Darkest Dungeon 2 Update Enhances Its Thrilling Strategy with Expanded Kingdoms Mode

Darkest Dungeon 2 has always been known for its intense, challenging gameplay, but the introduction of its Kingdoms mode has really taken things up a notch. Imagine merging the core experience of DD2 with a strategy game that unfolds like a classic board game. That’s what the Kingdoms offers, blending turn-based combat with its beautifully dark aesthetics into an innovative new format. Red Hook, true to their word, had promised more content updates—called ‘modules’—for Kingdoms. They’ve delivered once again with the release of their second expansion, Secrets of the Coven.

If you’re not yet familiar with Darkest Dungeon 2’s Kingdoms, let’s get you caught up. The gameplay here is all about strategy, where you navigate through a series of tiled paths and aim to thwart an evil force that’s threatening the land. Your mission is to chart a course through these tiles to confront a formidable final boss. However, the path is not without obstacles, as various encounters will challenge you along the way. You’ll only have a limited number of ‘days’ to hunt down and defeat the leader of these dark forces.

Scattered across the board are inns, serving as crucial sanctuaries where you can rest and recover. But beware—if you don’t defend them adequately, they could be seized by enemy forces. Depending on the game’s difficulty setting, losing too many inns might mean the end of your journey. When combat arises, you’ll find yourself engaging in classic Darkest Dungeon-style battles, relying on strategic turn-based combat, optimal team setups, and sharp tactical choices.

The debut module for Kingdoms, titled Hunger of the Beast Clan, set quite a gritty tone. Now, Red Hook has pivoted to a theme steeped in witchcraft for their latest expansion. “Secrets of the Coven presents a brand-new hurdle as you battle a faction of cunning witches,” the developers note. “Witchcraft’s unseen threads weave throughout the Kingdom, and it’s up to you to uncover and dismantle this secretive coven before their devious influence digs too deep.”

Alongside the new adversaries and storyline, Kingdoms is also getting some welcome quality-of-life improvements. You can stash a minimum of three items at any inn you visit, with the option to upgrade these slots to accommodate more. Hoarders now have the chance to sell items back to traders, albeit at a fraction of their purchase price. Additionally, a new tool is available to help you craft effective team compositions.

With the free Secrets of the Coven update, there’s also a premium DLC titled The Binding Blade. This add-on enriches your character roster with two new arrivals: The Duelist and The Crusader.

Secrets of the Coven for Darkest Dungeon 2’s Kingdoms mode is live now. For those thinking of diving into Darkest Dungeon 2 for the first time, this is a prime opportunity, as the game is available at a 50% discount until Monday, April 21. You can grab it here.

And if this doesn’t quite fit your style, we have some fantastic suggestions for other top roguelikes and RPGs available on PC.

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