Many PlayStation 4 owners are still busy battling their way through Yharnam in Bloodborne, the latest game from the demented mind of From Software’s Hidetaka Miyazaki. It’s not the only Souls-styled game hitting systems though, with the re-release of the Dark Souls 2, dubbed Scholar of the First Sin, hitting consoles and PC next week.
Dark Souls 2 wasn’t actually made by Miyazaki, who also produced the first Souls games – and as far as I’m concerned, it shows. While the game certainly has its fans, many feel it’s the weakest game bearing the name, and I’m inclined to agree. While it’s in no way a bad game, it’s a poor Souls game, taking two steps backwards for every step forward. It felt like a slog, through an uninspired world – with cheap bosses and overpowering mobs and unfair deaths. Yes, I know that death is part of what makes a souls game, but I felt that in Dark Souls 2 I didn’t learn from death as I did in Demons Souls and Dark Souls – as if the developers just wanted to carry the mantle of a being a game about dying a lot, so they made it so that you died all the time, whether it was your fault or not.
While you may not agree, it seems that From Software has, and they’ve done quite a bit of rebalancing to make the game better as part of this rerelease.
- Additional NPCs added for an enhanced story experience.
- Parameter adjustments for improved game balance.
- Expanded item descriptions.
- Improved online matchmaking functionality.
Xbox One, PS4, and DirectX 11 versions of the game will include the following features in addition to those listed above:
- Additional upgrades to graphics, sound, performance.
- Increase in maximum online players in single session (6 total).
Yes, it’s getting DirectX 11 support on the PC – but you’ll have to pay for the privilege of a shinier graphics on PC. Why would you pay extra for that though? Take a look at these lovely screenshots. It’s certainly prettier, but what I really hope for Scholar of the First Sin is that it makes Dark Souls 2 a better game.
Last Updated: April 2, 2015
Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire
April 2, 2015 at 09:06
Should i get this?
Pariah
April 2, 2015 at 09:27
Nope.
Umar
April 2, 2015 at 09:07
Why are they showing off the torch. We all know that thing is useless as hell 😀 This still doesn’t look like that e3 demo
Hammersteyn
April 2, 2015 at 09:10
Used the torch in Bloodborne, could swear the guy was laughing at me.
Umar
April 2, 2015 at 09:13
Lol damn, I feel betrayed by this game though. I really do. I had high hopes for DS 2, but it just felt so shallow and plays so much on what fans loved about DS1 to the point that it’s almost a carbon copy of the original.
Hammersteyn
April 2, 2015 at 09:27
Yeah could not wait to trade DS2
Umar
April 2, 2015 at 09:29
Same here, didn’t even smaak a NG+ which is a sin in its own right.
Pariah
April 2, 2015 at 09:28
So the first sin is betrayal, you’d say?
Hammersteyn
April 2, 2015 at 09:28
The first sin the series has committed really
Pariah
April 2, 2015 at 09:29
No, that honour goes to killing people with boredom. Which, ironically, fits with their “you will die” mantra quite nicely.
Umar
April 2, 2015 at 09:29
Ha, oh you! 🙂
Peet Luckhoff
April 2, 2015 at 09:44
It looks the same to me…
Metal Rabbit
April 2, 2015 at 10:34
Doesn’t help that there’s a screenshot taken from the first ten minutes of the original game…
GooseZA
April 2, 2015 at 09:57
If Dark Souls was a 10 (and lets face it, it’s easily an 11), then DS2 was a 5. No way I’m dropping 900 bucks on this.
fred
April 2, 2015 at 10:12
I enjoyed it a lot , definitely worth it for those that did not get it previously. A few bosses needed npc co op for success on my side though.
Ryanza
April 2, 2015 at 15:10
I just have to say that Dark Souls 2 is shit. Don’t buy this game. Well some people like shit.
BloodHound7281
April 2, 2015 at 22:08
And what games do you prefer that make you above and beyond those who like games such as this?
God Hand
April 2, 2015 at 23:34
http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/3-28-2015/jEZXfe.gif
I like the idea of AI party members. But I just wish they had more personality like voice acting and dialogue. Something that makes you feel like they are part of the team
Stiggie
April 4, 2015 at 09:29
Loving Dark Souls II again on Xbox One. You don’t think it looks better until you play it and then go back and look at the older one. Also with NPC now moving around in some places and newer ones added you have to be careful where you tread.