Dungeons 2

Lore & Background

The player takes on the role of the Ultimate Evil, a disembodied spirit after his defeat by heroes of the Overworld. Using the Hand of Terror, the player hires named minions, levels them up, and meets their needs to keep them happy. The dungeon is built by selecting blocks for excavation, with rooms placed on empty spaces and walls that can be filled back in. Resources like gold and mana are hidden in stone blocks, while some walls cannot be excavated. A major change from Dungeons is that the Overworld can be entered through cave exits, switching the game to a real-time strategy mode where minions attack player holdings, with the ultimate goal usually being the destruction of a castle. A sarcastic narrator comments on the player's actions, and humorous references to Dungeon Keeper, Warcraft, Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones are common.

Reader's Guide

Dungeons 2 is significant for expanding the dungeon simulation genre by integrating real-time strategy on the Overworld, a departure from its predecessor. The game's campaign follows the Absolute Evil, split into three parts—the Ultimate Evil, the Chaotic Evil, and the Corrupting Evil—who must reunite. The Chaotic Evil faction, controlled via the Hand of Chaos, relies on magic instead of strength and is playable in certain campaign levels and always in multiplayer. The game received three paid DLCs and one free Halloween-themed DLC, all with titles punning on Game of Thrones. The major add-on, 'A Game of Winter,' added a fully voice-acted campaign, eight scenario maps, a new Undead faction, and multiplayer support. The PlayStation 4 port included the base game and three DLCs but omitted 'A Game of Winter.' Reception was mixed or average on Metacritic, with DLC reviews ranging from 6 to 8 out of 10, noting the lack of narration in some expansions but praising the content of others. A sequel, Dungeons 3, was released on October 13, 2017.

Did You Know?

• The game's narrator is a sarcastic omnipresent voice that pushes the player toward the right path.
• The Chaotic Evil faction relies on magic, while the Horde relies on strength.
• The free Halloween DLC, 'A Clash of Pumpkins,' includes combative pumpkins and dangerous penguins.
• The PlayStation 4 port was delayed by a month and released on May 24, 2016, in North America.