Why Should I Buy Dark Souls II Scholar of the First Sin?

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is a special edition of Dark Souls II, released on April 3rd in Europe and released in North America on April 7th, 2015 for the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4. What is new? Is the game worth buying?

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Beyond the scope of Light…

Beyond the reach of Dark…

What could possibly await?

And yet we seek it… insatiably.

Such is our fate.

One drowned in poison.

Another succumbed into flame.

Still another slumbers in the realm of ice.

Not one of them stood here, as you do.

As a great Dark Souls fan I answer you – yes, you should definitely try it out! I assure you have never seen anything like this before.

Let me share some thoughts.

There is a lot of talking that the game is too hard. If you die, you will go back to the last save point and all enemies will respawn and you lose all your souls and the only way to get them back is to return successfully to the spot where you were killed.

However, when you do succeed it is the most rewarding feeling you will ever feel in a videogame, because you know how much effort it cost you.

Patience and good defense goes a long way in this game. Because, only if you are patient and understand the mechanics, it is actually not all that difficult. I played it on PC using my PSP as a controller to get into the gameplay, and it really gave me some feels. 

In my opinion – the game is not that hard. It only shows us how generally games are supposed to be – challengeable, demanding. We have got used to games with autosaves every 3 seconds, taking cover behind obstacles, auto-healing, tips etc. Nowadays the game teaches you how to play it, shows you every single detail, and in Dark Souls you must learn it all by yourself. That is why there are so many people that do not get it.

Now when I play GTA V, I can clearly feel this difference. I guess the only bad sight of the new GTA for me – it is too easy. The game almost plays it for yourself sometimes. Also, when I found out that there was an option to skip the mission if you failed 3 times, I nearly missed good-old Ornstein and Smough battle.

That being said, it's one of the best games of the generation. It is really something in our age of the annual Assassins’s Creeds and CoDs.

But let us get back to the new edition!

What is new?

This version will include the three previously released DLC packs, Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King. All versions of the game will also include the following features. Existing Dark Souls II owners will receive a patch to implement these elements:

  • Additional NPCs added for an enhanced story experience. 

  • Parameter adjustments for improved game balance.

  • Changes to existing areas.

  • Expanded item descriptions.

  • Improved online matchmaking functionality.

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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 and performance.

Increase in maximum online players in a single session (6 total).

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Here is more detailed description of the new features, you can see the full list on the official Bandai Namco tumblr:

  • New character, the Scholar of the First Sin.

  • Additional item description text, such as Majestic Greatsword‎ and Soul of the Rotten.

  • NPC conversation texts are now displayed more prominently than online notices.

  • Choosing to enter the Company of Champions covenant will now allow enemies to continue to respawn after being defeated, and will now cause enemies to inflict more damage to the player.

  • Players will gain access to a new item: The Agape Ring. When players equip the new Agape Ring, souls collected from kills during online play will be absorbed by the ring rather than the player. This allows players to control their online matchmaking experience by limiting their total souls collected.

  • In Black Gulch, made it possible to receive the Forgotten Key after defeating a Giant when the player has 99 Souls of a Giant.

  • Increased effect of Rusted Coin.

  • To prevent invasion after defeating area bosses, made the Human Effigy effect function in this situation automatically.

  • The bonfire warp selection screen will now highlight the top three areas where players will have the best chance to connect with other players online.

  • Players on their first playthrough can now match with players on their 2nd or further playthroughs.

  • Made it so that invading players cannot use items which invite more enemies.

  • Players may now choose to cancel out the effect of the Human Effigy at bonfires.

  • Calibrations no longer saved each time before the title screen.

  • It is possible now to skip the ending sequence the 2nd time through and beyond.

  • Adjusted timing for Licia of Lindeldt to become the player's enemy.

  • To prevent invasion after defeating area bosses, made the Human Effigy effect function in this situation automatically

If you are still doubting, I recommend you to watch the trailer:

1 Comment

  1. Avatar photo

    I am about to buy either gta or dark souls i cant make a choice, help out

     

    Reply

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