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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is the edition of Dark Souls II that bundles the base game with all three Lost Crowns DLC campaigns. Its contents and features depend on platform: the PS3 and Xbox 360 releases differ from the enhanced PS4, Xbox One and Windows DX11 releases. Online service for PS3 and Xbox 360 ended on March 31, 2024; FromSoftware lists service for PS4, Xbox One and Windows as ongoing.
What is Scholar of the First Sin?
Scholar of the First Sin is an official Dark Souls II edition and compilation from FromSoftware and Bandai Namco. The package combines the base game with the three Lost Crowns DLC campaigns. FromSoftware lists the game for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Windows, with separate platform releases and features. FromSoftware’s product listing identifies the console release date as February 5, 2015, and the Windows DX9 and DX11 release date as April 9, 2015.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin - PlayStation 4 | $21.39 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin - Xbox One | $29.37 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin - PlayStation 3 | $29.61 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (PS4) | $22.20 | Buy on Amazon |
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Dark Souls 2 Scholar Of The First Sin | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Does Scholar of the First Sin include all DLC?
Yes. It includes the complete Lost Crowns trilogy:
- Crown of the Sunken King
- Crown of the Old Iron King
- Crown of the Ivory King
FromSoftware describes the PS3 release as an all-in-one package with the base game, the three DLCs and major updates. The PS4 version includes that content and upgrades intended to use the console’s greater performance. Bandai Namco also says the Dark Souls Trilogy collection contains the base game and all three DLC campaigns for its Dark Souls II installment.
How do the platform versions differ?
Check the platform and game version before buying or expecting enhanced features. “Scholar” does not mean every platform has the same changes.
#1 Best Overall
- All 3 DLC Pack Contents: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, Crown of the Ivory King
- Additional NPCs Added For Enhanced Story Experience To Assist Guiding Players Through Level
- Parameter Setting Adjustments for Improved Balance
- Augmented Item Descriptions
- Increase in Maximum Online Players
| Version | What the sources establish | Online status |
|---|---|---|
| PS3 and Xbox 360 | The older-generation Scholar package includes the base game, the three Lost Crowns DLCs and major updates. It is not the later enhanced PS4/Xbox One version. | Service ended March 31, 2024; offline play remains available. |
| PS4 and Xbox One | The later console editions include the base game and all three DLCs, plus platform-specific upgrades. FromSoftware’s FAQ describes the PS4 release as including upgrades to use its higher performance. | FromSoftware lists service as ongoing. |
| Windows DX9 | FromSoftware lists a Windows DX9 release. Do not assume it is the same version as DX11; save data cannot transfer between them. | FromSoftware lists service as ongoing. |
| Windows DX11 | The later Windows release is listed separately from DX9. Match the edition to the platform and version you intend to play. | FromSoftware lists service as ongoing. |
A PlayStation announcement dated November 24, 2014, updated January 28, 2015, described the PS4 edition as having updated visuals, rebalanced gameplay, more possible online players, new enemies, an additional NPC, expanded lore and in-game events. Those are historical descriptions of that release, not a statement that every Scholar version has identical features or that its servers are currently available. Read the PlayStation announcement.
Does online play still work?
It depends on the platform. FromSoftware says Dark Souls II online services for PS3 and Xbox 360 were terminated on March 31, 2024. Offline gameplay remains available on those versions. Its FAQ lists online services for PS4, Xbox One and Windows DX9/DX11 as ongoing. Because online-service status can change, check FromSoftware’s support FAQ for the current status.
Rank #2
- All 3 DLC Pack Contents: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, Crown of the Ivory King
- Additional NPCs Added For Enhanced Story Experience To Assist Guiding Players Through Level
- Parameter Setting Adjustments for Improved Balance
- Augmented Item Descriptions
- Increase in Maximum Online Players
On PS3 and Xbox 360, the ended online features include asynchronous messages, shades and bloodstains, co-op, invasions and dueling. The FAQ also says saves from PS3, Xbox 360 or Windows DX9 cannot transfer to PS4, Xbox One or Windows DX11 because those versions use different game servers.
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- For the full Dark Souls II experience: choose the Scholar package for your platform; it includes the base game and all three DLC campaigns.
- For online play: choose a version whose services FromSoftware lists as ongoing, rather than the PS3 or Xbox 360 release.
- For a different platform generation: treat it as a separate version, not a free upgrade. Save data does not transfer between the specified older and later platform families.
- For all three main games: the broader Dark Souls Trilogy is a separate collection; Bandai Namco describes it as a three-disc set and says its DS2 installment includes the base game and all three DLC campaigns.
When buying a physical copy, match the listing to the console or Windows version you actually own. The platform name matters: a PS3 or Xbox 360 copy does not provide the later-generation edition’s enhancements.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- The undead curse continues to spread across the kingdom of Drangleic in the ultimate Dark Souls II experience
- Features the game's 3 DLC chapters: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King
- Also includes an array of brand new content, including an expanded story featuring additional in-game events
Rank #3
- All 3 DLC Pack Contents: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, Crown of the Ivory King
- Additional NPCs Added For Enhanced Story Experience To Assist Guiding Players Through Level
- Parameter Setting Adjustments for Improved Balance
- Augmented Item Descriptions
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
