WhenDark Souls 2originally released in 2014, it was easy to see why some fans of its predecessor were unhappy with the many changes the game implemented to the coreDark Soulsformula. Between the brighter visuals, a more traditional high-fantasy setting, overall easier difficulty, and the notorious changes to character mobility brought about by the Adaptability stat,Dark Souls 2took some big risks that, for many, simply didn’t pay off. But many of the game’s more glaring issues would either be addressed or outright fixed with the definitive edition of the title that released a year later,Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin, and it remains the definitive edition of one of FromSoftware’s more misunderstood and overlooked titles.
For all the praise thatDark Souls 2received from critics at the time of its release, player perception towards the game definitively cooled in the years following thanks to the arrival of bothBloodborneandDark Souls 3—two games that saw the return of series creator and FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki to the director’s chair and were seen as a “return to form.” However,Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sinwould serve as an important stepping stone in the current trajectory of FromSoftware, giving the studio the confidence to experiment and ultimately providing some of the foundational blueprint for the developer’s later success withElden Ring.
Scholar of the First Sin Only Improves Upon Dark Souls 2’s Exciting Additions to the Series
Before reflecting on the enduring legacy and importance ofDark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sinin the FromSoftware catalog, it’s important to recognize the title as a major improvement over the coreDark Souls 2experience. Aside from the improvements to visuals and lighting that makeDark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sinthe best-looking version of the game, it also includes every piece of DLC released forDark Souls 2, organically integrating it into the experience. Considering how quintessential some of the DLC boss fights are (especiallySir Alonne),Scholar of the First Sinis the completeDark Souls 2package.
ButScholar of the First Sin’s enhancements over the original extend beyond content and performance to include some noteworthy gameplay adjustments that help it stand the test of time as one of the best “definitive edition” releases of anyFromSoftware game. Adjustments toDark Souls 2’s balance, item economy, enemy placements, and more positionScholar of the First Sinas a “Dark Souls 2.1” that addresses most (if not all) of the major criticisms that players had with the original at the time of its release. It remains the best way to experienceDark Souls 2, and its resurgence in popularity speaks volumes regarding its more consistent quality over the originalDark Souls.
Miyazaki’s Comments on Dark Souls 2 Confirm Its Importance to FromSoftware’s Legacy
That FromSoftware president andDark SoulscreatorHidetaka MiyazakiviewsDark Souls 2and theScholar of the First Sinedition as a major turning point in the studio’s library speaks volumes regarding the title’s importance. During an interview to discuss the influences that went intoElden Ring’s development, Miyazaki noted that “There’s really no way of telling how or if the series would have continued the way it did withoutDark Souls 2,” going so far as to say that, withoutDark Souls 2, “…we wouldn’t have had a lot of the connections and a lot of the ideas that went forward and carried the rest of the series.”
Truthfully, one can draw a clear throughline between the enhanced build craft and flexibility ofDark Souls 2and the more open-ended approach ofElden Ring, and thatDark Souls 2’s character progression and difficulty balance were improved inScholar of the First Sinmakes the title a pivotal entry that helped contribute toFromSoftware’s most successful gameto date. Even in the wake of beloved masterpieces likeBloodborne,Dark Souls 3,Sekiro, andElden Ring,Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sinstands out as a load-bearing pillar for the future greatness FromSoftware would achieve with its Soulsborne games.
