Album Review: Dark Dungeons OST

I approached Shaun Garea’s Dark Dungeons, the soundtrack to Advanced Fighting Fantasy, a little differently from most of the reviews I’ve done so far, and that comes down to two main reasons.

First, this is the first OST I’ve properly sat with from start to finish, giving it my full attention without relying on an accompanying game to carry the experience. Secondly, as a gamer myself and someone who’s into things like model building and getting fully immersed in creative worlds, I wanted to give this the justice it deserves by experiencing it through the lens of a player… or even a character stepping into the world of Advanced Fighting Fantasy.

I gave this a proper run from start to finish, multiple times. I really got pulled into this soundtrack after listening to it a few times, so I decided to go a step further and put it on while playing Darkest Dungeon with the audio off. If I’m honest, that’s when it fully clicked for me – playing the game and music at the same time turned it from a good listen into a genuinely immersive experience.

This is a beautiful and deep soundtrack, and after listening to it with a controller in my hand, it became a living, breathing world.

I was truly blown away by all the various dynamics, and it made me want to listen to more soundtracks in the future. The skill level of Shaun as a composer is world-class and this would not seem out of place in the Darkest Dungeon series or the likes of Bloodborne and other soul-like games.

From the opening moments of The Fighting Fantasy, you’re dropped straight into that classic sword-and-sorcery vibe. There’s a heavy nod to 80/90’s fantasy here, especially when you consider the album art. It has big drums, bold brass, heroic energy, and so much more, yet it’s not stuck in nostalgia. Shaun Garea layers that with synth textures and dark ambient elements that give the whole thing a murky, uneasy edge. It’s not just adventure. It has tension and dread with the unknown sitting right behind it, and it would be fantastic for those who are into tabletop gaming.

Tracks like Descent Into The Tunnels and Hunting The Dark Coven really lean into that slow-burn atmosphere. They’re long, patient pieces that build and crawl, perfect for exploration or just letting your mind wander through whatever dungeon you’re imagining.

Goblin Raiding Party is a standout personally for me. It’s chaotic, tense, and then suddenly shifts into something almost playful with that goblin chant moment – without breaking immersion. It’s those little touches that show how much thought has gone into capturing not just the setting, but the personality of that world. As an avid metal/hardcore listener, and member of a band of said genre, this track ticked off everything I personally love about the genre, especially with the rad guitar line at the end of the track alongside chants which reminded me of The Hu.

What really stands out is how well this works outside of its intended use. Yeah, it’s designed as a board game soundtrack, but it doesn’t need the game to hold up. Whether you’re gaming, writing, or just zoning out with headphones on, it creates a space you can step into.

After a few listens and pairing it with my own gameplay experience, it’s clear this isn’t just background music. It has a massive world-building sound, which has been composed by someone of great talent, skill and experience.

If you’re into dark fantasy, ambient soundscapes, or anything that sits between orchestral and experimental, Dark Dungeons OST is absolutely worth your time. Just don’t be surprised if you end up somewhere deep in your own head with it playing.