Darkest Dungeon: The Crimson Court Review (¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
There are very few games that I feel like writing about, let alone DLC. Currently DD2 is out on early access, and I’ve given lots of thought about DD1 and why I loved it so much. Crimson Court was one of those DLCs that came and went for many people. For me, it felt like the absolute apex of Darkest Dungeon. I’d like to write as much as I can without divulging too much. Please forgive me if all of this sounds vague.
Firstly, I’d like to posit that perhaps the whole reason this DLC receives a less-than-deserving numerical score has to do with expectations. DLC in Darkest Dungeon typically adds more difficulty, and that is a total non-starter for some people. I can picture people saying something like ‘Man, I paid for a DLC and all I’m doing is dying.’ Provided that you don’t just look up the answers for curios and boss fights, this DLC will test your frugality and problem solving just like in the base game. When things get bad however, it truly feels helpless, and I like that. I view that as a good thing because helplessness is a cornerstone to the horror genre. Just a reminder, the game warns you ahead of time that the Crimson Court DLC and Bloodmoon difficulty are indeed perilous and should be undertaken with the utmost trepidation and preparation (as user Puckish_Rogue125 also rightfully pointed out in their review of this DLC.) I have a hypothesis that one of the factors that influenced the reception of DLCs to follow was the understanding that DLCs were making the game harder. People knew a little more of what to expect at that point.
1. The story and setting are on-point
The Crimson Court DLC has a gripping story, amplified by the illustrious Wayne June’s rich and deep voice and Stuart Chatwood's incredible and sweeping compositions once again. The artwork and sounds are highly refined from the base-game and are quite stunning. Many of you know that Darkest Dungeon derives inspiration from the likes of HP Lovecraft, and I can say with certainty that the themes presented here are right in the same vein. The story takes place in The Courtyard, which has undergone quite the transformation in recent years. The blood on insect-ridden corpses, the wetness of the decayed and overgrown garden, and the buzzing and flailing of eldritch abominations contribute to a dense and heavy atmosphere and accompanying feelings of uneasiness, dread, and ultimately fear. The enemies here pull absolutely no punches. Still however, you decide to enlist the help of four of your strongest and bravest, and that’s when your journey to hell begins. I admire that heroic element to the game, and in the Crimson Court it’s on wider display than usual because of its general difficulty and deadliness.
2. ...But You Can’t Escape the DLC Once You Activate It
The reason that this game is not recommended for first timers is because after a certain point in rebuilding your Hamlet, you will have to go to The Courtyard pretty much no matter what to resolve issues that may slow or halt your progression. Even if you escape The Courtyard, there are still more problems to be had. Personally, I find this a fun thing that spices up the mid-game tremendously. I found that the new character that was added was profoundly complimentary to The Courtyard. It felt like I was matching madness with madness. The sounds and visuals of the new character delivered gruesome and satisfying ASMR hits that invoked feelings of vengeance and raw, maniacal devotion. I didn’t always win in The Courtyard however, even when it seemed like I had mastered all the mechanics. That’s just the way DD is, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
3. Conclusion
I can empathize with the sentiment that this DLC is just difficult, and that it makes a “bad situation” even worse. However, I’d like to recall for you the opening of Darkest Dungeon:
“Darkest Dungeon is about making the most of a bad situation. Quests will fail or must be abandoned. Heroes will die. And when they die, they stay dead … How much are you willing to risk if your quest to restore the Hamlet? What will you sacrifice to save the life of your favorite hero? Thankfully, there are always fresh souls arriving on the stagecoach, seeking both adventure and fame in the shadow of the…
Darkest Dungeon.”
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Thank you for reading my review and have a great day.
tldr; The story and setting are on-point, but you can't deactivate the DLC once you start. The game warns you of difficulty at all points, DLC or not. The difficulty is not for its own sake, but rather to convey a feeling of helplessness, which is a cornerstone of the horror genre and its elements.