Dark Souls II: Crown of the Old Iron King

Critic reviews

• PPolygon

  Dave Tach · Sep 26, 2014

  8.0

  The unique genius of the Souls formula is that it’s constructed on a foundation of frustration that players are invited to conquer. ...They convince players that, given enough time, patience and study, these games can not only be overcome, but mastered. Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Old Iron King gets the formula right, but only if you’ve invested the time required to match its level of difficulty with your own and you’re willing to listen to what it’s trying to tell you.

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• PGPC Gamer

  Cory Banks · Sep 05, 2014

  8.0

  None of this changes the game dramatically: Crown of the Old Iron King still plays like Dark Souls 2, even if the focus is more on the area I’m exploring than the boss I’m trying to dodge. I like that these DLC packs reward faithful Dark Souls 2 players, not just with new challenges but with improved items and equipment.

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• GRGame Revolution

  Anthony LaBella · Sep 05, 2014

  8.0

  From Software isn't changing the landscape of downloadable content with these additions to the core game, but both Crown of the Sunken King and Crown of the Old Iron King feel like logical additions to the rich and expansive world of Dark Souls II. Old Iron King's focus on fire is a welcome change, and despite some uninspired moments, it has the atmosphere and challenge we've come to expect from the series. Souls fans will likely find something to enjoy here.

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• GTGame Trailers

  Ben Moore · Aug 28, 2014

  8.8

  Outside of the repetitious boss, there’s very little to complain about with Crown of the Old Iron King. As you descend deeper in Brume Tower, there’s much to uncover and you’re often given multiple paths to explore. Regardless of how you progress, that familiar sense of dread will plague every step. Crown of the Old Iron King only gets more insidious as it goes on and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
• GGameSpot

  Miguel Concepcion · Aug 27, 2014

  8.0

  From Software is keenly aware of this, as evidenced by a memorable, and more importantly, playable flashback sequence of Dark Souls II. What is noteworthy about Crown of the Old Iron King is how it conveys a deep sense history without the help of a flashback. Its slumbering defenses await your arrival, just as they have for countless heroes before and for those who'll follow in your footsteps. It's these guardians who act as the connective tissue between past and present, formidable as always.

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• DDestructoid

  Chris Carter · Aug 27, 2014

  7.5

  Crown of the Iron King didn't blow me away, but it's a very nice zone that feels like a natural extension of Dark Souls II, and it's meaty enough to feel like a real DLC and not just a bonus area. Now that there are two DLCs down and one to go, it's hard to really recommend the Season Pass unless the third zone really knocks it out of the park. Stay tuned in September for our coverage of The Crown of the Ivory King.

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