Dark Souls II Reviews
If you had issues with Dark Souls II on console then Dark Souls II PC will not fix them. If you were hoping that this would be the gorgeous next-gen Souls experience we were shown in that first video then, well, it isn't. But if you were holding out to find out just how the PC version of Dark Souls II performs then know, with full confidence, that it is far and away the superior version, and that's without the need to download any sort of fan-made patch. The cycle of death and success has never felt this good.
Dark Souls II is an absolute feast of a game, and it will be a long, long time before I'm sated by it.
A sequel that is everything a hardcore fan can ask for... and more.
While some Souls purists may grumble that the easing of the series' legendary obfuscation strips away some of the sense of accomplishment that lies at the heart its unique appeal, From Software have managed to strike the right balance with Dark Souls 2, allowing more players to get the most out of the game without compromising on the fiendish difficulty that has become its hallmark.
An epic adventure from start to finish packed with wondrous environments, imaginative and terrifying foes, and the continual adrenaline-apprehension rush of passing through each fog gate. These aspects make this title a must-play.
This time around, From Software has nailed the PC version of its beloved franchise, leaving absolutely no doubt as to which platform gives players the best experience.
Overall Dark Souls II is one of the best games I have ever played. I have never before laughed at my own stupidity, cried out with frustration and jumped because of random beastly creatures hidden in the dark of the night.
There are no doubts that critics and gamers alike are going to have preferences on which Souls title is the superior experience, and if an edge had to be given to one over the other, then Dark Souls would take this guy's vote. But calling Dark Souls II only marginally inferior to its predecessor is hardly an insult. This is still a true gem of entertainment in its own right.
A truly unique experience, but it's not for everybody. You have to be aware of the words you're gonna read more than any others on your screen: "You're Dead".
Review in Italian | Read full review
More accessible, challenging, and rewarding than its predecessor, this is the Dark Souls sequel PC gamers deserve.
A carefully considered sequel that avoids upsetting existing fans and offers an olive branch to newcomers – but although the PC version is the best it's by a slimmer margin than many would've hoped.
You'll keep coming back to "Dark Souls II," and should you triumph, your victory is one that will stay with you.
While the difficulty may serve to push some gamers away, Dark Souls 2 manages to be both the most accessible title in the series and a formidable challenge for returning veterans and is without a doubt an experience that should not be missed despite the allure of next-generation consoles.
Dark Souls 2 for the PC is a far cleaner port attempt than the first Dark Souls port. The death of Games for Windows Live continues to mean good things for PC gaming, the potential to tweak up the graphics for the technically capable is still on offer, and the whole experience is far more gamer-friendly right from the get-go.
In many ways Dark Souls 2 is the technical and functional superior of the first game, but it does lack some of the semi-intangible magic of the original like its superlative interconnected world. Nonetheless, an impressive and essential sequel.
Dark Souls II lives up to the series' reputation for being unrelentingly difficult- but it's worth digging in your heels and spending a lot of time with it. The PC port is just as good, if not better than it's console counterpart, but you're going to want to use a gamepad. Using a keyboard is possible, and there's even a few mods out there to make it more functional and ergonomic, but it's still clunky and unintuitive compared to using a controller.
Dark Souls II is absolutely devious and won't hesitate to punish you for your mistakes, but the feeling of accomplishment that comes from making progress is unmatched by anything else on the market. It's not a game that will cater to every player's wants, but if you're the type who enjoys a challenge, this is absolutely a must play.
The journey through Drangleic needs to be experienced. It's a marriage of phenomenal world design and impressively tight mechanics. And then it probably needs to be experienced all over again through New Game +. It's undoubtedly bloody hard work, but that just makes every sliver of success precious. Hurrah for Dark Souls II.
There can never be another Dark Souls. From Software's Magnum opus required years of King's Field and dry run in Demon's Souls before visions of Dark Souls were made a reality. A sequel owes an allegiance to its ascendant, and it's doubly-hard trying to improve upon a game many feel was born perfect. Dark Souls II, as its blessing and its curse, is not another Dark Souls. It is, however, more Dark Souls - and it makes good on its hallowed name.
If you decided to wait for the PC version of Dark Souls II before jumping in, you've made the right decision. It's not leaps and bounds better than its console counterpart, but the graphical enhancements aid the immersion.