Is Dark Souls II actually fun?

[Tacitus]

I'd really like to play it at sometime, I've got it, but I'm yet to get around to it. That said, there's a few other games I want to play too, Dragon Age Inquisition among them. I don't have a lot of free time for the next month, so I don't want to spend a few hours per day on something that I'm ultimately not going to really be enjoying. I've never really played a game like DS, is it hard in the sense that you need to learn the game's systems and enemy tactics and combat that, or is it something that only genuinely good gamers can aspire to complete?

 

Basically, is it a good game because it has a good story/mechanics, or is it good because people just want the challenge?

 

I also worry I'll get waaay too addicted to DAI, and with deadlines and exams fast approaching that's maybe not desirable.

[ShadowCaptain]

More fun than DAI in my opinion

[Tacitus]

More fun than DAI in my opinion

 

For any particular reasons though?

 

I presume you've played a bit of DAI? I thought it wasn't out in the UK until tomorrow haha?

[OriginalPromise]

I've rage quit, and I'm not even touching that game anymore.

Everything isn't just straightforward, and it's just UGH!

[ShadowCaptain]

For any particular reasons though?

 

I presume you've played a bit of DAI? I thought it wasn't out in the UK until tomorrow haha?

 

Because the combat in DAI is very much like an MMO, and the combat is pretty much press 1 to 9 to attack ect, not played it, but from watching it it just seems boring

 

Also some of the reviews are like "the first 20 hours are a grind, but once you get going its fun"... 20 hours.. to start the game?....wow

That said Dark Souls is all about the atmosphere, and the controller snapping difficulty, it will test your will. I pretty much played DS1 and 2 with a gamefaq guide... because I just couldnt do it alone

[Tacitus]

Because the combat in DAI is very much like an MMO, and the combat is pretty much press 1 to 9 to attack ect, not played it, but from watching it it just seems boring

 

Also some of the reviews are like "the first 20 hours are a grind, but once you get going its fun"... 20 hours.. to start the game?....wow

That said Dark Souls is all about the atmosphere, and the controller snapping difficulty, it will test your will. I pretty much played DS1 and 2 with a gamefaq guide... because I just couldnt do it alone

 

Hmm, yes, it was the Kotaku review that said 20 hours to get into it. Granted, that's a lot, but I've been an MMO player so it's not that much. Though I do remember thinking the E3 gameplay looked boring. But if I've only got an hour or two here and there, I'd probably not really enjoy Dark Souls since I'd probably make very little progress.

 

Ugh, hard to decide, maybe I should just play a couple hours of both and see which I gravitate toward.

[RedSphyxis]

masochistically fun 

[Phllips]

ask @SAV1OUR hes played 2000hrs of ds1

[ShadowCaptain]

Hmm, yes, it was the Kotaku review that said 20 hours to get into it. Granted, that's a lot, but I've been an MMO player so it's not that much. Though I do remember thinking the E3 gameplay looked boring. But if I've only got an hour or two here and there, I'd probably not really enjoy Dark Souls since I'd probably make very little progress.

 

Ugh, hard to decide, maybe I should just play a couple hours of both and see which I gravitate toward.

 

I really dont like MMOs so I guess thats why DAI turns me off, I doubt I will even bother picking it up. of course this is all just my thoughts

 

after watching totalbiscuits port report, i just think it looks even more boring than before haha, I wish I had hundreds of hours to invest, maybe I could enjoy it then but I dont have 300 hours to invest in one game

[cliff_182]

Well u will have to learn the combat mechanics of the game, timing of enemy attacks etc. If u get good at predicting these things right the game is a breeze.

The game is a lot of fun because of its precise and accurate combat mechanics. It poses a challenge as well which very few games do nowadays.

 

You should try it. You will get a hang of the games difficulty in a hour or two.

Just give it a try.

[deathjester]

I'd really like to play it at sometime, I've got it, but I'm yet to get around to it. That said, there's a few other games I want to play too, Dragon Age Inquisition among them. I don't have a lot of free time for the next month, so I don't want to spend a few hours per day on something that I'm ultimately not going to really be enjoying. I've never really played a game like DS, is it hard in the sense that you need to learn the game's systems and enemy tactics and combat that, or is it something that only genuinely good gamers can aspire to complete?

 

Basically, is it a good game because it has a good story/mechanics, or is it good because people just want the challenge?

 

I also worry I'll get waaay too addicted to DAI, and with deadlines and exams fast approaching that's maybe not desirable.

 

I loved Dark Souls 2, but you do not play it for the story. It is a good game to play when you have a while free and want to really challenge yourself, with a old school type game.

 

It is not a game that helps you out and tells you what to do. It is like a super hard, 3D platformer.

 

As far as addiction? I think Dark Souls 2 might have been one of the most addictive games I have ever played and you do NOT beat  it in a day. 

[DeViLzzz]

I am absolutely horrible at video games and even though this game is difficult, clunky and looks like total *** it is still so much fun to play.  I rented it for console and had a blast with it.  I definitely recommend it.  In regards to story OP I don't even remember one but it didn't take away from the fun I had with the game.

[JB780]

I'd really like to play it at sometime, I've got it, but I'm yet to get around to it. That said, there's a few other games I want to play too, Dragon Age Inquisition among them. I don't have a lot of free time for the next month, so I don't want to spend a few hours per day on something that I'm ultimately not going to really be enjoying. I've never really played a game like DS, is it hard in the sense that you need to learn the game's systems and enemy tactics and combat that, or is it something that only genuinely good gamers can aspire to complete?

 

Basically, is it a good game because it has a good story/mechanics, or is it good because people just want the challenge?

 

I also worry I'll get waaay too addicted to DAI, and with deadlines and exams fast approaching that's maybe not desirable.

 

I can only speak for the original Dark Souls as I haven't played the second one yet, but I will. I just beat Dark Souls this year so I'm giving it some breathing room before I hunker down for 2. 

 

It's open to your interpretation as to whether it's a good story or not. For the most part Dark Souls doesn't really directly present anything to you after the opening sequence and instead lets you discover on your own, of course there are resources available online should you get stuck or confused.

 

The mechanics in the Dark Souls games are best in class in my opinion, and they need to be. Dark Souls is "hard" in that it is unforgiving for those who don't want to be smart, take their time and learn an enemies movement, attacks and tells.

 

The game can be incredibly frustrating when you keep dying, but the deaths aren't because the game is cheap but rather due to your own mistakes. It took me about 8 hours to kill Havel The Rock because I kept messing up during my evasions, and I almost stopped playing the game when I ran into the buzzsaw that is Ornstein And Smaugh. But because these deaths were my fault for being clumsy, or rushing I wanted to come back and succeed. Eventually I did, beating the game in 95 hours and I can honestly say that succeeding in Dark Souls is an incredibly satisfying experience that is hard to come by in other games.

 

So yeah, play Dark Souls 2 because from what I hear it's another great experience.

[Tacitus]

Thanks everyone.

 

I had a spare 40 minutes so I loaded it up and I knew this isn't a game that holds your hand, but I was amazed they just plonk you into the world and tell you literally nothing, I was expecting a brief explanation of controls or menu navigation etc but nope, nothing.

 

I'll need to spend some more time dicking around and see what I can find to do.

 

Also, for everyone out there who does/has played, do you use a controller or keyboard and mouse? I was using controller, but couldn't get it to jump, so I had to use keyboard for one part, but the keyboard controls seemed really clunky.

[JB780]

Thanks everyone.

 

I had a spare 40 minutes so I loaded it up and I knew this isn't a game that holds your hand, but I was amazed they just plonk you into the world and tell you literally nothing, I was expecting a brief explanation of controls or menu navigation etc but nope, nothing.

 

I'll need to spend some more time dicking around and see what I can find to do.

 

Also, for everyone out there who does/has played, do you use a controller or keyboard and mouse? I was using controller, but couldn't get it to jump, so I had to use keyboard for one part, but the keyboard controls seemed really clunky.

If you use mouse & keyboard your'e gonna have a bad time.

 

Stick with the controller.

[Tacitus]

If you use mouse & keyboard your'e gonna have a bad time.

 

Stick with the controller.

 

Cheers, will do. How can I get my guy to sprint with it though? I can't figure that out haha!

[Majestic]

Dark Souls and Dragon Age Inquisition are so far apart that you can't really compare them. DA:I has almost no failure state and is extremely 'hand-holding'. Dark Souls, at least the original, tells you jack-all and leaves it for you to figure out.

I'd say play the original first though. From what i've seen, the changes in #2 are not really improvements.

[JB780]

Cheers, will do. How can I get my guy to sprint with it though? I can't figure that out haha!

A?

[Tacitus]

A?

 

Will try next time I'm on, but I'm sure I did. I just couldn't see in the game settings my controller's buttons, only the keyboard ones.

[Sharkyx1]

DS 1 is one of the most fun games I've ever played and I've put more hours into it than any game since I got steam, probably only more hours in the sims 2 and Sim city

[Iron couch]

Ive played through dark souls 2 and its not THAT hard. You WILL rage at some point of the game 100% guaranteed...but its not as impossible as people think it is, dont know about dark souls 1 or demon souls but DS2 isnt that bad. There is a learning curve and the start isnt easy but you will get better. And yes you a controller is highly recommended,i played on ps3 so it neevr really was a problem for me.

[Tacitus]

Ive played through dark souls 2 and its not THAT hard. You WILL rage at some point of the game 100% guaranteed...but its not as impossible as people think it is, dont know about dark souls 1 or demon souls but DS2 isnt that bad. There is a learning curve and the start isnt easy but you will get better. And yes you a controller is highly recommended,i played on ps3 so it neevr really was a problem for me.

 

Thanks for your input (forgive the pun!)

[Drunken Savior]

I gave Dark Souls 1 and 2 about 10 hours each to hook me and neither did.  And it sucks because any time I mention this, people assume I started playing video games in 2008 or something.  There's this weird cult around gamers who adore Dark Souls that empowers some to look down on other gamers who don't like this series.

[JB780]

I gave Dark Souls 1 and 2 about 10 hours each to hook me and neither did.  And it sucks because any time I mention this, people assume I started playing video games in 2008 or something.  There's this weird cult around gamers who adore Dark Souls that empowers some to look down on other gamers who don't like this series.

True, there is some douchery that surrounds the series. But the same can be said for alot of other games. 

[Vedge]

Absolutely love it. The challenge and the atmosphere and the satisfaction when you finally beat the levels