1. #1
    D2Dahaka's Avatar Senior Member
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    PS3: Dark Souls 2 Beta

    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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  2. #2
    LukeMSki's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: PS3: Dark Souls 2 Beta

    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.
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  3. #3
    D2Dahaka's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: PS3: Dark Souls 2 Beta

    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.
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  4. #4
    D2Dahaka's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: PS3: Dark Souls 2 Beta

    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.
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  5. #5

    Re: PS3: Dark Souls 2 Beta

    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 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.
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  6. #6
    D2Dahaka's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: PS3: Dark Souls 2 Beta

    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.
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  7. #7

    Re: PS3: Dark Souls 2 Beta

    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 Wanna at least play NG 100% invasion-free (without having to unplug the ethernet).
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  8. #8
    D2Dahaka's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: PS3: Dark Souls 2 Beta

    Originally Posted by MrGiggles
    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 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.
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  9. #9

    Re: PS3: Dark Souls 2 Beta

    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.

    Originally Posted by D2Dahaka
    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.
    *Drools*

    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?
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  10. #10
    D2Dahaka's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: PS3: Dark Souls 2 Beta

    - 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.
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