Dark Souls - Demon's Souls Spiritual Successor

CLWheeljack · 2012-06-22T05:08:01.000Z

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.

Yes. Demon’s Souls is worth playing for the Tower of Latria alone.

merryprankster · 2012-06-22T08:56:42.000Z

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.

Definitely! The atmosphere of Demon’s Souls is amazing. Well worth playing.

forgeforsaken · 2012-06-22T09:01:12.000Z

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?

They are both worth playing but the order doesn’t really matter.

HRose · 2012-06-27T16:01:59.000Z

So I got my hands on Demon’s Souls. Dark Souls seems out of stock on most online shops in Europe but I should have a copy already shipped to me.

I guess I won’t say anything new about the first game. Technically and graphically it’s a bit rough and not on par with the sleek and shiny games like Arkham City or Final Fantasy, but it more than compensate with excellent game design.

THIS is actually the best example for the whole game industry showing how far you can go when game design is done right and with real competence. The multiplayer is the work of genius that makes its limit its strength (that’s why if they add voice com on the PC version they’d wreck the perfect implementation).

Hyperbole is deserved. Hidetaka Miyazaki should have a shrine built. This is the first game in many years to show true, uncompromising talent in game design. This guy should be a model, and we can forget completely about Blizzard as a whole, Bioware as a whole, Bethesda and their constant dumbing down at every release, Ken Levine, Peter Molyneux and all the other overestimated guys we have this side of the world who make games by throwing more money at them.

GO TO HELL this retarded trend of dumbed down games with dings and shiny and achievements and rewards at every step, chasing the path of least resistance that leads to boredom and shallowness, just because every game designer has no clue and just copies what was done before. This guy proved the whole design school of the last six years across all the major game companies to be utterly wrong.

This is game design that is elegant, deep and that does not conform to stupid trends that are seen as solid rules.

It’s a miracle that a game like this could exist. If it was made in the west the publisher would have either turned it into shit, or canceled it before release.

I call Hidetaka Miyazaki our god, who will lead us on the crusade against all things Blizzard. We need extirpate the poison in our games that already killed all RPGs, and now MMORPGs.

Btw, the worst thing in this game is Havok. Can I expect something better in Dark Souls or the engine was not improved at all?

KevinC · 2012-06-27T16:04:00.000Z

HRose:

So I got my hands on Demon’s Souls. Dark Souls seems out of stock on most online shops in Europe but I should have a copy already shipped to me.

I guess I won’t say anything new about the first game. Technically and graphically it’s a bit rough and not on par with the sleek and shiny games like Arkham City or Final Fantasy, but it more than compensate with excellent game design.

THIS is actually the best example for the whole game industry showing how far you can go when game design is done right and with real competence. The multiplayer is the work of genius that makes its limit its strength (that’s why if they add voice com on the PC version they’d wreck the perfect implementation).

Hyperbole is deserved. Hidetaka Miyazaki should have a shrine built. This is the first game in many years to show true, uncompromising talent in game design. This guy should be a model, and we can forget completely about Blizzard as a whole, Bioware as a whole, Bethesda and their constant dumbing down at every release, Ken Levine, Peter Molyneux and all the other overestimated guys we have this side of the world who make games by throwing more money at them.

GO TO HELL this retarded trend of dumbed down games with dings and shiny and achievements and rewards at every step, chasing the path of least resistance that leads to boredom and shallowness, just because every game designer has no clue and just copies what was done before. This guy proved the whole design school of the last six years across all the major game companies to be utterly wrong.

This is game design that is elegant, deep and that does not conform to stupid trends that are seen as solid rules.

It’s a miracle that a game like this could exist. If it was made in the west the publisher would have either turned it into shit, or canceled it before release.

I call Hidetaka Miyazaki our god, who will lead us on the crusade against all things Blizzard. We need extirpate the poison in our games that already killed all RPGs, and now MMORPGs.

Btw, the worst thing in this game is Havok. Is Dark Souls better on this aspect or the engine was not improved at all?

I don’t understand why you found the game so disappointing, I thought it was great.

merryprankster · 2012-10-24T20:27:56.000Z

Anyone tried the new DLC?

MrCoffee · 2012-10-24T20:43:57.000Z

What new dlc?

Mini-Cyn · 2012-10-24T21:57:13.000Z

The artorias of the abyss dlc that came with the PC prepare to die edition, and I’ve tried the dlc. At least a little bit of it. Beat the first boss of it after a few attempts, then got stomped by new enemies in the area after multiple times. DARK SOULS

serling · 2012-10-25T02:11:21.000Z

Mini-Cyn:

The artorias of the abyss dlc that came with the PC prepare to die edition, and I’ve tried the dlc. At least a little bit of it. Beat the first boss of it after a few attempts, then got stomped by new enemies in the area after multiple times. DARK SOULS

How does it integrate with the base game? Do I have to start the game again, or can I pick up from whatever save I’ve got stored?

Larsen · 2012-10-25T04:19:12.000Z

Within 20 minutes, I’d fallen down a hole.

Verdict: good DLC.

serling:

How does it integrate with the base game? Do I have to start the game again, or can I pick up from whatever save I’ve got stored?

You can load an existing game but you need to have finished Anor Londo to be able to access it (plus a few extra things).

Mr_Zero · 2012-12-11T16:03:57.000Z

So I just got this one and played it for a bit. I took a few cracks at the Asylum Demon and shut off the console. Not… not a strong first impression. What would you say is a good “if you don’t like it by now, you’re never going to like it” point with this game? I see some potential, so I don’t want to dismiss it too quickly.

Giaddon · 2012-12-11T16:13:44.000Z

If you’re trying to beat the Asylum Demon, you’re already fucking up! Try it again!

P.S.
Dark Souls is about unlearning.

Mr_Zero · 2012-12-11T16:18:54.000Z

Giaddon:

If you’re trying to beat the Asylum Demon, you’re already fucking up! Try it again!

P.S.
Dark Souls is about unlearning.

That’s the thing – an unforgiving game should have a good checkpoint system, but before I get to take another shot I have to do 45 seconds of unnecessary ghoul killing. Throws off the momentum.

(By the way, are you suggesting that I can avoid the second run in with the Asylum Demon? The first time I got to book it, but the second time I see no other options.)

Fozzle · 2012-12-11T16:20:57.000Z

When you jump down on him, if you attack on the way down, you will hit him pretty hard. then try and get behind him. things are safer in the rear.

Giaddon · 2012-12-11T16:24:27.000Z

Oh, I assumed you were on the first encounter. Now, you must fight. Do what Fozzle says – the drop attack is key.

I will warn you right now: Dark Souls does not have what you call “a good checkpoint system.” The 45 seconds of ghoul killing you are doing now is trivial compared to what you will have to do later. If you can’t cotton to it, then I guess you should stop.

TimJames · 2012-12-11T16:25:27.000Z

Giaddon:

Dark Souls is about unlearning.

It’s also about unlearning what you read in Dark Souls forum threads!

Try it again!
Wrong answer. Right answer.

Mr. Zero:

What would you say is a good “if you don’t like it by now, you’re never going to like it” point with this game?

When you beat it and can look back on it with a warm glow.

You’re thinking about the game the wrong way. There is no point where everything becomes great. There is always a shitty part around the corner. But there will always be a great part too.

That’s the thing – an unforgiving game should have a good checkpoint system, but before I get to take another shot I have to do 45 seconds of unnecessary ghoul killing. Throws off the momentum.
Begin the acceptance process now. It helped me to pretend like I was playing an old NES game. Well, it would’ve helped more if I hadn’t played La-Mulana right before and spent all my patience with that style of game.

Giaddon · 2012-12-11T16:28:05.000Z

Ha, I actually think “try it again!” is one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received, and I always enjoy passing it along. Tim James’ advice is a bit wordy, but may prove more helpful, if you’re a “words” man.

TimJames · 2012-12-11T16:35:15.000Z

Giaddon:

Ha, I actually think “try it again!” is one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received, and I always enjoy passing it along. Tim James’ advice is a bit wordy, but may prove more helpful, if you’re a “words” man.

There’s a saying that goes, “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.” Try it again is only relevant to people with lots of patience and free time. Most of the boss fight repetitions in Dark Souls are low value because you’re not learning anything. My process saves time, unless you’re one of the blessed individuals (for whatever unknown reason) who breeze through them on the first or second try without help.

You do need to “try it again” for normal monsters though. You have to reach a minimum player skill level for the game in general.

psu_13 · 2012-12-13T04:48:31.000Z

I try a few times and then look up the boss fight on youtube. Life is too short. Even if I “know” how to beat the thing execution remains a problem anyway. The game is really more about execution than anything else.

merryprankster · 2013-02-12T13:14:15.000Z

Finally digging back into this. It really is a fantastic game, and a decent follow up to Demon’s Souls. I currently find myself in Blightown and I am pretty sure I am having flashbacks to 5-1 and 5-2. Nice of them to bring that back…ugh.

I do miss my PFS and Blueblood sword though. :(