SoulsERA |OT| So the world might be mended

Noema · Mar 12, 2019

I'm also insanely hyped. I'm 39 years old, and if you'd told 13 year old me that I'd still be getting this hyped for a videogame as a grizzled cranky old man, I wouldn't have believed you. Fitting since I probably hadn't been so hyped for a game since the SNES days. Maybe Ocarina of Time, but even then it was more of a tempered excitement than the hairs-on-the-back of my neck I'm feeling for this game.

I missed the boat on the releases of Bloodborne and DS3, since I didn't have anywhere to play them on, so while I was aware of their release and excited to eventually play them, I was mostly indifferent as I tried my best to avoid spoilers. This is the first modern FromSoft game I'll play day 1.

Concerning the quality of the game, I'm confident in what the team can do. Three possibilities can deflate my excitement:

The game is too easy, either because of the resurrection mechanic, or power bloat, or something that we're yet to find out
The game is too short (a 8-10 hour romp that can be finished in a weekend. That'd break my heart. I want to submerge myself in this for weeks).
The game is too linear (don't pull another DS3 on me, please)

III-V · Mar 12, 2019

Noema said:
I'm also insanely hyped. I'm 39 years old, and if you'd told 13 year old me that I'd still be getting this hyped for a videogame as a grizzled cranky old man, I wouldn't have believed you. Fitting since I probably hadn't been so hyped for a game since the SNES days. Maybe Ocarina of Time, but even then it was more of a tempered excitement than the hairs-on-the-back of my neck I'm feeling for this game.

I missed the boat on the releases of Bloodborne and DS3, since I didn't have anywhere to play them on, so while I was aware of their release and excited to eventually play them, I was mostly indifferent as I tried my best to avoid spoilers. This is the first modern FromSoft game I'll play day 1.

Concerning the quality of the game, I'm confident in what the team can do. Three possibilities can deflate my excitement:

The game is too easy, either because of the resurrection mechanic, or power bloat, or something that we're yet to find out

The game is too short (a 8-10 hour romp that can be finished in a weekend. That'd break my heart. I want to submerge myself in this for weeks).

The game is too linear (don't pull another DS3 on me, please)

I just turned 39 2 weeks ago. I think gaming is in my blood at this point.

Noema · Mar 12, 2019

III-V said:
I just turned 39 2 weeks ago. I think gaming is in my blood at this point.

Red Liquorice · Mar 13, 2019

Noema said:
Concerning the quality of the game, I'm confident in what the team can do. Three possibilities can deflate my excitement:

The game is too easy, either because of the resurrection mechanic, or power bloat, or something that we're yet to find out

The game is too short (a 8-10 hour romp that can be finished in a weekend. That'd break my heart. I want to submerge myself in this for weeks).

The game is too linear (don't pull another DS3 on me, please)

I don't think it will be too easy. I'm a little scared it's going to be too tough for me! I'm hoping any initial frustration I get from adjusting to the combat will go once I get a handle on it. I think the other two points are a possibility; They've said it's comparable in length to previous games, but I remember people thinking BB was short initially, so I'm not so worried about that since I think the length of BB is fine, but I think it could be on the shorter end of "similar length".

The last one worries me the most. They've talked about the level design as being like DS1, but I'm not so sure it will be in terms of area connectedness (which is what I think of when I hear "DS1 level design"). I just get the feeling that was something special we won't see replicated (I would love to be wrong). What may be more likely is that the areas have more paths and ways to get from A to Z within them. What we've seen of the first area this seems to be the case - so I think more like a beefed up Undead Settlement rather than a branching paths Firelink or Majula. I'm keeping my expectations in check in terms of linearity, I'm going in expecting not much different to the past couple of games.

Morrigan · Mar 13, 2019

Yay people older than me! Warms my heart

Deleted member 8861 · Mar 13, 2019

Red Liquorice said:
What may be more likely is that the areas have more paths and ways to get from A to Z within them.

That's the thing though, IMO, that's not really DS1's philosophy in level design. Levels are usually very linear by themselves, but the non-linearity of the world is what makes it so lively and sprawling and surprising at every corner. I'd definitely argue that DS3, BB, etc. were much closer to "areas have more ways to go through them", but those were by-and-large linearly connected, IMO.

Red Liquorice · Mar 14, 2019

Funyarinpa said:
That's the thing though, IMO, that's not really DS1's philosophy in level design. Levels are usually very linear by themselves, but the non-linearity of the world is what makes it so lively and sprawling and surprising at every corner. I'd definitely argue that DS3, BB, etc. were much closer to "areas have more ways to go through them", but those were by-and-large linearly connected, IMO.

I agree. What I'm saying is, I don't really believe when they say "DS1 level design" that they mean the same thing we (or at least I) think they mean when we hear "DS1 level design". I guess we'll see in just over a week. Hype! :)

LakeEarth · Mar 15, 2019

Had a chance to play more DaS2. Just beat what I can only describe as an uncircumcised frog penis with skeleton arms. In a game of pretty forgettable bosses, that was a pretty good one.

Beat the Fume Knight in the DLC, who was pretty dang tough. I wasn't sure where to go next, so that's why I went back to the main game for now.

Noema · Mar 15, 2019

LakeEarth said:
Had a chance to play more DaS2. Just beat what I can only describe as an uncircumcised frog penis with skeleton arms. In a game of pretty forgettable bosses, that was a pretty good one.

Beat the Fume Knight in the DLC, who was pretty dang tough. I wasn't sure where to go next, so that's why I went back to the main game for now.

There's another boss in Brume Tower you can fight after defeating the Fume Knight.

LakeEarth · Mar 15, 2019

Noema said:
There's another boss in Brume Tower you can fight after defeating the Fume Knight.

Thanks. I'll keep looking. I found the glowing armor, but I read that I need to get further in the main game to activate that. And I found an area under Fume, I just haven't explored it yet.

III-V · Mar 16, 2019

LakeEarth said:
Had a chance to play more DaS2. Just beat what I can only describe as an uncircumcised frog penis with skeleton arms. In a game of pretty forgettable bosses, that was a pretty good one.

Beat the Fume Knight in the DLC, who was pretty dang tough. I wasn't sure where to go next, so that's why I went back to the main game for now.

Welcome to DS2. Have fun :)

gosublime · Mar 16, 2019

Sekiro is predownloading on my PS4 now...

Hype!

Freezasaurus · Mar 16, 2019

gosublime said:
Sekiro is predownloading on my PS4 now...

Hype!

What what what? That seems like an early preload. What's the filesize?

gosublime · Mar 16, 2019

Freezasaurus said:
What what what? That seems like an early preload. What's the filesize?

9 and a bit gigabytes - so not the whole lot but apparently the game on console is about 12?

And it has downloaded now - actual file size was about 9.9 gigs.

Deleted member 8861 · Mar 16, 2019

gosublime said:
Sekiro is predownloading on my PS4 now...

Hype!

Oh shiiiiit. Can someone confirm if it's started to preload on Steam too?

AllThingsPurple · Mar 16, 2019

I know Sekiro is gonna be great but I can't help but wish it was more Soulsy. I'm gonna get it and almost certainly love it. But there is just something about the old, dying, decaying worlds of the souls game that resonate with me.

III-V · Mar 16, 2019

AllThingsPurple said:
I know Sekiro is gonna be great but I can't help but wish it was more Soulsy. I'm gonna get it and almost certainly love it. But there is just something about the old, dying, decaying worlds of the souls game that resonate with me.

Why do you think Sekiro does not have a dying, decaying world? Idk how much you have seen from the game.

AllThingsPurple · Mar 16, 2019

III-V said:
Why do you think Sekiro does not have a dying, decaying world? Idk how much you have seen from the game.

It just looks a lot more bright and vibrant. It looks very much alive. I know it still has monsters and stuff but it doesn't seem to quite have the same horror aesthetic the souls games have.

Also I the fact it's set on earth in Japan too kind of adds to that feeling that it's not a dying world.

As I said I know the game will be great I just would have loved to see a fictional fantasy world like dark souls based on Japanese mythos.

III-V · Mar 16, 2019

I think there will be quite a rabbit hole to go down in Sekiro, at least I am envisioning that. I think the only bit I will truly miss is the connectedness with other players. That, for certain, I will miss from this game. And now I want more Dark Souls.

Don't Give Up, Shadows!

Noema · Mar 16, 2019

gosublime said:
9 and a bit gigabytes - so not the whole lot but apparently the game on console is about 12?

And it has downloaded now - actual file size was about 9.9 gigs.

The game is currently sitting at 16.8GB on my PS4, though it could well download some additional data at launch.

In other news, last night I fired up Bloodborne for the first time in over a year and I was getting wrecked by Cleric Beast. A boss that had never killed me before. Took me 5 tries to kill it. Since I hadn't played a From game since like August and the closest thing was Nioh, I was trying to Ki pulse everything to disastrous results. I was actually surprised at how much I was dying.

Sekiro is just going to destroy me and throw me into a dumpster.

gosublime · Mar 16, 2019

Just got home from a kids party and mine is now going up to the 16.8 gigs. Sweet.

Noema · Mar 16, 2019

I was just going to noodle around for a bit in Bloodborne and ended up playing up the Forbidden Woods. My god, this game.

Just look at it. Every inch of it is so incricately detailed, even in its shimmery low IQ state. Could you imagine this game running at 4K with better AA? It's still one of the best looking games I've played even as it is.

More_Badass · Mar 16, 2019

I started playing Dark Souls 3 to scrstch that From itch while waiting for Sekiro, and man, Sekiro in footage looks so much more detailed than DS3. From the blood spray and animations, to the environmental fidelity and character/enemy details, Sekiro looks like a substantial step up

III-V · Mar 18, 2019

Soooooooo clooooooose to release.

LakeEarth · Mar 18, 2019

III-V said:
Soooooooo clooooooose to release.

I read this in a creepy sex way and now I need to shower.

Strafer · Mar 18, 2019

Noema said:
I was just going to noodle around for a bit in Bloodborne and ended up playing up the Forbidden Woods. My god, this game.

Just look at it. Every inch of it is so incricately detailed, even in its shimmery low IQ state. Could you imagine this game running at 4K with better AA? It's still one of the best looking games I've played even as it is.

Probably the best art direction in the Souls series. Such a good idea to have it be Victorian London style.

EndlessNever · Mar 18, 2019

Going through Bloodborne (yet again) before the release of Sekiro and just got to the Forbidden Woods, and man this has to be one of From's best areas. It's amazing in every way.

Spacejaws · Mar 19, 2019

Has there been any word about release times of Steam? Are we hoping for a midnight 21st into 22nd release or is it going to be morning/midday 22nd? Talking about GMT here.

PeskyToaster · Mar 20, 2019

LakeEarth said:
Had a chance to play more DaS2. Just beat what I can only describe as an uncircumcised frog penis with skeleton arms. In a game of pretty forgettable bosses, that was a pretty good one.

Beat the Fume Knight in the DLC, who was pretty dang tough. I wasn't sure where to go next, so that's why I went back to the main game for now.

I'm playing Dark Souls 2 right now and also just beat Fume Knight too. First phase was fun but that second phase was kicking me for a while. I'm fighting Sir Alonne right now and holy god I am getting annihilated. Almost got him once then bungled two dodges in a row

LakeEarth · Mar 20, 2019

PeskyToaster said:
I'm playing Dark Souls 2 right now and also just beat Fume Knight too. First phase was fun but that second phase was kicking me for a while. I'm fighting Sir Alonne right now and holy god I am getting annihilated. Almost got him once then bungled two dodges in a row

Yeah, it took me a while to get used to Fume Knight because some of his moves were so much slower than you would think. That second phase attack with the very slow swipe was easy to see coming (thanks to the buzzsaw-like sound effect), but I kept screwing up the dodge because I kept doing it way too early.

I stopped on the DLC there because I wanted to beat the main game first. I'm now at the part where I can access the Throne of Want, but I haven't explored any of the memories yet.

Noema · Mar 20, 2019

Interestingly I find the second phase of the Fume Knight much easier. If you wear Velstadt's helm during the battle he'll actually go straight to the second phase.

PeskyToaster · Mar 20, 2019

Just playstyle I guess. I was able to get to his second phase every time. Eventually I got the hang of it and killed him with a lot of health and estus to spare.

This Sir Alonne is giving me a lot of trouble though. I usually don't play with a shield but I might try it. Just hits so damn fast. The hitbox on his dark stab power-up move is a little wonky too. I rolled around him and it visibly snapped me back to carry out the impale animation. It's funny because the first time I saw that move I dodged it every time and in subsequent fights I couldn't replicate. Also he has two like glide-then-slash moves one is fast, one is slow and the dodge timing is a pain in the butt.

Noema · Mar 20, 2019

Wonky hit boxes is the Dark Souls 2 de facto subtitle.

Freezasaurus · Mar 20, 2019

Noema said:
Wonky hit boxes is the Dark Souls 2 de facto subtitle.

This exact thing happened to me numerous times. So aggravating.

LakeEarth · Mar 20, 2019

Yup, grab moves seem to be fucked in Dark Souls 2. I once got grabbed by a mimic from so fucking far, it wasn't even funny. Worse than that GIF, even.

Guppeth · Mar 20, 2019

I'm way too poor to buy Sekiro at launch, and Nioh is 64% off in the EU. I should play Nioh, right?

Noema · Mar 20, 2019

Guppeth said:
I'm way too poor to buy Sekiro at launch, and Nioh is 64% off in the EU. I should play Nioh, right?

If you like Dark Souls, you should definitely give it a shot. Specially at that price. Is that the complete edition? The DLC is really good, both in terms of content and the new weapons it introduced.

Guppeth · Mar 20, 2019

Noema said:
If you like Dark Souls, you should definitely give it a shot. Specially at that price. Is that the complete edition? The DLC is really good, both in terms of content and the new weapons it introduced.

The complete edition, yeah. I've seen a few complaints that the game is padded with repetitive fights, but that won't bother me if the combat is good.

Noema · Mar 20, 2019

Guppeth said:
The complete edition, yeah. I've seen a few complaints that the game is padded with repetitive fights, but that won't bother me if the combat is good.

The combat is better than good. It's sublime.

gosublime · Mar 20, 2019

Guppeth said:
The complete edition, yeah. I've seen a few complaints that the game is padded with repetitive fights, but that won't bother me if the combat is good.

Combat is amazing - it wasn't my favourite game because I prefer the lore/world design of the Souls games, but if that's not your main thing and combat is, go for it!

Guppeth · Mar 20, 2019

Noema said:
The combat is better than good. It's sublime.

gosublime said:
Combat is amazing - it wasn't my favourite game because I prefer the lore/world design of the Souls games, but if that's not your main thing and combat is, go for it!

I just want to note that Noema said sublime, and gosublime posted immediately afterwards. One of you is a witch.

Downloading now, thanks!

PeskyToaster · Mar 20, 2019

Got Sir Alonne down. The iron passage run to the boss is terrible. They put enemies that slow you down out of reach and an Iron Warrior right before the boss door????

III-V · Mar 20, 2019

PeskyToaster said:
Got Sir Alonne down. The iron passage run to the boss is terrible. They put enemies that slow you down out of reach and an Iron Warrior right before the boss door????

Don't give up, skeleton

PeskyToaster · Mar 20, 2019

III-V said:
Don't give up, skeleton

Never! I will always respawn but eventually they will not.

I called in a phantom for the first smelter demon fight. Not for this one. Once I get back to the main game I'm going to destroy though. Way overleveled.

Yossarian · Mar 21, 2019

Any of you veterans offer some build advice for DS3?

Not done a magic build before and I'm interested in putting together one that, more or less, uses melee magic exclusively; spells like:

Farron Flashsword (dual wield?)
Soul Greatsword
Dark Edge
Old Moonlight
Lifehunt Scythe
Lightning Arrow
Fire Whip

Not sure where to begin in terms of stat distribution, rings (I guess I want DMR so I can keep my ATT at 30 rather than 50) or catalysts/talismans to get the most out it.

Probably going to try it out in PvP and invasions, so I want to stick around level 120.

Any suggestions? All advice gratefully received!

III-V · Mar 22, 2019

Happy Sekiro release day!

I don't get to play until after work this evening. My shadow is ready.

Red Liquorice · Mar 22, 2019

My copy is out for delivery today, but I can't play it until Sunday, longest weekend ever! ;__;

Yossarian · Mar 22, 2019

Red Liquorice said:
My copy is out for delivery today, but I can't play it until Sunday, longest weekend ever! ;__;

I can't even order mine till Thursday.

Red Liquorice · Mar 22, 2019

Stay strong and stay away from spoilers!

Yossarian · Mar 22, 2019

Red Liquorice said:
Stay strong and stay away from spoilers!

Thanks, chief!

SoulsERA |OT| So the world might be mended

Which game do you find holds the most replayability?

Demon's Souls

Dark Souls

Dark Souls II

Dark Souls III

Bloodborne

Sekiro

Spear of the Metal Church

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