Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1451 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,013 out of 1451
  2. Mixed: 281 out of 1451
  3. Negative: 157 out of 1451
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  1. Conscious_Gamer
    Jul 18, 2015
    10
    So coming straight from Bloodborne (as many of the reviewers are) I personally think that Scholar of the First Sin is a step up from the former. While bloodborne had beautiful architecture and a wonderful gothic feel to it, there were so many aspects I was let down by. For example, even though I played it only two months after release, summoning took forever and so did trying to invade.So coming straight from Bloodborne (as many of the reviewers are) I personally think that Scholar of the First Sin is a step up from the former. While bloodborne had beautiful architecture and a wonderful gothic feel to it, there were so many aspects I was let down by. For example, even though I played it only two months after release, summoning took forever and so did trying to invade. DkS2 on the other hand, is the exact opposite. You can literally be summoned for jolly cooperation (which is fantastic) literally moments after placing your summon sign down, and filling up your party size is very quick, allowing for unbroken gameplay and smooth transitions.

    As a returning fan of the original dark souls, I was at first a little let down by the graphics (as I expected an astonishing improvementl, as it seems like a lot of people are complaining about. However, about an hour after playing the game I realized that they did it on purpose, that it is a fantasy game after all and looks like one. Other improvements made are the differences. Being a fairly experienced FromSoftware player (as I have played through dks1 4 different times), it was pretty rarely that I died. However, Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin takes your trained mind and flips it on you. Things that you rely on totally vanish or are made unviable. You go in not quite as fresh as a new player, but almost worst, with bad habits. Like joining a street gang after years of working for the police.

    For example, you only have 1 estus flask to begin with and it heals your hp over time, not instantly. The lifegems, while non regenerating, seem to be placed in perfect moderation to keep me wary to overusing them, yet just enough that I can keep playing the game smoothly (unlike Bloodborne, where you pretty much had to go back to Yharnam just to stock up on bloodvials every fourty five minutes, which really breaks your flow). I have yet to obtain a 100% block shield, as I am only about four hours in (and have made considerable progress), which prevents be from just blocking every little attack, and forces me to use a mixture of blocking and rolling.Backstabs and ripostes aren't instant (especially noticable when pvp'ing) And finally (I'm sure I've missed some) the lack of invincibility frames forced me to revaluate my entire strategy. I used to parry, instant riposte, then roll out of there, or wait for the heavy swing to backwards roll through the attack for an instant backstab. Well, my days of quick rolling through mobs are over, as now I have to think of a completely different strategy or my health will quickly dwindle and falter.

    Lastly, a lot of people are banging on it because they are used to Bloodborne and its system or the enemy placement is too unfair and hard and oooh i can't even run through an area because the enemies are too fast and the graphics look unrefined. Well I say grow a pair. FromSoftware is a company dedicated to making games that are different and unique. They are not satisfied with simply reusing old formulas *cough EA & Ubisoft and try different things. I for one loved the graphics, they were like nothing I'd seen in an AAA game in a long time, and they looked fantastic and fit the mood of a fantasy game like a glove. The lack of direction and having figuring out stuff by yourself is just another step away from the handholding that games nowadays are so fond of, and it makes it an incredibly unique and enjoyable game. Stopping being wussies about it and grow up.

    10/10, only by the game if your into a challenge that will test your skills and improve your outlook as a gamer.

    Praise the Sun! ^_^    … Expand
  2. Markolius
    Jul 16, 2015
    9
    This game was quite the experience. Bloodborne was my entry into the From Software games and I immediately loved it. SotFS is a similar game in terms of genre and overall mechanics, but it's slower in terms of combat and progression and it's much more customizable in terms of inventory and loadouts. Like Bloodborne, I platinumed this game too. There's just something so addictive about theThis game was quite the experience. Bloodborne was my entry into the From Software games and I immediately loved it. SotFS is a similar game in terms of genre and overall mechanics, but it's slower in terms of combat and progression and it's much more customizable in terms of inventory and loadouts. Like Bloodborne, I platinumed this game too. There's just something so addictive about the combat and gameplay of these games. So frustrating and so satisfying. I learned a lot about how to be a better gamer in general and overall enjoyed the adventure. I hope for a Demon Souls or DS1 port to PS4 someday and I'm really looking forward to DS3. These FromSoft games are really a genre unto themselves. They play so smoothly. The adventures are terrifying, beautiful, and challenging. It's going to be weird not playing them for a good while, as everything else just pales in comparison. Playing the dungeons in Zelda A Link to the Past or Secret of Mana as a kid - these Souls games are what we imagined the future of gaming to be like. They really are a fine evolution.… Expand
  3. Suspect_Danny
    Jul 6, 2015
    8
    Dark souls 2 is an amazing but very challenging game. It looks very nice and has great gameplay. The game can be very unfair in parts with problems with hit boxes and you may need to look on YouTube for some parts but definitely worth the buy
  4. TagGamer1122
    Jul 5, 2015
    6
    Absolutely detest this game after playing bloodborne. They gimped the rolling so you need to play with a shield. They now placed enemies in a group so goodbye to soloing and say hello to being attacked from the back. Wanna play as just a dex character? Well too bad! They made it so you need to have some range and archery isn't good enough you'll need magic. The game is everything but fair.Absolutely detest this game after playing bloodborne. They gimped the rolling so you need to play with a shield. They now placed enemies in a group so goodbye to soloing and say hello to being attacked from the back. Wanna play as just a dex character? Well too bad! They made it so you need to have some range and archery isn't good enough you'll need magic. The game is everything but fair. The way they placed enemies makes this game incredibly unbalanced. Oh, you also can't just run to the next area cause they'll follow you and they're fast so you need to fight them. Absolutely detest this game. Not worth your money or your time. Fortunately, I can sell it and only end up losing a minimal amount. if you want a truly fair and faster game, then play bloodborne.… Expand
  5. rd1349
    Jun 23, 2015
    8
    I'm going to get strait to the chase, I'm a sucker for hard games, if one pops up my first reaction is usually challenge accepted.
    The game that started this was dark souls 2.
    Gameplay wise it's a great game the combat is unique in it's difficulty and in the fact that it keeps you coming back despite how much it can frustrate you. The combat is easily the most fun part of the game.    I'm going to get strait to the chase, I'm a sucker for hard games, if one pops up my first reaction is usually challenge accepted.
    The game that started this was dark souls 2.

    Gameplay wise it's a great game the combat is unique in it's difficulty and in the fact that it keeps you coming back despite how much it can frustrate you. The combat is easily the most fun part of the game.

    Graphics are nothing spectacular but they are good. Not much else to say in this department.

    Atmosphere is amazing. There is a constant feel of despair in the world which coincides with the plot. The same plot that needs a dedicated group of people working full time to properly figure out. So if you're looking to story, it's a very good one, but you might not even be able to tell till you look it up.

    Final verdict; 8 out of 10.
    Why eight out of ten you ask when all my reviews are 10s. Because I stick to reviewing games that I truly enjoy not that are definitively good. Dark souls 2 is marred by strange design choices and obtuse and unexplained plot devices. They game will often leave you lost and force you to look up a guide. It pains me to say it but Dark souls 2 is not an amazing game. It was good enough to be the only game in years that I've played through more than once but it simply is not a 10.

    For the the hardcore gamer this is your Meca. It is a game you must play and that you will land up in many favorite games lists.
    For the normal gamer this is a frustrating mess that will undoubtably put a fair number of you off gaming.    … Expand
  6. RhaZo
    May 28, 2015
    10
    Harder, better and stronger.
    This game is masterpiece and the remaster is the best Fromsoftware has to offer.
    Many hours of gameplay, online and offline, harder fights and a bigger and more complex game than the glorious Bloodborne.
  7. tempestuousfork
    May 25, 2015
    9
    It's good. Don't buy this game thinking that it will be like Bloodborne, because it won't be and it isn't. In reflection, it's imperfect, but is still worth it.
  8. Tinge81
    May 24, 2015
    10
    Don't expect to pick up a Souls game and think it's going to be an easy ride. FromSoftware do not hold your hand nor do they wrap you cotton wool. What they do is submerge you in some of the most imaginative, challenging and rewarding worlds you will ever encounter.

    If your a new-comer to the series then your in for a treat with this game, patience is key, so don't fret if you die a    Don't expect to pick up a Souls game and think it's going to be an easy ride. FromSoftware do not hold your hand nor do they wrap you cotton wool. What they do is submerge you in some of the most imaginative, challenging and rewarding worlds you will ever encounter.

    If your a new-comer to the series then your in for a treat with this game, patience is key, so don't fret if you die a lot; believe me it's all part of the experience.

    For the Souls veterans you will appreciate the enhanced gameplay the next gen has to offer and the different layout in some places is an extra bonus.

    Feeling fresh and nostalgic at the same time, with the added DLC to explore and conquer as well DS2:SOTFS is well worth the £40.    … Expand
  9. Rumblefish
    May 22, 2015
    10
    This game is incredible! I haven't touched Bloodborne since Scholar was released.

    I really disliked DS2 when it first came out but after 115 hours of Scholar, I'm completely converted. I think this is now, not only the best game by From that I have played, it is probably the best RPG I've ever experienced too. The variety of armour, weapons, spells, miracles, hexes and pyromancies    This game is incredible! I haven't touched Bloodborne since Scholar was released.

    I really disliked DS2 when it first came out but after 115 hours of Scholar, I'm completely converted. I think this is now, not only the best game by From that I have played, it is probably the best RPG I've ever experienced too.

    The variety of armour, weapons, spells, miracles, hexes and pyromancies is staggering. Each is unique, beautifully designed and useful in the game. The story is fantastically deep and ties in with that of the previous game, if you know how to interpret it (see the Vaadividya YouTube channel and the Fextralife wiki for help with that).

    There are around 40 boss fights in the game - it's huge!!! Furthermore, the world of Dranleic now actually looks beautiful too. And of course, the replayability is limitless as you can try to collect items only available in New Game +, experiment with different builds and enjoy online combat.

    This game is now a masterpiece and I would recommend it to all lovers of RPGs anywhere. Even if you were initially disappointed when it was first released, you really should love this new iteration of DS2.

    p.s. I read in a review by another player that the controls are sluggish and jerky. The point is that your character changes dependant on the weight of the gear they are carrying and what their physical attributes are. I have found the controls to be practically perfect throughout.    … Expand
  10. hoppypoppy1
    May 21, 2015
    10
    Dark Souls 2 is challenging, fun, and addictive. Boss fights are already a thrill as it is, but with the challenge that comes with DS2 bosses I'm always put at the edge of my seat! I have already played 50+ hours of this game and I'm not even close to being done with it yet. The combat is slow at first but as you advance, get better weapons and upgrades and level up, it begins to speed up.Dark Souls 2 is challenging, fun, and addictive. Boss fights are already a thrill as it is, but with the challenge that comes with DS2 bosses I'm always put at the edge of my seat! I have already played 50+ hours of this game and I'm not even close to being done with it yet. The combat is slow at first but as you advance, get better weapons and upgrades and level up, it begins to speed up. Would recommend this game to any one who loves a little bit of a challenge. PvP is fun, Having friends or randoms come and help you with boss fights is really fun as well. Great game 10/10.… Expand
  11. drevil99
    May 12, 2015
    7
    Overall it's a good addition to the Souls series

    Good - Huuuuuge world! It would still be huge even if they didn't include all 3 DLCs - you rarely get invaded by other players in your first play through, that is before you reach Soul Level 150 - PvP and covenants can be fun, I enjoyed dueling other players on the bridge - great coop feature in this game, there usually are summons    Overall it's a good addition to the Souls series

    Good
    - Huuuuuge world! It would still be huge even if they didn't include all 3 DLCs
    - you rarely get invaded by other players in your first play through, that is before you reach Soul Level 150
    - PvP and covenants can be fun, I enjoyed dueling other players on the bridge
    - great coop feature in this game, there usually are summons available when you need them
    - you have just as much, if not more customization options compared to DS1.
    - no framerate issue (I hear this is a problem in PS3 version)

    Bad:
    - invasions can get annoying later in the game, as they happen often, even in hollow form, and therefore feel forced. Personally I started to play offline in NG+
    - the controls are clunky when compared DS1 and Demon Souls. For example there seems to be some awkward pause from the time you press L1 to block to the time you actually start moving
    - there are some really bad lag issues in PvP
    - no balance in PvP as game strongly encourages certain builds, spell casters and those who wield quick small weapons have the advantage; having a tank who wields an ultra great-sword is a definite nono

    Ugly
    - I am not impressed by the graphics. When DS1 came to PS3, it was ahead of it's time in terms of visuals
    - The atmosphere of dark melancholy that DS1 had, just seems to be missing in DS2, nor does it have that feeling of terror from Demon Souls. I can't quite explain it.    … Expand
  12. Lion7
    May 7, 2015
    10
    Amazing game. One of my absolute favorites. A game that doesn't hold your hand, doesn't baby you throughout the experience, and expects you to die, while taunting you with the deaths of thousands around you. It's a game you'll either love or hate, but worth a try. Rent or borrow before you commit.

    UPGRADE? I did. The graphics are a great improvement, the fact you can summon more    Amazing game. One of my absolute favorites. A game that doesn't hold your hand, doesn't baby you throughout the experience, and expects you to die, while taunting you with the deaths of thousands around you. It's a game you'll either love or hate, but worth a try. Rent or borrow before you commit.

    UPGRADE? I did. The graphics are a great improvement, the fact you can summon more phantoms than before is awesome, and finally, the developers have changed a lot of the enemy placement so that the game feels a lot fresher. I've definitely died a few times in places where I was thinking "it's safe here, there aren't any enemies".

    GAMEPLAY: It's brutal. There's no good way to describe it if you're new to the series, because there are very few games like this in today's market. Fights even with basic enemies are unforgiving and you WILL die in this game. Lots of times. This is not a blind hack-and-slash; it relies a lot on gauging enemies and adapting your tactics.

    It feels a bit less chunky than the original, and it's a lot calmer and safer than Bloodborne. The only problem is that it suffers the weapon durability issue that the PC version did; weapon durability is tied into framerate, and since this new version now runs at 60fps compared to the old console's 30fps, your weapons break twice as fast. Still hasn't been fixed.

    STORY: What story? In all seriousness, the story is rather vague, its connection to its predecessor is vague, and the circumstances of your being here is vague. Just like the vagueness of the previous game.

    ONLINE: Unlike the previous game, you are not safe while Hollow. You can be invaded by other players at any time, especially in a few specific areas where you'll be tempted to unplug for a few minutes. Beyond that, I honestly recommend staying online at all times, and feel free to call in friendly phantoms to help you out when you see them. Playing alone is boring.    … Expand
  13. Slevin310
    May 2, 2015
    8
    I said if they had done something to fix Soul Memory and provided players with the means to cap characters I would change my review. Well I had to wait for an expansion but yeah I'm just happy to have it. The Souls series is by far my favorite game series of all time. Yes, even surpassing my favorites Fallout and Witcher. I was a bigger fan of Demon Souls and Dark Souls, looking past theI said if they had done something to fix Soul Memory and provided players with the means to cap characters I would change my review. Well I had to wait for an expansion but yeah I'm just happy to have it. The Souls series is by far my favorite game series of all time. Yes, even surpassing my favorites Fallout and Witcher. I was a bigger fan of Demon Souls and Dark Souls, looking past the framerate issues Dark Souls was still a gem of perfection in the action adventure genre. No game ever came close to that sense of fear, exploration, reward and challenge the Soul series provided. Not since Devil May Cry 3 have I taken a game seriously.

    I find myself going to DkS2 wikis and inputting my character builds I make, interacting with the fanbase to discuss PvP strategies and even creating walkthroughs. Because it's simply fun, I enjoy making builds and debating on strategies, because this game warrants that kind of attention. It's like Dungeon and Dragon level of dedication and character classes. You make characters and face REAL danger. If you don't pay attention to what you're leveling up, you can easily ruin an entire playthough and be stuck with a bad character. But when you get that character right, and you put your knowledge behind it you can accomplish things that will actually make other players envy you. This game rewards you for taking it seriously and actually putting in work to become better.

    You will not reach the higher ranks of the Brotherhood of Blood covenant through some exploits or cheats. You must defeat 500 players, if you lose in a duel it will remove a point. That is some serious dedication, but you will be rewarded with a special character color when summoned as well as a powerful fire spell. The bright red glow of your character tells others you've accomplished one of the game's most difficult task. Defeating bosses and beating the game while in the Company of Champions covenant is hard, but other players will prove to be your most challenging foe. And to say you've reached 500 kills in PvP is a bragging right not many people will have.

    It blends single player and multiplayer like no other game before it. You could be breezing through an area only to be invaded by another player, or having a seriously difficult time getting through an area and summon a helpful co-op ally to aid you. Should you both kill a boss and accomplish your goal you'll both be rewarded.

    Immersion in Dark Souls 2 is second to nothing. This game will really make you feel like you're the one in danger. You'll be traveling down a dark hallway, low on health and supplies, too far away from your last bonfire to give up and you've never been to this location before. Your touch makes an outline of a shadow up ahead and you stop dead in tracks to observe. A normal foe? Or your next death? Getting to close will trigger a fight you might not be prepared for, but you inch forward trying to make out the enemy that lays beyond the glow of your torch. You have two choices; sneak up and attack the enemy as quick as possible, or head back to reclaim your health. Both choices have their consequences for the enemy may claim your life, but the bonfire will respawn the enemies before it. This is where the game truly shines.

    Combat is beyond anything I've ever seen. Two hand a weapon, one hand weapon one hand shield, bows, staffs, flame casting, whips, swords, greatswords, axes, hammers, claws, fist weapons, spears, halbreds, katanas, twinblades, curved blades, dual wielding weapons, chimes and daggers. So many different types of weapons, so many weapon choices for each category. And you choice what you'll wield. You make your character to use what's best for you. My Ninja Sorcerer Assassin couldn't be anymore awesome if I tried. Katana duel wielding a staff... that's just the surface ,too. The combat requires practice. Strategy and thought will be your great tools. No one button combos, you have a multitude of attacks to use. Rolling weak attack, back dash attack, running attack, parry attack, backstabs, strong attacks and jump attacks. You must study an enemy's attacks before fighting them, running into battle with no knowledge of your enemy and wildly swinging attacks will get you killed. In PvP you must size up the player and see if they have a pattern to their strategies you can use to get in for a hit.

    Dark Souls 2 Scholar of the First Sin fixes a lot of issues in the first edition. This allows players to focus much more on the game, rather than stare at their Soul Memory forever worried of going over their level up. I can't recommend this game enough. It's an action adventure RPG we've been waiting for. It's an homage to classic retro games and their brutal difficulty. It's an immersive experience. It's... DARK SOULS BABY! Get in there!

    (Oh right uhm, there's new stuff in SotFS. Torches are actually more important now to see. SM was changed. They've added in new monsters in areas. They've made the game look and run better!)    … Expand
  14. Caste
    May 1, 2015
    10
    It's the first 'Souls' I play and I am having a really nice time with this game.

    Graphics are not top-notch for a PS4, right, but that's not the main Gem of this title. The atmosphere, unforgiving gameplay and great online features are extremely well made.

    I strongly recommend it!
  15. Wrede
    Apr 27, 2015
    10
    I love Dark Souls/Demon Souls/Bloodborne so I loved this.
    Rearrange Dark Souls 2:s enemies. Block/change some paths. Add some npc:s and enemies. Add All 3 DLC expansions woven in to the main game and you get "Scholar of the first sin".
    All together a new expirience for a Dark souls veteran.

    Praise the sun bros and damsels!
  16. ootinii
    Apr 20, 2015
    6
    Let me just say first that I'm a huge fan of From Software's games. This game has a lot of positive things, the frame rate is incredible, graphics and lighting are a definite improvement, the game seems to perform very well in most aspects. This leads me to my major problem with this new release.

    The feel. This updated release of DS just feels clunky. In particular, character movement.    Let me just say first that I'm a huge fan of From Software's games. This game has a lot of positive things, the frame rate is incredible, graphics and lighting are a definite improvement, the game seems to perform very well in most aspects. This leads me to my major problem with this new release.

    The feel. This updated release of DS just feels clunky. In particular, character movement. One of the most important things to me when I play a game is how it feels, how responsive are the controls, how smooth is the movement. Unfortunately, the feel of this game is currently not good, not up to par. There is a strange dead zone in the movement when walking forward, and side to side movement is not smooth at all. It feels jerky at best. Moving from Bloodborne to this was pretty much intolerable. I am holding out hope that From will do something to at least make consistent character movement a reality in this remastered DSII, because as it stands currently, it feels like I'm trying to control a character who doesn't want to be controlled, which basically ruins the game's immersion. I look forward to updating this rating back to where it should be in the near future.    … Expand
  17. 670Gamer
    Apr 19, 2015
    4
    Played this for only 3 hours and returned it the next day. I agree with the low scores. RENT FIRST, trust me. I do want to mention that as you progress in the beginning part, there is an area that has giant armoured knights-ridiculously hard to beat especially when they throw something hard at you that early without giving you a chance to upgrade or find better weapons and armor. Fail.
  18. Dionysus777
    Apr 17, 2015
    9
    This game is an epic strategic tactical stat heavy dungeon crawler. It has it own unique style and mechanics compared to other dungeon crawlers and its an aquired taste that i find delicious.It runs way better than the souls games on ps3 and that was my main complaint with those.Plenty of game time and replay.It has its downfalls, mainly if you dont like it youll hate it type of game.AndThis game is an epic strategic tactical stat heavy dungeon crawler. It has it own unique style and mechanics compared to other dungeon crawlers and its an aquired taste that i find delicious.It runs way better than the souls games on ps3 and that was my main complaint with those.Plenty of game time and replay.It has its downfalls, mainly if you dont like it youll hate it type of game.And for the people about it being a cash grab, why would you buy it again unless you like it? This is 1 game you get a run for your money and your moneys worth, however would only recommend for hardcore dungeon crawler rpgers that want a unique game or gamers that aren't gona have a rage stroke. This is the first time ive bought this game and its chalk full of content for the price. Dont buy it twice unless its twice as nice.… Expand
  19. bosconian87
    Apr 16, 2015
    10
    I loved Dark Souls 2 when it first arrived a year ago, and even though it clearly had faults (too much in it and a very scant plot) there was also the genius parts to it: the game was hard already, but by the player's own decision to take-on tasks non-essential to the plot it suddenly became tougher and the new game+ additions were by far the most rewarding of all the 'Souls games so far.I loved Dark Souls 2 when it first arrived a year ago, and even though it clearly had faults (too much in it and a very scant plot) there was also the genius parts to it: the game was hard already, but by the player's own decision to take-on tasks non-essential to the plot it suddenly became tougher and the new game+ additions were by far the most rewarding of all the 'Souls games so far.

    I don't think I really need to explain myself - I loved Dark Souls 2 upon its arrival, and spent too many hours playing it.

    A year-on from the PS3 version I played, I now have indulged in the PS4 version. For the uninitiated, here are the additions:

    -60 frames per second 1080P graphics.
    -The whole game has been reworked, with more plot, new characters, enemies shifted across the spectrum of the whole game, and gameplay has been given a major overhaul.
    -Up to 6 players (online players and NPC's) in a single summoning session.

    The graphics are lovely and smooth, in fact they are better than the PC version of last year!! Yes, the game is a year old (and it has aged a little in terms of graphics) but trust me, the enhancements do work and it just looks about the best it can. The sound has not changed, but it didn't need to and its the same awesome music combined with the breathtaking sound effects that are the norm for FROM soft.

    In terms of gameplay, to say this is tougher than the first Dark Souls 2 incarnation is perhaps not fair - 'different' is certainly a fairer term. Enemies haven't been just 'swapped around' to try and mix things up, they've been intelligently placed, meaning that whereas seasoned players cannot be complacent, newcomers will enjoy the experience a great deal too. Of particular note is the fact that certain events are not easily reachable now and you will have to work for them (but please note, its dealt with fairly). Coupled with the new strains of the plot, this makes for a very compulsive experience.

    I've kept this review short as I've reviewed it once and this time I'd like to express the following: this is well-worth the purchase if you enjoyed it first time around as much as I did, or if you feel like a challenge. The changes effectively null-out the complaints from last time and coupled with the overhaul of presentation and gameplay, make for a severely addictive game.

    On the PS4, Scholar of the First Sin is arguably the best remaster you can buy currently and more than worth the price of admission (or re-admission). Buy this as well as Bloodborne, and be prepared to lose yourself!!    … Expand
  20. Bloodburner
    Apr 15, 2015
    1
    Dark souls 2 was the worst money I ever spent on a ps4 game and here's why. I will start by saying that I played bloodborne first, absolutely loved it, even got the platinum trophy. I never played any of the souls games before bloodborne So I decided I want more from from software so I checked some screenshots online and though well dark souls 2 doesn't look very cool. But people told meDark souls 2 was the worst money I ever spent on a ps4 game and here's why. I will start by saying that I played bloodborne first, absolutely loved it, even got the platinum trophy. I never played any of the souls games before bloodborne So I decided I want more from from software so I checked some screenshots online and though well dark souls 2 doesn't look very cool. But people told me that it's an incredible game.. Well I bought it. The game turned out to be ugly, very poorly designed, the exploration is unrewarding. The atmosphere is basically absent and the sound design is poor. The world is boring and ugly. The npcs are dull and poorly voiced. The enemies' design is not cool. The 2 bosses that I've seen were both very poorly designed and were laughable not scary or cool. After bloodborne I was also very disappointed with the combat system with totally overpowered magic spells and the absolute must to use shields. The combat is also clumsy, slow, the animations are outdated. After trying to enjoy this game for 10 hours I sold my copy and very happy that I could get the part of money back. I was curious if I actually will only like bloodborne so I gave the old "demon's souls" for PS3 a try and so far I like it a lot, much much more then the supposedly newer and better dark souls 2 on ps4.… Expand
  21. Soules
    Apr 15, 2015
    0
    I give this game a score a zero out of 10.... thats hards to come by for me... and I absolutely love demon souls and dark souls even loved bloodborne! Now what really gives it such a low score is the fact its remastered for next gen when it just came out.... kinda... wierd... but ok.... ill bite.. then the no additional dlc just remastered dlc with some added npcs and bosses... ok ... notI give this game a score a zero out of 10.... thats hards to come by for me... and I absolutely love demon souls and dark souls even loved bloodborne! Now what really gives it such a low score is the fact its remastered for next gen when it just came out.... kinda... wierd... but ok.... ill bite.. then the no additional dlc just remastered dlc with some added npcs and bosses... ok ... not terrible I kinda enjoyed some of the new additions some I thought were stupid like bosses becoming npcs after awhile... kinda silly... but what really broke the rating bar was bugs..... usually games have glitches and bugs.. but darksouls 2 first sin embraces them... and I just find that to be poor design development and coding to be at fault and not an implement of harder difficulty if its a bug its a bug/glitch not something meant to give you a harder time... one such game breaking bug is weapon durability have fun never using the weapon you want in scholars of first sin where your weapons break after just a few hits! the original version of the game is not so bad its more forgiving with weapon durability and after careful research I have found it is indeed a bug....glitch. It was not intended to be apart of the game... weapons are suppose to break but not after 10 swings with any weapon... Im sorry but I find this remake to be in poor taste and not worth any sum of money past 5 dollars the original for ps3 holds for value as it stands as a complete unbroken game with real challenges. If your a masochist though go play scholars of first sin it will not disappoint you in the department of difficulty.. I love hard games but only if they are unbroken and meant to be hard I dont like hard games with game breaking glitches that go in favor of bosses and npc giving them more of a upperhand and you a handicap. Until this weapon durability glitch is fixed I cannot give this game more than a zero.. even with no bugs id give this game a 6-7 out of 10 because of it being copy and pasted to next gen and sold for the price of a new game.. all con artists ....… Expand
  22. Saamaan
    Apr 14, 2015
    1
    Man , I spend the money ! Put the Disk in PS4 , Loved the movie graphic !!! BUT GAME PLAY is using Super Mario Technology .

    Honestly thinking about selling the Game ... :S
  23. ripatti
    Apr 12, 2015
    5
    this cash grap annoys me and i already played ds2 on ps3 not buying this game fullprice again...
    cmon 40 buck for what. Slightly improved graphics and Slightly improved fps, it doesnt make the game better... Bought ds2 for full price 60bucks for ps3 now i have to pay 40 bucks more for remastered edition!!!?? and this is not even so remastered. this is BS.
  24. tdebug
    Apr 12, 2015
    0
    Little this game can offer to those who already played Dark Souls 2 on PS3. I own DS2 and season pass for PS3 and generally fan of the series. That is why I especially hate to see they decided to sell the same game for the same price even for season pass owners.
    Could be a great game for those who playing it for the 1st time on PS4, but zero score for zero respect for existing subscribers.
  25. kenmil
    Apr 12, 2015
    5
    If this is what "improved graphics" looks like, they must have been crap in the original. It feels like something from the 90's. Throw in the ridiculous jumping controls, the frustrating camera issues, and the fact that swords apparently break after running a dozen guys through, and you have a pretty ordinary game. It lives and breathes on its ability to make it hard, but that is achievedIf this is what "improved graphics" looks like, they must have been crap in the original. It feels like something from the 90's. Throw in the ridiculous jumping controls, the frustrating camera issues, and the fact that swords apparently break after running a dozen guys through, and you have a pretty ordinary game. It lives and breathes on its ability to make it hard, but that is achieved by nothing more than overpowered enemies at every turn, rather than anything at all thoughtful. The DS fanboys will love it, but serious gamers who have experienced quality games would do well to keep their wallets closed.… Expand
  26. sgy0003
    Apr 11, 2015
    10
    Game now days have way too much hand holding and are too easy. If you want a game that is punishingly difficult like the nostalgic games in the past, DS2 is the game for you. For anyone that is not familiar with the Souls series games, here's how the gameplay works; You kill an enemy, and collect their souls. Souls are used to level up, buy/upgrade gears, and sometimes used to cast spell.Game now days have way too much hand holding and are too easy. If you want a game that is punishingly difficult like the nostalgic games in the past, DS2 is the game for you. For anyone that is not familiar with the Souls series games, here's how the gameplay works; You kill an enemy, and collect their souls. Souls are used to level up, buy/upgrade gears, and sometimes used to cast spell. When you die you lose all the souls you have collected so far. You can go retrieve it, but die along the way you lose them permanently. There's no auto health recovery, no pause button, and not retry on the boss. All the enemies respawn when you die or use bonfires(which are the ONLY ways to have checkpoints, btw), and you have to kill them again

    You WILL rage. You WILL scream. You WILL throw your controller. But it'll get you just enough to make you want to try again. Every areas are very tempting to explore. Each bosses fights are unique and leaves players amazing sense of accomplishments when slain. The World of DS2 is full of rich lore. Every item and gears have their own story.

    Conclusion: If you want a game that will bring out the hardcore nature deep within you, this is the game for you.    … Expand
  27. lpsyco
    Apr 11, 2015
    10
    if you want perfection,good graphic engine and tactical gameplay...you can do fast roll to....buy ds2 HD
    you want better graphics
    but with a lot of frame rate and a faster gameplay,but with a lot of problems....buy bloodborn...simple as that

    darck souls 2 HD is old but is perfection....bloodbor in new gen....but is sometimes,a mess...

    adios,have fun
  28. tr3472
    Apr 10, 2015
    9
    the good:
    it made by FROM SOFTWARE
    its a "souls" game
    super smooth

    the bad:
    it has taken over my life. if i am not playing it i am reading, talking or thinking about it.
  29. xKindred
    Apr 9, 2015
    9
    Theres something for new and old players, definitely enough content to enjoy replaying this game through a few times again. I definitely recommend it.
  30. doczellstoff
    Apr 9, 2015
    9
    I know everyone is complaining about the weapon durability issue and while it does call for some adjustment to playstyle I would just like to chime in and say that it adds to the gameplay. It boils down to the fact that usually in a souls game you end up with 1 or 2 weapons that you use consistently pretty much ignoring everything else. With weapons being broken after 15-30 enemiesI know everyone is complaining about the weapon durability issue and while it does call for some adjustment to playstyle I would just like to chime in and say that it adds to the gameplay. It boils down to the fact that usually in a souls game you end up with 1 or 2 weapons that you use consistently pretty much ignoring everything else. With weapons being broken after 15-30 enemies (depending) you are forced to branch out and keep a few on hand. I think it adds a little flavor.

    As for the rest of the game: graphics are great, 60 FPS is cool, new enemy placements made it fresh for me (500+ hours in first release). It's Dark Souls you either love it or hate it. Im going 9 cause nothing is perfect and DS2 had issues all of its own.    … Expand
  31. mmrventricle
    Apr 9, 2015
    9
    Ds2:SFS is visually impressive because it has improved texture quality as well as runs at 60fps. The developers also changed a lot of enemy placements and added a few new items and NPC so its not quite a carbon copy of the first game. It is harder than the original. Pick it up if you missed the original release, and if you are a fan of the franchise and has finished Bloodborne, it mightDs2:SFS is visually impressive because it has improved texture quality as well as runs at 60fps. The developers also changed a lot of enemy placements and added a few new items and NPC so its not quite a carbon copy of the first game. It is harder than the original. Pick it up if you missed the original release, and if you are a fan of the franchise and has finished Bloodborne, it might still be worth playing.… Expand
  32. WeakOrbit
    Apr 9, 2015
    8
    This remaster is not without it's share of problems. The durability bug that makes weapons crumble after defeating a few enemies is a bug I had not experienced in my original play through. In saying that, this is my only real major gripe with Scholar of the First Sin. The already large ( some might even say bloated ) DSII package is increased with the 3 DLC packages as well as remixedThis remaster is not without it's share of problems. The durability bug that makes weapons crumble after defeating a few enemies is a bug I had not experienced in my original play through. In saying that, this is my only real major gripe with Scholar of the First Sin. The already large ( some might even say bloated ) DSII package is increased with the 3 DLC packages as well as remixed enemy design ( which to be fair makes a hard game harder, especially if this is your first time with a Soul's game) graphical improvements and much better co-op functionality with a increase to the number of players who can join your game.

    Overall it's easy to say that this is the definitive DSII package but it's a shame that the durability bug tarnishes an otherwise great RPG that only suffers from its association with Miyazaki's incredible Demon's, Dark and Bloodborne games.

    Pros
    +Huge amount of world to explore and content.
    +Wealth of weaponry and character choice. You can be a close range brute or spell slinger. Or both.
    +Good combat, slow and methodical
    +Improved Co-Op functionaltiy

    Cons
    -Durability Issue is a pain. Hopefully patched soon.
    -Remixed enemy positions not ideal for new players.
    -Hitboxes for player character are still huge resulting in dodging an attack still registers the HP damage.

    Final thoughts
    It would have been nice to have the choice of playing the remixed version as well as the classic version. Apart from that if you're hankering for more punishing action after Bloodborne or want to venture into a grim dark fantasy then DSII is the game for you.    … Expand
  33. zerox505
    Apr 8, 2015
    5
    you still want to play this pile of crap? Even as a remaster dark souls 2 still lacks the quality and environments reminiscent in the original dark souls. Taking so many steps backwards, this game is not as a great as many souls fans think it is. This is nothing but a poor man's bloodborne.
  34. aqurban
    Apr 7, 2015
    10
    The fact that From Software made some major, yet subtle changes to the enemy and item locations from the original version of Dark Souls 2, Scholar of the First Sin is an absolute blast even for returning players.
  35. warlock7
    Apr 7, 2015
    9
    Love this game. Can't quite understand why people can't seem to tell if they're in the PC forum of the PS4 forum as it makes perfect sense complaining about the PC version and it's history rather than mentioning the PS4 version.
  36. DarthPadme
    Apr 7, 2015
    0
    I love Dark Souls and Dark Souls 2, but this is a very, very poor cash grab that adds very little to the game. Yes, you get a paltry discount if you already own DS2 and/or the DLC, but the fact is, this is what you paid for when you bought the PC version a year ago, but they dumbed it down to gain parity with the consoles. I am so sick of this underhanded tactic from developers, and myI love Dark Souls and Dark Souls 2, but this is a very, very poor cash grab that adds very little to the game. Yes, you get a paltry discount if you already own DS2 and/or the DLC, but the fact is, this is what you paid for when you bought the PC version a year ago, but they dumbed it down to gain parity with the consoles. I am so sick of this underhanded tactic from developers, and my score is a reflection of that. There is no excuse for such low and unnecessary tricks to be used to make money. If they had released this product in this way at release, it would have spoken for itself. As it is, they took a year to add basic DX11 polish (which was already in the PC demo build) and make a convenient DLC bundle. Sorry FromSoft, but you get two big fat middle fingers for this garbage.… Expand
  37. Kaniya
    Apr 7, 2015
    9
    Easily one of the best remastered games for PS4/XboxObe. After going through BloodBorne for 45 hours playing Dark Souls II for the second time is just full of joy. I have to say it feels fresh, the textures and lightings are much better than PS3, enemy placement and some items placement have been changed, there are tweaks and improvements around every corner and all together they have madeEasily one of the best remastered games for PS4/XboxObe. After going through BloodBorne for 45 hours playing Dark Souls II for the second time is just full of joy. I have to say it feels fresh, the textures and lightings are much better than PS3, enemy placement and some items placement have been changed, there are tweaks and improvements around every corner and all together they have made Dark Souls II experience a fresh one. Aside of the brutal and fast nature of BB I have always liked the tactical battles in DS2 and its depth in RPG, there are tones of weapons and items to collects, tones of armors, magics and so on.
    Most importantly DS2 features Lost Crowns DLC, adding a good amount of gameplay ( around 15-20 hours max ) and as well as up2 6 player coop is another good addition to this package.
    With over 60 hours of gameplay, 40 boss to kill, additional story scope, new enemy placements, lots of other improvements i should say this is a must if you even played DS2 before.    … Expand
  38. BloodyRandy
    Apr 7, 2015
    10
    If you were dissapointed in Bloodborne, hopefully this will help you put your faith back into From Software. This game isn't Mayazaki but perhaps that's a good thing since he hasn't done anything that great since Dark Souls. This is easily the most assessable of all From Software's titles and a good start. It has all of the armor sets and weapons from the first game plus a slew of newIf you were dissapointed in Bloodborne, hopefully this will help you put your faith back into From Software. This game isn't Mayazaki but perhaps that's a good thing since he hasn't done anything that great since Dark Souls. This is easily the most assessable of all From Software's titles and a good start. It has all of the armor sets and weapons from the first game plus a slew of new ones, beautiful designs and bosses. Overall this is basically a love letter to Dark Souls fans that's above average and could be arguably the most fun of all souls games.… Expand
  39. OmegaTavo
    Apr 7, 2015
    10
    Amazing game. Even if you played vanilla DS2 the changes in this one will make you feel a new experience. I would love a remaster of DS1 but this one doesn't disappoint,.
  40. ALSGATS
    Apr 7, 2015
    8
    "DARK SOULS II:Scholar of the First Sin" is one of the few successful remastered games for next gen consoles and if you haven't experienced this masterpiece on PS3, then you SHOULD do it on PS4. you're gonna have a lot of good memories after you beat the game, and after that you're gonna wanna replay over & over again.
  41. Allthat
    Apr 7, 2015
    10
    This is a really good reason to play Dark Souls II again. You have to buy this game, especially if you missed out on the the Lost Crowns DLC. And don't worry about having to play through everything again because the enemy placement has changed so the whole game feels different. The best part is the remastered graphics which look absolutely stunning on new gen consoles.
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best PS4 Game of 2015
24
#24 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2015
36
#36 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. Gaming Nexus
    Jun 23, 2015
    90
    Whether you're new to Dark Souls II or played it on older consoles, Scholar of the First Sin is worth revisiting. This PlayStation 4 collection features the original game, along with the three expansion packs.
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  2. The Digital Fix
    Jun 5, 2015
    90
    Going backwards from Bloodborne feels almost archaic, and it takes some time to settle into that once familiar gameplay. However Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin offers the chance to revisit that still fantastic and familiar world with a slight twist to proceedings and a respectable face lift.
    Read full review
  3. GameOver.gr
    Jun 2, 2015
    100
    The changes have made this edition slightly more difficult, but the core of the game remains true to the superb game design of the original.
    Read full review
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