Darkest Dungeon 2 has always been known for its punishing difficulty and intense gameplay. However, with the introduction of its Kingdoms mode, the game has taken on an entirely new dimension. Imagine merging the core experience of DD2 into something akin to a strategic board game. That’s exactly what Kingdoms mode brings to the table, tossing aside its traditional turn-based combat for something refreshingly new. Red Hook Studios, the masterminds behind the game, had promised fans a slew of content updates, cleverly branded as ‘modules.’ True to their word, they’ve just rolled out the latest expansion, Secrets of the Coven.
If you’re still catching up on what Darkest Dungeon 2: Kingdoms is all about, here’s a quick overview. Picture a strategy game where each run feels like navigating a series of tiled pathways. The main objective? Stop a menacing evil from conquering the land by strategizing your path through these tiles to eventually confront a final boss. Of course, the path is fraught with peril, as you’ll face off against teeming soldiers and loyal followers who will do everything in their power to thwart you. Adding to the pressure, you have a limited number of ‘days’ to seek out and vanquish their leader.
Scattered along your journey are inns, which serve as crucial havens for rest and recovery. However, if you don’t defend them with enough vigor, these safe havens can easily fall into enemy hands. Depending on the level of difficulty you choose, losing too many inns might spell the end of your journey. When confronted with combat scenarios, it’ll feel familiar if you’ve played the original Darkest Dungeon 2, drawing on turn-based strategy, careful team selection, and smart tactical planning.
The first module introduced was called Hunger of the Beast Clan, which brought its own gritty challenges. With this latest update, Red Hook is leaning into a witchcraft theme. According to the developers, “Secrets of the Coven presents a novel challenge as players square off against a cadre of sinister witches. These unseen strands of witchcraft are insidiously weaving through the Kingdom. Follow the clues, unearth the secrets, and eliminate this treacherous coven before they can exert their influence!”
Beyond just new enemies and stories, Kingdoms mode is also benefiting from some welcome quality of life improvements. Now at inns, you can stash at least three items, and with some upgrades, increase that limit further. Hoarders now have the chance to sell items back for part of the original purchase price, and a new help tool is now at your disposal for crafting potent team compositions.
In addition to the free update with Secrets of the Coven, there’s a new premium DLC available called The Binding Blade. This DLC introduces two new characters to your roster: The Duelist and The Crusader.
The Secrets of the Coven update for Darkest Dungeon 2’s Kingdoms mode is live and ready to play. If you haven’t given Darkest Dungeon 2 a try yet, now could be the perfect moment with it being 50% off until Monday, April 21. You can snag your copy here.
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