I’m thinking of buying Dark Souls II and noticed that Scholar of the First Sin (SoTFS) is on sale, while the original isn’t. Some say SoTFS is just a remixed version but worse, though it does include all DLC. Is SoTFS truly a downgrade, or is it more about personal preference? How does the difficulty compare, and is it worth paying more for the original? For reference, I’ve only played Elden Ring but plan to get through the Dark Souls series.
4 Answers
SoTFS isn’t a significant downgrade at all; I’d say it’s quite opposite! It changes enemy placements and integrates DLC seamlessly into the main game, which feels like a more complete package. Sure, some folks argue it’s not the same as the original, but the core gameplay doesn’t suffer. Plus, it runs smoother with updated graphics. Honestly, I’d suggest grabbing SoTFS if it’s on sale. You might not notice the differences unless you’ve experienced the original already.
A lot of the changes in SoTFS are about making the game more dynamic and less linear. While some argue it makes things easier or harder in a bad way, I think it just offers a different experience to the DS2 veterans. You get a fuller experience out of the box with all the DLC. If buying both isn’t an option, I’d say go with SoTFS given its good price and the mods that can bring back the original’s feel if that’s needed.
Having completed both DS2 and SoTFS multiple times, I can confidently say SoTFS is the stronger version overall. The few spots where enemies feel overwhelming are balanced out by other areas being more thoughtful with enemy types and placements. The game has been adjusted to encourage exploration more, which I found improved the overall experience. Just know that extra challenge can be tackled solo or with mods to tweak it back to the original feel if needed.
That’s a great point. Those mods can really help tailor your experience. Thanks for the insight!
I played SoTFS as my first Soulsborne game, and I thoroughly enjoyed it despite its rep for being tough. If you love a challenge, SoTFS definitely delivers without ruining what makes Dark Souls special. Even if SoTFS might feel a bit tough compared to the original’s layout, it’s still very rewarding. If you’re into rich worlds and want value with included DLC, SoTFS is worth considering.
The graphics improvement in SoTFS is definitely worth noting. It enhances the atmosphere quite a bit compared to the original.