Dark Souls II

 PlayStation 3
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1483 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,133 out of 1483
  2. Mixed: 182 out of 1483
  3. Negative: 168 out of 1483
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  1. Annoymous1
    Apr 30, 2014
    9
    While most games tend to hold your hand throughout the game, this game release its grip and leaves you to journey out the beautifully designed world. Most games wouldn't do it as it seems a risk, but this game delivers a once in a lifetime experience or true hardcore gaming.
  2. Vanpire73
    Jun 25, 2014
    9
    Takes a little of each from the first 2 entries (yes, 2) and puts them together to form another gem. It's essentially just more of the same with more **** to do. It is certainly more accessible, but not from a difficulty standpoint. Weapon crafting, side quests, bonfire hopping are all made "easier" to accommodate all the **** that didn't buy the first ones because they only got a 8.9Takes a little of each from the first 2 entries (yes, 2) and puts them together to form another gem. It's essentially just more of the same with more **** to do. It is certainly more accessible, but not from a difficulty standpoint. Weapon crafting, side quests, bonfire hopping are all made "easier" to accommodate all the **** that didn't buy the first ones because they only got a 8.9 on Metacritic instead of a 9.1. Now go back and start at Demon's Souls if this is your first stop into the trilogy.… Expand
  3. JohnWitten
    Apr 15, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. [Condensed]

    All in all, truth be told it is the atmosphere and not specifically the difficulty and challenge that makes the title a blast to play- although I am sure those other factors rank highly up there as well. I thoroughly enjoyed the greater sense of freedom I was given in my approaches to combat and exploration, as well as the rare helping hands reaching out to help as well. We are only a third of the way through this year's impressive games list, and yet I already feel as if Dark Souls II will maintain its large impact all the way through despite the stiff competition it will surely be facing. One thing is for certain: I'll still be playing it come next March. After all, I'm still playing the original!

    Concept: Explore a new yet familiar and similar setting- akin to the story and exploration of the first Dark Souls title, and embark upon a quest to rid the world of its misery and to gain power through it as you progress. Engage in challenging combat and experience an intriguing and engrossing story- experienced, not told.

    Graphics: Impressively detailed and varied, both in environments and character models.

    Sound: Between the epic scores for momentous occasions and stealthy segments to the general ambiance, the sound work is quite impressive and even the little creaks and tremors were impressively detailed in there fullness.

    Playability: The challenges will be difficult, yet it isn't anything that can't be overcome through patience and a general grasping of the firm handling of the controls set before you. After you establish a solid foundation, you'll progress slowly but surely regardless of overall skill. But that doesn't make it any easier on you or your character, be warned.

    Entertainment: This is not only a highly anticipated sequel but an amazing stand-alone title and it must be played to be enjoyed. Challenging yet fair, firm yet helpful at times. An impressively detailed and epic adventure in an expansive and deadly world.

    Replay Value: Very High.

    Overall Score: 9.5    … Expand
  4. Zidane_Mina
    Apr 5, 2016
    9
    The Sequel to one of the Best Action RPG's ever made, Dark Souls II Welcomes you to the ancient kingdom of Drangleic, quite a change of scenery compared to the abandoned Lordran from the previous game. Dark Souls II polishes its gameplay with propper care, and overhauls its user interface in smart ways to help players keep a good eye on its items and weapons. Combat is pretty much the sameThe Sequel to one of the Best Action RPG's ever made, Dark Souls II Welcomes you to the ancient kingdom of Drangleic, quite a change of scenery compared to the abandoned Lordran from the previous game. Dark Souls II polishes its gameplay with propper care, and overhauls its user interface in smart ways to help players keep a good eye on its items and weapons. Combat is pretty much the same as its predecesor, and so it's difficulty.

    Boss encounters are still the stars of this game, but i would be lying if i said i did not come across some dissapointing Boss dessign, or easy push-over of a boss from time to time, but the epic scale of the game, and its lengthy ride ultimately left me with a really good impresion. Level design, though, the game feels a little bit more linear than its predecesor: whereas the 1st Dark Souls presented its world in a closed well-thought intricate design, Dark Souls 2's Drangleic is more of an extended and spread out design, with some breaching paths: but nowhere as near as complex and thoght out as the first game.

    In the end, Dark Souls II is a worthy succesor to the series, even if its lore is a hit and miss, but stil falls behind the greatness of the 1st game.    … Expand
  5. hsapin
    Jun 18, 2014
    9
    Honestly, the game is not a good as the previous one, but it's still a fantastic game in its own right! Dark Souls 2 could have been something just as if not more special than Dark Souls 1 was, but I believe that due to the limited hardware they were working on, FROM SOFTWARE had to cut corners wherever possible which leads to some seemingly sloppy level design. The all too frequentHonestly, the game is not a good as the previous one, but it's still a fantastic game in its own right! Dark Souls 2 could have been something just as if not more special than Dark Souls 1 was, but I believe that due to the limited hardware they were working on, FROM SOFTWARE had to cut corners wherever possible which leads to some seemingly sloppy level design. The all too frequent bonfires that can be warped to at any time make the game far too easy, and soul memory based match making plagues the online... It feels like the game has too many half baked, or poorly executed, design problems.… Expand
  6. aikoyamamato
    Mar 12, 2014
    9
    Dark Souls II is a glorious lovechild of both Demon's Souls and Dark Souls. It provides the best of both worlds while remaining exceptionally challenging and rewarding. The world is dark, dangerous and full of atmosphere, carrying on Dark Souls' seamless areas. Every area is connected in some way and it gives incredible depth to the world. Funny enough, however, it is in this point exactlyDark Souls II is a glorious lovechild of both Demon's Souls and Dark Souls. It provides the best of both worlds while remaining exceptionally challenging and rewarding. The world is dark, dangerous and full of atmosphere, carrying on Dark Souls' seamless areas. Every area is connected in some way and it gives incredible depth to the world. Funny enough, however, it is in this point exactly that we see one of Dark Souls II's small flaws.

    While the world is seamless and vast, you are allowed to 'quick travel' from bonfire to bonfire with no restrictions. This is a convenient service, and indeed might be considered necessary by many, but it detracts from the large world it helps you travel. One of the challenges of Dark Souls was trying to make your way out of a challenging area that you just conquered. In Dark Souls II this is not present, as you may simply use a bonfire to escape the area to safety.

    This removes some of the challenge from the game and can make the world seem smaller than it really is. While there is definitely a lot of exploration to be had in Dark Souls II, many players will probably not have a chance to see it all in favor of traveling from bonfire to bonfire to progress the game. With some restrictions set in place, such as requiring an item or souls to use the quick travel, there would be more incentive to travel large distances on foot and it is my hope that FromSoftware takes this to heart for the next installment.

    In true Demon's Souls style leveling your character has also changed. No longer do you level at any bonfire; you must now speak to a certain character every time you wish to level. While many will miss the ease of leveling at any bonfire, this system adds more to the world and makes you truly feel like you are getting stronger.

    The combat in Dark Souls II is an improvement over the first games and adds some much needed changes. Dual wielding in combat is viable in skilled hands, and archery finds itself more useful as well. Most of the controls have carried over, with some small variations (such as the 'dash jump'), making it easy to pick up and play the game if you have played any of the games before. However, combat is not without its annoyances.

    The addition of the 'Adaptability' statistic is an illustration of one of the new annoyances added in Dark Souls II. Raising your Adaptability stat increases some of your resistances but, more importantly, your Agility. Raising your Agility affects the 'speed' of your animations. What does this mean? If you have little Adaptability, and your agility is low, there will be a 'delay' between swinging an attack and your next action. This may not seem terribly bad at first, but if you are fighting more than one enemy and you attack one of them you may find yourself not having enough time to react to an attack from another. It makes fighting multiple enemies extremely frustrating as you have very little chances to attack with no fear of retaliation.

    Despite this small annoyance combat is fresh and fun and requires a great amount of skill to get the most out of. This is very noticeable in healing items, actually. The Estus Flask from Dark Souls has returned but a new addition is the Lifegem. Lifegems have much quicker animations than the Estus Flask but restore health over time, slowly, rather than all at once. This sounds simple at first, but requires a tactical mind to get the most out of. The difference between using an Estus Flask or a Lifegem is a matter of life and death.

    Lastly, Dark Souls II has an incredible sound track and sound effects. This is immediately noticeable on the Title Screen, boasting a very nice song. The ambient sounds as you travel as well really help set the mood and it is easy to get lost in the world. Each enemy is given life as they are all given sounds to completely fit their character.

    Overall, Dark Souls II is a worthy successor to the games before it. Indeed, its flaws are small enough that it might even trump them both.    … Expand
  7. Jakallov3
    Mar 17, 2014
    9
    Visuals: 8
    First thing you will notice is that the visuals look great, and it now runs at a solid 30fps, and sometimes more in areas that don't have much going on (Caves for example). Models and animations got improved a lot, remember when you pressed random in Dark Souls and Demon Souls and your character looked like an alien? not anymore, although some faces may look a bit awkward, but    Visuals: 8
    First thing you will notice is that the visuals look great, and it now runs at a solid 30fps, and sometimes more in areas that don't have much going on (Caves for example). Models and animations got improved a lot, remember when you pressed random in Dark Souls and Demon Souls and your character looked like an alien? not anymore, although some faces may look a bit awkward, but it still looks great (I would've liked a bit more options on customization but that's just my opinion.)

    Sound: 9
    Some of the sounds from Dark Souls are still present (bonfire, entering a new area, etc.) and for me its great to hear those familiar sounds back. The soundtrack is what shines in DS2, great music and each soundtrack is unique (loved the one from the Flexile Sentry and the Old Dragonslayer).

    Gameplay: 8
    Having over 400 hours in DS1 and 200 on DS, the game feels completely fresh, but at the same time the formula stays the same. Combat in DS2 is now a bit slower, but more fluid and makes me want more and more! Controls stay the same, which is great, no big change there.The leveling system is now different and more balanced, want to max out endurance and carry Hovel's and roll around with infinite stamina? nope! It is now more complex than the last two games (Maiden in Black memories anyone?). The dying penalty is now painful, is a bit annoying and makes me yell at the screen every time I die, but reminds me how bad it is to die and play more carefully instead of just sprinting through the whole level. However I feel that magic is a bit more OP than in previous games, especially in PvP. Multiplayer seems a bit broken when it comes to matchmaking in PvP, but these don't kill the experience.

    Lore: 9
    Again, DS does not make its storyline very obvious, is mysterious, making me think what is happening, exploring, reading item descriptions and talking to the different characters is key to understand what's going on.    … Expand
  8. Gitgud
    Mar 11, 2014
    9
    I was apprehensive, how come Namco pull it off 3 times in a row? They did.

    One or two areas look pretty poor and unimaginative, but the gameplay makes them interesting. The rest of the game looks amazing, and will look even better on PC.
  9. chrisse989
    Aug 2, 2014
    9
    To start out, this game is a worthy successor in the DeS/DaS series.
    Ambiance of this game is amazing, as well as all surprises that are awaiting you when exploring the world.
    There have been some (very good) evolutions in the gameplay mechanic too, especially when it comes to dual wielding and jumping compared to DaS1. The whole player summoning/invading experience has also been    To start out, this game is a worthy successor in the DeS/DaS series.
    Ambiance of this game is amazing, as well as all surprises that are awaiting you when exploring the world.
    There have been some (very good) evolutions in the gameplay mechanic too, especially when it comes to dual wielding and jumping compared to DaS1. The whole player summoning/invading experience has also been streamlined to perfection, nearly no technical glitches (as was unfortunately the case in Demon's Souls).
    Only thing I did not favor was the story and characters. You meet characters but there's not really a lot of evolution in them through the storyline compared to previous games (Ostrava/Praise the Sun). And for the story, half the time you come out of an area beating up enemies but having no clue on the background of the area or the enemy. This was already the case in DaS1 but here's area for improvement.
    But still, it's a relatively minor note, the game is well worth the time you spend into it, so highly recommended.    … Expand
  10. kiwijman
    Mar 14, 2014
    9
    I really like this game but i feel like it could've been better if the old director had stayed. still worth playing though especially if you liked the first like me
  11. Vigilem
    Mar 14, 2014
    9
    Great sequel. I had concerns at FromSoft's ability to produce a good sequel after how much praise Dark Souls got. Thankfully, they've delivered a hugely enjoyable game just like the first. They have combined mechanics from both Dark Souls and Demon's Souls to create a new experience which is still true to the series. Dark souls notoriously annoying multiplayer issues have vanished. TheGreat sequel. I had concerns at FromSoft's ability to produce a good sequel after how much praise Dark Souls got. Thankfully, they've delivered a hugely enjoyable game just like the first. They have combined mechanics from both Dark Souls and Demon's Souls to create a new experience which is still true to the series. Dark souls notoriously annoying multiplayer issues have vanished. The single player is as vague and puzzling as you would expect and there is tonnes of lore hidden in NPC dialogues and whatnot. FromSoft have created another stunning game world with beautiful background music. The level design is above anything else I have seen.
    My only criticism is that the textures are fairly low-res. If this game had been released on the PS4 with higher res textures then it would been a 10/10 rating from me.    … Expand
  12. Axlyss
    Mar 15, 2014
    9
    People complain too much yes you can make the enemies respawn after you kill them to much i want spoil it but you get the item 25-30% through the game.... Graphics are fine From soft doesn't have all the cash big devs do they cant create a new graphics engine or rent one and market the game with it. Your lucky you got a dark soul sequel. The game is fine with hit box errors (no worse thenPeople complain too much yes you can make the enemies respawn after you kill them to much i want spoil it but you get the item 25-30% through the game.... Graphics are fine From soft doesn't have all the cash big devs do they cant create a new graphics engine or rent one and market the game with it. Your lucky you got a dark soul sequel. The game is fine with hit box errors (no worse then the beginning of dark souls 1) Lore is good and graphics are stunning in some areas. NPCS are cool,

    The bosses are tad forgettable but so were Dark souls and Demon souls.. I've beat demon souls over 9 times and do not remember 80% of the bosses.. Graphics do not make a game i can still pop the legend of zelda majoras mask in and have a really fun time.    … Expand
  13. nonchalantgamer
    Jun 17, 2014
    9
    A great successor to Dark souls 1, Dark souls 2 improved upon an already great game. its still as tough as ever(in a good way) and the story had a bit more narrative but still had a piece it together approach to it. the visuals are stunning as always and the combat which is the heart and soul of the game is refined slightly making it even better. i love the new system they put in placeA great successor to Dark souls 1, Dark souls 2 improved upon an already great game. its still as tough as ever(in a good way) and the story had a bit more narrative but still had a piece it together approach to it. the visuals are stunning as always and the combat which is the heart and soul of the game is refined slightly making it even better. i love the new system they put in place with the estus flasks and the inventory IMO a better design finding shards and bone dust to build up your flask uses. the amount of content in this game is incredible ive out over 90 Hrs into this game and am still playing it. their is a lot to do and the NG+ is definitely worth a run through. the only thing i thought was better in DS 1 was the bosses had more scale to them and fights with them felt a little more grander then they did in this game and also there's not as much map continuity in DS2. in 1 it felt abit more connected with all the short cuts and different ways to enter an area. overall Dark souls 2 is a great sequel to DS 1....prepare to die again!… Expand
  14. NkayD
    Apr 22, 2014
    9
    There's no real way to describe this game. Sure, I could tell you that it's amazingly rewarding and deserves every single award it gets. I could tell you to give this game a chance because it's an amazing in-depth rpg that doesn't lose sight of what it's goals are. But truth is, Dark Souls 2 isn't like other RPGs, in fact, calling that is an injustice. Dark souls 2 finds a perfect lineThere's no real way to describe this game. Sure, I could tell you that it's amazingly rewarding and deserves every single award it gets. I could tell you to give this game a chance because it's an amazing in-depth rpg that doesn't lose sight of what it's goals are. But truth is, Dark Souls 2 isn't like other RPGs, in fact, calling that is an injustice. Dark souls 2 finds a perfect line between "barely scratching the surface," and "way too in-depth, maybe I should give up." It has a structured learning curve, and honestly, anyone could pick it up and understand exactly what is happening. It keeps everything simple, it has fantasy elements, there's no doubt, but it doesn't take it over the top creating it's own languages and having back stories and characters that need introductions and full books. Instead, the character don't really matter. You are the character, and your story is waiting. Go ahead, stumble, but learn from your mistakes and appreciate this game like I do.… Expand
  15. hiwasafari
    Mar 24, 2014
    9
    Dark souls 2 is a great game worth buying and playing. The gameplay feels much like the dark souls with some minor adjustments. Nothing to complain about in terms of gameplay and because the game is very fun to play. This game runs smoother than previous ones and you wont have frame rate issues like dark souls 1 ( blight town). The graphics feels sligthly better than the previous games butDark souls 2 is a great game worth buying and playing. The gameplay feels much like the dark souls with some minor adjustments. Nothing to complain about in terms of gameplay and because the game is very fun to play. This game runs smoother than previous ones and you wont have frame rate issues like dark souls 1 ( blight town). The graphics feels sligthly better than the previous games but its not that much of a diffrence. I dont know why people are complaining about graphic downgradges because graphics are not that important in this types of games, sure it nice with awsome lighting and so on but in this types of games , grahics dont matter so much. The game is what you expect it to be for a Soul game so every fan of the previous game should get this. I dont know if it was me who were prepared for this game than previous ones but I felt it was easier to complete this one. It could be that i was more experienced with the game mechanics and so on but I fel this one was easier.
    Even if this game has improved a lot from previous entries in the series , I felt it lost some things on the way. There a lot of bosses in this game and I mean a lot!, but few of them is as impresseive as dark souls 1 bosses. A lot of them had similiar behaviours and attacks and were easy to predict. There were some cool ones but overall I felt dissapointed with some bosses and I left wanting more. Another issue I had with this game was the world. Dark souls 1 was so beautiful made, everything part of the world was connected with each other and you always found new places, secrets and so on even after 100hours.This game world was huge but it did not have the same mystery as the world in dark souls 1.I think the fast travel system made the game easier and made the world feeling apart, the diffrent places were not connected to each other like ds1.
    After all the game is really good, I only had issue with bosses and the world, this was my opinion and I bet there are other who thinks diffent, overallt this game is worthy of the soul series and I cant wait to dive back into world again even If i have played for 100+hours    … Expand
  16. Jake_theRipper
    Mar 18, 2014
    9
    The most balanced game yet, a blend of both demon and dark souls yet feels ever more refreshed. Levels show enough diversity and graphics are updated. Combat is fair and punishing at the same time, always leaving you the option to go elsewhere in case of the challenge proves too much, bosses are easier yet some feel re-skinned. No soul glitch in which level 700's invade you making it allThe most balanced game yet, a blend of both demon and dark souls yet feels ever more refreshed. Levels show enough diversity and graphics are updated. Combat is fair and punishing at the same time, always leaving you the option to go elsewhere in case of the challenge proves too much, bosses are easier yet some feel re-skinned. No soul glitch in which level 700's invade you making it all about fairness.… Expand
  17. chris4ever04
    Mar 13, 2014
    9
    There's really nothing more to say other than you MUST play this game, its perfection... the only reason why it didn't get a 10 from me is because of the half life depletion I don't like it even though it makes the game harder it really takes away from the exploration.
  18. Leftovers
    Mar 17, 2014
    9
    First just want to say I gave the game a 9 out of 10 for the simple fact nothing should get a ten. Always something you can find wrong. This game i would say its the graphics are the only thing wrong with is game. The fighting system is not really better then the first Dark Souls but it is different in a way that makes if challenging for season vets to the game, but not to difficult forFirst just want to say I gave the game a 9 out of 10 for the simple fact nothing should get a ten. Always something you can find wrong. This game i would say its the graphics are the only thing wrong with is game. The fighting system is not really better then the first Dark Souls but it is different in a way that makes if challenging for season vets to the game, but not to difficult for new comers. The game still has its hardcore stat management that I personalty love. The huge open world of the game also is fun to explore. You never know what or who you might find on the other side of a waterfall or cliff. Plus NBG added a fast travel right at the beginning of the game. The death counter in the early parts of this game was a great touch.This is quickly become my favorite game franchise to-date. I encourage you to attempted this game if you like great action rpg. You will not be disappointed, just don't give up and remember count on death.… Expand
  19. KazuhiraMiller
    Apr 28, 2014
    9
    This game is difficult, hell, maybe even too difficult-IF you don't enjoy a decent challenge. If you have the brain the size of a pea and the courage of a lemming, quit while your ahead. This game will break your balls like your mother broke those eggs over the bowl when she made you eggs in the morning. You will die countless, countless, countless times and you will be filled with a bloodThis game is difficult, hell, maybe even too difficult-IF you don't enjoy a decent challenge. If you have the brain the size of a pea and the courage of a lemming, quit while your ahead. This game will break your balls like your mother broke those eggs over the bowl when she made you eggs in the morning. You will die countless, countless, countless times and you will be filled with a blood boiling rage that will spill out into your social life. You will lash out at your friends and family due your anger at the game, which can alienate you from life itself from the beginning! If your going to play this game, then I suggest becoming so sick that no one will want to be near you for at-least a week in a half(which is how long it took me to beat the game purposefully trying to speed through it) When you have achieved that, then prepare yourself for an incredibly rocky ride filled with loss, anger, depression, feelings of a overwhelming need to sob and a need to crawl up into a ball in the corner. However, be prepared for the INCREDIBLY OVERWHELMING sense of accomplishment and pride for when you conquer that boss fight, or that corridor your trapped in, ect. If you are willing to undertake this challenge, then this game is for you. If not, then avoid the game like the plague.… Expand
  20. Feeder16
    Mar 19, 2014
    9
    Absolutely stunning game which is almost a continuation of the last game.

    I noticed a few people have mentioned the graphics, which do look a little worse than the previews. Possibly due to compression at the end of the development. That said if you are playing this game just for the graphics then you shouldn't bother as its all about the gameplay.
  21. iwatanana
    Mar 20, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great multiplayer, excellent challenge for the hardcore gamers, and more makes this a perfect sequel to the original. The only complaint I have with this game is a certain death penalty encountered in the game that decreases your max HP every time you die. Well this is avoidable, it is difficult to do so, and will get annoying. But it is a minor problem, and the good points of this game greatly makes up for the bad. A great game, and here's hoping for more!… Expand
  22. Owen9456
    Mar 23, 2014
    9
    Such an improvement over the first IMO. The combat is so much smoother then before, you are always very much in control of your character. Everything feels miles better, I can actually get into PVP now, and there is just such a great feeling playing this game that wasn't quite there with the original. Its hard enough to make you think, but never makes you break your controller... mostly...Such an improvement over the first IMO. The combat is so much smoother then before, you are always very much in control of your character. Everything feels miles better, I can actually get into PVP now, and there is just such a great feeling playing this game that wasn't quite there with the original. Its hard enough to make you think, but never makes you break your controller... mostly...

    All and all, such a great sequel. Only reason its getting a 9 instead of a ten is because of how the targeting controls have gotten me killed a lot, but that's my only gripe.    … Expand
  23. tomn495
    Apr 2, 2014
    9
    This game easily deserves a 10 for it's sensational gameplay, but giving a 10 would just be unrealistic for anyone to come to the expecting. It has it's flaws in it's graphics and lighting but honestly, being a PC gamer, I'm amazed this game is on ps3 and running smoothly. I see people complaining about FPS but I have had very few hiccups during my multiple playthroughs.

    I'd recommend    This game easily deserves a 10 for it's sensational gameplay, but giving a 10 would just be unrealistic for anyone to come to the expecting. It has it's flaws in it's graphics and lighting but honestly, being a PC gamer, I'm amazed this game is on ps3 and running smoothly. I see people complaining about FPS but I have had very few hiccups during my multiple playthroughs.

    I'd recommend this game to anyone that enjoys a challenge. It's a lot less punishing in the way you are allowed a limited amount of soul vessels(assuming you don't use bonfire ascetic loopholes) to reallocate your the points you've put into skills, which in my opinion is a fantastic addition for veteran players and especially new players. People that accidentally choose dexterity at the start of the game will be able to reallocate to more useful skills such as faith or intelligence, as using melee only will equate to an even greater challenge.

    All up, this game is astonishing and a great sequel to a great game. The world is more vast than ever and shares much familiarity with Dark Souls, which I love. It's different, but it's changed for the better. I have no idea which one I love more, they're both fantastic games and I'll be hanging out to buy Dark Souls 2 on PC as well. Buy this game. Don't give up, even if you think you're stuck- you're not. One thing that you'll learn during Dark Souls is that there's always a way.    … Expand
  24. Soulen
    Apr 6, 2014
    9
    If Dark Souls 2 seems easier. Its because you have gotten really good at Dark Souls 1. You understand how to win and you understand that death is part of the experience that makes victory all the more sweeter. The inclusion of soul vessels makes playing with builds on your first play through a deeper experience. And as you start new games or continue with new game plus you know how toIf Dark Souls 2 seems easier. Its because you have gotten really good at Dark Souls 1. You understand how to win and you understand that death is part of the experience that makes victory all the more sweeter. The inclusion of soul vessels makes playing with builds on your first play through a deeper experience. And as you start new games or continue with new game plus you know how to build your character according to your play style. In this regard the game can become easier because you become more powerful both through stats and your understanding of enemy patterns, However there are ways to keep the difficulty up. Bonfire aesthetics when used make the enemies in the area more difficult by turning it into essentially a new game plus and it stacks. I for example made a certain area new game plus lv 4 on my first play through. There is also a covenant that makes the entire game harder by increasing enemy HP and attack strength the covenant also removes summoning signs so you will have to kill bosses solo :). The rewards are awesome for this covenant .

    If you loved Dark Souls 1 there is no reason why Dark Souls would be a disappointment. It is essentially the same game but with more content and new play style approaches. The difficulty is player controlled once you master its initial difficulty.

    For new comers this game will be tough but not as seemingly impossible as the first.This is due to the fast bonfire traveling and the co-op covenants which make dealing with bosses, player invasions and clearing tough areas easier. The story is pieced together via npc scripts and the lore found on items. the world and items tells you the story, it inst presented to you directly. So if you approach this as a hack and slash action rpg that feeds you story line through a friendly and animated world you wont enjoy the experience. Because there is a overwhelming sense of despair leading on to nihilism that blankets the game from start to finish. Getting through it and uncovering the games secrets requires commitment and perseverance that ultimately leaves you feeling hallow even after you win, because you want more, only to realize that more is harder and your victory means nothing.

    The Bad: evading enemy attacks is unfair at times. The AI tracking is too good so good that at times i feel the game cheats in the timing of each attack. the longer the battle drags on the more unpredictable the bosses become. Since they can 2 hit or 1 hit you I feel that this is an aspect that adds an artificial difficulty to the game that will leave most frustrated. The soul vessels that allows for respecing sort of taking away from the element of making and experimenting with new characters. Since you get I 3 in your first play through it doesn't really make sense to start another hero and going through the motions.    … Expand
  25. 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
  26. GamergodsFail
    Apr 29, 2014
    9
    From Software took all the good things about Demon's Souls and Dark Souls and combined them to make one of the best sequels they possibly could. This time around, instant fast travel and despawning enemies can allow the game to feel more approachable to play, while still maintaining the game on a fairly challenging level. Although this entry didn't feel nearly as hard as the first two,From Software took all the good things about Demon's Souls and Dark Souls and combined them to make one of the best sequels they possibly could. This time around, instant fast travel and despawning enemies can allow the game to feel more approachable to play, while still maintaining the game on a fairly challenging level. Although this entry didn't feel nearly as hard as the first two, this has a steadier framerate, more fluent controls, more emotionally involved storyline, and a world that is roughly twice the size of Dark Souls 1. Although the main path of Dark Souls 2 felt around the same length, I think it just happened to have more optional areas and boss fights than that of 1.
    One thing that I really appreciated in this one was that New Game+ wasn't forced upon me immediately after the end credits were finished. It actually gives you the option to continue exploring the rest of the game and let's you decide whether or not you ever want to start New Game+ by visiting Majula's bonfire, I felt this game had way more freedom of choice because of this.
    But this game is still far from perfect. I've reported a few hit detection and auto-lock problems across my so-far 87 hours of total playtime. My biggest complaint was that there were a couple specific areas that forced me into PvP matchmaking, when all I want to do is explore the whole world in peace. I don't mind at all getting invaded at anytime, but when the game sets areas to automatically trigger invasions or send me to some other player's world the second I set foot in that particular area, I consider that a flawed design choice: forced multiplayer.
    Other than those issues, I think From Software hit all the right notes with this one. I know a lot of gamers complained about the graphics downgrade. First of all, this isn't next gen, and this still at least looks a little better than the last entry. And second of all, graphics alone have never been what made video games great. It's the gameplay. This is a fantastic game. It is head and shoulders above at least 90% of all the other games out on the market right now. It's a serious contender for a 2014 Game of the Year winner.

    9/10 - Amazing    … Expand
  27. Bul1pucky
    May 8, 2014
    9
    When I first heard of Demon's Souls I was drawn in by the difficulty. What I discovered was an interesting world and a game that punished for mistakes, but was never impossible. Dark Souls took that gameplay and placed in a larger world with lore that was always up for speculation.

    Dark Souls II is no different. You are placed into the world with no real understanding of who you are.    When I first heard of Demon's Souls I was drawn in by the difficulty. What I discovered was an interesting world and a game that punished for mistakes, but was never impossible. Dark Souls took that gameplay and placed in a larger world with lore that was always up for speculation.

    Dark Souls II is no different. You are placed into the world with no real understanding of who you are. You are told you have been cursed to die over and over again and that there is potentially a way to reverse this if you manage to find the most powerful souls in Drangleic.

    The gameplay is mostly identical to the original Dark Souls with a few additions such as duel wielding. The quick travel feature is available after you find the first two bonfires, and you are able to teleport between any of the bonfires in the game. This is a welcome change to those of us who have nightmares of backtracking through Blighttown in DS1.

    Bosses and terrifying enemies are the bread and butter of gameplay in a Souls game and this game does not disappoint. Giant mummy guards and statue-men pepper the landscape leading to a boss that will kill you again and again, until you learn it's patterns and stop making mistakes.

    The environments are varied and pretty great. From giant castles to poison filled valleys, each area evokes a sense of dread, followed by excitement as the exploration begins. The only gripe I have with the environment in this game is the way the areas in the game are connected. Most of them do not make sense and take away from the world as a whole. Again I make a comparison with DS1, which had a large world with clever pathways and shortcuts connecting them all together.

    The multiplayer in the Souls games is unique and there a few tweaks this time around. Matchmaking is based on Soul Memory (the number of souls you have collected throughout your entire playtime) instead of the actual Soul Level. this is alright to a certain extent as you will be matched with people who have put in about the same amount of time in the game as yourself. This does effect fight clubs however as most people will have maxed out characters instead of specialized builds that stick around level 150 or so. Coop is not effected so much though and covenants play a larger role in finding other players with the same multiplayer interests as yourself.

    My few issues aside, this game is amazing. It is not fair to compare this game to the masterpiece that is the original Dark Souls, but it cannot be helped. This doesn't take away from the fact that this is a great game that Souls and RPG fans alike can enjoy. I am on NG++ and i plan on putting many more hours in before I've had my fill.    … Expand
  28. McWhalen
    Aug 11, 2014
    9
    The souls series never fails to wow me. These games are in a class all their own and while I would say this game is the weakest of the series so far I still really enjoyed. Beautiful worlds, punishing but fair gameplay, and hours of depth.

    The introduction of immediate fast travel took away from the experience of a souls game. I never felt like I was on the verge of loosing everything    The souls series never fails to wow me. These games are in a class all their own and while I would say this game is the weakest of the series so far I still really enjoyed. Beautiful worlds, punishing but fair gameplay, and hours of depth.

    The introduction of immediate fast travel took away from the experience of a souls game. I never felt like I was on the verge of loosing everything that I worked for. When you can jump between sections so easily right off the bat you can cash in your souls at any time and the pressure is off. I would love to see another souls game with this little change reverted back to its origins.    … Expand
  29. MetaRogue
    Nov 11, 2014
    9
    I'm new to the Souls games, Dark Souls 2 being the first of which I played, mostly because I couldn't get a hold of Demon's Souls or Dark Souls beforehand.

    The first 2 hours were unforgiving. I died many times and, foolishly, used too many Human Effgies. As time progressed I began to understand the game and found it to be, strangely, rewarding. I'm a huge fan of RPG's and this is a    I'm new to the Souls games, Dark Souls 2 being the first of which I played, mostly because I couldn't get a hold of Demon's Souls or Dark Souls beforehand.

    The first 2 hours were unforgiving. I died many times and, foolishly, used too many Human Effgies. As time progressed I began to understand the game and found it to be, strangely, rewarding. I'm a huge fan of RPG's and this is a savage beast. I didn't even know how to level up which didn't help. WHAT A NOOB!!!

    I haven't finished the game yet, so this review may seem premature, but I'm confident in the belief that it is a game for gamers. The only complaints I have are the inability to sell items.    … Expand
  30. Muzzle131
    Jan 28, 2015
    9
    Alright so let's get this done. Is the game good? Yes. Is it better than DS1? Well that's your overall view on it and depends on you. So far from a gameplay view they improved many mechanics and smoothed gameplay ones, story is still pretty interesting sticking to the "You are an undead, forever without hope" as you helplessly try to find answers that may or may not be there. Another thingAlright so let's get this done. Is the game good? Yes. Is it better than DS1? Well that's your overall view on it and depends on you. So far from a gameplay view they improved many mechanics and smoothed gameplay ones, story is still pretty interesting sticking to the "You are an undead, forever without hope" as you helplessly try to find answers that may or may not be there. Another thing is the difficulty, however this is difficult to say it is difficult or not, if you've played Demon's souls than everything is pretty easy from that point, so basically if you've played other souls games than you already know how to approach this one at this point, still people still have difficulty and the community is also there to add more to this with their invasions.

    Even with all of these in mind the game may not be as good as DS1 in many eyes, as DS2 changes many things that was loved in DS1 such as going in circles finding interesting shortcuts and exploring. DS2 decides to be very different by being semi-linear (you get to choose how to go about this but you'll still end up in the same place) and many areas not really being creative and the ones that are don't necessarily make sense.

    Even with these in mind though the game is great! Not fantastic but still good. Add the DLCs and the game can hold up a torch with DS1. If you are a fan of RPGs than it's up to you to get this game, as it is one of the best and still challenging out there.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PS3 Game of 2014
2
#2 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2014
1
#1 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 69 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 67 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 69
  3. Negative: 0 out of 69
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    May 11, 2014
    92
    Dark Souls 2 bears the torch of Dark Souls with honor. No mean feat! [Apr 2014]
  2. Gamers' Temple
    Apr 16, 2014
    96
    Even more amazing, and difficult, than Dark Souls.
    Read full review
  3. RPGamer
    Apr 16, 2014
    100
    At the end of the day, Dark Souls II uses more subtle changes to find its own flavor and place in the series as a whole, rather than reinventing the wheel.
    Read full review
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