Dark Souls - Demon's Souls Spiritual Successor

metta · 2012-01-14T11:46:52.000Z

Hey something weird happened tonight. I was trying to get some co-op going - putting down my summon sign, using Xbox private chat and waiting for my friend to click on it - and I got a message that I was being summoned as a dark spirit. Cue load screen and I rose up as a black phantom behind the Tower Knight in Undead Parish. I found two players waiting for me around behind the stairs, killed them (nubs with Drake swords!) and was returned to my world. Any one have any thoughts on what happened? Can you be summoned as a phantom when you’re just looking for some regular co-op?

Foxstab · 2012-01-16T02:16:20.000Z

It’s getting official traction!

Done my duty. Signed the petition. Make it happen.

For The One True Format!

Inverarity · 2012-01-16T13:56:12.000Z

I’ve now learned - the hard way - that Dark Souls is not a “pick it up after several weeks off” kind of game. When I took my break I was in NG+, trying to make the Anor Londo run past the archers. That was a bad place to take a break because in the three weeks that past, I lost enough of my ability (muscle memory?) that I can barely make it to to archers, let alone not fall off the ledge while killing them.

I’d really like to see the other ending (the “evil” one), but I find myself wondering whether I’d be better off shelving it for a few months and then making a completely fresh start from the beginning (NG).

Foxstab · 2012-01-16T14:00:57.000Z

Pfft. Persist and insist. Rebuild your muscle structure. Relearn. Recall. Reconquer. Dominate!

See, this is why you’re a CONSOLE gamer. No stamina. No determination.
Stop mopping around, Soldier. Get moving!

Jab · 2012-01-16T14:33:55.000Z

Inverarity:

I’ve now learned - the hard way - that Dark Souls is not a “pick it up after several weeks off” kind of game. When I took my break I was in NG+, trying to make the Anor Londo run past the archers. That was a bad place to take a break because in the three weeks that past, I lost enough of my ability (muscle memory?) that I can barely make it to to archers, let alone not fall off the ledge while killing them.

I’d really like to see the other ending (the “evil” one), but I find myself wondering whether I’d be better off shelving it for a few months and then making a completely fresh start from the beginning (NG).

I had the same thing happen to me in Demon’s Souls. Took six months off after beating the game, then came back and died 3 times in 1-1 to the basic enemies. What’s worse is that you lose all sense of timing with parries and that takes a long time to remember.

Eightball · 2012-01-16T14:40:58.000Z

Foxstab:

Pfft. Persist and insist. Rebuild your muscle structure. Relearn. Recall. Reconquer. Dominate!

See, this is why you’re a CONSOLE gamer. No stamina. No determination.
Stop mopping around, Soldier. Get moving!

But he really needed to clean his floors.

Inverarity · 2012-01-16T18:12:10.000Z

Damn it, you were right! I put away the swiffer, sucked it up and got past the archers on the the next try.

Made it to the giant blacksmith to forge the Great Lord Greatsword. The Wiki calls it an underwhelming weapon, but I’m not seeing it. At +4 it’s doing more damage than my Golem Axe and the two-handed attack is good at knocking back/stunning silver knights. What am I missing? I like this sword.

Morberis · 2012-01-16T18:17:42.000Z

Then use it, liking and being comfortable with a weapon is more important than it’s stats.

Alex_Pirani · 2012-01-17T00:10:33.000Z

I’m still trying to find my bread and butter weapon. In DS it was the guillotine axe that fit me perfectly, but in DkS I just haven’t found the perfect weapon yet. I do love my claymore, but it’s not perfect.

CLWheeljack · 2012-01-17T04:50:34.000Z

I’d been using the Iaito, but I’ve hit a point where I don’t have the cary large ember, and +10 just isn’t cutting it for the the enemies I’m fighting, so I looked for something else. Ended up upgrading the Silver Knight Straight Sword to +5 (max), and I’ve been very happy with it for the last while. It has C scaling in Dex, which isn’t perfect, but it still outclasses most other weapons I have access to, including beating lightning weapons that are nominally better in total attack stats.

I’ll probably switch back once I get to the Iaito +15, but I’ll have to wait and see.

The_Mad_Hatter · 2012-01-17T06:36:26.000Z

I’m currently in Anor Londo, and just hit level 80 (thank you, Painted World). I’m wondering about how to manage stat increases now that my intelligence is up to 41. I’ve read that there’s significant diminishing returns once you hit 40, but I’m not sure if I should continue putting points in there a while longer or start spreading them around. I have attunement at 23 for six spell slots, 22 vitality and 22 endurance. I could increase my Faith from 12 so I could use the better Miracles, or improve my strength and dexterity to have more weapon options (my current weapon is an enchanted longsword). So far it’s all been based around my Intelligence stat, but perhaps it’s time to branch out.

CLWheeljack · 2012-01-17T07:23:10.000Z

Well, at level 80, you probably don’t need to level up much more, you’re in spitting distance from beating the game, level-wise.

Depending on where they are, a modest investment in Str or Dex might be useful, but I’d see if there’s any actual targets you’re trying to hit before dropping points there.

In my opinion, more endurance is pretty much always useful.

The_Mad_Hatter · 2012-01-17T07:35:27.000Z

CLWheeljack:

Well, at level 80, you probably don’t need to level up much more, you’re in spitting distance from beating the game, level-wise.

Depending on where they are, a modest investment in Str or Dex might be useful, but I’d see if there’s any actual targets you’re trying to hit before dropping points there.

In my opinion, more endurance is pretty much always useful.

Yes, endurance is always useful. I don’t have any set targets for weapons really - perhaps the black knight sword and Pharis’ bow, since both require a dexterity of 18 and the sword only needs 20 strength (I have 16 strength and 12 dexterity now).

I find that doing some grinding in each new zone makes everything easier. I’ve clobbered the last two end bosses (Sens Fortress and the Painted World), though admittedly that’s due to my ranged attacks. The Iron Golem in particular was a joke.

I’ve also had some random good luck with the Forest Hunter Covenant PvP games. I had one where I was summoned just as the target was destroyed by someone else. 400,000 souls deposited for five seconds of time. That took care of all my pyromancy upgrades in one fell swoop.

HRose · 2012-06-21T18:36:54.000Z

Since I’ve now the opportunity to play this I wonder if I miss anything jumping directly into Dark Souls, or if it’s better to start from Demon’s Soul.

I know it’s a standalone and different story, but is it worthwhile to play the first or Dark Souls is everything I should want?

psu_13 · 2012-06-21T19:11:31.000Z

I tried Demons Souls back in the day but gave up. But I played Dark Souls all the way through twice. I think the new game is a bit more approachable. Even went back after and got further into Demons Souls before giving up again. :)

Mini-Cyn · 2012-06-21T20:10:30.000Z

HRose:

Since I’ve now the opportunity to play this I wonder if I miss anything jumping directly into Dark Souls, or if it’s better to start from Demon’s Soul.

I know it’s a standalone and different story, but is it worthwhile to play the first or Dark Souls is everything I should want?

The only thing Demon’s souls would do is teach you the game a bit more before you dive into dark souls, but you don’t really need it. Nothing really links between them.

CLWheeljack · 2012-06-21T20:18:10.000Z

HRose:

Since I’ve now the opportunity to play this I wonder if I miss anything jumping directly into Dark Souls, or if it’s better to start from Demon’s Soul.

I know it’s a standalone and different story, but is it worthwhile to play the first or Dark Souls is everything I should want?

It wouldn’t really help to go back.

The combat system is similar, but just different enough to cause confusion. Mostly it would teach you good habits like how to play cautiously, but it wouldn’t help directly.

That being said, Demon’s Souls is a great game, and deserves to be played in it’s own right. Dark Souls doesn’t completely obsolete it, but it’s close.

HRose · 2012-06-21T22:09:07.000Z

Well, it’s not about learning the game. I only wanted to know if it’s worthwhile because there’s gameplay, locations or whatever that are memorable in their own way and so not simply replaced by Dark Souls.

metta · 2012-06-22T04:29:40.000Z

HRose:

Well, it’s not about learning the game. I only wanted to know if it’s worthwhile because there’s gameplay, locations or whatever that are memorable in their own way and so not simply replaced by Dark Souls.

I think Demon’s Souls is leaner and nastier than Dark Souls, and worth playing just for the levels you access through the third Archstone. There’s nothing in Dark Souls that comes close to the dread and atmosphere of The Prison of Hope.

Nomad_Soul · 2012-06-22T04:34:44.000Z

HRose:

Well, it’s not about learning the game. I only wanted to know if it’s worthwhile because there’s gameplay, locations or whatever that are memorable in their own way and so not simply replaced by Dark Souls.

It’s worthwhile.