Dark Souls II

 PC
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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Blackice
    Apr 28, 2014
    8
    Great game and the PC port is good, although you should still play with a gamepad and it clearly looks like a port. It's still the best version out there and I recommend the graphics mod called GeDoSaTo DS2 Edition because the original graphics are also clearly a port of the lesser console graphics.
    The new multiplayer options are great and offer a nice diversion from the core gameplay.    Great game and the PC port is good, although you should still play with a gamepad and it clearly looks like a port. It's still the best version out there and I recommend the graphics mod called GeDoSaTo DS2 Edition because the original graphics are also clearly a port of the lesser console graphics.
    The new multiplayer options are great and offer a nice diversion from the core gameplay.
    White screen crash was fixed in a timely manner.    … Expand
  2. Nocturn86
    Apr 28, 2014
    8
    Game has been updated and seems to work for most now. I haven´t played for long yet, but from what I saw I´d give the game a 10/10 minus one point each for graphics (only slightly improved from DaS1) and controls (I use a Xbox-controller, so they are fine for me, but even when using mouse/keyboard the games always displays the Xbox buttons solely, which is unlikely to be fine for everyone).
  3. monktheking
    Apr 28, 2014
    9
    Revising my first review. Patch fixed everything. Game looks and plays fantastic. It's Dark Souls 2, you will die alot and get angry. But you will have fun while doing so.
  4. testerlnx
    Apr 26, 2014
    10
    Now have serious bugs (I have to switch down the HDMI port every times when I run the game, and only run in windowed mode not fullscreen).

    The diminishing healthbar and the evaporing enemies are really annoying, but it is a great game, when they fix the starting bugs I will change the rate.
  5. 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 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.
  6. Whitescreenop
    Apr 30, 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 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.
  7. Boogz
    May 3, 2014
    10
    After finally being able to start the game after the first patch it turned out to be just as good as Demons Souls and Dark Souls, its a truly fantastic game.
  8. Hectorp
    Apr 25, 2014
    9
    I've played through Demon's Souls and Dark Souls, and even did SL1 runs.
    I've played only a couple of hours of Dark Souls 2, but let me tell you, the game's alright.
    For Dark Souls 2, they changed the director, and it really shows in the level design. The previous Souls games weren't intended to be masochist games. The difficulty was not the main focus, and interviews with the director    I've played through Demon's Souls and Dark Souls, and even did SL1 runs.
    I've played only a couple of hours of Dark Souls 2, but let me tell you, the game's alright.
    For Dark Souls 2, they changed the director, and it really shows in the level design.
    The previous Souls games weren't intended to be masochist games. The difficulty was not the main focus, and interviews with the director shows that. The director of Dark Souls 2 took a very different approach, and it shows in even the dialogue of the game.
    In the first few cutscenes, the player is told "you're going to die and lose souls over and over again", it is almost like that is coming from the developers. This wasn't seen in the previous games.
    The gameplay suffers from this too. The game tries way too hard to surprise you and punish you. with very predicable surprises at almost every single corner.
    An example of this that is very evident is the first level of the game.
    I'm not going to spoil it, but i'll just say that in the previous Souls games, the first levels were pretty good tutorials with fair enemies. It isn't like that in this one, you'll see what I mean if you play it.
    The new mechanics the game throws at you are a different, fresh, new experience.
    Stats are distributed differently, movement feels different, healing items are awful now, and enemies have different movesets. It's interesting to play, and in some aspects, much more difficult.
    I was kind of worried this game would be a casualized version of the first, I can say that I'm not dissapointed.
    Onto the technical aspects:
    The PC port is very good, a definite improvement over the first. Easy 1080p and 60 fps on an AMD 7850.
    I can't judge the Mouse+Keyboard controls though, because I haven't tried, but honestly, who would? A controller is a must for these types of games.
    Loading screens are almost non-existent just like the first
    Also, Alt+F4 is beautiful, try it out when you play it, it saves your game, fades out and exits - A counter against people that will quit during PvP
    Steamworks for this game is amazing! There is no "summoning failed" message like in the first, summoning and invading people are almost instant! The connectivity is nice and a great improvement over Games for Windows Live in the first Dark Souls.
    Overall, I'd recommend Dark Souls 2.
    It's decent, but I still like Demon's Souls the best.    … Expand
  9. Ashiel
    Apr 25, 2014
    9
    While the game's assets and lighting aren't quite the level of quality shown in the demo last year. They're still very pretty, and with some settings customization both in and out of game you can have it looking fantastic.

    Massive improvements have been made compared to the dark souls 1 pc port. honest kb and mouse support. As well as solid graphics options in game. But the other    While the game's assets and lighting aren't quite the level of quality shown in the demo last year. They're still very pretty, and with some settings customization both in and out of game you can have it looking fantastic.

    Massive improvements have been made compared to the dark souls 1 pc port. honest kb and mouse support. As well as solid graphics options in game. But the other element that makes it much better is the better integration of social features.

    The summon system is pivotal for a smooth play experience and is a lot of fun. Over all the story is the same minimalist breadcrumb system from ds1, but the gameplay is even crisper/sharper than it was before.

    More iframes (invincibility frames) have been removed so more intricate and skillful dodging is required to be able to fight enemies. As well as a strong enemy variety and well animated/telegraphed attacks allow you to see actual tactics being used.

    Enemies will charge at you when they see you healing, some of them can heal, and others can be baited into putting up their shield (if they have one) just by pulling out a ranged weapon.    … Expand
  10. Kanti
    Apr 25, 2014
    10
    Difficulty and gameplay aside (if you're looking for that, just read the console reviews). From learned from their mistakes in DS1, and the DS2 Keyboard+Mouse controls work perfectly. Controls are smooth; graphics are smooth. It may not be the best looking PC game ever made, but this version is better than playing on a console in every way.
  11. Anionix
    Apr 25, 2014
    10
    It has played out exactly the same as when I played the first Dark Souls. I was again having trouble with mobs from the very beginning (obviously not the brain dead zombies), but once again I passed the initial test, conquered my fear with my defeated enemies blood dripping down my face and I have come out the other side to witness a majestic view of the sea. To put it in a few words - I'mIt has played out exactly the same as when I played the first Dark Souls. I was again having trouble with mobs from the very beginning (obviously not the brain dead zombies), but once again I passed the initial test, conquered my fear with my defeated enemies blood dripping down my face and I have come out the other side to witness a majestic view of the sea. To put it in a few words - I'm fully enjoying the whole experience! Anything good in this world requires motivation, dedication and time and this game is no different. You put the hours and effort in and you will be greatly rewarded. By the way I have played both games on the keyboard and with a mouse without a problem. See you guys on the other side!… Expand
  12. cyrica419
    Apr 25, 2014
    10
    I played demon souls and dark souls and acquired the end game achievements, Now I'm playing the Dark Souls 2 in 4 hours straight, it is more challenging than the other and more easy navigation. This game is deserve to have a score of 10. This is an amazing and challenging game that I've ever played.
  13. eskim01
    Apr 25, 2014
    8
    I'm a Souls veteran, with 3 playthroughs of Demon's Souls and 7 of Dark Souls, and by no means am I disappointed with Dark Souls II. Maybe a little underwhelmed, but not disappointed. It's different from both Dark and Demon's, but somehow feels like a strange combination at the same time, which is good (but again, different). By no means is different bad, in fact I think that's thisI'm a Souls veteran, with 3 playthroughs of Demon's Souls and 7 of Dark Souls, and by no means am I disappointed with Dark Souls II. Maybe a little underwhelmed, but not disappointed. It's different from both Dark and Demon's, but somehow feels like a strange combination at the same time, which is good (but again, different). By no means is different bad, in fact I think that's this games sticking point. If it was too much like the first, I don't think it would have been as enjoyable for someone like me, who knows the mechanics inside out, upside down and backwards. I feel like I'm new again, holding up my shield while slowly turning the next corner, and hoping not to come across some new trap.

    For all the hate it's getting for not being exactly like Dark Souls, I can agree with some of the points. The weapons degrade at a shocking rate, although I am still early on (3 hours in) so who knows, upgrading may fix that. And of course, we could discuss the lighting engine and all that fluff, but it's been said and done before. We know it's not what was shown at E3 in 2013, nor what was in the beta, but whatever. Although, I still feel that it's trying a bit too hard to give the lighting effects a chance, because nothing actually looks, you know, dark yet... Here's hoping The Gutter proves this point moot.

    Anyways, first impressions aside, I'm glad I purchased this game, and I plan on playing it for a good long time. Is it as good as the first, I don't think so (although I'm a admittedly jaded), but it doesn't have to be... it's its own game that stands up just fine with the Souls line. So I hope to see you all out there, and have some jolly cooperation! Oh, and don't forget, seek larger souls!    … Expand
  14. Sangemaru
    Apr 25, 2014
    10
    Things to be said:

    - The level design could have been better, a la Dark Souls, but still nice; - I'm personally of the opinion that what made Dark Souls level design great was the fact that you could NOT teleport between bonfires until late-game, and this gave value to the excellent design, twists and turns, shortcuts and secrets; - Combat mechanics have been refined to be even more    Things to be said:

    - The level design could have been better, a la Dark Souls, but still nice;
    - I'm personally of the opinion that what made Dark Souls level design great was the fact that you could NOT teleport between bonfires until late-game, and this gave value to the excellent design, twists and turns, shortcuts and secrets;
    - Combat mechanics have been refined to be even more skill-based;

    A.k.a., true Souls players love and will love it. Scrubs should rate less and Git Gud.    … Expand
  15. Grand_Alchemist
    Apr 27, 2014
    10
    Why do people buy a game at launch, especially a PC port, and expect the game to be 100% perfect? Grow a pair, and learn to be patient for the game to be patched, jesus. It's this self entitled attitude of "I DESERVE THiS GAME NOW"
  16. Allendium
    Apr 26, 2014
    10
    First off, lets get some things out of the way that others are complaining about. The multi-player is fine, you're not supposed to be able to play through the entire game with you're friends, and while many whine about this, that's how the game was developed. It's not an issue or a bug they need to fix nor is it "clunky", it's how they chose to implement multi-player into the game. Yes,First off, lets get some things out of the way that others are complaining about. The multi-player is fine, you're not supposed to be able to play through the entire game with you're friends, and while many whine about this, that's how the game was developed. It's not an issue or a bug they need to fix nor is it "clunky", it's how they chose to implement multi-player into the game. Yes, the keyboard and mouse controls are terrible, but this is a studio that doesn't make PC games, Dark Souls was their first attempt at a port and Dark Souls 2 is their second. It blows that you have to use a controller to play the game comfortably but you don't HAVE to. I used the PC controls for about 3 hours and while they are a bit odd and uncomfortable, the game is completely playable using keyboard and mouse. Now lets actually talk about the game.
    Now Dark Souls 2 is an amazing game, from the visuals to the gameplay, it stays true to the Souls series. The game looks brilliant and it's color palette is wonderful, they optimized the heck out of it and the game runs incredibly even with all the settings turned up to the max on mid-range PC's.I feel it's a bit harder than the first as well, and the main reason behind that is that weapons now degrade a lot faster. Enemies are more aggressive and bosses need a little bit more strategy than previous titles, more than once I have underestimated the enemy and in the end paid dearly for my mistake. Control responsiveness is great, never once have I been screwed over because my input didn't go through. The world you're in is amazing, the level design is just as good as Dark Souls 1, and the enviroment feels more immersive. My only one gripe is that your weapons break far to quickly, you can now equip three items to each hand, but that doesn't make up for it. It's really annoying how quickly you can get into trouble when your weapon breaks and you have to high-tail out of a fight. Not even upgrading your weapon improves it's durability. There is and item you can equip that you find later in-game that slows the degradation of you weapons, so that's nice, but I wish upgrading improved their durability. Dark Souls 2 is everything I hoped for in another Souls game, and anyone that says their a Souls fan and then says they were disappointed with this game is not a Souls fan.    … Expand
  17. Snadiwchhhh
    May 9, 2014
    8
    I am writing second review after beating game.In the first review I gave ds2 9/10(played that time only 5-10 hours), certainly I must say that in 55 hour long playthrproough (with almost all bosses (except Vendrick )) I had no freezes, no lags, 0 problems with game. I should start with s of this game. It is dark souls, it has beautiful lore, awesome gameplay, magnificent views (myI am writing second review after beating game.In the first review I gave ds2 9/10(played that time only 5-10 hours), certainly I must say that in 55 hour long playthrproough (with almost all bosses (except Vendrick )) I had no freezes, no lags, 0 problems with game. I should start with s of this game. It is dark souls, it has beautiful lore, awesome gameplay, magnificent views (my favourite location is Dragon Aerie), hardness and my favourite... you kill bosses and progress not with level or high damage sword, but with skill. Some bosses are unique and interesting. PVP or Jolly co-op is just awesome (after I defeat boss on my own, I like to help others). There are added tons of items and mechanics what make game better. And the ending is quite good.
    Now about cons. and I found only one big flaw what made me sad, it is bosses. The problem is, that there is too much knight bosses, and sometimes they even repeat. Few bosses are just copy/pasted from ds1(like scorpion lady(ds2) and spider lady(ds1)). Well I must admit that ornstein is copied for lore and his attack are different, so I wouldn't count him as flaw, but sometimes you just feel thet it's too familiar, in a bad way. Another con for bosses is hardness, you meat Persuer (just a knight) and this is your nightmare(and yes, only after I defeated him, I received an info of 90% easy damage, but the way I defeated him as knight was even better) . Then you meet an awesome dragon in cage and he dies from 10 hits or you meet Lord of Giants( who should be hard as hell and awesome in this way)... I killed him on 2nd try. And final boss wasn't **** but he/she was disappointing
    In sum-up I can say, that this is great sequel, not perfect, but great one. If you just compare with what came out in 2013/2014 (bugged and not finished bf4, simcity, Rome:TW2 and others) DS2 is best right now you can get in 2014(for me). DS2 receive from me 8.5/10. Great game and great sequel. I would add one more plus point if they add steamworkshop (new gear, funny mods, fantasy of fans). Right now I'm replaying game with same character I did before and I receive many new enemies and test my skill. Praise... well, you know what to do.    … Expand
  18. Associated
    Apr 25, 2014
    10
    This is an excellent PC port of an excellent game!

    For one, people on here are trying to bash it and I'm not positive as to why... But the game runs at 40-60 fps on my laptop with medium-high settings. It's gorgeous and fluid. It's still recommended that you use a controller for the game, makes everything a bit easier. Just get a 360 controller for your PC. The game itself is    This is an excellent PC port of an excellent game!

    For one, people on here are trying to bash it and I'm not positive as to why... But the game runs at 40-60 fps on my laptop with medium-high settings. It's gorgeous and fluid.

    It's still recommended that you use a controller for the game, makes everything a bit easier. Just get a 360 controller for your PC.

    The game itself is wonderful, brutally challenging and extremely rewarding for when you do get through a tough spot.

    Plus, for the 50 dollar price, it's really hard to resist. Pick it up and start playing this amazing game!    … Expand
  19. Doggsnacks
    Apr 25, 2014
    10
    People who rated this game negative don't know anything about souls games and should have just un-install the game. This game is just simply not for you guys...
  20. pjeuk
    Apr 25, 2014
    10
    this is the game of made by god
    i wait many times and from never break my expect
    and after, i wait darksouls3 i want see more 'YOU DIED'

    best game of my life . 1,2 both
  21. Voglaire
    Apr 25, 2014
    9
    Dark Souls II is difficult. In fact, it's probably the most difficult game I've ever played in my life, but I enjoyed every second of it.

    While off-putting at first, Dark Souls II pulls you in with it's exacting gameplay, brutal difficulty and rewarding bosses, every time I finally defeated a beautifully designed boss I felt I actually accomplished something, and I can't say that for    Dark Souls II is difficult. In fact, it's probably the most difficult game I've ever played in my life, but I enjoyed every second of it.

    While off-putting at first, Dark Souls II pulls you in with it's exacting gameplay, brutal difficulty and rewarding bosses, every time I finally defeated a beautifully designed boss I felt I actually accomplished something, and I can't say that for most games I've played.

    One of my only gripes with the game is that at times it is difficult to know where to go next, while I respect that they don't explain much I wish that they would have at least given me a general direction of where to go next.

    In my opinion, this is my first Game Of The Year contender for 2014.    … Expand
  22. roflCyclone
    May 22, 2014
    9
    I bought the first DS and played about 30 minutes before shelving it because it was so broken. I'm glad I gave From another chance. This is not a perfect game but the things it does well it does extremely well. Yes this game pretty much requires a gamepad, and yes it looks like a steaming pile of crap compared to other PC RPG offerings like The Witcher, but aside from that I have a hardI bought the first DS and played about 30 minutes before shelving it because it was so broken. I'm glad I gave From another chance. This is not a perfect game but the things it does well it does extremely well. Yes this game pretty much requires a gamepad, and yes it looks like a steaming pile of crap compared to other PC RPG offerings like The Witcher, but aside from that I have a hard time thinking of negative things to say about the PC version.

    It's difficult, sometimes frustratingly so, but not in an unfair way. The world is incredibly well designed, and the game never holds your hand through anything. As you progress you get actually feel like you've accomplished something, and when you fail (which you will -- a lot) you need to exercise patience and sound strategy to overcome. I wish every game I purchased played out like that. The class creation system is deep and allows for tons of possibilities (kinda like how Blizzard games used to be before they determined everyone was too stupid to put points into attributes by themselves). And da 30+ boss fights and creature variation?... Awesome. Nearly everything about this game is excellent, reminds me of how action RPG's used to be and should be.

    9/10 Would Die Again    … Expand
  23. Jimjam6494
    Jul 15, 2014
    10
    I think that these negative reviews are probably just from people who can't figure out how to play the game! This is a masterpiece of a game, the graphics are beautiful and the challenge can be rage inducing but when you beat it, there is no greater feeling in the world.
  24. Ireland914
    Sep 18, 2014
    9
    Never have I been so close to ragequitting/uninstalling a game only to end up enjoying every second of it. Steep learning curve and a throwback to when games were actually challenging and didn't hold your hand all the way through. Intense atmosphere and thrilling gameplay. So many various routes to take to play through and a very rewarding sense of accomplishment every time you make itNever have I been so close to ragequitting/uninstalling a game only to end up enjoying every second of it. Steep learning curve and a throwback to when games were actually challenging and didn't hold your hand all the way through. Intense atmosphere and thrilling gameplay. So many various routes to take to play through and a very rewarding sense of accomplishment every time you make it past that seemingly undefeatable boss. Runs flawlessly on PC at the time of my purchase. Not a scrappy co sole port like some user's have suggested. An Xbox controller recommended for the best experience.… Expand
  25. Violett
    Jul 11, 2014
    10
    Amazing game! Unusual and incredibly hard! I cant remember how many times I felt so frustrated in a single game. Hundreds of deaths, ton of butthurt and fun! I played on my big tv at the evening with gamepad and I didnt meet any problems other people talk here. That was awesome! It is super cool if the game is hard.
  26. DemKin
    Jun 20, 2014
    10
    Great game and decent port.
    Still not the "great PC experience" the developpers promised us, but it has a solid framerate and if you have a controller, Dark Souls 2 is a lot of fun. I highly recommend it.
  27. Sneaksby
    Jul 3, 2014
    10
    The game runs very well. Dark Souls 2 is superior to Dark Souls 1 in every way except they don't have Solaire. But besides that, you can still praise the sun. Dark Souls 2 had more memorable characters that you can relate to. Not everything is all Dank and Dark. There are some very bright places which make you want to go back there again. However, the story is still strong with its lore,The game runs very well. Dark Souls 2 is superior to Dark Souls 1 in every way except they don't have Solaire. But besides that, you can still praise the sun. Dark Souls 2 had more memorable characters that you can relate to. Not everything is all Dank and Dark. There are some very bright places which make you want to go back there again. However, the story is still strong with its lore, but just like the original Dark Souls, it's presentation is terrible. It's as bad as the original game that you need to look up Youtube videos explaining it. The game could have used more cut-scenes. But unlike most games, this game puts up a decent challenge but Magic is still overpowered. And too many **** spam it all the time that you need a big ass magic shield to carry with you. It's a great game. A worthy successor. I only wished that they had better storytelling.… Expand
  28. angel91a
    Jun 3, 2014
    10
    Dark Souls 2 is a masterpiece! With new patches and everything, please change your review! This game is awesome!

    First of all, the graphics are actually superb, they look realistic to me. Next, combat here is improved and better than Dark Souls 1 because of smoother style, and no more cheap combos of stabbing in the back. Third, multi-player is good and fine, more invasions and    Dark Souls 2 is a masterpiece! With new patches and everything, please change your review! This game is awesome!

    First of all, the graphics are actually superb, they look realistic to me.

    Next, combat here is improved and better than Dark Souls 1 because of smoother style, and no more cheap combos of stabbing in the back.

    Third, multi-player is good and fine, more invasions and sinners for the blue sentinels would be nice. Co-op is nice though. P.S. : If you want to connect to your friends better, use a name engraved ring while picking the same god, (look as matchmaking chart for more information).

    Lastly, I think the armor in this game looks more cool then the ones in Dark Souls 1!    … Expand
  29. CrossesAndBones
    Jun 12, 2014
    10
    this game is so fun and amazing when I first got on after 2 min I instantly died after sometime I got the hang of it and tried online overall this game is great and people should check it out
  30. Fanaro009
    Jul 11, 2014
    9
    Few times you're going to cross with such a well constructed game. There are critics to it but in this rare case none can ever change the fact that this is an absolute masterpiece, enjoyable from the begining to the end. It is a hardcore game and if you don't want challenges, this is not for you. The game is mysterious and unforgivable, you're going to die a lot. But don't worry, thereFew times you're going to cross with such a well constructed game. There are critics to it but in this rare case none can ever change the fact that this is an absolute masterpiece, enjoyable from the begining to the end. It is a hardcore game and if you don't want challenges, this is not for you. The game is mysterious and unforgivable, you're going to die a lot. But don't worry, there will be plenty of rewards and each weapon or costume you receive will look like water in the desert, an eternal relief and a great hope for the future of your journey.

    Now, to the criticism. Firstly, the multiplayer: it is enjoyable for a while, but then you encounter the inevitable jerks who are virtually undefeatable due to overpowered weapons. Secondly, the ending is just so vague, sudden and anti-climatic... it is not the same as the first one where vagueness gave it a certain charm or glamour, now it feels like someone ran dry of ideas and tried to terminate the project before it went downhill.

    Nevertheless, a collection item, one day this will be remembered certainly as one of the best games of the decade.    … Expand
  31. miked125
    Jul 16, 2014
    9
    Dark Souls 2 is a masterpiece. Well, almost a masterpiece. Dark Souls 2 is VERY challenging. However, not as challenging as the first, and probably more approachable to newcomers of the series. First off, the gameplay is amazing. I found myself sitting through late hours of the night mashing away at cruel and punishing enemies. I died, ALOT. But thats a part of the games appeal. WhenDark Souls 2 is a masterpiece. Well, almost a masterpiece. Dark Souls 2 is VERY challenging. However, not as challenging as the first, and probably more approachable to newcomers of the series. First off, the gameplay is amazing. I found myself sitting through late hours of the night mashing away at cruel and punishing enemies. I died, ALOT. But thats a part of the games appeal. When you finally get through that tough boss that took you hours to finish, its one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever feel. Besides the gameplay (which is near perfect), the lore is also a very interesting part of the game's story as well. Dark souls 2 isnt direct with its story line at all. In fact, the only way your going to end up understanding most of the story behind different bosses, or the land of Drangilec, is by reading up on the history of specific items and souls you get through the game. You'll also be able to talk to different npcs during your playthrough. The reason im not giving this game a perfect score is because doesnt feel all that original. Many bosses, weapons, and even some different areas of the game all feel like they were almost copy and pasted from the original Dark Souls. Also, the game doesnt always feel 100% fair like the first one did. What i mean by this, is that in some areas of the game, you'll encounter enemies or bosses that'll slide and move in your direction as you try to evade. You'll understand if you play the game, and i HIGHLY recommend that you play this near masterpiece.… Expand
  32. LazyHero
    Aug 22, 2014
    10
    Really liked the game, the difficulty is present, but it is always in abundance, and if you lose everything, it is not particularly difficult to return to the state of readiness, the story is quite extensive, there are certainly problems with the fact that I got used to easy games, hard to get used to the fact that skipped beats can be lethal, even when you're in heavy armor and all pastReally liked the game, the difficulty is present, but it is always in abundance, and if you lose everything, it is not particularly difficult to return to the state of readiness, the story is quite extensive, there are certainly problems with the fact that I got used to easy games, hard to get used to the fact that skipped beats can be lethal, even when you're in heavy armor and all past shocks could.… Expand
  33. deathschemist
    Sep 4, 2014
    9
    this game is truely exquisite, one of my favourites of this generation. However its predecessor was superior in almost every way. this has a lot of fake difficulty and the enemy designs, while servicable, are uninspired compared to dark souls 1

    don't get me wrong, i'd rather be playing dark souls 2 than most other games from the last 5 years, but dark souls 1 is just far superior
  34. destructive41
    Sep 17, 2014
    10
    I think DARK SOULS II is indeed the best RPG game I´ve ever played, there are so many games like that, but nothing compares. Thanks for bringing back this incredible simulation of death!
  35. Centrey
    Jul 3, 2015
    8
    I, personally, had no issue with the game on PC nor did I have issue with the game on ps3 - This review on is based solely off of the quality of the game, not the PC port. Dark Souls 2 is often slated for not being 'what the promised' and not being as good as Dark Souls 1, I agree with this. They dumbed down certain features and reduced the quality of the game of PC, and the PvE in theI, personally, had no issue with the game on PC nor did I have issue with the game on ps3 - This review on is based solely off of the quality of the game, not the PC port. Dark Souls 2 is often slated for not being 'what the promised' and not being as good as Dark Souls 1, I agree with this. They dumbed down certain features and reduced the quality of the game of PC, and the PvE in the game (the story line included) was not anywhere near the same level as Dark Souls 1. However, what kept me playing this game for 700 hours+ was instead the PvP. A drastic improvement over Dark Souls 1, with better connectivity, quicker weapons and what I felt was a higher skill cap, due to the new parrying/backstab system. I am aware that there are some that think Dark Souls 1 PvP was superior, but for me, Dark Souls 2 really fixed the issues of Dark Souls 1 PvP.… Expand
  36. DRITZZ_ZARCON
    Oct 5, 2014
    9
    Seeing so many bad reviews I had to re-address the situation for what is an incredible game. I played the first Dark Souls on the Xbox and thus moving onto DS2 on the PC the graphics were much more polished and fluid, a BIG difference. Game play is hard but definitely rewarding, and love the way you can multiplayer the bosses etc.

    One of the best games I've played ever, that says a lot    Seeing so many bad reviews I had to re-address the situation for what is an incredible game. I played the first Dark Souls on the Xbox and thus moving onto DS2 on the PC the graphics were much more polished and fluid, a BIG difference. Game play is hard but definitely rewarding, and love the way you can multiplayer the bosses etc.

    One of the best games I've played ever, that says a lot considering I've been playing games across multiple formats for many a year.Loved it!

    I play with the xbox 360 controller which is fine, and anyone playing with a keyboard and mouse should go out and but a xbox adapter and a 360 controller as so many games now support this    … Expand
  37. Darth_Arrow
    Jun 20, 2015
    9
    Like many people, i loved the original Dark Souls. The second is at least is good as the first. Sure, it doesn't attain the level of world design the first one boasted, but the combat made up for it. From did a much better job porting this to PC. I don't care that much about the graphics being downgraded. The only real gripe i can have is that the boss battles are not as satisfying as theLike many people, i loved the original Dark Souls. The second is at least is good as the first. Sure, it doesn't attain the level of world design the first one boasted, but the combat made up for it. From did a much better job porting this to PC. I don't care that much about the graphics being downgraded. The only real gripe i can have is that the boss battles are not as satisfying as the original. Fingers crossed for DS3 bring the best of the previous souls game; marrying the new combat with the old world design and boss fights. A solid 9 in my book.… Expand
  38. Jucarock
    Apr 28, 2018
    9
    If you played the first Dark Souls, you could find this game easiest. You know the logic behind the game and will face less difficulty. If you not played none of Dark Souls game, well, prepare to die a lot. DS2 improve the "lock target" system from the first game (if you play with mouse and keyboard), because on DS1 it was very difficulty at the beginning of the game. The map is bigger,If you played the first Dark Souls, you could find this game easiest. You know the logic behind the game and will face less difficulty. If you not played none of Dark Souls game, well, prepare to die a lot. DS2 improve the "lock target" system from the first game (if you play with mouse and keyboard), because on DS1 it was very difficulty at the beginning of the game. The map is bigger, more monsters, itens, etc. But the game itself is basically the same. It's very enjoyable at all if you have the patience to learn from your mistakes.… Expand
  39. Glaceon_Hit
    Aug 21, 2020
    9
    I must to say DS2 > DS3 U DS1.
    The 3 games are awesome, but I hate the people that just want to punish From Software for starting a Souls game without Miyazaki. That people say this games sucks, that people is casual.
    It is 3 times more bigger than DS1 and has more uniques zones than DS3. Big problems are the bosses, too many and they are so weak. But some of them have very good storys.    I must to say DS2 > DS3 U DS1.
    The 3 games are awesome, but I hate the people that just want to punish From Software for starting a Souls game without Miyazaki. That people say this games sucks, that people is casual.
    It is 3 times more bigger than DS1 and has more uniques zones than DS3.
    Big problems are the bosses, too many and they are so weak. But some of them have very good storys. I love the storys from the third DLC. Even with this there are good bosses, that reminded me the good bosses from DS1.
    And the zones are so uniques. That when I see the zones from DS3 I cant accept someone saying DS3 is better.
    The mechanics are horrible, yes, but a little better than DS1. And they balanced the classes. Like magic, priest and piromancer, and now they are **** except mage they were always ****.
    How about the story. It is explained by a waifu (half dragon) ... why. Anyways now the npcs are very good guys not like the ones on DS1. And half of the bosses has story, more than 25% from DS1.
    Okay the best part of the game is in the start. Majula. In DS1 you had the Fire Shine, there were 3-4 people but then you could bring a lot of people THAT go away while you continue with the story. But in Majula, everyone is happy there. They are relaxing. You can come here whenever you want to just talk with friends, watch the views, jump to the hole, fight some pigs. Majula is beatiful.    … Expand
  40. Dom007
    Mar 26, 2021
    9
    Dark souls 2 is very flawed, but extremely enjoyable. The customisation and item variety is incredible allowing for multiple replays and playthroughs. Some of the bosses in the Dlc's are great and some of the areas are nicely designed.
    However there are so many weak and poorly designed areas which are just a slog to get through. Some bosses are just downright poor and some enemies are    Dark souls 2 is very flawed, but extremely enjoyable. The customisation and item variety is incredible allowing for multiple replays and playthroughs. Some of the bosses in the Dlc's are great and some of the areas are nicely designed.
    However there are so many weak and poorly designed areas which are just a slog to get through. Some bosses are just downright poor and some enemies are just awful.
    But overall my enjoyment of DS2 makes up for these flaws. A lot of it has to do with the Dlc's which are the best parts of the game for me.    … Expand
  41. Menetys
    Mar 1, 2021
    10
    This game is a little unfair to the player but it's good because IMO dark souls is all about overcoming mighty challenges!

    pvp:10/10
    pve:9/10
  42. coso132
    Oct 16, 2022
    8
    While this is the worst souls game, because of its many technical, narrative, gameplay, and marketing problems, the simple fact that it follows the souls formula and the quantity of content is enough for me to put hundreds of hours in it and have a lot of fun.
  43. Joe2539
    Jan 2, 2023
    10
    Very Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good
  44. deadmonday
    Apr 27, 2014
    8
    Dark Souls games are unique, but sometimes From Software made big mistakes. the first Dark souls was a really bad port but luckily it was saved by the modding community and DSfix. This time From Software promised us a better PC experience and at first look they delivered it. The game looks really good, it feels fluid and reactive but there are still some problems. At first there was theDark Souls games are unique, but sometimes From Software made big mistakes. the first Dark souls was a really bad port but luckily it was saved by the modding community and DSfix. This time From Software promised us a better PC experience and at first look they delivered it. The game looks really good, it feels fluid and reactive but there are still some problems. At first there was the start up crash which is luckily easy to solve but really annoying and then the game crashed a few times. but the game is playable and they are right now working on a patch to solve the problems. I can't say anything about the keyboard and mouse controls because I'm used to play the first dark souls with the 360 game pad and I'll continue to play with it in Dark souls 2. It's really hard to talk about the game without spoiling anything but I'll try it. The game is harder then the first one. at least the normal enemies are. sadly the bosses are a bit easier. Invasions and summoning works within seconds and the loading screens are so short that I can't read the descriptions in a normal reading speed. All in all it's a great looking game with a special feeling to it, but it needs to be patched or good ol' trusty patches will kick fromsoftware into the abyss!… Expand
  45. kcotten
    May 17, 2014
    10
    Absolutely amazing game. Bought it on both the PC and bought a Playstation to play it on the the PS3 while I waited. Only gripe was the low level of difficulty, but then again it's said your first souls game is the hardest.

    Never had a single issue being reported in the negative reviews. One very important item of note...this is a SOULS game, a controller is a must. Make sure you    Absolutely amazing game. Bought it on both the PC and bought a Playstation to play it on the the PS3 while I waited. Only gripe was the low level of difficulty, but then again it's said your first souls game is the hardest.

    Never had a single issue being reported in the negative reviews.

    One very important item of note...this is a SOULS game, a controller is a must. Make sure you grab a controller when picking this title up on PC, otherwise you'll be cheating yourself out of a large portion of the experience.    … Expand
  46. Stalker2033
    May 15, 2014
    10
    like most of people i was bit disappointed when they downgrade the graphic and atmosphere in the actual game .
    i played demon souls and dark soul 1 and i can safely say that dark souls 2 is great successor to DS1 .
    -even when graphic is downgrade it alot .it still look pretty decent and better than DS1 .animation and mechanics have been improved . -added tons of new wapons and armors    like most of people i was bit disappointed when they downgrade the graphic and atmosphere in the actual game .
    i played demon souls and dark soul 1 and i can safely say that dark souls 2 is great successor to DS1 .
    -even when graphic is downgrade it alot .it still look pretty decent and better than DS1 .animation and mechanics have been improved .
    -added tons of new wapons and armors and still keeping alot of familiar weapons and armors from DS1 like elite knight set or the moonlight blade
    -the combat system is fun ...well (fun) is not the most accurate word .i guess you can say intense ..the moment miss an attack or failed to parry .you are probably died .specially in the pvp.
    -amazing bosses ost just like DS1.
    the game is really beautiful and hardcore .as you can see most low ratings here are from people who sucks at playing or people who cant run the game .if you loved demon souls and dark souls then you will diffidently love this one .    … Expand
  47. Gixkung
    May 18, 2014
    8
    S II is much better port than first one.Lightening can be fixed with mods.This game is total different than other ARPG, and here no light ways only hard.Everytime you dyie you learn something from your mistake and next time you behave more cautiously.

    P.s. dont listen crying babies who crying that game is to hard.Casuals must stay in facebook games and dont take hand on real players games.
  48. Derek_Bum
    May 19, 2014
    10
    If you're looking at Dark Souls 2, or even Dark Souls 1, and thinking to yourself "Do I have the balls to tackle a game like this?" Well the answer is gonna be "No". But I'll also tell you this, you're going to pick up that game anyway and give it your best shot because at the end of the day, even though you may be terrified, frustrated, or downright p*ssed off that you can't get through aIf you're looking at Dark Souls 2, or even Dark Souls 1, and thinking to yourself "Do I have the balls to tackle a game like this?" Well the answer is gonna be "No". But I'll also tell you this, you're going to pick up that game anyway and give it your best shot because at the end of the day, even though you may be terrified, frustrated, or downright p*ssed off that you can't get through a level, the feeling of pure ecstasy when defeating a tough boss, or actually even an annoyingly placed enemy, well...not game can beat that feeling.

    10 out of 10 - Would tear my hair out again    … Expand
  49. Pmstz
    Jan 31, 2023
    9
    masterpiece

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  50. Scurvy
    Apr 28, 2014
    8
    Keyboard and mouse is playable, despite what people here are saying. You do need to remap a few keys and adjust sensitivity to make it functional, and they didn't get rid of the console prompts - but it is fine and responsive if you put time to set it up. Some of Froms default keys are pretty badly placed, some horribly placed, which is why I think most of the complaints are influenced by.Keyboard and mouse is playable, despite what people here are saying. You do need to remap a few keys and adjust sensitivity to make it functional, and they didn't get rid of the console prompts - but it is fine and responsive if you put time to set it up. Some of Froms default keys are pretty badly placed, some horribly placed, which is why I think most of the complaints are influenced by. I actually feel more confident with mouse and keyboard in this game than with a controller.

    The game looks nice, its an improvement from the console versions. But it still suffers from not being as good as their teasers, probably due to the redesigns they probably had to do to get a nice framerate on consoles. There are some bad textures, tiled textures, cardboard cutout backgrounds, a few badly placed enemies and seemingly pointless empty areas that screams redesigned levels - at least to me. Regardless, its likely to get mods soon enough - which is hopefully possible without threat of VAC bans

    But, it is a fun and worthy title entry to the souls series. It improves upon some of the gameplay and mechanics, but some decisions will be controversial; like the despawning enemies after they have been killed often enough, and how invasions have a smaller presence.

    Its a console port, but its not a bad one. If you enjoyed previous Souls games, you will probably enjoy it, but some may find the feel of the game has changed and it has lost a little bit of the charm. Its one of my favorite games to come out of late, but it has a few problems.    … Expand
  51. JudgmentJay
    Apr 29, 2014
    10
    For this review, I'll first talk about the game itself then at the end talk about the PC version in particular.

    Dark Souls 2 is a great addition to the Souls series. If you liked the previous two games, then you're almost guaranteed to like this one. Core gameplay remains mostly the same. The combat is just as fluid, difficult, and satisfying as the previous titles. A huge variety of    For this review, I'll first talk about the game itself then at the end talk about the PC version in particular.

    Dark Souls 2 is a great addition to the Souls series. If you liked the previous two games, then you're almost guaranteed to like this one. Core gameplay remains mostly the same. The combat is just as fluid, difficult, and satisfying as the previous titles. A huge variety of weapons and playstyles gives the game a ton of replay value, just like the first two.

    The story is still minimal, the dialogue is in the same vein, and the lore is seemingly just as deep. Sound and music are fantastic as well.

    PvP and co-op PvE I feel is the best in the series. Summons/invasions are fast and thanks to PC load times are extremely quick. Multiplayer sessions feel more responsive and are less prone to lag due to dedicated servers.

    Now, a few differences/nitpicks: First, there are more bonfires than Dark Souls 1, and I feel that they are too close together. To be honest I thought Dark Souls 1 had too many, and this one has even more. Too many checkpoints removes some of the tension in the game, something that I feel Demon's Souls did best.

    Second, a few of the areas feel very bland from an aesthetic standpoint. I don't mind bleak and barren landscapes, but they actually just feel... unpolished/unfinished. Especially when compared to other areas in the game which look gorgeous. They're look so bad that they take me out of the experience a bit. Fortunately both areas in question are very short.

    Finally, and this one is purely subjective, I feel that the game is noticeably easier than the previous two titles. The aforementioned bonfire placement, enemies that despawn after being killed a certain number of times, a certain easily obtainable ring, and extremely strong NPC summons combine to provide an overall easier game.

    Devil's advocate on the third nitpick, there are also ways to make the game harder for those seeking a challenge. The Company of Champions covenant, joinable at the beginning of the game, simply increases enemy health and damage across the board. New Game+ is also considerably different and more challenging this time around with more enemies, different enemy placements, and lots of black phantoms that are often strategically placed to maximize their likelihood of killing you. There are also armors/weapons/spells that are exclusive to NG+/++. Finally, there is a reward for beating the game without dying and one for beating the game without using a bonfire. Pretty cool.

    All in all, it's a great game and it does some things better and some things worse than the other games. In my opinion, Demon's Souls is best for atmosphere/mood, Dark Souls is best for core PvE gameplay and lore, and Dark Souls 2 is best for PvP/co-op.

    As for the PC version, it is by far the definitive experience. 1080p+ (I'm downsampling from 4k) resolution, 60 FPS, 2-3 second load times, ability to use mods, and the ability to play with whatever input method you want make it so much nicer than the console version. I played about 100 hours on the PS3 version, and now that I've played the PC version I regret all 100 of those hours. The console versions are a blurry, sluggish, choppy mess in comparison.

    As a side note, I can't help but wonder how many of these negative reviews of the PC version are due to personal ineptitude when it comes to computers. Also, who the hell calls themselves a PC gamer and doesn't own a controller of some sort? I agree that KB+M is the best input method for many genres, but not all.    … Expand
  52. EclipseEx
    May 1, 2014
    10
    Do not listen to the reviews that say that the game does not work as it has already been fixed. You will miss out on one of the best games available right now.

    The game looks fantastic on max settings.

    You will want to use a gamepad. Period.

    Your first death will likely come from three little pigs.

    Praise the sun!!
  53. an_african
    Apr 28, 2014
    10
    The game is definitely one of the best this year. The only complaint I have is of the keyboard/mouse settings. They are not ideally optimized, but they did try more than they did with Dark souls 1. I had to buy a controller specifically for this game. I guess the improved graphics and framerate make up for it.

    Other than that everything is basically just as good or better than the    The game is definitely one of the best this year. The only complaint I have is of the keyboard/mouse settings. They are not ideally optimized, but they did try more than they did with Dark souls 1. I had to buy a controller specifically for this game. I guess the improved graphics and framerate make up for it.

    Other than that everything is basically just as good or better than the first dark souls. Some of the zones are absolutely amazing and beat anything in the first dark souls. 10/10 from me    … Expand
  54. TheMitherer
    Feb 7, 2023
    9
    First of all, I don't like being lied to. Blatant lies just to line someone's pockets are even worse. So -2 marks straightaway. This was not developed fist and foremost for PC. Not a chance. Gameplay and PVP are still very good, some of the innovations were good and bad at the same time. Ascetics for example - good of you want a sudden increase in difficulty and more loot, but bad becauseFirst of all, I don't like being lied to. Blatant lies just to line someone's pockets are even worse. So -2 marks straightaway. This was not developed fist and foremost for PC. Not a chance. Gameplay and PVP are still very good, some of the innovations were good and bad at the same time. Ascetics for example - good of you want a sudden increase in difficulty and more loot, but bad because some cheesy items could be farmed limitlessly with minimal effort, eg Gower's ring. They also dampened my desire to actually go to NG+. Respeccing is a good idea, lifegems just made the game a lot easier. Seed of a tree of giants was a good idea, soul memory was so-so. Some bosses were extremely hard solo but stupid easy with a summon. Other bosses were just easy full stop. On the whole I would say the game was easier than its predecessor and not quite as good. But definitely still worth playing. Probably deserves an 8 but doesn't get it for reasons already explained and those reasons ruined any chance that this developer got any DLC sale off me. After a long time I have upped my score to 9 purely because I love the PvP in this game and had many hours of fun with it. Best PvP in the series by a long way.… Expand
  55. Femtoo
    Apr 28, 2014
    10
    A great game and a great port and thanks Durante great graphics. The gameplay, the atmosphere is unreal again. Online component has many improvements. Thank FromSoftware for this awesome experience.
  56. DandyManInSpace
    May 5, 2014
    10
    I'm seriously facepalming at the negative reviews. Half of them don't even offer any valid reasons as to why they rated it so low, they're just trendy hipsters that like to be the minority. The game is beautiful, has nice graphics and the K&M controls ARE comfortable once you get familiar with them. The other half of the reviews fail to see the positives in this game and focus purely onI'm seriously facepalming at the negative reviews. Half of them don't even offer any valid reasons as to why they rated it so low, they're just trendy hipsters that like to be the minority. The game is beautiful, has nice graphics and the K&M controls ARE comfortable once you get familiar with them. The other half of the reviews fail to see the positives in this game and focus purely on the negatives. Don't listen to them and give this beast of a game a shot, see the epicness for yourself.… Expand
  57. ompor
    May 4, 2014
    10
    Awesome game , better pc port (still not great) . You will die and learn ,this games makes winning or passing a difficult place an amazing feeling that everybody should feel. If you get angry at call of duty or anything at all this is not a game for you (Btw call of duty sucks) .
  58. khjir
    Apr 29, 2014
    9
    Well my first post on mc, only to soften damage, done by some silly people. :)

    The game itself is well, no questions here. But as far as PC port goes - let me say, graphics + mods, 60fps, somewhat not that bad menu browsing with partly mouse navigation and horrid console design - yep it's there. But now it's usable, not like first game. So get used to it or skip, really if menus do    Well my first post on mc, only to soften damage, done by some silly people. :)

    The game itself is well, no questions here.
    But as far as PC port goes - let me say, graphics + mods, 60fps, somewhat not that bad menu browsing with partly mouse navigation and horrid console design - yep it's there. But now it's usable, not like first game. So get used to it or skip, really if menus do anger you, don't even bother.

    now controls - first i was kinda 'meh'. tried it for few hours. and now i'm rolling :) with some minor tweaks to control scheme, no mods or etc. just give it a fair try, try to get used to it, and you will be ok :) again - not perfect, but really good. i'm finishing lost bastille now, but my achievement is = no man's warth with no deaths at all, with keyboard without any fancy stuff.

    so overall pc game is good, it lacks some stuff but nothing seriuos. game itself is fantastic :) ill give my 9 just because i'm not into 0/10 :)    … Expand
  59. Freeportaa
    Apr 29, 2014
    10
    9.5

    Amazing game, near-prefect port makes a great game even better! I have not had a single crash or problem since I started the game up a number of days ago and I've already put 20 hours into it already. The port runs at 1080p @ 60fps with 2-3 second load screens on an i7 as opposed to 15-25 seconds load screens on the PS3 (which I've already put 200+ hours into that version). People    9.5

    Amazing game, near-prefect port makes a great game even better! I have not had a single crash or problem since I started the game up a number of days ago and I've already put 20 hours into it already. The port runs at 1080p @ 60fps with 2-3 second load screens on an i7 as opposed to 15-25 seconds load screens on the PS3 (which I've already put 200+ hours into that version). People who are having problems with game crashes at start up are in the VAST minority and FromSoft is aware and working on a fix. In fact, I believe they have patched it and it's working for more people. Others who've complained that keyboard and mouse being horrible are incorrect. Mouse + Keyboard DO take a while to setup but it's quite intuitive after taking the time to get acquainted with that setup and getting a feel for the combat (which can take time even on a controller). Yes, the button prompts use Xbox 360 icons and so do the stones in the tutorial, if you can get past this hump you will find the controls do work well. My personal preference is for a Xbox 360 controller or any game pad in general, that is the easier option as this game was designed for one and works great. As you can see the Metascore for this game is a 9.1. Critics who know what the Souls series is about give this game a great score. I believe people who don't like the game are casuals who didn't expect this game to be as difficult as it is or are disappointed that this game is not quite up to Dark Souls near-perfect standards and have cheated themselves out of a stellar experience. I've seen people walk into sequels (video game, movies etc) with incredibly high (unreal!?) expectations and get burned for it. If you've never played a Souls series game do some research, walk into this game with an open mind and you will have a good time.    … Expand
  60. superexplosive
    May 1, 2014
    10
    Before I begin this review there are some things I'd like to get out of the way:

    1. Being bad at the game does not make it a bad game 2. Not being able to run the game does not make it a bad game 3. This game should not be compared so closely to other RPG's like the oh-so-popular Skyrim With those three points cleared up, I find it satisfying to say that Dark Souls II is a    Before I begin this review there are some things I'd like to get out of the way:

    1. Being bad at the game does not make it a bad game
    2. Not being able to run the game does not make it a bad game
    3. This game should not be compared so closely to other RPG's like the oh-so-popular Skyrim

    With those three points cleared up, I find it satisfying to say that Dark Souls II is a fantastic game.

    Following its predecessor Dark Souls, this sequel brings the same "Prepare to Die" mentality that veterans of the series are familiar with. In fact, Dark Souls II returns this same attitude alongside new characters, weapons, area designs, game mechanics and polished graphics. Upon first startup (by the way, I had NO startup issues whatsoever) I got the "Me vs. The World" feeling that I knew so well from the previous game. Upon navigating the locations that surround Majula, I could see various enemies waiting to kill me, yet I felt so alone. This is a feeling that I am rarely presented with in any other game. Needless to say, I like it a lot.

    Certainly this wouldn't be much of a review if I only shared my praises for Dark Souls II.
    There are really only two minor hiccups that I would like to discuss, the first being the "no-respawn" mechanic. After killing an enemy 15 times in Dark Souls II, they cease to return to life upon your resting at a bonfire. As this was not the case in Dark Souls (the first), I think it should have been an optional mechanic. While it may help players that can't seem to overcome certain foes, it also hinders the collection of items from enemy drops. I found this personally irritating while trying to obtain all pieces of an armor set only to find that I could no longer kill the enemy that dropped those pieces. That being said, this problem can be solved fairly easily with the use of a Bonfire Ascetic. Although the ascetic will increase the difficulty of an enemy, this shouldn't be much of a problem for the seasoned Dark Souls player.

    The second slight issue that I found with this game was the fact that sorceries have a ridiculous damage output. As I went to fight the Guardian Dragon boss with two phantom magic-users, I was a bit disappointed to see that such an epic looking dragon was destroyed within under a minute. I am inclined to believe that this is related to the power of the spells rather than the weakness of the boss (at least in this case). Casting may get annoying in PvP as well, but it can be contained if you know how to properly fight close-ranged.

    All in all, I will give Dark Souls II a 9.5/10 (rounded my score here up to 10).
    As a past fan of the Souls series, I definitely consider this entry worthy of its title and would recommend it to any gamer willing to put in a little effort and maybe some tears.    … Expand
  61. KamranMackey
    Apr 30, 2014
    10
    Dark Souls II is much better than it's predecessor Dark Souls. (I'm gonna be talking about the PC version in this review.) The PC port of the game is much better than the port of the original Dark Souls to the PC. The FPS limit in the Dark Souls 2 PC port has been lifted from 30 FPS in the original Dark Souls to a smooth 60 frames per second. From Software has also implemented a ton ofDark Souls II is much better than it's predecessor Dark Souls. (I'm gonna be talking about the PC version in this review.) The PC port of the game is much better than the port of the original Dark Souls to the PC. The FPS limit in the Dark Souls 2 PC port has been lifted from 30 FPS in the original Dark Souls to a smooth 60 frames per second. From Software has also implemented a ton of graphics settings, unlike the original Dark Souls where you had to download a tool called dsfix to change the graphics settings. The combat system in Dark Souls 2 is also a lot better than the original's. They have also added many more options to the Character Customization screen so you can customize your character even more than you were able to in Dark Souls 1. They have also added new weapons and a new balanced player progression system. Everything about Dark Souls 2 is awesome, and the PC port of the game is much better than the terrible Dark Souls 1 PC port. Highly recommend you grab this game on the PC. There are a couple issues with the PC port though but From Software and NAMCO BANDAI are working hard to fix the issues and there aren't even that many issues with the game. So go out and grab this game. It's worth every penny.… Expand
  62. invizo
    Apr 30, 2014
    10
    Works flawlessly on a 780 GTX and 3rd Gen i7 system. Using a Dualshock 4 PS4 controller on a USB cable for my PC and it is in every way superior to the console counterparts. Game is well optimized allowing me 4x Supersample of 2560x1440 and it runs a solid 60 FPS. No crashes or hiccups as seen in the '0' score reviews; they probably have old hardware.
  63. xveganroxx
    Apr 30, 2014
    10
    This is the definitive Dark Souls experience. Yes, you will die, sometimes seemingly unfairly. Yes, you should use a 360 controller. Yes, people will invade you and stab you in the back. No, if someone tells you "Try jumping for treasure!" off a cliff, you shouldn't. No, you can't play it on a 2005 Celeron with onboard graphics. Yes, this is the most immersive and rewarding modern actionThis is the definitive Dark Souls experience. Yes, you will die, sometimes seemingly unfairly. Yes, you should use a 360 controller. Yes, people will invade you and stab you in the back. No, if someone tells you "Try jumping for treasure!" off a cliff, you shouldn't. No, you can't play it on a 2005 Celeron with onboard graphics. Yes, this is the most immersive and rewarding modern action RPG experience available. Get it.… Expand
  64. drebin8
    Apr 28, 2014
    10
    While it isn't quite as good as Demon's Souls or Dark Souls, it's still a very enjoyable title. It's definitely worth playing, and I'm looking forward to the next entry.
  65. 90ne1
    Apr 26, 2014
    10
    Really solid PC port of a great game. The one flaw I've noticed in the port is that all control instructions are given as the Xbox controller buttons, regardless of whether or not the player is using a controller. If you're using a controller, this makes no difference, and I don't feel it takes away from the quality of the port much. Really fleshed out graphical options, full 60fps/1080pReally solid PC port of a great game. The one flaw I've noticed in the port is that all control instructions are given as the Xbox controller buttons, regardless of whether or not the player is using a controller. If you're using a controller, this makes no difference, and I don't feel it takes away from the quality of the port much. Really fleshed out graphical options, full 60fps/1080p support without the need for fan made mods. If you don't already have this game for a console, it's more than worth picking up.… Expand
  66. backInBone
    Apr 30, 2014
    10
    I'm now on half way of the game and can't help come and rate this a 10/10 before I finish it. It runs smooth and looks beautiful on PC. Also I don't see any problem with the keyboard&mouse control (for some actions it's even more convenient than using a gamepad). I feel all excited while playing. It's like I'm fighting in the game world myself, every single miss may lead me to death. I love it.
  67. abraxes
    Apr 29, 2014
    10
    It seem a lot of people are upset about the port not being as wonderful as they'd like. I suggest getting a controller (they're like twenty bucks... come on, guys) and get down to business playing this AMAZING game from From Software until your eyes start to bleed... Dark Souls 2 is a worthy successor to an incredible rpg that stands out in the crowd like the absolute gem that it is. IfIt seem a lot of people are upset about the port not being as wonderful as they'd like. I suggest getting a controller (they're like twenty bucks... come on, guys) and get down to business playing this AMAZING game from From Software until your eyes start to bleed... Dark Souls 2 is a worthy successor to an incredible rpg that stands out in the crowd like the absolute gem that it is. If you liked the first two, don't be fooled by people whining about the port-- we should be grateful to be able to play this on PC. DS 2 is everything I hoped for, and more.… Expand
  68. Bladia
    Apr 28, 2014
    10
    I am a PC gamer, but I played DS on my gamepad. I play DS2 with KM, because I my gamepad is broken. I spent over two hours to set keys for mouse/keyboard. And after more than 23 hours in game, not even in the half of the first playthrough I might say, it feels pretty comfortable.

    Graphics are awesome (better than console version, trust me, I could compare it live), FPS is just great, I    I am a PC gamer, but I played DS on my gamepad. I play DS2 with KM, because I my gamepad is broken. I spent over two hours to set keys for mouse/keyboard. And after more than 23 hours in game, not even in the half of the first playthrough I might say, it feels pretty comfortable.

    Graphics are awesome (better than console version, trust me, I could compare it live), FPS is just great, I never recognized any FPS drops or something - game is very smooth. Everything is great, I haven´t a single issue.

    And gameplay? Dark Souls 10/10.    … Expand
  69. PcIsMasterRace
    Apr 29, 2014
    10
    As every Souls game it's
    "Hate it or love it"
    If u liked DS1 u will LOVE DS2.
    If u hate DS1 u will hate DS2.
    And don't play this Game without a gamepad, it's not mend to play with a Keyboard so accept it.
    it's the same as playing a FPS with a gamepad on PC.
  70. Worldeater_PS4
    Apr 28, 2014
    9
    CHANGE THE PROMPTS TO PC CONTROLS !!!! NOT X-BOX!!!!!! "press y" means press enter, Press"a" blah blah blah, cant believe they didnt even bother with that !!!

    I loved no1, i just got a PS4 and sold the ps3, so PC is was !! The game plays very well, and is just as deadly as the last, this is not a charge in swinging game, as it wasnt before, feels like an upgraded extention of the    CHANGE THE PROMPTS TO PC CONTROLS !!!! NOT X-BOX!!!!!! "press y" means press enter, Press"a" blah blah blah, cant believe they didnt even bother with that !!!

    I loved no1, i just got a PS4 and sold the ps3, so PC is was !!
    The game plays very well, and is just as deadly as the last, this is not a charge in swinging game, as it wasnt before, feels like an upgraded extention of the lastone.

    Fantastic............just hurry up and change the prompts................have you done it yet ??.............very very annoying and lazy................................................how about now ???    … Expand
  71. Rokyn
    Apr 29, 2014
    9
    Captures the same atmosphere and difficulty as the predecessor, huge world full of secrets and bosses and many ways to engage in pvp, which works very well. My only problem is that you can't viably go strictly ranged combat, but I also can't imagine how they would pull that off with how the game is built.
    All in all it's a really great game, that I would recommend to anyone that enjoyed    Captures the same atmosphere and difficulty as the predecessor, huge world full of secrets and bosses and many ways to engage in pvp, which works very well. My only problem is that you can't viably go strictly ranged combat, but I also can't imagine how they would pull that off with how the game is built.
    All in all it's a really great game, that I would recommend to anyone that enjoyed the prequel, or who didn't play the prequel solely because of the bad port (much better now whoop!).    … Expand
  72. yogibbear
    May 4, 2014
    9
    I'm only 30 hrs in, and ~30% of the way through my first playthrough. The game is an extension on the previous concepts of Dark Souls & Demon Souls. Probably the most obvious "negative" is that the world is no longer as interconnected as Dark Souls was. This is both due to having the ability to warp between bonfires from the get go, and the increased world size making theI'm only 30 hrs in, and ~30% of the way through my first playthrough. The game is an extension on the previous concepts of Dark Souls & Demon Souls. Probably the most obvious "negative" is that the world is no longer as interconnected as Dark Souls was. This is both due to having the ability to warp between bonfires from the get go, and the increased world size making the interconnect-Dark-Souls level design an impracticality. Ignoring the "world layout", the actual levels themselves, enemies, and atmosphere are spot on. Always something interesting to do and always having multiple paths open for progression. The combat & levelling mechanics have been given an overhaul and they are now super sweet. The changes to agility, poise, adaptability & two attribute required progression for certain stats means the early builds can vary greatly, and the impact on your ability to dodge, hit, and sustain in combat is noticeable as you level up. The PVE & PVP are now both balanced beautifully to encourage both players that enjoy PVE and Co-op, as well as those that want to do PVP. But no longer do you need separate characters for PVE and PVP, and can play the same character through to NG+++ due to the implementation of soul memory.
    TLDR: If you enjoyed any aspect of Demon Souls or Dark Souls then you will love this game. Run flawlessly on my PC, I use the 360 gamepad (because you need to with this game). Yeah the PVP can suffer from lag issues, but that doesn't reduce the game from being at the very least a 9/10. Get it and love it. All builds are viable. All playstyles are viable. Basically the game is exceptional and probably the best game that will come out in 2014.    … Expand
  73. morpj
    May 5, 2014
    10
    I have to add my positive review to help counter the 197 (!) negative reviews. I bought the game about a week after launch and I had none of the initial issues people have reported. I have played maybe 35 or so hours. For me, this is my game of the year so far! Here are some of the reasons why:

    1) Gameplay. This is the most “kinetic” swords and shields game I’ve ever played. Every    I have to add my positive review to help counter the 197 (!) negative reviews. I bought the game about a week after launch and I had none of the initial issues people have reported. I have played maybe 35 or so hours. For me, this is my game of the year so far! Here are some of the reasons why:

    1) Gameplay. This is the most “kinetic” swords and shields game I’ve ever played. Every weapon is modelled not just in appearance but also performance. It gives the game an ultra-realistic feel that I just love. The difficulty level is hard but honestly it makes the game special. I took me hours to beat some of the bosses but the feeling of accomplishment was unmatched.

    2) Design. This game is lovely. Many locations are breathtaking and truly original. The storyline is awesome and the attention to detail amazing.

    3) Performance. I'm running this game on a Razer Blade connected to a TV, and it runs perfectly at high detail with no stuttering and high frame rates. No CTDs, no slow-downs, just excellent performance.

    4) Control scheme. I recommend playing this game with an XBox controller – this is how it's meant to be played! I usually play games on my PC with keyboard and mouse but it just feels so kinetic and natural playing with a controller. I understand the keyboard controls are tough, but this is the perfect game to take that leap and try a controller. A new XBox controller + receiver is about $55 on Amazon.

    5) Community. It’s like a single-player MMO. The messages, the bloodstains, the invasions all come together to deliver a truly immersive experience.

    Overall this is a game that I can see myself spending hundred+ hours playing, moving very slowly through all the levels and experiencing every aspect. I really respect the developers and encourage everyone to buy and play this game!    … Expand
  74. BeanyUndead
    Apr 30, 2014
    9
    Dark Souls II is a great game. It is let down slightly by the fact that the console-port is not as complete as I think many people would have hoped, but it is still extremely well executed. The mouse movement is smooth and attacks/actions are crisp and feel ‘weighty’. The only problem is that the ‘instructions’ the game provides, especially in the tutorial zone, are all console-commands,Dark Souls II is a great game. It is let down slightly by the fact that the console-port is not as complete as I think many people would have hoped, but it is still extremely well executed. The mouse movement is smooth and attacks/actions are crisp and feel ‘weighty’. The only problem is that the ‘instructions’ the game provides, especially in the tutorial zone, are all console-commands, making learning how to play a little tedious at first. But as YouTube offers numerous ‘getting started’ guides, this is not a big problem.
    The game masters atmosphere like no other, presenting a bleak and emotionally crushing fantasy world that looks as though it has reached the end of a very long history and is crumbling before time. The characters are well voice acted, the dialogue provided is excellent given the genre and effect the designers were going for and above all, it all comes together to form a deep and often surprising gaming experience. Combat is exceptional and challenging. Level design is simply inspired!
    The game is hard but with patience you can always master its challenges. Remember one thing! Anyone who gave this game a rating below 7 (which is the lowest score even the most critical reviewer could legitimately justify) is not being a good reviewer. They are allow their own highly specific problems dominate their opinion of the entire game because they are angry. It is an excellent game!    … Expand
  75. jdotjdot7
    May 3, 2014
    10
    Bought this game for $40 from GMG, have to say, highly impressed. Had high expectations and this game met them. The controls? Well they are pretty bad, but spend 5 minutes toying around with them and you can make it almost entirely like Dark Souls 1 controls on PC (Which I am used to and prefer, even over a controller). The MAIN issue I had was if you unbind double left/right click, theBought this game for $40 from GMG, have to say, highly impressed. Had high expectations and this game met them. The controls? Well they are pretty bad, but spend 5 minutes toying around with them and you can make it almost entirely like Dark Souls 1 controls on PC (Which I am used to and prefer, even over a controller). The MAIN issue I had was if you unbind double left/right click, the game still counts them as inputs and so once unbound, your character will stand still if you double left click, just took a bit of time to get used to it and now it's fine.

    Overall, the game got a bit harder in some areas, easier in others. There are a few bosses that are simple and easy, and then some that will have you screaming at the screen. There's a new system that stops respawning enemies after they die 15 times which means technically the game has limited resources (without the use of Bonfire ascetics). Now, when you die, you lose max hp that can only be regained by becoming human again, this debuff stacks until you have 50% hp (or 80% with a certain ring). This can make the game much more difficult as you'll likely have a lower hp at all times.

    Overall, combat is awesome, pvp is alive, and the game's atmosphere is breathtaking. Some people say Skyrim looks beautiful but it has never made me admire it's scenery, whereas Dark Souls has a unique atmosphere that's pretty creative and makes great use of both light and darkness, the story, like before is something you piece together on your own, and it's riddled with mysteries waiting to be solved.

    Great game and I can gladly say I was among the first 2000 to beat it on PC.    … Expand
  76. GRiMtox
    Apr 29, 2014
    10
    While the first game was a really bad port and only enjoyable with a controller and the DSFix, the second part only requires the first one. This game is one of the best games ever made, so was the first one. The atmosphere, the gamedesign, the mechanics; everything is extremly well coordinated and makes this game to one of the best RPGs of all time. If you are frusttollerant and have aWhile the first game was a really bad port and only enjoyable with a controller and the DSFix, the second part only requires the first one. This game is one of the best games ever made, so was the first one. The atmosphere, the gamedesign, the mechanics; everything is extremly well coordinated and makes this game to one of the best RPGs of all time. If you are frusttollerant and have a fetish for dark places, this game is for you.… Expand
  77. sniperlawless10
    Apr 29, 2014
    10
    I would give this a 9.8 this game dark souls 2 is a true dark souls game, I started with demon souls though that is the hardest one so far I am glad they made it a little more easier For the first playthrough it is a hard game even so, and if you want to make it even harder you can put a specific item at a bonfire and it will re spawn all the enemy npc in the area, if you killed theirI would give this a 9.8 this game dark souls 2 is a true dark souls game, I started with demon souls though that is the hardest one so far I am glad they made it a little more easier For the first playthrough it is a hard game even so, and if you want to make it even harder you can put a specific item at a bonfire and it will re spawn all the enemy npc in the area, if you killed their respawns 10 times. The bosses also come back after using that item so if you wanted to trade your boss soul for one of the 3 choices you have to get a spear or shield or bow you can do that as well. The Pc graphics are much better than the console version, After the tutorial you will see this excellent artistic area, the water is just drop down jaw dropping and the wind that moves the grass is even a better site, a lot of the levels have fantastic graphic quality. Even at 1600x900 it looks amazing, I can't say it has better graphics than crysis but it has better art. So I plugged it in my TV that is 1920x1080 and it looked even better, resolution changes everything. But then I heard about a tool called Gedosatotool it is a mod that is in alpha stage and it basically means that you can down sample and it is most compatible with dark souls 2 so far it did not crash my game. I set it to 3840x2160 and changed the Anti alaising to ultra and started the game. And boy does it now look better than ever it looks like the game play trailers that were out before down sampling really helps the game look 5 times better than what it is. This game is truly optimized for low end- high end gaming machines a mid end can run this game max settings 60 frames no problem. I am using a old processor back from 2007 called the Intel core 2 Q6600 quad core at 2.4ghz and a gtx 550ti graphics card and 4.5gb ram and the game runs 60 fps with the down sampling enabled. The controls are much better on keyboard and mouse than the previous dark souls game, you are allowed to change keybindings ect. You can also plug in a controller of your choice. I have plugged in my Ds4 playstation 4 controller and it worked like a blast I also downloaded the playstation controller texture pack mod so it replaces the xbox controllers buttons with playstation buttons. The gameplay is really remarkable, one little tiny mistake can get you killed, even against weaker opponents that seem harmless can sneak up to your back and kill you with one back stab, You have to be aware of your surroundings, otherwise you will die a lot. The boss fights are incredible, they are such a challenge especially when you have to fight through tough opponents to reach the fog boss area gate, where no bonfire will be present so if you die you will have to plow through them again and waste healing potions ect. But thanks to there limited re spawn once you go through it about 10 times they will stop spawning. The bosses fight very aggressively you will die a few times before learning there moves and predicting on what they will do next, one of the hardest bosses I though was hard to learn was the looking glass boss I do not look at tutorials and I ended up die about 20 times before being able to predict all his moves and finally kill it. The bosses are very smart and some of the tougher bosses will not allow you to summon npc phantoms which is awesome because I never use phantoms anyways or player help. the souls you gather from bosses can be than traded for their swords, shield, spears, bows ect... which all each have their own special attack that the boss used in the fight against you. The atmosphere of the game is amazing you will hear singing from npcs, awesome voice acting, Excellent music when your fighting bosses that are just epic. You will hear every sword swing that hits a rock or deflects off of a shield in its own way. You also get to level up your character according to how you want to play if you want to be a mage you specifically put most of your souls towards that or, range or melee you do the same to them. This game is truly a souls game that will last 60-100 hours through the first play through and after you beat the game you will get to play it again with all your gear ect.. and start all over with even more of a challenge and after that their is a another NG++ Which is even more difficult hard.… Expand
  78. CodeX96
    May 5, 2014
    10
    Do not believe the people whining about the controls, graphics, or it not working. They are simply not intelligent enough to look at the key bindings, change the resolution in the games video setup section, or bother actually playing the game. This game is just as good as Dark Souls and improves on nearly every aspect of the first game. Devoted servers make the online much easier toDo not believe the people whining about the controls, graphics, or it not working. They are simply not intelligent enough to look at the key bindings, change the resolution in the games video setup section, or bother actually playing the game. This game is just as good as Dark Souls and improves on nearly every aspect of the first game. Devoted servers make the online much easier to handle. The graphics as compared to the Xbox version (I own both) are insanely better. PC: 4k/1080p (As high as your screen allows) at 60fps, and yes, with an AMD video card. Did I mention seamless controls, environment, and no frame skips? Not even lag. The best part is quick loading. Instead of a whole minute on Xbox, it is about a second on PC. Xbox: 720p, 30fps, lag and long load times, with some occasional frame drops.

    This game is the pinnacle version of Dark Souls II. It is easily playable even on low end computers, and works like a charm even with keyboard and mouse. Ignore the low scores, this game is a true gem.

    Xbox/PS3 Version
    9/10
    30fps at 720p, occasional framedrops
    Long load times, annoying when you teleport a lot between areas.
    Online play can be a little messy on Xbox servers, no word for PS3 as I don't have it.
    Ideal controller for gameplay

    PC Version
    10/10
    60fps at 1080p / 4k resolution
    Seamless loading and no lag anywhere
    Great online play if you have decent internet
    No real complaints, it is by no means a bad game

    The game is perfect for anyone desiring a true challenge, but not an impossible one. The game will push you and punish your mistakes, but not agonize you. It just doesn't hand hold you like most modern games. Skyrim is great, and it is an example of a game where a map and guidelines are necessary. But Dark Souls is not one of those games. It requires skill, patience, and intelligence to truly enjoy, but it will be an experience you will not regret.

    If you really wish to experience whether or not this game will work, then torrent the game and play it. If you enjoy it, please buy the game and support this small company. Besides, you won't have any online play if you don't buy it.    … Expand
  79. Mirgil
    May 4, 2014
    9
    The majority of this review is focusing on other complaints, especially on the controls of the game. However for the sake of an actual review, I have to say Dark Souls II is almost all around the perfect sequel to Dark Souls I. It falls short in World-Structure and boss variety, but largely makes up for this by creating a beautiful atmosphere and perfect combat system. In response to manyThe majority of this review is focusing on other complaints, especially on the controls of the game. However for the sake of an actual review, I have to say Dark Souls II is almost all around the perfect sequel to Dark Souls I. It falls short in World-Structure and boss variety, but largely makes up for this by creating a beautiful atmosphere and perfect combat system. In response to many complaints, it really makes me upset that people are willing to give a game a "0-3" rating based on a single thing. Yes, I'll admit it is quite ridiculous that the prompts in game are not in keyboard/mouse layout. However this does not excuse as low of a rating as I'm seeing it get. I've had 0 issues playing with the keyboard and mouse, and changing button layouts is such a straight-forward concept you would have to play the game for 5 minutes and then give up to complain. I would expect it to take less than an hour to optimize the controls for your preference and then get used to those controls. One hour so you can enjoy a game that would probably take you 50+ hours to beat through once, and then replay an endless amount. It's simply childish and honestly laughable that people are so closed-minded that they can't figure out how to fix something that is right there in the options.

    Just to summarize, the game exceeds its self as a sequel. People are simply dense and arrogant to fix a single problem they're having and base their first few moments of gameplay without really getting anywhere. Don't sit there and complain because you didn't take the time to fix a single problem. Almost every negative review I've seen has only complained about one problem. That would be the same as saying, the game is great overall but I don't think the graphics are very good: 2/10. Take a few moments to locate the source of the problem, and then fix it. I'll guess that 8 out of 10 of your problems can be fixed without any headache or effort. It is extremely childish to cry and whine about something that you on your own can fix if you would only put in the minuscule effort to address the problem at hand.    … Expand
  80. JEK
    May 14, 2014
    10
    Dark Souls 2 is a very good game. It might be frustrating at first but as you increase your Level it becomes good and easy to play. The port is good (unlike the dark souls 1) 10/10 to this game and this is to compensate to those who scored 0 to this game.
  81. TFORPULLONE
    May 13, 2014
    8
    I'm not in to these games but Dark Souls II is just different. The movement is the best. Everything feel so smooth but not so easy. The difficulty is a class of its own. Bosses what you have to fight are interesting and they there own weaknesses. The game is cool.
  82. Valaridan
    Jul 17, 2015
    10
    Player reviews doesnt matter anyway critic reviews matters only and all of them are positive just like this game this game doesnt deserve less than 10 great story great gameplay I love everything about this game
  83. SimpleReviewz
    May 4, 2014
    9
    Well, here we are with my first game review! Dark Souls 2. Man, is there alot to say about this massive game. Even the main story by itself will take you about 50 to 60 hours to beat, and even more if you explore hours for items, covenants, and etc. Does it sound like TOO much? Guess what? It's not! DKS2 is an amazing, unforgettable experience with only a few flaws holding it back fromWell, here we are with my first game review! Dark Souls 2. Man, is there alot to say about this massive game. Even the main story by itself will take you about 50 to 60 hours to beat, and even more if you explore hours for items, covenants, and etc. Does it sound like TOO much? Guess what? It's not! DKS2 is an amazing, unforgettable experience with only a few flaws holding it back from being one of the best games on the PS3 and X360. The difficulty of this series is the main eye-opener. It presents tough but fair combat and punishes you for every tiny mistake. Yet still, DKS2 remains a fun game. You have to time every block and dodge correctly, otherwise you may pay with your life. And that sounds brutal. Believe when I say it though, you can overcome any challenge the game throws at you, it just takes time and patience. One new addition of the game is that every time you die, you lose a little bit of your health. However, it can be prevented by using a Human Effigy. It is still a hardcore feature, though. There are 2 ways to approach the combat in this game: Ranged (ex: sorceries, hexes, pyromancies, etc) and Melee (ex: blades, axes, spear, etc). I highly recommend starting out with melee if this is your first Souls game. I've played both, and each class is overall pretty balanced because you still have to block or dodge the enemies' moves. I love how the Souls games utilize multiplayer so differently. You can't just invite people to a game, but you can summon people with the signs. You can also leave messages and bloodstains with give other players great hints. And then there's the evil part: people can invade and kill you. Don't worry, though. You won't encounter many of them this time around. Have I forgot to talk about the graphics? They are amazing, too! It perfectly fits the atmosphere of the game. In Dark Souls 1, the bosses were a constant highlight. Here, there are alot. Most of them aren't extremely hard, though. I remember a few that only took me under 5 tries to beat. Their designs are psychotic and awesome to add. Now we come to the part when we talk about the flaws. At times, you won't always be able to trust the mechanics. There's gonna be many attacks that really shouldn't have connected, and sometimes if you want to raise your shield up, it's not exactly going to. Because of this, I felt like FromSoftware was too focused on making it hard in some points rather than truly accurate. Another disappointment is that the whole world isn't actually connected like in Dark Souls 1. It was so unique finding shortcuts to other areas previously, and it's sad that it's not here. However, Dark Souls 2 is worth every penny if your a fan. It's possible to sink so many hours here. It perfectly combines quantity and quality. If you're a newcomer, there's no better place to start than here. It is worth $60.… Expand
  84. LaserMoose
    May 6, 2014
    9
    Dark souls 2 is a great sequel, although it has some flaws. Playing this game with keyboard & mouse is incredibly hard. From Software clearly meant this game to be played with a xbox/ps controller. In the "tutorial area" the game never explains how to play with keyboard & mouse and figuring out all the bindings is a challenge of its own.

    The game looks great compared to its prequel, but    Dark souls 2 is a great sequel, although it has some flaws. Playing this game with keyboard & mouse is incredibly hard. From Software clearly meant this game to be played with a xbox/ps controller. In the "tutorial area" the game never explains how to play with keyboard & mouse and figuring out all the bindings is a challenge of its own.

    The game looks great compared to its prequel, but its certainly not next gen graphics, but this fact did not stop From Software to provide this game with some awesome and beautiful scenery. The level design feels as natural as the first Dark Souls where you're not exploring different levels, you're exploring a world. Fast traveling is something that unfortunately removes some of the depth of exploring and adventuring, but it makes Dark Souls 2 harsh punishments more tolerable. Fast traveling also lets you easily jump back in to where you left of so you can continue progressing.

    Thankfully the combat system we Dark Souls veterans loves has not changed to much. It has only improved. Now dual wielding is a valid way of playing the game, and you can parry with two-handed weapons. Jumping is much easier this time around as well, as you can choose to bind the jumping button to the "Left Control Stick Button". If you preferred the old way, you can still jump with the same button you run with.

    The online features is a big step up. You can now very easily and quickly summon or be summoned by players. The waiting time for engaging in jolly co-operation has shortened greatly. I've spent about 50 hours on this game and only been invaded by a real player about four times which is disappointing. The reason for this seem to be their new online matching system, which not only takes your characters level in consideration, but also your soul memory. I am still very unfamiliar with how it works so i will leave it at that.

    The game is hard but fair. Something new players will have to learn is that you will die many times. It's trial and error. The game punishes you for dying, so there's an actual fear from dying. Dark souls 2 throws you off the birds nest without teaching you how to fly first. But once you get the hang of it, this game will give you some amazing and memorable moments.    … Expand
  85. Jost
    May 13, 2014
    10
    After the Fix for VAC the Games freaky **** awesome! I hope there will come some more games like this game from Bandai Namco Games. Realy good, good.... good jop!
  86. StaticSpine
    Oct 18, 2014
    10
    Spent tons of hours here after Dark Souls and Demon's Souls. The mechanics seems more polished this time, though the atmosphere is not that gloomy as it was in previous games. Won't make a lengthy review, I just say this: a solid entry in the series, very fun to play and worth your money/time.
  87. ELemppu
    Jun 13, 2014
    10
    This game is just so good there hasn't been too many games that has been released whit in the years that have been this rewarding and fun. the game has a TON of weapons and a lot of different weapon types. the combat is just so good. the graphics are pretty good (just waiting for the enhanced graphics mods)
  88. wildemu
    May 17, 2014
    9
    Stop being bad,

    mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmkayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?
  89. gannicus
    Oct 22, 2014
    10
    this game is a true test for the serious gamers... Its not casual in any sense of the word.. you will feel tortured and punished but successful completion will give you a sense of pride. The game is meant to be played with a controller and the standard graphics leave something to be desired but with the Gedosato mod downsampling from 4K it looks amazing... Seriously impressed
  90. Wedgeta
    May 16, 2014
    9
    Great game! Graphics: 8/10 Gameplay: 9/10 Story: ?/10 (No coherent story lol) Challenge 10/10

    If there is one thing I should criticize, it would be K&M support, although its already a huge improvement from the last Dark Souls. Highly recommended
  91. doombman
    May 12, 2014
    8
    There's a few flaws with this game that I can point out comparing to the first dark souls game, (not demon's souls). DS2 on it's own is a very solid game though. Personally I think it deserves a 10/10, but when I actually think about the game itself and compile everything; it's high-80's-low 90's. Before I get bum-rushed by a bunch of people crying on how the K&M controls are bad, I'm justThere's a few flaws with this game that I can point out comparing to the first dark souls game, (not demon's souls). DS2 on it's own is a very solid game though. Personally I think it deserves a 10/10, but when I actually think about the game itself and compile everything; it's high-80's-low 90's. Before I get bum-rushed by a bunch of people crying on how the K&M controls are bad, I'm just going to call you an idiot and tell you to learn to set your own bindings yourself. Unlike DS1, DS2 offers a VAST set of keybindings; and most of you have not even bothered to touch them. When FromSoftware promised you a solid port, they promised you it; you just need to adjust things to your own preference. (Cough, you did it with the modding community in DS1, ect. DSMfix.)
    Anyways. The game overall is absolutely great. Lots of playtime can be invested into it, and like every souls game, there's a certain point where the game is a cakewalk because you adjust to its unique learning curve, but the game still becomes absolutely rewarding after every enemy. Of course, the bosses seem a little rushed; they have easy to learn movesets and such, but they still have a very high challenge. The gameplay is smooth with a solid 60 FPS, even when I run an ENB on it. Visuals are nice and gameplay is fun. Only pet peeve I have is the Demon's Souls styled PVP. Story progression is also vast and great, lore is perfect. About 30-40 good hours should be spent before you'd even bother to beat the final boss, ect.
    TL;DR: Good game, K&M complainers need to shut up and learn how to check the options, solid game progression, PVP is very different and 'off-setting' compared to DS1.    … Expand
  92. Celtish
    Oct 18, 2014
    10
    Took some getting used to after investing over 400 hours into the first dark souls, but well worth the effort.
    Rewarding as every and incredibly interesting if you take the time to delve into the deep mysterious lore of the world.
    A very enjoyable, yet tense experience. It definitely doesn't fall short in the difficulty department, it's visually stunning (Although some of the sights are    Took some getting used to after investing over 400 hours into the first dark souls, but well worth the effort.
    Rewarding as every and incredibly interesting if you take the time to delve into the deep mysterious lore of the world.
    A very enjoyable, yet tense experience. It definitely doesn't fall short in the difficulty department, it's visually stunning (Although some of the sights are little more than an illusion), the AI is as good as it needs to be, given the genre and the type of enemies.
    The boss fights leave little to be desired and the gameplay is fluid and responsive.    … Expand
  93. Jman88s
    Jul 23, 2014
    10
    This game is so hard, i died on the main menu. Beware that if you play this masterpiece, you will die repeatedly. Still a really good game. Get this, right now.
  94. Baroness
    May 23, 2014
    8
    I waited a LOT for this game, and overall I was not disappointed. Too bad it could have been way better. There are a lot of issues that could have been worked out before launching the game, such as the well talked about hit box problem. On the plus side, the graphics look nice and work very well even on less powerful systems.
    However, the story and feel of the game fall flat. A true DS1    I waited a LOT for this game, and overall I was not disappointed. Too bad it could have been way better. There are a lot of issues that could have been worked out before launching the game, such as the well talked about hit box problem. On the plus side, the graphics look nice and work very well even on less powerful systems.
    However, the story and feel of the game fall flat. A true DS1 fan can easily tell they changed directors, the atmosphere just isn't up to par, unfortunately. The story is convoluted, confusing and feels recycled. Certain assets are even reused from DS1 and instead of being a nod to the previous game as seems to be intended, it comes off as lazy and half assed.    … Expand
  95. SanySuny
    May 15, 2014
    9
    I can't believe how so many people give 0/10 ratings without even having played the game and say that this game is unplayable because they have some technical problems.
    Just look how many people are enjoying the Dark Souls II, so what do you think is the problem? The game or you?
    DSII surely could use some polish in terms of Menu interface, it can be especially confusing for players who    I can't believe how so many people give 0/10 ratings without even having played the game and say that this game is unplayable because they have some technical problems.
    Just look how many people are enjoying the Dark Souls II, so what do you think is the problem? The game or you?
    DSII surely could use some polish in terms of Menu interface, it can be especially confusing for players who have not played the other games, but the PC port is already greatly improved and absolutely playable. I find it even a bit easier than the first one.
    What I do not like is the soul memory mechanic which limits the PvP and Co-op.
    Also to increase your rank in the covenant of blood is quite problematic since you have to win 500 PvP battles without loosing basically, which is ridiculous if you just want to rank up in order to get the rewards or achievments.
    The bonfire warping kinda kills the idea of traveling imo.
    But other than that it is a very good game, one of my favorites (could be a bit more depressing and dark though, in terms of inveroment^^)    … Expand
  96. ReviewBros
    Jul 8, 2014
    10
    if your looking for a epic soulless demon killing game this is for you.even after raging over 100 times it still makes this game brilliant.half the demons you fight are 10 times the size of you.and if there not they have unique weapons.the online is perfect and it has fairly balanced weapons that suit your playsyle this game is truly brilliant.
  97. Immorta
    Aug 14, 2014
    10
    Game is amazing and works great on PC.. People are mad because they suck at the game.

    I will admit after stomping Dark Souls one completely (using a controller.. DS 1 was a HORRIBLE console port) this game does feel a little easier to play. That is a problem with making the games so similar. Veterans are really good and new players will flounder. That aside, PC controls are great and    Game is amazing and works great on PC.. People are mad because they suck at the game.

    I will admit after stomping Dark Souls one completely (using a controller.. DS 1 was a HORRIBLE console port) this game does feel a little easier to play. That is a problem with making the games so similar. Veterans are really good and new players will flounder.

    That aside, PC controls are great and the game is extremely fun, maybe not as good as Dark Souls 1 in level design and feeling.. but pretty damn close.

    Still gotta give it a 10.    … Expand
  98. MadclownJack
    Apr 27, 2014
    9
    First, the positive. Everything and more than i expected. Brutally difficult, still, with a fantastic and gorgeous world and a subtle story to tie it all together. I had the fortune to play it both on PS3 and PC and i have to say, the PC version is OP. I know this for a fact because my laptop gets fluent 60fps on highest settings, while the PS3 version had lower textures and occasionallyFirst, the positive. Everything and more than i expected. Brutally difficult, still, with a fantastic and gorgeous world and a subtle story to tie it all together. I had the fortune to play it both on PS3 and PC and i have to say, the PC version is OP. I know this for a fact because my laptop gets fluent 60fps on highest settings, while the PS3 version had lower textures and occasionally lagged. I haven't had any game breaking bugs so far and gameplay has been flowing as well as possible. A must try for any player.

    That said, i still feel as if the designers either willfully messed up OR didn't know how to approach some very basic features. Like the confusing menus (you have to be in-game to map any button and out to play with the graphics settings)and the lack of a pause feature (it does nothing to lessen the difficulty and is really helpful because you don't have to constantly go in and out of the game, but that's just me). Also i felt as if the first game had a much better flow of the stages and story progression, i can't really say why that is.

    In summation, if you take it for what it is, mold it to your suiting, you will certainly enjoy it.    … Expand
  99. ignore78
    May 15, 2014
    10
    This game is amazingly good. it has everything i ever dreamed of in a game. i always loved from softwares games. from kings field to demons souls to dark souls. the dark feel and mysterious over them, its so beautifuly made. Dark souls 2 is the best game of them all, smooth gameplay, great controls. i dont know why all the people talking about, that the xbox 360 controller is notThis game is amazingly good. it has everything i ever dreamed of in a game. i always loved from softwares games. from kings field to demons souls to dark souls. the dark feel and mysterious over them, its so beautifuly made. Dark souls 2 is the best game of them all, smooth gameplay, great controls. i dont know why all the people talking about, that the xbox 360 controller is not working?. mine is working great. just plug it in , and then start the game. the different between dark souls and dark souls 2, i first thought that making the enemies disapear would be a problem. but that is just making the game a little more easy. but then there is harder bosses i think, and harder to level up because of the enemies disapearing. and when you die , your life is lowering. but that is not a problem, because of the ring. i never thought i love any game this much.… Expand
  100. BastardySkull
    Apr 26, 2014
    9
    The game has significant improvements on Dark Souls, including vital improvements to the netcode. Covenants are more intuitive and interesting. This alone improves vastly on Dark Souls and allows for a more cohesive experience for the community.

    Animations and movement is smoother, and the world is more expansive and richly detailed. The graphics are great. You have to be some kind    The game has significant improvements on Dark Souls, including vital improvements to the netcode. Covenants are more intuitive and interesting. This alone improves vastly on Dark Souls and allows for a more cohesive experience for the community.

    Animations and movement is smoother, and the world is more expansive and richly detailed.

    The graphics are great. You have to be some kind of baby to think the graphics in this are substandard. We knew what we were getting post-console release.    … Expand
prev
Page:

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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]
  2. 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]
  3. 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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »