Info about Darkest Dungeon® II: The Binding Blade:

Official game description:
**Features:**  
*   Two New Playable heroes: The Duelist & The Crusader  
*   Both new heroes are complete with unique trinkets, signature items, and fully voiced backstories including playable flashback encounters  
*   New Roaming mini-boss: The Warlord
**The Duelist** is a disciplined and deadly combatant who can tactically switch between Defensive and Aggressive stances. A formidable presence in any lineup, she is able to ignore enemy defenses, and strike back with Riposte. Her pursuit of perfection means she will demand the best of her team and command them to victory by wiping out cooldown times and providing both offensive and defensive buffs. The Duelist is able to move between ranks with ease, attacking from both the front and back ranks, dispatching her enemies with ruthless efficiency.  
**The Crusader** has returned! This battle hardened knight is fueled by a radiant Holy fire and will Smite his foes where they stand. The Crusader is a well rounded front rank hero who can withstand punishing blows, support his team with healing and stress recovery, and rend his opponents with his righteous blade.

Release date: Dec 11, 2023

Categories: Expansion Pack, Character Progression, Party-based Combat, Strategic Combat, Hero Recruitment and Team Building, Class-based Characters, Roguelike, Single-player

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 40; verdict: Aggressive DLC Paywall (Traditional Expansion with Day-1 DLC Concerns); summary: The Binding Blade is a traditional paid expansion for Darkest Dungeon II, adding two characters and a quest. The audit finds no in-game cash shop, currency, lootboxes, gacha, or battle pass. However, the decision to lock the franchise-favorite Crusader (free in the original game) behind a roughly $8-10 paywall, combined with an overpriced-feeling, tedious, luck-based unlock quest, creates strong Day-1 DLC and borderline pay-to-win criticism. These are mostly price and content-value complaints centered on a traditional DLC, with no predatory real-money mechanics beyond the paywalled content itself.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $8.00
  - Reasoning: Many reviewers state that the full $10 price is too high for the amount of content, while a 40% discount (~$6) is considered fair. A few find $5 per character acceptable, but overall the community leans toward a lower price point, suggesting a fair range between $5 and $8.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: 2.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The first evidence directly estimates the Crusader unlock quest duration as 'at least a couple hours', which represents the main story content of the DLC, so storyCompletion is set to 2 hours. Other quotes mention multiple runs or a single run but provide no explicit hour counts, so they cannot support gameCompletion, sessionLength, or endgame metrics. No other review provides concrete total playtime, session duration, or endgame time for the DLC, so those fields remain null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The DLC's new characters require a learning curve and unlock grind before they become rewarding, so enjoyment comes after early friction.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Figuring out the duelist's mechanics
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Tedious Crusader unlock quest; Time-consuming nine-part quest requiring multiple runs; Poorly explained mini-quests; Duelist's steeper learning curve; Initial frustration with the Duelist
  - Unlock drivers: Figuring out the Duelist's mechanics; Unlocking the Crusader; Becoming comfortable with the game's learning curve
  - Conditions: Enjoying strategic gameplay with the existing roster; Being comfortable with the game's difficult learning curve; Willingness to invest time in multiple runs; Already enjoying the base game after a few hours
- Player Archetypes:
  - Strategic Tactician (buy)
    - Motivation: Tactical challenge and innovative character design
    - Playstyle: Team building, experimenting with positioning and synergies (dancing parties, front-lane combinations)
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Value-Conscious Grinder (sale)
    - Motivation: Getting fair value and avoiding tedious grinding
    - Playstyle: Efficient or completionist, but resentful of arbitrary grind gates
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Lore Devotee (buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia, character connection, and story continuation
    - Playstyle: Narrative-driven, enjoys quests and lore content
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Darkest Dungeon


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Crusader is versatile and cool (weight 0.58): The Crusader is praised for being cool, versatile, and able to fill multiple roles like tank, damage, support, and healing. Its flexibility makes it fit into any party composition.
- Duelist is fun and cool (weight 0.42): Players find the Duelist character enjoyable, cool, and complex to play. The character's unique mechanics and fun factor are highlighted positively.
- Crusader quest is engaging (weight 0.35): The quest to unlock the Crusader is described as cool, interesting, engaging, and entertaining, providing a nice addition to the game.
- DLC offers great value (weight 0.32): The DLC is seen as great value, providing a lot of content and being enjoyable for fans of the base game. It is considered worth its price and adds more flavor.
- Crusader return is satisfying (weight 0.31): Players are satisfied with the Crusader's return and see it as an improvement over the original. The rework and redesign are well received.
- New heroes are welcomed (weight 0.29): The addition of two new heroes is positively received, with players calling them cool, amazing, fun, and unique. The new characters add variety to the game.
- New miniboss is entertaining (weight 0.14): The new miniboss is fun to fight and entertaining, with a reasonable difficulty level.
- Animations are highly praised (weight 0.1): Great animations are a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience.

Common complaints:
- Crusader unlock is too grindy (weight 0.68): Players widely criticize the lengthy and tedious process to unlock the Crusader, requiring up to five hours of grinding and a multi-step quest spanning multiple runs. The quest is described as painful, boring, and unnecessarily long.
- DLC is overpriced for content (weight 0.6): Reviewers feel the DLC's price is too high for the small amount of content it provides, especially since it only includes two characters and a short quest. Many believe it should have been part of the base game or priced lower.
- Crusader should be free (weight 0.54): Players argue that the Crusader character should have been included in the base game or offered for free, not locked behind paid DLC and a demanding unlock quest. This sentiment appears repeatedly in feedback.
- Duelist class is weak (weight 0.43): The Duelist is generally perceived as unimpressive, fragile, and lacking in damage output, often being described as a liability or worse than the base Wanderer. Its skills are considered situational and inconsistent.
- Crusader path options disappointing (weight 0.2): Players find the Crusader's build paths lacking compared to the Duelist, with limited diversity and some paths perceived as worse than the base character's. This reduces the appeal of the new character.
- DLC lacks replayability (weight 0.14): The DLC does not address the base game's lack of replayability, adding little new content or incentive to return. It fails to make the game more enjoyable for those who disliked the original.

Gameplay feedback:
- Crusader unlock requires quest (weight 0.45): The Crusader is unlocked through a lengthy quest that involves multiple steps, including defeating barricade soldiers, using an item on a bishop, carrying a box, and fighting the Warlord boss. This quest spans multiple runs and is considered grindy and luck-based, with some players noting it is harder than the base game.
- Crusader is versatile frontline hero (weight 0.35): The Crusader is a flexible character that can be played as a tank, damage dealer, or support, with abilities to stun, heal, and stress heal. He is simple to use but effective in various roles, acting as an enabler for the team.
- DLC adds two new heroes (weight 0.28): The DLC introduces the Crusader and Duelist as new playable classes, along with a quest, new enemies, and a mini-boss. These characters add variety to team compositions and offer flexible mechanics.
- Duelist features stance mechanics (weight 0.26): The Duelist introduces a stance system that switches between offensive and defensive modes, altering her skill properties. This requires planning ahead and adds complexity compared to other heroes, making her a high-risk, high-reward character.
- New enemies and mini-bosses (weight 0.25): The DLC includes new enemy types, such as the Military faction with barricades that resist many attacks and require area-of-effect or guard-ignoring attacks. A new mini-boss is also added, increasing enemy variety and challenge.
- DLC includes difficult boss (weight 0.24): The DLC adds a new side quest with a challenging boss at the end, the Warlord, which can ruin a party if not equipped properly. Defeating it yields good loot, but the encounter is RNG-based and the boss is rare.
- Character unlocks via quests (weight 0.2): Characters are unlocked by completing quests, such as the Crusader's mission or the Duelist being available immediately. The unlock system is a key feature of the DLC, tying progression to in-game achievements.
- Duelist is complex and fragile (weight 0.18): The Duelist requires setup and planning to be reliable, with skills that unlock over multiple runs. She is combo-dependent and acts as a glass cannon, making her difficult to master but rewarding for creative players.
- Duelist is mobile fencer (weight 0.18): The Duelist is a highly mobile, parry-focused swordswoman who can lunge back and forth, making her effective in moving parties. She is fragile and requires careful team composition due to her low health and mobility.
- Crusader unlock quest frustrating (weight 0.15): The Crusader unlock quest is not only grindy but also involves luck, such as finding specific encounters and showing banners. Some players avoid it to prevent recurring boss encounters, indicating a negative experience.
- Fire abilities available (weight 0.13): Fire abilities are accessible to three heroes, with two requiring setup, and the game includes a micro faction weak to fire. This suggests a burn synergy that players can exploit.
- Duelist has multiple paths (weight 0.1): The Duelist offers multiple path or subclass choices that change skill descriptions, adding replayability and customization. This contributes to her complexity and depth.
- Crusader adapts to token system (weight 0.09): The Crusader integrates with the game's token system, providing flexibility in combat. His paths include Templar, Aggressor, and Banneret, each offering distinct playstyles.
- Duelist supports dance teams (weight 0.09): The Duelist synergizes with dancing parties, using her mobility to support teammates. She can be used in a dance team, highlighting her role as a support in certain compositions.
- Duelist learning curve (weight 0.09): The Duelist has a larger learning curve than the Crusader due to her stance and token mechanics. She requires planning and is combo-dependent, making her complex but rewarding.
- New heroes have average power (weight 0.09): The DLC adds characters with average power levels, not overpowered, which maintains game balance. The game is not pay-to-win, as characters are earned through quests.
- Party setup options expanded (weight 0.09): The addition of new heroes and flexible mechanics expands party setup possibilities, allowing for experimentation with different compositions.
- Crusader compared to Bounty Hunter (weight 0.06): The Crusader is described as a simpler alternative to the Bounty Hunter, without the hassle of managing party placement. This makes him more accessible while still being effective.
- Unlock trophy counts (weight 0.05): Unlocking the Crusader provides a trophy that counts toward the mountain, adding a meta-progression element. This was noted as a positive feature.
- Sahar is glass cannon (weight 0.05): Another character, Sahar, is described as a glass cannon with high highs and devastating lows, indicating a risk-reward playstyle similar to the Duelist.

Performance notes:
- Save corruption from compatibility issues (weight 0.07): Players report that their saved games were lost or corrupted due to compatibility problems with the game or system updates. This is likely a high-impact bug affecting progress.

Recommendations:
- Buy DLC on sale (weight 0.5): Many reviewers advise purchasing the DLC only when it is discounted, with one suggesting at least 40% off. This reflects a common sentiment that the content is not worth its full price.
- Recommended for base game fans (weight 0.26): The DLC is frequently recommended for players who already enjoy the base game, with several noting it is definitely worth the money for fans. This conditional recommendation appears across multiple clusters.
- Not recommended (weight 0.25): A few reviewers simply state that the DLC is not recommended, not worth getting, or not worth its price. This direct negative feedback appears in clusters 2, 8, and 10.
- Value depends on interest (weight 0.2): Several reviewers advise that the DLC's value depends on whether the player is interested in the characters and already appreciates the game. If not, it may be better to skip or wait for a sale.
- Positive overall recommendation (weight 0.18): Some reviewers give a strongly positive recommendation without reservations, calling it highly recommended or a must-buy. This positive sentiment appears in clusters 5, 15, and 16.
- Crusader class worth it (weight 0.15): Several reviewers specifically highlight the Crusader class as a reason to buy the DLC, with one calling it a must-buy for that character. The Crusader is a key selling point across multiple clusters.
- Duelist needs rework (weight 0.11): Two reviewers suggest that the Duelist class is not well-balanced and requires a substantial overhaul before the DLC is worth buying. This is a specific gameplay criticism affecting the overall value.
- Consider starting with DLC (weight 0.1): Two reviewers recommend starting the game with the DLC enabled to enjoy the expanded roster from the beginning. This advice is aimed at maximizing the DLC's content value.
- Appeals to strategic players (weight 0.09): The DLC is recommended for players who enjoy strategic gameplay with the existing roster and are comfortable with a steep learning curve. This niche recommendation targets a specific audience.
- Check save game compatibility (weight 0.06): One reviewer advises finishing your current run before buying the DLC to avoid potential save issues. This practical tip addresses a common technical concern.
- Unlock grind is a downside (weight 0.06): A reviewer specifically mentions the unlock grind as a reason not to recommend the DLC. This indicates that the content's progression system is a point of dissatisfaction for some players.
- Plan quest to save time (weight 0.05): A reviewer suggests looking up how to complete the quest to plan a path and avoid wasting time. This practical advice is likely based on a frustrating experience.
- Not for all players (weight 0.05): A reviewer advises against buying if none of the characters are interesting, reinforcing that the DLC's appeal is character-driven. This is a conditional negative recommendation.
- Support developer with purchase (weight 0.05): One reviewer expresses willingness to support the developer by buying the DLC, indicating a loyalty factor. This positive sentiment is isolated but notable.

Other player notes:
- DLC lacks content value (weight 0.52): Reviews describe the DLC as a small addition, a character pack, or a compact DLC, and compare it unfavorably to the larger Crimson Court expansion from the first game. The two heroes, a roaming boss, and a questline are seen as insufficient for the price.
- Crusader behind paywall (weight 0.39): A significant number of reviews express frustration that the iconic Crusader character is paid DLC, not in the base game, and locked behind a lengthy, undisclosed quest. This is seen as exploiting nostalgia and unfair monetization.
- New heroes and characters (weight 0.36): The DLC introduces the heroes Sahar and the Duelist, a reimagining of a previous character, alongside the returning Crusader. Reviews note the Duelist's bold design and French identity, adding new tactical options.
- DLC praised for content quality (weight 0.34): Some reviewers praise the DLC for adding new content, trinkets, and a new area, noting the devs consistently meet expectations. The Warlord boss and the reworked quest are seen as positive additions.
- DLC price too high (weight 0.29): Multiple reviews criticize the DLC as overpriced or expensive relative to its content, with some noting it costs ten dollars or is priced similarly to a separate game. This is a recurring concern about value for money.
- DLC seen as support purchase (weight 0.24): Some players view the DLC as a way to support the developer, expressing a wish to prevent studio disbandment or to encourage future content. This purchase motivation is tied to loyalty to Red Hook Studios.
- Quest unlock poorly communicated (weight 0.22): Reviews state that the DLC description did not mention the required unlock quest or that the Crusader is locked behind gameplay. This lack of disclosure led to surprise and disappointment after purchase.
- Comparison to previous game (weight 0.21): Several reviews compare the DLC and the base game to Darkest Dungeon 1, noting that the first game's story was better and that classes like the Crusader were free there. This highlights a perceived step backwards in value and content.
- Crusader is iconic and anticipated (weight 0.21): The Crusader is described as an iconic, long-awaited character from the first game, with his return being heavily anticipated. Reviews mention his new nemesis and similarity to his original version.
- Crusader unlock quest criticized (weight 0.21): Players are unhappy that unlocking the Crusader requires a multi-hour quest, including finding a specific vendor, which feels tedious for a paid character. This is a recurring point of contention.
- DLC compared to a small pack (weight 0.19): The DLC is viewed mostly as a character pack, fitting well but not adding substantial campaign content. This aligns with reviews calling it a small, compact addition.
- Mixed feelings on monetization (weight 0.14): Feedback accuses the developer of manipulating players and questions if they are delaying workshop support to sell DLC. This is mixed with some understanding that DLC generates revenue.
- Gameplay and balance feedback (weight 0.13): Reviews suggest that heroes like Hellion, Runaway, Leper, and Vestal need reworks or buffs, and express hope for more paths to be reworked. This feedback is not directly tied to the DLC but reflects ongoing gameplay concerns.
- Potential for future content (weight 0.13): Reviews express hope for more characters, including Houndmaster, and more back-position or fire DoT characters. This shows a desire for continued support and expansion beyond the DLC.
- First DLC with base game issues (weight 0.12): As the first DLC for Darkest Dungeon 2, it raises questions about the base game's completeness and player engagement since late 2021. Reviews suggest the game still lacks polish.
- DLC monetization questionable (weight 0.12): The practice of selling an iconic character as paid DLC is seen as a money grab, with suggestions the developer could make money faster by making mobile games. This reflects broader skepticism.
- Crusader locked too long (weight 0.1): The Crusader was kept locked for almost a year, prompting accusations that the developer added him after seeing fan demand. This is seen as a cynical move to capitalize on nostalgia.
- DLC as mandatory content (weight 0.09): The DLC is described as mandatory by some, implying that lacking the Crusader hurts the experience. This sentiment ties into the base game's replayability issues.
- Warlord roaming boss (weight 0.09): The Warlord is added as a roaming world boss, and one review jokes about deleting him on first encounter. This new boss is part of the DLC's additional content.
- DLC includes new trinkets (weight 0.05): New trinkets are noted as part of the DLC content, adding some build variety. This is a minor positive point in otherwise mixed feedback.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.2): The DLC is seen as thin, overpriced, and failing to add meaningful content, with only two underwhelming characters. The iconic Crusader being locked behind a tedious quest and paywall adds to the sense of letdown, especially since it should have been in the base game.
- Frustration (weight 0.18): Players are frustrated by the lengthy, luck-based, and poorly explained quest to unlock the Crusader, which often fails to save progress. The Duelist's high learning curve, text errors, and balance issues, along with nerfs to base characters, compound the annoyance.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.11): Players are satisfied with the new characters' quality, mechanics, and animations, particularly the return of the Crusader. The unlock quest is seen as engaging and fitting, and the DLC is considered a good value despite its issues.
- Approval (weight 0.06): The DLC is approved for making the Crusader worth the purchase, with the character being versatile and an improvement over his previous role. The price is considered fair, and the quest and Duelist's synergy with the Highwayman are praised.
- Anger (weight 0.06): Anger stems from paying for DLC that locks content behind tedious quests and is overpriced for the minimal content it provides. The developers are criticized for nerfing base-game characters and making new ones unusable until endgame, while not disclosing the grind on the store page.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players enjoy the new characters' tragic backstories, the Crusader's unlock quest, and the unique gameplay experiences they offer. Learning about Dismas and Reynauld adds depth, and experimenting with new party compositions is fun.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Excitement is driven by the return of the beloved Crusader and the introduction of unique, dynamic characters. The DLC is seen as fun and promising for the game's future, with the Duelist's complexity and Crusader's flexibility adding to the anticipation.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.04): Dissatisfaction arises from the DLC being overpriced with only the Crusader being good, while the Duelist is weak and the story is boring. The new enemies and boss are RNG-dependent and resistant, and the unlock quest remains incomplete after many runs, adding little to the game.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): The DLC's high production quality, including voice acting, animations, and visuals, earns admiration, especially for the Crusader's model and presentation.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Players find humor in the Duelist's backstory of switching from crossbow to rapier and in the comparison of her damage to a father's punishment. The Duelist's French origin is also a source of amusement.
- Resentment (weight 0.02): Resentment comes from a popular character being locked behind a quest and paywall, forcing players to pay a high price for just two characters. This feels exploitative, especially given the high price.
- Disapproval (weight 0.01): Disapproval is directed at cutting an iconic character from the base game and selling it as paid DLC, with the Crusader being behind a paywall.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from difficulty finding the leader character, who is actually part of the DLC, and from the micro faction being weak to fire but only three heroes can use it, with two requiring setup.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is high for the addition of two new heroes and the return of the Crusader, especially with the Crusader's redesign and animations.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Anticipation is linked to the hope for future DLC and new character additions, building on the positive aspects of this expansion.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Appreciation is expressed for the new miniboss, the distinct and less sad Duelist story, and the enhanced Shrine of Reflection experience through improved animations.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance stems from the nerf to Dismas and the difficulty in finding the junk dealer, which detracts from the overall experience.
- Concern (weight 0.01): Concern is raised that the main game is being reduced and characters must be continuously purchased, impacting the long-term value.
- Hype (weight 0.01): Hype is generated by the quest to unlock the Crusader, adding excitement and challenge.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike is directed at the boss being fightable every run after unlocking the Crusader, which may reduce replay value.}