Noob to this type of game but...

[Kaida]

As title states, I'm not really into these types of games. I'm very much the JRPG/turn based strategy person who plays games for the worldbuilding/story/etc more often than not. However, I was very intrigued by the trailer of this game, so I ended up wanting to check it out for world/story/etc XD. My brother immediately warned me that the game was going to be very Darksouls-like; which I only know b/c of how (in)famous it is.

With that said, yes I have died a lot since i started the demo & I think I might understand the appeal of the difficulty aspect in these games? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a challenge in my games (and i can also admit, a couple of my long-time favs have gotten...WAY too easy over the years), but I also don't like being stuck in one place for a long time, so I tend not to dabble much in anything higher than a Normal Mode.

After a couple of hours of death in the demo, I stopped and tried again the next day (and tried out a different fighting style) and I was surprised at how much further I got in one go before dying. I still ended up dying at this one part I was constantly dying to before, but I was just kinda impressed with myself that I got there in one go instead of my first time's many-deaths before getting there at all. Point being, I am definitely still very invested in this world/story all while kinda feeling like I'm "earning" it in a way whenever I see how I progress after a death-or-few.

I'll see if I can get around to beating the demo at least (I was able to reach the boss but did not last long at all), but if I can, I think I may get the full game. I realize that this game will require more commitment from me, but a part of me is kinda motivated to keep going despite the failures.

So I don't know if there's any general advice that can be given at all to a noob, but I'd appreciate it if there any is for someone who has never picked up Darksouls, Bloodborne, etc
If not, I also understand it's just me needing to learn from all my deaths - as my brother more or less said to me. (I've already recognized some bad habits that have led directly to my deaths so that's at least something to work on)

[Tim]

1. If you're having trouble perfect guarding, use the greatsword's blade. It has the best damage absorption when guarding, punishing you the least for failed perfect guards.
2. Pump vitality. Over the length of the demo, you can't pump your damage high enough to overcome the opportunity cost more health affords you. You get more attacks in alive than dead. You don't have to retreat for health as frequently. You survive longer while waiting for Pulse Charge.
3. Understand when it's safe to attack enemies and when it isn't. Guards and dodges don't cancel attacks quickly. Many enemies in this game won't even let you chain 2 hits together safely unless they're recovering from an attack animation. Don't get greedy unless the enemy has finished an attack with a long recovery animation. Otherwise, be patient and get 1 hit in at a time until you understand the enemy's combos and wind-ups. (Obviously, this only applies to larger enemies, bosses, and the saber-wielding enemies in the later areas. Normal enemies can be rushed down easily by attacking rapidly)
4. You can do a running attack with the strong attack button. It's often the best opener and gap closer.

To learn to perfect guard: guard first, perfect guard later. And remember to hold down the guard button. If you guard too early, you don't want to drop your guard and take a big hit. It's better to guard too early than too late. Once you get good at them and can do 2 or 3 in a row, follow up with a Fable attack to quickly make enemies groggy.

If you started as the Bastard (technique build with the rapier): experiment with the strong attack. It moves you out of range of many attacks. It's great to use as your last attack in a combo so you can see the enemy better or avoid those nasty super-fast, super-short-range moves some enemies throw out.

[Kaida]

Originally posted by Tim:

1. If you're having trouble perfect guarding, use the greatsword's blade. It has the best damage absorption when guarding, punishing you the least for failed perfect guards.
2. Pump vitality. Over the length of the demo, you can't pump your damage high enough to overcome the opportunity cost more health affords you. You get more attacks in alive than dead. You don't have to retreat for health as frequently. You survive longer while waiting for Pulse Charge.
3. Understand when it's safe to attack enemies and when it isn't. Guards and dodges don't cancel attacks quickly. Many enemies in this game won't even let you chain 2 hits together safely unless they're recovering from an attack animation. Don't get greedy unless the enemy has finished an attack with a long recovery animation. Otherwise, be patient and get 1 hit in at a time until you understand the enemy's combos and wind-ups. (Obviously, this only applies to larger enemies, bosses, and the saber-wielding enemies in the later areas. Normal enemies can be rushed down easily by attacking rapidly)
4. You can do a running attack with the strong attack button. It's often the best opener and gap closer.

To learn to perfect guard: guard first, perfect guard later. And remember to hold down the guard button. If you guard too early, you don't want to drop your guard and take a big hit. It's better to guard too early than too late. Once you get good at them and can do 2 or 3 in a row, follow up with a Fable attack to quickly make enemies groggy.

If you started as the Bastard (technique build with the rapier): experiment with the strong attack. It moves you out of range of many attacks. It's great to use as your last attack in a combo so you can see the enemy better or avoid those nasty super-fast, super-short-range moves some enemies throw out.

Thank you so much!! I'll def be referencing back to this! I appreciate it!

[MPN64]

You never said where you died.
But if on Bosses you need to learn boss patterns dying gives you the experience to not die or at least do better next time. For me this is the fun part.

Learn the systems in this game the groggy state is a great way to kill Bosses fast.

[MrSmiley]

well you got the first part... sometimes, take a break. You will play better tomorrow. Other than that, its realizing why you died. Were you too greedy with attacks, didn't dodge/block fast enough? etc. Just keep in mind those things, and you will learn, then it becomes second nature and you stop having to think about it.

[kyu bey]

Miniboss / elite enemy (no idea what to call it): If you can't beat it, just run from it.

Experience from using g.sword & block (i rarely dodge): Until + - 30% hp, it's totally fine to chill, hold that block button & slowly poke back.
(why + - 30% hp? the moment you got here & screw up (weapon atk is slow >_>) you might be instantly sent to stargazer depends on who you fight)
Still need to learn perfect block / run away / dodge because red attack exist.

You need to 'respect' the mobs with sword near second & third boss.
For the most part: Attack once & instantly hold that block button.
Reason? the moment you treat like like other basic mob (atk button spam)
it will most likely use block--> you stagger--> got hit.

With enough perfect blocks you can break enemies weapon (hand doesn't count as weapon btw).

Some enemies cannot be backstabbed at all.

For first boss second phase, at least stick to side without weapon. It likes to hit the floor as last hit after combo.

Second boss got 'easy mode' by abusing backstab.

Third boss second phase, when you see it doing neutral jump (not rolling to you) either run away / spam back jump.

Also most / all boss turned into more pain in the a** in their second phase.
(i cheated the 2nd boss by literally turtling most of the time, so i can't really tell the difference for him ^^)
First boss example 1st phase: Jump--> you parry--> free charge attack
2nd phase: Jump--> you parry--> he might / not use 360(?) sweep attack when waking up

Third boss example 1st pase: Jump & roll to you--> you parry--> free charge attack
2nd phase: Jump & roll to you--> you parry--> 1 normal attack--> hold that block button & might / not take 1 / a few thunder attacks--> charge attack the boss

Also i had better success with the blocking route (i suck at dodging in this game)
by treating it like playing rhythm game instead of souls-like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Traumaturgy]

If you are new to this genre why start with this game? Start with something much better like Bloodborne / Demons souls if you have PS5, or Dark souls 3 / Elden ring if not.
If you really like the idea of parrying, then Sekiro.

[Kaida]

Originally posted by MPN64:

You never said where you died.
But if on Bosses you need to learn boss patterns dying gives you the experience to not die or at least do better next time. For me this is the fun part.

Learn the systems in this game the groggy state is a great way to kill Bosses fast.

In terms of distance, the furthest i got was the Parade Master.

in terms of where I'm dying the most right now: idk what he's called...somewhere past the place when you hear a radio and the first time the pop up for "Fable Arts" appears. The enemy wears red with white sleeves and hat. I'm guessing I'm dying here a lot b/c the path is narrower than the wide space I was used to so I keep running into things or end up in bad positions (sometimes stuck) on accident.

But I'll try to keep that in mind in general cuz I know I often attack for the sake damaging them instead of spending time observing their movements. So it's a habit I need to break into.

[Kaida]

Originally posted by MrSmiley:

well you got the first part... sometimes, take a break. You will play better tomorrow. Other than that, its realizing why you died. Were you too greedy with attacks, didn't dodge/block fast enough? etc. Just keep in mind those things, and you will learn, then it becomes second nature and you stop having to think about it.

I think you basically listed my most common death reasons XD. I haven't tried today yet, but I think I definitely need to work on not getting greedy. I keep overconfidently thinking I can kill them before they can kill me.

It's also reassuring to read that it'll eventually become second nature to me - which I know seems obvious as this can apply to all games, but i guess I just needed that reminder!

[Kaida]

Originally posted by Traumaturgy:

If you are new to this genre why start with this game? Start with something much better like Bloodborne / Demons souls if you have PS5, or Dark souls 3 / Elden ring if not.
If you really like the idea of parrying, then Sekiro.

They just never really appealed to me. Like when I hear the general premise of those games, and I'm not knocking on it, but at best I can say "oh that sounds interesting" - but not interesting enough for me to try. I've seen/been to settings "like that" or I've played/seen themes "like this" before, so it's harder to make the jump.

In contrast, I guess I was pretty much sold on the idea of "You're playing a sword wielding Pinocchio with a mechanical arm while fighting off puppets that look like they bleed & there are moral implications of whether you choose to lie or not in certain scenarios."

Idk how to describe it, but i guess my brother knows me well enough when he first showed me this game's trailer b/c I immediately fell in love with the premise, world, concept, etc. As I said, I often play games for the narrative/writing and everything about this game just makes me want to learn more about it.

[Kaida]

Originally posted by kyu bey:

Miniboss / elite enemy (no idea what to call it): If you can't beat it, just run from it.

Experience from using g.sword & block (i rarely dodge): Until + - 30% hp, it's totally fine to chill, hold that block button & slowly poke back.
(why + - 30% hp? the moment you got here & screw up (weapon atk is slow >_>) you might be instantly sent to stargazer depends on who you fight)
Still need to learn perfect block / run away / dodge because red attack exist.

You need to 'respect' the mobs with sword near second & third boss.
For the most part: Attack once & instantly hold that block button.
Reason? the moment you treat like like other basic mob (atk button spam)
it will most likely use block--> you stagger--> got hit.

With enough perfect blocks you can break enemies weapon (hand doesn't count as weapon btw).

Some enemies cannot be backstabbed at all.

For first boss second phase, at least stick to side without weapon. It likes to hit the floor as last hit after combo.

Second boss got 'easy mode' by abusing backstab.

Third boss second phase, when you see it doing neutral jump (not rolling to you) either run away / spam back jump.

Also most / all boss turned into more pain in the a** in their second phase.
(i cheated the 2nd boss by literally turtling most of the time, so i can't really tell the difference for him ^^)
First boss example 1st phase: Jump--> you parry--> free charge attack
2nd phase: Jump--> you parry--> he might / not use 360(?) sweep attack when waking up

Third boss example 1st pase: Jump & roll to you--> you parry--> free charge attack
2nd phase: Jump & roll to you--> you parry--> 1 normal attack--> hold that block button & might / not take 1 / a few thunder attacks--> charge attack the boss

Also i had better success with the blocking route (i suck at dodging in this game)
by treating it like playing rhythm game instead of souls-like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Omg thank you so much!! I already know I'll be referencing back to this a lot XD