A review of Dark Souls 2 will take place in comparison with the original game, which made a revolution in the gaming industry and brought developers a lot of money. They created an interesting concept, unique in its kind. More details can be found in this article.
General view of the continuation
In the Dark Souls 2 review, it should be mentioned that fans were really looking forward to the sequel to the series. The original game offered many users exactly what the industry had not had for so long - a huge complexity. This digital universe does not forgive mistakes and is not loyal to the player. The developers, based on their previous project, which few people remember - "Demon Soul", were able to prove one simple thing. It consisted in the fact that among gamers there are not only people who want to relax at the computer, but also hardcore lovers.
The first part declared itself by the severity of the events. Even the starting enemy became a test for an unprepared user. As in the original in “Dark Souls 2” locations shine with variety, and danger awaits at every turn. At first glance, you might think that the continuation turned out to be too secondary, but this is not so. The developers have introduced plenty of changes, but not all of them will be liked by true fans of the series. Although the sequel is a game that deserves the highest scores, there is something to talk about.
Plot
In the review of Dark Souls 2, you should immediately touch on the subject of the plot, which is almost absent by the standard. Many fans of the series will not agree with this, but the fact will remain that way. Upon entering the game, a user who has not read specialized resources will only know that the soul of the central character is cursed, but salvation must be found. No one will tell you why the main character earned the disease, who put this spell on him and the like.
The history of the game world is revealed only superficially through notes that are scattered across various locations in Dark Souls 2. The problem is that these materials are optional. Most players just walk past the notes. A plus could be noted the work of fantasy, because when you look at the design of buildings, ruined castles and even bosses of gigantic sizes, various theories of the appearance of all this appear.
Only this way it does not work for one reason - there is not enough time to enjoy the environment. In the game, any rotation of the camera in the other direction and unpreparedness for an ambush can result in another death. Related events are also almost completely absent. The player simply appears in the starting location and begins his journey. The lack of a plot could be recorded as a huge minus, if not for the excellent gameplay. The developers focused on this particular direction, and therefore it makes no sense to find fault with it. This is just a mention for fans of colorful storytelling that here it is not to be found.
Got harder
A review of the Darks Souls 2 game mechanics should begin with some warning for all players. Here, even veterans may be a little surprised at how developers have changed the approach to placing enemies. If in the first part the adversary most often found himself in the face and prevented him from moving further, then here everything is different. Monsters of different orders seek to attack from behind, ambush and quickly kill an unprepared user. This is an occasion to constantly be on the alert, because without this, the game will have to spend hundreds of hours before the full passage.
Getting used to Dark Souls II is not easy, but fans of the first part will feel comfortable in the familiar surroundings. The knights in the middle of the room will pass, but thanks to clear and well-defined movements, beginners should be patient. It is appropriate to mention the combat system, which has not changed at all. The player still has a quick and hard hit, as well as a roll.
The splendor of the battles lies in the fact that here the choice of position decides the outcome of the fight. The user must, by trial and error, look for an approach to the enemy, after which he must win by precise actions. Continuous mouse clicks do not work here. A small change can be considered a quick loss of strength in the weapon. It lasts for about half an hour, after which you will have to get stock from the arsenal, and then the second. Recovery takes place only around bonfires.
Care for simplicity
It should be noted that Dark Souls II has earned the angry statements of those people who are used to the harsh conditions of the first part. Fans of incredibly high complexity and challenge saw elements of simplification here. It is precisely about them that must be mentioned in the review, since in general terms the game has remained at its former positions. For example, a new type of “first-aid kit” has appeared that restores health, in addition to cans of Estus. They are actively accumulating in the inventory, but because in battles with bosses you can survive well.
Players can now teleport between bonfires in locations without spending resources. Characters in Darks Souls 2 now provide helpful hints and tips on progressing, which looks unusual for this series. Even in the plot, a clear goal immediately appears in the form of the last boss of the world called Drangelik. He is still almost completely absent or riddled with riddles, but this has already become a reason for negative exclamations.
True fans of the first part began to accuse the developers of such a simplification, but no one was going to listen to them, as they managed to attract a new audience. Yes, and it all becomes noticeable only in the second ten passages, when you begin to get used to the deaths from regular traps in each of the locations. Failing surfaces, holes, abysses behind doors, murderous traps - all this will not seem so simple, although professionals in the first part can easily pass it.
Balance and geography
After the release in 2014, an interesting situation arose around the project. Many fans coldly accepted the changes, and newcomers wondered how to get to “Darks Souls 2” at least some location. This is because the developers for each simplification prepared the complexity, or at least an explanation of their decision. For example, there are more ways to cure a character, but each death carries a five percent reduction in overall health. Given the need to die often, the emergence of a second recovery method is easy to justify. A health bar can be restored, but resources are also limited.
The ability to teleport for free is explained by the fact that you can only upgrade in the starting location. Why developers did this, no one explains, but the fact remains. But with geography things are a little different.
Leveling paths have really been simplified for a new audience. Now you can always find the right road from the first minutes, and you can encounter an enemy higher in terms of leveling only with a detailed study of the terrain. Each separate world now has its own center in the form of a small village or settlement in a ruined fortress. Here, players can buy the necessary items, use the services of a blacksmith, or just chat with the characters. The dialogs in the second part carry much more useful information than it was in the original game.
Entourage and style
A clear advantage of the entire series is the appearance. Here, every, even the smallest piece gives the spirit of Gothic, loss of hope and pitch darkness. The atmosphere is superbly addictive, after which there is a feeling of hopelessness. The type of locations suggests that it will not be easy to escape here. This is followed by a dozen deaths at the hands of powerful enemies or the boss, which is famous for the series. The feeling further only intensifies, and even forget about the main goal. All thoughts begin to actively seek a solution to a smaller problem by the type of passage of a segment of a location.
If you look closely, you can find polygons, bad textures, etc., but this is not recommended. The gloomy appearance of dilapidated fortresses, dungeons, streets of cities I want to remember for a long time. After a heavy boss, it makes sense to look around and remember the moment of triumph. Such surroundings may seem oppressive, but it incredibly strongly emphasizes the feeling of victory. Even objects in Dark Souls 2 fit the style of the environment. The kind of enemies, and especially the bosses, is also pleasing. The developers tightened the schedule strongly since the first part, and the gigantic opponents really inspire fear. In the first few attempts, there will be a desire to observe their movements and actions. This is rare in games of any genre.
Other gameplay elements
The game "Dark Souls 2" was created already at a slightly different angle than the first part, but the base remained in place. The user is controlled by a character who can be pumped by improving characteristics per level. The correct selection of armor, weapons and the use of items has a huge impact. For example, a user may learn spells in Dark Souls 2. To do this, you will have to go to the Melfia Academy, where you can learn a huge arsenal of magic. They can be attacking or reinforcing. Even a typical warrior will be useful to impose additional parameters of protection or attack on the subject.
It is important to remember that the resources in the game are strictly limited. Before using any material, think twice. Another innovation is the ability to completely clean the location. If you walk through it once, but die at the end, the number of enemies will be halved. After five or seven attempts, the level will become completely safe.
On the one hand, this simplifies the gameplay a bit. On the other hand, the possibility of accumulating resources through regular sweeps is leveled. For some players this will be a plus, others will consider it a minus, and still others will not even pay attention. This alignment of cases is present in every change in the second part, which received less popularity than the first Dark Souls.
Cooperative Battles
Even if the user did not like all the above changes, he will be delighted with the network code. Developers from From Software should be praised for implementing the great idea of co-op passing. The player during the whole adventure will see traces of the fact that in this world he is not alone. Near the boss may be the corpse of another “damned”, human blood on the walls, armor somewhere rust in the corner. This does not mean that Dark Souls 2 is an MMORPG, because here each user has his own world. Such signs are a reminder that anyone can call for help in the form of other knights. The interesting thing is that bosses are now almost never destroyed on their own.
The project encourages even this method to socially interact with other users. On the other hand, with the company, any giant will be defeated after several attempts, and one or two calls will be enough for the experimental group. No less interesting is the idea with tips. People leave graffiti in their worlds that are visible to other players. It can be warnings about danger, a reminder of secret doors nearby and the like. This does not save much, because practice is needed everywhere. The very fact of the availability of this information is pleasing; the entourage of the lonely struggle for their own salvation from the curse is slightly diluted.
Important information
Many players after unsuccessful attempts in passing will want to use the codes for Dark Souls 2, download trainers and simplify the gameplay. To do this is highly discouraged, because it will nullify all the achievements. The feeling of victory after passing even the first level will no longer be torn with joy. That’s why it’s better to immediately flip the codes, because there is no beautiful story that you want to know without torment in the gameplay.
But the use of mods in Dark Souls 2 is possible and even necessary to improve the graphics, as well as the appearance of weapons with armor. Most of the modifications are aimed at improving textures, repainting, but do not change anything in the gameplay. An exception can be considered only files that open access to the first-person view or change the location of the camera.
System requirements
In Dark Souls 2, the system requirements at the time of 2018 do not look impressive. To run on minimal graphics, you need an Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 processor with a clock frequency of 3.17 GHz and a GeForce 9600GT graphics card. RAM needs 2 gigabytes, as well as the Windows Vista operating system with SP2. If there is a desire to spend time comfortably in this project, then the processor should be no worse than the Intel CoreTM i3 2100 model with the same clock speed as in the first case. The video card needs a GeForce GTX 750 and four gigabytes of RAM. It should be noted that as an alternative, components from AMD are suitable.
Summary
When comparing the characteristics necessary for playing Dark Souls 2 with your system, inconsistencies may arise. If this happens, then the user should definitely upgrade and join the adventure. For all the above parameters, it might seem that the second part has lost ground. In fact, she just became a little different. Now the player does not have to sit for twenty hours trying to go through one location. The project requires thoughtful action, caution and care, but forgives some mistakes. Because of this, it will be easier for a new audience to get used to the rules of a harsh world.
He did not lose his attractiveness, but only added in this direction. At the same time, the feeling of delight from the next victory remained at the same level. The developers did a great job, did not break the old ideal mechanics, added a lot of new things, and most importantly - gave an unforgettable feeling of a difficult adventure. The game is recommended to pass at least two times. For the first time in a cooperative, and then alone for maximum immersion in the atmosphere.
Dark Souls 2 add-ons deserve high marks, if only because the project drags on for hours. By today's standards of enormous competition and a large number of AAA projects - this is already worthy of the highest praise.