You're at the gym when he looks at you and says 'Dark Souls 2 is the best Souls'

I havent played Scholar of the First Sin, just the PS3 version with the DLCs and Aldia. Im aware of some of the changes, but how do they affect the game? Ive heard that enemy numbers were generally reduced, except for bizarrely the area before Smelter Demon which was room that needed an enemy reduction the most.

I know Heidis Tower has passive knights that leave you alone unless you provoke them, and an extra dragon. Not sure I like the change to make Dragon Aerie skippable and to drastically reduce the number of enemies in the Dragon Shrine. Battling up the Shrine stairs was a great challenge, especially since theres no boss at the end. Ive read theres a ton more petrified statues; not sure if that limits what paths are available to you more than the original game.