Generally true, but the Souls games are very good about having enemies and bosses who are vulnerable and resistant to different elemental damages. There is a major upside to having one of each type.
A few thoughts on The Royal Rat Vanguard, which may not be exhibit 1 when people make there case against Dark Souls 2 bosses, but is usually 1a or 1b. And yeah, for a set piece perspective, it lacks any sort of sizzle. But the idea of it is sound and so is the execution. It's a trap set by an organized society of rats, who have claimed the subterranean as their own world (a concept used to grisly effect in the Stephen King short story "Night Shift"). The legend of Pharros ties in with them. And the Covenant is a very original idea, and I'm actually eager to try it, assuming it still gets any action. The fight itself is not trivial, it's teaching you to hit and run in a confined space. You have to lure them into the corner and work your way out to the other one when it's time. The actual boss is incredibly difficult to spot from a distance (in contrast to similar bosses like the Deacons of the Deep) and the regular rats are doing petrify damage while the actual boss can poison you in two hits. Also, if you have a fear of rats, as I do, it can be quite an effective encounter. There is no way I'd put this fight in my top 20, but I wouldn't put it in my bottom 20 either.
Ok so, some thoughts on a couple Dark Souls 2 related things as I move deeper into the game. I've been playing at 75% health for nearly the entire time since getting the Ring of Binding, but losing 1/4 of my health bar was leaving no room for error on a few current bosses. I decided to learn the move-sets while still hollow, and if I think the time is right and I'm on the verge, pop and Effigy. I don't really know what's up with Mytha, the Baneful Queen. Earthen Peak is....weird. Apparently the Covetous Demon ate himself into his current state because she rejected him. Fine I guess, as I mentioned before he is legitimately one of the worst bosses in the series without question, and far easier than dozens of normal enemies.
Anyway, the i-frames in this game with low adaptability AND over 50% equip is a real problem for dodging, and I haven't been using a shield in this run, so I had to go naked. I spent MANY attempts on her, but a huge part of the problem was my depleted heath. After getting her down low a couple times I popped an Effigy and got her down immediately. Pretty good fight, even if I have no idea why this headless Naga is hanging out in a poison factory. Apparently she poisoned herself to make herself more beautiful for the Iron King. Speaking of which, I don't have the problem alot of people do that the elevator from Earthen Peak to the Iron Keep goes UP. I don't know why people care about this, when the game is CLEARLY not trying to connect like the first, but shuttle you to and from different exotic locales in a MUCH larger world.
But the complaints I do hear about the game did spring to mind in the Shaded Woods, which is either a great, weird area or the biggest claptrap of nonsense and bullshit I've yet come across in the these games. For one thing, Dark Souls 2 is OBSESSED with Fragrant Branches of Yore and Pharros Lockstones almost to the point of being detrimental. For another, the 3 distinct areas of the Shaded Woods are just really disjointed for being so close. You have the poison area, you have the blinding fog where you just run around grabbing all the items and hope you don't get backstabbed, and then you have the Cursed Urn area, with Lion warriors. And the game's big Basilisk trap (yep, totally fell for it). And then you have Scorpioness Najka, such a blatant Quelaag rip-off that I don't know whether to be amused or insulted. Anyone, she's not easy either, and not down yet, but I'm at her a little too early, and I didn't try her with a full health bar. Having a rough time dodging her magic attacks. But I'm totally lost as to why there are Scorpion people and Lion Warriors hanging out here. It feels like they all just materialized from "The Mummy Returns" or something. Dark Souls 2 is as good overall as any of the other 4 games, but some of the design choices are just straight up random, not connected to anything, and sometimes even uninspired, even if the fights themselves are solid.
Kotaku: For people who have already finished Dark Souls 3, can you give any tease for the DLC? How do you intend to surprise players?
Miyazaki: I’m not sure I can provide “information” without spilling the “surprise” [laughs]. The only thing I can say now is that we’re planning two DLCs for Dark Souls 3. The first is scheduled for release in autumn of 2016, and the second is scheduled for early 2017. We’re actually still working on the first one. Content-wise, it builds off of the previous titles and will be featuring a new area, enemies, gear, and story. The game story revolves around a new location which I believe will offer a different feel from Dark Souls 3. Please stay tuned!
Miyazaki is clearly a master at saying nothing when the situation calls for it. Based on their past DLC work, it will be high quality. Though even The Old Hunters had a re-skin in Laurence, I hope to hell they are done taking that route.
Executioner's Chariot is an example of a gimmick boss done right. It's not trivial, because of it's first stage (which is made really precarious without a shield, I ended up letting the Chariot nick me rather than get stuck in an alcove) and the second phase is JUST dangerous enough to make you nervous about having to do the first stage again, raising the tension. Also, the idea of an Undead Purgatory being forced to constantly be run over by a hell horse pulling a chariot is solid. Good boss, and probably the most inventive one in Dark Souls 2 that I've beaten thus far.
The Demon Firesage's frontal AOE attack is straight bullshit, as is the arena, as is the delayed hitbox on his sweeping attack. Eventually, I just found that I had to roll into his crotch and just tank the guy and back off on the butt slam (the AOE does less damage close to you and his sweeps won't hit). Anyway, terrible fight for the most part. The arena is only SLIGHTLY better than the Capra Demon one with all the roots around, the camera and frame-rate adversely affects the fight, and the guy isn't even resistant to fire. Moving on....
The Centipede Demon....well, not so bad, definitely better. Much, much easier once you get over to the bigger area on the right. Was able to down him with only 5 Estus after 4 tries. It's clear why the Demon Ruins and Lost Izalith are viewed as very sub-par and incomplete. There isn't much going on down here, the bosses are pretty annoying with crappy camera issues (locking on to either will kill you quick). Idk, it's not as bad as people say. Some of it is the fact that fiery hellscapes aren't actually all that interesting in any game.
Didn't know about it, but looks kind of fun. I do enjoy the fact that these games have such a robust Youtube community, almost rivaling that of WoW at this point.
So I have a working computer with a working video card again. I can start working on Dark Souls again, assuming another game doesn't grab my interest more.
@SethDavis The hype is real my friend, that much I know.
Of course, everyone is asking what is Ariandel. A Redditor already seems to have cracked it.
So we did some research here at home and on Quenya (tolkien elfic language) the name Ariandel means literally: Valley of the maiden of Sunlight If we can relate to the other tolkien induced names on ds3(anor londo & Irithill) This bloody means something. DISCUSS, RAGE AND TRY NOT TO DIE
Me: "I dunno... that's a lot of snow. The only snow area that I've really liked in a FromSoftware gam-" Game: *Pans up from bridge* Me: *Chokes on toast* "Yeah, it looked a lot like that."
Comments
Anyway, the i-frames in this game with low adaptability AND over 50% equip is a real problem for dodging, and I haven't been using a shield in this run, so I had to go naked. I spent MANY attempts on her, but a huge part of the problem was my depleted heath. After getting her down low a couple times I popped an Effigy and got her down immediately. Pretty good fight, even if I have no idea why this headless Naga is hanging out in a poison factory. Apparently she poisoned herself to make herself more beautiful for the Iron King. Speaking of which, I don't have the problem alot of people do that the elevator from Earthen Peak to the Iron Keep goes UP. I don't know why people care about this, when the game is CLEARLY not trying to connect like the first, but shuttle you to and from different exotic locales in a MUCH larger world.
But the complaints I do hear about the game did spring to mind in the Shaded Woods, which is either a great, weird area or the biggest claptrap of nonsense and bullshit I've yet come across in the these games. For one thing, Dark Souls 2 is OBSESSED with Fragrant Branches of Yore and Pharros Lockstones almost to the point of being detrimental. For another, the 3 distinct areas of the Shaded Woods are just really disjointed for being so close. You have the poison area, you have the blinding fog where you just run around grabbing all the items and hope you don't get backstabbed, and then you have the Cursed Urn area, with Lion warriors. And the game's big Basilisk trap (yep, totally fell for it). And then you have Scorpioness Najka, such a blatant Quelaag rip-off that I don't know whether to be amused or insulted. Anyone, she's not easy either, and not down yet, but I'm at her a little too early, and I didn't try her with a full health bar. Having a rough time dodging her magic attacks. But I'm totally lost as to why there are Scorpion people and Lion Warriors hanging out here. It feels like they all just materialized from "The Mummy Returns" or something. Dark Souls 2 is as good overall as any of the other 4 games, but some of the design choices are just straight up random, not connected to anything, and sometimes even uninspired, even if the fights themselves are solid.
Miyazaki: I’m not sure I can provide “information” without spilling the “surprise” [laughs]. The only thing I can say now is that we’re planning two DLCs for Dark Souls 3. The first is scheduled for release in autumn of 2016, and the second is scheduled for early 2017. We’re actually still working on the first one. Content-wise, it builds off of the previous titles and will be featuring a new area, enemies, gear, and story. The game story revolves around a new location which I believe will offer a different feel from Dark Souls 3. Please stay tuned!
http://kotaku.com/preparing-for-life-after-dark-souls-a-conversation-wit-1783296404
The Centipede Demon....well, not so bad, definitely better. Much, much easier once you get over to the bigger area on the right. Was able to down him with only 5 Estus after 4 tries. It's clear why the Demon Ruins and Lost Izalith are viewed as very sub-par and incomplete. There isn't much going on down here, the bosses are pretty annoying with crappy camera issues (locking on to either will kill you quick). Idk, it's not as bad as people say. Some of it is the fact that fiery hellscapes aren't actually all that interesting in any game.
http://www.gamenguide.com/articles/35682/20160731/dark-souls-3-dlc-latest-news-updates-game-designer-confirms-two-dlcs-arriving-in-august-dark-souls-3-multiple-ending-revealed.htm
I've also played a bit of 2 and 3.
I've been pretty immersed in Dark Souls stuff for awhile now, though. Watched far too many LPs.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-08-23-dark-souls-3-dlc-expansion-dated-for-october
@SethDavis Looks like tomorrow will only see the release of the trailer.
@jjstraka34 @BelleSorciere @the_spyder @Yamcha @Vallmyr @AKrugBier @Diogenes42 @brus
Of course, everyone is asking what is Ariandel. A Redditor already seems to have cracked it.
So we did some research here at home and on Quenya (tolkien elfic language) the name Ariandel means literally: Valley of the maiden of Sunlight
If we can relate to the other tolkien induced names on ds3(anor londo & Irithill)
This bloody means something.
DISCUSS, RAGE AND TRY NOT TO DIE
https://www.reddit.com/r/darksouls3/comments/4z90je/ariandel_dlc_spoilerspeculation_tldr/
He is referring to anor meaning sun and irith meaning moon in Tolkien's Elvish.
GWYNEVERE CONFIRMED
@jjstraka34 @BelleSorciere @the_spyder @Yamcha @Vallmyr @AKrugBier @Diogenes42 @brus @SmilingSword @Franpa @SethDavis
Game: *Pans up from bridge*
Me: *Chokes on toast* "Yeah, it looked a lot like that."