I'm going through the Souls series for the first time right now, and after finishing the first Dark Souls and deeply enjoying (despite some big issues with its last third, as I commented on this recent thread) I immediately moved on to Dark Souls II.
Now, while I'm fairly ignorant of most Souls discussion, the controversy surrounding this game was hard to miss. While the specifics eluded me, I was fairly aware of its reputation as the big divisive title among the fanbase. I have to admit though, that I thought the entire controversy was a case of the most ardent fans freaking out over stuff that ultimately wouldn't make that much of an impact outside those who know the game's in and out like their own backyard.
Well, I'm still fuzzy on the specifics of the controversy, but I was sadly mistaken with my impression of it. I'm having a miserable time with the game, to the point where I'm thinking of just giving up entirely. While there are minor and not so minor stuff that I consider improved/downgraded from the first game, my complaints can be summarised with the fact that I'm finding the combat incredibly frustrating when things go wrong, and incredibly dull and boring when they go right.
I'm really, really hating the enemy design in this game. Not even the most basic enemies I'm finding enjoyable to dispatch. There's something that bothers me about their attack patterns, their speed and their recovery time, nothing feels as readable and predictable with patience and practice as it was before, and unlike the first game, this entry seem focused on dealing almost entirely with groups of enemies instead of for the most part sticking to one on one fights (Dark Souls 1 also gave you groups of enemies to fight, but it was far more careful and methodical about it) when the combat system doesn't seem fit for such design. On top of that, my character's moveset just feels wrong. I don't know what it is, exactly, but I'm finding every action I take to feel slightly off and unstatisfying (and just in case, I upgraded agility to have more iframes in my roll as I was aware beforehand that it was tied to a stat, but it still feels wrong somehow, both the roll and general movement and attacks)
The fact that such a similar playing game feels so different and so much worse for me it's hard to process.
I just don't know what to do. I would hate if I skipped a game, but it has been an absolute chore of an experience so far, and I'm still fairly early in the game (I have explored the Forest of Giants, Heides Tower, No Man's Wharf, and partially the Lost Bastille). Is it worth it to keep it up with my issues? I know the DLC has a stellar reputation, but getting there will be a struggle.
*I'm playing Dark Souls II Scholar of the first sin for the PS4 and not the original release, just in case it matters.
Now, while I'm fairly ignorant of most Souls discussion, the controversy surrounding this game was hard to miss. While the specifics eluded me, I was fairly aware of its reputation as the big divisive title among the fanbase. I have to admit though, that I thought the entire controversy was a case of the most ardent fans freaking out over stuff that ultimately wouldn't make that much of an impact outside those who know the game's in and out like their own backyard.
Well, I'm still fuzzy on the specifics of the controversy, but I was sadly mistaken with my impression of it. I'm having a miserable time with the game, to the point where I'm thinking of just giving up entirely. While there are minor and not so minor stuff that I consider improved/downgraded from the first game, my complaints can be summarised with the fact that I'm finding the combat incredibly frustrating when things go wrong, and incredibly dull and boring when they go right.
I'm really, really hating the enemy design in this game. Not even the most basic enemies I'm finding enjoyable to dispatch. There's something that bothers me about their attack patterns, their speed and their recovery time, nothing feels as readable and predictable with patience and practice as it was before, and unlike the first game, this entry seem focused on dealing almost entirely with groups of enemies instead of for the most part sticking to one on one fights (Dark Souls 1 also gave you groups of enemies to fight, but it was far more careful and methodical about it) when the combat system doesn't seem fit for such design. On top of that, my character's moveset just feels wrong. I don't know what it is, exactly, but I'm finding every action I take to feel slightly off and unstatisfying (and just in case, I upgraded agility to have more iframes in my roll as I was aware beforehand that it was tied to a stat, but it still feels wrong somehow, both the roll and general movement and attacks)
The fact that such a similar playing game feels so different and so much worse for me it's hard to process.
I just don't know what to do. I would hate if I skipped a game, but it has been an absolute chore of an experience so far, and I'm still fairly early in the game (I have explored the Forest of Giants, Heides Tower, No Man's Wharf, and partially the Lost Bastille). Is it worth it to keep it up with my issues? I know the DLC has a stellar reputation, but getting there will be a struggle.
*I'm playing Dark Souls II Scholar of the first sin for the PS4 and not the original release, just in case it matters.
