Solider successor of 'Dark Souls' with questionable publication policy

- The main game 'Dark Souls 2' including all patches
- All three appeared DLCs ('Crown of the Sunken King', 'Crown of the Ivory King', 'Crown of the Old Iron King')

Compared to the main game from last year it provides ...

... Improved graphics, in particular through improved lighting effects and textures. Unfortunately the result is not quite as amazing as I had hoped, since various mods can achieve the same or possibly even better results.

... Repositioned enemies and objects: In many areas are enemies are now found in other constellations and sometimes at other locations / places. The typical knowledge ("Aha, I know that from there now an opponent will zoom storm that no longer surprises me.") Is thus overthrown and you have to be a little more cautious again. The places where many items can be found, were slightly revised. Whether for better or worse because you can hardly tell, but the urge to explore is therefore a bit also increases for "connoisseurs" of the original. Postscript from me: I have now already spent a few hours in the new version and really have to admit that the level of difficulty is higher than in the original 'Dark Souls 2'. Who dark remembers earlier travels through Drangleic he thinks has seen it all and knows all the monsters + positions in areas already named, has partially rethink properly if for example instead of a few knights a dragon stands before a and the hero puny by Sword tired ridiculed.

... Customized item descriptions (not many objects). One or two records that have been changed if then, a pity as I would have hoped for more (Yes, I have to admit: I am one of these 'fanatics' who always read everything - simply because I history (n) of Souls series very good atmosphere and find).

... A new NPC and Boss: A solid NPC, which optionally delivers a nice boss fight and ensures both a proper atmosphere has been integrated as appropriate. I like!

... A special ring for the multiplayer, to "manage" the collected souls. (Keyword for connoisseurs of the main game: Focused on the 'Soul Memory', which plays a role in multiplayer)

... Enhanced multiplayer features: Now for example, 6 people are also possible (instead of just 4) and there is an improved game invention. (Mind you, I have nothing Unfortunately, where I had a few problems in the multiplayer main game with the game invention).

So much for the "new" content. As info: Some things which have been made available even for the normal version by Patch (The new NPC (Scholar of the First Sin) and Boss, the customized descriptions and the 'Soul Memory' ring).

For 'Dark Souls 2' I want to lose also a few words: The predecessor 'Dark Souls' is for me one of the best RPGs of the last few years, as it by a fantastic atmosphere, a good story (if you take the trouble makes to listen NPCs and read descriptions), has bribed class level design and a variety of objects and secrets. The PC port was pretty modest, but could be made playable by mods. Overall, I distributed (PS3 & PC) there invested well over 500 hours of gameplay on 2 systems. Accordingly, my expectations were the successors also quite high.

The sequel 'Dark Souls 2' is for me a very solid game, with great approaches, but that, unfortunately, can not quite keep up with the first part. While it offers many entertaining boss fights, tons of armor, rings and arms and light improvements in combat and multiplayer, the level design and the overall atmosphere / story is not quite as strong for me as the first part. That does not mean it's bad, no way.

Some level sections and areas I like the look, the monsters and the atmosphere very well (including the No Shipyard, the dragon breeding grounds and the old iron lock), but there are also some places which have for me, for example, just cold and lifeless / acted carelessly such as the heath fire tower. In defense of 'Dark Souls 2': Yes, those areas there was unfortunately already in the predecessor (The best example. Lost Izalith and Aschesee Both areas act for me still somehow unfinished and partially quickly and carelessly completed, in spite of great ideas . I think there would have been much more of it can do) and I still have hundreds of hours put into the original version of Part 2 - particularly by the entertaining multiplayer and many rare items that you can only get from the red phantoms (was for me very motivating even if it has often taken a long time!). Very good and especially detailed reviews can be found on the rating page of the main game of Dark Souls 2, I wanted here now just briefly comment on.

Among the three DLC, I regret to say that although they are good, but do not reach the fantastic level of "Artorias of the Abyss". Although the atmosphere and the level are often very well done and also the degree of difficulty was again tightened pleasant, but also act as many monsters and bosses for me too much from the main game "recycled" (taken, recolored (* cough * 'Schmelzer daemon '* cough *) or overlooked with for example a layer of ice and you're done).

That sounds pretty damning, but that it should not be: 'Dark Souls 2' is for me a very good to excellent game that not as brilliant as the first part is true, but still offers a fantastic experience. A variety great weapons, armor and magic are awaiting the courageous explorers who are willing to fight through various opponents and territories. For hardcore fans there is even a de facto "super heavy" mode in any of Eide. Audio-technically the game is great, can be graphically by mods still some rausholen, particularly by reducing the brightness in some areas (finite torches really necessary!). The level varies for me, although the quality of her between top and "average", but the multiplayer makes once again pretty fun (Many oaths with many challenges to the highest rank).

Why I give the game but then only 4 of 5 stars? This has the simple reason: The publication of 'Scholar of the First Sin' - Edition. Of course I have nothing against adjustments and improvements of the game, certainly not, but on the other hand, the people who own the game already, have to pay again to get to enjoy the new features. Because you want the Direct X 11 support and have the new textures, etc., you have to buy the game new, since the "old" version of last year gets not donated and is also compatible with the new version. Therefore you have to start also a new character because the Scores and also the multiplayer between the two versions is not compatible. While you get for example 'Steam' a 'discount' or a more affordable version if you own the main game already, but that pushes me still very mad at.

Conclusion: Who does not have any version of 'Dark Souls 2' for the PC (or possibly even the original game without extensions): You can boldly access here and get a very entertaining, but also bucking heavy RPG that you entertained for many hours is - if you and your nerves are strong enough.

For those who own the main game with the DLC already Seize better not to, or is waiting for a better price. The graphical changes are not serious, as you can with the same result Mods rausholen ('GEM ENB or GEM GeDoSaTo' or Kalicolas 'Enhanced Graphics ENB' on Nexus Mods afford as class services). The new Monster constellations changed places where you can find the goods or multiplayer improvements justify for me no new purchase. But everyone has to decide yes.

Finally remains only just to say: Praise the sun is (/ Praise the sun)!