Dark Souls II
Release Date: March 11, 2014
RPG, TPP, fantasy, sandbox, co-op, action RPG, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
OpenCritic
Steam
A sequel to the hit action RPG Dark Souls, a game famous due to its very high difficulty level. Dark Souls II was developed by the Japanese studio From Software in collaboration with Namco Bandai. The player controls a character traversing a dark fantasy world in search of a way to free himself from a curse. The story is shown not chronologically, in a fragmented way and explanations are often hidden in dialogues and item descriptions.
Dark Souls II for PC, X360 and PS3 is a sequel to the award-winning action RPG game from 2011. It was produced by From Software which is the same studio that created the first game. This Japanese developer works in the industry since the 80s of the 20th century and to date has released such series as King's Field, Armored Core, Otogi, and Tenchu.
Story
The game once again takes the players to the grim fantasy world known from the original game. The action takes place in the land known as Lordran. This time, however, the players visit different areas and do it with a new character. The story of this daredevil and of the universe itself is served in the typical, not chronological, and shredded way. Only those who can find all the clues hidden in dialogues and even descriptions of objects, and then piece them together.
Gameplay
Dark Souls II for PC, X360 and PS3 is a continuation of the ideas of the original. In the game, the players travel a maze of interconnected locations in search of a remedy for the curse which plagues the protagonist. The most important aspects of gameplay are exploration, combat, and character development. Each fight, even with an ordinary enemy, is a considerable challenge, and sometimes requires several attempts. Repetition and learning the game is a part of the gameplay, too.
With the progress made by the player, the protagonist acquires experience that makes him more and more powerful. The players have complete freedom in shaping the character development and can customize its stats. The choice of weapons is also of great importance as almost every one has a completely different form of attack. There is also magic in the game: pyromancy, miracles, and other forms of spellcasting.
Game modes and Technology
The multiplayer mode undergone significant improvements compared to the first game. Now the system is server-structured which improved the quality of the game and allowed expanding it with a few additional features. A crucial part of the online mode is writing and reading hints left behind by other players in the game world. The changes were also made in the game’s graphics, as Dark Souls II for PC, X360 and PS3 uses a new, much better engine.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
Last Update: June 16, 2014
Dark Souls II Game Guide & Walkthrough
Dark Souls II guide includes a complete walkthrough for the storyline mode and an exact presentation of all the boss fights.
Videos and Screens
[4:54] Dark Souls II Velstadt The Royal Aegis - guide how to defeat the boss
[4:14] Dark Souls II Twin Dragonriders - guide how to defeat the boss
Metro GameCentral: 9 / 10 by Roger Hargreaves
A carefully considered sequel that avoids upsetting existing fans and offers an olive branch to newcomers – but although the PC version is the best it's by a slimmer margin than many would've hoped.
Attack of the Fanboy: 4 / 5 by Bill Hess
Dark Souls 2 is From Software's "something for everyone" version of the popular role playing series. Prepare to Die, a little less.
Kotaku: by Chris Person
A stellar, challenging experience that borrows from its predecessors while making significant and complicated design changes.
The main pros of the game
- Challenging Gameplay: Many players appreciate the game's difficulty, which offers a rewarding experience once mastered. The combat system is often praised for its depth and the ability to experiment with different builds.
- Engaging World: Some reviews highlight the interesting world design and exploration elements, with specific areas like Majula being noted for their beauty.
- Replayability: The game is described as highly replayable due to its various builds and play styles.
- Unique Mechanics: Several players mention the introduction of new mechanics that were not present in previous titles, adding a fresh experience to the gameplay.
- DLC Quality: There are mentions that the DLC content offers some of the best bosses and experiences in the series.
The main cons of the game
- Poor Boss Design: Many users feel that the bosses in the base game are inconsistent, with some being too easy and others poorly designed.
- Frustrating Mechanics: The health penalty upon dying and the reliance on the Adaptability stat are frequently criticized, as they can lead to a punishing experience rather than a fair challenge.
- Control Issues: Players using mouse and keyboard report unreliable controls and a lack of customization options for key bindings, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience.
- Linear Level Design: Some reviews mention that the level design feels basic and maze-like, lacking the intricate layouts found in other games in the series.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Enhanced Menu and Options: Users express disappointment over the terrible menu design and lack of customization options for controls, particularly for mouse and keyboard players.
- Better Boss Variety: Many players feel that the variety and quality of bosses are lacking compared to other entries in the series.
- More Engaging NPCs and Lore: There are comments about the NPCs lacking depth and the overall story feeling less engaging than in other titles.
- Improved Level Design: A desire for more thoughtful and interconnected level design is noted, as many players find the current layout to be less memorable.
Summary
- Overall, while DARK SOULS? II has its share of dedicated fans who appreciate its unique aspects, it also faces significant criticism regarding its design choices and gameplay mechanics compared to its predecessors.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 2727 votes. 1221 players anticipated the game.
October 13, 2021
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8
GAMES
in Souls Game Series
Game Series
Souls Series
A series of action RPGs, enjoying a cult status among many players. Japanese studio FromSoftware is responsible for its creation, and the entire series is inextricably linked with Hidetaka Miyazaki, who served as production director for most installments.
8 video games
Dark Souls II Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows April 25, 2014
PlayStation 3 March 11, 2014
Xbox 360 March 11, 2014
Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Dark Souls II System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Core i3 3.10 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB (GeForce GTX 465 or better), 14 GB HDD, Windows XP(SP3)/Vista(SP2)/7(SP1)/8
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The Dark Souls community has announced the return of the annual Return to Drangleic event to help new players get started with the series, specifically its second installment. Due to the release of Elden Ring the event will start earlier than usual.
video games
Hubert Sledziewski
December 29, 2021
Dark Souls Shows That Hard Games Still Sell
FromSoftware has boasted on Twitter that all the installments of the Dark Souls series have sold over 27 million copies worldwide. According to Bandai Namco, the third game alone has sold over 10 million copies.
video games
Milosz Szubert
May 19, 2020