Darkest Dungeon has been gaining significant traction on Steam since the beginning of 2023. This surge in popularity comes over eight years after the game's initial release.

Created by Red Hook Studios based in Vancouver, this roguelike RPG first launched on PC in January 2016 and later expanded to various platforms like PS Vita, Switch, iOS, and Xbox One. Across all platforms, the game has garnered critical acclaim for its engaging gameplay, dark gothic setting, and distinctive art style.

Darkest Dungeon Surpasses Previous Player Peaks

Years later, the PC version of the RPG is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, reaching over 17,000 concurrent players on April 5. This figure is just shy of its peak player count of 19,357 shortly after its release, a common trend for non-live-service games.

Discounted Price Drives Darkest Dungeon's Revival

The sudden surge in popularity is largely due to a significant 90% discount offered on April 1, dropping the game's price to a record low of $2.49 on Steam. This promotion, initially a midweek deal, extends until April 8. Additionally, all three DLC packs are on sale at 75% off during this period, with The Shieldbreaker priced at $0.99, The Color of Madness at $1.24, and The Crimson Court at $2.43.

Major price cuts often lead to increased interest in older games across platforms, including Steam. For instance, a similar promotion in February boosted Stardew Valley's sales, coinciding with a significant content update for the popular farming simulator.

Darkest Dungeon 2 Also Sees Price Drop

The discount on the sequel, Darkest Dungeon 2, lowers its price to $21.96, a 66% reduction available until April 18. However, despite the discount, its player base remains smaller compared to the original game. Nevertheless, shortly after its mid-2023 launch, Darkest Dungeon 2 surpassed the first game's peak player count, reaching 23,800 concurrent players.