Dark Souls II: Crown of the Sunken King

Critic reviews

• TEThe Escapist

  Justin Clouse · Jul 31, 2014

  9.0

  If you like Dark Souls it's more new Dark Souls to explore. The excellent level design in this latest outing is some of the best in the series. Fans of Dark Souls 2, and those that prefer the original to the sequel, will want to grab this right away or wait for all three episodes over the next few months.

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• NGNow Gamer

  Now Gamer · Jul 29, 2014

  8.5

  Still, in terms of resurrecting the excellent combat and RPG mechanics the series is known for, we can look past a narrative that has become even more obscured by this update and say that, if more Dark Souls 2 is what you’re after, this scratches that particular itch brilliantly.
• GRGame Revolution

  Anthony LaBella · Jul 25, 2014

  8.0

  Crown of the Sunken King marks the first piece of DLC in a planned trilogy, and it's a wonderful opening chapter. It doesn't reach the heights of Dark Souls' Artorias of the Abyss and features design flaws that hold it back, but the simple bliss of more Souls content is something fans can get behind (as long as they mentally prepare themselves for death and despair).

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• UUSGamer

  Bob Mackey · Jul 25, 2014

  9.0

  From Software went above and beyond with their Crown of the Sunken King DLC: invest in its tiny asking price, and you may find yourself getting just as much time out of it as you would a $60 game. But it's more than just the amount of content that makes this DLC irresistible—it's what From did with it. The amount of surprises and fresh ideas Crown has to offer should make any Souls fan salivate over the prospect of two incoming DLC packages developed (hopefully) with the same amount of thoughtfulness.
• VGVideo Gamer

  Brett Phipps · Jul 24, 2014

  8.0

  Crown of the Sunken King fits right into Dark Souls 2: it’s infuriating, swear-inducing and takes you to the brink of insanity. Where this DLC stands apart from the rest of the game, however, is that it’s an example of the developers being brave enough to offer an experience free of nods to the past.

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• GGameSpot

  Miguel Concepcion · Jul 24, 2014

  8.0

  As I began my eight-hour playthrough of Crown of the Sunken King, a line from The Shawshank Redemption echoed in my head: "And if you've come this far, maybe you're willing to come a little further." I was willing and, with every Souls playthrough to date, I have been rewarded accordingly. Crown of the Sunken King's standout exploratory design and abundance of engaging enemy encounters make it a terrific adventure, though a hair short of being essential. Equally significant is that it succeeds at raising the stakes for the next installment.

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