Just wondering who else registered for this and got in?
Just saw the email in my inbox now confirming that I got in. I'm pretty pumped to get in this Beta. The original game is up there as one of my favourite games of all time if not my favourite.
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Just wondering who else registered for this and got in?
Just saw the email in my inbox now confirming that I got in. I'm pretty pumped to get in this Beta. The original game is up there as one of my favourite games of all time if not my favourite.
I don't have a PS3 so I can't get in. I am super excited for DSII, though I am trying not to spoil too much by watching gameplay. Tell me how the game is when you play it this weekend.
Downloading now - 1.7GB - apparently there's a 105MB patch to dl when the game launches. Will share my thoughts after playing.
edit: Apparently there's only a 2 hour time window to play @ 22:00 BST... lame.
Done playing the beta. I could only get on for 20 minutes ( server kicked me off with an error and I couldn't get back in ), which doesn't give one much of an opportunity to share much about it. I did however destroy some n00b who tried to invade me as soon as I joined the server.
I chose the Warrior from the 6 preset characters in the begs as he seemed to be the only one to start with a shield - I thought it would be handy stepping into an unknown area that's supposed be one of the tougher ones. I also only got to play as a human as i didn't have the pleasure of dying during my short play session so can't comment on what it's like playing as a hollow.
Visually the game looks to be slightly improved with some nicer texture work with most of the improvements being in the lighting and particle effects. Frame rate seemed to be a tad higher than the last game, but it did dip quite a bit whenever you entered an area with lots of trees and detail.
I didn't get to delve much into the menu system, but the bits I did check out (levelling up and weapon/item management) were familiar - if you played the original you'll have no trouble adapting.
I will say one thing - as I suspected - most of the people uploading beta footage on youtube were n00bs and if you know how to play the game you will nit find the enemies as troublesome as they look in those videos.
Can't think if much else. Only so much i could do in 20 mins. Any specific questions feel free to ask. There will be another beta session later this month. Hope I have more luck then. http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...icon/smile.gif
It's been two years, a good enough gap for my second playthrough (it's a great game but lacking in replayability compared to others, not to mention I've played many JP RPGs of this type). Grabbed the DLC too.
Here is a review of DSII beta, Dahaka: http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/10/1...n-dark-souls-2
Your quick notes got me craving more http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...icon/smile.gif Sorry to hear you got kicked from the beta.
Sounds great! Not much innovation apparently but meh, a game like this is so rare these days I'm just happy it is being made...and not one **** is given about "appealing to the casual gamer"....I hope.
I have heard others say it's easy, but the changes described in the review above make it harder. We'll see.
Edit: somehow I only just realised it's IGN. Well, just lost some faith in the reviewer as IGN suck...but I'll give that dude the benefit of doubt, he may be an exception, seemed to know what he was talking about and has played the previous entries too.
Got a good couple of hours with the beta today, below are some observations:
- hard, harder than Dark Souls by quite a bit
- level design is sublime, lots of nooks, crannies and secrets even in the beta...lots of depth.
- enemies don't necessarily re-spawn in the same spot or behave the same way in an area even if you die or use a bonfire. It's subtle, but enough to keep you on your guard.
- enemies are more aggressive and some tend to chase you alot further than they did in the last game.
- lots of enemy ambushes, which can result in pack rape if you're not careful.
- This one's a biggie. The game isn't so aggressive about buffering user inputs as the last game was. An example of how this makes the game feel different is if you spam an attack button the game wont automatically execute that many attacks and requires you to time consecutive swings. This eliminates the annoying bug from the last game where user input lag resulted in you character performing an action several seconds later when you least needed it. No more worrying about your guy using an estus flask when being attacked unless you times it that way yay!
- great swords no longer auto lock, so you better time those swings skilfully this time. You're basically committed to the direction you push the stick once you've pressed the button.
- back stabs are about as easy/hard to pull off as they were before imho
- every time you die you health bar shrinks. I think mine was about 60% by the time I was done.
In summary, i love the game and am really please with how it's shaping up.
Great to hear about the input lag. I've died sooo many times from that BS it aint funny. (ok maybe a little funny).
Not thrilled that invasions will also occur even while hollowed. But if it's not a laggy mess then it may be ok every once in a while. Hope xbox parties still disable online mode, though http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image.../icon/pray.gif Wanna at least play NG 100% invasion-free (without having to unplug the ethernet).
Same I personally like to play without invasions especially on the first play through.Quote:
Originally Posted by MrGiggles
It's good being human to be invaded by NPC's though. They always drop good **** and a decent amount of souls.
Also, it's great that From Software is making humanity not heal in DSII. Kinda ruins the challenge.
I hope they make a new King's Field next after DSII. The old King's Field games sucked in comparison to other First Person RPG's *Cough* Deus Ex *Cough* Arx Fatalis *Cough* you know the rest, but Dark Souls is a huge step up in design from the King's Field games and with that experience they could return and make the first ever Japanese hardcore FP/RPG that's actually good. King's Field basically was Dark Souls, but there was little interaction, the RPG elements sucked, combat needed work. But the style was the same (Action-RPG, Challenging, Semi-Linear progression, Medieval Fantasy).
It would make my day if they made a new King's Field with Souls quality.
*Drools*Quote:
Originally Posted by D2Dahaka
One question though, how do you restore your maximum health back to it's base value? Humanity? Offering souls at a bonfire?
The one that made me happiest was your notes on level design. Very few games have great level design any more, but Dark Souls' is fantastic. Happy to hear I can expect more.
As for the buffering, lost a large pool of souls and Humanity because of that, but it's only got me killed a few times. Just don't spam buttons is the solution for now.
Another thing to note: Whilst I like the PvP aspects of the game, I am very much a singleplayer nut so I hope they do more than one damn PvE-centric covenant next time. One that involves the typical Colosseum type event would be great. battle through some real tough waves of enemies for the rewards and level up in the covenant.
Another question: What about AI pathfinding, better? Get any stupid AI to fall down holes?
- Not sure how you restore your health. I read on some other website a while ago that you need to visit a certain npc (much like the dude in the New Londo Ruins who uncurses you). Not sure if there are any other ways at this stage. In Demon's Souls there was a ring that gave you a health boost in soul form, I'm wondering if there will be something similar in DS2 to tide you over?
- About the buffering. Yeah one shouldn't be spamming buttons in Dark Souls in the first place was just giving a simple example, but glad the issue has been resolved as I have died a number of times from that annoying glitch. Mainly during boss fights where timing of your estus flask can be critical.
- I didn't encounter any funky pathfinding or have any enemies suicide and there are alot of tight areas and death pits in the demo. This of course doesn't answer your question absolutely, but in the few hours i played no problems.
One other thing I forgot to mention. There are gems in the game that restore your health, but it's over time and leaves you vulnerable for longer than estus flasks. These gems are common drops and you'd think it would make the game easier, but it doesn't due to the aggressive AI and the fact that they go after you even more aggressively when you try and heal.
I like NPC invasions. I was strictly talking PVP. Too laggy to be even remotely playable in my eyes. Any game that requires precise timing NEEDS to be lag-free. Otherwise, why even bother.
I don't know when it'll take effect, but M$ are giving devs FREE server support. Meaning dedicated servers on EVERY xbox (and at least most PC) game with MP. http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...icon/dance.gif Hope that means DS2. http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image.../icon/pray.gif
DS2 will have dedicated servers (like Demon's Souls did) on all platforms. Confirmed long ago http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...on/biggrin.gif
http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...icon/dance.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by D2Dahaka
Is that another army of bots flooding the site?
I am happy I have one game to truly look forward to next gen, other ones I am interested in I remain cynical, but for DSII it appears we are in for a treat.
Unrelated but I have found my new favourite rapper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEOKgjoxoto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJOp1CqzaSg
Lyrically superior.
All you have to do to restore your health is use a Human Effigy, which is the new equivalent of Humanity.Quote:
Originally Posted by D2Dahaka
Due to this and the changes to invasions, it is now always preferable to be human; thus fixing the problem in Dark Souls where players spent as much time as possible in hollow form.
Does it restore current health as well as resetting maximum health though?
Problem with humanity in DS was it was easy to farm, restored you to full health, and even gave you x2 estus flasks each stage of kindling (along with all it's other benefits, which were fine). Big issue for challenge. Health restoration items should be limited.
Hmmmm I thought they only restored you to human form? Guess I'll have to try it out next time the servers are up (November 10).Quote:
Originally Posted by buttcheekofdeth
Human Effigies restore you to human form which also restores your health bar. They don't actually give you any health though so you can't use them to heal.
Great. Sounds like the design is just getting better, a rare thing these days and totally unexpected since the lead designer was replaced and they announced they were selling out (not in those words) a while back.
Extremely lucky they did a 180 from that, series after series has been shat on and drove into the ground in the blind pursuit of maximized profits.
Can't wait to **** my pants! http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...on_mrgreen.gif
Why wait? Just take a dump right now, or are you not wearing pants? http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...on_mrgreen.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by MrGiggles
In all seriousness, you find DS scary? Or maybe you mean scary challenge? http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...icon/smile.gif
Well, here's some concerning news. http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...con_asleep.gif have a feeling apdention in particular won't like this.)
In case you don't read Japanese, those are retailer-specific pre-order weapons.
Here are their descriptions in English. (Very slight spoilers, such as the names of locations)
Apparently, they are slightly modified versions of starter equipment that you can also find later in the game. It seems like the items themselves aren't a big deal, but some people will be angry due to principle.
On the bright side, it might shed light on how the upgrading system works, since these just seem like upgraded versions of normal weapons. Maybe upgrading weapons now makes a visual difference and gives the weapon small effects such as extra bleeding, less weight, etc. If this is how it works, I would be very happy.
Its scary when I have bad timing/planning. Getting swarmed by enemies is scary. More nerve-racking really.Quote:
Originally Posted by apdenton1
Nah, I don't mind because of this one reason, they are just slightly modified versions.Quote:
Originally Posted by buttcheekofdeth
I don't mind pre-order bonuses really. One practice of recent years that is acceptable. It's just annoying (out of principle as you said) when the content is exclusive, but since they are all equipment you can get in-game just these have slightly modded stats it's all good.
Kinda puts me off pre-ordering though as I don't want to start with better equipment, can always just throw it away I guess, but it may be tempting to keep.
That is another problem I have with pre-order crap, it's almost always overpowered **** that makes the game easier.
But yeah, as long as they are not selling out, there's no locked to disc content (except those pre-order equipment probably), the game is great etc then I am happy.
Lol at the Egg Vermituge equipment.
Dragging up an old discussion but:
The best advice I could have given him was wear armour with good poison resistance http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...s/icon/doh.gifQuote:
I haven't played it since it's release in 2011 but:
Options:
-Stock up on antidotes or whatever item it is that cures poison.
-Strip. Take off the majority of your armour to be more agile and dodge enemy attacks easier. Careful not to fall off the edge though http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...s/icon_lol.gif
-Use the internet, look up a map of Blightown and plan-out a run to the closest bonfire. (last resort).
-Purchase healing spell from firelink shrine (has an attribute requirement).
-Purchase a offensive ranged spell from shrine (has an attribute requirement).
-Use humanity to heal if really desperate.
-Farm souls and level up.
-Rage quit and go play Fable instead http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...s/icon_lol.gif
-Just persist (recommended).
Especially when combined with Humanity.
Oh well, he made it anyway.
I am mentally aroused.
Rumor that Demon's Souls 2 [or it's spiritual successor (otherwise known as Dark Souls?)] will be announced on November 15th.
This rumor has been floating around for a while. If it is true, it is seems pretty unlikely it will be made by From Software.
Yeah that confused me too.Quote:
[or it's spiritual successor (otherwise known as Dark Souls?)]
Be a high quality King's Field dammit!
That Magus is a bastard, hardest boss in the game imo. he kicked my *** last night, old school style. Gonna have to persist, get his patterns etc down.
Pretty good DLC, though a li'l bit too much copy n paste level design and quite short. That is if Magus is the end as I predict he is anyway.
Yup he's the end. Unless you haven't fought Kalameet yet, then there's at least something else to do. But yea, it was too short. Especially since I paid more for the DLC than the game. http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...s/icon_lol.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by apdenton1
More screenshots.
Some look amazing, others look like complete crap. Hopefully the ones that look like complete crap are from unfinished areas.
Probably going to be my favorite game of the year.Quote:
Originally Posted by buttcheekofdeth
Looks like a beautiful nightmare http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...on_mrgreen.gif
Guys Im very happy to know your interest about Dark Souls / Dark Souls 2 & Demonīs Souls !
I love these games !! In fact I was playing Trial Evo Gold a lot, since march, but them I found a Dark Souls Prepare to die edition on Steam promotion and Im lost since them ... in fact, I bought a PS3 few weeks ago to play Demonīs Souls ... these games are incredible !!!
Im very pleased to read your posts !! Hope we can play together DS2 !!! http://forum.redlynx.com/forum/image...icon/dance.gif
What I like about Dark Souls/Demon Souls is that it's made for the hardcore gamer. They don't try and make it easier for the laid back gamers. Really hate it when games do that (Halo 4).
I'm not gonna lie. 'Arm of Black Dragon Kalameet' is genius.
This is all I remember doing...
http://www.deaffirefly.files.wordpre...d-computer.gif
Gotta love Japan.Quote:
Originally Posted by buttcheekofdeth