, the more features get enabled, and the better and fulfilling the game gets, and after you've failed a couple of times, and have learned the basics, the real experience begins :)
I wish you a great time with this gem!!!
