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[Nephtes]

I've noticed some drops but no tearing. Its a great experience and I recommend it. I'm sure from will patch it up to improve performance too.
I gave had the game crash on me like 4 times now though... don't know if that's uniform across all versions.

I find the Xbox version plenty smooth, but likewise I gave seen a muddy frame rate here or there. Nothing like the hyperbole going on about the XOne frame rate in the DF thread. Knock on wood. No crashes yet.

I don't like the controller for a souls game like I liked the PS4 controller for Bloodborne ... But dammit, achievements are worth more to me than trophies.

 

[phoenixyz]

(Lost Bastille question)

Spoiler

I am stuck in Lost Bastille. I think I explored everywhere but I have no idea where to continue. I've unlocked three bonfires (the one in the cell at the beginning, the one you get when travelling via eagle and the one at the smith) and had two pursuer encounters. Halp pls.

 

[pager99]

I'm back from a week or so ban and I deserved it lesson learnt anyway having a blast playing dark souls 2 but I'm sure I haven't really being doing things in chronological order as I'm just discovering things as I go, I'm currently working my way tru earthen peak I think and I currently have 8 estus flasks at +2 and have put over 20 hrs so far my impressions so far are that this game has a stronger second half than 1 but a weaker first, oh btw I killed the miracle lady who switches the path before heides tower should I have done that?

 

[-tetsuo-]

I started over and the game is much easier now that I am not limited to a dagger that breaks in 7 minutes flat only.

 

[Caja 117]

It doesn't really matter. There's no su ch thing as class in Dark Souls, especially Dark Souls II where you can change you characters stats using a rare item. The only difference is starting items and spells.

I know that down the line it doesn't matter, I planing to do a STR/INT build, but checking the starting Attributes Swordsman seems to be better.

 

[Soodanim]

Something weird just happened: the whole screen went black, then white. The game was still running. Restarted the game and all was fine. Is that common? (970 stock).

 

[Chance Hale]

Not pictured: Four other ghosts

 

[SlasherJPC]

I started over and the game is much easier now that I am not limited to a dagger that breaks in 7 minutes flat only.

What are you using to help keep the breaking down to a minimum?

 

[Fisty]

Anyone else not having issues with durability? I think its pretty good overall, makes you juggle weapons and makes combat a bit more interesting. I started with deprived and within 30 minutes i had a sword for each slot.

Then again ive never played vanilla ds2

 

[Kurtofan]

Why is my health halved?

 

[Sir Ilpalazzo]

(Lost Bastille question)

Spoiler

I am stuck in Lost Bastille. I think I explored everywhere but I have no idea where to continue. I've unlocked three bonfires (the one in the cell at the beginning, the one you get when travelling via eagle and the one at the smith) and had two pursuer encounters. Halp pls.

Spoiler

Have you beaten the boss of the area? It's fairly straightforward to reach from the bonfire you reach when you travel from the forest. If you have beaten the boss, keep exploring the area past it.

 

[cslesce]

Where is cheapest this in EUROPE?

 

[Neoweee]

What are you using to help keep the breaking down to a minimum?

The R2 button?

 

[Mogwai]

Why is my health halved?

Because you suck died enough times.

Every time you die, you lose a little max HP. Use an effigy to restore it to max.

 

[Navy Bean]

I've now completed all 4 "Souls" games and I've never done a pure magic build. Is it viable in DS2? I think it would be a nice change of pace...

 

[-tetsuo-]

What are you using to help keep the breaking down to a minimum?

It is hard as a swordsman. I remember last year I played as one. You can't keep the breaking down because the game is stupid. You have to find and use other weapons. It is as simple as that. Pick up new stuff, equip it and rest at bonfires because you have to. After a couple upgrades and few new weapons you will be ok but it really, really sucks starting out.

 

[Red Liquorice]

OMG... Just wasted 12,000 souls on a Fragrant Branch of Yore which I used super early to

Spoiler

de-petrify the pyromancy vendor

...

Of course she doesn't sell the pyromancy flame. D:

You could've got both a pyro flame and a branch of yore free by spending about the same amount of souls on

Spoiler

the cat ring so you can get down to the Gutter and pick both up

. That is still the best use for that item early though, so it's not wasted.

I've now completed all 4 "Souls" games and I've never done a pure magic build. Is it viable in DS2? I think it would be a nice change of pace...

DS2 is easily the best of the series for a pure magic run because of the increase in the amount of spells. Go Hex build and you can use all 4 types of magic.

 

[Mogwai]

It is hard as a swordsman. I remember last year I played as one. You can't keep the breaking down because the game is stupid. You have to find and use other weapons. It is as simple as that. Pick up new stuff, equip it and rest at bonfires because you have to. After a couple upgrades and few new weapons you will be ok but it really, really sucks starting out.

Also, backstabbing and parrying/riposte whenver possible. That costs you zero durability.

 

[Navy Bean]

Go Hex build and you can use all 4 types of magic.

Cool, what is a Hex build?

 

[phoenixyz]

Spoiler

Have you beaten the boss of the area? It's fairly straightforward to reach from the bonfire you reach when you travel from the forest. If you have beaten the boss, keep exploring the area past it.

Spoiler

No I haven't. I found the way to sinners rise but not the boss

 

[Red Liquorice]

Cool, what is a Hex build?

Hexes are same as dark magic in DS1, the stats needed for hex spells are shared between INT and FTH, so you can also use magic, miracles and of course pyro too. All magic, all the time!

 

[Sir Ilpalazzo]

Spoiler

No I haven't. I found the way to sinners rise but not the boss

Spoiler

In that case you actually don't even need to fight the boss in Lost Bastille anymore. Just go to Sinner's Rise and find the boss there. (If you already have then you're done in that area.)

 

[OmegaDragon]

(Lost Bastille question)

Spoiler

I am stuck in Lost Bastille. I think I explored everywhere but I have no idea where to continue. I've unlocked three bonfires (the one in the cell at the beginning, the one you get when travelling via eagle and the one at the smith) and had two pursuer encounters. Halp pls.

Option 1 (easy)

Spoiler

Start from the cell bonfire and follow the path towards the bastille. Get down to the open space with the crossbow men and some dogs. You should find a boarded up hole in the wall (opposite of the path that goes to the blacksmith). Go inside and if you explore a bit you should find a large dark room with some chests. It has two exits, one with stairs and the other with a lift. Take the lift.

Option 2 (hard)

Spoiler

Start from the eagle bonfire and follow the path towards the blacksmith. You should enter a small tower where an NPC is/was. After that tower, go left towards some knights. You need a fragrant branch of yore to depetrify the statue.

 

[phoenixyz]

Spoiler

In that case you actually don't even need to fight the boss in Lost Bastille anymore. Just go to Sinner's Rise and find the boss there. (If you already have then you're done in that area.)

Spoiler

But I'd really like to. Don't really want to skip a boss!

edit:

Option 1 (easy)

Spoiler

Start from the cell bonfire and follow the path towards the bastille. Get down to the open space with the crossbow men and some dogs. You should find a boarded up hole in the wall (opposite of the path that goes to the blacksmith). Go inside and if you explore a bit you should find a large dark room with some chests. It has two exits, one with stairs and the other with a lift. Take the lift.

Option 2 (hard)

Spoiler

Start from the eagle bonfire and follow the path towards the blacksmith. You should enter a small tower where an NPC is/was. After that tower, go left towards some knights. You need a fragrant branch of yore to depetrify the statue.

Spoiler

I followed option 1 and ended up in sinner's rise. Is there no way to save the branch?

 

[takriel]

Just coming off Bloodborne back to this game (i had the PS3 version but didn't get too far).

I really liked Bloodborne but I miss Dark Souls. It feels good having both these games to jump into at anytime.

Also, the soundtrack in this game is my favorite out of the two.

Okay how can you say that? How can you find this OST better than Bloodborne's?

 

[Neoweee]

Because you suck died enough times.

Every time you die, you lose a little max HP. Use an effigy to restore it to max.

And it bottoms at 50%, and an early ring changes that to 75%.

 

[AgentOtaku]

How does the game run on Xbox One? I own both systems but would prefer to get it on Xbox after playing through Bloodborne on PS4 (because of the controller preference).

Ditto

REALLY rather own this on XB1

 

[onimushroom]

Has anyone made a gif of Patrick Klepek enjoying this game already? lol

 

[SlasherJPC]

It is hard as a swordsman. I remember last year I played as one. You can't keep the breaking down because the game is stupid. You have to find and use other weapons. It is as simple as that. Pick up new stuff, equip it and rest at bonfires because you have to. After a couple upgrades and few new weapons you will be ok but it really, really sucks starting out.

That's what I figured. lol Also it seems like trying to go magic route early on in this game would be a pain in the ass.

 

[Neoweee]

That's what I figured. lol Also it seems like trying to go magic route early on in this game would be a pain in the ass.

Not really. All of the main vendors are only a single boss in now. Do Heide's first and bam.

 

[SlasherJPC]

Not really. All of the main vendors are only a single boss in now. Do Heide's first and bam.

Oh really? I'm in the Forest first. Good to know though.

 

[Dimmle]

Okay how can you say that? How can you find this OST better than Bloodborne's?

breathe

 

[Neoweee]

Oh really? I'm in the Forest first. Good to know though.

Forest-first can still lead to two of the vendors quickly.

 

[bob_arctor]

Anyone else not having issues with durability? I think its pretty good overall, makes you juggle weapons and makes combat a bit more interesting. I started with deprived and within 30 minutes i had a sword for each slot.

Then again ive never played vanilla ds2

Zero issues, got a little dicey in Heide's right before

Spoiler

Old Dragonslayer

but just used a repair powder. Even there, it was me checking on what it was at rather than getting a "Weapon at risk" message. I play pretty carefully though and never waste attacks by swinging wildly, so I can see some newcomers finding it problematic.

Edit: For reference, I am running shieldless, two-handed hand axe.

 

[OmegaDragon]

Question about the new recurring npc invader

Spoiler

Forlorn

and its drops. I fought it

Spoiler

twice in the Bastille, but lost one fight. When I reached Straid he sold the invaders headpiece. Encountered and killed the invader in Huntsmans Copse. When I went back to Straid he had the gloves in his inventory. So my guess is that you can buy more equipment for each win?

Spoiler

I followed option 1 and ended up in sinner's rise. Is there no way to save the branch?

I think you have to use the item.

 

[Hugstable]

People really hated this game? Sure it's not Dark Souls 1, but this has still been amazingly fun for me. No Man's Wharf is so great now, I actually feel like I need to light all the torches now because of how Dark it is. This game is great, all the hate is now confusing the hell outta me. Does the game fall off after a bit and just get bad, or does the quality of the first few areas keep up throughout?

 

[Dimmle]

People really hated this game? Sure it's not Dark Souls 1, but this has still been amazingly fun for me. No Man's Wharf is so great now, I actually feel like I need to light all the torches now because of how Dark it is. This game is great, all the hate is now confusing the hell outta me. Does the game fall off after a bit and just get bad, or does the quality of the first few areas keep up throughout?

It actually gets better and better, provided you're enjoying what you're playing at the moment. DS2 is definitely front-loaded with its weakest areas.

And yeah, I wish I could explain the hate but it's pretty hard to pin down. Seems to be fueled by very specific criticisms and personal anecdotes.

 

[Rhaknar]

hmm I dont remember this

Spoiler

fountain thing after the old king

primal bonfire so I assume thats one of the DLCs?

 

[Terra]

I bought this game as a first entry. I am in some kind of wood, then I came into some kind of orange tinted deserted town with a few houses. I fought some enemies in a mist. Then I fell down in the water five times. I have no idea what I am doing. The only thing I know is that I am dual wielding.

 

[AWizardDidIt]

Okay how can you say that? How can you find this OST better than Bloodborne's?

Spoiler

Because it is

 

[Dimmle]

I bought this game as a first entry. I am in some kind of wood, then I came into some kind of deserted town with a few houses. I fought some enemies in a mist. Then I fell down in the water five times. I have no idea what I am doing. The only thing I know is that I am dual wielding.

you're doing really well

 

[phoenixyz]

I think you have to use the item.

Oh, okay. It's kinda strange that they lock a boss behind a branch.

 

[Sinnermighty]

Any mods working with SotFS, and is it safe to use? I remember DS2 when first released, it wasn't - so I refrained from doing so, and haven't kept up but I heard they disabled VAC. VAC disabled with SotFS as well?

 

[SodiumBenzoate]

hmm I dont remember this

Spoiler

fountain thing after the old king

primal bonfire so I assume thats one of the DLCs?

Yep that's the 'second' one (you can do them in any order)

 

[Kurtofan]

how do I beat the pursuer?

 

[Rhaknar]

jesus christ at these fucking

Spoiler

fire lizards

in FotG (

Spoiler

using the iron key

). is there even anything worth going down there for? died twice now >_>

 

[SlasherJPC]

Yep that's the 'second' one (you can do them in any order)

So if you can do them in any order, they don't follow any sort of narrative then? More like you just put the peices together after playing all the DLC? Or is there a prefered order?

 

[Feeroper]

Man, playing this version on PS4 has really reignited my interest in DS2. I initially felt let dowwn baxck when it was released on PS3 due to the visual downgrade and terrible performance back then. It really hampered my experience, combined with the fact that I didnt feel it was quite as good as DS1 or DeS.

However now that it performs like a champ, looks a little better (not to the extent it did in the pre-release footage mind you), my expectations were tempered this time and I am really enjoying the game. I kinda thought I wouldnt as much as Im playing BLoodbourne quite a bit too.

I would really love to see them put out DeS and DS1 on current gen platforms now, those games have so much replayability and it would certainly be benefitcial for people who maybe didnt get into the series until now with Bloodbourne or with DS1. Considering the amount that Xbox 360 users have adopted the PS4, a DeS remaster wuld be great to bring that experience to those that missed it first time around.

 

[Soultaker0220]

hmm I dont remember this

Spoiler

fountain thing after the old king

primal bonfire so I assume thats one of the DLCs?

Ye it is entrance to one of the dlcs.

 

[bob_arctor]

People really hated this game? Sure it's not Dark Souls 1, but this has still been amazingly fun for me. No Man's Wharf is so great now, I actually feel like I need to light all the torches now because of how Dark it is. This game is great, all the hate is now confusing the hell outta me. Does the game fall off after a bit and just get bad, or does the quality of the first few areas keep up throughout?

Yeah, it gets a lot of spite amidst the genuine criticism. I still prefer Dark Souls, but have spent more time with DS2 overall. And yeah, the game gets better and better later on, not even including the DLC.