Support NeoGAF

[Deified Data]

What else does DaS2 do better?

Comparing it to BB, it seems the NG, build variety, and overall exploration rewards is better... right?

(No spoilers please)

NG+ is the best in the series - remixed encounters abound, but I won't spoil which. More spells and gear.

More weapons and spells for builds, more armor for Fashion Souls.

Soul memory ruined the online experience, but nonetheless getting a connection in that game was quicker and more reliable than any other game in the series (in my experience).

The level quality is more consistent than Dark Souls despite the world not making any sense, though Demon's and BB blow it out of the water in this regard.

That's about all I can think of to be honest.

Isn't there a new item to combat that?

If you want to waste a ring slot to prevent yourself from gaining souls, yes.

Talk about a band-aid solution.

 

[CountAntonius]

This update will be deployed at the following time -
4/1 2:00 AM PDT
4/1 5:00 AM EDT
4/1 10:00 AM CET
4/1 6:00 PM JST
See below for a full list of changes:

• Weapon "Thief Dagger" increase of the attack power
• Weapon "Broken Thief Sword" increase of the poise damage amount and decrease of the durability level.
• Weapon "Manikin Knife" addition of the bleeding effect
• Weapon "Royal Dirk" increase of the attack power of the counter attack, and the durability level
• Weapon "Red Rust Sword" increase of the poise damage amount, attack property changed to slash during the both-handed normal attack
• Weapon "Sun Sword" Menu display changed to "slash / thrust"
• Weapon "Drakekeeper's Sword" increase of the durability level
• Weapon "Mail Breaker" increase of the damage amount at the fatal blow
• Weapon "Spider’s Silk" increase of the attack power of the counter attack
• Weapon "Espada Ropera" increase of the durability level
• Weapon "Manikin Sabre" addition of the bleeding effect
• Weapon "Melu Scimitar" increase of the durability level, increase of the necessary soul for repair
• Weapon "Washing Pole" attack property changed to thrust during one-hand strong attack, one-hand dash attack, both-handed dash attack
• Weapon "Chaos Blade", "Blacksteel Katana" increase of the attack power of the counter attack
• Weapon "Thorned Greatsword", "Moonlight Greatsword" increase of the durability level
• Weapon "Bluemoon Greatsword" decrease of the necessary soul for repair
• Weapon "Mirrah Greatsword" increase of the necessary skill level and the status correction value, decrease of the attack power and the durability level
• Weapon "Black Knight Greatsword" decrease of the necessary attunement
• Weapon "Old Knight Greatsword" decrease of the necessary strength, increase of the poise damage amount
• Weapon "Hand Axe", "Battle Axe", "Bandit Axe" increase of attack power
• Weapon "Infantry Axe" decrease of the necessary strength, the consumption of dexterity and stamina, and the durability level, increase of the poise damage amount
• Weapon "Gyrm Axe" increase of the durability level
• Weapon "Dragonslayer's Crescent Axe" increase of the attack power of the counter attack
• Weapon "Butcher's Knife" increase of the poise damage amount and the HP recovery amount during attack
• Weapon "Lion Greataxe" increase of the attack power
• Weapon "Giant Stone Axe" increase of the attack power and the poise damage amount
• Weapon "Gyrm Greataxe" increase of the attack power, the poise damage amount, and the durability level
• Weapon "Black Knight Greataxe" increase of the poise damage amount, decrease of the necessary attunement
• Weapon "Drakekeeper's Greataxe" increase of the durability level, attack property changed to slash during both-handed strong attack
• Weapon "Morning Star" increase of the bleeding effect
• Weapon "Reinforced Club" increase of the attack power, decrease of the durability level
• Weapon "Handmaid's Ladle" addition of the adaptation positive correction, increase of the attack power of the counter attack
• Weapon "Blacksmith's Hammer" increase of the poise damage amount
• Weapon "Black Dragon Warpick" attack property changed to thrust
• Weapon "Aldia Hammer" attack property changed to thrust, increase of the necessary dexterity, and the status correction value
• Weapon "Pickaxe" attack property changed to thrust, increase of the attack power of the counter attack
• Weapon "Gyrm Great Hammer" increase of the attack power
• Weapon "Iron King Hammer" increase of the status correction value and the durability level
• Weapon "Malformed Skull" addition of the bleeding effect
• Weapon "Old Knight Hammer" increase of the poise damage amount
• Weapon "Drakekeeper's Great Hammer" increase of the durability level
• Weapon "Sacred Chime Hammer" decrease of the stamina consumption amount
• Weapon "Spitfire Spear" increase of the durability level
• Weapon "Gargoyle Bident" increase of the necessary strength, status correction value, and the attack power of the counter attack, decrease of the necessary dexterity
• Weapon "Dragonslayer Spear" attack property changed to thrust during one-hand strong attack and both-handed strong attack
• Weapon "Heide Lance", "Heide Greatlance", "Chariot Lance" increase of the stamina consumption amount during dash attack
• Weapon "Grand Lance" increase of the stamina consumption amount and the durability level during dash attack
• Weapon "Great Scythe" increase of the attack power
• Weapon "Great Machete" increase of the attack power, decrease of the stamina consumption amount
• Weapon "Full Moon Sickle" increase of the attack power, the poise damage amount, and the durability level
• Weapon "Crescent Sickle" increase of the attack power and magic attack power
• Weapon "Scythe of Nahr Alma" increase of the attack power
• Weapon "Bone Scythe" increase of the attack power and , decrease the durability level and the status correction value
• Weapon "Scythe", "Santier's Spear" Menu display changed to "slash / thrust"
• Weapon "Mastodon Halberd" increase of the poise damage amount and the weight
• Weapon "Black Knight Halberd" increase of the Fire attack power, addition of the necessary faith
• Weapon "Old Knight Halberd", "Knight Halberd", "Old Knight Pike" increase of the poise damage amount, Menu display changed to "slash / thrust"
• Weapon "Drakekeeper's Warpick" increase of the durability level
• Weapon "Claws" increase of bleeding attack power
• Weapon "Malformed Claws" increase of the attack power of the counter attack
• Weapon "Manikin Claws" addition of the bleeding effect
• Weapon "Whip" increase of the status correction value
• Weapon "Notched Whip" increase of the bleeding attack power and the status correction value
• Weapon "Bloodied Whip" increase of the attack power
• Weapon "Old Whip" decrease of the damage amount at the fatal blow
• Weapon "Olenford's Staff" increase of the cast speed
• Weapon "Bell Keeper Bow" decrease of the attack power, the status correction value, the necessary strength, the necessary dexterity, and the weight
• Weapon "Smelter Sword", "Drakewing Ultra Greatsword" attack property changed to thrust during both-handed strong attack
• Weapon "King's Ultra Greatsword" increase of the poise damage amount, physical property damage reduction, dark property damage reduction and the durability level
• Weapon "Pursuer's Ultra Greatsword" increase of the attack power of the counter attack
• Weapon "Drakekeeper's Ultra Greatsword" increase of the durability level
• Weapon "Crypt Blacksword" increase of the physical property damage reduction
• Weapon "Black Knight Ultra Greatsword" increase of the fire attack power, addition of the necessary faith
• Weapon "Old Knight Ultra Greatsword" increase of the poise damage amount
• Weapon "Lost Sinner's Sword" increase of the fire property damage reduction , attack property changed to thrust during both-handed rolling attack
• Weapon "Stone Twinblade" increase of the attack power of the counter attack
• Weapon "Twinblade" increase of the durability level
• Weapon "Benhart's Parma" increase of the magic property damage reduction
• Weapon "Iron parma" increase of the reception ability
• Weapon "Llewellyn Shield" increase of the durability level
• Weapon "Drangleic Shield" increase of the magic property damage reduction
• Weapon "Shield of the Insolent" increase of the dark property damage reduction
• Weapon "Stone Parma" increase of the lightning and fire property damage reduction
• Weapon "Grand Spirit Tree Shield" increase of the fire and magic property damage reduction, decrease of the weight
• Weapon "Moon Butterfly Shield" increase of the physical property damage reduction, decrease of the weight
• Weapon "Slumbering Dragon Shield" increase of the physical, lightning, and cursing property damage reduction
• Weapon "Chaos Shield" increase of the physical, magic, lightning, and dark property damage reduction, decrease of the reception ability
• Weapon "Wooden Shield" increase of the magic and lightning property damage reduction and the reception ability
• Weapon "Drakekeeper's Shield" increase of the durability level and the weight
• Weapon "Bone Shield" increase of the physical and magic property damage reduction
• Weapon "Drakekeeper's Greatshield", "Greatshield of Glory" increase of the durability level
• Weapon "Sunlight Parma" increase of the lightning and poison property damage reduction
• Weapon "Blossom Kite Shield" increase of the magic and poison property damage reduction
• Weapon "Wicked Eye Greatshield" increase of the physical property damage reduction
• Weapon "Bound Wooden Shield" Menu display changed to "Parry / Strike"
• Weapon "Transgressor's Leather Shield" increase of the dark property damage reduction and weight
• Weapon "Vessel Shield" increase of the fire property damage reduction, decrease of the weight
• Weapon "Umbral Dagger" increase of the damage amount at the fatal blow
• Weapon "Retainer's Short Sword" increase of the necessary attunement and the magic correction value, decrease of the necessary strength
• Weapon "Ice Rapier" increase of the attack power of the special attack during strong attack, decrease of the shot speed
• Weapon "Eleum Loyce" decrease of the necessary faith, increase of the durability value
• Weapon "Bewitched Alonne Sword" increase of the durability value, attack property changed to thrust during one-hand strong attack, one-hand dash attack, and both-handed dash attack
• Weapon "Drakeblood Greatsword" increase of the attack power and the attack power of the counter attack
• Weapon "Sanctum Mace" increase of the poison attack power
• Weapon "Yorgh's Spear" increase of the durability level and the attack power of the counter attack
• Weapon "Rampart Golem Lance" increase of the stamina consumption amount during dash attack
• Weapon "Wrathful Axe" increase of the durability value, decrease of the dark correction value, Adjustment of the special attack triggering time during both-handed strong attack
• Weapon "Possessed Armor Greatbow" increase of the durability value and the status correction value
• Weapon "Sorcerer's Twinblade" decrease of the necessary strength, the necessary dexterity, the necessary faith, and the stamina consumption amount, addition of the magic correction
• Weapon "Ivory King Ultra Greatsword" increase of the necessary attunement and the magic attack power, addition of the magic correction
• Weapon "Aged Smelter Sword" increase of the durability level, attack property changed to thrust during both-handed strong attack
• Armor "Astrologist's Robe", "Astrologist's Gauntlets", "Astrologist's Bottoms" decrease of the weight
• Armor "Mask of Judgment", "Manchettes of Judgment", "Tights of Judgment" increase of the resistance to poison
• Armor "Black Witch Veil" increase of the resistance to magic and curse
• Armor "Black Witch Domino Mask" decrease of the HP decreasing rate
• Armor "Peasant Hat" addition of the faith positive correction, addition of the attunement negative correction
• Armor "Peasant Attire", "Peasant Long Gloves", "Peasant Trousers" addition of the adaptation positive correction, addition of the attunement negative correction
• Armor "Syan's Helm", "Syan's Armor", "Syan's Gauntlets", "Syan's Leggings" increase of the resistance to fire
• Armor "Singer’s Dress" increase of the resistance to magic, fire, lightning, and dark
• Armor "Vengarl's Helm" addition of the vitality positive correction
• Armor "Rusted Mastodon Helm", "Rusted Mastodon Armor", "Rusted Mastodon Gauntlets", "Rusted Mastodon Leggings" increase of the resistance to dark
• Armor "Old Knight Helm", "Old Knight Gauntlets", "Old Knight Leggings" increase of the toughness
• Armor "Looking Glass Mask" addition of the faith positive correction
• Armor "Agdayne's Cuffs" addition of the faith positive correction
• Armor "Llewellyn Armor", "Llewellyn Gloves", "Llewellyn Shoes" increase of the toughness
• Armor "Creighton's Steel Mask", "Creighton's Chainmail", "Creighton's Chain Gloves", Creighton's Chain Leggings" increase of the resistance to bleeding
• Armor "Cale's Helm" addition of the dexterity positive correction and the endurance positive correction
• Armor "Bell Keeper Helmet", "Bell Keeper Bellyband", "Bell Keeper Cuffs", "Bell Keeper Trousers" increase of the resistance to lightning
• Armor "Mad Warrior Mask" addition of the adaptation positive correction
• Armor "Targray's Helm", "Targray's Armor", "Targray's Manifers", "Targray's Leggings" increase of the resistance to lightning
• Armor "Retainer Robe" increase of the resistance to fire
• Spell "Soul Appease" working to anything else other than Hollows.

 

[TimeEffect]

I wouldn't go into it with that attitude. Depending on why you like these games then a lot of the criticisms could mean fuck-all to you. I have some issues with the game (soul memory, mainly) but I have found plenty of faults with Bloodborne as well.

If you like PvP then this is going to be where its at.

You are right about BB's flaws.

I just enjoy reading critical opinions, and know that DaSII has a lot of flak

I saw that 45 min video criticizing the game, and it bothered me to think most of the game is like that.

But since it's still a Souls game, Im still wanting to jump in eventually, down the line.

 

[Kai Dracon]

What else does DaS2 do better?

Comparing it to BB, it seems the NG, build variety, and overall exploration rewards is better... right?

(No spoilers please)

Those aspects are better IMO, yes. There is a much larger variety of armor/attire as well, like three or four times as much as BB. The online aspects work very well in terms of connectivity - connecting to other players is very quick and reliable. I believe the First Sin update adds an item to use which lets a player control souls gained in co-op to avoid leveling themselves out of a particular summoning range.

The game was criticized for a vague and nonsensical story - yes, by Souls standards - but I feel the DLC adds a fair amount of lore which makes the implied story a lot richer. FYI each DLC region could be viewed as contributing a major chunk of lore to the overt story in the game.

 

[Deified Data]

You are right about BB's flaws.

I just enjoy reading critical opinions, and know that DaSII has a lot of flak

I saw that 45 min video criticizing the game, and it bothered me to think most of the game is like that.

But since it's still a Souls game, Im still wanting to jump in eventually, down the line.

To be fair everything in the video you watched (Matthewmatosis critique, I assume) is spot-on, but that's not to say it doesn't have redeeming qualities or even things it does better than any other game in the series (like build and gear variety).

 

[Schryver]

Haven't played 2 yet. I just read about what Soul Memory is. What exactly is the issue with it? Just that the potential player pool is a lot smaller, that pairing with friends is more difficult(?), or something else entirely?

 

[Ghazi]

Haven't played 2 yet. I just read about what Soul Memory is. What exactly is the issue with it? Just that the potential player pool is a lot smaller, that pairing with friends is more difficult(?), or something else entirely?

It's a good feature... But only for NG. Iirc the problem was that past NG it no longer serves the purpose of preventing low level/new from being harassed by players with end game gear, but adds another layer of limitations on top of the SL cap, making arranging pvp and summoning very annoying. Could be misremembering, though.

 

[Neoweee]

What else does DaS2 do better?

Comparing it to BB, it seems the NG, build variety, and overall exploration rewards is better... right?

(No spoilers please)

Compared to BB:

+ Build Variety
+ Build Balance
+ Music (imo, mileage may vary)
+ Covenants
+ General integration of multiplayer
+ Hub area
+ NPCs
+ Gear/Loot variety
+ Length
+ NG+ mechanics (by a lot)
+ It feels like a continent-spanning adventure, because it is
+ Less-linear (if you count Demon Souls as less-linear, with a bunch of extra paths and zones scattered around)

 

[Deified Data]

Haven't played 2 yet. I just read about what Soul Memory is. What exactly is the issue with it? Just that the potential player pool is a lot smaller, that pairing with friends is more difficult(?), or something else entirely?

There's lots of potential issues with it, but if I had to highlight a primary concern it would be with build variety. Basically what it is is a count of how many souls you've gained in the series from start to finish, whether you spent them or not. That means that if you decided to spend 1 million souls on gear and upgrades over the course of the game, or if you lost 1 million souls total over the course of your playthrough, you'll be paired with people who used those souls to level up and become stronger. What this means is there's no real reason to stop leveling unless you want to actively handicap yourself, since you'll keep gaining souls and keep entering new soul memory brackets for matchmaking whether you use them to level or not. So people keep leveling up and build diversity starts to disappear in the long term since people just allocate souls wherever they need them. It's essentially killed any diversity in the late-game PVP scene, since the community can't just say "stop leveling at 120" anymore.

SofFS introduces a ring that stops accruing of souls, which technically "solves" the soul memory issue but wastes a ring slot while doing it.

 

[Schryver]

There's lots of potential issues with it, but if I had to highlight a primary concern it would be with build variety. Basically what it is is a count of how many souls you've gained in the series from start to finish, whether you spent them or not. That means that if you decided to spend 1 million souls on gear and upgrades over the course of the game, or if you lost 1 million souls total over the course of your playthrough, you'll be paired with people who used those souls to level up and become stronger. What this means is there's no real reason to stop leveling unless you want to actively handicap yourself, since you'll keep gaining souls and keep entering new soul memory brackets for matchmaking whether you use them to level or not. So people keep leveling up and build diversity starts to disappear in the long term since people just allocate souls wherever they need them. It's essentially killed any diversity in the late-game PVP scene, since the community can't just say "stop leveling at 120" anymore.

SofFS introduces a ring that stops accruing of souls, which technically "solves" the soul memory issue but wastes a ring slot while doing it.

Thanks. Why would anyone want to stop leveling? Do the other games only match you based on level? (I beat DS this year but haven't spent any real time trying PVP)

 

[Orayn]

Thanks. Why would anyone want to stop leveling? Do the other games only match you based on level? (I beat DS this year but haven't spent any real time trying PVP)

Yeah, matchmaking is based in part on the total number of souls your character has ever acquired. It's a nuisance if you keep increasing it and getting out of the range you need to match with most people.

 

[Chance Hale]

Have they said when this will launch on steam? Supposed to be tomorrow but it's still not even listed.

 

[CountAntonius]

lol another chaos Blade buff.

 

[Sir Ilpalazzo]

So this is a total noob question but I have to ask. Dark Souls 2 runs on my PC but not incredibly well (30 with fairly frequent dips, and it gets Blighttown-rough in certain areas (like Tseldora)) - not ideal, but I can live with it. Obviously I don't expect SotFS to run any better, but should I expect the DX11 upgrade to make it run worse?

 

[Mohasus]

Have they said when this will launch on steam? Supposed to be tomorrow but it's still not even listed.

3 PM PST.

 

[Deified Data]

Thanks. Why would anyone want to stop leveling? Do the other games only match you based on level? (I beat DS this year but haven't spent any real time trying PVP)

Well most people arrive at a point where they feel their build is "complete" and plays to its strengths while minimizing its weaknesses - in Dark Souls that level tended to be around 120-130. It ensured a PVP scene with a lot of diverse builds. Alternately, you could be a fan of low-level PVP, or perhaps you really enjoy fighting in a particular place and don't want to level up past the people you'd be invading in that area. Either way, DS2 removed your choice in the matter. You can stop leveling but if you keep doing PVP or co-op you're going to keep earning souls that are going to bump you out of your preferred bracket whether you want it or not. Given this knowledge, there's no incentive to stop leveling so you suddenly start fighting a lot of guys who never had to sacrifice a part of their build to play to their strengths. Everyone becomes a jack of all trades and all encounters just start becoming the same.

 

[VaughnDescen]

I thought everyone knew about this. Saw it listed on gamestop's website about a month and a half ago. Was going to post about it but thought it was announced already. Oh well. Good news!

 

[Corpekata]

I thought everyone knew about this. Saw it listed on gamestop's website about a month and a half ago. Was going to post about it but thought it was announced already. Oh well. Good news!

The thread is from 6 months ago.

 

[Foffy]

This update will be deployed at the following time -
4/1 2:00 AM PDT
4/1 5:00 AM EDT
4/1 10:00 AM CET
4/1 6:00 PM JST
See below for a full list of changes:

They increased the durability levels of weapons, but apparently the durability bug at 60fps is still there? Isn't that odd?

 

[Carlius]

i still cant believe this isnt up for pre order...i just wanna buy it my god. come on bamco

 

[TimeEffect]

So any impressions? Particularly about balance?

Does the game improve in any notable areas over the original/vanilla version?

 

[VaughnDescen]

The thread is from 6 months ago.

Makes sense perfect sense now! Reading from my phone and didnt see the timestamps. Thanks

 

[gogosox82]

Are you smashing your weapons into walls, or absolutely refusing to have a second weapon equipped?

Why would I need to have a second weapon equipped for pve? If it was pvp, I'd understand, but there's really no reason to have two weapons equipped unless your power stancing them for pve. The durability issue isn't that big of an issue on the consoles, but its a big issue on pc if you use weapons that a) can hit multiple enemies, b) have low durability to begin with or c) use weapons that hit the ground. So basically any katana, many of the great hammers (great club, large club, gyrm great hammer for example), and the halberds are a pain in the ass to use on the pc because the weapons just run out of durability really fast.

 

[Northeastmonk]

I haven't been following this, but does this mean that you have to find all 5 of your friend's soap stones? They aren't messing with the Soul Level range and the chances of being summoned?

It's going to be a bit hard keeping all 6 people at the same SL.

 

[Htown]

Why would I need to have a second weapon equipped for pve?

wow

 

[takriel]

Compared to BB:

+ Build Variety
+ Build Balance
+ Music (imo, mileage may vary)
+ Covenants
+ General integration of multiplayer
+ Hub area
+ NPCs
+ Gear/Loot variety
+ Length
+ NG+ mechanics (by a lot)
+ It feels like a continent-spanning adventure, because it is
+ Less-linear (if you count Demon Souls as less-linear, with a bunch of extra paths and zones scattered around)

Highly debatable stuff right there.

 

[GodParticle]

After playing BB for a while, I miss how much more variety there is in the DS games

 

[KCroxtonJr]

After playing BB for a while, I miss how much more variety there is in the DS games

Same, I feel like they stripped just a bit too much out of BB.

When it all comes down to it, I'd have to say I love each souls game equally, each for different reasons.

I actually kinda want both teams to come together and make a single new souls game that combines all the best parts of each game, but at the same time I would also like both teams to develop new games individually cause that means more souls for everybody haha.

BTW, anybody on the fence about DkS2, jump in. It's not perfect, but it is still a very good game, better than most.

 

[swnny]

As someone who enjoys the Souls games, but couldn't complete Dark Souls 2 because of so much backlog, is this edition worth getting for PS3? (I do not plan to get a PS4 until late 2016)
I guess I can sell my original DS2 copy and if I manage to pre-order Scholar of the First Sin in time, it cost me less then the actual season pass. Plus I love physical.

 

[KCroxtonJr]

As someone who enjoys the Souls games, but couldn't complete Dark Souls 2 because of so much backlog, is this edition worth getting for PS3? (I do not plan to get a PS4 until late 2016)
I guess I can sell my original DS2 copy and if I manage to pre-order Scholar of the First Sin in time, it cost me less then the actual season pass. Plus I love physical.

Well I guess there's one kinda big thing to consider, the ps3 version will be the "original" version of the game, while the ps4 version is going to be a "revamped" version of the game.

I would say just go with the PS3 version, since you plan on getting a PS4 a long time from now. Then when you get the PS4, you could probably get the PS4 version pretty cheap if you are still interested in the game and want to experience the changes.

 

[Mogwai]

As someone who enjoys the Souls games, but couldn't complete Dark Souls 2 because of so much backlog, is this edition worth getting for PS3? (I do not plan to get a PS4 until late 2016)
I guess I can sell my original DS2 copy and if I manage to pre-order Scholar of the First Sin in time, it cost me less then the actual season pass. Plus I love physical.

If you have a heavy DS2 itch you should get it for the PS3. If not then I would recommend playing it on the PS4. The PS3 version has a quite low average framerate. It isn't anything gamebreaking, but it's a bit pointless these days where stronger systems are available.

 

[dreamlock]

As someone who enjoys the Souls games, but couldn't complete Dark Souls 2 because of so much backlog, is this edition worth getting for PS3? (I do not plan to get a PS4 until late 2016)
I guess I can sell my original DS2 copy and if I manage to pre-order Scholar of the First Sin in time, it cost me less then the actual season pass. Plus I love physical.

Unless you have a gaming PC, go for PS3. The average gaming PC these days would give you better quality & performance over the PS3.

Oh, and a controller is pretty much mandatory - don't even try to play using mouse & keyboard.

 

[eot]

Unless you have a gaming PC, go for PS3. The average gaming PC these days would give you better quality & performance over the PS3.

Oh, and a controller is pretty much mandatory - don't even try to play using mouse & keyboard.

As long as you use Autohotkey to make the mouse inputs instant I think kb/m is better. You get faster and more precise camera control when not locked on and you don't need to take your thumbs off the sticks to press the dpad or face buttons. Have you actually tried playing with kb/m?

 

[swnny]

Well, I do have a great gaming PC (even with 360 wireless pad), but when I saw that they are splitting the online servers to DX9 and DX11 versions, and given that PC online players are fewer then on PS3, I decided to change the platform.
Or, is my logic flawed?

 

[Mogwai]

Well, I do have a great gaming PC (even with 360 wireless pad), but when I saw that they are splitting the online servers to DX9 and DX11 versions, and given that PC online players are fewer then on PS3, I decided to change the platform.
Or, is my logic flawed?

It's definitely not optimal for the PC.

I think the console platforms, especially the PS4, will have the most consistent amount of players for pvp/coop.

 

[dreamlock]

As long as you use Autohotkey to make the mouse inputs instant I think kb/m is better. You get faster and more precise camera control when not locked on and you don't need to take your thumbs off the sticks to press the dpad or face buttons. Have you actually tried playing with kb/m?

Never used Autohotkey so my first experience with kb/m on Dark Souls 1 was a bad one. Tried it once again on Dark Souls 2 just to see if they had made it more compatible, but I didn't really like it then either.

I suppose I just prefer the controller, despite being less precise.

 

[Durante]

Well, I do have a great gaming PC (even with 360 wireless pad), but when I saw that they are splitting the online servers to DX9 and DX11 versions, and given that PC online players are fewer then on PS3, I decided to change the platform.
Or, is my logic flawed?

At this point (at least before the split) there are more active online players on PC than PS3. (And have been for quite some time)

THe console player base will also get split between PS3 and PS4.

 

[derFeef]

Well, I do have a great gaming PC (even with 360 wireless pad), but when I saw that they are splitting the online servers to DX9 and DX11 versions, and given that PC online players are fewer then on PS3, I decided to change the platform.
Or, is my logic flawed?

Go PC if you care about population, as it will be higher than on PS3 for sure.

 

[IndustryX]

Might pick this up after bloodborne.. Never played one of the first 3 souls games, other then an hour with Demon's.

 

[EatChildren]

Greatest thing about Bloodborne is that it does enough of its own thing from top to bottom that no comparison to the 'Souls series is enough to distinguish the different experience you'll get between the two. I mean, there's a clear link and evolution between DeS->DS->DS2 (especially the latter two). Bloodborne is distinctly a FROM 'Souls game, but also reimagines a lot in setting and mechanics so it is, to use a suitable pun, its own beast.

I can totally appreciate the flack DS2 gets compared to its predecessors, but I'm not going to pretend I didn't enjoy the hell out of it. Had my share of complaints, but I still felt a constant drive to push on and conquer the adventure. It is, at worst, a pretty good game.

After finishing up Bloodborne and a couple of other games I'll be interested in giving this a whirl due to the new enemy placements geared towards greater challenge (DS2 becomes particularly easy once you've a solid build going), the DLC in the package (I only played the first, and liked it), among other changes. That being said I'm also very worried "new enemy placement" is a bad gimmick. DS2 was decently balanced in its encounters, and I worry this will just throw more and more stronger enemies at you for no fucking reason.

 

[Wagram]

Glad I played through DS2 in the champions covenant for the entire game.

 

[dreamlock]

At this point (at least before the split) there are more active online players on PC than PS3. (And have been for quite some time)

THe console player base will also get split between PS3 and PS4.

Whoa, new avatar? The game that good, huh? Really looking forward to be playing it after I'm done with SOTFS.

Bloodborne will probably spawn a lot of new fans so I bet that there'll be a lot of people that will be interested in picking up Dark Souls 2 for the first time on PC and PS4.

Most people I know personally will go over from DX9 version. I doubt that many will stay behind, but the real problem is that the marketing has been kinda..non-existent and there's been a lot of confusion. SOTFS is still not on steam. (supposed to appear today iirc.)

After finishing up Bloodborne and a couple of other games I'll be interested in giving this a whirl due to the new enemy placements geared towards greater challenge (DS2 becomes particularly easy once you've a solid build going), the DLC in the package (I only played the first, and liked it), among other changes. That being said I'm also very worried "new enemy placement" is a bad gimmick. DS2 was decently balanced in its encounters, and I worry this will just throw more and more stronger enemies at you for no fucking reason.

I watched the german stream yesterday and noticed some new placements, but didn't follow it long enough to see beyond forest of the fallen giants. I'm not really expecting anything major tbh, but I do hope it's true that there will be plenty of new shortcuts. Never did play any of the DLCs so I've got a lot of content to look forward to.

I'm mostly interested in playing this, because I haven't touched it since early 2014. NG+ is also very much worth it due to the new rewards, challenges and if you want to farm there's always the champions covenant (almost) respawning everything.

 

[SiegfriedFM]

I noticed a ton of changes in the stream.

* more enemies along the river
* more enemies after climbing the ladder, but they're not active until you go near them
* a few more items scattered around
* no white knight on NG
* sniper up top has bombs rather than arrows
* three guys in the crossbow bolt sideroom
* lifegem along the path up the stairs
* no enemy near the buckler on the roof
* halberd enemy near the bonfire is active without you going around the corner
* the room above the bonfire is pitch black, possibly more items
* one enemy moved in the room overlooking the salamanders
* the archer on the scaffolding on the way to Cale has moved to the alcove with an item
* instead of two normal soldiers, there's a turtle below the Pursuer platform
* more items on the platform

These are just things I noticed in half an hour of the stream. If it keeps up, this is a very different game.

 

[CountAntonius]

I noticed a ton of changes in the stream.

* more enemies along the river
* more enemies after climbing the ladder, but they're not active until you go near them
* a few more items scattered around
* no white knight on NG
* sniper up top has bombs rather than arrows
* three guys in the crossbow bolt sideroom
* lifegem along the path up the stairs
* no enemy near the buckler on the roof
* halberd enemy near the bonfire is active without you going around the corner
* the room above the bonfire is pitch black, possibly more items
* one enemy moved in the room overlooking the salamanders
* the archer on the scaffolding on the way to Cale has moved to the alcove with an item
* instead of two normal soldiers, there's a turtle below the Pursuer platform
* more items on the platform

These are just things I noticed in half an hour of the stream. If it keeps up, this is a very different game.

Good to hear. Now I wonder if at the end of the day they make it a better game than the original.

 

[Morrigan Stark]

This update will be deployed at the following time -
4/1 2:00 AM PDT
4/1 5:00 AM EDT
4/1 10:00 AM CET
4/1 6:00 PM JST
See below for a full list of changes:

Source? Sounds like April Fools...

 

[dreamlock]

These are just things I noticed in half an hour of the stream. If it keeps up, this is a very different game.

Nice. I hope this keeps up throughout the entire game and not just a few areas.

To add on this - I also really like that they've made some changes to co-op. From the v.1.10 patch notes a while back:

-The bonfire warp selection screen will now highlight the top three areas where players will have the best change to connect with other players online.
-White phantoms will remain in other players' worlds for longer periods of time.
-White phantoms will no longer return to their world if time runs out during a boss battle.
-Players on their first play through can now match with players on their 2nd or further play through.
-Made it easier for players to match online in general.

Source? Sounds like April Fools...

Source

 

[Mogwai]

Nice. I hope this keeps up throughout the entire game and not just a few areas.

To add on this - I also really like that they've made some changes to co-op. From the v.1.10 patch notes a while back:

Yeah, the coop changes are pretty good. I like that phantoms will stay in your game for longer time. Also, that you can summon people that is on a new game cycle.

 

[Feel_The_Pain]

So this ring that is being introduced to stop you from absorbing souls, when exactly is it avaliable in the game, straight up or soon or later?

 

[Mogwai]

So this ring that is being introduced to stop you from absorbing souls, when exactly is it avaliable in the game, straight up or soon or later?

From

Spoiler

Straid at the Lost Bastille

. I'd say some hours into the game, give or take.

 

[KainXVIII]

I noticed a ton of changes in the stream.

* more enemies along the river
* more enemies after climbing the ladder, but they're not active until you go near them
* a few more items scattered around
* no white knight on NG
* sniper up top has bombs rather than arrows
* three guys in the crossbow bolt sideroom
* lifegem along the path up the stairs
* no enemy near the buckler on the roof
* halberd enemy near the bonfire is active without you going around the corner
* the room above the bonfire is pitch black, possibly more items
* one enemy moved in the room overlooking the salamanders
* the archer on the scaffolding on the way to Cale has moved to the alcove with an item
* instead of two normal soldiers, there's a turtle below the Pursuer platform
* more items on the platform

These are just things I noticed in half an hour of the stream. If it keeps up, this is a very different game.

Does this all added with free patch or only in Scholar of the First Sin?