Dead by Daylight publisher and developer Behaviour Interactive has acquired the Vancouver-based Red Hook Studios for an undisclosed amount, as announced in a Tuesday press release. Red Hook Studios is notable for the multi-million-selling series Darkest Dungeon.

Red Hook Studios remains independent

The press release states that the 29-person studio will remain independent within Behaviour. The decision was made as the publisher focused on its powerful position within the horror gaming market. Its multiplayer game Dead by Daylight has over 60 million players worldwide and features Hollywood movie characters like Ghost Face and even Nicolas Cage himself.

"Earlier this year, we established an ambitious goal for our future as a publisher �to make Behaviour synonymous with horror, and surround Dead by Daylight with a library of si??milarly exceptional horror games," said Behaviour Interactive co-founder and CEO Rémi Racine in? the press release. "Our acquisition of Red Hook is another emphatic step towards this objective, with more to come."

The Casting of Frank Stone wasn't received well

Behaviour Interactive recently published The Casting of Frank Stone, a cinematic spinoff from Supermassive Games set within the Dead by Daylight universe. It didn't review particularly well, with an average 68 Metacritic score as of the time of writing. We did give it a positive preview, however. "I love a good horror game, and The Casting of Frank Stone has all the makings of on?e," author Jamie Moorcroft-Sharp wrote. "It feels fresh, scary, unsettling, and?? engrossing."

Darkest Dungeon II, however, was reviewed far more favorably, with an 81 Metacritic score. It launched into Early Access in May 2023. ?The series has since sold over seven million copie?s.

"Behaviour’s support will help us pursue our vision for Red Hook’s future, and focus fully on transforming Darkest Dungeon ??into an absolute juggernaut of the dark fantasy genre," said Red Hook Co-Founder Chris Bourassa.

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The hardcore rogue-lite turn-based RPG Darkest Dungeon 2 is coming to Nintendo Switch. Red Hook Studios announced the news during today's Nintendo Direct, with a release date set for July 15, 2024. Like the original Darkest Dungeon, Darkest Dungeon 2 has been op??timized to make use of the Nintendo Sw??itch with this release.

The Nintendo Switch release of Darkest Dungeon 2 has been optimized to run on the Switch and take advantage of the touchscreen. Alongside the base game, the Binding Blade DLC which adds two new heroes, a special questline, a wandering boss, and more is also available as part of an Darkest Dungeon 2 Oblivion Edition.

In Darkest Dungeon 2, players embark on a journey through five campaigns each? with its own boss and mechanics as they form a party, equip their stagecoach, and engage in battle across a decaying landscape striving to avert an apocalypse.

Darkest Dungeon 2 releases on Nintendo Switch on July 15, 2024.

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Red Hook Studios revealed the first DLC for Darkest Dungeon 2 as The Binding Blade. The new DLC will feature a handful of new features including two new playable heroes with ??their own unique trinkets, signature items, fully-voiced backstories, and a new roaming mini-boss.

Two new heroes have entered the fray

The new DLC will feature two new playable heroes: The Duelist and The Crusader. The Duelist has the ability to switch between Defensive and Aggressive stances while also ignoring enemy defenses and cou?ntering attacks with Riposte. She also has the ability to reduce?? cooldowns and provide offensive and defensive buffs for her team.

The Crusader is a popular hero from the original Darkest Dungeon who is returning for the sequel. The ?Crusader is a front-line hero with the ability to tank damage while supporting his team with healing and stress recovery.

Both her?oes have their own fully voiced backstories including playable flashback encounters that players can explore. Each hero also has their own trinkets and signature items that players can use to specialize them even further.

A new roaming mini-boss called The Warlord will also make an appearance in The Binding Blade DLC. No further details were p?rovided, but I'm all for n??ew bosses.

I played a good bit of Darkest Dungeon 2 when it entered its Early Access stage but just haven't had the time t?o jump back in since it was fully released. This DLC seems like as good a time as any to jump back into the madness.

Darkest Dungeon 2: The Binding Blade rele??ases this December on both the Epic Games Store and Steam.

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The world's most dangerous carriage ride sets off

A new tour of the Darkest Dungeon around is officially setting off today. Red Hook Studios' Darkest Dungeon II officially launches into 1.0 today, May 8, a?nd heads to Steam.

The follow-up to 2016's Darkest Dungeon, this new entry makes a number of changes to the formula. Four heroes set off on a whirlwind sta??gecoach ride, hurtling into a decrepit and dangerous world to hold back the apocalypse. Different veh?icle, but much of the same dread and despair.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq53pdxY-0U

Though it se??ems like it leaves some of the management aspects behind, it's replaced with some run-over-run boons to help stem the tide of darkness. The Affinity system also ties heroes clo??ser together, leading to synergies or dysfunction between them.

Darkest Dungeon II has already been in an Early Access state on the Epic Games Store for a little while. With the full launch, Red Hook locks in 12 playable characters and a complete, five-act narrative arc. The final two acts, as well as the Flagellant character, are specifically new to the 1.0 release. Corpse art, hero palettes, weapon kits, radiant and infernal flames, and achievements ?are also on deck for the launch today.

Further on down the road

Red Hook Studios is planning long-term support for Darkest Dungeon II as well. The team draws comparisons to its long-term support for Darkest Dungeon, which added town events, radiant mode, and more. There are already some new monsters on the way for Darkest Dungeon II, as well as pl?ayable hero o??????????????????????????rigin skins and balance tuning.

Specifically, it sounds like mods are also in the works. Much like modding eventually came to Darkest Dungeon, Red Hook says it also plans to develop modding tools for Darkest Dungeon II after the 1.0 release.

We haven't had time to put official words up yet on this new entry, but reviews seem varied. I'm curious what this sequel's legacy will look like down the road, compared to its despair-inducing predecessor. If you want to find out yourself, Darkest Dungeon II is now available in full today.

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From vampires to Ganondorf

The May 2023 video games lineup is heating up as we dive (literally) straight back into the land of Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and stake vampires in Redfall. 

The games keep on rolling in May after an impressive April with Minecraft Legends, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Dead Island 2. Now, ??we prepare for stealth ramps, open-world titles, and an adventure into Metropolis. Here's w??hat to expect in May.

Darkest Dungeon II (PC)

[caption id="attachment_373325" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Red Hook Studios[/caption]

Publisher: Red Hook Studios
Developer: Red Hook Studios
Price: $19.99
Release Date: May 8
Trailer

The highly anticipated indie roguelike follow-up Darkest Dungeon II will finally release out of Early Access on May 8. The sequel see??ms to be a step up in every way possible from the original. The art style has been improved with upgraded visuals and special FX. The new token sy??stem gives your character special perks and abilities, and your characters can get to know each other at the inn while reducing their stress.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch)

[caption id="attachment_373326" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Nintendo[/caption]

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Price: $69.99
Release Date: May 12
Trailer

Breath of the Wild amazed us when it was first released on Switch (and the Wii U). The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom seems to be even grander as Link explores the skies above and reverses time to solve puzzles. One of the common complaints is how the weapons degrade quickly; thankfully, you can now fuse items together creating all new swords, hammers, and tools. It looks expansive, and Tears of the Kingdom even lets you create your own vehicles that soar in the air and drive around the open world. This mysterious but exciting experience will be released on May 12. 

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

[caption id="attachment_373340" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Daedalic Entertainment[/caption]

Publisher: Daedelic Entertainment and Nacon
Developer: Daedelic Entertainment
Price: $59.99
Release Date: May 25
Trailer

The most precious game in the May 2023 video games lineup is The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. You'll be playing the unlikely titular protagonist as he tries to find his wonderful Ring of Power. Just like the character in the movie, he has a split personality between the violent Gollum and shy Smeagol. You'll be making decisions along the way that will determine the former hobbit's identity throughout the story; but the game will be mostly stealth-driven as you kill your way or pass through Middle-Earth's deadly creatures. You'll be looking for Gollum's precious on May 25. The Switch is getting the game later in 2023.

Redfall (Xbox Series X/S, PC)

[caption id="attachment_373344" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Xbox[/caption]

Publisher: Xbox
Developer: Arkane Austin
Price: $69.99
Release Date: May 2
Trailer

After I realized that Redfall is a Far Cry-like experience with horror elements, I was in. With three other players, you'll be exploring Redfall, Massachusetts, a town that's waging war against droves of vampires. Many haven't survived but it's up to you to protect the remaining citizens. Xbox says the game has "a deep story campaign as you unravel the mystery behind the vampires' appearance." Developed by Dishonored's Arkane Austin, this game features stealth, all manner of different hero load outs, and cool weaponry to find in the wild. In addition, Xbox promises there will be "unique upgrades and abilities to suit your playstyle." The action begins on May 2. 

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

[caption id="attachment_373351" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via WB Games[/caption]

Publisher: WB Games
Developer: Rocksteady
Price: $69.99
Release Date: May 26
Trailer

As of the time of writing, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is still launching on May 26. As the title suggests, you're playing as the ragtag group of characters such as Harley Quinn and Captain Boomerang against the Justice League's Superman, Batman, and The Flash. It sounds ridiculous, but somehow Batman Arkham Asylum developer Rocksteady has a som?ewhat promising story on its hands if the trailers are to be believed so far.

To the chagrin of many of Rocksteady's fans, however, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a seemingly dull third-person shooter with a live service angle to it rather than the solid single-player experience of the Batman Arkham series. Hopefully, it can blow our expectations out?? of the water...or not.

[Update: Suicide Squad was been delayed until 2024 mere days after thi?s article was published.?? What timing!]

Honorable Mentions

[caption id="attachment_373359" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Focus Entertainment[/caption]

The May 2023 video games lineup is also host to a bunch of promising indies and other?? triple-A titles including:

• Amnesia: The Bunker (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PC) - May 16
• Dokopon Kingdom: Connect (Switch) - May 9
• Hello Neighbor: Search & Rescue (PSVR 2) - May 25
• Miasma Chronicles (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - May 23
• Lego 2K Drive (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) - May 19
• Soul Delivery (PC) - May 21
• Super Dungeon Maker (PC, Switch) - May 3
• System Shock (PC) - May 30
• Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) - May 23

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Careening through the night

The Early Access for Darkest Dungeon 2 is right around the corner. But before the?? fate?ful day arrives, a new trailer is here to show just how gorgeous and dangerous the journey will be. Buckle your seatbelts, or whatever the horse-drawn carriage equivalent is.

The new trailer for Darkest Dungeon II gives a brief rund?own of what a journey through its Early Access will look like. There are lovable rogues to recruit, maladies to manage, and in-party bickering to d??istract from the demonic foes in front of you.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ6Gdd-pSPA

But also, there's the carriage. I can't get over how good this carriage looks. Early impressions of Darkest Dungeon 2 compared its runs to Slay the Spire or FTL: Faster Than Light, g??ames where you take branching paths down a main road. Here, it's more like choosing the best option through a madcap dash across ruined lands. I love it.

While Darkest Dungeon 2 is taking a new approach to its paths, I'm happy to see it still retain all that gritty, gorgeous art that made the original pop in the first place. It really embodies how grim and dangerous runs are in Darkest Dungeon; where other roguelike games (or even roguelite) made me feel more and more powerful over time, Darkest Dungeon always felt like it was just waiting to destroy me at a??ny moment.

If you're eager for some grim death and destruction, the wait isn't long now. Darkest Dungeon 2 hits Early Access on the Ep??ic Games Store on Oct. 26, 2021. May your Halloween be filled with successful carriage rides and hopefully very few descents into madness.

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