Skip to main content

Dark Souls 2 is set to make you hate life on PS4 and Xbox One in 2015

Not content to torment PlayStation 3, Windows, and Xbox 360 gamers with its mind-numbingly challenging fantasy action, From Software has confirmed that Dark Souls II is coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on April 7, 2015. Publisher Bandai Namco’s newly enhanced edition of the game, bearing the subtitle Scholar of the First Sin, is also coming to PS3, Windows, and X360 on the same day.

Scholar of the First Sin makes some changes to the game that was first released in March 2014, starting with rebalanced action and an expanded story that includes an assortment of new NPCs. Best of all, existing Dark Souls II owners don’t need to worry about ponying up for Scholar, since the above-mentioned add-ons are also pegged for a free update. The PS4 and XB1 versions further enhance the experience with improved graphics and increased numbers for online play.

Related: Dark Souls II review

Recommended Videos

In addition to all of that, Scholar of the First Sin also includes the three previously released downloadable content packs for Dark Souls IICrown of the Sunken KingCrown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King were all released separately, but together they form a trilogy that capably expands on the ideas laid out in Dark Souls II while also forging ahead in new directions.

Interestingly, Scholar of the First Sin comes shortly after the launch of another infernally challenging action role-playing game by From Software: Bloodborne. This PlayStation 4 exclusive shares some of the same characteristics with the Souls series, but the little we’ve seen suggests it leans more on offensive play than the careful parry/strike dance that characterizes the three Souls games to date. Bloodborne is set to arrive on March 24, just two weeks before Scholar of the First Sin.

Adam Rosenberg
Former Gaming/Movies Editor
Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…
A Dark Souls II starter guide — trust us, you’ll need the help
dark souls ii starter guide trust us youll need help  scholar of the first sin 20200923131245

The world of Dark Souls II is a dangerous place. Whether you're a hardened vet who's been honing your skills since the original Demon's Souls for PlayStation 3 or if the hardest RPG you’ve played until now is Skyrim, you are probably going to want to throw your controller down in frustration at some point during Dark Souls II. So, there's nothing wrong with accepting a little bit of help getting started.

If you're new to the series, its many intricate systems can seem like an insurmountable obstacle at first. Even if you're familiar with the basics, there are plenty of changes to the recipe this time around that will have you wondering about the identity of all the game's new, subtle flavors. Without giving much away -- discovery is half the fun in Dark Souls II, after all -- these tips will help you get started on the right foot. Before it gets hacked off by demons, at least.

Read more
PS4 vs. Xbox One: Which Is Right for You?
sony exec says ps4 xbox one cross platform technically easy vs

The Xbox One versus PS4 battle rages on in 2021, as the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 remain out of stock at most retailers. These last-generation consoles won't deliver the best gaming performance possible, but thanks to a large library of exclusive games and backward compatibility, they're still a solid option. Plus, they both double as Blu-ray players and streaming devices.

The eighth console generation saw stiff competition from Microsoft and Sony. The Xbox One started the generation from behind, with Microsoft undoing a series of consumer-unfriendly decisions to make its platform more accessible. The PS4, on the other hand, launched to near-universal acclaim and maintained a lead over Microsoft for the majority of the generation. As the eighth generation closes, however, it's clear Microsoft made up at least a little bit of ground.

Read more
The best games like Dark Souls
the surge 2

FromSoftware has made many, many games before 2009's Demon's Souls and the 2011 spiritual successor Dark Souls, but for the majority of gamers, this series was their first exposure to the developer. Since then, the series has grown and expanded to the point where it has become something of its own genre dubbed Souls-likes. Gamers fell in love with the new, brutal game design these Souls games provided, and although FromSoftware has been able to pump out one of these games almost every two years or so, it wasn't enough to satisfy the hunger for more experiences like Dark Souls.

Each game on this list will have something familiar to fans of Dark Souls, but also puts its own unique spin on the genre to make it stand out as more than just a simple clone. If you've played the series to death and are looking for a new challenge, check out these picks for the best games like Dark Souls.

Read more