[Yoshichan]

Wait, there was some dude on Giantbomb that loved the game on their quick look? What was his name?

[Vorg]

Yeah...then you didn't play it. This isn't a case of subjective Internet complaining. The game had factual issues with frame rate in some areas. You didn't play it on different hardware than the rest of the world, or anything.

It doesn't run any worse than any other open world game on consoles except for that one area everyone already knows about. The framerate actually holds up pretty well for the large majority of the game's areas.

[Bedlam]

I'm playing without any guidance my first time through. I'm also playing offline so that I don't get phantom assistance or invasions. I want to do all of that stuff after I've gone through once. Then I'll harness the powah of the wiki and start playing PVP! :P

Dude, you've got to play it online. The atmosphere is so much better with the ghosts of other players appearing in the world and around the bonfires etc.

Getting invaded and killed isn't so bad - but it's awesomely nerve-wracking. Coop is awesome as well.

[Yoshichan]

EpicNameBro, if you're reading this, you're a God!

[Felix Lighter]

Wait, there was some dude on Giantbomb that loved the game on their quick look? What was his name?

Matt Rorie, he wasn't really giant bomb though.

[elohel]

I am happy for you. Seems like other posters find problems with their games as well, and a quick look at youtube shows plenty of video where the framerate goes even down to 10 with a framerate counter to support what I say.

every video says that they died because of the framerate?

the game really wasn't that bad....the dips weren't for that long

i have no problems listing this as one of my favorite games lol the framerate doesn't even really come up

it really does seem to be a pc gamer problem

i think console gamers deal with lag a lot more given that most games are 30 frames, so any drop below that and it doesn't really look smooth anymore

[WanderingWind]

[QUOTE=Vorg;36729768]

Yeah...then you didn't play it. This isn't a case of subjective Internet complaining. The game had factual issues with frame rate in some areas. You didn't play it on different hardware than the rest of the world, or anything. [/QUOTE.] It doesn't run any worse than any other open world game on consoles except for that one area everyone already knows about. The framerate actually holds up pretty well for the large majority of the game's areas.

So? Who's saying otherwise? Every complaint has been largely about one major area, and some aimed at another, slightly smaller area. If people say the entire game was like that, they're being just as silly as the people who say there were no issues.

But...PC!

[Bedlam]

It doesn't run any worse than any other open world game on consoles except for that one area everyone already knows about. The framerate actually holds up pretty well for the large majority of the game's areas.

Nah, facing certain directions in Blighttown slows the game down considerably. I overlooked it because of the general awesomeness of the game but I won't pretend there weren't any framedrops.

[alr1ght]

Dude, you've got to play it online. The atmosphere is so much better with the ghosts of other players appearing in the world and around the bonfires etc. Getting invaded and killed isn't so bad - but it's awesomely nerve-wracking. Coop is awesome as well.

Agreed. It's a huge part of the game.

[Yoshichan]

Matt Rorie, he wasn't really giant bomb though.

Oooh, damn ok. I liked that guy.

[soultron]

Agreed. It's a huge part of the game.

I'm going to once I beat it! I also don't have XBL right now. Auto-renew issues are meaning I can't even downgrade to Silver right now... :c

[Clear]

This is one of the rare games I would actually consider double-dipping on just for a better looking/running version - and that's from someone who recognizes the frame-rate issues in the games yet didn't find they hurt the experience significantly.

My only worry would be how the game handles online/offline, as its the sort of game that I can well see being hurt badly by griefers in the more open PC environment. I don't want to have to think about disconnecting my pooter from the net in order to avoid to getting ganked by organized groups of kids with level/gear hacks.

[elohel]

giant bomb didn't really do anything with demon's souls did they?

no preview or anything? forgot

[Cheech]

Wow. Will double dip. Hopefully they fix the Smough/Ornstein fight, which actually made me turn in my gamer card and quit the PS3 version.

[Revolutionary]

Play hollow (non-human form) and you won't be invaded.

I know, but the last time I played I'm pretty sure I had just finished my World Kindling Tour with the 99 Humanity I farmed, in human form lol. I'm not going to kill myself just because I don't want to get invaded, regardless... I like being able to summon help for bosses/invasions. I'm just a little nervous of jumping back in is all, mostly due to how rusty I will be.

Human form is the true way to play Demon's/Dark Souls, anyways. :p

[Felix Lighter]

Oooh, damn ok. I liked that guy.

Vinny also enjoyed the game for the most part. Brad and Patrick seemed to like what the game was doing but I don't know if they kept at it. Jeff and Ryan aren't big fans though, particularly, Jeff.

[Derrick01]

Dude, you've got to play it online. The atmosphere is so much better with the ghosts of other players appearing in the world and around the bonfires etc. Getting invaded and killed isn't so bad - but it's awesomely nerve-wracking. Coop is awesome as well.

It's a better experience offline really. No help messages or player help and no risk of some asshole coming in and screwing your progress up.

[soultron]

This is one of the rare games I would actually consider double-dipping on just for a better looking/running version - and that's from someone who recognizes the frame-rate issues in the games yet didn't find they hurt the experience significantly. My only worry would be how the game handles online/offline, as its the sort of game that I can well see being hurt badly by griefers in the more open PC environment. I don't want to have to think about disconnecting my pooter from the net in order to avoid to getting ganked by organized groups of kids with level/gear hacks.

You can avoid invasions/PVP by playing in Hollow form. This means you won't get the increased rare drop rates you'd receive if you were playing in Human form, but it's a neat risk-reward mechanic.

[Bedlam]

giant bomb didn't really do anything with demon's souls did they? no preview or anything? forgot

They did a quicklook with Vinny playing and Jeff complaining how shitty the game is.

[Yoshichan]

giant bomb didn't really do anything with demon's souls did they? no preview or anything? forgot

They did a quicklook. Jeff hated on the game while Vinny was playing.

Vinny also enjoyed the game for the most part. Brad and Patrick seemed to like what the game was doing but I don't know if they kept at it. Jeff and Ryan aren't big fans though, particularly, Jeff.

Tell me something Jeff's particularly fond of. I feel that he's bored of every game out there.

[Vyse The Legend]

Half way there. I also suspect that the new content will come to consoles. However, it won't come as DLC, but rather a $40 rerelease.

[1-D_FTW]

It's a better experience offline really. No help messages or player help and no risk of some asshole coming in and screwing your progress up.

The reason I'll do my first play through offline. I can go years without looking at a game wiki, and I don't need some kid showing off how "smart" he is by transcribing a bunch of wiki info all over the world.

[DaBuddaDa]

Tell me something Jeff's particularly fond of. I feel that he's bored of every game out there.

http://www.giantbomb.com/syndicate/61-30734/reviews/
http://www.giantbomb.com/skylanders-...34129/reviews/
http://www.giantbomb.com/trackmania-...28194/reviews/
http://www.giantbomb.com/batman-arkh...29443/reviews/
http://www.giantbomb.com/gears-of-wa...30615/reviews/

[Yoshichan]

*list of games

Interesting... I'm starting to "get" what Jeff likes.

[Midou]

It's a better experience offline really. No help messages or player help and no risk of some asshole coming in and screwing your progress up.

Maybe for a first run, but the online play leads to some awesome experiences.

[soultron]

They did a quicklook. Jeff hated on the game while Vinny was playing. Tell me something Jeff's particularly fond of. I feel that he's bored of every game out there.

It's very easy to hate if you know nothing about it or don't plan on spending any time on. It still won't be for everyone. But for those people who complain there aren't any "hardcore" games out there anymore, this is for them. It's punishing, certainly, but this also serves to contrast even the smallest victories as being immensely rewarding.

I used to wonder why anyone would want to punish themselves playing this series, but in talking to one of my industry peeps, he said the core design concepts were brilliant enough to entertain any curiosities I might have with the game. I'm glad I put aside my assumptions and picked it up. I'm only at Darkroot Basin now (still need to finish the Undead Parish) but it's already one of the best games I've played in years. It's a video game, not an entertainment experience -- a god-honest video game.

[Bedlam]

It's a better experience offline really. No help messages or player help and no risk of some asshole coming in and screwing your progress up.

I disagree wholeheartedly.

The messages make the game better (for example in the Crystal Cave), and as I said ... the atmosphere is so much better with the ghosts appearing. It's even part of the lore.

And getting invaded isn't so bad. It's basically the same as dying against AI enemies, just go back and grab your souls. Or don't play human and don't risk getting invaded. Invasions were some of the most thrilling experiences I had in Dark Souls.

Playing Dark Souls offline is like experiencing only half of the game's potential.

Maybe for a first run, but the online play leads to some awesome experiences.

Especially the first run should be played online. It gets less fun and more mechanical once you know the game inside out.

[Massa]

The reason I'll do my first play through offline. I can go years without looking at a game wiki, and I don't need some kid showing off how "smart" he is by transcribing a bunch of wiki info all over the world.

That's not how the messages in the world work, they don't straight up tell you things. And sometimes they're misleading, which is great too.

[Backfoggen]

Online is the way to play.

[toastyToast]

Wow. Will double dip. Hopefully they fix the Smough/Ornstein fight, which actually made me turn in my gamer card and quit the PS3 version.

What was wrong with it?

Many consider it their favourite boss fight in the game.

[Midou]

Especially the first run should be played online. It gets less fun and more mechanical once you know the game inside out.

I was kind of playing devil's advocate, I fucking love all the online features. You don't have to be some 'hardcore bad-ass' who beat the whole game solo and whatever, getting help or invading others, is part of what makes Dark Souls so awesome. Dying isn't a big enough deal, plus you can only get invaded in human form, in which you can summon other people anyways.

[Midou]

What was wrong with it? Many consider it their favourite boss fight in the game.

The thing that drove me insane in that fight was targeting, even when they improved it, it comes off pretty easily, and I'll end up turning around while backing up and getting shot in the fucking back with a lightning bolt.

[ixix]

Wow. Will double dip. Hopefully they fix the Smough/Ornstein fight, which actually made me turn in my gamer card and quit the PS3 version.

Probably half my Dark Souls playtime these days consists of helping people with that boss fight.

I think they should make it harder.

[Foliorum Viridum]

Playing the games offline is really missing the point I reckon. Half the experience.

[Raide]

Interesting... I'm starting to "get" what Jeff likes.

He also loves Borderlands. :D

[alr1ght]

Wow. Will double dip. Hopefully they fix the Smough/Ornstein fight, which actually made me turn in my gamer card and quit the PS3 version.

Had to co-op against those two bastards. Even then, it took a few tries.

[drizzle]

Interesting... I'm starting to "get" what Jeff likes.

.... games?

[toddhunter]

Playing the games offline is really missing the point I reckon. Half the experience.

Yep, it is really annoying when some overpowered bastard invades your world and kills you.

Then you realise how much fun/tension you just had trying to get away from them and survive. Which is well worth it. Not like you are not going to die anyway.

And when you take one down? Well that feels pretty darn good.

I think they should make it harder.

Could be worse, there could be a long, boring and un-skippable sequence walking over invisible walkways every time you try to fight them.

[Felix Lighter]

It's very easy to hate if you know nothing about it or don't plan on spending any time on. It still won't be for everyone. But for those people who complain there aren't any "hardcore" games out there anymore, this is for them. It's punishing, certainly, but this also serves to contrast even the smallest victories as being immensely rewarding. I used to wonder why anyone would want to punish themselves playing this series, but in talking to one of my industry peeps, he said the core design concepts were brilliant enough to entertain any curiosities I might have with the game. I'm glad I put aside my assumptions and picked it up. I'm only at Darkroot Basin now (still need to finish the Undead Parish) but it's already one of the best games I've played in years. It's a video game, not an entertainment experience -- a god-honest video game.

I think the fear most people have with trying the game comes from the overblown difficulty claims. I know that was the case with me. I was interested but I was afraid that it required perfect play and would be incredibly frustrating. That wasn't the case at all. The game punishes mistakes and requires focus and patience but I didn't find it to be as difficult as its reputation suggested.

[Lasthope106]

Day one! The only game that made me boot my 360 in the last 3 years. It will be "Glorious" on Pc.

[Derrick01]

Maybe for a first run, but the online play leads to some awesome experiences.

My experience with the online messages is about 100 "HALP IM DYING" messages and 1 guy who thought he would be funny by posting a treasure here message next to a ledge which was nothing but a long fall to my death.

As usual I found a game to better without other humans being involved. There was 0 positive effect to playing it online for me, and going back to the message part I don't want anyone helping me find anything. Exploration is better when you're the one doing it.

[Risk Breaker]

Yeah, I guess it would depend on your play style (I mostly play with shield up at all times (L1) and use light attacks (R1). I'm not a parryer (and I don't hate the DS3 triggers). I tried it on 360 and constantly having my fingers on the bumpers was awful due to their placement.

That is exactly my problem. Keeping LB pressed to block attacks got my hands pretty tired.

[Yoshichan]

He also loves Borderlands. :D

Who doesn't like Borderlands :p?

.... games?

You're great at reading. Award yourself.

[GooeyHeat]

If Blighttown is confirmed to run well on a good enough PC, then I'm gonna not play this game again till Prepare To Die Edition. (I was only at the twin gargoyles anyway.)

[ChryZ]

Already beaten the PS3 version, but will happily double dip.

[Phife Dawg]

Cover of German magazine PC Action, I verified. Thanks to gaffer Anarkin for breaking the news and providing evidence. Anarkin's report:

Awesome! Glad I held out.

[Schnei871]

[Kud Dukan]

NICE! Will gladly double-dip and pick it up again on the PC.

[Bedlam]

Could be worse, there could be a long, boring and un-skippable sequence walking over invisible walkways every time you try to fight them.

It's about a minute of running to the cave and across two straight invisible walkways. Not really much longer than all the other bonfire>Boss-runs in the game.

I don't get the hate for the Crystal Cave, figuring out the walkways wasn't so bad and once figured out, it's not an obstacle anymore at all.

What I hate is the part right before the cave - because of the looks. That garden is easily the worst looking area in the game.

[Tucah]

I hated Demon's Souls but the changes made to Dark Souls always intrigued me and I'd be willing to give it another try. Will buy cheap during a Steam sale.