The Soul Series (Demon's, Dark)

[Joker]

By which I refer to Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, and Dark Souls II. I know some people have mentioned an interest, so I thought hey, why not a dedicated thread?

I've yet to dive into Demon's Souls yet, but I've watched 3 different let's plays of it and woooooow people aren't kidding when they say that it's brutal. I've put a ton of time into playing Dark Souls, and I'm absolutely positive that it's not nearly as difficult as Demon's Souls. It looks like a lot of fun, though, especially given that weapons have a lot more branching paths to take, and what I've heard of the music was really enjoyable (that title screen cutscene!).

Dark Souls is a fantastic game as well, especially if you're playing on PC where the framerate issues in Blighttown won't make you want to kill yourself to get it over with and you can get some decent graphical improvements. This is the game I got into when one of my best friends kept raving about how great it was while also being frustratingly hard. Those of you that know me well know that I love a challenge

However, I've done my abject best to stay away from any information about Dark Souls II now that it's on consoles, since I'm aiming to play on PC (which I just started pre-loading hooray!). All that I know is the same stuff everyone knew before the game dropped; I'm extremely interested in seeing the new covenants in action, and, more to the point, finding out how the new stats are going to work and the best ways to optimize a build.

Speaking of which, in Dark Souls, I prefer to roll with a Dex/Faith build using medium armor and some form of katana/spear/Balder Side Sword, along with my trusty Crest Shield (seriously I never don't use it - the magic blocking is just too good imo) and some useful Miracles. I don't care for Strength builds that much, and I'm not a huge fan of Sorceries. Pyromancies...I can take 'em or leave 'em, I guess. They're okay, and damn useful sometimes, but I enjoy Lightning Spear too much.

I did recently try a heavy Int build, though, with the Moonlight Greatsword (aka that thing that plays like a Claymore with a ranged attack), and it was pretty bonkers.

What are your thoughts on the series?

 

[Abortedj]

Well, Demon's Souls vs Dark Souls in an interesting subject. They are not as alike as people generally think. They are hard in different ways. I think overall Dark Souls is a better game.

Not played Dark Souls 2 yet, but it is at the top of my "to get list".

 

[Joker]

I would agree that Dark Souls is better overall, and that the games are hard in different ways, but idk Demon's Souls seems pretty damn rough. Especially that plague bs in the Valley of Defilement, and having that uh...guy? (Old King...something) as a kind of uberboss.

I REALLY like the concept of world tendency, though. It's really fascinating.

 

[Abortedj]

I wonder if they ever fixed world tendency. Back when I was playing it a lot ('10) world tendency would reset a lot. Which would be fine, but it is very hard to get it up to white with all the bosses already dead. You can always darken tendency by dieing in human form, but I don't there is a way to whiten without bosses being alive.

Outside of that, there are the very few (most likely accidental) story threads that connect Demon to Dark. Mostly just the ruined archstone being referred to as a "land of giants".

 

[Joker]

That's a really popular theory, but I read somewhere (can't remember where) that it's definitely not Lordran.

Which would be lame because that is a much more interesting way to tell the story.

 

[Abortedj]

For legal reason they have to say it is not connected. As Sony own the rights to Demon's Souls.

However, the ruined archstone connected to a land of giants that was also the birthplace of demons. The stone itself was destroyed to try to contain the demons, which didn't work. Lordran is a land of giants, and does contain the birthplace of demons. I have also heard some people speculate that the Dark Lord ending is in fact the birth of the great old one. This is all just fan speculation, but I do find it interesting.

 

[Cthulhu]

I got Dark Souls from a steam sale, I just didn't get into it; gameplay feels (iirc) rather stiff, graphics are kinda meh, and it's not exactly telling you what you should do. Which I'm sure is part of the game / experience,

 

[Keveh Kins]

Currently playing through Dark Souls in bursts. The game is fierce difficult at points so I find I can play other games and then come back to it after my frustration has depleted

I really like the atmosphere of the game, and the combat is hard and challenging but it's not impossible, once you master parry and riposte it becomes a real treat, and I like the strategy of timing your attacks well. Haven't enjoyed the boss fights quite as much but I do like the emphasis on dodging and timing your attacks for specific openings.

Soundtrack, when it plays, is excellent and really enhances the atmosphere of the game. Moonlight Butterfly/Dark Son Gwyndolin track is so beautiful and eerie, gives me chills everytime I hear it

 

[Joker]

How far in the game are you? And by that I mean have you gotten past those two non-boss dickheads in Anor Londo?

 

[Abortedj]

Alright, if you want to have an easier time in Dark Souls this is what you do. First, take the master key as your starting gift. Then one the tutorial is over, make sure you have 10 strength, 10 dexterity, and 14 faith, most classes have close to that already shouldn't take more than 4 or 5 level ups. Now go down the elevator to where the first smith it. There is a door down there you unlock with the master key. You will see a sleeping undead dragon with two items in front of him. These items are a sheild (dragon crest shield) and the real prize the Astora's Straight Sword. That sword is far better than anything you will find for a big chunk of the game. I will easily get you through the first three boss fights with no trouble. As a bonus having the master key can allow you to skip the majority of Blightown, which is the hardest part of the first half of the game.

If you want an easier time in Demon's Souls, that is easy too. Just take the Royalty class.

 

[Joker]

Dark Souls 2 has a new weapon type - twinblades (aka double-bladed swords, a la Darth Maul).

holy balls

 

[Keveh Kins]

How far in the game are you? And by that I mean have you gotten past those two non-boss dickheads in Anor Londo?

Currently lumbering through Blighttown at a snail's pace...literally. The framerate drops spectacularly on the PS3 version. Playing as a Warrior class and still making use of the Drake Sword, which is starting to diminish in its damage dealing potential. Need to start upgrading other weapons, apparently the Drake sword doesn't really upgrade well.

I'm thinking o' levelling up enough to use a Black Knight sword. Or is that worth the effort?

 

[Abortedj]

Drake Sword

Not a good weapon. It doesn't scale with any stats, and you can't two hand it (not for long anyway, the effect takes weapon durability each time you swing).

 

[Joker]

Are you focusing on Strength or Dexterity (or one of the magic stats)?

 

[Abortedj]

At this point he could just get a "Long sword +7 or 8" which would be a huge step up from the Drake Sword.

 

[Keveh Kins]

Mostly focused on Strength at first, playing a bit of catchup with other stats now. I've completely neglected magic

 

[Abortedj]

Mostly focused on Strength at first, playing a bit of catchup with other stats now. I've completely neglected magic

If you are strength based there is a easy to get weapon. The "Zweihander"is in the graveyard right next to Firelink Shrine. It has a 24 strength requirement and 10 dexterity requirement. Scales with both stats, but more so with strength. And can be upgraded with regular titanite.

 

[Joker]

The Claymore is also excellent for a Strength build, though it's located near/under that dickhole the Bridge Wyvern in the Undead Burg.

 

[Abortedj]

I don't know if you have killed the Black Knights or not (they don't respawn). They have a fairly high chance drop a good great sword. Might be worth looking in to. It is upgraded by "twinkling titanite", which can be gotten by trading moss with crow in the tutorial area.

 

[Cat Rage Room]

Right now I'm still in the Undead Burg, having defeated the Bull Demon, and currently working my way either through the area past that (the corrodor with that big boar/rat thing), or killing the Goat Demon, whichever I do first.

Right now I'm leaning on Strength and Endurance, so I can handily wield my Halberd and Dark Knight Shield. I know Soul Arrow as well, but I've neglected magic a bit. It's useful to pick off enemies but I'm not in a position to trust my souls to magic, not just yet.

 

[Abortedj]

I don't think you can kill the goat demon yet, there is a key to that area behind the boar.

 

[Masamune]

Finally finished DSII yesterday. I say 'finally', but I clocked in around 63 hours which isn't half-bad by my reckoning. I certainly wasn't in any rush to complete it.

Demon'sssss Souls remains the best in the series overall, imho.

 

[Keveh Kins]

^63 hours!? O_o I'm pretty sure I've logged that on Dark Souls just trying to make it to Blighttown O_o Teach me this sorcery O_o Only, y'know, not in the game because my magic's crap

 

[stiles]

i just finished amana's shrine in dks2 with roughly 50 hours clocked, give or take a few. i don't know how much is left in the game but i'm sure i can finish within at least 70 hours.

this is the first game in the series that i got into hardcore. in dks1 and des i gave up too early to experience how rewarding this series can really be, im definitely going to reply them once im finished.

right now im in the undead crypt with a melee/mage character. my main level ups have been strength, faith and intelligence with other points going into vitality, vigor and endurance. i threw a handful into attunement for magic slots. my two main weapons are the great fire longsword +10 and the bastard sword +10 imbued with lighting. the bastard sword with the drangleic shield has served me really well in late game.

im trying to keep my build light, so my armor is currently the thieve's set offered by the man near the majula chasm. i have both the archdrake chime and staff, both at +5. i'm gonna imbue both with magic and get them to +10 soon hopefully.

i think im going to start farming souls and pouring them into vitality so i can wear heavier armor while still being light on my feet.

as you can see i love talking about this game lol. it's probably the first one i've enjoyed this much since i was at least 14 playing final fantasy.

 

[Abortedj]

Does anyone know if the PC version of Dark Souls 2 has a boxed retail version? Or is it only available digitally?