Can You Still Play After Beating Darkest Dungeon? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, absolutely! Once you’ve conquered the horrors of the Darkest Dungeon and defeated the Heart of Darkness, the game isn’t necessarily over. You’re not forced to start from scratch. You can continue playing with your existing heroes and Hamlet. In fact, beating the game unlocks a New Game Plus mode on a separate save slot, offering a fresh, even more challenging experience. The Hamlet remains, your heroes remain, and the darkness… well, it remains too, but you’re now armed with the knowledge and experience to face it head-on. Let’s delve into what that entails and answer some frequently asked questions.
Exploring the Post-Game in Darkest Dungeon
Beating Darkest Dungeon isn’t the end; it’s more of a significant milestone. The core loop of managing your heroes, upgrading your Hamlet, and delving into increasingly dangerous dungeons continues. You’ll likely still have heroes who need leveling, bosses who need vanquishing, and trinkets to collect. The post-game offers a chance to further refine your strategies, experiment with different team compositions, and perhaps even tackle some of the DLC content if you haven’t already.
Post-Game Activities
Here are a few activities you can continue to engage in post-game:
- Leveling heroes: Even after beating the final boss, you might have heroes who aren’t at the maximum level. The post-game provides an opportunity to bring them up to par.
- Boss runs: Certain bosses, especially those introduced in DLCs, offer unique challenges and rewards.
- Trinket hunting: Acquiring the best trinkets for your heroes can significantly boost their effectiveness.
- Hamlet upgrades: Ensuring your Hamlet is fully upgraded provides long-term benefits, such as reduced stress and improved healing.
- New Game Plus: Initiate a new campaign in the new save slot with the added difficulty!
Darkest Dungeon: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly happens after I complete the Darkest Dungeon?
After defeating the Heart of Darkness, you’ll witness the ending cinematic. You’ll then be returned to your Hamlet. You are free to continue playing with your existing save or start a New Game Plus on a different save slot.
2. Does my Hamlet reset after beating the game?
No, your Hamlet remains intact. All your upgrades, buildings, and hero roster are preserved.
3. What is New Game Plus in Darkest Dungeon?
New Game Plus mode starts a fresh game with increased difficulty. Beating the game the first time unlocks this on a new save slot.
4. Can I still get a Game Over after beating the final boss?
There is no “Game Over” in Darkest Dungeon in the traditional sense. Even if all your heroes die, you can always recruit new ones. Resources might dwindle, but the game continues.
5. How grindy is Darkest Dungeon, even in the post-game?
Darkest Dungeon can be grindy, especially if you’re aiming for specific trinkets or upgrades. The more heroes you lose, the more repetitive the process becomes, but efficient team compositions and strategic decisions can mitigate this.
6. How many heroes can I have in my roster?
The maximum hero roster size depends on the game mode and DLCs. In Darkest and Stygian modes, the limit is 28. In Radiant mode, it’s 30. The Shieldbreaker DLC adds one additional slot.
7. What is the hardest difficulty mode in Darkest Dungeon?
Stygian mode is widely considered the most challenging difficulty mode. It features stricter time limits, increased enemy damage, and a higher chance of hero deaths.
8. Is there an ending to Darkest Dungeon?
Yes, there is an ending cinematic that plays after defeating the Heart of Darkness. However, the game world continues, and you can keep playing.
9. How long does it take to beat Darkest Dungeon?
On average, it takes around 57-60 hours to complete the main objectives of Darkest Dungeon. Achieving 100% completion can take upwards of 120 hours.
10. Who is the final boss in Darkest Dungeon?
The final boss is the Heart of Darkness, the eldritch core responsible for the horrors plaguing the land.
11. What happens to the lore after I beat the game?
The lore remains consistent. Beating the game doesn’t alter the underlying story or history of the Darkest Dungeon universe. You can continue to uncover more lore through various in-game elements.
12. Are Darkest Dungeon 1 and 2 connected?
Yes, Darkest Dungeon 2 is a sequel to the first game. It takes place after the events of Darkest Dungeon 1, with the world changed due to the events surrounding the Heart of Darkness.
13. Why isn’t the Crusader in Darkest Dungeon 2?
While a popular class, the Crusader’s role as a frontline damage dealer is already well-represented in Darkest Dungeon 2. Other support or specialized roles were prioritized for the sequel’s class roster.
14. Is Darkest Dungeon as hard as Dark Souls?
Many players find Darkest Dungeon more challenging than Dark Souls due to its focus on resource management, permadeath, and the constant threat of stress-induced afflictions.
15. What are some of the best quirks to have on my heroes?
Some of the best quirks include “Tough” (+10% MAX HP), “Luminous” (+2 SPD, +5 DODGE), “Hippocratic” (+20% Healing Skills), and quirks that boost accuracy or scouting chance.
Conclusion
So, the answer is a resounding yes! You absolutely can continue playing after beating Darkest Dungeon. Whether you want to refine your strategies, tackle the DLCs, or simply enjoy the grim satisfaction of managing your Hamlet, the post-game offers plenty to keep you engaged. And if you’re looking for a deeper understanding of the educational aspects of games like Darkest Dungeon, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Embrace the darkness, manage your stress, and remember: “Ruin has come to our family.”