Dark Souls II

[Cpt(K)]

So I finally have my copy of the black armor edition today. I'm loading it up and it has a patch already, 1.01 (125 mb). I'm so ready for this game, having played through it's two widely recognized as predecessors (Demon's Souls & Dark Souls) I can say this was my most anticipated title for the current-gen PS3.

I would like to know if anyone on these forums has played or is playing this and the other titles Fromsoftware has released. I notice that there really has been no mention of these games (or series rather), so . . . what do you guys make of it?

I'm already in the install screen and am foaming . . . waiting for the moment it starts up, anyone feel the same way?

EDIT: I've been playing for about an hour or 2 or more . . . and I haven't died yet! *toot toot* I've yet to face my first boss though, I have defeated two mini-boss enemies by way of path-finding/enemy ai exploit. Those really huge monstrosities early on have an animation where they roll way too much, so I lured 2 of them to a tree I had kicked down for a narrow crossing- and when that attack animation played they both rolled to their deaths.

[Cpt(K)]

Ah, I finally have died, but not to an enemy mind you. You know what killed me? Accidentally pressing circle twice while on a ladder, my character jumped off and died. I, though the savvy veteran that I am with this series could not see this one coming.

I just thought "okay, slide down the ladder quickly now . . ." (I was in hurry up mode, trying to get through an area) and it cost me, I got this trophy called "This is Dark Souls" soon after I died haha.

The game case didn't have a manual in it so I was relying on what information my intuition and gameplay provided. This is what I get for not going to the website and finding out haha.

[Lean]

I got this trophy called "This is Dark Souls" soon after I died haha.

The devs are witty assholes

[Cpt(K)]

Indeed! Haha, the trophy was bronze- go figure . Well after that first death I accumulated several others before getting to and defeating the first boss (Last Giant or something). I'm loving the new animations, there seems to be a wider variety than it's predecessor recycled animations- such as the broadsword has some different swings than the regular shortsword. Satisfying.

[zz21]

decided to get the 1st one before jumping into this. given the fact that this will be my 1st rpg-type game, this should be an interesting experience. im expecting to die a lot though based on the title.

wish me luck!

[Cpt(K)]

Oh, you will die a lot . . . a whole lot. Especially since this is your first rpg, there are some learning curves ahead for you. I don't remember the first RPG I played, I do remember that all the stats hurt my head at first. But you become familiar with terms and names relatively quickly as you go.

I've already completed my first play-through, I leveled up to level 144 before defeating the final boss. This isn't really a spoiler but unlike the previous title after defeating the final boss you are free to roam. So whatever you want to do after the final fight can be done before starting a new game plus

Good Luck, be sure to check out some of the many mods for the PC release version. I guarantee it will enhance your experience, I'll likely purchase Dark Souls II when it releases on PC and possibly on "next-gen" consoles.

[zz21]

THE BIRTH OF SWAG MCDAGGERS!!!

im sure there will be many McDaggers. (McDaggers Jr, McDaggers III, ect, ect.)

[zz21]

the beginning is so misleading... seams so easy TILL A GIANT FUCKING DRAGON WITH A CLUB DESTROYS YOU IN 5 SECONDS!
Swag McDaggers Jr is made

[Cpt(K)]

Yeah haha, I have a thing (fetish?) for Japanese-looking characters (I watch a lot of anime, go figure). So virtually almost all my characters wear or and wield certain themed equipment. In dark souls II my first guys name is Komoto, and his armor setups are of the "shinobi, ronin" themes. Though there is no traditional Japanese armor in the game (not that I've found).

I do strive for that look, even so my character's hair is black and facial appearance as close to Japanese as I could get it. Dragons Dogma (and Dark Arisen expansion) does have more customizations as far as the base mold of the character goes (skin tones, hair colors and palettes are numerous). I really hoped they would've expanded upon character creation more. Demon's Souls really did that well, I didn't have to do much for my samurai since the randomization option made some really convincing Asian faces appear. But it seems to be lost with the latest 2 titles.

[Cpt(K)]

the beginning is so misleading... seams so easy TILL A GIANT FUCKING DRAGON WITH A CLUB DESTROYS YOU IN 5 SECONDS!
Swag McDaggers Jr is made

Ah I was actually killed by that thing once or twice (okay . . . actually like several times). I can't wait, how will you react to the Taurus Demon.

[zz21]

on to Swag McDagger the 6th at this point

[Cpt(K)]

Uh.... are you making a new one after each death? I wouldn't waste the slots as I think you can only make 8 or 10. Your character has two appearances, human, and hollow. Just find some humanity and go to a bonfire to "reverse hollowing" and you'll be back to normal.

[zz21]

no im just being revived and calling it a new person.all i know is the note says run away, no idea where to go from there lol.

[Cpt(K)]

LOL, run to your left past the large vases/pots. Theres a door that opens up when the monster enters hahahaha!

[zz21]

HOLY COW I MADE IT! never noticed the gate on the side lol

[zz21]

wish i would have seen your post sooner lol. went through 3 more McDaggers finding that door on my own

[Cpt(K)]

Hahaha, I probably remember every step in the tutorial. You'll get your weapons soon and then you'll meet a soon-to-be-hollow-fella who gives you your Estus Flask. From there you must proceed on to navigate up some stairs- incidentally a wrecking ball comes rolling down first and lets you meet said fella THEN you go up the stairs and slay the hollows in your path, and finally a fog-gate which leads to . . . you guessed right the bastard that killed you earlier, do not hesitate- fall from the sky and plunge your blade into it with reckless abandon, or vengeance, which ever you prefer. lol

[shadowgrin]

Dark Souls, hard? Pffft.

http://www.disneygames.jp/sports/3018/
http://disney.kids.yahoo.co.jp/game/pooh.html
http://www.flashrelax.com/play-Winnie-T ... Derby.html

[zz21]

tier 1 doe. Im done with dark souls for now due to illness. woke up this morning, threw up on the stairs.

[Cpt(K)]

Ah, I was away for 2 days with a friend on some business. Shadowgrin, yeah I find Dark Souls difficult. The second one appears a little easier to me, but that is probably just to appeal to a wider audience for more sales. Pity.

PS: My head hurts, I cannot make connections with your post Shadowgrin. I'll try again tomorrow.

Edit: Nope, failed, I cannot understand. Where has my internet discernment gone...

[volsey]

What's your (anybody) verdict on this vs DS? I've read about the lack of continuity between areas, which bothers me considering how fluent the transition in areas in DS felt. I'll likely be picking this up at the end of the month for PC, looking forward to the satisfaction that comes with this game.

[Cpt(K)]

Well, it is definitely easier- at least for me. This may be because of my previous experience with this series though, I'm not sure. I say it's easy because I was able to complete it in considerably less time than I did Dark Souls I. Maybe because I got the game 3 days after it released, I did summon a lot. I've yet to try it solo entirely, one thing that has always annoyed me is the power of magic. I don't mind magic users, but I do mind being 1-hit-sit. People can play however they want, but I would definitely enjoy it more if it weren't a magic-mania half the time.

It is incredibly frustrating, especially if you're expecting to dual it melee style with someone. Though this problem has persisted since Demon's Souls, I still don't like it. I'll be honest though, my pyromancies are completely over powered now. Through my first playthrough I picked up around 25 fire-seeds, so next time I'll be dual wielding +10 pyromancy flames probably. I prefer to also dual-wield katanas. I am a blue sentinel, and when sparring with other members I constantly have to remind them "this is like practice, I'll let you heal as many times as you want, learn from your mistakes though." I come across a few who try a 1-hit-sit tactic, but usually I'm able to thwart it. This mentality of "kill e'm as quickly as you can" is rather boring to me, I prefer my fights last. Nothing like a good 5-15 minutes of hack-slash-dodge. Fact of the matter is, I'll usually only use more powerful pyromancies if my opponent is a spammer/masher.

Just my thoughts, obviously, great game- though like any game that has existed it has bugs. Path finding, I exploited that so much in my first play through; it wasn't even something you have to look up online- just watch their movements. The bosses seemed easier, especially when a friendly phantom draws the ire of the Boss. And customization is limited, though it's better than the first game by a little. I would also recommend playing",Dragons Dogma: Dark Arisen." The game in itself is not nearly as hard, except in certain areas (bitterblack isle, on early level characters). The customization is brilliant, something Dark Souls has always lacked in, sadly. Don't get me wrong, wearing different armor pieces to form your own set has always been a plus. But I meant as far as the base goes in character creation, the player's bodily features are limited to a few presets which are not that great. If you ask me, Demon's Souls had a better system for character creation, the randomization button often produced likeable appearances then. Not so much now, even though, I do like some of the simplification in the process; I still prefer being able to adjust everything that I want.