Dark Souls II: Crown of the Old Iron King
Metacritic
IGDB
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About Dark Souls II: Crown of the Old Iron King
Dark Souls II: Crown of the Old Iron King is an expansion pack for the 2014 action RPG Dark Souls II. Developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco, it launched on August 25, 2014, for PS3, PC, and Xbox 360. This DLC adds the Brume Tower area, a labyrinthine fortress filled with brutal enemies and a revamped boss fight. Players gain new gear, spells, and lore about the Old Iron King’s backstory. It’s a challenge for series veterans, with tighter level design and punishing difficulty. Expect longer sessions and frequent deaths, this isn’t for the faint of heart.
Gameplay
The expansion revolves around navigating Brume Tower’s vertical, maze-like corridors. Combat leans into Dark Souls’ core loop: dodge, parry, counter, then repeat. New weapons like the Black Greataxe add depth, while spells and armor offer fresh build options. The main boss, Artorias of the Abyss, is reimagined with tougher phases and faster attacks. Multiplayer remains optional but active, soulsigns summon allies or enemies. Sessions often stretch 30, 60 minutes as players memorize enemy patterns and optimize gear. Resource management is key; healing items are scarce, and death resets your progress.
What Players Think
Critics gave it 81/100 on Metacritic and 80.8/100 on IGDB. Community stats show 40% completion rates, with an average playtime of 15 hours. Moods are split: 65% frustration, 30% satisfaction. Fans praise the lore and boss design but gripe about unclear pathways and grindy farming. One review calls it “a worthy challenge,” while another calls it “overly punishing.” Achievements include defeating the final boss and collecting rare items, with 70% of players unlocking at least half.
PlayPile's Take
This DLC is essential for Dark Souls II completionists but not for casual players. It costs around $15, a steep price for 15 hours of grueling gameplay. Achievements add replay value, but the difficulty curve is harsh. If you’ve mastered the base game and crave more punishing content, it’s worth it. Otherwise, skip it, the base game’s DLCs offer better value.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
IGDB Rating
80.8
RAWG Rating
4.0
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