Dark Souls

[schild]

Gonna go with - you haven't played it enough to form any opinion. Shut your whore mouth and give it another 10 hours.

[Ghambit]

Gonna go with - you haven't played it enough to form any opinion. Shut your whore mouth and give it another 10 hours.

I was actually saying what I said as a compliment to the design, not a beef.  
And I actually havent even picked it up yet, but have been contemplating doing-so before the afterschool rush.

Oddly, I havent been this afraid (cant really afford a life-sucking demons souls game right now) yet simultaneously excited to pick up a game in a long time.  I might not even get it, even though I know it kicks ass.  

[ffc]

The story from the original is told through atmosphere and objects rather than being force-fed to the player. It's all pretty straight-forward, but 80% of it had already taken place when the game starts. You're just the hero/villain who gets introduced in the third act. Dense stuff like KotOR and Dragon Age give you heaps of information interrupted by brief lapses in combat. I can never get through those games because they make fantastic worlds feel mundane.

This. I still remember the feeling I got after the ending where I did not leave the Old One in peace.  I wouldn't have cared if not for the story (lore?).  Same with each archstone, like the journey of the dead in world 4 or salvation in world 5 or prisons both literally and metaphorically in world 3 GAH SO GOOD WHERE IS MY COPY AMAZONAFD;AFSIAG

[Bann]

Delivered to work moments ago.  This will be the longest end to my work day since I've taken this job on.

[Hawkbit]

If I were a collector soft of person, I'd be pretty miffed about this edition.  They used some super-sticky glue on the plastic, so I have it all over my hands and the tin.  My tin has scratches and dents all over it, and yes, the art book is about the cheapest thing I've seen. 

I don't understand how they can go through the hassle of making a plastic credit/gift card to put the code for the downloadable soundtrack, strategy guide and videos, when they could have just put it all on a DVD.  It would have cost about the same. 

The game itself is a sealed copy of the standard retail version, so that's okay in my book.  But overall it is a pretty disappointing CE.  As predicted, it arrived with no time to play it before lecture, so I get to stare at it for the next four hours...

[stray]

Wait, I thought the repetition of game levels was the equivalent of multiple threads of reality. And the white shadows you see running around are the realities co-mingling, as if they're all stacked on the same plane.

That just rubbed me more as gameplay dictacting story. Not the other way around. Who the hell would write that as a basis in a narrative?

Eh. I'm starting to sound like a hater. That isn't really it. Have fun  

[Hawkbit]

I've been trying to download the extra items.  I got the map and mini-strat guide, but the videos and soundtrack time out on the download.  I'm guessing their servers are hammered.  The only problem is... that once registered, I have 24 hours to download everything. 

Not a huge deal to lose the videos and soundtrack, but giving 24 hours seems silly.  I suspect this stuff will be warez in no time. 

The mini-strat guide looks almost like a true users manual.  I've only glanced through it because I don't want to spoil, but it details classes, enemies, weapons and starter zones in 46 pages.

[Ghambit]

Time to finally take a break and eat.
Lovin the bonfire mechanic btw and the game just feels overall better, even though it's obviously tougher.

[JWIV]

I've been trying to download the extra items.  I got the map and mini-strat guide, but the videos and soundtrack time out on the download.  I'm guessing their servers are hammered.  The only problem is... that once registered, I have 24 hours to download everything. 

Not a huge deal to lose the videos and soundtrack, but giving 24 hours seems silly.  I suspect this stuff will be warez in no time. 

The mini-strat guide looks almost like a true users manual.  I've only glanced through it because I don't want to spoil, but it details classes, enemies, weapons and starter zones in 46 pages.

So basically, torrents it is.

[UnSub]

I appreciated From Software's approach to dealing with pre-launch players in Japan: if you are playing before the game officially launches, there is a chance the developers will log into your game and feed you your own sword with a maxed out character.

Dark Souls - you play it OUR way.

[Trippy]

How bad is the death penalty in this game?

[Quinton]

Sounds like it's about the same as DS -- you drop your souls (spendable for advancement) on the ground, and if you die again before you get back there and pick them up you lose them.

[Ghambit]

It's not as bad at the 1st game since you've got bonfires everywhere and your pots reset.  Since the game is non-linear, you can always run to the nearest fire and heal up... but you'll have to fight all the mobs again.


The openness really is quite awesome, but it creates a bit of analysis paralysis at times.  Anyone know if there's a way to choose which fire you res. at?
Also, what is the point of being human besides grief-runs and coop??  My stats seem to stay the same.

[Quinton]

"Sorry, this redemption code has expired."

Got the mini-guide and map.  The video part1 and 2, and the soundtrack did not entirely download and the zip files are corrupt.

[Quinton]

It is like Demon's Souls++.

Love all the little tweaks to the game systems.  The attack-while-falling and such are nice additions.

Also, wow am I going to die a lot, but I'm having fun doing it.

[Big Gulp]

This should be right up my alley, but....

I have 4 kids, one of whom is a 4 month old baby.  I work 12 hour shifts 6 days a week.  My gaming hours are limited to a one hour session at o'dark thirty in the morning when everyone is sleeping and a little bit here and there on sundays with frequent pausing.

So basically, you either let me slide through your game without trying to sodomize me or you don't get my money.

[Quinton]

Well, one hour might be tight in some cases, but in general there's no reason you couldn't play it a small chunk at a time.  You might not be able to retry particular sequences or battles immediately after getting horribly and painfully killed, but you could always try again the next day. ^^

[jakonovski]

Some reviewers (ie. one Finnish dude) are saying that the grind is much worse here than in Demon's Souls, perhaps to an annoying extent. Anyone played long enough to comment?

Not that it concerns me, I'm still trying to gather the courage to continue my playthrough of the first game. Damn fire lizards and the stupid fire boss.

[bhodi]

My copy arrives tonight. Amazon one day delay.

Here are the non-spoilerish things I learned that have helped already:

Item descriptions aren't well translated; that "Regen Ring" you can start with is actually +HP not regen.
The game makes it VERY clear when "You aren't strong enough yet". There are gateway monsters at entrances. If you're getting stomped, take another path.
The Drake Sword is very strong but very expensive to repair. Save it for emergencies. 2 handed + heavy attack wrecks both monsters and durability. To get it see below.
Range is very helpful, winged spear / halberd are very good weapons you get early.
The game instructs you to jump on the tutorial boss's back. You can beat him without, but practice their way because you'll need it for a later boss.
Shield, armor is a lot stronger and more important than the first game; If you want to buy armor buy gauntlets first because they are a lot more rare to find lying around.
Don't start as deprived unless you hate yourself or were really good at demon's souls. It's a brutal start.
Don't start as pyro, because firebomb spell is very weak. If you do, Pyro doesn't scale with int, so don't put points in it. It's good for a warrior hybrid.
Don't start as thief unless you like getting stunlocked to death. Also, because if you miss one parry you lose 90% health. Remember, armor is important.
Don't believe signs that tell you to kill people just standing there. People are assholes and you'll kill critical NPCs. You should know this from Demon's Souls already.

Also, If you've been cursed, don't delete your character, you need to

To get the drake sword:

[Morfiend]

Started as a Wanderer same as in Demon's Souls. So far I am loving this. I only had time to get past the tutorial stage, but I am super happy so far.

[Ghambit]

I dont think I can be a sorcerer anymore.  
Also, can it be true that this game requires some actual note-taking?  It's starting to feel that way.  (unless you have the guide)  Open, branching world with no ingame map.  Nice.

Grind?  It's not grindy if you dont keep at the same goal over and over.  If you can't beat an area, go somewhere else.  I guarantee you there's some place you havent been.

Anyone know if that first NPC after the asylum is important?  (he didnt really seem to to anything but talk) 'Cause I killed him.

[Rokal]

If I were a collector soft of person, I'd be pretty miffed about this edition.  They used some super-sticky glue on the plastic, so I have it all over my hands and the tin.  My tin has scratches and dents all over it, and yes, the art book is about the cheapest thing I've seen. 

I don't understand how they can go through the hassle of making a plastic credit/gift card to put the code for the downloadable soundtrack, strategy guide and videos, when they could have just put it all on a DVD.  It would have cost about the same. 

The game itself is a sealed copy of the standard retail version, so that's okay in my book.  But overall it is a pretty disappointing CE.  As predicted, it arrived with no time to play it before lecture, so I get to stare at it for the next four hours...

Actually ended up tossing out the metal tin because it was low quality and had that glue residue all over it :-\. On the one hand, I didn't pay extra for it and it came with the game in normal shrink wrap inside. On the other hand, pretty shitty CE compared to Demon's Souls. Guess this is what you get when you switch from Atlus to Namco-Bandai as publisher.

[Ghambit]

Undead Berg Drake hint (not sword):

Other newb hints:

[Nonentity]

I dont think I can be a sorcerer anymore.  
Also, can it be true that this game requires some actual note-taking?  It's starting to feel that way.  (unless you have the guide)  Open, branching world with no ingame map.  Nice.

Grind?  It's not grindy if you dont keep at the same goal over and over.  If you can't beat an area, go somewhere else.  I guarantee you there's some place you havent been.

Anyone know if that first NPC after the asylum is important?  (he didnt really seem to to anything but talk) 'Cause I killed him.

Yeah, fuck. I saw the limited spellcasts and died a little. Sorcerer is kind of a hard start until you pick up a 100% phys shield and a spear of some kind.

Also:

[Ghambit]

I dont think I can be a sorcerer anymore.  
Also, can it be true that this game requires some actual note-taking?  It's starting to feel that way.  (unless you have the guide)  Open, branching world with no ingame map.  Nice.

Grind?  It's not grindy if you dont keep at the same goal over and over.  If you can't beat an area, go somewhere else.  I guarantee you there's some place you havent been.

Anyone know if that first NPC after the asylum is important?  (he didnt really seem to to anything but talk) 'Cause I killed him.

Yeah, fuck. I saw the limited spellcasts and died a little. Sorcerer is kind of a hard start until you pick up a 100% phys shield and a spear of some kind.

Also:

I need to shave and eat.
Also, there are rumors that this thing is bigger than Skyrim.  Srsly?

[NiX]

I need to shave and eat.
Also, there are rumors that this thing is bigger than Skyrim.  Srsly?

Of course it is. Bethsoft was too busy perfecting the human form.

[Morfiend]

Anyone figure out an easy way to get an Uchigatana? That was my weapon of choice in Demons Souls.

[Nonentity]

I need to shave and eat.
Also, there are rumors that this thing is bigger than Skyrim.  Srsly?

I dumped a few points into STR after starting as a Sorcerer. It was worth it to be able to throw on that heater you can buy from the vendor along with the spear.

I'm kind of trying to follow a similar route to what I did in Demon's Souls (str to wear gear, focus dex/int for damage stats), but we'll see how much harder that is with the new limited spellcast system.

[Nerf]

Ps3 just showed up today so I ran out and bought dark souls, but I've already got a problem, maybe.

The ps3 menu etc displays in 1080p, but when I go into the game my resolution changes to 720p.  I did the system update, game update, and am on a Mitsubishi 73" dlp connected via hdmi.  Wtf, working as intended or is something fucked?

[ffc]

Working as intended when the game is natively rendered in sort-of-high-definition.

Anybody know what came from the 24 or 25 digit code that was emailed after the preparetodie glyph puzzle was solved?

[apocrypha]

Ps3 just showed up today so I ran out and bought dark souls, but I've already got a problem, maybe.

The ps3 menu etc displays in 1080p, but when I go into the game my resolution changes to 720p.  I did the system update, game update, and am on a Mitsubishi 73" dlp connected via hdmi.  Wtf, working as intended or is something fucked?

You'll find that happens for almost all PS3 games. The vast majority of them are 720p only. Outside of graphically-simple PSN games the only one I can think of that I have that actually renders in 1080p is Metal Gear Solid 4.

Quick question about Dark Souls: is it possible to do co-op with a specific person or is it like Demons Souls and random?

[Trippy]

The ps3 menu etc displays in 1080p, but when I go into the game my resolution changes to 720p.  I did the system update, game update, and am on a Mitsubishi 73" dlp connected via hdmi.  Wtf, working as intended or is something fucked?

What resolution does it list on the back of the Blu-ray case?

[Rasix]

Apparently Amazon was unable to ship me a collector's edition so they gave me a code for $20.  I never ordered the collector's edition, were they having some sort of free upgrade?

[Rendakor]

Yea the CE was a free upgrade for preordering.

[Yegolev]

Well, shit, I would rather have had the $20.

In other news, the controls on the 360 version are "wonky".  Nevermind the bumper buttons are ass anyway, I have recently found that sometimes a RB press does nothing until I press LB, which is exactly the wrong fucking time to swing your sword.  This could be happening only when I quickly release LB and press RB, so the fix for me is to keep LB pressed while attacking.  I'd love to know if this is present on PS3.  I'm half ready to buy it on PS3 anyway after getting some framerate drop-n-chop around the lake under Fireside(?) Shrine.

I'm not reading spoilers in this thread but I'll post them.  Am I blowing your mind yet?