Dark Souls II

[ubernoob]

Re: Dark Souls II

If you never played the earlier ones... you should put some plexigass up between you and your shiny HDTV.. you WILL want to rage-hurl your controller at your TV. The Dark Souls/Demon Souls games are more punishing than Rosie Odonnel behind you with a strap on with with Paula Deen riding you like a cowgirl while you watch Sandra Bernhardt stand in front of you and pole dance in a g-string.

Oh, I've played them. Love them.

It's just something I had put out of my mind and didn't follow the development. I knew I would get it anyways. I thought it came out later this year in the summer/fall window.

Game releases tomorrow eF 5ive.

[Dogslax41]

Re: Dark Souls II

This is going to be very painful waiting until April and trying to stay away from all news Dark Souls related.

[LambertandHam]

Re: Dark Souls II

Looks like I'm getting it on Wednesday, Amazon still says it's being "prepared for shipping" as it has been all day .

Oh well, more time for my new ME2 playthrough.

[BenGerman]

Re: Dark Souls II

Played about six hours tonight. My impressions (small spoilers, but nothing story related):

Spoiler

1. Anyone who was expecting the game to be more "accessible" or easier can put their worries (or hopes, if that's your thing). 113 total deaths already, for me. And I consider myself to be a pretty good player.

2. The game seems pretty wide open. Right from the beginning, you're given about four or five areas you can take on right away. Some of them are going to be too tough, so don't feel bad about just hitting the areas later.

3. The graphics are still pretty bad, but the art design is fantastic. Enemies are frightening, bosses are unique, and every area feels different.

4. I only faced two bosses, and one gave me fits. If you're a long time player of the series, prepare to struggle with rolling. It's much more based on location of the roll, rather than the timing.

5. I'm not a huge fan of the warping, if only because it seemed to give FROM an excuse not to create the intricate shortcuts that were so satisfying to unlock in DS 1. Not far enough in to tell whether shortcuts make their way in later, but so far, not much on my end.

6. That said, I can absolutely see why they did it. This game has the ability to absolutely hammer you. It's remarkably more difficult than the first, and players would probably get stuck everywhere if you couldn't warp. FROM wanted to emphasize exploring areas -- even if those areas were well out of your skill range -- and warping encourages that.

7. The animation are awesome.

8. The menus were designed to be less clunky, but that hasn't been my experience thus far.

9. The central area is just as warming and mysterious as Firelink. It's awesome.

10. Loot is plentiful, and it seems that weapon drops have been increased due to the spawns being finite (in a sense).

All in all, it's a pretty brilliant cross between Demon Souls and Dark Souls. I'll probably always prefer the latter because of how novel it was, but this is about as good of a followup as we could have hoped for.

[VTPack919]

Re: Dark Souls II

Played about six hours tonight. My impressions (small spoilers, but nothing story related):

Spoiler

1. Anyone who was expecting the game to be more "accessible" or easier can put their worries (or hopes, if that's your thing). 113 total deaths already, for me. And I consider myself to be a pretty good player.

2. The game seems pretty wide open. Right from the beginning, you're given about four or five areas you can take on right away. Some of them are going to be too tough, so don't feel bad about just hitting the areas later.

3. The graphics are still pretty bad, but the art design is fantastic. Enemies are frightening, bosses are unique, and every area feels different.

4. I only faced two bosses, and one gave me fits. If you're a long time player of the series, prepare to struggle with rolling. It's much more based on location of the roll, rather than the timing.

5. I'm not a huge fan of the warping, if only because it seemed to give FROM an excuse not to create the intricate shortcuts that were so satisfying to unlock in DS 1. Not far enough in to tell whether shortcuts make their way in later, but so far, not much on my end.

6. That said, I can absolutely see why they did it. This game has the ability to absolutely hammer you. It's remarkably more difficult than the first, and players would probably get stuck everywhere if you couldn't warp. FROM wanted to emphasize exploring areas -- even if those areas were well out of your skill range -- and warping encourages that.

7. The animation are awesome.

8. The menus were designed to be less clunky, but that hasn't been my experience thus far.

9. The central area is just as warming and mysterious as Firelink. It's awesome.

10. Loot is plentiful, and it seems that weapon drops have been increased due to the spawns being finite (in a sense).

All in all, it's a pretty brilliant cross between Demon Souls and Dark Souls. I'll probably always prefer the latter because of how novel it was, but this is about as good of a followup as we could have hoped for.

Thanks for these spoiler-less impressions, Ben. I cannot wait to play! (keep 'em coming)

[fishepa]

Re: Dark Souls II

Just picked it up, installing now. Xbox 360

[eF 5ive]

Re: Dark Souls II

Just got home and giving this a shot.

I'm not a huge DS guy. Honestly I pumped a few hours into DS1 but I was so lost I quit. I'm going in with the intent to be a boss. Should I watch youtube help vids or just stay around this thread?

[Candyman5]

Re: Dark Souls II

Just got home and giving this a shot.

I'm not a huge DS guy. Honestly I pumped a few hours into DS1 but I was so lost I quit. I'm going in with the intent to be a boss. Should I watch youtube help vids or just stay around this thread?

Best thing about Dark Souls/Demon Souls and Dark Souls 2 is the community is wonderful. There are plenty of people on here and other places that will help you out on your journey and that why I believe that playing it offline diminishes so much from the experience. Does getting invaded suck, yes very much so but the overall hints and tips that are left by other players and the since of relief when you find another players summon sign is worth it in the long run.

[LionsFanNJ]

Re: Dark Souls II

Heading home with my copy right now. Can't wait.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[eF 5ive]

Re: Dark Souls II

Hey, guys. Does the initial gift mean much? I'm still in creation. I picked swordsman. Thanks. I have petrified something ATM but will change if any tips.

[mikenoob]

Dark Souls II

Hey, guys. Does the initial gift mean much? I'm still in creation. I picked swordsman. Thanks. I have petrified something ATM but will change if any tips.

Nope. It's just either you start with a little extra to help out or take a chance on some of the vague items and hopefully come across a good use for it.

Let me know if you need any help, looks like were both starting at the same time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[eF 5ive]

Re: Dark Souls II

Nope. It's just either you start with a little extra to help out or take a chance on some of the vague items and hopefully come across a good use for it.

Let me know if you need any help, looks like were both starting at the same time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, bro bro. Yeah I gave up on trying to make a brotha. He was either red, orange, or green. Lol can't seem to mix it well enough to just be black.

[Pokes]

Re: Dark Souls II

Hey, guys. Does the initial gift mean much? I'm still in creation. I picked swordsman. Thanks. I have petrified something ATM but will change if any tips.

I'm sure the distinctive gifts will have their uses later on down the line. However, this early on without wikis or guides it's hard to tell.

[fishepa]

Re: Dark Souls II

Best thing about Dark Souls/Demon Souls and Dark Souls 2 is the community is wonderful. There are plenty of people on here and other places that will help you out on your journey and that why I believe that playing it offline diminishes so much from the experience. Does getting invaded suck, yes very much so but the overall hints and tips that are left by other players and the since of relief when you find another players summon sign is worth it in the long run.

I let my Live gold subscription run out since I'm full steam ahead next gen. Currently playing offline, and dying.

[eF 5ive]

Re: Dark Souls II

LMFAO. "This is Dark Souls"

First death: running into the blackness and falling to my death.

Well this should be interesting.