What are the pros of DARK SOULS™ II?

Many players find the original enemy and item placement superior to the Scholar of the First Sin remaster.. Offers a unique experience that stands out from other entries in the series with distinct mechanics and atmosphere.. Provides significant value for money with an average playtime exceeding 75 hours.. Considered a solid action RPG that is often 'overhated' by the broader gaming community..

What are the cons of DARK SOULS™ II?

PvE encounters often rely on overwhelming the player with groups of enemies, leading to a 'gankfest' feel.. Movement and combat mechanics are frequently described as clunky and less polished than its predecessor.. Online features and multiplayer connectivity are reported as broken or highly unreliable.. Frustrating level design and tedious 'runbacks' to boss fights can make progression feel like a chore..

DARK SOULS™ II

Developed by FROM SOFTWARE, DARK SOULS™ II is the highly anticipated sequel to the gruelling 2011 breakout hit Dark Souls. The unique old-school action RPG experience captivated imaginations of gamers worldwide with incredible challenge and intense emotional reward.

88%

Very Positive

DeveloperFromSoftware, Inc.

PublishersBandai Namco Entertainment, FromSoftware, Inc.

Release DateApr 25, 2014

$39.99

Peak Players79.5K

Metacritic91

Controllerfull

PlatformsWindows

Action

RPG

AI Review Summary

Dark Souls II is a highly polarizing entry in the franchise that many fans feel is unfairly maligned, with a vocal segment of the community preferring this original version over the Scholar of the First Sin edition. While it offers a unique and lengthy action-RPG experience, it is frequently criticized for its clunky movement, frustrating 'gank-style' enemy encounters, and technical issues.

Pros

Many players find the original enemy and item placement superior to the Scholar of the First Sin remaster.90%
Offers a unique experience that stands out from other entries in the series with distinct mechanics and atmosphere.70%
Provides significant value for money with an average playtime exceeding 75 hours.85%
Considered a solid action RPG that is often 'overhated' by the broader gaming community.80%

Cons

PvE encounters often rely on overwhelming the player with groups of enemies, leading to a 'gankfest' feel.90%
Movement and combat mechanics are frequently described as clunky and less polished than its predecessor.80%
Online features and multiplayer connectivity are reported as broken or highly unreliable.70%
Frustrating level design and tedious 'runbacks' to boss fights can make progression feel like a chore.75%

Notable Mentions

There is a fierce ongoing debate among fans regarding whether this original version or the Scholar of the First Sin edition is the better experience.
The game maintains a high percentage of 'credible' reviewers with over 10 hours of playtime, suggesting high engagement despite the criticism.

Confidence: 71%

Based on the 74 most relevant reviewsGenerated on Aug 11, 2026

Game Vitals

Live snapshot

Player Activity

Current peak

290

Peak · last 90 days

446

All-time peak

79.5K

Price

Current price

$39.99

Lowest tracked

$9.99since Feb 13, 2026

Review Sentiment

Launch week

—

Last 30 days

95%

All-time positive

88%

Review Statistics

Total Reviews46.8K

Positive: 41.2K (88%)Negative: 5.5K (12%)

Reviews from Steam Deck

Dev Response Rate

77h

Avg Playtime at Review

85%

Credible Reviews