DARK SOULS II: Scholar of the First Sin
Intense overall intensityWhat's in it
Constant melee and ranged combat against undead, demons, knights, and bosses with blood spray and some gory imagery; no dismemberment or lingering detail.
An apocalyptic world of death, decay, and despair where memory fades and the player is an undead cursed to wander the land, facing bleak narrative and environmental storytelling.
Chilling environments, sudden ambushes, and tense exploration create a frightening, oppressive atmosphere.
Religious and esoteric imagery, including dark rituals and demonic entities, though presented within a fictional mythos.
Occasional mild profanity in NPC dialogue.
Who can reach your kid
What it is
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is a dark fantasy action role-playing game set in the crumbling kingdom of Drangleic, where the player character is an undead Bearer of the Curse seeking a cure. Gameplay centers on exploration, combat against undead, demons, and grotesque creatures, and overcoming challenging boss encounters. The world is bleak and foreboding, with a heavy emphasis on atmosphere, narrative symbolism, and a punishing difficulty curve. Combat is bloody but without gore or dismemberment, and there is no online chat or voice communication; player interaction is limited to summoning or invading other players on certain areas. The game supports player-made content through Steam Workshop.
How it's framed
The game frames its violence as a survival struggle in a cursed, dying world where the player is an undead figure battling monstrous foes. Its narrative is presented through environmental and item lore rather than direct storytelling, leaving interpretation open-ended. The tone is bleak and often nihilistic, with the player's repeated deaths and resurrection serving as a central mechanic.
Details
- Developer
- FromSoftware, Inc.
- Publisher
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Released
- Apr 1, 2015
Similar games
We built this because we needed it
Balanced Play pools your kids' game time into one budget across Steam, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox and more. We're taking 100 founding families — free for life.
Claim a founding spot →Free for life for the first 100. No card, no spam.