Topic: Dark Souls

[Jago]

I have heard great things about it, and all my friends seem to be playing it now.  I plan on picking it up soon and checking it out.

[Aridale]

It really is great. Buckys post really sums it up well. I think of it like an old school NES game. Its not that its brutally hard or anything its just that you gotta know exactly what your doin to succeed. You gotta know enemy placement and what they do. The best way to approach each situation to be able to advance. Thats all it is. Just like old nes games like CV1,3 Ninja Gaiden etc.

Its no different dyin in dark souls and goin back to a bonfire forever away and losin all your souls than dyin in CV1 and losin all your hearts and whip upgrades and subweapon and goin back to the start of the area. The only actual difference is
1 - you can get your souls and humanity back if you make it back to where you died without dyin again.
2 - Its current gen 3d

It really is what 3d CVs SHOULD be. The main problem with ppl playin it today is that game are generally so easy these days that a game with old school challenge no one knows how to approach and they get pissed off and wont play it.

[Wallachia]

It really is great. Buckys post really sums it up well. I think of it like an old school NES game. Its not that its brutally hard or anything its just that you gotta know exactly what your doin to succeed. You gotta know enemy placement and what they do. The best way to approach each situation to be able to advance. Thats all it is. Just like old nes games like CV1,3 Ninja Gaiden etc.

Its no different dyin in dark souls and goin back to a bonfire forever away and losin all your souls than dyin in CV1 and losin all your hearts and whip upgrades and subweapon and goin back to the start of the area. The only actual difference is
1 - you can get your souls and humanity back if you make it back to where you died without dyin again.
2 - Its current gen 3d

It really is what 3d CVs SHOULD be. The main problem with ppl playin it today is that game are generally so easy these days that a game with old school challenge no one knows how to approach and they get pissed off and wont play it.

yes totally.. and the maze of the levels and how they all connect. It's SotN in 3D.

[knightmere]

I finally started playing this last night and so far this game is pretty awesome.  I agree that the design and difficulty of this game is reminiscent of old CV and other NES games and I love it so far.  I haven't gotten very far but am definitely enjoying it.  I hope I can finish it before skyrim drops next month.

[Vrakanox]

Been playing this game and Castlevania games since october 1st almost exclusively. I actually wouldn't mind if From Software developed the next Castlevania as long as they get the character designs right.

[Wallachia]

Cool posts about this game

Knightmere, how far are you? We shoulod try to meet up/co-op. I am Soul Level 40, in Blighttown. God it is a dank, horrid area..

[Dark Nemesis]

http://uk.ign.com/videos/2011/10/20/dark-souls-infinite-soul-exploit
This video, is explaining, how to obtain infinite souls!!!

[knightmere]

I'd rather not cheat in a game like this it would just cheapen the experience. @ Wallachia, I still am not very far in, I just beat the second boss (Taurus Demon) I got my ass handed to me about 10 times before I finally beat the bastard.  It's been along time since a boss fight felt so rewarding though lol.  I'd like to try playing online but I'm not sure how. Add my PSN and I'll try to get on tonight.  I usually only play after 9pm eastern.

[Wallachia]

Cool, knight.. wait til you start getting into the scarier, darker levels. Keep pushing on! And yes do online, the messages other payers leave, and the summoning of others in your level is an awesome/key component!

[Kingshango]

I think you guys would like this.

Dark Souls - Blacksmith Vamos

Skip to the 52 sec mark.

Not mine btw.

[Aridale]

damn I didnt know there was a whip! Wheres it come from?

[Dark Nemesis]

I'd rather not cheat in a game like this it would just cheapen the experience.

If i find it too hard, i might use it, else, i'll play it normal!!!

@ Kingshango, cool video!!!

[Gunlord]

Haha, that's fantastic!

[bucky]

I'm actually in the middle of a 'Simon Belmont' build. I made up my own arbitrary rules:

I'm using the whip primarily, as well as usable weapons like daggers and firebombs because of their similarity to CV subweapons. I did allow myself to use a sword, especially earlier in the game when the whip was incredibly weak still. But I used some discretion- I used the Astora's Straight Sword, which is described as having belonged to an unknown knight and having a 'powerful blessing'. It's mediocre, but if a Belmont did own a sword, I figure it'd be holy. I would consider a whip-only run if you could start the game with a whip, but you can't.

Now I've upgraded my whip to a fire whip +7 anyways, so I've ditched the sword completely at this point.

(click to show/hide)

There is a notched whip to be found later in the game as well. When I get that I'll upgrade it to have a special property other than fire, and switch between the two whips when appropriate. I think I'm going to make it divine. Assuming it can be upgrading to anything like a normal plain weapon, which I think it can...

In Dark Souls there are three classes of magic - miracles, magic, and pyromancy. I would imagine that a Belmont would be limited to miracles so I'm only using those.

My armor choices are also based on how much I think I can get my character looking like a Belmont. Right now that means the Crimson Robe, Steel Gauntlets (or the Hard Leather Gauntlets), Black Leather Boots, and the Knight Shield. I'm using the Standard Helm as well, but I take it off from time to time to look more Belmont-y. I'll see if I can take a picture later on. Perhaps other Dark Souls players might have an opinion on what armor would be most appropriate, but I think I've chosen pretty well.

Unrelated, here's a glowing Dark Souls review that I strongly agree with:
Dark Souls is more Zelda than Zelda, more Metroid than Metroid

The author makes a case for why he feels From Software understands what makes earlier Zelda and Metroid titles so likeable, and why Dark Souls does a better job at living up to The Legend of Zelda and Super Metroid than Twilight Princess or Metroid: Other M. I think I want to sign up and post a comment chiming on on why you can add Castlevania to that list.

[ShinAkumaXX]

Ha, that CV style vid was nice. Anyhow, I just finished The Painted World of Ariamis, and then finally went back and killed that damn demon in the bottom of the undead asylum. I think this is likely to be my favorite single player game of this generation and will probably be one of the games I actually will bust out and play in years to come. Love the style and everything is just right. It can be very frustrating to lose your souls, but I basically try and get enough to level up / or upgrade and then move on to the next tough section so if I lose a few thousand I don't get so pissed. I will admit I farmed for quite a while in the Darkroot Garden, but in all honestly it really didn't make the game too much easier, if you let your guard down any of the enemies can rock your world. You still have to do everything just right! I'll also admit if it wasn't for the help online I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am! Like I would of figured out how to get the Drake sword and how to get back to the undead asylum and trade with that nest..... Anyhow. Amazing game! The fact that you can summon people to help with bosses definitely lightens the load quite a bit also!! One thing that pissed me off.... They patched the game and my favorite armor so far the Black Hemmed Set basically had it's stats cut in half. And You can't upgrade it (I wouldn't of been so mad if you could upgrade it). Also they cut the power of pyromancy down quite a bit, but it's still good to have. However the patch did improve locking on and some other things so not all was nerfing. Hope to hear how everyone else is coming along!