Dark Souls II: Crown of the Old Iron King

 PlayStation 3
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 96 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 96
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 96
  3. Negative: 20 out of 96

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  1. Tommapar
    Aug 26, 2014
    9
    Crown of the Old Iron King manages to achieve original combat scenarios, all new to the series, while refraining from the muddy atmosphere of previous settings (like Crown of the Sunken King) and bringing a welcome high fantasy atmosphere to the setting.
    If you liked the previous DLC, this is going to be even better for you, since it improves upon the bar set by the Crown of the Sunken    Crown of the Old Iron King manages to achieve original combat scenarios, all new to the series, while refraining from the muddy atmosphere of previous settings (like Crown of the Sunken King) and bringing a welcome high fantasy atmosphere to the setting.
    If you liked the previous DLC, this is going to be even better for you, since it improves upon the bar set by the Crown of the Sunken King in classic Dark Souls fashion. These improvements come in the form of powerful and more varied enemies; the inclusion of "effigies" that you can destroy that produce certain buffs on enemies, or summon firestorms that hurt you if you get to close; and the intricate and complex level design we saw (and personally loved) from the last DLC gets to be the center of attention this time around, with the central area being a huge hollow tower, with an almost labyrinthical structure, full of shortcuts, enemies and gorgeous views.
    As the previous DLC, this one comes packed with 3 bosses, with a clear emphasis in 1v1 encounters like we saw in the Artorias of the Abyss DLC for Dark Souls 1 (Artorias like boss fights) instead of the barrage of enemies thrown at you in previous bosses that made deaths feel cheap or unfair.
    These type of fights offer a much less frustrating game experience, while retaining the challenge we love from the series.    … Expand
  2. Darthtux
    Aug 27, 2014
    9
    Feels very much like dark souls 1. Best thing in this dlc is Sir Alonne. You can't miss this epic boss fight with probably one of the best soundtracks for a boss battle.
  3. Makaveli
    Sep 1, 2014
    9
    The DLCs to this game seem to be better than the main game itself. I think Crown of the Old Iron King is the best DLC that has come out so far. The only problem I have is they are still over crowding enemies to make it harder, when that is a cheap way to do so, all this does is make people want t cheese the enemies and it becomes boring after awhile..
    Anyway, the bosses were much better    The DLCs to this game seem to be better than the main game itself. I think Crown of the Old Iron King is the best DLC that has come out so far. The only problem I have is they are still over crowding enemies to make it harder, when that is a cheap way to do so, all this does is make people want t cheese the enemies and it becomes boring after awhile..
    Anyway, the bosses were much better this time around, even though they were all humanoid enemies again, but they made them so it was fun to fight.
    Level design was great, this is what the Iron Keep should have been in the first place, this place reminds me of Demon Souls so much ( the mine) even the sounds are similar.
    I was expecting to fight another fragment of manus, but that isn't the case in this DLC.
    The lore in this DLC is ok, i still want a lot more out of Fromsoft in this department. I'm actually really disappointed that none of the things that a lot of people wanted t know, was not learned, lorewise..

    Very good DLC, better than the last in my opinion...    … Expand
  4. Bossuk
    Aug 27, 2014
    4
    This DLC is visually stunning, but the least they could do is give us original bosses. Slapping a bit of Blue paint on a a boss from the main game does not make it new. it's also a little short for the cost.
  5. Jesscox1234
    Aug 29, 2014
    5
    Very disappointed in this release of DLC for DS2. I have bought every game in the series from Demons Souls on, and all the DLC's. The level design was good, and some new enemies was nice, but the bosses were horrible. Sir Allone is nothing more than a ramped up version of the regular Allone Knights, Fume Night was a beefed up version of Pursuer with maybe 1-2 new moves, and of courseVery disappointed in this release of DLC for DS2. I have bought every game in the series from Demons Souls on, and all the DLC's. The level design was good, and some new enemies was nice, but the bosses were horrible. Sir Allone is nothing more than a ramped up version of the regular Allone Knights, Fume Night was a beefed up version of Pursuer with maybe 1-2 new moves, and of course the "NEW" Smelter Demon was exactly the same except he uses magic instead of Fire. WTF!!! Ive been a fan of the game becuase of difficulty and great boss battles, but this feels like I got robbed of $10. What about great bosses like the False King Allant, Four Kings, FlameLurker etc.???? Also, they throw in items to find that are pretty much useless. Finding a +7broadsword at this stage of the game seems pointless. If you are buying the DLC chances are you already have all the weapons you prefer upgraded to max level. The new spells or pyromancies are boring, and not really useful in battle. When will they come up with new creative spells to cast? How about something as simple as cast some sort of stationary landmine that you can try to get enemies to follow you and they hit the trap? How about some sort of spikes of ice or flame that if it connects can launch an enemy into the air possibly for additional hits? Anyways there are tons of options. I just downloaded the DLC on Tuesday, it is now Friday and I have beat it all. Didn't like the bosses, didn't find it too difficult, and didn't like any of the items I found. I am sure I will buy the next DLC because I like the gameplay, but it's going to get to a point where I won't if they keep robbing me of my money.… Expand
  6. MaxPayneIsGod
    Oct 30, 2019
    8
    Yet another fantastic addition to DS2.
    Crown of the Old Iron King offers another totally different environment, this time with a bit of a puzzle aspect.
    That boss, Fume Knight, consider this a warning
    Was never able to take out Sir Alonne, next time.
  7. JuanLuisGG14
    Aug 3, 2017
    9
    Crown of the Old Iron King is one of the best DLCs i've ever played.
    Vissually stunning, it features two of the best Dark Souls bosses, many cool gear.
    It's really challenging ,too.
  8. Dingytheman
    Dec 10, 2019
    4
    Because vanilla wasn't ganky enough this DLC and the last one take ganking to a whole new level! Progression is just tedious, full of cheap encounters from beginning to end.
    Level design is good but not great, it has verticality but also the same issue many areas in vanilla had, empty corridors or rooms that lead somewhere that doesn't make much sense, it doesn't feel like a real place,    Because vanilla wasn't ganky enough this DLC and the last one take ganking to a whole new level! Progression is just tedious, full of cheap encounters from beginning to end.
    Level design is good but not great, it has verticality but also the same issue many areas in vanilla had, empty corridors or rooms that lead somewhere that doesn't make much sense, it doesn't feel like a real place, just a game level.
    Bosses are the best part but partly because most were pretty mediocre in vanilla. If you compare Sir Alonne or Fume Knight to Artorias they pale in comparison because the hitboxes aren't as tight and the lore is weaker. Smelter reskin is worth a mention for how lazy it is.
    Did fans tell you the DLC was better than anything in DeS or DaS? well they lied or never played those games.
    The first DLC Crown of the Sunken King is good, the second is decent but brought down by cheap difficulty and the last is just plain garbage.    … Expand
  9. nurfedx
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    One of the best Games known to mankind.
    From Software is a safe heaven for the Gaming community.
    Especially in times where big Developers dissapiont us with theyr fraudulent intent.
    Praise the sun!
  10. MasterMoonfire
    Aug 29, 2020
    8
    Dark Souls II: Crown of the Old Iron King is the second of the three expansion packs and is a great addition to the base game, though the first DLC was kind of a chore but still good, Crown of the Old Iron King greatly improves on that with its variety and new content, the player goes to the Brume Tower, a tower sky high above, where they are to another ancient crown while exploring newDark Souls II: Crown of the Old Iron King is the second of the three expansion packs and is a great addition to the base game, though the first DLC was kind of a chore but still good, Crown of the Old Iron King greatly improves on that with its variety and new content, the player goes to the Brume Tower, a tower sky high above, where they are to another ancient crown while exploring new locations and dealing with new enemies and a very satisfying end boss to conclude it.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best PS3 Game of 2014
35
#35 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2014
68
#68 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Gamers' Temple
    Mar 31, 2015
    85
    Depending on your skill level, this DLC could take between 3-8 hours to get through, and the loot that you'll find, especially the rings, make it worth it.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Oct 24, 2014
    80
    Brume Tower is less claustrophobic than Shulva and the second DLC did a much better job convincing me to revisit Drangleic and its surroundings than the first one. [Nov 2014, p.73]
  3. Games Master UK
    Oct 23, 2014
    88
    A wonderful environment meets memorable boss battling to great effect. [Dec 2014, p.79]
See all critic reviews »