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[#Phonepunk#]

So i am back to playing Souls again! When Sekiro came out, I got typically obsessed with that game, and played mostly it, over and over. Now I am nearing 100% Achievements, a first for me in any From game. Trying to hit the ones i left unfinished with Dark Souls 3 sounded like a good idea, and I wanted to go back and experience this awesome dark fantasy world again, so here I am. FWIW i dove back into a game saved in endgame status, where i defeated the Soul of Cinder and started a NG+.

Tbh i am kind of shocked just how different an experience it is. Sekiro plays much faster, with quicker & more fluid animation, and split second timing. You can hit the button to swing your sword, watch the avatar start to swing, change your mind at the last second (based on an enemy's shift in stance) and then mash LB to get in a deflect/parry. No such fluidity exists in Souls. It is closer to a Turn Based RPG, or at least ATB. Slower at any rate. Castlevania vs. Symphony of the Night.

Beyond that, everything is just heavier, everything is weighted down. Forget about ever jumping, even over the tiny railing on some stairs. This helps with the mood though, the weight of your armor now being a factor determining the speed of your character and possible defense options. IMHO i do not miss the weight mechanics in Sekiro, and the elimination of the Stamina bar is frankly, a revolutionary change, as you now have true Speed Run capabilities, for you can infinite run your way straight to any boss. But Sekiro is merely perfecting a goodness the developers have bestowed upon the player since the first Dark Souls. As always, the level designers have painstakingly & thoughtfully made sure it is possible to dodge past the many grunt enemies on the way to your destination.

Stamina is an interesting concept, and it takes a second for me to get used to the flow of combat, which is far different from Sekiro in many respects. You have to unlearn what you have learned. Eat act costs an amount of stamina, to me this seems a lot like the pen and paper RPGs, where you had a turn that was a certain length, and that actions you took cost part of that turn, and when you ran out of your turn you had to wait for it to replenish. The Souls combat shows this turns as a Stamina bar. Sekiro is more reactive, more like an action game. Feel like with Sekiro you have more options available and more time to think about things, but a lot more pre-planning can go into combat with Souls.

What Dark Souls 3 has to offer most is it's superb atmosphere, the wonderful melding of Bloodborne and Demon's Souls into a career-spanning victory lap, with an apocalyptic dark fantasy look that is just intoxicating. There are bonfires in this game that look straight out of a beautiful nightmare, moments that perfectly capture the gothic decadence of supernatural pop culture. Some were upset that they didn't return to a DS1-style open world, but i appreciate the return to a more linear style of level design. DS2 seemed too unfocused. For me DS3 harkens back to a more Demon's Souls-style of storytelling-driven design, each area unspooling a narrative filled with spooky ghouls and tombstones.

Sekiro looks gorgeous as well, and IMO is the best game they have produced. Interestingly it performs better than DS3 (playing on Steam) but the latter appears to have a far greater number of textures & models. Thankfully i don't have to choose, i can play both =)

Both of them are masterpieces, both unique in their own ways. I love that we have all these variations on this style of game and can't wait to see what From has in store for us in the future.

 

[120v]

Some were upset that they didn't return to a DS1-style open world, but i appreciate the return to a more linear style of level design

i'd argue it's about as "open" as DS1. catch is the metroidvania type openess is sanctioned off to each respective level or area or whatever you want to call it, as opposed to the whole shebang being linked together

still would prefer a more condensed world but i thought it was a good compromise with going bigger

 

[Sub_Level]

What Dark Souls 3 has to offer most is it's superb atmosphere, the wonderful melding of Bloodborne and Demon's Souls into a career-spanning victory lap, with an apocalyptic dark fantasy look that is just intoxicating. There are bonfires in this game that look straight out of a beautiful nightmare, moments that perfectly capture the gothic decadence of supernatural pop culture. Some were upset that they didn't return to a DS1-style open world, but i appreciate the return to a more linear style of level design. DS2 seemed too unfocused. For me DS3 harkens back to a more Demon's Souls-style of storytelling-driven design, each area unspooling a narrative filled with spooky ghouls and tombstones.

This is exactly why I kind of liked DS2. The maps flowed in and out of each other like spaghetti. (albeit nonsensical as many have pointed out a la the Iron Keep). DS3 is basically Castlevania levels where you just go from A to B. Sure there's a branching path here, a door you can't unlock until later there, but its all pretty straightforward.

DS2 was the more memorable game. Mostly for bad reasons lol but more memorable nontheless.

 

[Danjin44]

Beyond that, everything is just heavier, everything is weighted down. Forget about ever jumping, even over the tiny railing on some stairs. This helps with the mood though, the weight of your armor now being a factor determining the speed of your character and possible defense options. IMHO i do not miss the weight mechanics in Sekiro,

This is my biggest reason why I enjoyed both Sekiro and Bloodborne combat more than Dark Souls and Demon's Souls.

 

[Jigsaah]

I liked all 3 iterations of From games. Souls, Borne and Sekiro. They are all unique and are fun in their own way. I don't really have a preferred combat style. Each has merit and I think the beauty is in adapting to each subgenre of souls game. It's really amazing how you can tell each on is a From software games, because there are some core elements that flow through each title, but then are modified for each game. Even DS1, 2, and 3's combat is markedly different in one way or another, though eve more separated from Bloodborne or Sekiro.

I'm kinda speaking in circles at this point. But I find enjoyment in all the combat variations. They fit the narrative each game presents.

 

[WindomURL]

This is exactly why I kind of liked DS2. The maps flowed in and out of each other like spaghetti. (albeit nonsensical as many have pointed out a la the Iron Keep). DS3 is basically Castlevania levels where you just go from A to B. Sure there's a branching path here, a door you can't unlock until later there, but its all pretty straightforward.

DS2 was the more memorable game. Mostly for bad reasons lol but more memorable nontheless.

I'm one of the weirdos who loves DS2. Man, the pvp, the build variety... tack on all three dlc and the game is just massive. Totally fragmented, almost schizophrenic, and flawed in what it didn't properly carry over from DS1 and DeS--but I just had so much fun playing it for however many 100's of hours it was.

 

[Clear]

Shulva and Brume Tower are as good examples of level design as you'll find in any Souls game. Eleum Loyce is a notch below but only because of its over-ambition (what should be a breath-taking view from its tall central peak is let down by low-poly assets),

 

[#Phonepunk#]

I'm kinda speaking in circles at this point. But I find enjoyment in all the combat variations. They fit the narrative each game presents.

yes! well put. each game really presents it's own world, and everything from the way healing works to weapon selection goes into making each game feel special. it gives each world a cohesion, you are sort of thinking "this is how the rules go in Bloodborne land". i like how they all differ so much and the bold choices they made between games, it gives them all a unique character.

I'm one of the weirdos who loves DS2. Man, the pvp, the build variety... tack on all three dlc and the game is just massive. Totally fragmented, almost schizophrenic, and flawed in what it didn't properly carry over from DS1 and DeS--but I just had so much fun playing it for however many 100's of hours it was.

yes and the game is massive, that it has too many levels is one of the "bad" points that could be considered a plus. don't get me wrong, i favor other games more, but recognize the greatness of DS2. i would never call it trash. and it's not just the build variety & online, there is just so much content. there are so many cool and unique areas in DS2, the number of which put so many other games to shame. difficult to keep up quality control with that much quantity, but they pulled it off wonderfully, especially w the post release support & DLC. funny enough, i just installed Windows 10 on a new SSD HD and my copy of DS2 is playable again for the first time in years. i plan on revisiting it at some point!

 

[PhilipDoesMatter]

I'm one of the weirdos who loves DS2. Man, the pvp, the build variety... tack on all three dlc and the game is just massive. Totally fragmented, almost schizophrenic, and flawed in what it didn't properly carry over from DS1 and DeS--but I just had so much fun playing it for however many 100's of hours it was.

Count another one here. I love DS2, as I love DS3, Bloodborne and Sekiro. Weirdly I don't enjoy DS1 that much.

 

[Codes 208]

This is my biggest reason why I enjoyed both Sekiro and Bloodborne combat more than Dark Souls and Demon's Souls.

Well tbf a lot of the reason why there's no weight system in BB or Sekiro is because you can pretty much go through the whole game with the same equipment.

But for a similar comparison I will say one thing I like about ds2/3 over 1 is how all your equipment/weapons are repaired each time you rest/respawn at a bonfire.

 

[#Phonepunk#]

i can't stress enough how much i love Dark Souls 3's art design. the level design is wonderful as well. From has a habit of envisioning picturesque landscapes and flawlessly re-creating them as an elegantly rendered 3d world.

many people do fantasy. IMO fantasy is not merely a genre one traffics in, it is one of the main modes of pop culture. at some points in pop culture, High Fantasy feels close to Magical Medievalism. one of my hobbies is reading primary texts from the medieval era, and all of the tropes we now know are things people have been into for thousands of years. dragons, castles, knights, swords, princesses, etc. these symbols are the psychic backbone of human culture. many have written in this mode, but it is up to the artist to interpret successfully, uniquely, stylishly. to have some kind of personal vision, some kind of inspiration, to bring life to these time-honored symbols. From Software has shown themselves, time and time again, to be more than capable of this task.

what From does is take that Western iconography and re-interpret it with a fresh mindset, one fueled by the technology to create Hyper Historical documents of some imagined supernatural past. a fictional past that we all commonly share deep in the recesses of our mind's eye. Dark Souls 3 itself is looking back to it's own past. it was stated this would be the final entry, to send things off, to put a bow on the whole Dark Souls concept, at least for the time being. the team looked back on all it's games, not just Dark Souls but Bloodborne as well, and the original Demon's Souls.

after we near the halfway point, defeating the Dark Souls DLC-referencing Abyss Watchers (who we know come from the past as that DLC takes place in Oolacile (which features Chester, a tophat-wearing character that foreshadowed the coming of Bloodborne)) we lead down into the Earth, past the Catacombs, to the shockingly dreamlike and epic Irithyll of the Boreal Valley. this level pays closest homage to Bloodborne's level design, it is a somewhat peaceful and Christmaslike gothic village, so hazily lit by the moon that it appears to be in black and white. i love this area, and it is a favorite of many people. it has an intoxicating atmosphere. here the team achieve that match of dreamlike and nightmarish that i love so much (which is probably realized most directly throughout Bloodborne IMO). the epic, Frazetta-on-acid scope of these landscapes is truly majestic.

with Irithyll, of course, the Souls team was referencing it's past, the last game they had made. you continue travelling with them down into the Earth, further into the past, first with the jail from Demon's Souls, inverted, the Tower of Latria now a bottomless chasm tunneling into the Profaned Capital. the Capital itself, with it's diminished versions of the Demon's Soul's Maneater fight as common gargoyle foes, at the bottom, it's sunken cathedrals piled with dead bodies (another Demon's reference) and the fight using the Storm Ruler, which was once knocked flying manta rays out of the air, again, Demon's.

it is interesting how Demon's-centric the latter half of this game is (until the DLC, which is more about Dark Souls 2). aside from the revisit to Anor Londo, the latter half mostly reminds me of BB's Cainhurst Castle (Grand Archives) and Boletarian Palace (Lothric Castle). what a way to send the series off. some may complain about the references but the way i see it, they are sort of giving you the "Demon's Remastered" and "Dark Souls Remastered" touch here, revisiting old themes with all the things they learned along the way. bravo.

 

[#Phonepunk#]

some more changes Sekiro brought to the formula that i am noticing while replaying through DS3.

- pause is sorely missed in DS3 (lol)
- money is decoupled from leveling in Sekiro. this is MAJOR. Souls games always have me saving onto every soul and tracking down that all-important echo, for the promise of leveling up. Sekiro has leveling up as a stat & money as a separate new thing. the player is encouraged to spend money on stuff, on buffs and healing items, on things that can help out during combat, which are encouraged by the addition of the pause button. they fixed the classic RPG problem of making you never want to use your (limited) stuff with the new economy.
- vacuuming up area loot is easier & more seamless than putting down your weapon and going to it and hitting action. tho DS3's approach does feel more RPG.
- penalty for blocking an attack in Souls is quite more severe than Sekiro, especially for bosses. dodgeroll is the one ring to rule them all. Sekiro has far more variety to the combat, w options to jump, deflect, block, combat art, fire prosthetic, all as effective, in many times far more than, the included classic dodge.
- various weapons are fun. ok, i know i have said i don't care & will use one for the whole game before, but there is something very fun and collect-able about all this gear. Storm Ruler fight is fun, way down in the Profane Capital, with the Onion Knight by your side.

 

[Hostile_18]

I played Dark Souls 3 at launch, went back to it this last month and man it's as fun as any new game I have ever bought. Usually replays arnt as fun as the first time but this feels it. Plus this second run I've got the DLC to look forward to as well!

Can't wait to play Sekiro and Demon Souls Remake (please let it be true Bluepoint).

 

[#Phonepunk#]

The DLC is so good. The Ringed City might be my favorite level in the whole game

 

[Hostile_18]

The DLC is so good. The Ringed City might be my favorite level in the whole game

I loved the Dark Souls 2 DLC. My only problem with all the dlc is that it's usually at its hardest months and months after you've beaten the main game so it's hard to just jump back in. That been said I've really enjoyed this fresh play so can't conplain.

I've seen how to access the first DLC but not the Ringed City yet.

 

[synchronicity]

I haven't played Sekiro yet, but I just finished my first play-through of Dark Souls 3 yesterday, coincidentally. And like all the Souls games before it, I found it phenomenal.

I do have to say that I found it to be the hardest of the Souls games. At first I thought that maybe it's just me getting older, but I googled it, and found that many others shared that view - although some didn't, to be fair.
Anyway, I felt like I had to up my game a bit in DS3.

But all in all, it was certainly a worthy entry in what, for me, is the best series in all of gaming.

 

[Hostile_18]

I haven't played Sekiro yet, but I just finished my first play-through of Dark Souls 3 yesterday, coincidentally. And like all the Souls games before it, I found it phenomenal.

I do have to say that I found it to be the hardest of the Souls games. At first I thought that maybe it's just me getting older, but I googled it, and found that many others shared that view - although some didn't, to be fair.
Anyway, I felt like I had to up my game a bit in DS3.

But all in all, it was certainly a worthy entry in what, for me, is the best series in all of gaming.

I found it harder the second time around in that there wasn't many summons etc to the last third of the game. So in that respect it's harder because the release date was 2016 from when it was at its peak.

All depends on your build as well for each game rather than the actual games themselves I've found .

 

[#Phonepunk#]

I've seen how to access the first DLC but not the Ringed City yet.

the Ringed City is kind of endgame, whereas the first DLC is sort of halfway through. Souls DLCs are the best in the business IMO. it was pretty good with Artorias of the Abyss and they just kept getting better.

the Ringed City continues the theme of the main game, kind of the old worlds crumbling, desecrated, in ruin, at the end of the world (keep in mind this is meant to be the end of the series). the twisting chaos in the sky at the end of the game always looked so cool to me, all the castles in the distance bent and twisting, spiralling inwards, like the reality warping of Bloodborne taken to a new level. too bad we couldn't play in it. now we can!

like much of DS3 it is a linear experience that tells a story through ascending & descending landscapes. this is contrasted with the first DLC, the snowy woods, which is almost a riff on the more open ended forests of Oolacile. it has a lot of new enemies, a lot of cool familiar sites from the series, and some awesome visuals. love the castle spires rotated 90 degrees , the whole universe tumbling in on itself. enemy placement is nice as well, with lots of unique puzzle hazzard enemies, like the angels you can take out. when you get to the sun dappled golden city, visually, it is From at the peak of their powers, at least until Sekiro.

 

[synchronicity]

I found it harder the second time around in that there wasn't many summons etc to the last third of the game. So in that respect it's harder because the release date was 2016 from when it was at its peak.

All depends on your build as well for each game rather than the actual games themselves I've found .

That's true, and I'm also one of those weirdos that refuses to summon, so I make things harder on myself. But I just like that satisfaction of tackling things alone. I guess I'm a masochist.

 

[Danjin44]

This might be little off topic, but I do wish Sekiro also got DLC just like Souls/Bloodborne.

 

[Hostile_18]

the Ringed City is kind of endgame, whereas the first DLC is sort of halfway through. Souls DLCs are the best in the business IMO. it was pretty good with Artorias of the Abyss and they just kept getting better.

the Ringed City continues the theme of the main game, kind of the old worlds crumbling, desecrated, in ruin, at the end of the world (keep in mind this is meant to be the end of the series). the twisting chaos in the sky at the end of the game always looked so cool to me, all the castles in the distance bent and twisting, spiralling inwards, like the reality warping of Bloodborne taken to a new level. too bad we couldn't play in it. now we can!

like much of DS3 it is a linear experience that tells a story through ascending & descending landscapes. this is contrasted with the first DLC, the snowy woods, which is almost a riff on the more open ended forests of Oolacile. it has a lot of new enemies, a lot of cool familiar sites from the series, and some awesome visuals. love the castle spires rotated 90 degrees , the whole universe tumbling in on itself. enemy placement is nice as well, with lots of unique puzzle hazzard enemies, like the angels you can take out. when you get to the sun dappled golden city, visually, it is From at the peak of their powers, at least until Sekiro.

Sounds really good can't wait to try it! Is there a point of no return for the main game? Hopefully not lol just done the Archdragon Peak!

 

[Hostile_18]

That's true, and I'm also one of those weirdos that refuses to summon, so I make things harder on myself. But I just like that satisfaction of tackling things alone. I guess I'm a masochist.

Haha yeah I've done the majority of them without summoning.. mainly through lack of choice the first two thirds of the game before all the late game popular areas. The Dancer boss has been by far the hardest so far for me.

 

[#Phonepunk#]

Sounds really good can't wait to try it! Is there a point of no return for the main game? Hopefully not lol just done the Archdragon Peak!

that level rules too! no, you can always warp between any bonfire in the game, until you beat the final final boss.

 

[Hostile_18]

that level rules too! no, you can always warp between any bonfire in the game, until you beat the final final boss.

Oh that's good so I'm presuming the final boss is at the top of the Dukes Archive? I can't remember from my first play through lol.

 

[The Bloody-Nine]

the Ringed City is kind of endgame, whereas the first DLC is sort of halfway through. Souls DLCs are the best in the business IMO. it was pretty good with Artorias of the Abyss and they just kept getting better.

the Ringed City continues the theme of the main game, kind of the old worlds crumbling, desecrated, in ruin, at the end of the world (keep in mind this is meant to be the end of the series). the twisting chaos in the sky at the end of the game always looked so cool to me, all the castles in the distance bent and twisting, spiralling inwards, like the reality warping of Bloodborne taken to a new level. too bad we couldn't play in it. now we can!

like much of DS3 it is a linear experience that tells a story through ascending & descending landscapes. this is contrasted with the first DLC, the snowy woods, which is almost a riff on the more open ended forests of Oolacile. it has a lot of new enemies, a lot of cool familiar sites from the series, and some awesome visuals. love the castle spires rotated 90 degrees , the whole universe tumbling in on itself. enemy placement is nice as well, with lots of unique puzzle hazzard enemies, like the angels you can take out. when you get to the sun dappled golden city, visually, it is From at the peak of their powers, at least until Sekiro.

Those angels can kiss my ass.

 

[Stimpak]

This is my biggest reason why I enjoyed both Sekiro and Bloodborne combat more than Dark Souls and Demon's Souls.

I love item weight (similar to Demon's Souls) but equipment weight I can take it or leave it.

 

[Isa]

That's awesome man! They really are great games, the lot of them. I re-purchased the Souls games and Sekiro on my X to be able to play through them all again though I've been holding off as I play through other titles first, and I want to play through Code Vein and the Surge 2 beforehand as well so as to not spoil the quality. I definitely prefer the rpg mechanics and feel of the Souls titles though. I'm also a magic degenerate, and nearly always play through that way, and typically only summon my best friend who tends to play rogues or ninjas, so we have a lot of fun running through rp'ing and such.

I wish more games would try to utilize such an atmosphere, from the amazing voice acting and unique characters (Stockpile Thomas man, Maiden Astraea), the incredible imagery and art design, as well as the music. Knowing now what Elden Ring should entail I'm very excited to see how it will turn out.

 

[IbizaPocholo]

 

[Belmonte]

I'm playing DS3 also and is, like Dark Souls 1, easily one of the best games I ever played. It is the whole package, graphics, animations, level design, mechanics, art, everything! It is a big budget game which doesn't shy away from auteurship and deep mechanics. It is a gamer's game despite the budget.

I like how they evolved the franchise. The new skill system gives the weapons even more depth, more options to the player, the areas are larger and more complex than DS1 and 2, with a lot to explore but without losing the great enemy placement From Software is know for. Outstanding art and atmosphere.

I'm very curious about Elden Ring. Miyazaki said it is nearer Dark Souls which begs the question: how can they evolve the formula? Except obvious things like "even more weapons/magic" or "better graphics", I don't have a clue how can they make even better. DS3 is a near perfect game IMO.

 

[Cynical_Aries]

My first experience was Bloodborne, which honestly I was intimidated to even try. Well, I'm now hooked on From software games. I just finished Sekiro a few days ago. I'm about to play DS3. I'm really hoping to love DS3 just as much.

 

[EviLore]

My first experience was Bloodborne, which honestly I was intimidated to even try. Well, I'm now hooked on From software games. I just finished Sekiro a few days ago. I'm about to play DS3. I'm really hoping to love DS3 just as much.

Consider going with DS1 first. There are a lot of references and you'll get more out of DS3 if you do it afterwards.

 

[Dhoulmagus2008]

If you liked Sekiro and/or DS3 and have a PS4, you might also like Nioh. I made a video review with my thoughts. I actually preferred Nioh to DS3. Haven't played Sekiro yet though.

 

[JimmyJones]

DS2 > DS3.

The third is the worst IMO. Just so bleak and boring compared to the rest.

Sekiro and BB are both amazing also. The only thing Sekiro lacks is replayability.

 

[Danjin44]

After playing both Bloodborne and Sekiro I think I understand why I like these two games more than Demon's Souls and Dark Souls. I like aggressive combat in Sekiro and Bloodborne much more than defensive combat you get in both Demon's Souls and Dark Souls.

 

[rofif]

After playing both Bloodborne and Sekiro I think I understand why I like these two games more than Demon's Souls and Dark Souls. I like aggressive combat in Sekiro and Bloodborne much more than defensive combat you get in both Demon's Souls and Dark Souls.

The exact opposite with me. After playing Bloodborne and Sekiro, I know why I like Dark Souls games more. That's customization, options and variety. Bloodborne has some of this too

 

[-Troid-]

I've been playing Sekiro for the first time the past few weeks, and I'm really loving it. When I played Bloodborne I kind of wished that it was less Souls-like and more character actiony. Well Sekiro is basically that. In fact I would say Sekiro is more like From's take on a Ninja Gaiden esque character action game than a souls like.

After the Souls trilogy I wanted something different (and Sekiro has delivered), and don't get me wrong I love Souls games, but them going back to another medieval style game with Elden Ring has me less jazzed. I'm sure it'll be good and I'll still play it but I'd like them to do something more unique.

I think From could make a really cool Aztec/Incan/Mayan mythology based game with brutal combat and awesome art direction.

 

[DeceptiveAlarm]

It's as slow as a turn based ?

 

[rofif]

DS2 > DS3.

The third is the worst IMO. Just so bleak and boring compared to the rest.

Sekiro and BB are both amazing also. The only thing Sekiro lacks is replayability.

I completely agree. DS2 is my fav too. most versatile, best lore, most equipement. But I love all these games really

 

[mcjmetroid]

Actually didn't get on with dark souls 3 I really enjoyed the first one on switch and the second one on ps4 but I dont know. Its fairly grey and miserable looking. I had the same issue with bloodborne and both have awful frame rates as well.

 

[rofif]

Still better than steam controller