Written by Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: Dark Quest 2
Developer: Brain Seal Ltd
Publisher: Brain Seal Entertainment
Genre: RPG, Strategy
Price: $10.99
Also Available On: Android, iOS, PS4, Steam, XB1
Dark Quest 2 is based on 30-year-old HeroQuest, a board game co-developed by Milton Bradley and Games Workshop, and the fantasy RPG influence shows. It begins with a deadly sorcerer setting in motion a chain of events that takes the lives of just about every man, woman, and child in the kingdom, the monarch included. Only citizens from a village survive the killing spree, and, from within, a party of champions must be formed in an effort to combat evil and restore peace to the land. A barbarian leads the way, with gamers then completing the group from a roster that increases with time and ultimately includes such notables as an archer, a wizard, a knight, and a dwarf.
Presented from an isometric vantage point, Dark Quest 2 is a typical turn-based dungeon crawler, albeit with a twist. Owing to its tabletop roots, it finds its outcomes determined by invisible dice rolls. Members of the party offer unique characteristics; an aggregate eight passive or active skills can be unlocked to help overcome the sorcerer’s minions en route. Progress is fairly linear, with slight forks on the path giving the impression of variety. For the most part, though, advancement comes by way of exploration, resource gathering, and then upgrades — with gamers rinsing and repeating the process until they encounter the final boss himself.
That said, Dark Quest 2 does present a stepladder difficulty measure. The levels become become more and more intricate as the party goes deeper and deeper into the castle. Unpredictability becomes the norm, and gamers are kept guessing as to what comes next. Will the next dungeon yield more treasure or more traps? Will the number of heroes be limited or will enemies multiply? Fortunately, the village — which acts as the game’s hub — is populated by support characters. A visit to the blacksmith nets equipment upgrades. The magician hands out spells for use. The aid of a gravedigger is crucial for resurrecting an important member of the group.
All told, Dark Quest 2 manages to stand out from among the dregs with a good mix of gameplay options, including multiplayer and level-editor modes. At $10.99, it’s a decided bargain and well worth the time Nintendo Switch gamers spend on it.
THE GOOD
THE BAD
Dark Quest 2 is based on 30-year-old HeroQuest, a board game co-developed by Milton Bradley and Games Workshop, and the fantasy RPG influence shows. It begins with a deadly sorcerer setting in motion a chain of events that takes the lives of just about every man, woman, and child in the kingdom, the monarch included. Only citizens from a village survive the killing spree, and, from within, a party of champions must be formed in an effort to combat evil and restore peace to the land. A barbarian leads the way, with gamers then completing the group from a roster that increases with time and ultimately includes such notables as an archer, a wizard, a knight, and a dwarf.
Presented from an isometric vantage point, Dark Quest 2 is a typical turn-based dungeon crawler, albeit with a twist. Owing to its tabletop roots, it finds its outcomes determined by invisible dice rolls. Members of the party offer unique characteristics; an aggregate eight passive or active skills can be unlocked to help overcome the sorcerer’s minions en route. Progress is fairly linear, with slight forks on the path giving the impression of variety. For the most part, though, advancement comes by way of exploration, resource gathering, and then upgrades — with gamers rinsing and repeating the process until they encounter the final boss himself.
That said, Dark Quest 2 does present a stepladder difficulty measure. The levels become become more and more intricate as the party goes deeper and deeper into the castle. Unpredictability becomes the norm, and gamers are kept guessing as to what comes next. Will the next dungeon yield more treasure or more traps? Will the number of heroes be limited or will enemies multiply? Fortunately, the village — which acts as the game’s hub — is populated by support characters. A visit to the blacksmith nets equipment upgrades. The magician hands out spells for use. The aid of a gravedigger is crucial for resurrecting an important member of the group.
All told, Dark Quest 2 manages to stand out from among the dregs with a good mix of gameplay options, including multiplayer and level-editor modes. At $10.99, it’s a decided bargain and well worth the time Nintendo Switch gamers spend on it.
THE GOOD
- Engrossing fantasy RPG that draws from HeroQuest roots
- Fair difficulty progression that rewards exploration and combat with constant skill-tree upgrades
- Unpredictable
THE BAD
- Outcomes determined by veritable dice rolls
- Fairly linear progression
RATING: 8/10
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