Dark Souls II

About

In Dark Souls II, players traverse a dark and foreboding world filled with dangerous enemies and challenging obstacles. With a variety of weapons, armor, and magic to discover, players must carefully manage their resources as they uncover the story of the cursed kingdom of Drangleic. Intense battles and complex puzzles await as players confront brutal bosses and unravel the mysteries of the land. Prepare for a punishing journey where every victory is hard-earned.

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Play Modes

+16

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 28,765 reviews

gameplay1k positive mentions

grinding300 negative mentions

gameplay
3,350 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
62%
8%
The gameplay of Dark Souls II is characterized by a mix of familiar mechanics from its predecessors and new features that aim to enhance the experience, such as the introduction of dual-wielding and the "soul memory" system. While many players appreciate the challenging combat and the depth of character customization, criticisms arise regarding certain mechanics, like the health penalty upon death and the clunky controls, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game offers a rewarding yet frustrating experience, with a steep learning curve that may appeal to dedicated fans of the series but can be off-putting for newcomers.
- “There are some incredible new mechanics in this game that are tragically not carried over into future titles, but if you really have to buy Dark Souls 2, then you'd better get ready for a game with an incredibly steep learning curve.”
- “The gameplay also shares the same formula of other Souls games, emphasizing punishing, high-difficulty action RPG combat with significant weapon, armor, and stat customization.”
- “Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin retains the core gameplay mechanics of its predecessor, with a focus on punishing combat, strategic exploration, and character customization.”
- “Some mechanics and design choices are flaccid and confusingly thrown in.”
- “You are fighting with bad game design and bad mechanics.”
- “The gameplay changes are no good, and have largely been corrected for dark souls 3.”
story
2,461 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
66%
8%
The story of Dark Souls II is often described as cryptic and less cohesive compared to its predecessor, with many players noting that it requires significant effort to piece together through item descriptions and NPC dialogue. While some appreciate the depth and thematic elements, such as the exploration of fallen kingdoms and the cyclical nature of power, others criticize it for being vague and lacking engaging character development. Overall, the narrative is seen as a mixed bag, with some players finding it intriguing and others feeling it falls short of the rich storytelling found in the first Dark Souls.
- “Dark Souls 2's story shares similar themes to the original, focusing on the corruption of power and how all monarchies are doomed to fall due to the greed of their rulers.”
- “The story is surprisingly digestible even outside of the infamous lore-heavy item descriptions, making this a pretty coherent tale of falling monarchies from start to finish.”
- “As it seems to be with every Dark Souls game, no, it's a journey, an experience, one even if different, still awesome, filled with epic battles, full of heart, deep plot and amazing characters.”
- “Everything about DS2 feels second rate and rushed, from the level design, encounters, bosses, mechanics, progression, and story.”
- “There is no real narrative; the story is non-existent.”
- “The story is almost non-existent, though this is conclusive with other games of the franchise, and it jumps around all over the place, hoping to cover it with the often repeated line '...without ever knowing why'.”
graphics
1,948 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
58%
11%
The graphics of "Dark Souls II" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant downgrade compared to its predecessor, "Dark Souls." While some appreciate the improved performance and smoother frame rates, particularly on PC, others criticize the dated visuals and inconsistent texture quality, often likening them to older console graphics. The game's art style is described as dark and atmospheric, but many feel it lacks the cohesive world design and stunning vistas that characterized the first game, leading to a sense of disappointment regarding the overall graphical fidelity.
- “The art style of Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is dark and atmospheric, with a gothic aesthetic that perfectly captures the game's setting.”
- “Incredible graphics, amazing dark immersion and a very nice reward system.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the music is great and it runs perfectly in my crappy laptop.”
- “Doesn't look like I'm missing much by not being able to play; the graphics and animations look way worse than the one that came before this.”
- “The graphics felt like a downgrade on Dark Souls 1 in a lot of ways, and the bland environments were doing them no favors.”
- “On the negative side, the graphics have not aged so well and some areas are just plain ugly.”
atmosphere
523 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
42%
4%
The atmosphere in "Dark Souls II" is described as captivating and immersive, featuring a variety of visually stunning environments that evoke a sense of melancholy and challenge. While many players appreciate the game's gothic aesthetic and atmospheric sound design, some feel it lacks the depth and interconnectedness of its predecessor, "Dark Souls," leading to mixed opinions on its overall atmospheric impact. Despite these criticisms, the game still offers a rich atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience, particularly for those who enjoy dark fantasy settings.
- “The atmosphere of the Dark Souls world is hauntingly beautiful, and while playing, I get lost in the timeless world of Drangleic.”
- “The levels are visually stunning and atmospheric, with a variety of environments to explore, from the sun-drenched ruins of Heide's Tower of Flame to the treacherous depths of the Gutter.”
- “The atmosphere is rich and the story is riveting.”
- “The atmosphere is mostly nonexistent and the enemy designs are bland and forgettable like the soundtrack and characters.”
- “The world is completely uninspired and very few locations have the mysterious atmosphere pulling you along.”
- “However... the game's atmosphere feels nowhere near as emotional as the first and miles behind Demon's Souls; this isn't to say DSII is a bad game, it's great at what it does and it fits very well with the other games.”
replayability
387 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
48%
1%
Dark Souls II is widely praised for its high replayability, offering a vast array of weapons, spells, and character builds that encourage multiple playthroughs. The game features a unique New Game+ system that alters enemy placements and introduces new challenges, enhancing the overall experience. While some players note that the combat mechanics may detract from replay value, the extensive content and player freedom ensure that many find it engaging enough for hundreds of hours of gameplay.
- “As all souls games, this has an intricate and fun combat system, a cryptic but great story, great music, and tons of replayability due to the way every weapon changes the gameplay experience deeply.”
- “Talking about replayability, this game is the only one in the trilogy that offers variation when it comes to NG+ cycles, switching up enemy placements, changing the way you approach some bosses, and adding new high-tier items that will come in handy both against the monsters that fill Drangleic as well as invaders in PvP.”
- “The replayability of this game in my opinion is infinite because of the aspect to build your character and challenge others who play the game during or after you have beaten it multiple times.”
- “The primary issue that prevents Dark Souls 2 from being replayable to me is that the combat sucks big time.”
- “However, the game is not very replayable in comparison to its predecessor, Dark Souls.”
- “It's a huge bummer because I consider PvP the ultimate end-game and the source of replayability, so this game's replay value has been greatly diminished.”
music
360 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
40%
8%
The music in the game has received high praise, particularly for its atmospheric qualities and standout tracks like the Majula theme, which many players find beautiful and evocative. While some reviewers note that the soundtrack may not be as memorable as that of its predecessor, Dark Souls, the overall composition is still considered excellent, enhancing the game's ambiance and emotional depth. However, there are mixed opinions regarding the music's impact during gameplay, with some feeling it lacks the immersive quality found in other titles in the series.
- “The best thing you can do in this game is just sit in Majula, listen to the music and the surf, and simply watch the beautiful sunset.”
- “Majula itself has really beautiful music, this also includes boss music, just plain epic!”
- “The soundtrack is simply amazing, from the first time you walk into Majula to when you hear singing in the DLC, everything is perfect with the ambiance.”
- “Lacks the immersion I felt while playing the other FromSoftware titles; the OST is extremely weak and the disgusting, washed-out colors just make it feel like a PS2 title.”
- “The biggest letdown in this one is the soundtrack... it sucks.”
- “The soundtrack in my opinion is worse than Dark Souls 1; in Dark Souls 1 it had a really unique taste and was a lot more enjoyable than in Dark Souls 2.”
grinding
312 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
3%
96%
The grinding aspect of Dark Souls II has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and frustrating due to the game's mechanics that limit enemy respawns and the necessity of farming for souls and items. While some appreciate the slower pace of grinding as a relaxing experience, others criticize it for feeling repetitive and unchallenging, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, players suggest that grinding can be rewarding but often leads to a sense of monotony and frustration, especially when compared to previous titles in the series.
- “The weapons here are bountiful and almost all are viable; it isn't tedious to upgrade weapons, and leveling up happens so fast.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This game's idea of challenge is killing you because of unpolished and unfair mechanics and then forcing you to waste your time grinding for an item for the privilege of using your health bar.”
- “The entire gameplay of Dark Souls 2 feels like I'm grinding in the painted world in Dark Souls 1, something which needs to be done but isn't enjoyable to do.”
- “But as mentioned, game mechanics will just literally blow your mind... after killing enemies for quite some time, drop rates will just decrease progressively and hence leaving you grinding several unnecessary hours for almost nothing... grinding souls is a reality in this chapter and you will hate it!”
optimization
288 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
53%
11%
Overall, the optimization of Dark Souls II has received a largely positive reception, with many players noting significant improvements over its predecessor, Dark Souls. The game runs smoothly at 60 fps even on lower-end PCs, and the updated engine allows for better graphics and performance without the stuttering issues that plagued the first game. However, some users have pointed out that mouse and keyboard controls are not as well optimized, leading to frustrations in gameplay.
- “Really well optimized for PC.”
- “It's also ridiculously well optimized, I get 60fps even at 4k with mods with a GTX 960.”
- “The PC port isn't complete garbage this time around, in fact it is a very good one with a full set of graphics optimization options and a rock solid frame rate with no performance issues.”
- “I initially had a very negative opinion on this game, what with the somewhat poor optimization and issues I had to get through at first.”
- “Just a summary of my experience so far is that it's much buggier than I would have imagined, and I'm hoping to get a refund due to this being a poorly optimized game.”
- “This game is not, I repeat, is not optimized for PC.”
stability
146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
2%
87%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and frustrating hitbox issues that detract from the overall experience. While some players note that it runs well on lower-end systems and has solid gameplay mechanics, many others express frustration over the frequent crashes, connectivity problems, and inconsistent performance, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, the game is seen as a mixed bag, with significant stability issues that can hinder enjoyment.
- “This version runs great and would run great even on a lower-end PC. I can't see the new version being leaps and bounds ahead in graphics anyways, and the gameplay is going to be just as solid.”
- “The PC port is seriously not as bad as everyone is saying it is. All of these complaints are from dead on launch, and every game has its launch problems. I am writing this on the first day it was released and I have found no glitches within the game. There were some launch issues, but there was a fix for everything and it literally took me around 5 minutes to fix it all.”
- “The game had no problem loading up, with no glitches, frame rate drops, and no decline in resolution.”
- “Clipping issues, buggy AI, character getting randomly flung around with no enemies in sight--the works.”
- “This game is a buggy mess at the moment; it barely starts, and when it does, oh boy, are you in for a nasty ride. Do not waste your money on this garbage before they fix all the bugs.”
- “Currently, the game is a bad port and also has bad glitches.”
emotional
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of Dark Souls II elicits a wide range of responses from players, with many expressing feelings of frustration, heartbreak, and intense emotional reward throughout their journey. While some find the game less emotionally engaging compared to its predecessor, others appreciate its challenging nature and the profound impact of its lore, leading to moments of genuine emotional connection and catharsis. Overall, players describe the experience as a roller coaster of emotions, combining frustration with moments of joy and reflection, making it a memorable, albeit punishing, adventure.
- “The unique old-school action RPG experience captivated the imaginations of gamers worldwide with incredible challenge and intense emotional reward.”
- “This game makes me want to cry.”
- “This magnum opus takes you on an emotional journey through the planes of despair and desolation, offering very little solace, even at its conclusion.”
humor
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The humor in the game is often described as dark and situational, stemming from the absurdity of player deaths and the game's challenging mechanics, which can lead to both frustration and laughter. Players find amusement in the game's quirky enemy placements, unexpected deaths, and community-generated messages, while some moments are perceived as hilariously bad design choices. Overall, the humor is a mix of intentional comedic elements and the unintentional hilarity that arises from the game's punishing difficulty and player experiences.
- “There are so many funny cheeses you can do on the bosses, there are so many absolutely sadistic level design choices that honestly I can respect for how evil they are.”
- “You going to die... a lot... and in a way people will laugh at you... and it will be funny... many laughs were given.”
- “The game rewards persistence and has made death something unique: both hilarious and rage-inducing.”
- “I came, I saw, I died so many times it's not funny.”
- “-stop whining, it's not funny anymore.”
- “Unfunny review: wow, I keep dying; this game must be a souls game.”
monetization
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy for this game has been widely criticized as a cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over low-quality DLC, reused assets, and misleading advertising. Players feel that the game's transition under Namco Bandai has led to a lack of respect for the audience, with practices like selling an "all-inclusive" version that forces players to repurchase content. Overall, the sentiment is that the game prioritizes profit over quality, leaving many fans frustrated.
- “The DLC is a low-quality cash grab plagued by reused assets and zero creativity.”
- “This is a disgustingly greedy cash grab by Bamco in an attempt to make people buy the same game twice in order to have the complete version.”
- “Promises that were not kept, false graphical advertisement that turns out wasn't false, zero mod support, and an overall underwhelming experience for the asking price. Thank you, From Software, for showing us that no matter how respectable a company seems, it's just a greedy entity that does not respect its audience.”
character development
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
60%
11%
Character development in "Dark Souls II" receives mixed reviews, with some praising its depth and variety in customization options, allowing for individual playstyles through numerous weapons and armor sets. However, others criticize the lack of compelling storytelling and character growth within the narrative, suggesting a decline in overall character design compared to its predecessor. While some players appreciate the balance and mechanics of character development, others find the execution lacking, citing poor controls and a disappointing covenant system.
- “One of the notable features of 'Dark Souls II' is its increased emphasis on storytelling and character development.”
- “The game contains numerous weapons, armors, spells, miracles, and hexes allowing players freedom and individuality in their approach to character development.”
- “Great character development, dark atmosphere, clever multiplayer, challenging bosses and gameplay overall, really good fighting system and controls.”
- “I do not get why it is so popular: I have spent 2 hours pointlessly walking around a mediocre fanta-gothic poorly designed environment with no compelling story, no character development, very elementary gameplay.”
- “Lame story, no character development whatsoever (in terms of character growth within the story), horrible controls, wonky dialogue, and just overall misery.”
- “Now, I could go on and on about combat controls and the non-existing information you get on character development and stats/attributes/resistances or whatever, but I think one can find that better illustrated in other reviews.”