DARK SOULS 2: Scholar of the First Sin

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is a remastered version of the brutally tough action game, Dark Souls II, including three of its additional expansion packs along with a variety of gameplay adjustments. As a sequel to the first Dark Souls, Dark Souls II provides an equally punishing and at times infuriating descent into the gothic and morbid kingdom of Drangleic. There, you'll face off against towering bosses and extremely deadly enemies as you trudge your way through hazard-filled environments. The three included expansion packs provide a plethora of new explorable areas, bosses to defeat, and gear to find and equip, making this the definitive Dark Souls II experience.

Main Game Features

• Challenging third-person action
• Dozens of hours of bonus content
• Dark and gloomy atmosphere with evocative visuals

Story

In Dark Souls II, the story is a dark and foreboding one, packed with a rich atmosphere and interesting characters. The story is told mostly through the environment, encouraging the player to explore their surroundings and take in the scenery.

While it takes place in the same universe as the original Dark Souls and Demon's Souls games, the narrative has no direct ties to those games, so newcomers can enjoy it all the same. You start the game as a cursed human, seeking out a cure for your affliction in the fantasy world of Drangleic. There, you must defeat the four mythological “Old Ones” and retrieve their powerful Great Souls. This journey takes you to the far reaches of Drangleic, where you will fight all manner of beasts, even felling a king. This remastered version also contains the Lost Crowns content, which are three episodic expansions taking players to brand new areas with even tougher enemies.

Gameplay

Like other games in the Souls-like genre, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is an exceptionally punishing third-person adventure. When you start the game, your character is weak and unskilled, having very few items or pieces of gear to protect yourself. Death occurs often and quickly, with enemies and bosses able to kill you in just a few hits. There are tons of environmental hazards to avoid as well, including falling boulders, cliff-side plummets, and more. Each time you die, the game gets even more challenging, giving the player less health and offering more punishing enemies. However, by defeating enemies and collecting dropped souls, you can level up your character to be stronger, healthier, and more agile.

There aren't many guiding waypoints or directions to follow in Dark Souls 2, as players are mostly left on their own to figure things out. The game's world is set in a non-linear fashion, allowing you to explore areas at your own pace without being forced one way or the other. While this type of progression can feel confusing at times, it affords a very free-form experience, providing an immersive quality that is unmatched. You can save your progress at various bonfire checkpoints scattered around the world, usually positioned before a climactic boss fight or exceptionally dangerous room. While the gameplay can be frustrating at times, the bosses and big moments in Dark Souls II are truly one-of-a-kind, guaranteed to please any action fan.

Conclusion

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is an incredibly challenging game that will put your third-person action skills to the test. Even when it grows unbearably difficult, there's an element of discovery and imagination that keeps you coming back for more.

Although the brutal gameplay loop might dissuade new players from continuing to play, those who persist will find their efforts well-rewarded. Simply put, for as infuriating as Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin can be, it's one of the most satisfying games out there.

Pros

• Beautiful graphics and scenery
• Awesome boss design
• Includes lots of DLC

Cons

• Deaths can feel unfair
• Lack of guidance and confusing items
• Steep learning curve