Darkest Dungeon 2 Unleashes ‘Curse of the Court’ and Goes FREE on Steam—Horrible Mosquito Folk Swarm the Kingdom

The relentless gloom of Darkest Dungeon 2 has been amplified by a fresh, blood-drenched menace. Red Hook Studios has not only deployed the massive new content module, Curse of the Court, for its separate Kingdoms mode, but is also offering the entire base game for free this weekend on Steam. This unprecedented access provides the perfect, albeit terrifying, opportunity for new players to delve into the brutally challenging rogue-lite RPG just as the dreaded, aristocratic Bloodsuckers—the horrifying mosquito folk—descend upon the realm.

This aggressive promotional push, featuring the lowest-ever price discount alongside the free trial, is strategically timed to maximize player engagement with the new content, a substantial, free addition that dramatically remixes the core gameplay and expands the overall Darkest Dungeon II experience.

Curse of the Court: The Crimson Curse Returns with a Vengeance

The centerpiece of this weekend’s event is the release of Curse of the Court, the third and final module for the new, free Kingdoms game mode. The Kingdoms mode is a parallel experience to the main ‘Confessions’ campaign, transforming the stagecoach journey into a high-stakes, turn-based strategy game focused on defending a network of safe haven Inns from escalating enemy sieges.

The New Threat: Insatiable Bloodsuckers

The titular curse is driven by the return of the Crimson Courtiers—vampiric, insectoid nobles (the ‘mosquito folk’) first introduced in the infamous Crimson Court DLC for the original Darkest Dungeon. These insatiable Bloodsuckers carry with them the devastating Crimson Curse, a supernatural contagion that rapidly spreads through your heroes, inflicting both powerful benefits and debilitating afflictions.

The high-stakes questline demands players race against the clock to:

• Contain and prevent the Crimson Curse from overwhelming entire regions.
• Find a definitive cure before the infection permanently cripples your heroes.
• Exterminate the new enemy faction by clearing their infested lairs.

This update adds a whole new dimension of resource management and strategic tension to the Kingdoms mode, challenging veteran players with one of the most mechanically complex and ruthless factions in the franchise’s history.

Steam Free Weekend and Deepest Discount Yet

To celebrate the launch of Curse of the Court, Red Hook Studios has launched their first-ever Darkest Dungeon 2 FREE WEEKEND on Steam, running from August 28th to September 1st. This is a massive opportunity for curious gamers to explore all facets of the highly-rated RPG without the initial monetary investment.

Key Details for the Free Access:

• Full Access: Players can experience both the original run-based ‘Confessions’ mode and the strategic ‘Kingdoms’ mode, including the new Curse of the Court module.
• Progress Preservation: All progress made during the free play period—including hero unlocks, trinket discoveries, and Altar of Hope meta-progression—will be fully preserved should the player decide to purchase the game.
• Unprecedented Sale: The game is available at its lowest discount yet, with the base game offered at 63% off. All existing DLC (including Binding Blade and Inhuman Bondage) is also discounted, along with a heavily reduced Resolute Bundle for a complete experience.

This strategy effectively lowers the financial risk for players looking for a challenging horror-themed PC game, while providing a substantial reward for the developers in the form of increased digital sales and a larger potential player base for future content.

The Evolving Vision of Darkest Dungeon II

The Kingdoms mode, and its completion with Curse of the Court, marks a significant evolution for Darkest Dungeon 2. When the game first left Early Access, it was a tight, narrative-driven roguelike road trip. The subsequent, continuous stream of free updates—culminating in the three Kingdoms modules (Beastmen, Coven, and Courtiers)—has successfully integrated the beloved roster management and persistent map structure elements from the original game.

The development team’s commitment to delivering a stream of high-quality free content alongside paid DLC has cemented Darkest Dungeon 2‘s position as a definitive title in the indie RPG and roguelike genre. The new content is a direct nod to the fans, marrying the sequel’s signature art style and enhanced combat with the grand, existential dread of an escalating, world-ending threat reminiscent of the first game’s most memorable challenges.

Gamer Action Required: Seize the Free Trial

For fans of difficult, atmospheric, turn-based combat and Lovecraftian horror, this weekend is the mandatory entry point. Grab your heroes, stock your stagecoach, and prepare for the ultimate test of sanity and strategy. The Bloodsuckers are here, and the Kingdom’s fate hangs precariously in the balance. Do not allow this free Steam promotion to pass you by; the crushing despair is worth every minute.