Anyone else up on this? (Early Access was released for kickstarter backers, and opens up on Steam tomorrow)
I'm loving it at the moment... even though my second major foray (after the requisite faffing about to learn the system) involved an epic fail.
Two rooms in and the stress had already gone past breaking point so I had to back out and run away... which was compounded by my Occultist catching Syphilis and my Grave Robber the Creeping Cough. Scorched earth policy was the only way forward from there...
Was there anything in particular you wanted more info on snickersimba?
I'm not that far in, but I can probably shed a bit of light if there's specifics you're interested in.
Absolutely picked this up, but due to work I haven't had a chance to try it yet. It looks amazing and very creepy.
I went through several stages with this game. First I heard about it and got excited. Then I saw a video of it on YouTube and lost interest. Third I read the opinion on it from you guys, so picked it up on a whim, without high hopes. Then I played it nearly nonstop for the last few days.
Yea - it has that effect. I did comment on it more thoroughly in another thread. I would add that for a Kickstarter project, it certainly has succeeded where other game projects were less impressive and didn't live up to the hype.
Possibly the only other early release I have seen that has been impressive is Armello.
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I went through several stages with this game. First I heard about it and got excited. Then I saw a video of it on YouTube and lost interest. Third I read the opinion on it from you guys, so picked it up on a whim, without high hopes. Then I played it nearly nonstop for the last few days.
This is how I celebrated President's Day weekend. In the dark surrounded by madmen.
The thing I like is the surprising depth of the combat mechanics.
I feel like I'm finally getting some system mastery.
Argh. Second game that would need Steam.
Well, the other one would Steam only for early access but the full game won't be here soon...
I'm not sure what the Medicinal Herbs do, are they only for interactions with objects? I tried to use them to remove diseases from my characters, but it seems Sanitarium is the only way to go.
I do want healing to be more interesting. The Vestal is boring but effective (and perhaps necessary, since if she isn't healing she can try to stun a baddie).
The Occultist's heal is super cool. I love how it's random but can be super high, and also cause bleed. Rockin'.
I wish the other heals were cooler though. What if Plague Doctor's heal was like a DOT? And the Jester healed Stress and HP damage at the same time (but weaker than the Vestal).
I got this game yesterday, and find it challenging and fun. I must have set off every trap I've come across, and the graveyard is getting pretty full of fallen adventurers. I'm learning as I go. The artwork and interaction are neat. It's like a graphic novel. That and your party having quirks or even outright rebellion is a unique mechanic. I'm about 3 hours or so of gameplay.
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This game is brutally fun and hard to master. It has one of the best narrators in a game since Bastion. It's worth buying for the narrator and artwork alone!
There are a lot of tactical decisions to make based on your adventure location decision. The length and place means different compositions are useful. This is especially true after your roster starts getting full.
The only things I don't like are how buffing and debuffing aren't worth it 9/10 times. Monsters big enough to warrant debuffing are usually resistant! Trinkets also are usually paltry profits.
For newcomers, heed these words!
Stress is more deadly than combat. Kill the stress makers first and foremost. Focus your hits. It is always better to remove incoming attack potential. I live by this: Less monsters = less attacks = less crits = less insanity and damage.
Advanced courses can cover stunning creatures who haven't acted yet to maximize that formula.
The best piece of advice I can give is to save money. Bring only 8 torches and 8 food in short, double and triple for medium and long. Don't fix dudes until they are level 2 and earned their health care. :P
I can talk forever on this game! Apparently the makers of the RPG torchbearer (the makers of burning wheel) might make a darkest dungeon tabletop RPG. Also in March, blade in the dark is a new RPG that handles industrial fantasy, stress, and vices that might warrant examination for those who wanna bring this style of play to their tabletops.
Good post! I like knowing the numbers for provisions, as I hadn't been paying attention to it. I'll spoil a strategy I've learned.
I also agree on not running out of loot! I had to restart the game 3 times before I didn't go broke from failed missions.
Love it.
No torching it so the sound effects and loud bombastic music plays is my favorite thing to do.
When the swine squeal it is to herald my arrival.
No they're not. But I suspect they'll factor into the Arbalist. A class not yet released.
which was compounded by my Occultist catching Syphilis
There are STDs in this game? And what in the dungeon was your occultist doing to catch it? I generally don't find that kind of creepy game to be fun.
Aranna - que?
The game has afflictions, which come from a very long list... of which syphillis is but one of a wide plethora.
There is no 'creepiness' involved.
Ok I am confused... your character just got Syphilis out of thin air?
Yes. It's one of those weird bits of roguelikeness that I hope will get removed. There is no real sexualization of the game outside of a brothel you can send stressed heroes out to.
rpg.net has let's players. They suggest treating everyone as expendable. If they get too cracked up and flaw prone? Ditch them. Keep several groups going so you can rotate as well.
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I'm resurrecting this thread as I recently started playing it again. There are a number of mods since my comment earlier. There are new classes and different quirks/diseases. I really don't often play non-multiplayer games, but this one I've sunk about 80 hours into so far. (Skyrim was about 80 hours too, but 360 hours on a fps)
In case anyone who's interested in the game, but hasn't tried it - the "final release version" is scheduled for January 19th.
Based on their details on Kickstarter, there's still some additional classes to be added post-launch. Also, they will be adding "town events" for when you return to the hamlet and apparently there will be some cinematics added for when you end a campaign; details are vague on that.
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Very fun game . I played an early access version and really enjoyed the concept, but the game was a bit too easy for my tastes.
In the version I had, all I really had to do to make the game easy was make sure I had enough torches for the length of dungeon I was exploring. Torches are like insurance - sure they cost money, but they more than make up fort it by preserving the mental state of the adventurers (curing mental illnesses costs money!), and after I got used to each of the areas I knew how to beat the threats there. While the gameplay remained satisfying and I do like to win, the oppressive atmosphere of the game doesn't work quite as much when basic strategy dismantles most of the challenges so easily.
I will say this though, the boss fights were incredible.
Also, in the version I played there were only three dungeons to explore with the other areas (including the darkest dungeon itself) not yet open. Will the final version include all these dungeons?
Yes, and new zone was added (The Coves) and the Darkest Dungeon itself will be in the final version. If you paid for the early access version, you should be able to update to the release version.
If its been awhile since you played, many of the mechanics were updated and new monsters and abilities were added. I can't say you'll find it more challenging, but its changed enough that I think it may not be quite the same since it first was released.
REMINDER: Launch Discount Ends on Tuesday February 2nd! Tell your friends!
Finally, we wanted to remind everyone that on Tuesday, Darkest Dungeon’s price will be returning to its planned price of $24.99 now that we’re out of Early Access. During our release day, we had an issue with the Steam store that prevented us from increasing our full release price to $24.99 with the 2 week launch sale price of $19.99. As a quick solution we just set the full price to $19.99 to ensure people were buying the game at the discounted price. On Tuesday, the price will go up to $24.99 where it will remain until the next sale. So if you want to grab it at the Early Access Price/Discounted Price, do so before Tuesday!
So this is probably the last chance to get the game for under $20, at least for a while.
I highly recommend it if you like turn-based games with a Lovecraft feel. Great art, audio and music, etc. The Random Number Generator (RNG) nature of the game, combined with character death being permanent can be incredible cruel, but I think that is part of the sadistic appeal, and gives it an old school feel.
I've got 200+ weeks of game time in, so I think I can give somewhat useful advice if anyone is having trouble. There are a few ways that this game breaks from the default assumptions of most video games.
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so, after 140 weeks of building up a stable party of 6th level heroes, gathering gear, upgrading weapons and armor. I set foot in the Darkest Dungeon itself today.
Things to note
No Map; instead of having the map displayed for you, you need to discover it bit by bit as you explore.
Hard to flee;If you Flee, 1 random hero will die, dragged down by the pursuing cultists and monsters.
I managed a room and a half. Lost the Gravedigger and the Arbelist went insane. We lost the Leper as we fled. Down to about 400 gold now. I fear I may be nearing the end of this campaign.
Still there is something enjoyable about pushing forward despite the bleak hopelessness of our cause.
Greylurker, I can almost imagine reading your post in the narrators raspy and morose dialogue. I've not ventured into the darkest, week 140ish too.
Fear not Greylurker! Ok, that is a lie. The titular dungeon is NASTY! Monsters hit really hard, crit all the time, and bleed you for large amounts of damage. My first time in, I lost my prized man-at-arms before even reaching the boss, and lost another character when I retreated.
I did better on my second attempt (from a different estate), with only one character going insane, and I defeated the shuffling horror (just barely). I recommend making the most powerful group you can - I used hellion, jester, occultist, and plague doctor, all 6th level with skills, weapons and armor fully upgraded. Also, lock in Steady, the various Hater quirks, and anything else that will give you stress resistance. Stress abounds.
Other things to note:
Bring all the food and torches you can carry.
There are no curios in the Darkest Dungeon (that I know of...), so no need for keys and shovels, but also no chances for help or provisions.
Don't worry too much about gold. You can sell trinkets, and the medium and hard dungeons pay off really well - double so if you can find the secret rooms.
The secret rooms have been a neat addition.
Still can't beleive I'm carrying around loyal Dinmas's head.
Update coming in March that will an the 'Antiquarian' who helps finding treasure.
So, I don't know if anyone is still playing at this point, but the most recent updates have added the new class (Antiquarian) and also "town events". So if you want to give it whirl again, I would say the game has seen some changes that change the experience up some.
Basically, the Antiquarian is great to have mid-game and beyond in my experience. It's that not that he can't be useful early game, but given the general squishy-ness of all classes early on I'm not certain she survives as well. The thing about having her in a party isn't that she just enhances potential treasure; she can be a money machine if you are willing to risk her touching every item and chest. The thing most surprises me is that she can also be an excellent buffer and a somewhat backup healer if you are willing to forgo enhancing her dodge skills.
Town events have been interesting so far. Have encountered the free upgrade kind; the benefits for attacking specific area (Weald, Warrens, etc.); the help certain class kind' and the invasion kind where you can get a special mission (there's supposed to be around 40 different ones with their own new art and narration). The last one seems to be designed as a unique challenge, but so far it has been a hero-killer for me. Overall, I think it adds some greater interest in the "supply" and "cleansing" missions besides just a way to level party members. Especially in mid-late games so far it has proven to help me as well.
There's been more basic fixes, but two most noticeable to me: a)they have enhanced the look of the hamlet - more lighting and smoke effects gives a gloomy vibe and b)the added a party order default you can use as needed - which is great when the team as been scrambled around due to combat effects.
Time to open steam and update probably...
Ever since the latest update my game crashes every time I attempt to open it. I'm pretty disappointed because I'd just got back into playing it.
Sorry to hear that, have you tried emailing them directly (support@redhookgames.com) or checking in the Steam Forums?
I also forgot to mention that there was a Kickstarter-only class added called the Musketeer as well - details here. Apparently, it is just a reskin of Arabalist with gun-themed names for skills, etc. The lore is different, but mechanically it is the same. Just an FYI, as I didn't realize it until I saw her mentioned in the patch notes and wondered what it was all about.
The secret rooms have been a neat addition.
Still can't beleive I'm carrying around loyal Dinmas's head.
Me either, my parties keep getting wiped carrying the artifact around, but it is found again later in those secret rooms. Hm, maybe it's cursed.
Me either, my parties keep getting wiped carrying the artifact around, but it is found again later in those secret rooms. Hm, maybe it's cursed.
They certainly have that vibe. They have good perks, but those stress effects mean you almost have to counter with a high stress-reducer artifact like the crystal ribbon (I think). Which means, you kind of waste an items slot. The ancestor's relics are kind of the same - great perks with a lot of stress effects.
They certainly have that vibe. They have good perks, but those stress effects mean you almost have to counter with a high stress-reducer artifact like the crystal ribbon (I think). Which means, you kind of waste an items slot. The ancestor's relics are kind of the same - great perks with a lot of stress effects.Me either, my parties keep getting wiped carrying the artifact around, but it is found again later in those secret rooms. Hm, maybe it's cursed.
I've tried using the virtue buff trinkets and letting a party member take a resolution check. It works 75% of the time. When they stress out and make the check, it is a boon for the rest of the quest. And when they don't, well party wipe. There's a 25% buff to add to whatever other trinket that stresses, and it is a gamble.
Taking a break from Fallout for a bit and returning to the Darkest Dungeon.
There have been many changes and additions since I last walked these terrible halls. The buzz of bloodthirsty insects dominates the courtyard and the Flagellant (among others) joins my cause in his ongoing quest for personal suffering. There are many new parts of the Hamlet waiting to be repaired but I've no funds to do so as yet.
The astrologers tell of a falling comet to come next week. Perhaps I shall wait for this before I begin my quest
(New DLC on the 19th)
Taking a break from Fallout for a bit and returning to the Darkest Dungeon.
There have been many changes and additions since I last walked these terrible halls. The buzz of bloodthirsty insects dominates the courtyard and the Flagellant (among others) joins my cause in his ongoing quest for personal suffering. There are many new parts of the Hamlet waiting to be repaired but I've no funds to do so as yet.
The astrologers tell of a falling comet to come next week. Perhaps I shall wait for this before I begin my quest
(New DLC on the 19th)
Love the music in the Darkest Dungeon, as well as the Narrator's smack talk. I have/had a now-abandoned CJ I was working on that used hyperlinked YouTube sound clips from DD at various points - mostly when characters were horribly slaughtered.
Love the music in the Darkest Dungeon, as well as the Narrator's smack talk. I have/had a now-abandoned CJ I was working on that used hyperlinked YouTube sound clips from DD at various points - mostly when characters were horribly slaughtered.
The music is great isn't it, I am seriously considering dropping the 10$ for the Soundtrack
The music is great isn't it, I am seriously considering dropping the 10$ for the Soundtrack
Love the music in the Darkest Dungeon, as well as the Narrator's smack talk. I have/had a now-abandoned CJ I was working on that used hyperlinked YouTube sound clips from DD at various points - mostly when characters were horribly slaughtered.
Worth it, especially if you work it into a campaign or two. *grin*
Week one
The hired help has arrived; Reynauld the Crusader and Dismas, a former highwayman were waylaid in the forest by bandits but they have arrived unharmed. They are joined by Bourchier the Appothecary and Danella the holy Vestal. I waste no time in sending them into the ruins of the old estate. They return somewhat haggard by with packs laden with treasure. Dismas seems to have weathered the place better than the others.
Week 2
I’ve recruited some more hands to assist with the effort. They will accompany Dismas back to the Ruins while the others recuperate. There is a strange glow at the farmstead so I send them to investigate. Only Dismas and Anna the Gravedigger return. Both half mad and rambling something about endless waves of glowing corpses. Dismas has holed himself up in the brothel and refuses to come out. Anna is deep in a cup of mead and speaks no more of the incident.
Well....that is distressing. A trip to the farm apparently does not use up a week. Which means I have to pull people away from their various forms of distraction and force them to go to the ruins. I am also somewhat strapped for cash now as the money I spent on them is not refunded.
They return with one man less than they left with and the surviving 3 quite mad...But at least they return with wealth. I have to sell some of the trinkets they discovered to just cover expenses. I can only hope for ....fresh bodies to arrive soon so that I may throw them at the ruins while the others rest their over taxed sanity.
Week 3
I shall give them something of a respit from the terrors of thte old ruins. Instead I ask them to patrol the forest.
Reynauld is the only one to return alive. Ranting and raving he blames me for not supplying enough shovels and torches. His skin is a palid color and he is clearly stricken with illness so I have him commited to treatment in the sanatairium.
The task...goes poorly I fear. Perhaps it is more than mortal men can handel...ah what does it matter there are always more fools willing to risk their lives for coin.
Now I'm hearing this in the Narrator's voice. KUTGW Greylurker. :D