DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
Quick menu
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin brings the franchise’s renowned obscurity & gripping gameplay to a new level. Join the dark journey and experience overwhelming enemy encounters, diabolical hazards, and unrelenting challenge.
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin is a souls-like, dark fantasy and rpg game
developed by FromSoftware and Inc.
and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, FromSoftware and Inc..
Released on April 01st 2015 is available only on Windows
in 10 languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Polish, Portuguese - Brazil, Russian, Korean and Traditional Chinese.
It has received 116,710 reviews of which 98,052 were positive and 18,658 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. 😎
The game is currently priced at 39.99€ on Steam, but you can find it for 13.20€ on K4G.
The Steam community has classified DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
Get an in-depth look at DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin through various videos and screenshots.
Load More
System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: Windows 7 SP1 64bit, Windows 8.1 64bit
- Processor: AMD® A8 3870 3,6 Ghz or Intel® Core ™ i3 2100 3.1Ghz
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce GTX 465 / ATI Radeon TM HD 6870
- DirectX: Version 11
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 23 GB available space
- Sound Card: DirectX 11 sound device
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
Before I started my Dark Souls 2 journey, I was extremely hesitant to play this game because of the insane amount of negativity around it. I clearly remember googling “Should I skip DS2 and directly play DS3 after DS1?” I’m writing this for anyone who’s in the same boat. TLDR: Yes, the game has issues. No, they’re not as bad as people make them out to be. Most of them are manageable, and if you know about them beforehand, you can still enjoy the game a lot. Story Let’s get this out of the way. Dark Souls 2 is only loosely connected to DS1 and DS3. It takes place in Drangleic, which is probably a different location (or dimension). In that sense, DS3 feels way more like a direct sequel to DS1, and skipping DS2 won’t make you miss much story-wise. Still, I think you should play DS2 before DS3. Why DS2 isn’t as bad as people say This game is not nearly as terrible as the internet makes it out to be. Once something gets labeled “the bad one,” that reputation just sticks. DS2 doesn’t help itself either, since some core mechanics are poorly explained and easy to misunderstand. Once you learn how things actually work, there’s a lot to like here. Sadly, the game barely explains any of it, so you’ll probably end up googling stuff. These are the big ones: [*] Adaptability (ADP) This stat is way more important than the game tells you. It affects Agility, which controls roll i-frames and Estus speed. If you’re not using a shield, level this early. At least leveling is fast in DS2. [*] Humanity / Hollowing Dying lowers your max HP by 5 percent per death, up to 50 percent. I hate this mechanic. You can fix it with Human Effigies or just wear the Ring of Binding (cuts the penalty to 25 percent and is available early). Also, being undead / hollowed doesn’t stop invasions, so don’t overthink it. [*] Boss gimmicks A lot of bosses have gimmicks, and missing them can make fights feel way harder than they should be. The game hides these as “secrets,” which is dumb. Examples: [*]Burn the windmill to remove poison from Mytha’s arena (still makes no sense). [*]Hold a torch during Duke’s Dear Freja so spiders don’t swarm you. [*]Light up Lost Sinner’s arena before the fight. If a boss feels unfair, just google it. You probably missed something. Stuff you just have to deal with Some problems aren’t fixable, you just learn to live with them (and yes, some of these exist in other Souls games too): [*] Awful boss runbacks . Executioner’s Chariot and Smelter Demon are especially bad. Also, you might be missing a secret bonfire (♥♥♥♥ secret bonfires). [*] Inconsistent damage . Damage can feel random because too many things affect it. [*] Enemy placement . Enemy density is often too high, so you’re constantly fighting groups. [*] Difficulty for the wrong reasons . Sometimes the game just throws cheap stuff at you to kill you. It’s annoying, not hard. What I actually like There is actually a lot to like here, but I won't be spoiling them. You should experience them for yourself. Still I will briefly mention couple of things I loved. Positioning matters a lot, which makes combat feel more tactical. The environments are dark and oppressive in a way that fits Souls perfectly. NG+ actually changes things. The DLCs are excellent and in some cases better than the base game.
Expand the review
playing this game is like deciding to stay in a toxic and abusive relationship with the mindset of "I can fix them"
Expand the review
Dark Souls II is what people described the first Dark Souls to be. Most problems people have with the game can be boiled down to not wanting to fully engage in the first place. People will say "Dark Souls II is a good game, but a bad Dark Souls game" and then purposefully play it as if it's not a Dark Souls game by trying to sprint past every enemy. I agree that they leaned a bit hard into the difficulty for the sake of being difficult, but you can't deny that FromSoft was just responding to the fans apparent love for difficulty that at times felt unfair. Dark Souls fans made their bed and realized they lacked the strength to lay in it. This game is a great game AND a great Dark Souls game, I'd even argue it's more true to the original than DSIII. There is still room to critique the game, however most complaints I see are either present in the rest of the trilogy or slander. One of the biggest examples of this is the i-frames regarding the adaptability stat, and this complaint alone can be broken down at multiple points: 1) Dark Souls II gives you more souls per kill for your average enemy and each level up costs you less souls than the other games, so it's not some huge investment people make it out to be 2) The i-frames aren't wrong when you are grabbed by an opponent. Your character is finishing a dodge animation after it was already attacked in the hitbox, and then moves to where the grab connected. There's definitely room to critique visual feedback, but calling the i-frames inaccurate is just wrong (also disingenuous when compared to enemy hitboxes in the other games) 3) I was always confused why people had a problem with Adaptability but not Vitality, but then I played Dark Souls III and saw they kept it. Seems like people are much more lenient when mechanics like this are added to Souls games outside of this one... With that out of the way, why DO I love this game? Biggest thing for me is the depth. Even for Dark Souls standards the amount of weapons, armor, rings, etc. and how they all interact together/with the world around you is insane. The game introduces many new mechanics with my favorite being the power stance, which is essentially 2 handing from Elden Ring but with more versatility in weapon choice. Bonfire Ascetics are also a great way to get stronger and grind out more souls/items, or if you just want to fight the area boss again without doing an entire NG+. There are also countless smaller hidden things like a bell helmet that rings when hit in the head, or a pig that helps dig up a pickaxe weapon. With the other 2 games I feel like I have a pretty decent grasp on its mechanics and unique items/quests, while in Dark Souls II I am constantly learning new things. The story and themes in this game are also unlike the others. Dark Souls II brings a lot more attention to the Undead Curse and how people cope, and while playing the game and seeing the world around me I truly started to feel a hopelessness unlike what I felt in the other games. The NPCs work alongside the theming perfectly to paint a beautifully tragic picture. I've already written a lot so I just want to finish by saying if you were thinking about skipping over Dark Souls II or if you already have to get to III, I highly recommend you check it out. Don't fall for the propaganda that it's a "Bad Souls Game"
Expand the review
I find it funny that the internet had successfully gaslighted me into believing this game is the biggest piece of crap there is, and is such a downgrade compare to the original, let alone the future titles that I almost skipped it. Trust me, don't let the internet gaslight you, Dark Souls 2 is a very good game, a very good sequel, and if you play the game in the terms it sets for you, you'll have a blast, like I had. Sure, it's a bit unpolished on some areas, but they're not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. Edit: I just beat the game and the DLCs, it's absolute cinema, peak of peaks, go play it, bearer... seek... seek... lest... 9/10
Expand the review
peak souls \o/ my fromsoft play order is over the place; i first tried ds3 back in the day, struggled a lot and dropped it. then much later, elden ring released, and decided to give it a go. loved it, beat it two times and eventually felt more comfortable playing souls-likes, went back to ds3. due to the negative reputation of ds2, i skipped it... played ds1 and thought it would be the end of it. oh boy how wrong i was. when people talked ♥♥♥♥ about shadow of the erdtree, i was confused. to me the dlc was perfectly fine. then it got me wondering what if ds2 wasn't all too bad... and it wasn't. playing this game was a blast, i had so much good time with it. i actually respect fromsoft for trying to spice up things and go more experimental. dlcs were good too. most sticky situations you find yourself in can usually be managed easily (ex. in iron keep you can utilize traps etc. + if melee bows help a lot too) and agility can be leveled up fairly early on, so i don't get the criticism on these. sure starting out with that terrible roll made me feel bad too but after a couple sessions i had it leveled up just fine. i feel like ds2 prioritizes exploration and actually wants the player to go through the game without rushing it, hence the "frustrating" layouts/mob placements. im a slow player, i take my time a lot and do love exploring so ds2 was very enjoyable to me in that sense. it surely is different to ds1 and ds3, and it does have its jank moments, but in no way it is a bad game as some make it out to be. i personally enjoyed it a lot, and would highly recommend first checking it out for yourself before being biased due to the negative vocal bunch.
Expand the review
Similar games
View all
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.
Mortal Shell
Their Flesh is Your Armor. Mortal Shell is a deep action-RPG that tests your sanity and resilience in a shattered world. Survival demands superior awareness, precision, and instincts. Possess lost warriors, track down hidden sanctums of the devout, and face formidable foes.
DARK SOULS™ III
Dark Souls continues to push the boundaries with the latest, ambitious chapter in the critically-acclaimed and genre-defining series. Prepare yourself and Embrace The Darkness!
DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED
Then, there was fire. Re-experience the critically acclaimed, genre-defining game that started it all. Beautifully remastered, return to Lordran in stunning high-definition detail running at 60fps.
Nioh: Complete Edition
Ready to die? Experience the newest brutal action game from Team NINJA and Koei Tecmo Games. In the age of samurai, a lone traveler lands on the shores of Japan. He must fight his way through the vicious warriors and supernatural Yokai that infest the land in order to find that which he seeks.
The Last Hero of Nostalgaia
The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is a satirical action-adventure, brought to life by a twisted and wicked tale. Featuring hard but fair combat, *full character customization, unique battle armor and engaging narrative mechanics rich in lore, Nostalgaia plunges you into almost certain death at every turn.
ELDEN RING
THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FANTASY ACTION RPG. Rise, Tarnished, and be guided by grace to brandish the power of the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord in the Lands Between.
Enotria: The Last Song
Enotria: The Last Song is a soulslike set in a beautiful sun-lit world inspired by Italian folklore where the brightest sun casts the darkest shadow. Wear unique role-altering masks, face formidable foes and alter reality with the power of Ardore to unravel the secrets of Enotria.
Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition
Battle hordes of yokai in this masocore Action RPG. Create your protagonist and embark on an adventure through a myriad of locales across Japan during the Sengoku period. Utilize the new Yokai Shift ability to defeat even the most ferocious yokai and be prepared to brave through Dark Realms created by your enemies.
Thymesia
Thymesia is a gruelling action-RPG with fast-paced combat and an intricate plague weapon system. In a kingdom where death spreads, play as a mysterious character known by the code name "Corvus". Prey upon your enemies, wield the power of disease and find the truth in your own memories.
Blade of Darkness
Blade of Darkness is a hardcore fantasy action-adventure with unique combat mechanics and role-playing elements that pioneered the “soulsborne” genre. Pick one of four characters to hack and slash through a gory quest to save the world from the forces of Chaos.
Frequently Asked Questions
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin is currently priced at 39.99€ on Steam.
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 39.99€ on Steam.
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin received 98,052 positive votes out of a total of 116,710 achieving a rating of 8.30.
😎
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin was developed by FromSoftware and Inc. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, FromSoftware and Inc..
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin is playable and fully supported on Windows.
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin is not playable on MacOS.
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin is not playable on Linux.
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin offers both single-player and multi-player modes.
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin includes Co-op mode where you can team up with friends.
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin does not currently offer any DLC.
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin supports Remote Play on Phone, Remote Play on Tablet and Remote Play on TV. Discover more about Steam Remote Play.
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin.
Data sources
The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.
Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 09 March 2026 15:30 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 11 March 2026 08:57 |
| Steam price | 15 March 2026 04:46 |
| Steam reviews | 14 March 2026 13:58 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin
- SteamCharts - Analysis of DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin compatibility
39.99€
Visit Store
🔥 Deal
-67%
39.99€
13.20€
Buy Now
-65%
39.99€
14.38€
Visit Store
-63%
39.99€
15.16€
Visit Store
Game modes
Multiplayer
Features
Online players
2,222
Developer
FromSoftware, Inc.
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment,
FromSoftware, Inc.
Release
01 Apr 2015
Platforms
Remote Play
Clicking and buying through these links helps us earn a commission to maintain our services.