Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin Reviews
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.
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.
Overall, Scholar of First Sin can be a hard sell for folks who played the original Dark Souls 2 to death already (pun so totally intended). If you've never played its predecessor before, however, or are a rabid fan who wants to re-experience everything again on the newer consoles, this is one game you'll want to prepare to take a stab at.
More experienced players will have a good experience when visiting again Drangleic, as previous save files will not serve in this version, pushing them to live this adventure with the changes in the design that incredibly refresh the journey. A definitive version that without saying it, condenses and improves a journey of pain, great challenges and at the same time great rewards.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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.
For newcomers Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is a superb package, with the wonderful DLC thrown in and the visuals at the best they have ever been. However, it's also tough going thanks to the remixed enemy placements and new random encounters. For veterans this is a welcome return to Drangleic but not one that is mandatory, as the changes feel all too insubstantial at times. So while Scholar of the First Sin is the definitive package, it isn't one that is required for repeat visitors.
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.
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.
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.
Dark Souls 2on the PS4 is as close to perfect as any game I've played this year. The game is beautiful and the mechanics are easy. The only thing that ever got to me was when I'd end up wandering around, trying to find the way to move forward. But I'm pretty sure that was intentional on From Software's part.
The game is a brilliant and complete version of Dark Souls 2, with enough fresh content and tweaks to encourage veterans
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. The addition of the DLC makes this package more than worthwhile for any fan of From Software's catalogue, but those that already own the content on another platform may find the investment too high.
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
Dark Souls 2 has beautiful environments and interesting philosophical questions, followed by really mediocre gameplay and an ever-present feeling of being left unfinished.
For people who enjoy getting into the multiplayer side of the Souls experience, it's worth nothing that Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin ups the number of players that can join in to six – up from four in the original game. I've never got on with the online component of these games because I find that the idea of having company helping me out defeated the melancholic, lonely tone that I look for in these games, but that aside I'm well aware of how popular Souls is in multiplayer, and this is something notable.
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.
Dark Souls II: Scholar Of The First Sin is the definitive version of a masterpiece. Surprising for veterans yet deceptively welcoming to newcomers, this rebalanced remaster proves as deeply impressive as it is brutally compelling.
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is a phenomenal game, taking the spectacular original and giving it fresh lease of life. Creator Hidetaka Miyazaki's grim and beautiful world is truly a wonder to behold, and this new journey into that world is filled with fresh challenges that will test even the most experienced Souls players. You will die over and over and over again, but the key thing is that you will love every minute of it.
For gamers of this generation, the game can also be a good choice to go back to the older time and understand the games of the generation before themselves, and perhaps I have to say they understand the meaning of a real game.
Review in Persian | 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