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Darkest Dungeon 2 is finally out after a long period of early access. The successor to the 2016 rogue-like RPG is bigger and bolder in many ways. It retains the same grim and oppressive atmosphere that fans have come to know and love. This is accentuated by the fact that the game is still challenging. With challenging enemies to face and low odds of success, frustration is bound to set in. This is especially true of newcomers to the series.
As such, players will encounter many elements and mechanics that can either hinder or help progression. One such example is the Radiant Flame feature.
What does the Radiant Flame do in Darkest Dungeon 2?
Simply put, the Radiant Flame is a player aid in Darkest Dungeon 2. In other words, it helps players by lowering the game's difficulty. Thankfully, this is not done in a way that feels like cheating or adversely affecting the experience. It offers users a variety of boosts to help them during their runs through the game's various Acts, known as Confessions. The Radiant Flame can be found and accessed in the Valley Inn, a safe zone for travelers to prep for the perilous journey that lies ahead.
This is located in the Valley, the area players visit during the start of each run, thanks to its rogue-like nature. Here, they can adjust a variety of gameplay parameters as well as purchase items. The Radiant Flame can be equipped to make things easier.
Furthermore, every time players die, the Radiant Flame gets brighter, making subsequent runs more manageable. In short, this is a genius mechanic to keep Darkest Dungeon's infamous difficulty intact. At the same time, it allows players to mitigate some of the frustration.
However, there is one minor caveat to using the Radiant Flame, players earn fewer candles than normal during each run. Candles are the main currency of the Darkest Dungeon universe and are crucial in buying items, which can often turn the tide of battle in combat.
What is the game about, and what platforms is it on?
Developed by Red Hook Studios, it is a turn-based RPG with rogue-like elements. Traverse a dark, twisted world while on a journey to avert the apocalypse. To accomplish this, players will gather a party of unique characters from about a dozen options, each with their own advantages and weaknesses. Unlike the previous game, there are many new elements, including a stagecoach that can be manually driven in the exploration map.
However, luck and time are both always against the player. From absurdly powerful foes, debilitating status effects, and conditions to randomized challenges on the routes and dwindling resources, much care must be taken at every turn. Even the slightest hint of carelessness can send the player's party careening towards disaster, often against terrifying bosses.
After spending a couple of years in early access, Darkest Dungeon 2 was finally released on May 8, 2023. It is available exclusively on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.
