Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin Reviews
From Software try to right their wrongs in this next gen port of Dark Souls 2 but fail to meaningfully address the issues that many players had with Dark Souls 2.
Dark Souls 2 has beautiful environments and interesting philosophical questions, followed by really mediocre gameplay and an ever-present feeling of being left unfinished.
Dark Souls II on PS4 introduces some new features, but it has some trouble with new challenges. A large portion of the content is available in the PS3 update. Haven't played? You can buy. Otherwise forgive.
Review in Polish | Read full review
While it's a hard sale for those that have already played the game to death, even with all the changes, but if you've never played it before, it's an easy recommendation. Pick this game up as it's chocked full of content that is still well worth your money. It's no Bloodborne though.
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin offers only minor tweaks to serious gameplay issues of the original game. Nonetheless, it still remains a wholly enjoyable online experience, just don't expect much from the singleplayer experience.
I enjoyed every minute of it. I would have like to see the price drop a little bit over the course of the past two years but you are still getting a game that is a joy to play from start to finish here.
Perhaps it will not have enough novelty to be a must for those who have already dusted Dark Souls 2 to the bone, but with the new positioning of the enemies, the technical improvements and the tweaks to the lore, Scholar of the First Sin undoubtedly deserves a prestigious place in the exclusive club of "reissues done as it should be".
Review in Italian | Read full review
The game is a brilliant and complete version of Dark Souls 2, with enough fresh content and tweaks to encourage veterans
Is Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin worthy of a second purchase? If you loved the original release and want to experience the game with no major technical issues, a smooth frame-rate, enhanced graphics, and repositioned enemies, then it is well worth the price of admission. Those new to Dark Souls II will want Scholar of the First Sin to be their welcoming as it is the best way to play this glorious game.
A worthy technical upgrade, but changes to enemy spawn locations serve to add frustration and highlight issues with the original release.
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin targets two audiences: newcomers and veterans. In both cases it succeeds.
Even if it's only been a year, time has not been kind to Dark Souls' sequel and this remaster does little to help the situation – even if it 's a hugely engrossing game in its own right.
The best, most complete version of a great game that offers compelling reasons for current owners and newcomers to invest in. It's not for everyone, but if you can "get into it," you're likely going to be hooked on not only the game, but the franchise.
More, tighter, better, harder? I think it is these words that best describe scholar of the First Sin... But you have to know that this is not a game without flaws...
Review in Polish | Read full review
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is a recommended edition for those who do not know the title or for those veterans who want a little more.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Paradoxically, it's a version seemingly made for people that have already played through the original Dark Souls 2, rather than new players, who might actually have a harder time with the new, tougher enemy placements.
If you're returning to Dark Souls II, you'll either come away pleased that you're on the same page as the designers, or annoyed by the seemingly perfunctory remix of enemy and item placement. On the other hand, brand new players may find Scholar of the First Sin to be an ideal, more guided tour of the world of Drangleic.
Players who have played Dark Souls II for an extended period, as well as all of the DLC may find that the rearranged enemy and item placement enough to get them fighting for their soul once again, but only if they are die-hard fans. If you haven't played the original or you were stopped a bit short the first time around, Scholar of the First Sin is the perfect excuse to come back and try your hand at the experience again. The new additions and visual upgrades make this the best version to play the game on.
Scholar of the First Sin is a noble attempt to right the perceived wrongs of Dark Souls II, but while some tweaks are welcome, others -such as certain enemy placements- are less so. Whatever way you cut it though, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is still a great game.
It's hard not to recommend Scholar of the First Sin to newcomers and veterans alike. For newcomers, this latest version provides hours and hours of fantastic content for a great price. Meanwhile, the remixed encounters and items, the ramped up challenge, and the much-needed improvements to the multiplayer ensure that veterans also have plenty of reasons to pick this up.