Dark Souls 2 has plenty of dread-inducing areas:

1. No-Man's Wharf. Lots of swift enemies, one bonfire and one shortcut at the very end of the area, you either go through this hell in darkness and deal with ambushes or you light the place up and suffer arrows from other end of the wharf. It's also so early in the game that you will have 2-4 estus uses and your weapon will likely run out of durability before you reach the boss.
2. Shaded Woods. Fucking ghosts who cannot be locked-on. Enjoying your rapier? Not anymore. It's greatsword or gtfo. If you're a caster (any kind) then add to this Lion Warriors with their insane resistance to every elemental damage type who deal so much damage with their axes! Fortunately, this area can be easily skipped. Unfortunately, there's quite a lot of good stuff.
3. Iron Keep. The same. Enemy. On every. Step. The same. Pattern. In every. Fight. Iron Keep is what happens when you take methodical approach to clearing DS areas WAY too far. Unbearably boring and unpleasant place. The final boss is shit too.
4. Black Gulch. Am I crazy for preferring the lower Blighttown to this? These statues feel so bad! One of the few areas that I always try to skip as fast as possible. At least the Rotten is kinda fun.
5. Belfry Gargoyles. Gold serpent ring +2 doesn't exist haha. Just doesn't think about it. There's nothing at the end of Belfry Luna. Absolutely nothing.....
6. Shrine of Amana. The infamous. Mages shooting at you as you fade through water. These little creatures ambushing you at every opportunity. Drake knights with their halberds. "Fun" secret chests hidden among submerged chasms which are really hard to spot. What not to love here?
7. Crown of the Old Iron King. Yes, the entire DLC. My only question is: why? Why is it so much tougher than the two other DLCs? Getting there after you've gotten the Sunken Crown is so bewildering. "It gets even more challenging now??" Yes indeed.
8. Frigid Outskirts. Whoever designed this area can now officially become a torturer in Hell. Arguably the most sadistic place in the whole trilogy. Do not get into the coffin. Just don't. This place has nothing worthwhile for you. It just sucks. Save your nerves.