Dark Souls II

 PC
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Eurogamer Germany
    Apr 27, 2014
    100
    You'll get everything the fantastic console version had: a feeling of insecurity, respect for the apparently insurmountable, an unparalleled combat system. A nigh on perfect game.
  2. God is a Geek
    Apr 25, 2014
    100
    It is far and away the superior version, and that’s without the need to download any sort of fan-made patch. The cycle of death and success has never felt this good.
  3. Gaming Age
    Apr 24, 2014
    100
    If you’ve patiently waited for the PC release, consider yourself rewarded for said patience. This is hands-down the best version of Dark Souls 2 you’ll be able to get, and shows a massive improvement over the lackluster effort that went into the first PC release of Dark Souls.
  5. Ragequit.gr
    Jun 3, 2014
    98
    Dark Souls 2 is not just a perfectly designed video game. It's a dark journey into a painful world of souls, a bet with your inner self and your strengths, the purification and absolute completion when the end credits fall... it's an experience like no other.
  6. Game Informer
    Apr 24, 2014
    98
    The PC version of Dark Souls II is the definitive one to own. It’s a good step up in the graphics and performance departments, annoying load times are drastically reduced, and players can even opt to play with the mouse and keyboard if they so desire. It shows that From Software spent a considerable amount of time attempting to come up with controls that would feel natural on the PC.
  7. CD-Action
    Jul 23, 2014
    95
    This game’s playability puts to shame everything that’s been released for the new generation of consoles. [06/2014, p.54]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Gamers' Temple
    May 12, 2014
    95
    Never has a game so difficult been so rewarding.
  9. Gameplanet
    May 2, 2014
    95
    This time around, From Software has nailed the PC version of its beloved franchise, leaving absolutely no doubt as to which platform gives players the best experience.
  10. 3DJuegos
    Apr 25, 2014
    95
    Dark Souls II keep marking his very own label that players love. If you're a fan of the series, you’ve got a new journey to play and replay until the world fall back into darkness.
  11. Multiplayer.it
    Apr 27, 2014
    93
    Finally, From Software manages to create a game on its own and not a lazy port. Dark Souls II is exactly the best way to play the masterpiece console gamers experienced a few weeks ago.
  12. Vandal
    Apr 25, 2014
    93
    From Software has not made the mistakes they made with the first episode on PC, but the improvements are limited to AI, resolution and framerate. Still, a great game worth playing.
  13. IGN Italia
    Apr 25, 2014
    93
    A truly unique experience, but it's not for everybody. You have to be aware of the words you're gonna read more than any others on your screen: "You're Dead".
  14. Meristation
    Apr 25, 2014
    93
    Dark Souls II is an ideal game for veteran players, but it's also a good chance for newcomers. From Software added some positive concessions while keeping the essence of the franchise. Action, exploration, replay value and great online experiences in another sweet nightmare. Prepare to die once again.
  15. XGN
    May 9, 2014
    92
    From Software has clearly learned from its earlier mistakes by creating an absolutely wonderful PC version this time around. Shame about the monstrous keyboard and mouse controls, but nothing a controller won't fix. Aside of that, the core gameplay really shines, because of the many subtle improvements the PC version enjoys. The biggest achievement, however, is that one of the greatest games of 2014 has managed to become even greater.
  16. Pelit (Finland)
    May 9, 2014
    91
    Dark Souls 2 respects gamers: it does not treat them like clueless, spoiled brogamerz, and that is something every publisher could learn from. [May 2014]
    All this publication's reviews
  17. PC Gamer
    Apr 24, 2014
    91
    More accessible, challenging, and rewarding than its predecessor, this is the Dark Souls sequel PC gamers deserve.
  18. PC PowerPlay
    Jun 6, 2014
    90
    The definitive Dark Souls II experience, the latest entry to The Souls series shines on the PC. [June 2014, p.50]
    All this publication's reviews
  19. Gaming Nexus
    May 12, 2014
    90
    The PC port is just as good, if not better than it's console counterpart, but you're going to want to use a gamepad. Using a keyboard is possible, and there's even a few mods out there to make it more functional and ergonomic, but it's still clunky and unintuitive compared to using a controller.
  20. Digital Chumps
    May 7, 2014
    90
    Dark Souls II, as its blessing and its curse, is not another Dark Souls. It is, however, more Dark Souls - and it makes good on its hallowed name.
  21. PCGamesN
    May 2, 2014
    90
    It’s a marriage of phenomenal world design and impressively tight mechanics.
  22. Metro GameCentral
    May 1, 2014
    90
    A carefully considered sequel that avoids upsetting existing fans and offers an olive branch to newcomers – but although the PC version is the best it’s by a slimmer margin than many would’ve hoped.
  23. SpazioGames
    Apr 30, 2014
    90
    From Software has learned a lesson from the modders. Dark Souls 2 is the port that had been promised, featuring rich graphics options and well optimized. Hats off.
  24. Digitally Downloaded
    Apr 30, 2014
    90
    Dark Souls 2 offers glimpses of hope and illumination, but they always feel just out of reach. Scratching just below the surface to take on the challenges Dark Souls 2 has for you is where this game's appeal lies. The game will not be for everyone, but for those willing to tackle this game, it is a rewarding experience.
  25. Merlin'in Kazanı (Turkey)
    Apr 28, 2014
    90
    Dark Souls II is a very difficult game more than the first one. PC controls still have the same problem: they're complicated. The story and the maps are much more beautiful, graphics seem better than one consoles. If you are a fan of the Dark Souls series, you'll definitely love this one.
  26. Eurogamer Italy
    Apr 26, 2014
    90
    Praise the Sun: the PC version of Dark Souls II isn't the total mess that its predecessor was. It may not be the prettiest or most graphically advanced game, but it runs stable and smooth at a 1080p resolution with 60 fps, even on a moderately powerful machine. As for the game itself, there's little else to be said: it's still bloody difficult and engaging, a true hardcore masterpiece.
  27. Hardcore Gamer
    Apr 24, 2014
    90
    If you decided to wait for the PC version of Dark Souls II before jumping in, you’ve made the right decision. It’s not leaps and bounds better than its console counterpart, but the graphical enhancements aid the immersion.
  28. GamingTrend
    Apr 24, 2014
    90
    Dark Souls 2 for the PC is a far cleaner port attempt than the first Dark Souls port.
  29. IncGamers
    Apr 24, 2014
    90
    In many ways Dark Souls 2 is the technical and functional superior of the first game, but it does lack some of the semi-intangible magic of the original like its superlative interconnected world. Nonetheless, an impressive and essential sequel.
  30. 4P.de
    Apr 30, 2014
    88
    You’ll get higher resolutions and better framerates than on consoles. But with a game design of this quality, it doesn’t really matter. Right now there is nothing better for fans of action roleplaying games.
  31. Everyeye.it
    Apr 29, 2014
    87
    60 fps and higher resolution: this time around the PC version of Dark Souls II has been made with more care. Still, there are a lot of bugs and problems, that will be hopefully corrected with some patches.
  32. ZTGD
    May 6, 2014
    85
    It’s a testament to the series brand as a whole to make an otherwise solid title feel disappointing, but I’ve come to expect more and I hope they find the right path through the dark in the next sequel.
  33. Game Over Online
    May 1, 2014
    85
    Games are simply developer-created hoops that we pay to jump through. In the case of Dark Souls 2, it’s not exactly fun to do the jumping, but rather “rewarding”. What are you rewarded with? An emotion, a rush.
  34. GameStar
    Apr 25, 2014
    85
    If you can ignore the still not perfect controls on PC then Dark Souls 2 is a great game for hardcore gamers that can endure some suffering. They will scream in front of the screen - out of joy and out of frustration.
  35. Hooked Gamers
    Apr 27, 2014
    82
    Despite the camera angle and controller issues, Dark Souls II is a great game.
  36. Riot Pixels
    Jun 5, 2014
    80
    If you’re a fan of hardcore games, try Dark Souls 2. It is not as memorable as its predecessor, and yet it is still a phenomenal experience.
  37. MMORPG.com
    Apr 24, 2014
    80
    This game is art in the good and bad sense of the word. It represents some of the best things that video games have to offer: at its most immersive, it offers a beautifully and thoughtfully rendered world to be explored that reveals itself not just through what is seen on the screen, but through the brutal and challenging experiences the player guides the in-game avatar through. The negative part of that is that the story of the game and the motivations and reasoning behind what is happening are obscure and unclear. A lot of the onus is on the player to piece things together. This is a kind of experience that is not necessarily designed to appeal to a broad swath of people, but its pitch perfect execution and strict adherence to its draconian design principles earn it a place in the pantheon of great games.

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best PC Game of 2014
8
#8 Most Discussed PC Game of 2014
12
#12 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 3117 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,992 out of 3117
  2. Mixed: 521 out of 3117
  3. Negative: 604 out of 3117
  1. whitedeath505
    Apr 28, 2014
    10
    UPDATE: The other review was negative,because the game didn't work.
    Finally the game it's working,(after the update) and All I can say,it's    UPDATE: The other review was negative,because the game didn't work.
    Finally the game it's working,(after the update) and All I can say,it's awesome,beautiful,incredible and more hard than before.
    The multiplayer finally get fixed,now the connection it's super-fast and really good,good job from software.    … Full Review »
  2. AHerdofCats
    Apr 25, 2014
    2
    After hearing about the problems the first Dark Souls game had on PC, I put off buying it until I knew that some of its problems had beenAfter hearing about the problems the first Dark Souls game had on PC, I put off buying it until I knew that some of its problems had been fixed by the developers or modders, or that there certainly wasn't going to be any further improvement. I was disappointed to find that it only showed the XBox controller buttons in place of the keyboard commands and it took some rebinding to get keyboard and mouse rebound to a functional set-up but I was ultimately treated to a fantastic game. The atmosphere in Dark Souls, as well as its environmental storytelling and bosses were all phenomenal, and I've sunk many long hours into the game.

    I've therefore been waiting with a great deal of excitement for Dark Souls 2. Dark Souls was a rushed port in response to high PC player demand so some problems were expected, but surely there wouldn't be any with Dark Souls 2, which was developed for PC simultaneously ... Wrong! The Xbox controller prompts are back. The default bindings are appalling, and many keyboard buttons can't actually be bound for no apparent reason. The controls are laggy in a game were rapid responsiveness are key. There's also the more minor issue of the massive downgrade in the lighting of the game, which hopefully may be fixed at some point for PC.

    In short, this is once again an embarrassingly bad port, and I'd advise waiting for fixes from the developers or modders before getting it. What I've played of the game itself seems great, but it's simply not a finished product and I object to being sold games in this condition.    … Full Review »
  3. Insaner
    Apr 25, 2014
    0
    What a huge, huge, HUGE, H U G E, H-U-G-E, disappointment!!
    It's a bare console port down to the bones!! Controls are clunky, keys rebinding    What a huge, huge, HUGE, H U G E, H-U-G-E, disappointment!!
    It's a bare console port down to the bones!! Controls are clunky, keys rebinding is a nightmare, there is an horrible delay that plagues the mouse's movements, I found at least 3 breaking bugs, and, at times, the game doesn't even start running!!
    Beware! Leave it alone. Save your money for something that is worth them.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »