Summary
Ten years ago, FromSoftware launchedDark Souls 2, the follow-up to 2011’s smash hit,Dark Souls. While its predecessor would go on to be considered one of the greatest and most influential video games of all time, and perhaps the single most important game of the last decade, there isn’t anywhere near as much love forDark Souls 2. With the dust definitively settled on the game, it’s worth taking a look at why exactly it is so maligned, and if time has been kind to it.
Dark Souls 2continues the tradition of brutal difficulty, obscure storytelling, and awe-inspiring level design thatDark Soulsestablished, but it is also significantly different. Upon release, many players felt thatDark Souls 2was a major downgrade from the first game, and while some have come to the game’s defense in recent years, it remains the most controversialSoulsgame by FromSoftware. No one feels the need to defend a game likeBloodborneorElden Ringbecause, while they have their detractors, critic and audience consensus is positive. Thus, when comparingDark Souls 2to the rest of FromSoftware’s output, it sticks out quite a bit.
Dark Souls 2’s Troubled Legacy
Dark Souls 2 Criticism
Many players werefrustrated byDark Souls 2’s gameplaychanges as, although the game’s combat retains the spirit of the previousSoulsgames, it is noticeably different. An example of a widely discussed and fundamental gameplay change is the adaptability stat:Dark Souls 2requires players to invest in adaptability to increase I-frames (invincibility frames), rather than having I-frames tied to equipment weight like in other FromSoftware games. This can causeDark Souls 2to be unnecessarily frustrating for players coming from other FromSoftware games, and it contributes to the feeling of combat being remarkably different.
I-frames being tied to the adaptability stat is anotable change fromDark Souls, butotherDark Souls 2quirks, like slower stamina recovery and life gems, also make gameplay feel altered and, in the eyes of some players, less naturally enjoyable.
Aside from gameplay,Dark Souls 2may be controversialdue to it simply “feeling” different from other FromSoftware games.Dark Souls 2is noticeably brighter than its predecessor, with an art style that is more in line with traditional high fantasy than the uncanny and bleak worldDark Soulsestablished. Additionally, and perhaps even more importantly,Dark Souls 2’s level design is a major departure fromDark Souls, which is famous for its interconnected environments that loop around and intersect with one another. This design choice in the firstDark Soulsis not only novel, but helps support a sense of immersion and exploration, as players are able to firmly grasp the geographical layout of Lordran.
This isn’t quite the case inDark Souls 2, which is a lot more linear and disjointed. Add to this the fact that teleportation is introduced much earlier inDark Souls 2than in the first game, and Drangleic can feel much less seamless and believable than Lordran.World design is a vital part of FromSoftwaregames, often being thought of as just as important as combat, so this is something that is heavily scrutinized byDark Souls 2players.
Dark Souls 2has been the recipient of intense criticism from the gaming community, and while time has dulled these critiques somewhat, the game still regularly ranks as the worst contemporary FromSoftware game. However,Dark Souls 2is far from a bad game.
The changes to design and gameplay mechanics makeDark Souls 2stand out, but a few of the changes FromSoftware made in the sequel were actually rather well-received at the time, and many forget that some of these design choices informed futureFromSoftware games. For instance,Dark Souls 2introduced power stancing, which is a mechanic that would go on to befeatured inDark Souls 3andElden Ring, to great effect.Dark Souls 2also saw FromSoftware focus more on build variety, and the game generally gives players more freedom when it comes to play style, with weapons being more fairly balanced and viable.
Dark Souls 2 Lives in the Shadows of its Siblings
Though some criticism ofDark Souls 2is valid, the game suffers from the legendary status of other FromSoftware releases. In 2024, gaming audiences will inevitably compareDark Souls 2to a game likeElden Ring, which isn’t completely fair, asElden Ringis the culmination of FromSoftware’s years of experience making a specific type of game. The bigger budget of games released afterDark Souls 2can’t be forgotten, either. Also, thenow-legendary game director Hidetaka Miyazakididn’t leadDark Souls 2’s development, with the game instead being directed by Tomohiro Shibuya. With Miyazaki’s reputation growing to auteur status, comparable to designers like Kojima, many players will inevitably be prejudiced in favor of games directed by him—especially those that fall under theDark Soulsumbrella.
At the end of the day, when evaluating a handful of well-designed, artistically significant products, one will usually wind up being considered the weakest of the pack.Dark Souls 2happened to be this product. Whether its reputation as one ofthe worst FromSoftware gamescomes down to its distinct design choices, changes to combat, or the absence of Miyazaki’s creative leadership, it’s clear that its legacy has been impacted by the unfavorable comparisons made between it and other, more widely acclaimed released by FromSoftware. Still,Dark Souls 2has a lot of fans singing its praises, even ten years after its release. Perhaps a few more years will see public opinion continue to soften.
Dark Souls 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Dark Souls 2, released in 2014, is the second title in From Software’s iconic Dark Souls series. Players create their own character, an “undead” who will one day become a zombie-like Hollow if players cannot break the curse by defeating a powerful enemy.
