Ok, was massively looking forward to this game and been playing for a few hours now.
Overall having a blast and is basically an 'easier' but less tightly formed version of Souls, in HD which is what I wanted.
PROS:
- Looks amazing, great sense of the world given and even early on can see the huge scale of levels.
- Great fun when things click.
- Not up to speed on all the quirks but the experience multiplier is a great idea and works well.
- Bosses are a good challenge and the health portions changing their combat style is good fun and pushes the player.
- The design of everything is great, definitely my kind of game design.
- Familiar enough to pick up and play, but different enough to make things interesting.
CONS:
- The hit detection is really poor, very random and outright frustrating. I was turtle stabbing a dude in a hallway and didn't register after multiple tries but a light attack worked straight away. If the bad guy has a tower shield (a lot) even when you get in behind your sword can bounce off their shield. It is happening so often I have changed strategies. I now run at them holding R1 to bash through their defence. Takes longer and not as satisfying so disappointing.
- The lack of direction could be expected I guess with no map and souls inspired but after the tutorial boss it is so vague in where you are going I have given up on the objective. They also say it is urgent, yet there is another boss and dozens of guys between them at the least. It was a negative of Souls that didn't need copying imo.
- I can't tell for sure but seems like bad guys level up with you, archers get way tougher suddenly at least.
- The camera and lock on do not work well together with multiple enemies, really gets hard to see what is going on if there are any smaller areas.
- Playing as a warrior and always been a sword and shield guy, so far the game really doesn't offer much choice for this. Keep getting blunt weapons or axes so still playing with the first sword. You get a big sword which is too slow for me and a couple of short swords which seem pointless to me as the attack range is already poor and damage is too weak. Early days but got loads of stuff and want none of it apart from a cool helmet.
Feels like the game was a little undercooked and rushed to meet the release date but I for one demanded a game like this before Christmas so happy they did. Just hope the game does well enough to warrant a sequel as so far this is a very good game. With more time and money they could make a great game I am sure.