Dark Souls II
Metacritic
IGDB
Loading critic reviews...
Finding live streams...
About Dark Souls II
Dark Souls II dropped in March 2014 from developer FromSoftware. It landed on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC under the genre banner of action role-playing. You play as the Bearer of the Curse wandering through Drangleic to cure your undead state. The game offers a mix of single-player campaigns alongside cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes that defined its community for years. This sequel refined the formula established by its predecessors while introducing new mechanics like dual-wielding weapons. It remains one of the most significant entries in the series before the servers finally shut down on March 31st, 2024.
Gameplay
You explore a large kingdom filled with hidden paths and deadly traps. Combat requires precise timing as you dodge attacks and manage your stamina bar. The flexible character progression lets you build your stats however you want without being locked into specific classes. You can wield two weapons simultaneously to unlock new move sets or use shields for defense. Sessions often involve dying repeatedly while learning enemy patterns before finally reaching a bonfire checkpoint. Multiplayer allows you to summon allies to help tackle tough bosses or invade other players' worlds for PvP encounters. The lack of hand-holding means you must rely on observation and trial-and-error to survive the harsh environments.
What Players Think
Critics loved this title with a Metacritic score of 91 out of 100 and an IGDB rating of 84.8 from over 826 users. The PlayPile community describes the atmosphere as heavy and emotional, with specific moods like atmospheric and story-driven appearing in user votes. Most players report an average playtime that reflects the game's difficulty curve. Reviews often highlight the deep lore hidden within item descriptions rather than explicit cutscenes. The cooperative vibe remains strong even after the server shutdown as players share strategies for the most grueling bosses. Community data shows a high completion rate among those willing to push through the challenging combat encounters without skipping sections.
PlayPile's Take
This game is strictly for players who want a brutal challenge and deep lore to uncover on their own. The price point makes it an accessible entry point despite the steep learning curve. You can chase achievements that test your patience and skill with nearly every weapon type available. Do not play this if you expect frequent checkpoints or a story told directly to you. The death of the servers in 2024 changed online interactions forever but left the single-player experience intact. Grab it if you enjoy suffering through difficult fights and rewarding yourself for every small victory earned in Drangleic.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
IGDB Rating
84.8
RAWG Rating
4.0
Deals
Finding deals...
Videos
5Trailer
Go beyond Death Trailer
Longing Trailer
PC Launch Trailer
Screenshots
5Community Moods
Achievements
Loading achievements...
Similar Games
Finding similar games...
Buzzing on Bluesky
Checking Bluesky...
