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[DoubleTake]

I do not agree with that. I think among people that loved DkS1, sure, but the superior tutorial, less-linear opening, less arbitrary or subtle zone gating, fast travel earlier, and better balance between builds helped make the game far more accommodating to new players. No low points like Blighttown or Lost Izalith also helped.

I agree with everything he said. I dont believe reviewers understand the intricacies in these games like the people who do enjoy DS1 more than 2 do. You may have enjoyed Dark 2 more than 1 but that doesnt mean it retained the same core philosophy/feeling from the originals that made them so beloved.

 

[Neoweee]

Shrine of Amana and Harvest Valley would like to have a word with you.

What is wrong with Harvest Valley? I had no issues with that. Lost Izalith got nerfed into oblivion, but Harvest Valley required no changes. There's, like, 15s of easy-to-remove poison running.

Shrine of Amana received two changes in the targeting radius and homing turn-radius. Both are minor compared to nerfing lava damage, literally removing half of the enemies, making the aggro radius smaller, and making the ring easier to get, that they did to Lost Izalith.

I agree with everything he said. I dont believe reviewers understand the intricacies in these games like the people who do enjoy DS1 more than 2 do. You may have enjoyed Dark 2 more than 1 but that doesnt mean it retained the same core philosophy/feeling from the originals that made them so beloved.

Maybe here, but I don't believe there is a general consensus, and it depends heavily on play-order.

 

[SargerusBR]

Shrine of Amana and Harvest Valley would like to have a word with you.

Shrine of Amana is one of the best areas of the game.

 

[i-Lo]

With regards to the story:

Will the game take place

Spoiler

within the mind of the PC as a part of warding off the plague (at least in part)?

 

[sjack]

Shrine of Amana is one of the best areas of the game.

I see you weren't there during pre-patch.

*shudders*

Spoiler

For real tho, place has fantastic atmosphere, but all those enemy sniper placements during that specific section of area made me want to throw my PC out the window

 

[Laconic]

Just want to make sure you saw my edit. There is a 5 second load after death. It's just the title, which is why I didn't recall a typical Souls load screen w/ item descriptions. But it's quick, just enough time to catch your breath.

Also, I have no intention of keeping your hype levels down. The alpha felt sluggish and had some pretty bad frame dips. Seeing the 18 minute footage of the same area, now running buttery smooth, makes me feel WAY better about this game's performance. After the bait and switch of DS2, I was very very wary about Bloodborne. I'm feeling a lot better about it now, having seen this updated build from IGN.

Thanks man.

This is good to hear.

 

[SargerusBR]

I see you weren't there during pre-patch.

*shudders*

Spoiler

For real tho, place has fantastic atmosphere, but all those enemy sniper placements during that specific section of area made me want to throw my PC out the window

I was there day 1 lol. The zone's difficulty was almost zero after the nerf

 

[sjay1994]

This aesthetic is so fucking good. Holy shit.

 

[Primethius]

I do not agree with that. I think among people that loved DkS1, sure, but the superior tutorial, less-linear opening, less arbitrary or subtle zone gating, fast travel earlier, and better balance between builds helped make the game far more accommodating to new players. No low points like Blighttown or Lost Izalith also helped.

Sure, if you like DS2 more, thats fine. But I think my point still stands. If you got a bunch of reviewers together and asked them to judge which one was better, they would not understand the complexities and intricacies of the souls series to be a good judge.

That's what I was trying to get at. Will bloodborne get good reviews?

I'm sure it will. Will it tell me anything I want to know as a Souls fan? Not really.

 

[sjack]

What is wrong with Harvest Valley? I had no issues with that. Lost Izalith got nerfed into oblivion, but Harvest Valley required no changes. There's, like, 15s of easy-to-remove poison running.

Shrine of Amana received two changes in the targeting radius and homing turn-radius. Both are minor compared to nerfing lava damage, literally removing half of the enemies, making the aggro radius smaller, and making the ring easier to get, that they did to Lost Izalith.

Look, technicalities and updates aside, the area and enemy design in DS II was extremely underwhelming compared to the first game. There may have not been something as bad Blightown (which can be circumvented by going through the Valley of the Drakes) but there was never anything that particularly excelled either. The middle game especially was filled with some really visually drab and dull areas (hence my mention of harvest valley). In DS1, I felt like I was stumbling through and discovering this incredible fantasy world. In DS2, I just felt like I was going through the motions. DS 2 may have been an improvement mechanically (and even that's debatable), but it lost a lot of the artistry and vision from its predecessors

 

[TomShoe]

There's no way this game can be bad, right?

 

[sjack]

I was there day 1 lol. The zone's difficulty was almost zero after the nerf

My point still stands. Like even with the nerf, the fact that you had to go through an environment covered with a lot of water (which I hate immensely btw) without something akin to a rusted old iron ring is frustrating in itself.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

There's no way this game can be bad, right?

The first & last boss is the cleric beast

 

[Lettuce]

Doesn't bode well when the trailer they release has flowers clipping through the protagonist arm.....is this game doing to be a janky mess or what??

 

[thebloo]

Doesn't bode well when the trailer they release has flowers clipping through the protagonist arm.....is this game doing to be a janky mess or what??

You haven't seen DkS1 and DkS2 trailers, have you? They usually look like crap.

 

[WaLlbaNg]

Wow, this looks simple amazing. Why do I have exams during the release week

Spoiler

fuck !&@!?

.
I didn't play DeS & DaS on release and waited for the next Gen DaS2 version and I really hoped to experience this at launch

Spoiler

those exams... maybe a few hours

. This will be a long week from release to my last exam, ugh.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

Doesn't bode well when the trailer they release has flowers clipping through the protagonist arm.....is this game doing to be a janky mess or what??

Welcome to souls games

 

[sjack]

Doesn't bode well when the trailer they release has flowers clipping through the protagonist arm.....is this game doing to be a janky mess or what??

The protagonist has the power of transparency

Spoiler

Nah seriously tho, if you're expecting a technically perfect and polished game from the Souls games, then I'd recommend you move along.

 

[cackhyena]

39 seconds in he clips through the flower, walking towards the baby carriage. Abandon all preorders.

 

[Laconic]

Look, technicalities and updates aside, the area and enemy design in DS II was extremely underwhelming compared to the first game. There may have not been something as bad Blightown (which can be circumvented by going through the Valley of the Drakes) but there was never anything that particularly excelled either. The middle game especially was filled with some really visually drab and dull areas (hence my mention of harvest valley). In DS1, I felt like I was stumbling through and discovering this incredible fantasy world. In DS2, I just felt like I was going through the motions. DS 2 may have been an improvement mechanically (and even that's debatable), but it lost a lot of the artistry and vision from its predecessors

There is no way that Da So 2 is an improvement over its predecessors, mechanically.

Weapon durability is only the {warning!!! critical!!!] tip of the iceberg.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

39 seconds in he clips through the flower, walking towards the baby carriage. Abandon all preorders.

What is in the baby carriage ?!

 

[sjack]

There is no way that Da So 2 is an improvement over its predecessors, mechanically.

Weapon durability is only the tip of the iceberg.

Not to mention those hitboxes.

I also like how they made parrying feel completely unintuitive.

 

[Neoweee]

Sure, if you like DS2 more, thats fine. But I think my point still stands. If you got a bunch of reviewers together and asked them to judge which one was better, they would not understand the complexities and intricacies of the souls series to be a good judge.

That's what I was trying to get at. Will bloodborne get good reviews?

I'm sure it will. Will it tell me anything I want to know as a Souls fan? Not really.

I think you're constructing your argument such that only those that played and loved the previous games matter, but I think any such group would generally view the sequel lower than the general audience, just by comparing something similar to something they loved in the past. They loved the gamse despite their flaws, so the benefits likely mean less to them.

I liked DeS and DkS, and played them to completion, but didn't love them. I found DkS2 to address nearly all of my complaints with the series, and I don't think nearly as many reviewers went into DkS2 blind as you seem to be assuming.

 

[Lettuce]

Welcome to souls games

Well i thought with it being a PS4 game the production values would be higher now than with DS1.....but i guess not.

I was hoping that The Order and this game was going to convince me to get a PS4 but with The Order being less than stellar it only leaves this game which im having less and less confidence in it being anything other that 'another Souls game' which just wont cut it...as DS2 underlined with the fans

 

[thebloo]

Come on, guys. We've already had 1886 threads for Dark1 vs Dark2. Can we please keep this about Bloodborne?

 

[sjack]

I was hoping that The Order and this game was going to convince me to get a PS4 but with The Order being less than stellar it only leaves this game which im having less and less confidence in it being anything other that 'another Souls game' which just wont cut it

Have you played a Souls game? Because me hearing that it's another Souls game is more than enough to get me excited. The change of setting also helps.

 

[sjay1994]

What is in the baby carriage ?!

Maybe its a new mimic?

 

[Lettuce]

Have you played a Souls game? Because me hearing that it's another Souls game is more than enough to get me excited. The change of setting also helps.

Yeah finished DS on the PC and then moved on to the DS2, didnt enjoy it no where near as much and found it disappointing and stopped playing it after about 4-5 hours in...so if this games going to be in the same vein without shaking anyhting up then im not going to bother with it

 

[Primethius]

I think you're constructing your argument such that only those that played and loved the previous games matter, but I think any such group would generally view the sequel lower than the general audience, just by comparing something similar to something they loved in the past. They loved the gamse despite their flaws, so the benefits likely mean less to them.

I liked DeS and DkS, and played them to completion, but didn't love them. I found DkS2 to address nearly all of my complaints with the series, and I don't think nearly as many reviewers went into DkS2 blind as you seem to be assuming.

No, I'm not trying to do that. Nor am I saying that Dark Souls 1 or 2 is better. Take that out of the picture for a second.

What I'm saying is that reviewers don't have a grasp of the technical and subtle complexities in games like Dark Souls, Demon Souls and Bloodborne. So while they rate highly, the majority of reviewers are really unable to really articulate the nuanced differences that separate the games for us, as people who have played the various games.

So, what I'm trying to say is, while Bloodborne will most likely review highly, we're really not going to know how it compares to the past Souls games until the majority of players have the game in their hands due to the simplistic nature of reviews.

I didn't mean to make this about Dark Souls 2 or 1. I understand people have preferences in regards to which one they prefer.

 

[Servbot24]

Doesn't bode well when the trailer they release has flowers clipping through the protagonist arm.....is this game doing to be a janky mess or what??

It's a video game, clipping happens. It will happen for years to come. Doesn't mean that it's a "janky mess".

 

[Inuhanyou]

Yeah finished DS on the PC and then moved on to the DS2, didnt enjoy it no where near as much and found it disappointing and stopped playing it after about 4-5 hours in...so if this games going to be in the same vein without shaking anyhting up then im not going to bother with it

People should know what to basically expect from Souls. Either you like it or you don't really....

 

[Lettuce]

It's a video game, clipping happens. It will happen for years to come. Doesn't mean that it's a "janky mess".

Must admit its probably the first time ive ever seen it happen in a promotional trailer for a game thats supposed to be big on its cinematic's

 

[Servbot24]

Must admit its probably the first time ive ever seen it happen in a promotional trailer for a game thats supposed to be big on its cinematic's

This is the opposite of a game big on cinematics.

 

[Imru’ al-Qays]

I would be extremely distrustful of any reviews from the majority of publications in regards to games like Bloodborne (or even Dark Souls or Demon Souls). Sure they review highly but I don't actually feel as if the reviewers have an understanding or can talk in depth as to what makes the games so good.

And to this point, Dark Souls 2 is rated similar to Dark Souls 1 but I'm sure the major consensus is that DS1 is the better game. The nuances that separate the two games just don't get covered by most reviewers. I feel its always been a hollow high score in that regard and I expect Bloodborne to follow that trend.

Yeah, I'm with you. The games press seems to understand that they have a responsibility to rate these games highly at peril of their credibility, and all of the major websites have at least a few ardent Souls fans on staff, but overall they seem a bit out of their depth.

 

[Stanng243]

By jove, I think my desire for this game is erectly proportional to how glorious that trailer was. Well done, gentle sirs and madames, who crafted such fine work. Now how to wait till the 24th of March....

I really don't know if that's a typo or not given the hype for this game.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

Must admit its probably the first time ive ever seen it happen in a promotional trailer for a game thats supposed to be big on its cinematic's

No it isn't

 

[Rixxan]

I really don't know if that's a typo or not given the hype for this game.

 

[WheelHoss1]

This is the real Dark Souls II.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

This is the real DemonSouls II.

fixd

 

[WheelHoss1]

fixd

fair enough

 

[Bedlam]

I do not agree with that. I think among people that loved DkS1, sure, but the superior tutorial, less-linear opening, less arbitrary or subtle zone gating, fast travel earlier, and better balance between builds helped make the game far more accommodating to new players. No low points like Blighttown or Lost Izalith also helped.

You might not think that but the general consensus is pretty much that DkS1 is the superior game. (I agree with that wholeheartedly as well)

Shrine of Amana and Harvest Valley would like to have a word with you.

I think the worst level in any Souls game is actually Brightstone Cove Tseldora. It looks bland as shit. Not in a "so ugly and uncomfortable that it's good" kind of way, just shitty. Zero art direction, ugly texture work everywhere, and the structure is absolutely abysmal as well.

In general, there is no really great level in DkS2 apart from the Majula area.

I loved Blighttown btw. In my opinion it is THE essential Souls-level. And Lost Izalith was at least hard as shit before the Dinosaur Butts got nerfed and therefore was pretty tense. I kinda liked the intensity of that level and of course overcoming it.

 

[Imru’ al-Qays]

Yeah finished DS on the PC and then moved on to the DS2, didnt enjoy it no where near as much and found it disappointing and stopped playing it after about 4-5 hours in...so if this games going to be in the same vein without shaking anyhting up then im not going to bother with it

The reason Dark Souls 2 is worse than Dark Souls is because Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director of Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne, did not direct Dark Souls 2 because he was busy directing Bloodborne.

You might not think that but the general consensus is pretty much that DkS1 is the superior game. (I agree with that wholeheartedly as well)


I think the worst level in any Souls game is actually Brightstone Cove Tseldora. It looks bland as shit. Not in a "so ugly and uncomfortable that it's good" kind of way, just shitty. Zero art direction, ugly texture work everywhere, and the structure is absolutely abysmal as well.

In general, there is no really great level in DkS2 apart from the Majula area.

I loved Blighttown btw. In my opinion it is THE essential Souls-level. And Lost Izalith was at least hard as shit before Dinosaur Butts got nerfed and therefore was pretty tense. I kinda liked the intensity of that level and of course overcoming it.

Agree with you on all counts, especially vis à vis Blighttown which is hands down one of the best levels in the series (people don't seem to understand that being difficult and oppressive is the whole point). Though I do think that No-man's Wharf is actually a pretty good level.

 

[WhiskerFrisker]

Come on, guys. We've already had 1886 threads for Dark1 vs Dark2. Can we please keep this about Bloodborne?

Too soon. Too soon...

 

[CHC]

Do I detect a Maiden In Black accent?

"Welcome home good hunter. What is it you desire?"

I better be hearing that shit EVERY time I level up and yes

Spoiler

you're goddamn right I'm serious about that

.

 

[EFX]

A) a crying baby
B) a crying beast baby
C) Peter Molyneux

It's yours to decide.

Hahahaha! Too funny.

 

[The Xtortionist]

I think DS1 goes to shit in the back half, though I don't blame that on Miyazaki's direction. Game probably needed more time in the oven. I hope Bloodborne is as polished as Demon's Souls.

 

[RiverKwai]

Trailer looks good.
Will be my first FROM game.
Am excited.

 

[Jawbreaker]

Must admit its probably the first time ive ever seen it happen in a promotional trailer for a game thats supposed to be big on its cinematic's

What?

 

[Chaos2Frozen]

The reason Dark Souls 2 is worse than Dark Souls is because Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director of Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne, did not direct Dark Souls 2 because he was busy directing Bloodborne.

Oh boy I can't wait to see Miyazaki re-use all the new mechanics from Dark Souls 2 and then seeing people have to redo their arguments around that fact.

We're already half way there with Blood vials and early warp and fighting multiple enemies at once.

 

[Manu]

Has someone made a gif of the fire creature (boss?) yet?