Recent reviews by troey

I usually am not so in love with a game to spend the time on a review, but I simply can't go further without discussing this wonderful title that has given me such a different range of emotions over the course of my playthrough.

Darkest Dungeon is one of the most intricate, exciting, yet frustrating RPG's I've ever played. For a long while, I eyed Darkest Dungeon, opting not to drop money on a game with a $25 price tag, due to my friends telling me that if I wasn't a fan of frustrating experiences, DD wasn't for me. Recently, the game went on Sale, and so I finally decided to buy it- needing a new game to put some hours into. I must say- I ABSOLUTELY recommend this game if you are a fan of traditional tabletop RPG's.

The art direction in this Lovecraftian inspired title is PHENOMENAL. The score is fantastic, the character portraits and design is simply beautiful.. and the voice narration done by the Ancestor, quoting infamous lines upon every step of your journey brings life and energy to this game unlike any other. The Steam Workshop has beautiful custom skins, designed by the community itself (admittedly, amongst a lot of weeby skins). Each character class feels so incredibly unique.. like all have a deep backstory that have led them to this impossibly dangerous location, one way or another, that's so ingrained into each character and every line of dialogue that they have. It makes losing them all the more harder, while- at the same time- meaningful, in a sick, twisted way.

The battle system, while it can be frustrating at times, has so much depth and layers to every aspect of combat- very, very reliant on an understanding of team composition, balancing, synergies, etc. A well built team, while not guaranteeing victory, will raise your chances of a successful run. Pulling off perfect builds, with strong buffs and heavy hitters, is so unbelievably satisfying that it's hard to put into words..

With that being said, my friends were completely accurate in telling me that I wouldn't enjoy the experience if RNG reliant systems weren't my style. While I still did enjoy the game, I completely understand why people that do not like this game choose to do so; The early weeks in this game, while struggling to build a team comp with randomly generated, low level characters, no Hamlet upgrades, and no such things like Trinkets, the Survivalest, and the Guild/Blacksmith character upgrades, are very, very hard. I nearly quit after losing a few of my most powerful troops, wondering why the game would refuse to reward me for my time.. but I came to understand that Darkest Dungeon is a very unforgiving game, while still rewarding good, smart choices- both in combat, and in team composition. You're forced to play in a game which puts you into very hard situations, where one wrong choice can quickly lead to your death.. and one unlucky crit can spell your doom. However, that makes it ALL the more satisfying when RNG works in your favor, and you pull off that win that seemed all but hopeless, with one party member dead, and two more on death's door. You're rewarded for making good decisions in what classes you bring to a run, what moves you decide to upgrade and equip.. building off of your teammate's strengths, as well as weaknesses, while still striking that perfect balance that never allows any one singular build to be completely overpowered and unbeatable.

As a very, very wise friend told me: "Darkest Dungeon will ruin your day every possible chance that it gets. It's YOUR job to give it the least amount of chances as possible."

9.5/10. Would absolutely recommend this game to those looking for a time waster, and those that find excitement when put in the most dangerous, perilous of situations.. the Darkest of Dungeons.