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Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin announced for PS4/XBO/PC - April 2015
- Thread starter RoKKeR
- Start date
Pretty much this.
HIt detection when it comes to rolling to avoid damage is worse under the guise of "We added a new stat to give more invincibility frames on the rolls so it can be close to what it used to be!", mage spells are worse from what I saw, faith spells were more OP from what I saw, etc.
A lot of the design decisions of 2 boiled down to "Let's add new stats/add new import to stats and in the process make things from 1 weaker". Spells all have less casts compared to part 1 but ATN now adds spell casts(but never enough to get back to how it used to be), that kind of design thing.
Also never felt like I was working towards something as boss weapons were worse, and the seemingly best weapons were the normal ones they gave you at the beginning.
All that said, it's not a bad game, but I think it's the weakest Souls game they've done(35, if that at all really matters).
For this, I'll wait and see if they fix a lot of the complaints I had about the game proper. If they removed enemies spinning like tops to hit you even when you moved out of the way/make it possible to actually get to an enemy's back, it will have gone a long way to fixing things.
Are people complaining about "wonky" hitboxes referring to coop/pvp? Hit detection during online sessions has been "wonky" (=delayed) since Demon's...
Playing on your own in Dark Souls II the only thing you have to understand are agility breakpoints to increase your i-frames and the sometimes fundamentally different enemy and boss behavior from previous games. While enemy and boss attacks in Dark Souls used to be mostly rhythmical with consistently spaced breaks between consecutive attacks (from the initial animation on), Dark Souls II bosses and enemies have some awkwardly long telegraphing animations and hit 3 or 4 or even more times rapidly afterwards.
Not once during my ~200h with Dark Souls II have I encountered wonky hitboxes...only low i-frames and awkward attack timings by some enemies. Yes, I know the Persuer gif and no, I couldn't reproduce this behavior outside of coop play.
OT: Everything shown in the short video looks exactly the same (graphically) as the PC version. Right now I wouldn't hold my breath for any substantial engine upgrades.
Playing on your own in Dark Souls II the only thing you have to understand are agility breakpoints to increase your i-frames and the sometimes fundamentally different enemy and boss behavior from previous games. While enemy and boss attacks in Dark Souls used to be mostly rhythmical with consistently spaced breaks between consecutive attacks (from the initial animation on), Dark Souls II bosses and enemies have some awkwardly long telegraphing animations and hit 3 or 4 or even more times rapidly afterwards.
Not once during my ~200h with Dark Souls II have I encountered wonky hitboxes...only low i-frames and awkward attack timings by some enemies. Yes, I know the Persuer gif and no, I couldn't reproduce this behavior outside of coop play.
OT: Everything shown in the short video looks exactly the same (graphically) as the PC version. Right now I wouldn't hold my breath for any substantial engine upgrades.
old manatee
Banned
There are a lot of haters in this thread, but I can't wait to play it on pc with all of the dlc and updates. I have a feeling my first time with Dark Souls 2 is going to be a lot better than it was for people who played it at launch.
The godrays at the end are probably an added in effect for the video and not actually part of the game (they're horribly sharp and unrealistic anyway). From have a habit of adding unnecessary post processing to their trailers.
The lighting in Heide's seems to be actually different though, doesn't look like sunset anymore.
DustyVonEric
Member
Buy DS2.
For reference, Demon's Souls is probably my favorite game of all time, fighting with FFVI, Ms. Pac-man, and MGS 3 or 4. I love Dark Souls 1 as well.
DS2 is a technical improved game, mostly. I just believe where DS2 suffered without Miyazaki's guidance, as any championship-caliber sports team would understandably suffer without their superstar MVP. But that doesn't mean the team, or this game suddenly sucks. Instead of being a shoe-in for the championship, the team might still go far in the playoffs making it better than most other teams. DS2 is some people's goty.
There's no telling where you'll end up though without trying it yourself. Some vet Souls fans are ok with or love the different design choices, some didn't like them and ended up really disappointed with the game. I think most fall in between, maybe a bit like wtf (Soul Memory, changes to Rolling, adds spam) but still having a lot of fun. Maybe try it out at a lower price if you're still on the fence.
I'm excited to try the dlc with this new version, which I hear is where the game really shines. Though others who have played through the 3 dlc can speak more to that.
Derpcrawler
Member
Is this real question?
Why wouldn't it be?
People are saying that Dark Souls 2 is not as good as Dark Souls 1. Lords of the Fallen drawns inspiration in this series and seems like a good choice about asking which one is better if someone is thinking about buying a game like that.
A small world we are living in (hey galv!).
DustyVonEric
Member
I think it's a great question. Not necessarily which one is better, but I'm interested in how it stacks up.
LotF is one of the titles I'm really interested it. But if it's just "OK", I'll wait for bargain bin prices or for PS Plus.
Manmademan
Member
I'm on board with this, though I think DS1 is the franchise's weakest entry, not 2.
DS2 is more polished overall- there are no areas as broken and half baked as blight town, demon ruins or lost izalith, and the game doesn't bury the covenant systems behind layers of obscurity anymore.
Upgrading is a simpler affair this time around (you don't need 3 blacksmiths and a dozen embers anymore) but the most powerful equipment can only be found in NG+, so a second run through the game isn't just for bragging rights.
The areas are larger, and giving you the ability to teleport right from the jump gives you a bit more freedom to explore and makes the game less linear. Anyone who doesn't think this is a good idea obviously wasn't one of the poor bastards who got all the way to Ash lake with no lordvessel in DS1.
The game is solid, for all the bitching about hitboxes or too many humanoid bosses, it's extremely playable with varied enemies, plenty of challenge, and a lot more player customization. I'm going through Dragon age: inquisition right now and Ds2 is easily the superior game despite being last gen...and I haven't touched the DLC yet, which I've heard improves the experience significantly.
Dark Souls 2 by far. Longer, more content, better controls, and online mode.
Lords isnt bad but is far away from the Souls series.
Lux R7
Member
Dark Souls 2
But Lords is a good game.
It's just that Dark Souls (1) is too superior
GeordieMark
Member
I enjoyed Dark Souls 2, and have played through up to the end NG+++.
I do think it falls significantly short of the highs of Dark Souls though, and has some really frustrating design choices which make it feel much more 'unfair' than Dark Souls. I think this is why people get a bit frustrated with it and call it crap, when that is obviously not true.
The tendency to throw multiple enemies at you at once can get quite annoying and does feel like forced difficulty, rather than genuine challenge. The result is a lot of kiting and cheesing, rather than genuine skill being required. This isn't unique to Dark Souls 2, as the first had moments like this too, but it is a tactic that is used much more frequently, to the point where it can get a bit tiresome. I especially didn't enjoy it during some of the boss fights, most notably the twin Dragon Riders, as the camera just makes the fight really awkward and not fun. The difficulty comes from fighting the camera, rather than the bosses, who are pretty easy.
The story is also really poor compared to Dark Souls, and that's a shame as it was one of my favourite parts of the original game. I never once felt like I wasn't sure of my purpose whilst playing Dark Souls, whereas I spent most of the sequel not really having a clue why I was doing anything, or what I was hoping to achieve. I think From seriously misjudged what people enjoyed about the first game's lore and story and made a deliberately obtuse game that made absolutely no sense, even if you took the time to read every item description, and scoured every environment for clues.
I won't shit on the environments too much, as like people have already said, some of the environments in the first game aren't particularly great either. However in the original, this was slightly made up for by the clever design that connected the areas. The interconnectedness and short-cuts meant you ended up getting a real feel for the world, and being able to map it made it feel more tangible and gave it a sense of place. DS2's long corridor levels are nowhere near as memorable because once you have traversed them once, you never need to go back again. It makes the game world much less captivating and memorable.
Don't get me wrong, DS2 is a fun game and I'd recommend it to someone who hasn't played it, but I'll always consider the first game a much, much better experience.
I do think it falls significantly short of the highs of Dark Souls though, and has some really frustrating design choices which make it feel much more 'unfair' than Dark Souls. I think this is why people get a bit frustrated with it and call it crap, when that is obviously not true.
The tendency to throw multiple enemies at you at once can get quite annoying and does feel like forced difficulty, rather than genuine challenge. The result is a lot of kiting and cheesing, rather than genuine skill being required. This isn't unique to Dark Souls 2, as the first had moments like this too, but it is a tactic that is used much more frequently, to the point where it can get a bit tiresome. I especially didn't enjoy it during some of the boss fights, most notably the twin Dragon Riders, as the camera just makes the fight really awkward and not fun. The difficulty comes from fighting the camera, rather than the bosses, who are pretty easy.
The story is also really poor compared to Dark Souls, and that's a shame as it was one of my favourite parts of the original game. I never once felt like I wasn't sure of my purpose whilst playing Dark Souls, whereas I spent most of the sequel not really having a clue why I was doing anything, or what I was hoping to achieve. I think From seriously misjudged what people enjoyed about the first game's lore and story and made a deliberately obtuse game that made absolutely no sense, even if you took the time to read every item description, and scoured every environment for clues.
I won't shit on the environments too much, as like people have already said, some of the environments in the first game aren't particularly great either. However in the original, this was slightly made up for by the clever design that connected the areas. The interconnectedness and short-cuts meant you ended up getting a real feel for the world, and being able to map it made it feel more tangible and gave it a sense of place. DS2's long corridor levels are nowhere near as memorable because once you have traversed them once, you never need to go back again. It makes the game world much less captivating and memorable.
Don't get me wrong, DS2 is a fun game and I'd recommend it to someone who hasn't played it, but I'll always consider the first game a much, much better experience.
VFX_Veteran
Banned
I'm in agreement with this.
Bought LoTF last night and this is what DS2 should have looked like:
Lux R7
Member
For people who have graphical gripes with Dark Souls II and have it on PC, I really, really recommend that you check out some ENB options for the game.
The graphics are the last problem in my opinion.
Crossing Eden
Hello, my name is Yves Guillemot, Vivendi S.A.'s Employee of the Month!
If the ps4 version looks like this at release I'll buy it immediately, otherwise i'll be way too busy playing bloodborne.For people who have graphical gripes with Dark Souls II and have it on PC, I really, really recommend that you check out some ENB options for the game.
DaciaJC
Gold Member
Eh, I made it through the Catacombs and to the yellow fog gate in Tomb of the Giants before finding Sen's Fortress. The journey back to the surface was hellish, but it was also one of the most memorable parts of my first playthrough. The feelings of relief and triumph upon finally reaching Firelink Shrine were unparalleled.
The decision to add bonfire warping from the start in Dark Souls II was undoubtedly a bad one.
Comfort Jones
Banned
Yeah no I can't agree with this at all. I replayed Dark Souls quite a few times and each time having to just run through big empty areas and/or just past enemies that were no longer a threat got more and more tiring. It allows for its moments sure but it also drives quite a few new players kinda nuts. It's not a great feeling getting lost and realizing you need to walk all the way across the map because reasons. Like there is literally no challenge to me between Firelink Shrine and Quelaag but I still have to make this loooong trek to there and then make this massive trek backwards if I want to also activate the bonfire in her area so I can warp there. It's an exercise in tedium.
Kinda amazing how Demon's Souls seems to be universally loved on GAF and it had level warping from the start.
For people who have graphical gripes with Dark Souls II and have it on PC, I really, really recommend that you check out some ENB options for the game.
I played the whole game with ENB at least the first 2 times through it, and it looks so much better, however many areas are broken (especially the DLC ones) and i can't keep 60fps with 4k, so ultimately, i'm playing without it since the DLC have been out.Also shout out to this super dark, moody ENB, that makes the game harder, but also much scarier and more depressing:
It was called "Forever Without Light" i think now is "Real Darkness ENB", but it's not accessible in the Nexus.
Crimsonclaw111
Member
ENB helps for the whole DX11 debacle but it sadly won't unsplit the community :/
So what if you have to walk a bit? I don't remember warping everywhere in OoT and nobody seemed to complain about it back then.
I mean, I don't mind warping in DS2. It's actually kind of necessary given how they designed the "world". But warping at the start of DS1 would have cheapened the experience.
DaciaJC
Gold Member
I'm afraid I don't quite understand this bit. Generally you find Quelaan's bonfire immediately after defeating Quelaag. Yes, the journey to Quelaag is long and perilous ... but that's kinda the point of Blighttown.
dancingphlower
Member
I personally think Demon's is the weakest Souls game, I couldn't bring myself to finish it. Loved Dark Souls 1, got the Platinum. I really like Dark Souls II and I might go for the Platinum in this as well.
Psycho_Mantis
Banned
moozoom
Member
Ok, I'm 42 years old and I love video games but I'm not particularly good at them... I'm just patient and resilient. Also I don't have much time to play that many games, so I tend to concentrate on one or two very good games. That's also why I can't make 50 different characters to test 50 different builds, I just stick to the first one and try to make it work. I loved Demon's Souls, but so far never completed it ( my main character is jack of all trades but master of none ). I nearly finished Dark souls ( I can kill the last boss when I want ) but I still need to kill Kalameet in the DLC (and he's kicking my ass).
On Dark souls 2 :
I love it. I was very happy to explore new areas and try the new classes and weapons. The music and mood are great, although quite different. Drangleic has some beautiful areas, overall less "dark" and dreary than the vistas in Demon's souls. I love the upgrade system for weapons and armor, much easier to understand, and less prone to fuck up your progression ( like I did in Demon's). The bonfire warping makes the travels easier (even though I liked my little hikes around the world in Dark souls one) As the monsters stop respawning after a while, you'll be walking some sad deserted areas anyway. In Dark Souls one, I forced my way through certain difficult moments by grinding the mobs and that was not possible in DS 2, which made me a better player, I guess. I had to learn to fight properly and that was rewarding in the end. I'm currently doing the DLC (all 3 simulteanously) and I love these new areas even if the bosses are very hard to beat (hate the kalameet reskin with all my heart). My favorite addition is the possibility to re-assign stats to try a different build. I played as a strength focused warrior for the main game, but I'm now trying magic and hexes which is great fun.
I play From software games since the PS1 era, and fell in love with their King's Field games
After that, Demon's and Dark Souls felt like an incredible graphical prowess, so the DS2 graphics downgrade drama didn't make me cancel my pre-order. Game would have been prettier with lighting effects but the increased FPS stability was already a great improvement over the first one.
Again, I'm the kind of guy that can overlook some problems in a game when the overall package is great : I loved Dragon's Dogma despite its flaws and it's a shame that many people didn't buy it - because we won't get another one. LTTP threads like "OMG it's great after all, lol" make me want to scream "YES I TOLD YOU SO AT THE TIME BUT IT'S TOO LATE NOW."
tldr : While I understand some (most) of the complaints, I loved my time with DS2 and I'll probably double dip when I get a PS4 next year ( to play Bloodborne of course)
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
Absolutely. Dark Souls II's exploration is extremely rewarding. It's worth it to explore every nook and cranny, you almost always find interesting loot, or a neat shortcut, or a hidden bonfire, etc.
Hahaha love this post. I'm early thirties so I don't qualify I guess, but personally I love all three more or less equally. Each game has its pros and cons, but overall they're all a fantastic experience and my GotY each time.
I once wrote a long list of things I think should be part of an hypothetical Dark Souls III here, and you'll notice that the "bring back from Dark Souls I" list is much smaller than the "keep from Dark Souls II" one.
That doesn't mean DkS2 is necessarily better, but it does show DkS2 brought a bunch of nice improvements.Indeed.
Great post.
Dark Souls II by several leagues. LotF is decent, but it really is "Dark Souls lite", and it's inferior to every single Souls game in just about every aspect except the graphics.
Absolutely. Dark Souls II's exploration is extremely rewarding. It's worth it to explore every nook and cranny, you almost always find interesting loot, or a neat shortcut, or a hidden bonfire, etc.
Hahaha love this post. I'm early thirties so I don't qualify I guess, but personally I love all three more or less equally. Each game has its pros and cons, but overall they're all a fantastic experience and my GotY each time.
I once wrote a long list of things I think should be part of an hypothetical Dark Souls III here, and you'll notice that the "bring back from Dark Souls I" list is much smaller than the "keep from Dark Souls II" one.
Indeed.
Great post.
Dark Souls II by several leagues. LotF is decent, but it really is "Dark Souls lite", and it's inferior to every single Souls game in just about every aspect except the graphics.
Yeah dark souls 2 is awesome
SymbiantXenos
Member
Still not available on Amazon uk.
probably not, unless sony/microsoft offer something closer to release.
Freezasaurus
Member
This is a pretty awesome get for the new consoles.
But I really have no desire to play through all of that again.
But I really have no desire to play through all of that again.
For anyone confused about Dark Souls II's quality, just consider that it's been nominated for Game of the Year at the Game Awards. It may be different than Dark Souls I in many places, but it's still an excellent game. Some may see failings when comparing it to Dark Souls I, but it's hard to ignore the successes when you judge the game on its own merits, ignoring the comparisons. I'd highly recommend picking up the current-gen versions when they release.
I'll probably just play the DLC over Christmas and then wait a while before getting the new version on PS4. I want to see how my battle-worn sword-and-board deals with the kings.
I'll probably just play the DLC over Christmas and then wait a while before getting the new version on PS4. I want to see how my battle-worn sword-and-board deals with the kings.
eot
Banned
It also reviewed better than Dark Souls, I don't think that counts for much. Clearly some people enjoy it more, I guess it depends on what about Dark Souls it was you liked. It's worth playing to find out for yourself if it's good or not, and to fight the one or two bosses that would rank alongside the better ones from Dark Souls.
Yoshichan
And they made him a Lord of Cinder. Not for virtue, but for might. Such is a lord, I suppose. But here I ask. Do we have a sodding chance?
I fucking LOVE this post.
Brerlappin
Member
I think DS2 started out poorly, had a great middle, and an awful ending. The giant memories were abysmal and had no place in a souls game. They felt like linear corridor "press X to look at awesome setpiece" garbage. The worst in particular was Memory of Jeigh. Absolute, 100% horse shit.
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
Eh? Memory of Jeigh was just a boss fight. I found the others more annoying because they had a bit more exploration yet were limited in time.
SporeCrawler
Member
meh i may double dip
Brerlappin
Member
It was also the insta fail one where you could get killed by that rolling statue head that was horribly designed. Took me a ton of deaths to figure out what the hell i was even supposed to do.
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
Hmm, I don't think I ever died to that statue... >_> or, it's been so long that I don't remember, but it's been a non-issue to me. The fireballs were more annoying to be honest.
Brerlappin
Member
I got griefed by the fireballs and rolling head so many times it actually caused me to rage harder than fighting Artorias. But those stupid story sections had no place in the game, they felt odd, like they were trying to be all big spectacle explosions and epicness, but in relity, they jsut sucked. And yeah, the timed missions were even worse. Hot fucking garbage and easily lower than any other Souls low point. Like worse than Bed of Chaos & Blighttowns framerate combined