10 Years and One Sequel Later, This Dark Fantasy Roguelike RPG Is Still A Stressful, Anxiety-Inducing Masterpiece That I’ll Never Put Down

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When I was a stressed-out college student trying to rediscover my love for video games, my roommate Diego gave me a recommendation that stuck with me. He knows my tastes well, and thought it would be perfect. He knew I hadn’t played anything quite like it mechanically, that the atmosphere matched the stories I loved, and that it was visually impressive. So, being a good friend, he suggested Darkest Dungeon. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was about to briefly resent him for it.

I used to resent Diego, and it wasn’t just because I was already overwhelmed with school, work, and everything else that comes with being young. He’d introduced me to Darkest Dungeon, a game that was intensely stressful and built around creating a constant sense of dread. Each time I played, it felt like deliberately stepping into a panic attack disguised as a gothic horror story. But despite the suffocating atmosphere and the game’s bleakness, something changed. Looking back, Diego didn’t actually do anything wrong. He gave me a gaming experience I’ll never forget – one that still fills me with a strange combination of respect, fear, and wonder, even years later.

I’m Not the Biggest Fan of Roguelikes, But Darkest Dungeon Checks All My Boxes

As a writer for TopMob and a gamer who likes to try new things, I’ve been exploring the roguelike genre, even though it’s not usually my preference. I’ve really enjoyed games like Hades, Hades 2, PEAK, and Balatro. However, for every roguelike I connect with, there are several others I just can’t get into. I don’t mind challenging games—I love titles like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3. But the unpredictable nature, reliance on luck, and permanent consequences in roguelikes often frustrate me, even as an experienced gamer.

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I’m a big RPG fan – I just love getting lost in a good story and really connecting with the characters. I also enjoy life-sim games where I get to be in charge. But honestly, roguelikes usually aren’t my thing. Still, there’s something about Darkest Dungeon that completely won me over – I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I do!

  • The Aesthetics: Let’s start with the shallow reasons. Frankly, this is a beautiful game to look at with impeccable art direction that feels like a playable gothic etching. The heavily inked outlines, oppressive shadows, and haunting animations actively reinforce the dread the game wants players to feel.
  • The Hamlet: Strangely enough, building up my Hamlet scratched the same itch as my early life-sim obsessions. Between upgrading buildings, managing resources, and watching the town slowly evolve, there’s a strange comfort loop hiding inside the despair. It gives every failed expedition meaning because progress will still, somehow, linger.
  • The DLC: Crimson Court lives rent-free in my head. It can stay there. It’s the kind of expansion that deepens the game’s identity by layering new horrors and systems that feel punishing and unforgettable. It is one of those DLCs that you forget aren’t part of the base game.

My Favorite Reason Why I Like Darkest Dungeon Has Nothing to Do With Video Games

My love for Darkest Dungeon actually comes from my experience with Dungeons & Dragons. I’ve been playing D&D with friends since 2018, and when Darkest Dungeon came out a year later, it immediately reminded me of those tabletop roleplaying sessions.

Image via Wizards of the Coast

It’s a little odd, but managing the team in this game immediately reminded me of playing Dungeons & Dragons. The character classes were easy to understand, and the heroes facing serious setbacks felt similar to losing beloved characters in my D&D campaigns. It almost felt like I was a Dungeon Master, guiding them through dangerous dungeons. As a DM, I felt responsible for their success, so each victory was really rewarding. On the other hand, when the whole team failed in Darkest Dungeon, it felt like a real personal defeat.

Darkest Dungeon Is a Game I Wish I Could Play for the First Time Again

When I was in my early twenties, I was playing a lot of games I hadn’t gotten around to as a kid – things like Assassin’s Creed and Mass Effect. But Darkest Dungeon stood out. It had just come out a few years before I started playing, and knowing about it felt like being part of something new and interesting. There are a lot of games I’d love to experience again for the first time, but Darkest Dungeon is at the top of that list because I especially wish I could rediscover the initial wonder I felt playing it.

It was Friday night in 2019, and I had just turned twenty-one. It had been a difficult day, as my dad had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and I was completely shaken. My boyfriend, now my husband, ordered pizza, and some friends arrived at my apartment before us, thankfully bringing beer and snacks as an apology for not calling first. Laughter filled the hallway, and Diego coaxed me onto the couch, handing me the game controller. In that moment, everything felt like it would be alright.

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2026-02-21 13:04