Dark Souls 2 available today; watch the launch trailer and check out our review

Stand by for death. Dark Souls 2, the highly anticipated sequel to 2011's brutally challenging Dark Souls, is available today for PS3 and Xbox 360 in the Americas. The Dark Souls series is often lauded as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in video games, and Dark Souls 2 looks to continue that with all new sadistic enemies and vile bosses.

"Only those with battle-hardened skills, strong intestinal fortitude, and cunning will survive their Dark Souls 2 experience and achieve ultimate glory," Namco Bandai warns. "Perseverance is key to achieving victory against the unrelenting bloodthirsty enemies and diabolical environments that await adventurers on this arduous journey."

Before heading off to your local retailer, check out the game's launch trailer and read our review in progress to see if FromSoftware's changes and improvements are for the better. Dark Souls 2 will be released for PC on April 25.