Quick Summary: Dark Souls 2 Scholar of the First Sin is an “upgraded” version of Dark Souls 2, including not only the 3 DLCs but also making very noticeable changes to some of the game’s original areas. This game is long, it’s difficult, and it’s rewarding if you can make your way through to the end. Honestly though, this is one of those games that’s more fun on replay than it is to play for the first time.

Like the regular version of Dark Souls 2, SotFS doesn’t really give you too much story from just playing the game. You can feel that the game is based on an amazing lore/story, but if want to dive into it you have to do some research elsewhere.

Dark Souls 2 has an unusual co-op system where players can leave glowing signs on the ground that can be seen in other players’ games if they’re in the same area and near your “soul memory” (how many souls you’ve ever gathered, including the ones you’ve lost or spent). You can use these signs to summon the sign leaver into your game as a phantom, usually to help with a boss. Or if you’re a hardcore single player kind of person, you can just ignore the signs and do everything yourself. You’ll still need to deal with invaders though. Invasions are when other players (or powerful computer controlled characters) enter your game for some player vs player combat. If you’ve played regular Dark Souls 2 you’ll notice that Scholar of the First Sin has a great deal more invaders (both human and computer controlled). And since SotFS has a larger player base, there will be more people for you to cooperate with as well.

You should play Scholar of the First Sin if:
+You liked other Dark Souls games you’ve played. Maybe you played regular Dark Souls 2 and thought “I wish the game was harder.” Or you want to play the 3 DLCs, which are included in SotFS.
+You are looking for a long game to play. If this is the first time you’re playing Dark Souls 2, you can expect to spend at least 70 hours trying to finish the campaign (if you attempt the DLCs). If you’ve played before, it will still take 50+ hours. The DLCs: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King are quite long and extremely difficult, adding convoluted areas, more enemy types, and some unique loot for you to scavenge.
+You are looking for a serious challenge. Every enemy encounter could mean a quick death for you, and the giant bosses will smack you around like they’re the hero and you’re goomba #2.

You should NOT play Scholar of the First sin if:
-You are just looking for a casual game. Dark Souls is brutal both in difficulty and in the time investment. When I played the original Dark Souls 2, I quit playing after a few hours and came back years later determined to see it through. I played through a second time immediately after, knowing what parts I could run past and what parts I should take slowly.
-You’re looking for a game where you can grind for experience to make your play easier. For example when you’re playing Diablo or Torchlight and you’re having a tough time, you can level up a little and try again with a higher level. In Dark Souls 2 it’s almost always a better idea to just get through to the next area. The solution to your problems is not coming back with more life, it’s learning to avoid getting hit. Your character’ power increases very slowly throughout the game. Every level-up makes an almost unnoticeable improvement to your character.

Overall, if you’re looking for a game that you’ll feel proud of beating, Scholar of the First Sin is quite a thrill ride. Just remember that your goal is not to become “strong” enough to trade hits with your enemies, it’s to become “good” enough at avoiding damage that you can kill or get past them. The game also offers New Game + options (restart the game at higher difficulty with all your gear) for people who really want to punish themselves. You should colmpete at least 2 New Game + to get all game's achievements.

Quick Summary: Dark Souls 2 Scholar of the First Sin is an “upgraded” version of Dark Souls 2, including not only the 3 DLCs but also making very noticeable changes to some of the game’s original areas. This game is long, it’s difficult, and it’s rewarding if you can make your way through to the end. Honestly though, this is one of those games that’s more fun on replay than it is to play for the first time. Like the regular version of Dark Souls 2, SotFS doesn’t really give you too much story from just playing the game. You can feel that the game is based on an amazing lore/story, but if want to dive into it you have to do some research elsewhere. Dark Souls 2 has an unusual co-op system where players can leave glowing signs on the ground that can be seen in other players’ games if they’re in the same area and near your “soul memory” (how many souls you’ve ever gathered, including the ones you’ve lost or spent). You can use these signs to summon the sign leaver into your game as a phantom, usually to help with a boss. Or if you’re a hardcore single player kind of person, you can just ignore the signs and do everything yourself. You’ll still need to deal with invaders though. Invasions are when other players (or powerful computer controlled characters) enter your game for some player vs player combat. If you’ve played regular Dark Souls 2 you’ll notice that Scholar of the First Sin has a great deal more invaders (both human and computer controlled). And since SotFS has a larger player base, there will be more people for you to cooperate with as well. You should play Scholar of the First Sin if: +You liked other Dark Souls games you’ve played. Maybe you played regular Dark Souls 2 and thought “I wish the game was harder.” Or you want to play the 3 DLCs, which are included in SotFS. +You are looking for a long game to play. If this is the first time you’re playing Dark Souls 2, you can expect to spend at least 70 hours trying to finish the campaign (if you attempt the DLCs). If you’ve played before, it will still take 50+ hours. The DLCs: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King are quite long and extremely difficult, adding convoluted areas, more enemy types, and some unique loot for you to scavenge. +You are looking for a serious challenge. Every enemy encounter could mean a quick death for you, and the giant bosses will smack you around like they’re the hero and you’re goomba #2. You should NOT play Scholar of the First sin if: -You are just looking for a casual game. Dark Souls is brutal both in difficulty and in the time investment. When I played the original Dark Souls 2, I quit playing after a few hours and came back years later determined to see it through. I played through a second time immediately after, knowing what parts I could run past and what parts I should take slowly. -You’re looking for a game where you can grind for experience to make your play easier. For example when you’re playing Diablo or Torchlight and you’re having a tough time, you can level up a little and try again with a higher level. In Dark Souls 2 it’s almost always a better idea to just get through to the next area. The solution to your problems is not coming back with more life, it’s learning to avoid getting hit. Your character’ power increases very slowly throughout the game. Every level-up makes an almost unnoticeable improvement to your character. Overall, if you’re looking for a game that you’ll feel proud of beating, Scholar of the First Sin is quite a thrill ride. Just remember that your goal is not to become “strong” enough to trade hits with your enemies, it’s to become “good” enough at avoiding damage that you can kill or get past them. The game also offers New Game + options (restart the game at higher difficulty with all your gear) for people who really want to punish themselves. You should colmpete at least 2 New Game + to get all game's achievements.