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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is the game that truly tested my persistence and patience. While I did enjoy certain parts of it, I cannot overlook the flaws that mark this as the weakest entry in the Dark Souls series and one of FromSoftware's most divisive releases. If you're considering buying this game, I feel compelled to offer a realistic perspective: unless you're a dedicated Souls fan with an iron will, this might not be the experience you're hoping for.
The Early Game: A Rough Start
I consider the beginning of DS2 to be the hardest among all Souls games, though not for the right reasons. The keyboard and mouse controls are poorly optimized and lack customization (for example, you can't even set E to interact solely). Enemy placements and frustrating gank fights feel less like thoughtful challenges and more like attempts to artificially slow down your progress. This leads to many encounters feeling repetitive and, frankly, boring.
The Last Giant, likely your first boss, sets the tone for many others in the game: bosses often have underwhelming movesets, questionable hitboxes, or lack the pacing and respect for player skill seen in other Souls entries. Despite this, there are standout fights that reminded me of FromSoftware's brilliance—Lost Sinner, The Rotten, Darklurker, and Fume Knight were genuinely enjoyable and well-designed.
World and Game Design: Missed Opportunities
One of the greatest strengths of Dark Souls has always been its interconnected world design. Unfortunately, DS2 takes a more linear approach, which feels like a step backward. The lack of cohesion between areas is disappointing, and later games like DS3 didn’t improve upon this either.
Boss runs are another significant issue. Some are so tedious that they feel like a punishment rather than an engaging prelude to a challenge. The Frigid Outskirts epitomize this problem: a barren, frustrating area plagued by random snowstorms and relentless Frozen Reindeers that spam magic projectiles and spot the player from ridiculous distances. It’s the peak of poor design, where the developers seemed to misunderstand what makes a Souls game enjoyable.
Many times, the area leading to the boss is harder than the boss itself (Shrine of Amana and Iron Keep come to mind). This diminishes the satisfaction of overcoming a fight, as the buildup feels more tedious than rewarding. For me, the joy of Souls games comes from battling masterfully designed bosses, learning their movesets, and earning that triumphant dopamine rush. DS2 often undermines this.
Lore and Worldbuilding
The lore has its moments, particularly with Aldia and the ending of Scholar of the First Sin, which is intriguing and worth experiencing. However, while Aldia's role in the story is interesting, the developers completely ruined his boss fight. It feels uninspired, and defeating him gives you nothing of real value, which is a disappointing payoff for what could have been a memorable encounter. However, interactions with the old Firekeepers are far less engaging. Their dialogue, intended to immerse you in the world, comes across as pointless rambling. Mocking the player by constantly reminding you of your inevitable deaths feels more condescending than immersive, especially when anyone buying Dark Souls II knows exactly what they’re getting into.
Gameplay Mechanics: Flawed but Addictive
Healing in this game is poorly balanced. Lifegems, while useful, contribute to the overreliance on gank fights, making many encounters feel cheap rather than challenging. On the bright side, the weapon variety is excellent, offering plenty of options for different builds. I found myself rotating between at least three distinct playstyles, which helped keep the gameplay fresh and engaging as the game progressed.
Highlights: Beauty in the Flaws
Despite its shortcomings, Dark Souls II does have moments of brilliance. The hub area, Majula, is breathtaking, both visually and sonically. The soundtrack here is a masterpiece and provides a rare sense of peace amidst the chaos. Areas like Heide's Tower of Flame and Sir Alonne's boss arena are stunning and left me in awe when I first encountered them.
Final Thoughts: A Flawed Yet Compelling Journey
Ultimately, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is a game that gets better the longer you play. The beginning is undoubtedly its weakest point, and it takes considerable patience to push past its frustrating design choices. Over time, though, the experience builds into something more decent, even enjoyable—provided you're willing to overlook its glaring flaws.
Still, I can’t recommend this game to most players.I glanced over some issues like ADP stat and paying Human Effigy to fight Darklurker for the sake of keeping this review shorter. As someone who loves Souls games for their masterful bosses, interconnected worlds, and fair challenges, DS2 left me disappointed and dissatisfied with how FromSoftware handled its development. For die-hard fans, there’s still enjoyment to be found here. For everyone else, proceed with caution.