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Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin announced for PS4/XBO/PC - April 2015

So are the dlc buyers of last gen getting screwed? I'm glad though that I stopped touching this game. I read about the rumour long ago and the facts have finally come to light!
 
I didn't buy the PS3 version of DS2 because I thought a PS4 version was going to come at some point. Will definitely buy. Bloodborne and Dark Souls 2 on my PS4 within a month of one another? Yes, please!
 
Have you played Bloodborne? I'm assuming yes because you seem to know all about how good it is.

I haven't played it, I'm sure it will be good, but I have hundreds of hours in DS2 so I know for a fact that DS2 is awesome.

So I'll most likely be playing and enjoying both.

Look, you got me. Admittedly, I haven't, but I've gamed and lived long enough to know what I'm in for these days, especially given the pedigree at the helm and the abundance of footage/impressions. And of course, I'm hyped as anything.

DS2 is awesome, don't get me wrong. I've clocked around 250 hours and greatly enjoyed the majority of them, so I have no issue with someone wanting to do the same. What I would personally find a tiny bit tragic, however, is someone finding themselves in a "fence-sitting" situation because of this re-release.

Arguably even worse would be to play both of these games concurrently for the first time, as that wouldn't do either title justice. If any game rightly demands undivided attention and respect, it's a Souls ("Souls-esque") game.

All I'm saying, I guess, is that given the ridiculously awkward timing of this, the recommendation to shelve this "remaster" until you're completely done with Bloodborne is one that probably doesn't necessitate having granulated salt at hand.
 
I don't think you understand what I'm saying here. I'm saying that it is impossible to upgrade the PS3 and 360 versions to the high-spec version because of hardware limitations. The PC as a platform does not have this issue. There is no reason why they cannot put in the effort to make the transition from current PC users smoother. If the response is "why is the PC special" then the answer is because the PC platform has special circumstances they can take advantage of in this case. It's not about entitlement, it is about how they can take advantage of what one situation offers which the other situations do not. I'm not saying it should be a free upgrade, I'm saying that not looking into the option of letting people migrate their characters and share the online userbase whenever possible is a mistake.

Arguing that everything should be the way it is because it's like that on other platforms shows a lack of understanding towards the options available on a given platform. There is official modding support for games like Skyrim and Fallout on PC. These are not available on consoles. It is not because the PC is given special treatment, it is because they're taking advantage of the options available on the PC platform.

I'm failing to see what the advantage is, though. Mods with Bethesda games are just a way of officially supporting something that will happen regardless. It won't happen on consoles because they are locked down boxes.

I don't see how letting people migrate characters or sharing servers is only possible because of the PC, either. There are games with multiplayer across PS4/PS3. They could make it possible if they wanted to. They could also offer a way to transfer characters or make save game data compatible across platforms.

You say that the PC does not have problems with the high-spec version, but that certainly won't be the case for some people with weaker hardware who can still run the current Dark Souls II just fine. How would forcing the upgrades on them be fair? Would you offer an option in the game to switch between versions or something? Either way, you have the userbase issue.
 
There seems to be more information out there on the gameplay changes between last-gen and new-gen versions of the title now. There's an article in Famitsu, which is being reported by several blogs.

It seems they're remixing stuff to create a fresher experience throughout the game. They say it is close to a sort of "director's cut" in terms of content adjustment. The placement of some enemies and treasure chests will be changed, and there will also be different enemy types and different amounts of enemies in certain locations. Item drops are also being changed. They also mention that the movement range restrictions will be relaxed somewhat. I'm not really sure what this means, but it could refer to some areas which had more restrictive map navigation being opened up a bit more?

There aren't any specific examples, but hopefully that gives a better idea of what to expect in terms of actual gameplay changes.

I'm failing to see what the advantage is, though. Mods with Bethesda games are just a way of officially supporting something that will happen regardless. It won't happen on consoles because they are locked down boxes.

I don't see how letting people migrate characters or sharing servers is only possible because of the PC, either. There are games with multiplayer across PS4/PS3. They could make it possible if they wanted to. They could also offer a way to transfer characters or make save game data compatible across platforms.

You say that the PC does not have problems with the high-spec version, but that certainly won't be the case for some people with weaker hardware who can still run the current Dark Souls II just fine. How would forcing the upgrades on them be fair? Would you offer an option in the game to switch between versions or something? Either way, you have the userbase issue.

Those who cannot run the upgraded version can choose not to upgrade. I think the route of not providing an upgrade option at all is just odd. Those who are familiar with PC gaming would feel the same way and it is important to understand the expectations of different users on different platforms. Nothing is being "forced" on people, having the right options for the right platforms is just good customer service.
 

Definitely gonna pre-order. But I'll see if I can afford it. I plan on getting Witcher 3 in February and Bloodborne in March. Maayyybee FF-0. But I'd mostly be doing that for the demo of FFXV so I may or may not do that.

I honestly wish they could do something like they did around the launch of PS4/X1 where if you had the last gen version like AC4: Black Flag, you could pay $10 and get the digital version. That was a really nice deal for people who couldn't wait.
 
Not that much hyped. Will get ot eventually but definitely not day 1. Would have been much better if it were the first 2 souls that got ported. DS2 is still fresh to me. Not to mention its my least favorite souls game.

Bloodborne is where i will be at.
 
Does anyone know if the lighting will be back from the old E3 trailers? I doubt it since PC is barely running it...
didn't they scrap it?
 
Does anyone know if the lighting will be back from the old E3 trailers? I doubt it since PC is barely running it...
didn't they scrap it?

I don't think they ever really finished it. tThe improved lighting was only ever seen in a promo material for certain areas, and it probably wound up getting shelved part way through development due to continued problems with console performance.
 
It'll make the flaws of Dark Souls 2 even more apparent if Bloodborne is a return to the quality of Demon's and Dark Souls.

well besides the footage shown we have no idea how close bloodborne will be to demon souls.

so, just based off my previous post, i'm assuming the general consensus is

demon souls > dark souls 1 > dark souls 2?
 
Not that much hyped. Will get ot eventually but definitely not day 1. Would have been much better if it were the first 2 souls that got ported. DS2 is still fresh to me. Not to mention its my least favorite souls game.

Bloodborne is where i will be at.

This. I can't quite put my finger on it but DSII felt very lackluster. I haven't played the DLC yet, so I might check this out when it's around.

Someone might tell me the DLC changes everything, but fundamentally the finished product without it should be just as good (ideally speaking, there shouldn't be a huge disparity in quality between the two). The level design and idea of NG+ difficulty just seemed boring to me compared to the other entries.

The whole world just felt...like an emulation of the series, as opposed to a true sequel.

Let's not forget that scaling for melee builds was gimped to hell. Now it's magic or nothing. Sure you can do enchants on melee builds, but what if I don't want a sparkly sword? It's all about the Havelbros now.

I was pretty disappointed when I beat DSII. Didn't spend hundreds of hours in it for PvP or other secrets like I did with the other games.

But hey, if they bring back that lighting engine, I'll play it.
 
So people that bought the game early get ripped off and the people that buy it after get the "improved" game, if you even want to call it that because the game doesn't look that much better.

It's becoming harder and harder to justify buying games on Day 1 anymore. Either they are broken messes, nearly unplayable, or the "Definitive GOTY 10/10 Edition" will come out in a year with everything included, patched up, improved, and cheaper.
 
Damn! I was soooo hoping the save files would've been next gen compatible! I am right near the end of Dark Souls 2 the only things I have left to do is
kill the Aincient Dragon then I will have every giant soul so would go and kill King Vendrick next. Lol no idea why I haven't done this already. Had a couple of tries on the Aincient Dragon and he doesn't seem that bad.....just a pain getting back up to him running the gauntlet with those annoying knights! Grrr!
I have not purchased any of the DLC content and would've definately double dipped just to play the 3 x DLC chapters on next-gen.

Because of this I will give Scholar of the First Sin a miss and will wait for Bloodborne. =(
 
So people that bought the game early get ripped off and the people that buy it after get the "improved" game, if you even want to call it that because the game doesn't look that much better.

It's becoming harder and harder to justify buying games on Day 1 anymore. Either they are broken messes, nearly unplayable, or the "Definitive GOTY 10/10 Edition" will come out in a year with everything included, patched up, improved, and cheaper.

I fail to see how getting a game over a year later is ripping anyone off... You got to play it for a year already for goodness sake.
 
I don't think they ever really finished it. tThe improved lighting was only ever seen in a promo material for certain areas, and it probably wound up getting shelved part way through development due to continued problems with console performance.

sad days, if this was miyazaki helming DS2, do you think he would have made the lighting work? the man is honestly a genius when it comes to releasing a great product, even though the frame rate suffered in certain areas...
 
sad days, if this was miyazaki helming DS2, do you think he would have made the lighting work? the man is honestly a genius when it comes to releasing a great product, even though the frame rate suffered in certain areas...

I think you're overestimating the amount of work a single man can do...
 
The genius of Lost Izalith! The genius of copy and pasting trash mobs all over a field of lava! The genius of Ceaseless Discharge suicide!

:)
 
They also mention that the movement range restrictions will be relaxed somewhat. I'm not really sure what this means

Could be related to adaptability.

The genius of Lost Izalith! The genius of copy and pasting trash mobs all over a field of lava! The genius of Ceaseless Discharge suicide!

:)

I fully agree with what you are saying on the first two points (and add putting half a dozen Taurus Demons in an area in Demon Ruins and calling it a day) but the last point I actually thought was pretty genius. Especially so because the Ceaseless Discharge battle sucked something fierce, so being able to skip it was truly genius.
 
I will get this. I've held off buying any dlc because I was sure it would be re released.

My only concern is they bring back the necessity of the torch as was teased, causing something like the gutter to become far more of a pain in the ass.

Is it too much to hope for an original dark souls remaster? 60fps would be mint for one of my favourite games of all time....
 
I think you're overestimating the amount of work a single man can do...

I am and what I meant to say was when a game has his name on it, it comes out great. Dark Souls II was alright and I'm buying it again for next-gen but I'm slightly disappointed as to how it didn't match up with Dark Souls.
 
So people that bought the game early get ripped off and the people that buy it after get the "improved" game, if you even want to call it that because the game doesn't look that much better.

It's becoming harder and harder to justify buying games on Day 1 anymore. Either they are broken messes, nearly unplayable, or the "Definitive GOTY 10/10 Edition" will come out in a year with everything included, patched up, improved, and cheaper.
Too true. I still buy those specific games on day 1 because I'm just too impatient to play them, but for other games where I'm not that impatient, it's obvious a wait is a better option. One of the reasons why I haven't gotten Borderlands: The Presquel yet. There's gonna be a special edition with all the DLCs at a discount at some point for sure, maybe even a remaster for new-gen, so... :|
 
There seems to be more information out there on the gameplay changes between last-gen and new-gen versions of the title now. There's an article in Famitsu, which is being reported by several blogs.

Have a link, or was it in the magazine?

Those who cannot run the upgraded version can choose not to upgrade. I think the route of not providing an upgrade option at all is just odd. Those who are familiar with PC gaming would feel the same way and it is important to understand the expectations of different users on different platforms. Nothing is being "forced" on people, having the right options for the right platforms is just good customer service.

The PC is the only platform with options, though. Theoretically, you'll be able to have both the original Dark Souls II with the DLC and this new version if you please. It's not being forced on anyone except maybe new purchases in the event they decide to take down the old version from digital stores.

Unless you're talking about the price, which I don't think you are based on earlier posts. I don't really see the point in getting caught up on the word "upgrade."
 
I fail to see how getting a game over a year later is ripping anyone off... You got to play it for a year already for goodness sake.

Well this one is much improved, on PC especially. It will look better, has all of this extra content, npcs, gives more structure, etc. It feels like this will be the full game, versus the dx9, no npcs, missing content, missing dlc, etc. For the same price if not less, and after a year is hardly what I call worth it, and announced 8 months after release which would lead many people to hold off on the purchase. If I knew in 8 months this was coming out, I'd never buy it, knowing that my first experience with DS2 would be the "definitive" version.
 
The genius of Lost Izalith! The genius of copy and pasting trash mobs all over a field of lava! The genius of Ceaseless Discharge suicide!

:)
I thought it was generally accepted that those areas are the result of the game not being finished and forced out early by SCAMCO.

I really wish DkS2 was coming out much earlier (January) than April. I tend to focus on one game of a type at a time, and there is no way I'm doing DkS2 when Bloodborne comes out the month before.
 
Just stuff reported on Japanese blogs in summarized form. There's probably a bit more in the actual mag, but I don't think anyone transcribed it yet.

http://blog.livedoor.jp/od3/archives/52099726.html
http://gamestalk.net/darksouls2-4/

2nd article mentions enemy number/placement/type and treasure chest placement changes, item drop changes, and what I think is the expanding of enemy leash ranges?

This kind of makes me a little hyped. Sounds like they're trying to give the game a fresh feel. After 300 hours and ~15 playthroughs that's something I can appreciate. So long as they don't make it easier.
 
I thought it was generally accepted that those areas are the result of the game not being finished and forced out early by SCAMCO.
No doubt they are, they're of extremely place-holder quality. Miyazaki has voiced disappointment towards the polish, or lack there of, in Dark Souls. Demon's Souls was a much tighter package polish wise. Hopefully Sony are giving him as long as he believes he needs to make Bloodborne reach its potential.
 
I've been waiting for this version with the DLC included, it's a nice bonus that it'll arrive on the PS4 with better graphics. A bit of a bummer that it's so far away though, plus so close to Bloodborne.
 
The genius of Lost Izalith! The genius of copy and pasting trash mobs all over a field of lava! The genius of Ceaseless Discharge suicide!

:)

At least it wasn't as bad as Shrine of Amana... Killed by draw distance limitations? Fucking seriously B-team? Lost Izalith was lazy but DaS2 has some of the most stupid design choices I've ever seen.
 
At least it wasn't as bad as Shrine of Amana... Killed by draw distance limitations? Fucking seriously B-team? Lost Izalith was lazy but DaS2 has some of the most stupid design choices I've ever seen.

I never noticed any draw distance issues on PC except for popping foilage, were you playing on them consoles?
 
I think I understand the PC situation more now...it sounds like the enemy/design adjustments, graphics, and 6player modes are exclusive to the dx11 version of the game, but i guess the dx9 version will count as its own game? So it's like a Lost Levels sort of thing?

I like the idea that both versions are a different experience. that makes some more sense. If there's a discounted price for PC owners, and the new enemy adjustments, graphics, and 6 player functionality is just like...a DLC...I'm fine with that. Maybe its just..."Super Hard Mode"?

It defenitely doesn't look like the "unreleased beta content" for DS2. It looks like another graphical pass on the ds2 engine to make things nicer looking, and some tweaks to the lighting engine. the 6player functionality and enemy tweaks seem like the best part. (Maybe it just turns the entire game into some hybrid of NG+ mode and the challenge areas in terms of level design? Maybe they alter the boss ai's and make them all fun instead of only half of them being fun? Maybe they fix authority, covetous, and ancient dragon?)

It sounds like you get everything IMPORTANT for free, though. (I think the dragons in heide's are an "event", like when freya pops up in tseldora....i hope freya's event is moved to NG1 mode)

I'm curious if it's....new enemy layouts, or if all the cool stuff we're seeing in the trailers is just "first time through events"? (Basically what Sunken Crown had going on) That chart though...is it implying that the release date for the patch on current gen is February 5th? and that the Nextgen content is coming in April?
 
They might not be "bigger" but rather simply tie into the technical aspects. From the chart, my understanding would be that whatever changes they're doing to enemy placements and gameplay, these are things which would not run on PS3 and 360, so it could simply be a matter of having certain enemies in a place which would tank the framerate such that it is unplayable. Just a guess.

I'm going to bet that it is things that makes 6 player make sense. Maybe enemy ai becomes so aggressive that you need more people to help, sort of like turning the entire game into the Challenge Routes from the DLC's?

We all get the main content for free, but the nextgen version seems like a special type version of the game. We still get the dragon showing up in heide's tower, because that's one of the new events being added. Everyone who currently owns DS2 it looks like gets a better DS2 in February, and then in April they can upgrade to a better LOOKING ds2 with 6player mode and weird changes, but that it'll be a separate executable. Maybe it's as different as going from Hurt me Plenty to Ultra-Violence? Both fun for different reasons and balanced separately.
 
I never noticed any draw distance issues on PC except for popping foilage, were you playing on them consoles?

When your arrows disappear to the ether (not dropping or hitting something along the way, simply disappearing) before they reach the casters but they can still spam you.
 
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