Dark Souls 2 Is Getting a Seamless Co-op Mod

A well-known modder who previously created a seamless co-op mod for Dark Souls Remastered has announced that they are now working on a similar project for the 11-year-old Dark Souls 2. FromSoftware’s 2014 action role-playing game has maintained an impressively loyal fan base over the past decade, with players continuing to return to it year after year. Meanwhile, modders have supported the community by consistently improving various aspects of Dark Souls 2 through creative modifications. However, the newly announced mod could mark one of the most significant changes since the game’s launch and is likely to bring back thousands of lapsed players.

There’s no doubt that Dark Souls 2 stands as one of FromSoftware’s best games. The studio’s revolutionary RPG set new standards for the genre and has inspired hundreds of titles over the years. However, one major point of criticism since its launch has been the lack of a seamless multiplayer mode. In its current state, Dark Souls 2 lets players join a friend’s game for a limited session, with no option to complete the game entirely together. The longest a player can stay in another’s session is about 100 minutes, and that’s only if they meet a lengthy list of requirements.

Lucky for devoted Dark Souls 2 fans, Yui, a well-known modder in the Souls community, seems ready to fix the game’s multiplayer mode. According to their announcement on Patreon, they have already developed a working prototype of a seamless co-op mod for Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin, the enhanced version of the game released in 2015. The mod aims to make multiplayer sessions persistent, lasting through boss fights, teleportation, and even death. It will also synchronize both players’ progression, allowing them to beat Dark Souls 2 side-by-side without any boundaries.

Dark Souls 2’s Seamless Co-Op Mod Can Fix Multiple Problems

• Persisting multiplayer sessions after death, boss kills, teleports, etc.
• No multiplayer boundaries.
• No multiplayer timers.
• A toggle for full progress synchronization.
• PvP invasions.
• Optional difficulty modifiers (increased enemy health and damage, as well as an option for friendly fire).
• Vanilla game bug fixes and patches.

Although restricted multiplayer has become a signature feature of FromSoftware games, it hasn’t been widely appreciated. Many fans argue that the limitations on online modes discourage players from using them, as the lengthy setup process often isn’t worth the brief time spent with a friend or random player. Those who defend FromSoftware’s approach, however, argue that the online features perfectly align with the games’ lore and contribute to the challenge, believing that Souls games must always maintain a certain level of difficulty.

Despite ongoing debates about multiplayer features in Souls games, previous mods introducing seamless co-op have been widely popular. Some critics have even argued that FromSoftware should implement seamless co-op modes instead of leaving it to modders. It seems the developer is listening, as Elden Ring: Nightreign is making seamless co-op a core mechanic. However, while the company may be adjusting its approach for future titles, modders are still the ones improving the co-op experience in older games. The recently announced Dark Souls 2 seamless co-op mod is just the latest example of the community’s continued efforts to enhance FromSoftware’s classics.

Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin

Released

April 2, 2015

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Violence

Franchise

Dark Souls

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