Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Sunken King

Overview

Dark Souls II by itself is so rich and robust in its challenges that I still feel the afterglow of having beaten it months ago. Yet that also comes with psychological scabs from the dozen replayed battles against the likes of the poison rat king and the smelter demon.

-- As reviewed by GameSpot

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 11 expert reviews

Excellent:

2
Good:

7
Average:

2
Bad:

0

TechSpot is supported by its audience. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Last revision on April 23, 2018

Reviewers Liked

Great boss fights
Tense combat
Interesting puzzles
Never short of challenges from beginning to end
Rewards your ability to learn from your mistakes
Fascinating new landscapes
Cleverly interconnected areas that pay homage to the original Dark Souls

Reviewers Didn't Like

Confusing level layout
Bosses lack creativity and originality

Expert reviews and ratings

Sunken King did that with one of the best bosses in Dark Souls 2 and with clever mechanics, but suffered from some concept...

By CGM on September 02, 2014

It's exciting to see the team return to the ingenious, interlocking layout of Demon's Souls and the first Dark Souls and there are enough novel ideas to be found in this shantytown of pillars, temples and chipped blocks to reassure you that this is a team that has run out of neither inspiration nor vigour.

By EuroGamer on July 28, 2014

After running the Dark Souls II: Crown of the Sunken King DLC three times, I feel like I can finally give it a proper review. My initial feelings have only strayed a bit since the very first time. Over all, I have to say I dig it. There are certain...

By GameZone on July 27, 2014

That's what you'll probably take away after defeating the final bosses, both of which rank among the most interesting in Dark Souls 2, and definitely among the toughest - be prepared to burn through human effigies and summon a-plenty. I won't spoil the final boss, but suffice to say, if you wanted more Goliath-like monsters ripping you apart in dauntingly huge arenas, then you are in for a treat.

By Joystiq on July 24, 2014

By GameSpot on July 24, 2014

Don’t expect Dark Souls II: Crown of the Sunken King to match up to Artorias of the Abyss, but it still offers a surprisingly deep and gratifying experience. While the boss selection is somewhat disappointing and context to why we’re in the ancient land of Shulva seems to be missing, the inhabitants and hidden story behind Sinh and Yorgh will keep fans occupied until the rest of the Lost Crowns Trilogy is released.

By HardcoreGamer on July 22, 2014

The zones themselves are among the most labyrinthine in Dark Souls II and include a huge amount of dead drops and lethal traps, which are often served up under duress from unwavering foes. This creates an atmosphere of claustrophobia and keeps an uncomfortable pressure bearing down on the player throughout the entire DLC experience.

By GameInformer on July 22, 2014

Good: A solid game that definitely has an audience. Might lack replay value, could be too short or there are some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun....

By Destructoid on July 22, 2014

Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Sunken King is a brutal, but entertaining opening to a coming trilogy of DLC. Though I wasn't wild about some of the level design, the emphasis on puzzle solving added a welcome new layer to the already-deep Souls gameplay....

By ap.ign.com on July 22, 2014

Dark Souls 2's story is told indirectly, but it's deep, and the milieu of countless doomed kingdoms is...

By CGM on August 18, 2014

Load More Reviews…