

Stunning.) He discussed how they finally have the breathing room (and I would say expertise) to really explore the types of challenges that the players will face now that they’re nearing their full release. (Seriously, he’s drawn all of the art in the game and done most of the writing. Thanks to the fact that the expo floor only had a few hundred people in it, I was able to monopolize some of Chris Bourassa’s time, the Creative Director for the game. Rest in peace, doomed demo Vestal and Arbalest. It was a wonderfully bullshit surprise! I did manage to strike the Siren down with a few clutch crits, but not before losing half of my party. If it’s successful, one of your party members will join the enemy team for three turns using their entire arsenal of attacks. Her signature attack was a startling charm attack. Her hideous briny visage melts away for a second, revealing an illusory maiden that sings to your party.

I was able to face the Siren, the Cove’s first boss. The Cove simply seems better tuned than the other dungeons. The synergies between monsters in just a novice level mission were clear and potent, and new enemies types (like bloated zombies that explode after two turns, or guardian fishpeople that protect their allies with 80% damage reduction) give the area a mechanical signature. The content shows a higher level of polish in an already polished offering, they’re clearly refining their craft over time.

The Cove fully embraces their Lovecraftian inspiration: your heroes will sludge through squamous caverns while fighting positively Inssmouthian monsters. Red Hook’s demo at PAX features the new Cove dungeon, the fourth and penultimate content release before the game is out of early access. So of course I head straight for the Darkest Dungeon booth, a game I both own and have played the shit out of. It’s humbling, and the possibilities truly seem endless. Each game studio reaches out to you, asking you to enjoy their latest projects. Wide open and filled with glittering lights, walking onto the floor during that first hour of exclusive access is like a brand new amusement park built just for you and your closest 200 friends. Those with media badges get special early access to the expo floor on the first day of PAX.
