It’s about time Dark Souls 2 got a little rehabilitation. Long criticized for its design choices and the absence of Hidetaka Miyazaki in its direction, the second part of the famous trilogy is back in force… thanks to a free extension created by the community.
Baptized Dark Souls 2: Firelink Editionthis modified version of the game is exclusively available on PC. It corrects long-criticized gameplay flaws and brings a series of new features that radically change the experience. And the best news? It is completely free.
Free content that improves everything, without betraying the spirit of the game
This ambitious mod thoroughly overhauls how the game works, while remaining faithful to the atmosphere of the series. The most significant change? Your character always has 110 Agility, giving you frames of invincibility similar to those in any other Dark Souls game, without having to spend your precious souls to improve this stat.
This is one of the many adjustments this Firelink edition brings. There are apparently hundreds of new changes, too many to mention one by one, according to the mod’s description. But some stand out: new weapons, new shields, new armor pieces, and two new miracles, as well as a reduction in the number of Life Gems items, and much more.
Added to this are subtle rebalancings, such as the reduction in clashes with the Pursuers, these formidable enemies who appeared too often for many players’ tastes.
A mod that gives a new reason to love Dark Souls 2
If you were disappointed by Scholar of the First Sin or if you’ve put Dark Souls 2 away for a long time, this expansion deserves your full attention. As far as redesigns go, this is one of the best I’ve seen so far, both for Dark Souls 2 and any game for that matter.
Firelink Edition doesn’t just smooth out the flaws of the original game. It makes you want to dive into Drangleic again, with a freshness that few official remasters have managed to match. A success which shows, once again, to what extent the community can enhance an unjustly forgotten game.