Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (PlayStation 4) Review

By Drew Hurley 15.11.2016

Review for Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin on PlayStation 4

Fans of the Souls series' signature challenging style were spoilt for choice last year, receiving both Bloodborne and Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin within a few weeks of each other. This sadly meant that Scholar of the First Sin was somewhat overshadowed at the time with fans at fever pitch for the new From Software non-Souls release. This updated version of Dark Souls II brings with it a graphical overhaul, some changed up level design, and the complete Crown Trilogy DLC. Now, 18 months on, to see how it holds up, Cubed3 once again prepares to die.

Unlike most RPGs, there isn't much overt storytelling to any of the Dark Souls titles, as series creator Hidetaka Miyazaki has said he prefers players to infer the story from snippets of information scattered throughout the world. Instead, the games set up a simple enough premise and leave the player to puzzle out the truth to the story by what they find in the world. Entering the world as an Undead, gamers must quest to the Kingdom of Drangleic to hopefully track down a cure to the curse, lest they become a "Hollow" - a mindless zombie-like creature. For those new to the series, it masters a style of design that was thought long since lost to the sands of time. It expects people to take responsibility for themselves, as there is a punishing difficulty to the combat and almost no guidance or "hand-holding" on how to progress.

Screenshot for Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin on PlayStation 4

This may be a "Game of the Year" style release for Dark Souls II, but those who have completed the original shouldn't expect to breeze on through here, as developer From Software has built this version with those players and their experience completely in mind. The adventure has been subtly altered enough to make this feel like a completely fresh experience. This is a fantastic method of producing this type of game and one that more should try to emulate. Key items have been moved so that the chest that once contained an essential item to proceed is now empty or, even worse, a Mimic, while what was once an empty room may now be filled with deadly enemies, and so on.

Learning how to take on these enemies, learning their patterns, and mastering the reflexes needed to overcome their numerous types of attacks, is what sets the Souls series apart from other Western RPGs out there. The combat offers a real challenge, but one that is entirely fair. That notion may be something of a contradiction, but the point is that the mechanics of combat rely on the player not making any mistakes. Any mistakes. Those who lose focus and grow complacent will be heavily punished.

Screenshot for Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin on PlayStation 4

This new release has had a noticeable graphic overhaul on the PS4, Xbox One and PC, and the combat feels fantastically fluid with the entire thing now in 60fps. The environments and enemies look gorgeous, too, although there's no denying this is an upscale of a PS3 game. For every beautiful vista and foreboding dungeon that permeates atmosphere, there are equally just as many low poly scenery parts or dodgy looking textures.

There is a wealth of content, easily 30-40 hours just playing through the main story, and completionists out there can look forward to around 100+ hours of challenging gameplay. On top of this, the trilogy of Crown DLC is also included in Scholar of the First Sin, and each of the DLC episodes more than deserves its own review, all absolutely fantastic, and anyone who missed out on them with the original release will find wholly new and original experiences within the Souls universe.

Screenshot for Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin on PlayStation 4

Crown of the Sunken King offers a superbly designed labyrinth, filled with hidden secrets and traps that is topped off with the most memorable and impressive boss battle to date within a Souls title. Crown of the Iron King offers the most challenging area to date; a merciless onslaught of powerful enemies who travel in packs that will challenge even the best of players. Finally, Crown of the Ivory King offers a frozen Kingdom filled with deadly things beneath the snow. This conclusion to the Dark Souls II story brings all of the best elements together in a satisfying finale. It truly is a breathtaking adventure.

Screenshot for Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin on PlayStation 4

Cubed3 Rating

9/10
Rated 9 out of 10

Exceptional - Gold Award

Rated 9 out of 10

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.

Developer

From Software

Publisher

Bandai Namco

Genre

Real Time RPG

Players

1

C3 Score

Rated $score out of 10  9/10

Reader Score

Rated $score out of 10  0 (0 Votes)

European release date Out now   North America release date Out now   Japan release date Out now   Australian release date Out now   

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