Escape From Dark Castle Once More With Themeborne’s 2nd Edition

October 29, 2025 by brennon

Themeborne has now taken to Gamefound with their new 2nd Edition of Escape the Dark Castle, their hit cooperative Fantasy board game. This campaign also introduces Escape the Dark Forest, a brand new game within the Escape... series!

Escape the Dark Castle & Escape the Dark Forest // Themeborne

Escape the Dark Castle was the first game launched by Themeborne back in 2017 and quickly became a firm favourite of ours. It was then developed and updated for Escape the Dark Sector in 2019. Eventually, Themeborne teamed up with Naughty Dog and Sony to create The Last of Us: Escape the Dark.

This return to Gamefound looks to fund a new version of Escape the Dark Castle, iterating on what they have learned in the intervening years, whilst retaining what made the original game so much fun to dive into. Simple, fun mechanics but with a twist!

Backer Rewards // Themeborne

The 2nd Edition of Escape the Dark Castle introduces more variety when it comes to the enemies, bosses and locations that you'll be visiting during your adventures. There is also better balance introduced so that it's not quite so brutal and ranged combat is now part of the core mechanics. A durability system has also been included from The Last of Us game, plus stamina mechanics and special abilities, making your characters all feel more unique during gameplay.

All of the artwork has also been completely overhauled and updated but with its classic style. Alex Crispin has done a sterling job once again, matching the upgrade in production quality.

Escape the Dark Castle - 2nd Edition // Themeborne

If that wasn't cool enough, Themeborne has also added another version of Escape... to this Gamefound with Escape the Dark Forest. Head beyond the bounds of the castle and its dungeons and instead explore a weird, twisted wilderness!

Escape the Dark Forest // Themeborne

The mechanics remain the same for Escape the Dark Forest, with you crafting a forest of chapter cards in a random order, with a boss at the end. You'll then choose your characters and dive in, turning over chapter cards and either trying to best whatever trap has been laid before you or a terrible creature that you must battle!

Do all of this whilst your light starts to dwindle and the darkness starts to press in on your woodland creature heroes. If you'd like to learn more about the game, you can check out the Gamefound campaign for in-depth looks at the two games and the various pledge options.

Could you be tempted by a new edition of Escape the Dark Castle?