Dark Souls - Prepare to die.

[Soapy]

If you're unaware, Dark Souls is the sequel spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed Demon's Souls. An action RPG known for it's brutal but fair difficulty. If you've ever complained, even once, that modern games are too hand holdy, you should buy this game.

There isn't much of a story to be found in these games, only hints of one. They're much more about mood and atmosphere. While Demon's Souls was by no means a horror game, more often than not it did have a very creepy, gloomy vibe about it. The pace of the gameplay as well as a the atmosphere of the game itself sort of remind me of what Resident Evil might be like if it was set in the 1500s. And Dark Souls seems to be cut from the very same cloth.



However above all else, Dark Souls (and it's predecessor) is all about gameplay. While you pick a class in the beginning of the game, that's only a starting point. You can choose to be a warrior and then learn magic spells or use a bow or whatever you want later on if you wish.

For a game known for being very challenging, and despite being an "action" RPG, the pace is probably much more deliberate than you might expect. A little bit of patience, caution, and common sense will get you far in Dark Souls. Thinking of charging into a dark room you've never been in before? Probably a good idea to go in slowly with your shield raised, ready to defend yourself. You see some fire and decide to jump in it to see if it damages you. Yes, fire bad. You notice a glowing message on the ground that says, "Beware the trap ahead."? You might want to find another path. Which brings me to another aspect of the gameplay...

Dark Souls (and Demon's Souls) has some really unique and innovative online functionality. For starters, you can leave a ton of different messages on the ground for other players such as the one I mentioned above. You can scrawl out a tip for the next boss, alert them to a secret passage or hidden loot, or you can be a total dick and give really bad advice.

You can also be summoned by other players as a blue phantom to help them out. On the opposite side of that coin, speaking of being a dick, you can invade another player's game as a red phantom and set traps or lie in wait to ambush them...



I would be remiss if I didn't mention that if you preorder the game, you will receive the collector's edition at no extra charge.



The game, by the way, comes out on October 4th in North America and the 7th in Europe.

Classes

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

Screenshots

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

Official website.

[BrollySupersj]

I was so close to playing the first game. But backed out due to hearing how tough it was.

[Soapy]

It honestly isn't that tough. The only time it gets really difficult is when you're just starting out and don't know what you're doing. Or when you get frustrated or impatient and try to rush through it.

[BrollySupersj]

Originally Posted by Soapy

It honestly isn't that tough. The only time it gets really difficult is when you're just starting out and don't know what you're doing. Or when you get frustrated or impatient and try to rush through it.

You just described my experience with Fallout 3.

[XEdge]

I tried getting into Demon's Souls, but I just couldn't get into it.......

so, I don't think I'll be that interested in Dark Souls......

I mean, it looks pretty and all.........I just prefer RPG games with more story......

[ProjectPat2280]

I have been meaning to play Demons Souls forever. I'll pick it up before this one comes out.

[RoughNTumble]

I have mine pre-ordered for $50 at 'our the' newegg imo

[ProjectPat2280]

Just impulse bought Demons Souls for 15 bux.

Good right?

[RavenX]

Originally Posted by ProjectPat2280

Just impulse bought Demons Souls for 15 bux.

Good right?

I think so......

good luck, though.........

[Solidus]

Demon's Souls is an amazing game, but give it time, it takes a while to get the hang of it. As Soapy said you can't rush through it, it rewards patience and trying again and again.

I have Dark Souls pre-ordered, good deal for 60 bucks. I was going to get it anyways.

[RED_Rider]

Demon's Souls is indeed tough but it's insanely rewarding and is a pretty well made RPG. There is no real help or handholding and that's probably the main reason it feels uber difficult at first. Also, Fallout 3 is way easier than this. Early difficulty of DS is much closer to Fallout 2 (Which had a painful trial by fire for new players).

[ProjectPat2280]

So far im loving it, altho i can deff see why people claim its difficult. There arent thousands of tutorials, so ya kinda gotta figure stuff out on your own. The combat feels satisfying as well.

Quick question, there was no way to beat that HUGE monster during the tutorial level right?

[Soapy]

You can, but I don't think that's something you're supposed to be able to handle until NG+.

[ProjectPat2280]

Originally Posted by Soapy

You can, but I don't think that's something you're supposed to be able to handle until NG+.

Yea i mean i was able to dodge him for a bit but i stood no chance. So once im in the Nexus i just head back to the castle right? Try to catch up with my body, is that what i was told?

[Soapy]

Yeah, I think so. Were you asked to talk to The Monumental? I can't remember if that comes before or after defeating the first boss.

Also, just curious, what class did you choose?

[ProjectPat2280]

Originally Posted by Soapy

Yeah, I think so. Were you asked to talk to The Monumental? I can't remember if that comes before or after defeating the first boss.

Also, just curious, what class did you choose?

Yea man, I figured it out. After about 6 deaths I finally got to the boss.

I went with the Knight. The dude on the cover basically.

[RavenX]

Originally Posted by Soapy

You can, but I don't think that's something you're supposed to be able to handle until NG+.

y'know.......I've always wondered about that......

I just figured you were meant to be killed by that 1st boss.......lol

[RED_Rider]

You can' defeat the Tutorial monster during NG+ as far as I can tell BUT he is defeatable. The NG+ starts at Nexus. There is actually a way to defeat him during FIRST play: You have to circle around him by rolling. His attack pattern and overall moves become pretty simple. The whole thing leads to a next area with Dragon God thingy from World 2 waiting to kill you (Though there is some decent loot before that).

[RavenX]

one thing I didn't really like in Demon's Souls was how you had to use a rod/wand to cast spells.

is that still the case in Dark Souls?

can you cast spells with your hands instead?

[RED_Rider]

Originally Posted by RavenX

one thing I didn't really like in Demon's Souls was how you had to use a rod/wand to cast spells.

is that still the case in Dark Souls?

can you cast spells with your hands instead?

From what I've seen, the only thing they've changed about magic system is the mana / cast method. The mana bar is gone and they have some weird new system for casting limitation.

[RavenX]

Originally Posted by RED_Rider

From what I've seen, the only thing they've changed about magic system is the mana / cast method. The mana bar is gone and they have some weird new system for casting limitation.

hmmm.....if that's the case......I think I'll sit this one out, since I really couldn't get into Demon's Soul.

just not my type of game.......

[ProjectPat2280]

How do you use Miracles in Demons Souls? I was able get one but can't seem to figure out how to use it

[Soapy]

You need to have a talisman. There are two in the game, Talisman of Beasts and Talisman of God. Those two links give you some information about them, including where to find them.

[ProjectPat2280]

Thanks dude.

Went ahead and dropped a preorder on Dark Souls after playing Demons Souls for like 3 hours.

[RED_Rider]

Originally Posted by RavenX

hmmm.....if that's the case......I think I'll sit this one out, since I really couldn't get into Demon's Soul.

just not my type of game.......

If the difficulty or lack of checkpoints was the problem, they've kinda eased the new one with camp fires.