Dark Souls II Really Disappointed Me

[Dented Car]

I've played it through to completion on the PS3 and have decided not to buy the PC version - I've had enough of the game and don't plan on a replay on any system. I am writing this because I had really enjoyed the previous Souls titles, only to be disappointed by Dark Souls II.

The unique and evolved vision (think of From's earlier King's Field and Shadow Tower titles) Hidetaka Miyazak had created in the first two Souls games has been squashed by a more generic gaming experience. Dark Souls II compressed gaming levels whittle the world exploration's sense of dread, tension, and suspense down to a race to the next bonfire - it feels like a FF checkpoint mechanic. Sure, there's lots of enemies that attack you, but those creatures all exist in mostly tight spaces, amping up the immediate action, but ultimately leaving a flat feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment when I soon turn another corner to yet another bonfire.

Fast travel to bonfires no longer has to be earned much later in the game, so getting around the world is even less threatening. Maybe easy fast travel seems like a good idea, but because most of the level environments have diminished tension and compressed area, the immediate fast travel idea further diminishes the exploration challenge I enjoyed in the first two Souls titles - even Demon's Souls waypoints were spread out.

Maybe, you might feel that fast travel allows players to co-op more; true, by further breaking levels down into more warpable locations, a player can be selective as to where they jump in to the level. That player can easily help out their friends or simply continue playing the role of a helping phantom for hours. But as I continued to play Dark Souls II, it became obvious that it was too easy to summon others and even that much less challenging to complete levels.

Summoning others was a great way to fend off PvP invaders. In the previous Souls titles, invaders were a real threat; in Dark Souls II, with so many options available for summoning support, the threat is hardly there. On top of that, there is very little incentive to invade another world other than trolling. So if you plan on playing phantom/shade co-op, expect to mostly fight creatures and bosses.

Speaking of bosses, a number of the boss fights feel forced and generic. There seems to be little inspiration in a number of the bosses or any reason to fight a number of them. Sometimes, it felt like playing in an anime or comic book, where I was just there to passively stare at intimidating monster design and be impressed by large creature animations. It loses its thrill, quickly.

There are more problems I could mention with this title - the levels don't always connect well, item discovery isn't always logical given the progress in the game, some covenants not being interesting given the other problems in this title, and so on. But my point is, I'm disappointed. I'm glad a number of you like this title (those of you who bought it for the consoles and enjoy playing), but for those of you who might feel like me, say something. Simply cheerleading a game is not going to help you. If you say nothing, expect more of the same in the future until diminished sales finally get the point across to the developers. For my part, I will no longer preorder these titles.

[Corpse_Fluffer]

Originalmente postado por Scultima:

Originalmente postado por Fire of the Abyss:

Well, for what it's worth I finished Demon's Souls in 2 weeks after finishing Dark Souls for the 7th time. I wouldn't say I was rushing either. I also didn't play too much.

I just don't understand the obsession with finishing games as quickly as possible, maybe it's all about kudos and I suppose I just don't care about flexing my e-peen. But the real problem with speed-gaming is everyone who does it is never satisfied, they're always looking for the next quick-fix, then they get bored and it's on the next game, it never ends and they'll never be happy.

Anyhoo, as far as Dark Souls II is concerned I'm inclined to trust the professional reviews which have been overwhelmingly positive, and the PC version promises to improve on what is already regarded by the majority as an excellent game and a worthy sequel.

I don't follow the magazine reviewers, I am assuming you mean professional reviews as 3rd party websites and other known gaming personalities. I personally like Angry Joe, or Total Biscuit. And I occasionally read Kotaku, their Diary series on DaSo2 is pretty good imo.

http://www.kotaku.com.au/2014/03/the-dark-souls-ii-diaries-part-one/

[Maechen]

Originalmente postado por Kat:

DS2 is great, i posted my reaview before and i delete it since i changed my mind about so many things since i hit N+

Now lots of people got beef with DS2 like i did because we expected too much while we already been burned out on previews games.

Since its been couple of weeks from the release, ALL the covenants working as they should now since the player base keep on growing.

Dont expect more then DS1 in the different wrap and make sure your are NOT burned out on previews games cause thats why me and lots other people almost turned away after first 40-80 hours of gameplay.

That's a pretty general statement, for me it's not the case. I've done 3 fullplaythroughs on one character, and one more on another with as much pvp as I could on both. Maybe 120 hours all up. I can honestly say that I'm done with the game, especially for now, haven't touched it in close to a week. Like any other triple A game, finish a few times, then done. That alone is a bad sign for me when it comes to a souls game.

Not burned out on Souls games either, I'm still playing Dark Souls as of right now and load up Demon Souls quite often too. DS2 just feels a bit bland to me, for numerous reasons. Mainly all the bonfires and the bosses being so simple, even on NG+3 in the champions covenant(which sems to be health/damage padding.Nothing special when you know all the bosses inside out and them all being so similar.)

Far from a bad game though, 120 hours for 40 dollars is a good deal anywhere, anytime. Can't complain as far as that goes.

[Wanderer Yeumun]

My main problem with DS2 is, well, the lack of soul. The first game, every character had a purpose, every character had a reason to exist, and it was usually hard to miss most of them. The number of characters was low, but because of that, every one of them had personality, and all of them were memorable. I felt each of the Blacksmiths were necessary, all of them had a reason to exist due to the different embers scattered around the world. You want a lightning weapon? Giant Blacksmith. +15 weapon? Andre. Chaos? Vamos. Magic? That one guy I never talked to. All of the blacksmiths had a reason to exist. In DS2, once you got the Dull Ember halfway through the game, Lenigrast served little purpose, because Mcduff could do everything Lenigrast could, AND he could infuse weapons. And both of them are so readily accessible that it's pointless to go to Lenigrast unless you need to do things in Majula.

Saulden never does anything, unlike the Crestfallen Warrior from DaS, other than allow you to join a covenant that sees no use until NG+. Maughlin becomes a corporate ♥♥♥♥♥, but otherwise his hollowing sees no mention. Straid is a ♥♥♥♥ who does nothing and likes hanging out beside old moldy men like him. The Pyromancy lady does nothing. The miracle lady moves paths, but she never does anything else. The Emerald Herald only starts doing things later on, when she actually leaves Majula on occasion. Otherwise, you only talk to her because you found an Estus shard or you need to level up.

None of the NPC summons mean anything, they're basically just different character archetypes used as summons. You hardly meet any of them, besides Lucatiel and Benhart, and for some people, Manscorpion Tark. Ornifex is actually fairly cool and memorable, but she doesn't talk much, and she serves only one purpose, which is similar to Straid, only giving you different stuff for different boss souls. None of the bosses feel memorable. Lost Sinner is just kinda creepy, but not exactly very interesting, except if you talk to Shalqoir. Old Iron King was a boss I remembered for being super easy, even in NG+ and beyond. The Rotten seems like a lamer version of Nito, and even fights kinda like him. Duke's Dear Freja is a giant spider with two heads. That's far mor spider than I'd like, being slightly arachnophobic myself.

The other bosses feel unnecessary, like the game felt it had to have multiple bosses for nearly every area. Executioner's Chariot and Skeleton Kings? Both rather unique bosses, but one of them is completely optional, and the other is pretty easy if you have a game plan. Heide's Tower of Flame was an area that could be missed incredibly easily, just because it was just a little confusing how to get there, and it is in fact an entirely optional area. Meaning, you could miss one of the only truly interesting bosses in the game. No Man's Wharf is also entirely optional, and I'm rather sure most people missed my favorite NPC in the game. Wheelin' and Dealin' is what Gavlan do. Forest of Fallen Giants, despite seeming like one of two ways to start the game, is, in fact, a completely required area, of reasons you learn later in the game.

Overall, the game felt deceptive, areas and characters were easy to miss as well as unnecessary, and most of the bosses felt pointless, and at times, easy to miss. In general, I liked the game, but it just felt like it was trying too hard, and at the same time, not trying hard enough.

[Dented Car]

On one map (I won't mention the name to avoid spoilers), some items that rested on ledges forced the player to warp back to a bonfire after collecting them. I believe this was a first for a Souls game. Those items weren't very good, either, considering the trouble required to obtain them and how late in the game those items existed - I had other options, at that point.

[BareNakedSlayer]

I'm sorry you were disappointed in the game. I love it. I feel that a lot of the mechanics are step above Dark Souls (a game that can't get any more dear to my heart). I feel the combat is improved, the PVP is so far ahead of the previous entries it's ridiculous, and I also feel the world is much larger and alot more interesting. But, your reasons are your own and I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it as much as I'm enjoying it.

I also think that the game was a lot harder at the beginning than near the end. The Forest of the Giants was incredibly difficult in my opinion. But every successive area has been easier for me. I also think that Melee classes are at an extreme disadvantage in the beginning. For instance, if you are using a strength weapon, you really don't get any decent weapons till way too far into the game. It takes forever to get another bow besides the short bow as well for Dex builds. I am playing a faith/dex build, but so far the dex portion goes unused for me. I am looking forward to the Defenders Greatsword, but you can't get the soul you need till the end of the game, which is kind of lame.

[Dented Car]

Originalmente postado por Solace Goddark:

My main problem with DS2 is, well, the lack of soul. The first game, every character had a purpose, every character had a reason to exist, and it was usually hard to miss most of them. The number of characters was low, but because of that, every one of them had personality, and all of them were memorable. I felt each of the Blacksmiths were necessary, all of them had a reason to exist due to the different embers scattered around the world. You want a lightning weapon? Giant Blacksmith. +15 weapon? Andre. Chaos? Vamos. Magic? That one guy I never talked to. All of the blacksmiths had a reason to exist. In DS2, once you got the Dull Ember halfway through the game, Lenigrast served little purpose, because Mcduff could do everything Lenigrast could, AND he could infuse weapons. And both of them are so readily accessible that it's pointless to go to Lenigrast unless you need to do things in Majula.

Saulden never does anything, unlike the Crestfallen Warrior from DaS, other than allow you to join a covenant that sees no use until NG+. Maughlin becomes a corporate ♥♥♥♥♥, but otherwise his hollowing sees no mention. Straid is a ♥♥♥♥ who does nothing and likes hanging out beside old moldy men like him. The Pyromancy lady does nothing. The miracle lady moves paths, but she never does anything else. The Emerald Herald only starts doing things later on, when she actually leaves Majula on occasion. Otherwise, you only talk to her because you found an Estus shard or you need to level up.

None of the NPC summons mean anything, they're basically just different character archetypes used as summons. You hardly meet any of them, besides Lucatiel and Benhart, and for some people, Manscorpion Tark. Ornifex is actually fairly cool and memorable, but she doesn't talk much, and she serves only one purpose, which is similar to Straid, only giving you different stuff for different boss souls. None of the bosses feel memorable. Lost Sinner is just kinda creepy, but not exactly very interesting, except if you talk to Shalqoir. Old Iron King was a boss I remembered for being super easy, even in NG+ and beyond. The Rotten seems like a lamer version of Nito, and even fights kinda like him. Duke's Dear Freja is a giant spider with two heads. That's far mor spider than I'd like, being slightly arachnophobic myself.

The other bosses feel unnecessary, like the game felt it had to have multiple bosses for nearly every area. Executioner's Chariot and Skeleton Kings? Both rather unique bosses, but one of them is completely optional, and the other is pretty easy if you have a game plan. Heide's Tower of Flame was an area that could be missed incredibly easily, just because it was just a little confusing how to get there, and it is in fact an entirely optional area. Meaning, you could miss one of the only truly interesting bosses in the game. No Man's Wharf is also entirely optional, and I'm rather sure most people missed my favorite NPC in the game. Wheelin' and Dealin' is what Gavlan do. Forest of Fallen Giants, despite seeming like one of two ways to start the game, is, in fact, a completely required area, of reasons you learn later in the game.

Overall, the game felt deceptive, areas and characters were easy to miss as well as unnecessary, and most of the bosses felt pointless, and at times, easy to miss. In general, I liked the game, but it just felt like it was trying too hard, and at the same time, not trying hard enough.

I had similar impressions about both the blacksmiths and NPCs.

In DS 1, many NPCs carried on in the story and the player could miss out interacting with them or experiencing events that progressed the NPCs story and changed events in your own story, to a lesser degree. Many of the DS 2 NPCs are passive and wait for you to do something and then hand you something - end of their story.

And because I didn't feel that the DS 2 bosses were interesting or that the game was really building up to anything interesting, I didn't care about the near end of game levels and history that was revealed. Nor did I really care to play NG+ and earn a few new items, even if it might help in co-op, multiplay, or the PvE aspect.

[Exiled]

I have to agree with everything you've said. Dark souls 2 gives this gamer an inferior experience to that of its predecessors. The game suffers from what of our entertainment industry is suffering from, making things too generic. I mean from takes this game, that this group of people made popular and the company tries to capitalize from that by releasing sequel rife with generic cliches and throwbacks to the original. The souls series gave this type of gamer the experience games should give. Taking Dark Souls and trying to make it appeal to everyone, while fair, destroys the fun of the gamers who made the serious popular. The company needs to make many and saw an opportunity thats fine. I think it is important to note that dark souls 2 is a direct sequel, not a spiritual successor like demon and dark souls. With that said I would love to get another spiritual successor to demon souls or maybe a re-imagining of dark souls 2 with Hidetaka Miyazaki back at the helm. Hidetaka's absence was obvious to me in the art and story. After playing through I have to say I prefer the feel of the first 2 souls games.

[Dented Car]

Originalmente postado por Squirrel Master:

I have to agree with everything you've said. Dark souls 2 gives this gamer an inferior experience to that of its predecessors. The game suffers from what of our entertainment industry is suffering from, making things too generic. I mean from takes this game, that this group of people made popular and the company tries to capitalize from that by releasing sequel rife with generic cliches and throwbacks to the original. The souls series gave this type of gamer the experience games should give. Taking Dark Souls and trying to make it appeal to everyone, while fair, destroys the fun of the gamers who made the serious popular. The company needs to make many and saw an opportunity thats fine. I think it is important to note that dark souls 2 is a direct sequel, not a spiritual successor like demon and dark souls. With that said I would love to get another spiritual successor to demon souls or maybe a re-imagining of dark souls 2 with Hidetaka Miyazaki back at the helm. Hidetaka's absence was obvious to me in the art and story. After playing through I have to say I prefer the feel of the first 2 souls games.

I couldn't agree more with you about Miyazak's presence and his direction missing from the game.

It seems that Dark Souls 2 leans more on arcade style gaming than the previous two titles. I don't like to use the word casual to describe a video game experience. I believe games fall into an arcade type of game or in a direction that Shigeru Miyamoto, Lord British (Richard Garriott) and others have gone. So I'll explain my rationale.

I grew up in the golden age of arcades (I was very young but remember the magic vividly). The venue was a social one, where you gathered to meet your friends, talk about the girls standing by the air hockey tables and who you wished were checking you out, munch on popcorn, and, of course, play the games. The games were competitive; we dared each other to beat our highest score and breach the newest level of star-riddled outer space. The game playtime was quick and the best and hard core players knew how to get the most gameplay for a quarter and roll the high score.

But as I got older, arcade style games lost their appeal. I wanted more from the experience and eventually became an exclusive PC gamer for years, playing rpgs, strategy and tactics adventures like XCOM and M.U.L.E., and programming them for fun. It wasn't the score or the next level I was after; I enjoyed a broader experience and a different pace. Even home consoles picked up on this and NES's Miyamoto introduced tv gamers to Zelda and other ways of playing.

I only recently returned to console games when FPSs became more evolved than Doom, which I suppose was natural. But these new shooters lean heavily on the arcade game mechanics - short bursts of play, high scores (now, leaderboards) and fit comfortably into a social venue. Nothing wrong with that but I find the short bursts of game play fatiguing and rather shallow. So, I quit FPS games and tried out titles like Oblivion and Fallout 3.

But the gaming industry is seeing a big resurgance of arcade type play. It makes sense, given all the smart phones and consumer electronic devices available. Games have reached a new audience and now they too can have an arcade where ever they go. It's just that the first Souls games didn't present themselves as arcade type games, especially when you consider they evolved out of games like King's Field.

Demon's Souls and Dark Souls still managed to keep the player feeling isolated, only using the multiplayer mechanics to assist or impede the player. It wasn't until the addition of the arena in Artorias of the Abyss dlc where arcade style play is deliberately introduced. Despite many people thinking the arena would be a good idea, my interest in it dwindled quickly. I went back to playing out the levels.

So, it seems Dark Souls 2 is leaning even more on the arcade style play. Shorter distances between bonfires, introduction of voice chat, more arena style play, and so on. This is not the direction I had hoped for and I don't believe Miyazak would have designed for.

[SageHashirama]

did u finish DS2 max ?

[Darkspiret]

while i do think the game is a step back from the first, being "casual" here isnt like most other games. a "casual" souls game like DS2 is still a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ brutal experience in comparison to most games.

[thuathai]

Posts #109 & #114: Just popping in to say: Great summary of my current feelings and experience (especially as an "older" gamer with arcade memories).

[Sliferx]

I disagree with most of OPs post. I found my dark souls 2 experience to be amazing. I love this game more than demon and dark souls as well. This is all subjective. What im trying to say to those who read OPs post, dont jump to conclusions until you play the game yourself.

There is a more objective and much better discussion on reddit on same kind of topic. Too bad i dont have the link for it.

[?????]

I gotta say I'm not sure if I like everything about DS2. It felt strange compared to the previous games. I didn't feel the tention and wasn't terrified like I used to. Felt a lot easier as well, even in NG+ it just wasn't this extreme experience and all the talking about difficulty and dying all the time is targeted to people playing on a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ steering wheel controller. The story and characters often felt random and uninspired. On the other hand it's the best game I've played since DS1, and one of the best games ever. Im just afraid next Dark Souls will go this route even further.

[p : saturn burg]

Originalmente postado por Sliferx:

I disagree with most of OPs post. I found my dark souls 2 experience to be amazing. I love this game more than demon and dark souls as well. This is all subjective. What im trying to say to those who read OPs post, dont jump to conclusions until you play the game yourself.

There is a more objective and much better discussion on reddit on same kind of topic. Too bad i dont have the link for it.

This is kind of distressing. DS2 was good, but it wasn't a Souls game (for me). The fanbase seems divided on this and I cannot fathom why fans like DS2 more than its predecessors. If you don't mind, could you elaborate on why/what things you like more in DS2 than in Demon's and Dark specifically?

But I do agree, play the game for yourself and form your own thoughts on it.

[Arkmind]

Originalmente postado por Pen. VICTORY ACHIEVED.:

Originalmente postado por Sliferx:

I disagree with most of OPs post. I found my dark souls 2 experience to be amazing. I love this game more than demon and dark souls as well. This is all subjective. What im trying to say to those who read OPs post, dont jump to conclusions until you play the game yourself.

There is a more objective and much better discussion on reddit on same kind of topic. Too bad i dont have the link for it.

This is kind of distressing. DS2 was good, but it wasn't a Souls game (for me). The fanbase seems divided on this and I cannot fathom why fans like DS2 more than its predecessors. If you don't mind, could you elaborate on why/what things you like more in DS2 than in Demon's and Dark specifically?

But I do agree, play the game for yourself and form your own thoughts on it.

I like the atmosphere and online functionality much better in dark souls 2...I like some of the new changes to combat and magic as well....although sadly pyromancy is still too strong. Covenants are also without a doubt far superior and there are better options for pvp...and just the fact that you have a much easier time connecting to people when doing invasions and co op. I also thought the ending was more satisfying compared to dark souls 1.