The only thing that really needs to be said about Dark Souls II is that it’s more of the same. The game keeps everything which worked in the original. It remains hard as nails, improves and expands upon previous aspects without ever losing sight of what it needs to be, and is an all around solid title. The only real failings come from its increasingly overblown reputation and the various communities which have built up around it. If you like hard as nails combat and enjoy bleak, dark, moody settings then you’ll be right at home here.
Still, you’re probably not going to be quite satisfied with just that. So, let’s examine these points in further detail. Just to give warning though, this is mostly going to be a review for people who played the original.
Dark Souls 2 remains a divisive entry in the landmark RPG franchise, but Hidetaka Miyazaki believes it led to the success of Elden Ring.
DS2 was fine. While there was a bit of recycling assets or ideas for bosses, it was a bigger more open Dark Souls. The Fume knight boss is one of the hardest bosses in the series until Sekiro and Elden Ring were released.
The problem with Dark Souls 2 was the same problem when a different director takes over for a sequel to an outstanding movie. It typically (there are exceptions) doesn’t have the feel and vision of the previous movie.
I wouldn’t say Dark Souls 2 is terrible. Had Dark Souls 1 never been a thing and we got this, I think it would have been praised more. The problem is it didn’t have the Miyazaki touch to it and felt pretty derivative. The soundtrack is a banger though.
I like DS 2, might even be my favorite of the 3. But it's a hard sell, there's so many obscure things you need to do to make it an enjoyable experience. So always find it hard to recommend, but it is worth the trouble.
TheGamer writes, "Some weapons resist the test of time."
The Nerd Stash: “Whether you’re here to gloat about your victories or to see what the fuss is about, we present to you the hardest bosses in the Souls series.”