Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin

Between the new enemy placements, greater challenge, the improved visuals and all the additional bonus content, Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin is absolutely worth a first look if you're a newcomer to the series - and in the case of returning players, almost certainly worth a second.

Players with experience have a reason to visit Drangleic again, given that this adventure has design changes that truly refresh the journey. A definitive edition that without saying it, condenses and improves a trip of pain, huge challenges and even bigger rewards.

This isn't just a visual upgrade, but a deeper remastering that also improves its gameplay. If you haven't played it yet, choosing the Scholar of the First Sin version is worth it.

There's never been a better time to be a "Souls" fan. First Bloodborne, and now this new edition of Dark Souls 2, that benefits from a remarkable visual upgrade and from some new content.

If you’re coming from the PC version of the game, Scholar of the First Sin is a bit less enticing. But if you’ve only experienced the Xbox 360 or PS3 version, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin certainly comes off as a definitive version worth checking out.

It's the best version of one of last year's best games and runs beautifully on new-gen. Worth buying, especially if you've never played DS2 before.

Whether you're new to Dark Souls II or played it on older consoles, Scholar of the First Sin is worth revisiting. This PlayStation 4 collection features the original game, along with the three expansion packs.

Going backwards from Bloodborne feels almost archaic, and it takes some time to settle into that once familiar gameplay. However Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin offers the chance to revisit that still fantastic and familiar world with a slight twist to proceedings and a respectable face lift.

Not to be underestimated. Runs like a dream, sucks you in with an addictive cycle of rage-reward like any real nightmare. [June 2015, p73]

Never played Dark Souls II? This is essential, even with Bloodborne out. [May 2015, p.92]

Essential. [June 2015, p.114]

Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the first sin is a package that includes far more than expected. Not only do we get one of the best game from last gen, it’s in all ways an improvement over the original version. A must-play for those who never have played Dark Souls 2 before.

While a large number of areas remain untouched and the remixed enemy placement isn't exactly an all-new quest, Scholar of the First Sin is the best version of this game, and it remains an exceptional experience. For those who have not yet played Dark Souls II, or for those who skipped the DLC chapters, I whole-heartedly recommend this edition.

A deep, dark, extremely challenging and downright wonderful game that will keep you enthralled for weeks or months to come. New enemy placement justifies a purchase for even the most hardcore veterans of the last-gen edition.

Scholar of the First Sin is a fantastic upgrade and worth the purchase if you never had the chance to play Dark Souls 2 on PC or current gen consoles. Even if you did play through it before, the DLC alone is worth checking out.

While the industry's current love of rehashing games that are barely a year old is something that we should all be very suspicious of, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is so much more than just a simple clean-up job.

Dark Souls II is an ideal game for veteran players, but it's also a good opportunity for newcomers. From Software added some positive concessions while keeping the essence of the franchise. Action, exploration, replay value and great online experiences in another sweet nightmare. Prepare to die once again.

The exultation of hard-earned victory here, of saying “What's next” with all the fear, fascination, and excitement of any good, bloody fight, has more joys than most, and even though the game is won, I find myself itching to go back...Dark Souls II, in its final form, is just my tempo.

Thematically, I find a lot more to appreciate about Dark Souls 2 than Bloodborne, it must be said.

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is an enhanced edition of From Software's critically acclaimed title Dark Souls II. The overall experience is tense, seamless, engrossing, challenging, frustrating, but overwhelmingly rewarding and unique.

Dark Souls II: Scholar Of The First Sin is the definitive version of a masterpiece. Surprising for veterans yet deceptively welcoming to newcomers, this rebalanced remaster proves as deeply impressive as it is brutally compelling.

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is the definitive version of Dark Souls II. The new enemy placement and lore give veterans a good reason to play through it again and for newcomers it is a great way to experience an already great game.

This is the ultimate edition of Dark Souls II, which is superb. It is not only the more than necessary visual enhancements, but the included downloadable contents and many fixes which make an even greater game. Even longer and challenging, and of course as deep as ever.

Scholar of the First Sin is best suited for two types of player: Complete Souls newcomers that insist on playing with the latest hardware, and returning warriors who soaked up every bit of new game-plus content loaded into the original. While I don't think the encounters are quite up to the level of the original, it's hard to argue with more of one of 2014's best games.

It was and still is a grand, cruel and tormenting adventure that finally runs in a smooth framerate without tearing. But nonetheless technically you can see the age of the source material if you compare it to Bloodborne.

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is the perfect option for someone who's never played Dark Souls 2, or at least the 3 DLC's, but if you have already played it, the graphic improvements are not enough to make you play it again on the new consoles.

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is a very good remaster for a great game. Visuals are a bit too old, today, especially if you come from Bloodborne, but gameplay is still unmissable.

If you’re returning to Dark Souls II, you’ll either come away pleased that you’re on the same page as the designers, or annoyed by the seemingly perfunctory remix of enemy and item placement. On the other hand, brand new players may find Scholar of the First Sin to be an ideal, more guided tour of the world of Drangleic.

Scholar of the First Sin is a good re-release of Dark Souls 2. The higher frame rate works miracles and the even higher difficulty level together with the mixed content will surprise even Dark Souls 2-veterans.

Scholar of the First Sin is a noble attempt to right the perceived wrongs of Dark Souls II, but while some tweaks are welcome, others -such as certain enemy placements- are less so. Whatever way you cut it though, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is still a great game.

If you haven’t played the original or you were stopped a bit short the first time around, Scholar of the First Sin is the perfect excuse to come back and try your hand at the experience again. The new additions and visual upgrades make this the best version to play the game on.

The best, most complete version of a great game that offers compelling reasons for current owners and newcomers to invest in. It's not for everyone, but if you can "get into it," you're likely going to be hooked on not only the game, but the franchise.

The game is a brilliant and complete version of Dark Souls 2, with enough fresh content and tweaks to encourage veterans.

Whether or not you enjoy the technical tweaks brought forth by the upgrade, there’s no arguing that Scholar of the First Sin represents the best value prospect for players, with all DLC included, a bump to 1080p, and a solid framerate. Is it the best version of Dark Souls 2? Not necessarily, but it’s a good game.

Maybe it doesn't feature enough news to be a must have for those who already gnawed Dark Souls 2 to the bone, but with the new positioning of the enemies, the technical improvements and tweaks to the lore, Scholar of the First Sin undoubtedly deserves a place of prestige in the exclusive club of the "reissues made as they should be made".

With Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin, From Software and Bandai Namco have done a good job crafting an interesting remastered for both the veteran Souls fans and the newcomers. The different locations of the most of the enemies, the new content linked with the original lore, the new final boss and a bunch of extra challenges make Scholar of the First Sin the true incarnation of Dark Souls II.

Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin is way more than just a re-release. The content is surprising and it has changed a lot, may be a bit too much. But this release offers a great opportunity to experience Dark Souls 2 once more on current-gen consoles.

Even if it’s only been a year, time has not been kind to Dark Souls’ sequel and this remaster does little to help the situation – even if it ‘s a hugely engrossing game in its own right.

Dark Souls 2's regular players will enjoy Scholar of the First Sin for having better graphics, better reactivity with the 60fps and a renewed challenge. For the others, it will be harsher than ever and maybe far too expensive.

While it’s a hard sale for those that have already played the game to death, even with all the changes, but if you’ve never played it before, it’s an easy recommendation. Pick this game up as it’s chocked full of content that is still well worth your money. It’s no Bloodborne though.