This was the only part of the game where I actually turned it off in frustration and had to take a break for a few days.
I want to give Dark Souls one last shot. Help me.
- Thread starter mickcenary
- Start date
This was the only part of the game where I actually turned it off in frustration and had to take a break for a few days.
I remember wearing the Fluted Armor set in my entire time with Demon's Souls. So good.
I honestly have no advice for someone who needs to be encouraged to play this. I bought it launch (Swore to myself I wouldnt, I sunk far too much time into Demon's, and the direction for Dark Souls didnt appeal to me) I didnt put it down for like 2 weeks. Platinumed it, even though I screwed up and had to beat New Game +++, which was fucking hard, to put it nicely.
Anyone know if the upcoming DLC is applied to your current playthrough? My save is on NG +++ and I dont want to go through DLC with crazy hard enemies >_>.
Either way, I'm tempted to fire it up and start it all over again. Love the series. It really is very rewarding. Some things feel cheap (listed before) but honestly I never got mad at the bosses or encounter until NG++.
Anyone know if the upcoming DLC is applied to your current playthrough? My save is on NG +++ and I dont want to go through DLC with crazy hard enemies >_>.
Either way, I'm tempted to fire it up and start it all over again. Love the series. It really is very rewarding. Some things feel cheap (listed before) but honestly I never got mad at the bosses or encounter until NG++.
mickcenary
Member
My soul.
It hath been dark for a couple of hours now, so I'll post some quick impressions/notes before bedtime!
I didn't spend as long on the character creation as I did last time. I made a fairly dashing and handsome young Pyromancer, took the Master Key and left it at that. I struggled with the controls for a good half hour, drinking Estus instead of climbing ladders and constantly trying to go prone... Guess which types of games I've been playing!? Go ahead! Roll thine eyes!
I'm in the Undead Burg now, precisely where I lost my cool last time; and to my surprise, it felt a lot easier this time around. That's not to say that I didn't die about 8 times and lose some humanity due to unnecessary haste or stupid human error (I'm still gutted about this), but I'm understanding the game a lot more and I've more of a desire to press on. I'm kicking myself for the few times I rushed to retrieve my lost essence and ended up dying in the most pathetic way, but I guess that's what this game is about: making mistakes and learning from them. I consider myself to be pretty decent at video games, but I've certainly had to check myself thoroughly. I messaged my girlfriend to tell her that I was retarded. You win, Dark Souls.
On top of that, I'm very prone to restarting games to get them perfect, but I'm not going to do it with this game. For one, it's too tedious and secondly, I know it'll be nigh impossible and only serve to hamper the experience. I'm gonna suck up my pride and accept that not everything can be perfect.
As far as leveling goes, I've focused on STR, DEX and END (check this guy out). I have a bigger axe than the one I started with, too; salvaged from one of the undead. I love the weight of the combat. It's glorious. Ripostes are fun, but damn risky due to the tiny timing windows. Back-stabs I'm unsure about. Is there an animation to accompany them? If I recall correctly, all the game tells you is to hit RB when behind someone, but I've noticed nothing different.
Some questions! Should I go for that big Knight fellow with his back turned in the lower corridors of the Burg? And should I go for that cumbersome fucker at the bottom of the spiral staircase tower? I had a few shots at him, but I wasn't doing much. Also, he basically one-hit kills me, the mong.
Anyway, I guess the main thing to report is that I'm ENJOYING MYSELF, so the highest of fives to all of you fine gentlemen. Also, the world is very intriguing and also really fucking oppressive/bleak. I've never felt more alone or insignificant in a video game before. It's morbidly charming.
Until tomorrow!
It hath been dark for a couple of hours now, so I'll post some quick impressions/notes before bedtime!
I didn't spend as long on the character creation as I did last time. I made a fairly dashing and handsome young Pyromancer, took the Master Key and left it at that. I struggled with the controls for a good half hour, drinking Estus instead of climbing ladders and constantly trying to go prone... Guess which types of games I've been playing!? Go ahead! Roll thine eyes!
I'm in the Undead Burg now, precisely where I lost my cool last time; and to my surprise, it felt a lot easier this time around. That's not to say that I didn't die about 8 times and lose some humanity due to unnecessary haste or stupid human error (I'm still gutted about this), but I'm understanding the game a lot more and I've more of a desire to press on. I'm kicking myself for the few times I rushed to retrieve my lost essence and ended up dying in the most pathetic way, but I guess that's what this game is about: making mistakes and learning from them. I consider myself to be pretty decent at video games, but I've certainly had to check myself thoroughly. I messaged my girlfriend to tell her that I was retarded. You win, Dark Souls.
On top of that, I'm very prone to restarting games to get them perfect, but I'm not going to do it with this game. For one, it's too tedious and secondly, I know it'll be nigh impossible and only serve to hamper the experience. I'm gonna suck up my pride and accept that not everything can be perfect.
As far as leveling goes, I've focused on STR, DEX and END (check this guy out). I have a bigger axe than the one I started with, too; salvaged from one of the undead. I love the weight of the combat. It's glorious. Ripostes are fun, but damn risky due to the tiny timing windows. Back-stabs I'm unsure about. Is there an animation to accompany them? If I recall correctly, all the game tells you is to hit RB when behind someone, but I've noticed nothing different.
Some questions! Should I go for that big Knight fellow with his back turned in the lower corridors of the Burg? And should I go for that cumbersome fucker at the bottom of the spiral staircase tower? I had a few shots at him, but I wasn't doing much. Also, he basically one-hit kills me, the mong.
Anyway, I guess the main thing to report is that I'm ENJOYING MYSELF, so the highest of fives to all of you fine gentlemen. Also, the world is very intriguing and also really fucking oppressive/bleak. I've never felt more alone or insignificant in a video game before. It's morbidly charming.
Until tomorrow!
H_Prestige
Banned
Keep at it. Your experience sounds a lot like mine. I also struggled with the controls and I hit a brick wall at the bell gargoyles. But then I started to get a better feel for the game and I finally beat them. I've been hooked on the game ever since. The atmosphere is second to none and I love that there is zero hand holding. The game just lets you play.
There's really no reason to kill the black knight. The ring he's guarding is mostly useless. The guy at the bottom of the watchtower drops a pretty nifty ring that boosts your equip burden by 50%, so you can wear heavy gear while still moving fast. You'll have to beat him with backstabs though, since you need powerful weapons and a strong shield to fight him head on.
mickcenary
Member
Thanks, dude. So, these "backstabs" you speak of... Is it more or less hitting him in the back, or is it an actual maneuver?
You can't be blocking when doing a backstab.You can circle them with your shield up,when you're behind them drop your shield and do a backstab .You'll see a huge bloodstream and you'll send your weapon in the opponents back sending him to the floor.
Also learn to manage stamina when blocking.When i first started playing DkS i had my shield up 99% of the time even when the enemy wasn't attacking because i was scared shitless.Dropping your shield between enemy attacks make it regen faster even just for that small moment.
I don't think you should take that knight on yet until you get better experienced ,with the feel of the game.You should test weapons to see what fits your style too.
Also learn to manage stamina when blocking.When i first started playing DkS i had my shield up 99% of the time even when the enemy wasn't attacking because i was scared shitless.Dropping your shield between enemy attacks make it regen faster even just for that small moment.
I don't think you should take that knight on yet until you get better experienced ,with the feel of the game.You should test weapons to see what fits your style too.
KO Traveling Hobo
Member
Backstabs have a very distinct animation, much like the riposte. iirc, you can't backstab while raising your shield. That tripped me up for awhile.
H_Prestige
Banned
It's an actual move. You have to position yourself right behind the enemy, drop your shield, and hold the attack button. To get behind, just lock on and circle strafe around his attack.
I spent hours on the Capra Demon. There were times I'd load up Dark Souls and within 3 or 4 quick deaths I would have to turn it off, or I would have smashed the disc into pieces.
The later bosses are definitely a challenge, but I found myself having more difficulty on a lot of the earlier bosses. Maybe it was due to learning all the tactics and how to play, and having far worse gear then later on.
The later bosses are definitely a challenge, but I found myself having more difficulty on a lot of the earlier bosses. Maybe it was due to learning all the tactics and how to play, and having far worse gear then later on.
EternalGamer
Banned
I didn't beat that guy until about 12 hours in. And the area he is guarding is not the area he should be headed to for a good while. He's going to be very underpowered facing him now. As others have said earlier a number of times, if something one shots you, do not fight it. Wait until later.
While the ring may not be great, he drops an amazing sword.
Also, I'm right there with you OP I just started this game a few days ago and am already 8 hours in. This thread and the wiki have helped me immensely. (I had no idea about needing your shield down for backstabbing, it's no wonder it hardly ever worked for me).
One quick question, my dude sometimes kicks people when I'm attacking. Is there a special way to trigger this? Sometimes I just want to attack and he will kick instead, other times I feel like a kick would help my situation but I can't pull it off.
H_Prestige
Banned
Kicking is done by pressing forward and attack at the same time. That's why sometimes in the heat of battle you accidentally kick instead of attack.
at first, i was slightly annoyed by the poor fps in crucial areas of dark souls. however, 100hours in, i notice it when i play dark souls after playing a different game.
my only problem is trying to find other plays to co op with. sometimes i'll find some straight, other times it takes 40+ minutes, usually right when im busying gathering ore.
when it drops on pc, i hope my pc (ati7850) can at least hold a consisitent 60fps, it'd definitely make for a better experience...
my only problem is trying to find other plays to co op with. sometimes i'll find some straight, other times it takes 40+ minutes, usually right when im busying gathering ore.
when it drops on pc, i hope my pc (ati7850) can at least hold a consisitent 60fps, it'd definitely make for a better experience...
Moral Panic
Member
Yeah, depending on weapon class Forward + attack does either a push, a kick, or an awesome backflip slash.
Parakeetman
No one wants a throne you've been sitting on!
Am very happy to hear that it sounds like you are enjoying your experience with the game!
Btw in regards to that large fucker at the bottom of the spiral stairs.
I kept baiting him and shot the shit out of him with a ton of arrows. Took forever but he did eventually die. Though you need to wait till he turns his back on you when walking back, if not he will block pretty much everything shot at him from the front. While this sounds terrible its a lot about taking advantage of the AI and pathing too on occasion
That's the great thing about Dark/Demon's Souls.
When you have mastered the game (beaten it once at least), you should be able to run through the game without any issues whatsoever.
I tried giving it a couple more shots and I just can't do it.
Demon's Souls is one of my favorite games this gen and I NG+++ it. Every time I died in Demon's Souls it felt like it was my fault. But in Dark Souls I feel there is A LOT of cheapness in the game, where most of my deaths are because of lag or mobs falling from the sky on top of my head.
Also, the atmosphere of Dark Souls did not grab me like it did with Demon's Souls.
Demon's Souls is one of my favorite games this gen and I NG+++ it. Every time I died in Demon's Souls it felt like it was my fault. But in Dark Souls I feel there is A LOT of cheapness in the game, where most of my deaths are because of lag or mobs falling from the sky on top of my head.
Also, the atmosphere of Dark Souls did not grab me like it did with Demon's Souls.
arglebargle
Member
all of you just starting out or considering starting out, note how much those of us who love the game are willing to talk about it. this not only speaks to our enthusiasm for the game and the games depth, but also demonstrates how helpful (possibly too much so for people who want to go through the game untainted) the community around this game is.
What parts specifically did you find cheap?
KO Traveling Hobo
Member
I don't think I ever experienced either of those.
The atmosphere made it hard for me to play Dark Souls, so I just said fuck it and put on my own soundtrack. Much more fun that way.
They both tend to happen in Blighttown, actually.
Felix Lighter
Member
I really want to get back into the game. The PC release cannot come soon enough. I still have my PS3 version but I'll wait.
I do remember enemies jumping on top of my head and hiding behind corners - in Demon's Souls. Dark Souls had a lot less of those.
an easy way to get in position is to lock on with L3, then circle strafe in behind, then when you are either directly behind or even off ot the side a bit you will press R1 as nrmaland itwill perform the animation automatically......its a must really, not only useful but too cool looking not to do mulitple times over and over...never loses its playability. As other s hae mentioned though you must not hsve your shield up when pressing R1 to finsalize the deal. Just practice near a bonfire first so you don;t hsve to go so far to get souls...or even bettter don't carry any while prasctiing.
Something to learn about this gsme early on is that very few areas or monsteres are "off limits" for noobs or vets alike. When there is a will there is a way...even with no armour or good weapons...if you had the patience, you could backstasb that guy (Havel) using the broken handle you get at the start and using a time tested bait and response system, kill that guy without losing any health. There is a strategy that will work at almost any level and it is up to you to either figure it out yourself ..or admit help would be useful and ask away here.....but if you want any scary looking thing dead....do it....you can and will...even if you sepnf hours trying to find the strategy that works...there really are SEVERAL different strategies for any tough seeming enemy...and you will inevitsbly say to yoursefl....now why ddin't I thinkof that earlier?
a note about havel...you notice that he one hit kills you...so does it make any sense to bring armour or a sheild to that fight? I guess I answered my own question there but you get the point. JUst wartcch outr for Havel though.....his long swing is deceptive AND CAN CHANGE DIRECTION MID SWING. Obviously a fight that people should actually do early on as the dynamics of it don't change ever....even with the best arour and shield he still takes too much out of you for you toi be bale to jsut tank huim.....can't tank a tank. A different startegy iis required and you won't find much in the entire game that will improve your chances for htis particualr fight any more thanwhat you have at the start of the game.....he's close to sa bonfire so might as well try him out!!!
The black knight does drop a good sword and becuse you are goign str it would appear it will be useful. But unlike havel, it is not a guaranteed drop...have at least one active humanity ion your humanity meter top left and your chances of a drop go up....thsatsaid he is tough and so more strategy is required....summoning help may be percieved as cheap, but it works.....other startegies if you don't want to let others play your game is fine also....but never feel lke you have to let souls games win.
Sorry, I just don't undersradn the rationale that you love demons so much and hate dark......although they are differentin minor ways, the heart and soul of both games is the same. I actaully enjoyed dark much more despite having a soft spot for demon's as it was the virgin experience....but seriously, FROM improved Darkin ways that fans wanted (open world concept) and I was one of those fans....each to their own I guess but cheapness is very rare in ether game.....even for bed of chaos cheap can be met with cheap....i.e. quit after each segment and get back to the starting spot. When there is a will there is a way.
H_Prestige
Banned
I think Demons Souls has way more cheap deaths. Like those reapers and shadow people in world 4. Or the blue dragon in 1-4. I played it after Dark Souls so I know how to be careful, but there have still been so many times where I died and I think "really, how was I supposed to be prepared for that?".
I wouldn't go that far. I was comfortably tanking Havel with the brass armor set and the crest shield, and that's not even heavy gear. NG+ might be a different story though. Oh, I did have 40 Vit and FAP ring, so that helped a lot with the tanking.
As for the black knight sword, I really see no point in it when the claymore is just lying on top of the bridge and has a better move set and longer reach. Not to mention it can buffed.
I wouldn't go that far. I was comfortably tanking Havel with the brass armor set and the crest shield, and that's not even heavy gear. NG+ might be a different story though. Oh, I did have 40 Vit and FAP ring, so that helped a lot with the tanking.
As for the black knight sword, I really see no point in it when the claymore is just lying on top of the bridge and has a better move set and longer reach. Not to mention it can buffed.
John Rabbit
Banned
black knight halberd is godly though. i lucked out and it dropped kind of early for me and i ended up using it for almost the rest of the my play-through.
it has crazy reach too.
it has crazy reach too.
mickcenary
Member
So, I'm a fucking idiot. I'm starting again. God, I'm angry with myself. 100% my fault, but I lost 3 humanity and even though that's not a lot, it's marred the experience too much. I need a clean slate!
ARGH!
EDIT: Fuck me. Am I being stupid? Should I just go on?
ARGH!
EDIT: Fuck me. Am I being stupid? Should I just go on?
Felix Lighter
Member
Humanity comes and goes man. Just like souls, you have to let it go.
Yea, just go on. 3 humanity isn't much.
Ganondorfo
Junior Member
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9ymysN3qQ8
This guy beat the game in a hour, just do the same as he did.xD
This guy beat the game in a hour, just do the same as he did.xD
I don't think I can be the boshy like that man. Jeez the way he scrolls through the menus is insane. Not to mention the bed of chaos trick I TRIED to mimic and failed...miserably.
BTW this thread reminded me to get this game on the PC as well. I look forward to clearing it again.
mickcenary
Member
Alright! So, upon losing my humanity, I figured that I had a lot less to lose and decided to go fuck up that Havel. It worked. First time. 20 backstabs later. Feels good, man. Apologies for the freak-out.
This game.
Something else.
It is.
This game.
Something else.
It is.
mickcenary
Member
Taurus Demon.
How the fuck?
How the fuck?
Parakeetman
No one wants a throne you've been sitting on!
I see you just met my best friend.
Vids with opinions on how to fight him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tgE_VgaPf0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXuI77BRvck&feature=related
dont bother with humanity, you won't really need it until later when you want to farm loot. there's also the infinite soul / humanity glitch if you really want them (but it's patched out unless you have the game at its initial release).
edit: actually, lol i forgot you need humanity to kindle the bonfire, but anyway, you get many humanity items on the way anyway.
edit: actually, lol i forgot you need humanity to kindle the bonfire, but anyway, you get many humanity items on the way anyway.
Felix Lighter
Member
My favorite way to build up humanity is to just help people defeat bosses. It's not the fastest, skeleton baby farming is the fastest that I know of but it was the most satisfying way. I did nothing but help people defeat O&S for days and days. Good times.
Couple of plunging attacks from the top of the tower should do it.
KO Traveling Hobo
Member
There's definitely slowdown in Blighttown, but everything is slowed down, and I never came even close to dying because of it. I also never had an enemy fall on my head that I can remember. The only enemies that I can imagine doing that would be the crab monsters, and they're super weak.
I was fucking awful at the game, too, so it's not like my uber skillz are to thank.
God, the Master Key kind of breaks the game in my opinion. You wont get to see the world From built unfold how its supposed to. IMO, you really really really shouldn't have picked that.
But good for you! And 3 Humanity is noooooooooooooothing. A drop in the ocean. Whatever souls you lose too. You'll get bigger and bigger amounts, plus the game difficulty/ramp up seems to account for you losing souls along the way.
But good for you! And 3 Humanity is noooooooooooooothing. A drop in the ocean. Whatever souls you lose too. You'll get bigger and bigger amounts, plus the game difficulty/ramp up seems to account for you losing souls along the way.
mickcenary
Member
Cheers, guys. Yeah, I was more just really fucking irate for a moment there. I died in a passage that I had gone through a hundred times; it was completely avoidable. I was really enjoying it up until that moment, but the anger has dissipated now and I'm back in the swing of things.
Taurus Demon has been dealt with. I just killed that bull-like creature past the Dragon bridge. Is there anything you'd recommend that I get?
Taurus Demon has been dealt with. I just killed that bull-like creature past the Dragon bridge. Is there anything you'd recommend that I get?
KO Traveling Hobo
Member
You're near your first blacksmith! Make sure you upgrade your favorite weapon(s) and armor. The increases may not seem like much, but they add up fast.
mickcenary
Member
All I have is an axe and shitty pyromancer rags! Should I go weapon hunting?
Probably the hardest boss in the game for me. I ragequit so many times.
You need to do the falling downward thrust a few times, but it's tough to get him into the right position.
KO Traveling Hobo
Member
It's been too long for me to remember where most of the items are. The blacksmith has some simple, reliable stuff for sale, though.
If you really want, the male merchant in the Undead Burg can be killed for a kickass katana, but it always makes me feel really guilty even if the dude's kind of a dick.