DARK SOULS™ II Review Summary

Enjoyable and rewarding experience: Players consistently describe the game as enjoyable, with rewarding combat and story themes. The experience is enhanced when played with friends and appreciated for its humor and exploration.

Preference for original version: Many players prefer the original version of the game, finding it more enjoyable and better balanced compared to re-releases like Scholar of the First Sin.

Fantastic and cool game: The game is frequently praised as fantastic and cool, with players enjoying the gameplay and considering it a marvel. The DLC is also highlighted as fantastic.

Engaging gameplay and lore: The gameplay is described as engaging, with good level design and challenging PvP. The lore is also noted as engaging, contributing to the overall enjoyable experience.

Challenging and rewarding gameplay: Players find the gameplay challenging yet rewarding, with difficult but fair boss fights. The game offers unique challenges that are both fun and mysterious.

Game is inferior to others: The game is often considered worse than other Souls games, with many players stating it is the worst in the series. It is frequently compared unfavorably to titles like Dark Souls 3 and Elden Ring.

Bosses are poorly designed: The game's bosses are frequently criticized for being weak, frustrating, and overwhelmingly terrible. Many players find them forgettable and not as good as those in other Souls games.

Level design is inconsistent: The level design is criticized for being inconsistent, nonsensical, and confusing. Players find it poorly designed, leading to frustration and a lack of cohesion compared to previous games.

Hitboxes are problematic: Players report issues with hitboxes, describing them as bad, poor, questionable, and terrible. These hitbox issues contribute to a frustrating gameplay experience.

Game feels unfinished: The game is criticized for feeling unfinished, with problems such as delay issues, slowness, and clunky gameplay. Some players describe it as very bad overall.

Diverse enemy encounters: The game features a variety of enemies placed in different environments with varying AI behaviors. Enemy positioning and dynamics differ between versions, providing unique challenges.

Comparison to other Souls games: Players frequently compare this game to other titles in the Souls series, noting similarities and differences in balance, mechanics, and overall experience.

High game difficulty: The game is noted for its high difficulty level, which can be particularly harsh in the early stages and requires quick adaptation from players.

Combat system and mechanics: The combat system is tactical and satisfying, with well-adapted controls for both controller and keyboard. The game also features a variety of weapons and play styles.

Complex level and world design: The game features complex level design with different layouts and transitions. The world design includes hidden doors and light-based secrets, enhancing exploration.

Optimization and Performance Issues: The game has significant optimization issues, with players reporting poor performance and lag. Some players mention that the game is not well-optimized for PC, leading to bad performance overall.

Controller and Mouse Issues: There are notable problems with controller recognition and compatibility. Additionally, some players have reported issues with mouse sensitivity, affecting the gameplay experience.

Stability and Bugs: Players have reported stability issues and bugs, including constant falls due to bugs. These issues affect the overall gameplay experience and can be quite frustrating.

Online and Server Issues: The online component of the game is described as very small and buggy. Additionally, there are frequent reports of servers going down, which can disrupt the online gameplay experience.

Graphical Problems: The game's graphics are considered outdated by some players. There are also mentions of graphical differences that detract from the visual experience.

Original version recommended over Scholar: Many players suggest that new players should opt for the original version of Dark Souls 2 rather than the Scholar of the First Sin edition for a better experience.

Recommended for Souls fans: Fans of the Souls series are particularly recommended to play this game, as it is seen as a valuable addition to the series.

Recommended despite flaws: The game is recommended even though it has some flaws, suggesting that its strengths outweigh its weaknesses.

Highly recommended game: The game is strongly recommended by many players, indicating a high level of satisfaction and enjoyment.

Not recommended for casuals: Casual players, especially those coming from Elden Ring, might find this game too challenging or less enjoyable.

Community fair range: $15.00 - $25.00.

Game completion: 70.0h.

Story completion: 42.0h.

The game becomes fun almost immediately when engaging in multiplayer activities, particularly with friends. The enjoyment is enhanced by cooperative and competitive multiplayer interactions.

Friction: Complexity of playing with specific friends; Multiplayer activity can be volatile.

Unlock drivers: Playing with friends; Engaging in multiplayer activities.

Challenge-Seeking Veteran: Strategic and adaptable, often replaying areas and experimenting with different builds. Motivation: Enjoyment of the game's unique challenges and mechanics. Stance: sale.

Curious Newcomer: Exploratory and experimental, often seeking guidance and tips from more experienced players. Motivation: Desire to experience the Dark Souls series for the first time. Stance: sale.

Enthusiastic Advocate: Versatile and engaged, often participating in community discussions and multiplayer activities. Motivation: Desire to share the enjoyment and unique experiences of Dark Souls II with others. Stance: buy.

Steam Deck: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues with controls and launching the game, which severely impact the user experience. However, there are positive aspects such as good battery life and a fluid combat system. The control issues and launching problems are critical and need immediate attention.

Monetization: The reviews for Dark Souls II highlight several key themes related to monetization. There is a significant amount of discussion around the DLC content, with users expressing both positive and negative sentiments. Some users feel that the DLC is worth purchasing, while others feel that it is unfair to have to buy additional content. There is also confusion and frustration regarding the different versions of the game, particularly with the release of Scholar of the First Sin. Users are mixed on the value of the season pass, with some feeling it is a good deal and others feeling it is unfair to have to repurchase content. Overall, the monetization aspects of the game are a major point of discussion among users.

External guides: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues related to hidden mechanics, item usage, and game difficulty. Players frequently encounter mechanics and interactions that are not well-explained within the game, leading to frustration and a reliance on external guides. Additionally, the purpose and usage of items are often unclear, further necessitating the use of external resources. The game's difficulty is also a common point of contention, with users noting that while it may be lower than in other versions, there are still many challenging and frustrating sections.