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DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin similar games & best alternatives

DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 • 2015

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Quick resume

DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin brings the franchise’s renowned obscurity & gripping gameplay to a new level. Join the dark journey and experience overwhelming enemy encounters, diabolical hazards, and unrelenting challenge.

Global score

84/100

Genres

Action, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure

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    Pros

    • Extensive build and weapon variety
    • Challenging and rewarding combat
    • Large and immersive world
    • Active multiplayer with co-op and pvp
    • High replayability with ng+ and dlc

    Cons

    • Split community due to version differences
    • Some clunky controls and hitbox issues
    • Map cohesion and level design inconsistencies
    • Some bosses considered uninspired
    • Network lag and occasional toxic pvp

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

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      4

      "Players manually assign stats, choose builds, and control character growth with freedom; respec is costly, encouraging thoughtful decisions."

      Capsule for Dreadmyst Dreadmyst

      "Players can choose various builds, weapons, and playstyles freely; respec system allows changing character builds; exploration is non-linear with multiple paths and choices."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "High skill ceiling with challenging combat and boss fights requiring mastery and learning."

      Capsule for Caveblazers Caveblazers

      "High skill ceiling with challenging combat, boss fights, and PvP; requires learning enemy patterns and mastering timing; some complaints about clunky controls but overall rewarding skill development."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      3

      "Includes ranked online multiplayer and leaderboards, encouraging comparison and skill competition, though some find PvP unbalanced or affected by hackers."

      Capsule for Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles

      "Active PvP community with ranked covenants and dueling; matchmaking based on soul memory; some issues with lag and hackers but PvP remains a strong motivation."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      5

      "Players report long playtimes, multiple playthroughs encouraged by branching content and NG+ system, with ongoing updates and DLCs sustaining engagement."

      Capsule for Wandering Sword Wandering Sword

      "Extensive content with long playtime (100+ hours common); multiple NG+ cycles with new enemies and items; players report habitual and repeated playthroughs."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      4

      "Co-op multiplayer is integral, allowing summoning of other players to assist in boss fights."

      Capsule for DARK SOULS™ II DARK SOULS™ II

      "Co-op multiplayer is integral, with NPC summons and player phantoms aiding in boss fights; multiplayer designed to encourage cooperation."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      5

      "Extensive weapon modding system and build experimentation encourage creative playstyles."

      Capsule for VOID/BREAKER VOID/BREAKER

      "Extensive weapon variety, dual wielding with unique movesets, power stancing, and build diversity encourage creative playstyles and experimentation."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -2

      "While PvP involves conflict, many players emphasize cooperation and mutual respect; toxic domination is reported but not dominant."

      Capsule for Tom Clancy’s The Division™ Tom Clancy’s The Division™

      "While PvP involves competition, many players emphasize mutual respect and balanced interactions; some toxic behavior reported but not dominant."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as a fun, immersive escape with engaging fantasy elements and stress relief."

      Capsule for Cave Crawlers Cave Crawlers

      "Players use the game as a challenging immersive fantasy escape; praised for atmosphere and lore; some use it for stress relief and flow."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and love for the series."

      Capsule for Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and love for the series; some frustration but mostly self-directed play."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

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      "Players encouraged to try different builds, strategies, and quest approaches, exploring game mechanics."

      Capsule for UnderRail UnderRail

      "Players encouraged to try new builds, weapons, and strategies; multiple playthroughs with different approaches common."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      4

      "Large world with hidden areas and quests; exploration is a key motivator and gameplay element."

      Capsule for Therian Saga Therian Saga

      "Large world with many secrets, multiple paths, and hidden items; DLC areas add to exploration; some criticism of map cohesion but overall exploration is key."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      4

      "Extensive character customization with outfits and abilities allows self-expression."

      Capsule for Goat Simulator 3 Goat Simulator 3

      "Extensive character customization including fashion souls; many armor sets and weapon appearances allow self-expression."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      5

      "Strong fantasy setting with mythical creatures, magic, and epic lore; players immerse in imaginative fiction."

      Capsule for EverQuest EverQuest

      "Dark fantasy setting with rich lore, mythical creatures, and imaginative world; players experience an immersive fictional universe."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      3

      "Community interaction through multiplayer, shared experiences, and covenants."

      Capsule for DARK SOULS™ II DARK SOULS™ II

      "Community interaction through multiplayer, covenants, and shared experiences; some players report strong social bonds."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      5

      "Players develop skills, learn enemy patterns, and improve through repeated play and progression."

      Capsule for Dead Cells Dead Cells

      "Players develop skills, learn enemy patterns, optimize builds, and improve through repeated play; high learning curve."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some players report stress or frustration but no physical exercise."

      Capsule for Insurgency: Sandstorm Insurgency: Sandstorm

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay; long sessions; some players report frustration but no physical activity involved."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -4

      "Requires continuous attention and focus; combat and exploration demand active engagement."

      Capsule for CULTIC CULTIC

      "Requires constant attention and focus; combat and exploration demand active engagement."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      1

      "Some social interaction in multiplayer and community, but limited emotional sharing or close relationships described."

      Capsule for Thea 2: The Shattering Thea 2: The Shattering

      "Some social interaction through multiplayer and community, but limited close emotional relationships described."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -3

      "Players mostly follow game progression without leading others; limited leadership roles."

      Capsule for Planet Centauri Planet Centauri

      "Players mostly follow established game progression and cooperate without formal leadership roles; some community leaders but not central."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      5

      "Strong emphasis on accumulating weapons, upgrades, perks, and experience; progression is core to gameplay."

      Capsule for ZomDay ZomDay

      "Strong emphasis on accumulating weapons, armor, upgrades, and souls; NG+ adds new progression layers."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      -2

      "Challenging and tense gameplay with moments of flow, but sustained tension is common."

      Capsule for AI War 2 AI War 2

      "Game is challenging and tense; some players find flow and catharsis but overall sustained tension is common."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Atmospheric audio-visual design and intense combat provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

      Capsule for Dead Space™ 3 Dead Space™ 3

      "Atmospheric audio and visual effects enhance emotional engagement; combat provides sensory excitement."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      2

      "Multiplayer recognition and community reputation provide some social status."

      Capsule for Battlezone: Combat Commander Battlezone: Combat Commander

      "Recognition through PvP rankings and community reputation; some players value social status in multiplayer."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "Narrative immersion through lore, side quests, and worldbuilding; story is secondary to gameplay but well-presented."

      Capsule for Grim Dawn Grim Dawn

      "Lore is deep but fragmented; players uncover story through exploration and item descriptions; narrative immersion is optional but rewarding."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      4

      "Requires tactical combat, build planning, and problem solving in boss fights and character growth."

      Capsule for ASTLIBRA Revision ASTLIBRA Revision

      "Combat and progression require tactical planning, build optimization, and problem solving; boss fights demand strategy."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      4

      "High stakes combat with risk of death and intense battles create suspense and thrill."

      Capsule for PlanetSide 2 PlanetSide 2

      "High stakes combat with risk of death; tension and relief cycles provide thrill; invasions add unpredictability."

    • Value

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      4

      "Large amount of content and replayability offer good return on investment for players."

      Capsule for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

      "Large amount of content for price; long playtime and replayability provide good return on investment."

    • Violence

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      4

      "Combat and destruction are core gameplay elements; players enjoy gunfights and explosive action."

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      "Combat and destruction are core gameplay elements; players enjoy defeating enemies and bosses through violence."

    • Survival

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      "Players must avoid death, manage resources, and overcome threats; survival is central to gameplay."

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      "Players must manage resources, avoid death, and overcome threats; survival is a key gameplay motivation."

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 30/04/2026