Can I skip DS1 and still enjoy DS2?

[Einsbent]

I am about to buy DS2 mainly for my brother (who had finished DS1 years back on his now-broken console). We share games through steam family sharing.
Personally, I really want to experience DS1 first, but I am tight on money right now and can only afford 1 game of the series.

So, is it alright if I jump to DS2 without playing the first game? Will I lose too much contents story and lore-wise?
This series is rarely go on sale, they don't even usually on sale at seasonal sale events.
So if it turns out I would miss too much contents by skipping DS1, I would not play DS2 until it goes on another sale which could be half a year to a full year from now. (Based on price history at steamDB)
Well, I'll still buy DS2 for my brother, though.

[Dreamer]

Yeah, I played the series backwards, from DS3 -> DS2 -> Now I am doing DS1 and the story hasn't affected me, lore-wise or anything.

[spy]

ds1: the first half of the game is a map where we wander around. it seems to take place in the same place. the second half of the game is rush to the boss rooms. minimal variety. bosses are hard. weapon upgrades are hard. no stat reset. don't buy it for pvp. it's a game to finish with your friend. (jolly coop)

ds2: the first half of the game is a world that opens up to 4 directions. it feels like you're going far away. there's a lot of variety. weapons, agl, etc. bosses are cumbersome. the world is hard. weapon upgrades are simple but diverse because weapons wear out and break. that's why you need more weapons. ng+ is very good and meaningful. pvp is fun if you don't come across people who play very well.

ds3: you go from point a to point b and teleport to point c and finish the game at point d. weapons weapon art has been added and more and simplified. the visuals are very nice. bosses are very good. ng+ is meaninglessly the same. there is active pvp.

[dcy665]

I always recommend playing them in sequence. If you have a modern PS than inserting Bloodborne would be good. It is interesting from the aspect of gaming itself changing as the platforms became more capable. DS slow, methodical. DS2 hub style game - meh. DS3 if you prefer arcade style action. Adding Bloodborne just because the devs said: Screw your shields. You have to use two weapons. And guns. It's combat is fun. Still feels very From Software designed it.

DS/PtDE/DS:R lore is interesting, somewhat entertaining, but aside from some very specific NPC quests don't affect game play. How you perceive that gameplay once you know what put them in the position where you deal with them, that is on you

Now, the game itself rewards exploring, finding out where all the doors go to. Best part, if you see something shiny in the distance you will be able to pick it up. Not a given with PS3 Demon's Souls.

Combat is slow, very slow compared to modern gaming. DS on consoles and PtDE are 30 FPS because that was both consoles hard limit. DS:R is 60 FPS, which is very slow compared to 140 Hz or higher games. Also, don't even try to bump the FPS. The very animations are tied to it. You will fall through maps, ladders and get stuck in some interesting but eventually boring places

See how few mobs you can aggro at once. One is best, two is okay with three or more invites you to the Joy of Stun Locking: If a hollow gets a critical hit on you, you are stunned and can do nothing in response. Which means all the other hollows around you get (essentially) free critical hits as well. You. Will. Die. Four or more surrounding you is normally fatal

Good Luck, and enjoy your journey through Souls however you wish to play it

[C WIN]

Well, it's harder to enjoy ds2 than ds1. But if you plan to play all the parts, you can start with any

[zero hope >:(]

no >:(

[AarkNoa]

I don't think anything would stop you from enjoying DS2 before DS1, though I would suggest to play them in order, or at least to play DS1 first, because both DS2 and DS3 share a mechanic from the start you'd have to unlock first in DS1.

I don't want to spoil anything if you'd go into this blind, which I'd recommend as well, but after having played all 3 titles and going back to DS1 it can be a little annoying.

[miChi]

yeah you can, same as dreamer I started with DS3 (then played all the modern fromsofts from then on, sekiro, elden ring, AC6) but picked up DS2 recently on sale cause I felt now was the time since I'd finally finished my backlog. I plan to buy and play DSremastered in future too so I'll have also gone in reverse.

Thing is from what I can tell it's almost easier going backwards too, I have actually played DSremastered before, but refunded it because I wasn't sure about it after 2hrs in and it just felt leagues different from DS3.
playing DS2 I definitely started to see how it bridges the gap between the two, now having played DS2 I feel more well equipped for DSremastered and the shift back to the older game design.

If you're unsure on DS2 (or edition) I can vouch for SotFS, just realise that the rushing-through-level tactic will get you gang-banged regardless of edition, you're definitely meant to take your time and clear enemies. It's also probably the most interesting entry mechanically, stuff like life gems (consumable heal item), each death snipping a bit of your health off until humanity restored (if you have played blasphemous its the same mechanic) etc. are unique to DS2 and make it feel like a very seperate entry.

[Bandy]

Play the games in order. It is damn hard on the eyes graphics-wise to go backwards in a series.

Too many threads in this forum of people complaining about DS1 after coming from ERing etc. Don't do that to yourself...

Also, DS2 is a good game, but it is the weakest game in a great series.

[Mr. World]

Originally posted by Bandy:

Play the games in order. It is damn hard on the eyes graphics-wise to go backwards in a series.

Too many threads in this forum of people complaining about DS1 after coming from ERing etc. Don't do that to yourself...

I think it’s not so much in graphic-wise but the gameplay more jarring than anything else. Unsophisticated game mechanics hurts the most. That casting time, your projectiles going straight over enemies, the joy of getting stunlocked, hitboxes before animations, the jank… it feels like the game doesn’t flow ‘naturally’.

The graphics is the least thing to be bothered. In my case, I find it even pleasant.

[TheEye]

I found the Dark Souls series shortly after DS2 released, so I started with that one, I do not regret my decision and enjoy it way more than DS1..

[Madao]

I wasn't aware you could enjoy DS2 to begin with