Man... NG+ isn't properly balanced at all

[wolfinston85]

I love the game, I love the base game, the challenge, the concept, the world, I even 100% the game on ps4 and then got it here on Steam to do the same.

The NG+ mode however has some really big issues when it comes to balancing.

Like the enemies take way more damage and do way more damage as well, different prayer beads as well as rosaries don't make a difference, strength and defence min-maxing doesn't seem to do a thing either. You can get as many health upgrades as you can and there's still going to be some enemies taking you out in two hits or so...

Why not change the enemy patterns or add more enemies to rooms? That would've been a better trade off.

I get the game devs were trying to go through a similar route like the Souls games, but in those games -the difference is-, that you do get health upgrades, defence upgrades, and strength upgrades, while here, you only get partial upgrades to those stats in the form of equipment.

This isn't me complaining about the challenge of the game, is more like... why trifle with the original's game balancing in such a way that you ruin the perfect balanced challenge of the base game.

With the sequel coming up I was really excited to try NG+, and now I can only hope that you'll do it differently for that game, assuming it'll even have NG+ mode at launch, or later on after release.

Nobody likes "tanky" enemies or dying in two hits... that's not challenging, nor does it show care when it comes to the game's difficulty balancing, it's more like an artificial layering of difficulty, on top of what is -in my opinion-, an already perfectly fine difficulty balance in the base game.

[[FGI] Lord Sky High]

The truth is that actually the base game isn`t balanced at all - I got the Requiem Aeternam without any problems just one-two-shoting bosses with "Debla of the Lights", same for regular enemies - the most tough enemy like big statue with mace took 3 combos before dying, so the result is that I haven`t learnt the enemy`s attacks and patterns. NG+ motivates you to better understand game (Penance is really good at it), learn the enemies and rosary beards with their usablility.
In my opinion, the only BAD part of the game is the platforming-element (I freacking hate Hondo), but again, adaptation is the key.
Meaning of the game is in the suffering of the protagonist, and during the NG+ you will suffer a lot.
My advice for you is just keep trying, try different rosary beards (just use the sword`s heart that heals you after every kill) and do not give up.
May the Miracle be with you.

[Laduiguer]

This is the idea. Some items become useless, forcing you to rethink how you play the game and look for what best fits with the new health and fervor mechanics that different Penances bring.
In Bleeding Heart's Penance, for example, no matter how much damage the foes (or terrain) does, it will ALWAYS take a life orb, so you can forget about defense and go for damage and utility. Also, must be careful when using flasks in the middle of battle, a mistake can cost you your health recovery and the flask you just used.

Originally posted by FGI Lord Sky High:

NG+ motivates you to better understand game (Penance is really good at it), learn the enemies and rosary beards with their usablility. (...) adaptation is the key.

[Toxi]

Honestly, NG+ is just a huge load of ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.. I can go on ranting again, but almost this entire game is just a miserable slog to get through and NG+ is reminding me just how much of a slog it really was when I'm doing it faster and it still feels like you're playing any game's worst platforming levels.

But the thing I will never forgive is that the developers locked DLC and another ending on multiple replays of the game which if you're smart, you'll want to do on NG+ so you're not locked out of that NG+ exclusive DLC..

This also reminds me of why I haven't touched the game in years since I finished, because I just didn't care about the DLC. Replaying the entire game all over again, just for some scraps of extra content locked behind NG+?
They should've followed FromSoftware's example here, by making DLC content optional and leaving it for players to challenge it for harder bosses.

[WTFlo]

The game is pretty easy compared to other platformers or soulslike games, even on NG+. I beat all 3 penances on a broken 10€ dell keyboard where I couldn't even use the slide attack. Then I got a proper controller for the last DLC and it was like a walk in the park.

Also, there are guides for rosary bead setups that literally make you invincible (didn't use it tho). How much easier do you want this game to be?

Originally posted by Toxi:

But the thing I will never forgive is that the developers locked DLC and another ending on multiple replays of the game which if you're smart, you'll want to do on NG+ so you're not locked out of that NG+ exclusive DLC..

This also reminds me of why I haven't touched the game in years since I finished, because I just didn't care about the DLC. Replaying the entire game all over again, just for some scraps of extra content locked behind NG+?They should've followed FromSoftware's example here, by making DLC content optional and leaving it for players to challenge it for harder bosses.

Not sure what you mean. You don't have to play through the game multiple times for the best ending (Wounds of Eventide) or do it on NG+. You're not forced to kill the Amanecidas or do the parkour rooms either. It's all optional for those who want a challenge. If it's too hard for you, just play the game normally and do the WoE questline...

Also, the DLCs are free and for that, the content is pretty good and more than enough. Like, what else do you want lol? FromSoftware would probably charge 20 bucks for a new area and a bunch of new bosses...

Some people... jeez...

[Penitent DOOT]

Diagnosis : Skill Issue

[Soykaf]

Originally posted by Penitent DOOT:

Diagnosis : Skill Issue

child located.

[drae_perin]

The way to get the Eventide ending was literally in the patch notes.

Even if you mess it up, finding Perpetva's Tomb tells you exactly what you should have done.

The same is true for the second check near the end of the game. Either you didn't pay attention to what a character told you to do or you visit that character after the fact and find out what you should have done differently.

[Toxi]

Originally posted by drae_perin:

The way to get the Eventide ending was literally in the patch notes.

Even if you mess it up, finding Perpetva's Tomb tells you exactly what you should have done.

And I'm sure that everyone who played the game before Eventide's release knew not to kill Esdras.

[almurat89]

Originally posted by Toxi:

This also reminds me of why I haven't touched the game in years since I finished, because I just didn't care about the DLC.

You haven't touched the game for years, didn't care about the DLC, but just took a ♥♥♥♥♥ in this thread, offending people, "criticize" the game with no fact, but your "opinion".
And if we somekind "braindead" by your point, who is you then?

[Toxi]

Originally posted by almurat89:

"criticize" the game with no fact, but your "opinion".
And if we somekind "braindead"

yup...

Alright, I see I hurt a few fans with my blasphemous criticism, I'm gonna go.

[almurat89]

Yeah, you've hurt me so bad son. If you wanna discuss let me know. :)

[Hotel Security]

Seriously, after playing multiple NG+ runs, I find it near-impossible to go back to the normal NG game. Enemies die SO quickly in that run. You can wreck bosses quickly even on NG+ with some spells and it's even quicker on NG. It feels like Easy mode after all this time.

This idea of it being unbalanced is laughable but this is the typical case of some kid finding a game hard and blaming it on bad design rather than their own shortcomings. One of the oldest tropes in the book.

>Alright, I see I hurt a few fans with my blasphemous criticism, I'm gonna go.

Wow, so desperate for self-esteem that you have to make up the idea that you hurt someone with words? Yet another bored teenager who thinks he's winning on a message board. You're a dime a dozen, kid.