As I play though Dark Souls (EDIT: Read the review at Otaku Gaming), I’ve come to realise something; as Dark Souls is the sequel in all-but-name to Demon’s Souls, I really, really hope that From Software doesn’t feel the need to make another ‘spiritual’ sequel.
Let me explain, because I’m in no way criticising what is one of the greatest games on the PS3. I’m one of the relative few who can claim to be a fan of Demon’s Souls before Demon’s Souls was even announced. Before that game there was a series of four RPGs that Demon’s Souls is itself a ‘spirital’ sequel to; The King’s Field games. King’s Field IV, especially, is just like a PS2 Demon’s Souls, only played out in the first person. Like the two Souls games, King’s Field games were brutally difficult, but featured amazing imagination, setting, music and a special call out to the level design; King’s Field IV has the best catacombs in a game, ever.
I remember seeing the first set of screenshots and the announcement Demon’s Souls, well before the game was released to become a cult classic. I was excited, and I was even more excited when I finally got to play the game as it was a perfect reimagining of the King’s Field formula for the modern console; the atmosphere, the levels and the monsters all fit perfectly with the games I have memorised, while the hub world, the clever online system and the shift to third person (and substantially quicker play pace) reinvented the formula to be far more attractive to the modern gamer.
And then Dark Souls was announced, and it was to be harder and bigger than its ‘spiritual’ predecessor. But here’s the ultimate rub; it’s more of the same in practice. The game isn’t actually harder than Demon’s Souls if you’ve played that game, because it’s throwing much of the same difficulty at you. I still haven’t finished Dark Souls, but so far there’s been a very rare moment where I haven’t anticipated a challenge, or a boss has truly confused me. It is very much Demon’s Souls 2.
And there are signs of compromises being made in a bid to make this game more attractive to a broad audience. First sign? There’s sunlight in this game. King’s Field games and Demon’s Souls were uncompromisingly bleak, as befits a series of games that focus on loneliness, Gothic horror, and decrepit catacombs and ruined wastelands. Dark Souls by contrast has plenty of moments where it’s like that, but it also features bright sunlight bouncing off ruins and some surprisingly bright greenery.
It’s a relative scale of course; this isn’t a Dragon Quest game, but as I said, it’s a sign that From Software is softening up somewhat; Dark Souls has glimmers of hope amongst the grim vision.
It is for this exact reason I hope this is the last “Souls” game. From Software shouldn’t compromise its vision further, and it’s a pony that’s running out of tricks anyway. A third game will start to dilute that brilliant vision that From Software has, and given the success that the first two games, the sales targets given to From would require a dilution to gun for mass market acceptance.
No, go out on a high, From Software. If you feel the need to come back to this style of game, go back to the uncompromising brutality, and make King’s Field V.
no give me the true sequel demon's souls 2 then after that we can start talking about abandoning the series.
The thing about sunlight is that you can only lay down summon signs ONTO GROUND COVERED IN SUNLIGHT. This means that in long dark sections, you are completely alone, period. I don't even see how a little sun matters, anyway. The story is just as dark and depressing this time around. No worries, brah.
Hi Anonymous 1,
I'd still rather a King's Field V to Demon's Souls 2 😉
Hi Anonymous 2,
I do understand the gameplay purpose behind what From Software did (I'm getting close to the end of the game now), but at the same time I think it's far too much of a departure from the previous games in this unofficial series. I personally have found it a far less intense and disquieting experience this time around.
As I said in the piece, it's still a great game. It's just not as much in the direction I was hoping it would go down 🙂
I do not agree. But also dont make them annually either.
Dark souls is harder than Demon's Souls based on one simple fact: *You can carry 99 full health healing herbs in Demon's Souls* End of Fact.
I haven't died nearly as often in Dark Souls as I did Demon's Souls. I haven't needed 99 full health healing herbs.
Each to his own, I suppose, but I was amazed by the relative (relative to King's Field/ Demon's Souls only, it's still more challenging than virtually everything else out there) lack of challenge in this game.
The difficulty in Dark Souls was without a doubt exaggerated. There's nothing in the game that requires any more thought than was needed in Demon's Souls to overtake an enemy/ boss, etc, and to be honest I feel that Dark is missing a lot of the character and atmosphere that made Demon's so great. It's still fun, no doubt, but not as consummate an experience as its predecessor, imho
Hi Anonymous,
Good to hear from you. Didn't think anyone felt similar about the game as I did for a moment there 😉
your only real reason was cause theres sunlight in the game? this is one of the dumbest articles i've ever read, I gladly welcome any and all Souls games to come. They're getting better if anything.
That's actually not what I wrote at all. Read the article properly:
"King’s Field games and Demon’s Souls were uncompromisingly bleak, as befits a series of games that focus on loneliness, Gothic horror, and decrepit catacombs and ruined wastelands. Dark Souls by contrast has plenty of moments where it’s like that, but it also features bright sunlight bouncing off ruins and some surprisingly bright greenery."
What I wrote was that Dark Souls is a diluted game compared to the more pure vision of Demon's Souls and King's Field. They're not getting better. They're getting more accessible.
I don't want From Software to stop making games. I want From Software to go back to the amazing, unique aesthetic that it had a few games ago.
To the last annonymous. If you are going to write something in response, then surely you believe in your opinion enough to let us know who in particular cannot comprehend the meaning of well written language.
I haven`t played either of these games – can`t afford PS3 at the moment – but I`m most interested in the subject as a great fan of so called "hardcore" games.
There`s one contrasting opinion here: you`re first saying that Dark Souls is more of the same/a sequel/ Dark Souls 2. That would be actually not such a bad thing since the first one was so great, right?If it`s as hard as the original, then it`s not really made more accessible. That`s whats happening with new Ninja Gaiden Hero Mode.
I can understand it in a way that bosses or general difficulty level doesn`t offer any surprises. But then, it is a sequel after all and also videogames have been using the same tricks for years, it`s rather normal.
It`s hard to say without playing these games, but I hope you`re wrong (it is possible, sometimes fans are bit too obsessive and seek faults where there are none). On the other hand you might be right and DS 3 will have red arrow pointers, easy mode, and will be set in a jungle 😉
It would tie into worrying trend in which Japan is slowly being convinced by constant nagging from the west that their games are "too hard" and also by watching sales of such on-rails experiences as ME2.
Hi Akeley,
thanks for your insights! Glad to see you around.
I'm thinking I should explain the context better: The King's Field games, and then Demon's Souls as a "sequel" to those, all consistently amazed and surprised me with devilishly new tricks and traps, even while maintaining the same overall atmosphere.
Dark Souls by itself isn't any easier than Demon's Souls – someone new to the series will be pounded into the dust, because they don't know what to expect. But, if you've played Demon's Souls, then Dark Souls really is not challenging.
It 'disappointed' me that, even though I was able to really enjoy the game, it just didn't have the same innovative spirit that I'm used to from this From Software development team. Aside from the Armoured Core series, From Software has always been about ideas.
I wouldn't expect DS 3 to be any "easier," as such, but I won't be going into that game expecting something fresh, or especially atmospheric next time.
That was the point I was trying to make, and probably didn't explain very well.
I hope that helps clarify better. 🙂
Yeah, it's easier because you know the gameplay…! In fact, the game is harder than Demon's Souls…!
Personally, I like the sunlight. I got the limited edition and in the making of videos, the director talks about his vision of the game and wanting to present the contrast of light and dark.
After all, if it's all dark the truly dark areas don't stand out as much. Life and death. Death and life. High fantasy needs these sign posts to create a story. What's worth fighting for in in a world of shadows alone? Interesting to think about when there's all the written scrawls proclaiming 'Praise the sun!'
Anyway, I'm just early on in Dark Souls but I'm loving the more open style of play. The challenge is certainly very similar to Demon's Souls but the overall complexity of the level design and enemy AI seems deeper to me.
Yes, there is a tonal shift, but I think the idea of having the two objectives, one towering above ground, and one sunk far below, is a nice conceptual twist for the game.
I wouldn't mind one more Souls game. Complete a trilogy set. I think that'd be the right place to stop.
Still, great game though. Truly a stand-out, like its predecessor, this generation.
Personally, I like the sunlight. I got the limited edition and in the making of videos, the director talks about his vision of the game and wanting to present the contrast of light and dark.
After all, if it's all dark the truly dark areas don't stand out as much. Life and death. Death and life. High fantasy needs these sign posts to create a story. What's worth fighting for in in a world of shadows alone? Interesting to think about when there's all the written scrawls proclaiming 'Praise the sun!'
Anyway, I'm just early on in Dark Souls but I'm loving the more open style of play. The challenge is certainly very similar to Demon's Souls but the overall complexity of the level design and enemy AI seems deeper to me.
Yes, there is a tonal shift, but I think the idea of having the two objectives, one towering above ground, and one sunk far below, is a nice conceptual twist for the game.
I wouldn't mind one more Souls game. Complete a trilogy set. I think that'd be the right place to stop.
Still, great game though. Truly a stand-out, like its predecessor, this generation.
Sorry to disagree but I find your article a little depressing. Dark Souls is an amazing game, as was Demon's Souls, and though I've never played the King's Field games (I will be seeking them out, thanks to what you've said) I find it staggering to suggest that your own sentimental attachment to those games is enough reason to suggest the rest of us be denied the incredible gaming experience we're having with these games. I trust the developers understand their own vision better than you do, and if they have decided to include some sunlight in their game, be it literal or metaphoric, then that's OK with me.
Sorry to disagree but I find your article a little depressing. Dark Souls is an amazing game, as was Demon's Souls, and though I've never played the King's Field games (I will be seeking them out, thanks to what you've said) I find it staggering to suggest that your own sentimental attachment to those games is enough reason to suggest the rest of us be denied the incredible gaming experience we're having with these games. I trust the developers understand their own vision better than you do, and if they have decided to include some sunlight in their game, be it literal or metaphoric, then that's OK with me.
Hi folks,
Thanks for dropping by to say hi!
I just wanted to add one thing: please note I never said I wanted From Software to stop making games. I would just like to see the team over there go back to something more like their original vision, that's all. I certainly hope they never 'deny' us anything.
Hi folks,
Thanks for dropping by to say hi!
I just wanted to add one thing: please note I never said I wanted From Software to stop making games. I would just like to see the team over there go back to something more like their original vision, that's all. I certainly hope they never 'deny' us anything.
You do realize that some of the King Fields games also featured sunlight areas as well, right? And I don't think the diversity of environs in Dark Souls has anything to do with compromise or trying to make the game more palatable to the general audience, it was just a maturing of the design. From cut their teeth on Demon Souls and it was their first time on this engine, Dark souls was the logical evolution of this
You do realize that some of the King Fields games also featured sunlight areas as well, right? And I don't think the diversity of environs in Dark Souls has anything to do with compromise or trying to make the game more palatable to the general audience, it was just a maturing of the design. From cut their teeth on Demon Souls and it was their first time on this engine, Dark souls was the logical evolution of this
Hi GamesAndBiz, I hope my earlier message didn't sound too aggressive, I like your article, even if I disagree with it, and shall look forward to your review.
Hi GamesAndBiz, I hope my earlier message didn't sound too aggressive, I like your article, even if I disagree with it, and shall look forward to your review.
Hi Stuart,
Not at all! From Software is one of my favourite developers out there, and healthy debate about them is an interesting topic 🙂
I do hope you're able to track down the King's Field games – as you like Demon's Souls and Dark Souls, you should really enjoy them as well.
Hi Stuart,
Not at all! From Software is one of my favourite developers out there, and healthy debate about them is an interesting topic 🙂
I do hope you're able to track down the King's Field games – as you like Demon's Souls and Dark Souls, you should really enjoy them as well.
i dont think they should stop making the SOULS series but for their next it should be a new ip or the kings field series i dont want em to burn the series out i love it to death and i quite enjoy dark souls feels just like demon souls which isnt such a bad thing (you cant say that about alot of series so FROM soft should be proud) i hope the souls series continues just not for FROM's next game
i dont think they should stop making the SOULS series but for their next it should be a new ip or the kings field series i dont want em to burn the series out i love it to death and i quite enjoy dark souls feels just like demon souls which isnt such a bad thing (you cant say that about alot of series so FROM soft should be proud) i hope the souls series continues just not for FROM's next game
I think these titles have finally given From Software the budget to create title that can stand-up to other triple-A developers. They definitely don't need to release annual Souls titles – God forbid they go down the Halo, Call of Duty, Ratchet and Clank, etc. routes, watering down their games with yearly releases, but I definitely don't think they should lay this series to rest.
The Souls series only has two titles in existence and has proceeded to bring in more capital for the company than any other game they've developed. Why should it be laid to rest and leave this kind of capital on the table?
The Kings Field series has ten titles in total and has never seen the success or critical acclaim that the Soul series, but it should be kept alive?
I think From Software's next venture should be an entirely new IP. The huge investment to develop a new Kings Field that could even hold it's weight against The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim would be staggering. If it didn't succeed, which could be terribly difficult considering the series already has a mixed reputation, From Software could be forced to shut its doors down for good.
New IP next, and a new Souls game ever five years or so. Gives the Souls team plenty of time to fabricate new ideas and to take the series into new directions, and not beat down the fans with repetition. That's my two-cents on this topic.
I think these titles have finally given From Software the budget to create title that can stand-up to other triple-A developers. They definitely don't need to release annual Souls titles – God forbid they go down the Halo, Call of Duty, Ratchet and Clank, etc. routes, watering down their games with yearly releases, but I definitely don't think they should lay this series to rest.
The Souls series only has two titles in existence and has proceeded to bring in more capital for the company than any other game they've developed. Why should it be laid to rest and leave this kind of capital on the table?
The Kings Field series has ten titles in total and has never seen the success or critical acclaim that the Soul series, but it should be kept alive?
I think From Software's next venture should be an entirely new IP. The huge investment to develop a new Kings Field that could even hold it's weight against The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim would be staggering. If it didn't succeed, which could be terribly difficult considering the series already has a mixed reputation, From Software could be forced to shut its doors down for good.
New IP next, and a new Souls game ever five years or so. Gives the Souls team plenty of time to fabricate new ideas and to take the series into new directions, and not beat down the fans with repetition. That's my two-cents on this topic.
Slapshot – King's Field isn't an Elder Scrolls competitor, it's not an open world RPG for one thing. It's a dungeon delve.
I wasn't talking about economics in this piece. I realise that From Software would be pretty crazy not to do something more with the "Souls" franchise. I was talking about artistic vision. My reading of the game (and it is only my personal interpretation of my play through with it, hense the big bold "I" in the title) is that From Software was set a directive to make Dark Souls more accessible to a broader audience for this game.
King's Field games never appealed to the mass market because if you watch the videos and see screenshots it looks like a terribly drab game. Demon Souls was prettier, but just as dark. Dark Souls, ironically given its name, is far more video and screenshot friendly.
I wondered how much of that was actual artistic design or commercial interest, because I sure as heck didn't feel like I was playing a From Software RPG when I played this game.
Slapshot – King's Field isn't an Elder Scrolls competitor, it's not an open world RPG for one thing. It's a dungeon delve.
I wasn't talking about economics in this piece. I realise that From Software would be pretty crazy not to do something more with the "Souls" franchise. I was talking about artistic vision. My reading of the game (and it is only my personal interpretation of my play through with it, hense the big bold "I" in the title) is that From Software was set a directive to make Dark Souls more accessible to a broader audience for this game.
King's Field games never appealed to the mass market because if you watch the videos and see screenshots it looks like a terribly drab game. Demon Souls was prettier, but just as dark. Dark Souls, ironically given its name, is far more video and screenshot friendly.
I wondered how much of that was actual artistic design or commercial interest, because I sure as heck didn't feel like I was playing a From Software RPG when I played this game.
I think that I misunderstood your aim of the piece as well then. Maybe it's in the way the title is worded?
I do think that if a Kings Field title was to be released in this gaming market, it would be compared to The Elder Scrolls, whether or not it was/is trying to compete with it or not – in the same vein that Resistance 3 and Gears of War 3 are currently being compared to each other, even though their entirely different games and have different target audiences. It a result of shallow, quick-hit journalism, that's overwhelming our industry.
I enjoyed the Kings Field series myself too. I actually loved the original on PSone, even though it was trashed by most critics. There was allot to love about the game, and it was leagues ahead of other games in its genre at the time too, but I don't know how well this series would do in the market today on the PS3? It would, in fact, make for a helluva Vita title though!
Demon Souls is an amazing success, and more-so than it's publisher (Atlus) ever imaged too. Heck, the online servers were only planned to be available for a few month post release, and they're still going. I hope that the Souls series keeps From Software alive and strong for years on end. I don't want to see yearly or bi-yearly releases, but I want them to put the same amount of creativity and passion that they put into Demon Souls with each and every Souls release. If that happens, long-live the Souls!
I think that I misunderstood your aim of the piece as well then. Maybe it's in the way the title is worded?
I do think that if a Kings Field title was to be released in this gaming market, it would be compared to The Elder Scrolls, whether or not it was/is trying to compete with it or not – in the same vein that Resistance 3 and Gears of War 3 are currently being compared to each other, even though their entirely different games and have different target audiences. It a result of shallow, quick-hit journalism, that's overwhelming our industry.
I enjoyed the Kings Field series myself too. I actually loved the original on PSone, even though it was trashed by most critics. There was allot to love about the game, and it was leagues ahead of other games in its genre at the time too, but I don't know how well this series would do in the market today on the PS3? It would, in fact, make for a helluva Vita title though!
Demon Souls is an amazing success, and more-so than it's publisher (Atlus) ever imaged too. Heck, the online servers were only planned to be available for a few month post release, and they're still going. I hope that the Souls series keeps From Software alive and strong for years on end. I don't want to see yearly or bi-yearly releases, but I want them to put the same amount of creativity and passion that they put into Demon Souls with each and every Souls release. If that happens, long-live the Souls!
I think there was some confusion over my intent, because the title can be taken a few ways. I absolutely, 100%, do not want From Software to continue making Souls games, if the path from Demon's, to Dark, to XXX souls continues in a straight line.
I would however, love for From Software to continue making the innovative games that Demon's Souls and Kings Field games are. It's just the artistic and conceptual directions that I'm worried about.
To explain the way the market works: each sequel for a popular series has a bigger budget… and bigger sales expectations. At some point, to try and reach a large crowd, a series needs to become more accessible. This means the stark aesthetic and difficulty will start to be phased out in favour of something more generic.
It wouldn't matter if there was 6 years between releases – in fact this could make things even worse, as the expectations behind a game in development for 6 years can be astronomical (FFXIII) – the problem is more core to the games industry itself and finding a compromise between sales expectations, and artistic credibility. Souls games shouldn't be compromised at all.
I think we can all agree we don't want From Software to start curning out generic RPGs, right?
I think there was some confusion over my intent, because the title can be taken a few ways. I absolutely, 100%, do not want From Software to continue making Souls games, if the path from Demon's, to Dark, to XXX souls continues in a straight line.
I would however, love for From Software to continue making the innovative games that Demon's Souls and Kings Field games are. It's just the artistic and conceptual directions that I'm worried about.
To explain the way the market works: each sequel for a popular series has a bigger budget… and bigger sales expectations. At some point, to try and reach a large crowd, a series needs to become more accessible. This means the stark aesthetic and difficulty will start to be phased out in favour of something more generic.
It wouldn't matter if there was 6 years between releases – in fact this could make things even worse, as the expectations behind a game in development for 6 years can be astronomical (FFXIII) – the problem is more core to the games industry itself and finding a compromise between sales expectations, and artistic credibility. Souls games shouldn't be compromised at all.
I think we can all agree we don't want From Software to start curning out generic RPGs, right?
And just to reiterate – this is just my opinion. From Software will almost certainly do another Souls game, and no doubt it'll be popular. As I said somewhere up there, my own personal expectations of Demon's Souls 2 or whatever will be much lower.
And just to reiterate – this is just my opinion. From Software will almost certainly do another Souls game, and no doubt it'll be popular. As I said somewhere up there, my own personal expectations of Demon's Souls 2 or whatever will be much lower.
Hi everyone,
For anyone that wants to read the review, it's gone live over at Otaku Gaming: http://www.otakugaming.com/2011/10/review-dark-souls-ps3-xbox-360.html
I hope that helps explain this opinion piece better.
Hi everyone,
For anyone that wants to read the review, it's gone live over at Otaku Gaming: http://www.otakugaming.com/2011/10/review-dark-souls-ps3-xbox-360.html
I hope that helps explain this opinion piece better.
Let's not all forget about the original "spiritual successor" to kings field that is 'eternal ring' on the ps2…. 🙂 and so far I've found dark souls easier and far less frustrating than demon souls… Also brighter! it's a tad ironic being called DARK souls when it's actually lighter.
I too have played a few kings field games but found the pace too slow and too difficult. Dark souls has to be the most accessible of the series so far and while that may seem to be somewhat diluting the series or spoiling it for some, it's also bringing more fans and more recognition which is surely a good thing for any game developer.
Also I'm trying to envisage a new kings field game and I'm not sure it would work as well.they tried freshening it up with eternal ring and I think didn't manage it well.. Maybe now it could be improved but I think that actually physically seeing my knight in shining armour makes it more fun. Seeing just from his eyes would ruin that experience for me. And could I
Just say randomly FROM SOFTWARE are awesome and they need to make an Otogi sequel!
Let's not all forget about the original "spiritual successor" to kings field that is 'eternal ring' on the ps2…. 🙂 and so far I've found dark souls easier and far less frustrating than demon souls… Also brighter! it's a tad ironic being called DARK souls when it's actually lighter.
I too have played a few kings field games but found the pace too slow and too difficult. Dark souls has to be the most accessible of the series so far and while that may seem to be somewhat diluting the series or spoiling it for some, it's also bringing more fans and more recognition which is surely a good thing for any game developer.
Also I'm trying to envisage a new kings field game and I'm not sure it would work as well.they tried freshening it up with eternal ring and I think didn't manage it well.. Maybe now it could be improved but I think that actually physically seeing my knight in shining armour makes it more fun. Seeing just from his eyes would ruin that experience for me. And could I
Just say randomly FROM SOFTWARE are awesome and they need to make an Otogi sequel!
Hi RPGfanmart,
Thanks for stopping by!
I had completely forgotten about Eternal Ring. I remember that game… remember vaguely that I enjoyed it, but didn't get to spend as much time on it as I might have liked – I picked it up second hand right before I picked up my PS3.
I agree with you completely that the more exposure From Software has, the better. Just so long as they don't forget their original fans 🙂
Hi RPGfanmart,
Thanks for stopping by!
I had completely forgotten about Eternal Ring. I remember that game… remember vaguely that I enjoyed it, but didn't get to spend as much time on it as I might have liked – I picked it up second hand right before I picked up my PS3.
I agree with you completely that the more exposure From Software has, the better. Just so long as they don't forget their original fans 🙂
You can definitely summon phantoms where there is no sunlight, first off. Consider the Depths, Blighttown, Catacombs, and so forth. Those areas have 0 sunlight, being far below the surface, heck, you can drop a summon sign right before the Gaping Dragon or Queelag, so people can summon both an NPC and a player phantom at the same time.
Secondly, Think about Sen's Fortress. The traps in there are insane, much crazier than anything Demon Soul's threw at you. The traps are so crazy, they are often the best way to deal with an enemy, by causing them to take the brunt force of a trap by triggering it at the right time. There is nothing like that in Demon Souls.
And to end this silly discussion, I'm going to let you know that I beat Demon Souls without dying, once, ever, without any help from a blue phantom, ever. That games difficulty was wildly over rated, mainly because, like mentioned above, it's not to hard to get 99 Full Moon Herbs.
However, keeping a high humanity for good magic find, finding the Fire Keeper Souls to level up your Estus Flask, and having to use two humanity to Kindle a fire (one for human form, one to kindle) creates a much MUCH more difficult experience than Demon Souls could ever come close to. You want humanity to spare, your going to be farming rats for a while. And your NEVER going to get more than 20 Estus Flasks, and you'll not have more than 10 for the first part of the game, no matter how hard you farm.
I'm sorry, but Dark Souls is not only a much better game, it is much more difficult, and this article is shining example of fanboys caring WAY to much when even the smallest thing gets changed in a series they love.
And before you disagree, consider that you wrote an article about the fact that you love the series so much, that you believe From Software should not make another Souls game, but move onto a new IP. The logic is inherently flawed.
Also, I got the same impression several other readers did, that you thought the game "more accessible" because it had sunlight. Sunlight.
I respect your point of view and don't think it needs an adjustment simply because of my d-bag comment, further, I think it is awesome you took the time to write the article, and reply to your reader's comments(extra kudos). However, I respectfully disagree with your point of view on this matter, almost 100%.
You can definitely summon phantoms where there is no sunlight, first off. Consider the Depths, Blighttown, Catacombs, and so forth. Those areas have 0 sunlight, being far below the surface, heck, you can drop a summon sign right before the Gaping Dragon or Queelag, so people can summon both an NPC and a player phantom at the same time.
Secondly, Think about Sen's Fortress. The traps in there are insane, much crazier than anything Demon Soul's threw at you. The traps are so crazy, they are often the best way to deal with an enemy, by causing them to take the brunt force of a trap by triggering it at the right time. There is nothing like that in Demon Souls.
And to end this silly discussion, I'm going to let you know that I beat Demon Souls without dying, once, ever, without any help from a blue phantom, ever. That games difficulty was wildly over rated, mainly because, like mentioned above, it's not to hard to get 99 Full Moon Herbs.
However, keeping a high humanity for good magic find, finding the Fire Keeper Souls to level up your Estus Flask, and having to use two humanity to Kindle a fire (one for human form, one to kindle) creates a much MUCH more difficult experience than Demon Souls could ever come close to. You want humanity to spare, your going to be farming rats for a while. And your NEVER going to get more than 20 Estus Flasks, and you'll not have more than 10 for the first part of the game, no matter how hard you farm.
I'm sorry, but Dark Souls is not only a much better game, it is much more difficult, and this article is shining example of fanboys caring WAY to much when even the smallest thing gets changed in a series they love.
And before you disagree, consider that you wrote an article about the fact that you love the series so much, that you believe From Software should not make another Souls game, but move onto a new IP. The logic is inherently flawed.
Also, I got the same impression several other readers did, that you thought the game "more accessible" because it had sunlight. Sunlight.
I respect your point of view and don't think it needs an adjustment simply because of my d-bag comment, further, I think it is awesome you took the time to write the article, and reply to your reader's comments(extra kudos). However, I respectfully disagree with your point of view on this matter, almost 100%.
Hi Mikaeru,
Thanks for taking the time to drop by and leave your thoughts! I've found the discussion below the article itself to be very useful in clarifying my own thoughts, and I was glad to see that there are a lot of people that feel so passionately for the game, either way.
It can only be a good thing for the future of From Software 🙂
Hi Mikaeru,
Thanks for taking the time to drop by and leave your thoughts! I've found the discussion below the article itself to be very useful in clarifying my own thoughts, and I was glad to see that there are a lot of people that feel so passionately for the game, either way.
It can only be a good thing for the future of From Software 🙂
I would just add my little thoughts
1 – In Demon's souls TOO MANY TIMES I missed the "jump" option which was added here. I really found that adding a lot of realism to the game itself.
2 – I see a lack of "mana vs numbered magic" discussion. Dark Souls did good in removing mana, so that in PvP you don't risk attacking mages with endless magic.
3 – Imho the world here is way wider than Demon's Souls. The boss and npc numbers is increased. And you can get all sets of the enemies you fight against. That's brilliant.
I didn't find Dark Souls more difficult or easier than Demons', just I already knew the input commands so I was familiar with this system … when playing Demons' I had to spend a lot of time to practice controls, this time not.
So I think this game is actually harder.
Last thing: nothing is that good that can't be improved. If FROM releases another game in the series, it would be great!
I would just add my little thoughts
1 – In Demon's souls TOO MANY TIMES I missed the "jump" option which was added here. I really found that adding a lot of realism to the game itself.
2 – I see a lack of "mana vs numbered magic" discussion. Dark Souls did good in removing mana, so that in PvP you don't risk attacking mages with endless magic.
3 – Imho the world here is way wider than Demon's Souls. The boss and npc numbers is increased. And you can get all sets of the enemies you fight against. That's brilliant.
I didn't find Dark Souls more difficult or easier than Demons', just I already knew the input commands so I was familiar with this system … when playing Demons' I had to spend a lot of time to practice controls, this time not.
So I think this game is actually harder.
Last thing: nothing is that good that can't be improved. If FROM releases another game in the series, it would be great!
So if you had played Dark Souls before Demon's, would you have reversed opinions of the games? It sounds like you like Demon's more just because it came first. Or because you liked the series before it became popular. You hipster!
Crap article. I've never heard of someone say they really like a game and then suggest that the dev not make a sequel. Whatever it is you're smoking I suggest you stop.