Darkest Dungeon (2016): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Gamicality score 86 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 3.5

Runs today4 / 5
Design today2.5 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Very Positive

149,456 reviews92% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2016
Developer: Red Hook Studios
Genre: Indie, RPG, Strategy
Runs on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does Darkest Dungeon run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Yes, with a fix. See the steps below. SourceNo player reports yet
Mac (Apple Silicon)	Yes, it runs on Apple Silicon Macs. SourceNo player reports yet
Linux	Yes, there is a native Linux version. SourceNo player reports yet
Steam Deck	Verified by Valve: it works great on Steam Deck. SourceNo player reports yet

Played it lately? Tell other players whether it works for you. One click, no account. How we check where it runs

How to get Darkest Dungeon running today

If the mouse cursor disappears in fullscreen, switch to windowed mode in the settings and add the -borderless launch option in Steam, as listed on PCGamingWiki.

Synopsis

A turn-based gothic role-playing game about leading parties of flawed adventurers into the dungeons beneath a ruined family estate. Between expeditions you rebuild the nearby hamlet, treat wounds and nerves, and replace heroes who die for good or break under mounting stress.

What people say

Critics at release praised its grim hand-drawn art, its narrator and the stress system that makes heroes crack under pressure, calling it punishing yet fair. Several reviewers also found it grindy, felt the ending was pushed artificially out of reach and disliked losing favorite heroes to bad luck. Players today still value its tension and depth once the systems click, but the most common complaints are long grinding, swingy dice rolls that can feel unfair, and mechanics many only understand with a wiki. It remains a benchmark for the genre and a demanding one.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 4 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✗Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
–Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 2.5 / 5

✓Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardTurn-based combat suits mouse play well and full controller support exists, though buttons cannot be remapped and Xbox pads show PlayStation prompts. Source: pcgamingwiki.com.
✗Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensThe game renders only at 16:9, windowed mode stops at 1080p, and small text is a frequent complaint on handheld screens. Source: pcgamingwiki.com.
✗Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressThe game autosaves constantly with no way to reload, and fallen heroes are lost for good, so a bad dice roll cannot be undone. Source: en.wikipedia.org.
✗It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressMany players say they needed a wiki or guide to understand its systems, and dice rolls are hidden from view. Source: applegamingwiki.com.
✗Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingGrinding and repetitive expeditions are among the most common complaints, and critics noted the grind at release. Source: applegamingwiki.com.
✓Camera and movement never fight the playerThe fixed side-on view of corridors and battles never gets in the way, and no source lists camera complaints. Source: en.wikipedia.org.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.