Dark Souls 2
With the release of Dark Souls 3 fast approaching, I decided to return to the one entry in the series I still haven’t finished. Why has it taken me this long? The simple answer is that I’ve had to start this game on four separate occasions with each play through only getting me so far. A change in console generations and more than a few instances of corrupted save files along the way have contributed to my lack of progress on the Dark Souls 2 front. Alas, I decided to give it one more shot. This time something clicked. The ever consuming world of Dark Souls has claimed me once again and I have found myself unable to resist it’s frustrating yet beautiful world. Currently, I am more than half way through the game’s boss total with progress slowly coming with each passing day.
What I really enjoy about these games is how deep the role playing elements are. There is a lot of freedom to choose how you want to play. I always choose to go with a sword and shield knight type. I prefer to be up close and personal; it allows me to control my movements more. There are other options though such as: using magical spells, stacking up on your faith stat in order to heal or cure yourself of ailments at opportune times, or even adopting a pyromancy skill.
As far as the challenge of the game goes, I’m having a fairly easy time with it so far. Part of the reason is that I’m able to take what I learned from playing Dark Souls 1 and put it into practice here, which yields some great results. Another difference though is that Dark Souls 2 feels a lot easier than its predecessor. During the early phases of the game, I was plowing through bosses left and right allowing myself to reach higher levels with ease. That isn’t to say that I haven’t died either. I have faced a fair set of challenges, but all of my deaths are coming mistakes I am making. I tend to blame the game in the moment, but I realize over time where I went astray. For anyone who hasn’t played a Souls game and are curious to try it, here is the greatest tip I can give you. Don’t be afraid to die. Yes, sometimes it can be frustrating, but the knowledge about the game that you get from dying is ultimately what will help you progress. This is a game of experimentation, of approaching enemies from different angles both on through the landscape and tactically. Once you start embracing the inevitable deaths you will experience, your play through of these games will become infinitely more fun.– Grant
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