While Soul memory is a terrible idea on concept, i never felt hindered by it. I could always get connections pretty much everywhere.
Meanwhile in DS3 the online was sadly not great, and as someone that kept much of the game technically underleveled, it didnt pair me with many people. Which brings me to the return of one of the dumbest mechanics in souls : no longer being able to be invaded after completing a area boss. This kills most of the earlier areas and limits PVP possibilities. Meanwhile in Dark Souls 2 there are plenty of active areas throughout you can engage in invading and being invaded at a good rhytm. And you have the option of burning effigies if you dont want to be invaded.