Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin Critic Reviews

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.

The changes have made this edition slightly more difficult, but the core of the game remains true to the superb game design of the original.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.