DARK SOULS II: Scholar of the First Sin

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 90 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is an enhanced version of the original game, featuring updated graphics, altered enemy placement, and a more stable online experience with up to 6 players. Gameplay has been changed to provide a fresh challenge, even for returning players. This edition includes all previously released DLC.

  • Play​station 4
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 90 reviews
graphics8 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful graphics and improved performance, making it visually stunning compared to its predecessor.
  • Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin offers a challenging yet fair gameplay experience, with new enemy placements and additional content that enhances exploration.
  • The downloadable content is highly praised, providing expansive areas and engaging challenges that significantly improve the overall experience.
  • The game suffers from frustrating enemy placements and excessive humanoid enemies, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • Some players find the mechanics, such as the Hollowing system and item durability, to be tedious and unnecessarily punishing.
  • The interconnectedness of areas is lacking compared to other entries in the series, leading to a more linear and less immersive experience.
  • graphics20 mentions

    The graphics in the PS4 version of Dark Souls II have received notable upgrades, showcasing improved lighting, frame rates, and animations compared to the PS3 version. While some areas are visually stunning, like Majula, others can feel bland and forgettable. Overall, the enhancements make it a visually appealing experience, though it may not reach the heights of other titles like Bloodborne.

    • “The graphics have been improved, and clothes have a flutter to them in the wind.”
    • “Now back to the game, haven't completed it yet but these are my views - the graphics are simply amazing compared to the last gen version and the 60fps makes it that much better.”
    • “The updated graphics and lighting effects are really noticeable and the 60fps is another huge plus.”
    • “The game follows the normal Souls series trend of the graphics being decent.”
    • “I would say the graphics of Dark Souls II on the PS4 would be on par with what a good-looking game would have been on the PS3.”
    • “This game is subpar to the original in many ways (graphics, animations, enemies, level design), but the biggest issue to me is atmosphere.”
  • gameplay17 mentions

    The gameplay of Dark Souls is characterized as "hard but fair," with a focus on challenging mechanics that can be both rewarding and frustrating. While the core gameplay remains consistent, some players find certain mechanics, like hollowing and item durability, to add unnecessary tedium, impacting their enjoyment. Overall, the game is praised for its mechanical depth and replayability, though it may require an adjustment period for those familiar with previous entries in the series.

    • “Dark Souls has been described as a 'hard but fair' type of game in terms of its gameplay design.”
    • “Gameplay is where the series really shines.”
    • “Gameplay is different than DS1: Remastered, and will take some getting used to, but it plays beautifully and will provide hours of Dark Souls goodness.”
    • “I'm still not too far into the game, but that's mostly because it has some severely irritating mechanics on top of the normal sense of difficulty one can expect from the Souls series.”
    • “I personally play this series expecting to die and to meet difficulty, but this mechanic adds an extra layer of anxiety and tedium that does nothing to benefit the game.”
    • “Again, one could argue that this helps the immersion and makes you carefully calculate all of your actions, but I find these mechanics just add unnecessary layers of tedium to the game that drive me away rather than pull me in.”
  • story15 mentions

    The story in Dark Souls II is described as vague and minimalistic, requiring players to explore and engage with the world to uncover its lore through item descriptions and NPC dialogues. While some players appreciate the depth and challenge of the narrative, others find it less compelling compared to the first and third installments in the series. Overall, the game offers a unique storytelling experience that rewards curiosity but may leave some feeling disconnected from the plot.

    • “I wanted a game that is challenging but fair, a beautiful world that you can explore freely, and a storyline that makes one yearn for more.”
    • “I like the story; Dark Souls has a deep narrative, even if it is told via minimalism.”
    • “In short, for the story, you will get the most out of it if you explore, read up on items, and find all NPCs you can, exhausting their dialogue.”
    • “The plot is pretty thin, though the world is fleshed out by item descriptions and snippets of dialogue with NPCs.”
    • “Dark Souls 2 throws you into a vague story that's honestly never really explained properly within its own lore (aside from war with the giants, blah, blah a never-ending repeating cycle).”
    • “With that point made, I think Dark Souls 2 may seem the most vague in the series as the first had the luxury of setting the story and the third on the conclusion.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is described as vivid and immersive, with some players finding it almost tangible, while others criticize it as lacking compared to the original. The main hub town significantly contributes to the overall feel, evoking a classic RPG vibe reminiscent of older Final Fantasy titles, though some reviewers feel the game's atmosphere falls short in various aspects like graphics and level design.

    • “The atmosphere is so vivid, at times it may just be tangible!”
    • “The main hub town plays a big part in the overall feel and atmosphere in the game.”
    • “The atmosphere feels like an RPG; you grind for weapons and levels like the old Final Fantasy games before you move on.”
    • “No atmosphere.”
    • “This game is subpar to the original in many ways (graphics, animations, enemies, level design), but the biggest issue to me is atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere feels like an RPG; you grind for weapons and levels like old Final Fantasy games before you move on.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in Dark Souls II features standout tracks like the "Majula" theme, which is praised for its beauty, but overall, the soundtrack is considered less memorable compared to its predecessors, Dark Souls and Demon's Souls. While there are some enjoyable pieces, many users find the music to be inconsistent, with a mix of good and forgettable tones. The sound effects and environmental audio are well-received, contributing to a refreshing experience despite the soundtrack's shortcomings.

    • “The 'Majula' theme from Dark Souls II is gorgeous!”
    • “The soundtrack is really good, and the environment is very different from Dark Souls 1, which was refreshing not to see those rage-inducing places again so soon.”
    • “The game sounds great with all the sound effects and has good music, including a few wonderful pieces.”
    • “However, compared to the original Dark Souls, or even Demon's Souls, most of the music is forgettable.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players express mixed feelings about grinding, with some enjoying the challenge of farming enemies for items using various builds, while others find the necessity to farm tedious, especially for newcomers who may struggle with the difficulty of certain areas.

    • “Overall, I'm not a big fan of having to 'farm' enemies for items.”
    • “You can remove the limit, but it makes the area hard for farming for those playing for the first time.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received positive feedback, with users noting a significant reduction in stuttering compared to the PS3 version, alongside enhanced graphics, animations, and overall performance. The inclusion of all DLC content and minor game improvements further adds to its value.

    • “Featuring vastly improved graphics, animations, performance, all DLC content, and some minor changes to the game itself, this was well worth its asking price.”
    • “When too much was going on with the PS3 version, I would notice stuttering.”
    • “One thing I did notice that I appreciated was less stuttering.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Reviewers highlight the game's exceptional replayability, noting its mechanical depth and the added value from the PS4 version, making it more replayable than even popular titles like Elden Ring. Players appreciate the extensive content and variety that encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “If you want a great, long game with tons of replay value, this is the one.”
    • “The mechanical depth is unrivaled to this day, and it's more replayable than Elden Ring.”
    • “The PS4 version actually adds a lot of replay value.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Players find humor in the game's mechanics, often leading to amusing misunderstandings, such as confusing health restoration with successful hits, especially after transitioning from more serious titles like Bloodborne.

    • “On a funny note, I was playing it after Bloodborne and found myself making the awful mistake of thinking that my health was being restored by my hits.”
    • “The humor in this game is so clever; I found myself laughing out loud at the witty dialogue and absurd situations.”
    • “I love how the game balances serious moments with hilarious one-liners that catch you off guard.”
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Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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