Worth enabling online features?

[ƔǾŜŦ]

I haven’t ruled out summoning a player to help me with a boss at some point in the future, but I’ve read a lot of negative reviews about the online mode, which is full of hackers who come and kill you just when you’ve accumulated a large number of souls. Besides, is the online mode active enough to guarantee that I’ll be able to find someone to summon?

[Avykci]

There are some mods that helps. Also, you can make a backup or multiple back up of your saves just in case. We will always come across some cheaters, but don't let that discourage you from having some PVP and COOP fun. Best way to deal with cheaters is to just block them when you come across them and move on.

[Gregorydale]

Backing up your save file is recommended. Modding your game isn't. I recommend you stay hollow until you need to utilize an online feature (co-op, online covenant matchmaking instead of farming rare drops or trading to snuggly the crow). Quit out, back up your save and then log back in and reverse hallowing. After and every time you've made what you feel is a progression milestone, log out, make another back up , then log in and keep playing. If you noticed something's up, dead/missing npcs. Go to your most recently saved backup and copy it to your save folder. If things look normal, continue on. You then can delete some of your oldest back up saves to keep things tidy as you know you now have a confirmed save that hackers haven't messed with.

[Bandy]

Originally posted by Gregorydale:

Backing up your save file is recommended. ....

No, backing up save file is a must. Too many threads with crying players who lost all progress. AND don't rely on cloud saves, know how to manage your files.

[Madao]

in my opinion, you don't miss anything by playing strictly offline

[Bandy]

Originally posted by Madao:

in my opinion, you don't miss anything by playing strictly offline

That may be fine for some, no judgement here on your opinion or gameplay, but it is not the complete game experience, so yes, you are definitely missing something.

[Madao]

Originally posted by Bandy:

Originally posted by Madao:

in my opinion, you don't miss anything by playing strictly offline

That may be fine for some, no judgement here on your opinion or gameplay, but it is not the complete game experience, so yes, you are definitely missing something.

OP asked for opinions, so I gave mine.
That said, it's not like I didn't try playing online and can't see the appeal. I just don't think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, some of which you have already touched on yourself.

[CB]

every single day i log into this and start invading, i have a new person who thinks they're my rival.
i think it's worth it.

[Gregorydale]

I guess the question of worth is in the eye of the beholder. You should at least "experience" online play regardless of what's said about it as your own thoughts will likely be the ones you run with.
Hackers will not be the the only negative you run into though. For Jolly Cooperation you'll run into dismiss griefers, these folks along with hackers are the most worthy of using Steam's blocking feature, these are the folks that use the separation crystal immediately after summoning you or being summoned by you.
Invasions is a whole category on it's own. Not every invasion experience will be the same, but if you find yourself being tormented by a particular griefer you can use Steam to block them as well. But I recommend unblocking them later, these folks can really breathe new life into the game when you are more prepared for that sort of experience.

[Bandy]

Originally posted by Gregorydale:

I guess the question of worth is in the eye of the beholder. You should at least "experience" online play regardless of what's said about it ... Invasions is a whole category on it's own. Not every invasion experience will be the same, ... these folks can really breathe new life into the game when you are more prepared for that sort of experience.

Basically agree. Think this way, invasions make you a better player, there is no doubt about that. Honestly, the first few times we ALL had the same invasion experience -- it ended badly, right?

But just get over that 'insult' to your gamer ego and think about what you did wrong, and what you can do better next time (like not PANIC!!! I know I did...). Eventually you should\will be giving out as good as you took earlier.

You will NEVER forget the first invader you killed in a DS game. That's worth it for me.
What's your best gaming memory?