I’ve played many RPG games when I was a kid and some more even after. Gothic: Night of the Raven, Neverwinter nights and Morrowind will always have a place in my heart. There was a time when I thought that Gothic 1 was the most difficult “slash and hack” game I’ve ever played, but it was before I’ve played Dark Souls 1.

The first Souls I especially love for it's magnificent level design and lots of hidden details. After DS1 my choice was obvious, I should have a look at SOTFS. And so I did.

Now, after two walkthroughs and deep surf into the history of project development, I've fully understood why the major part of the community looks at the game with such neglect. This is completely different product, a homage to Miyazaki's masterpiece. The game is not on the list of my favorites, however, I've played it twice, and I like it in some way. Step by step exploring the world of Drangleic I sunk into memories of another unique project - Gothic 1 (2001). That game was made in Germany, published with dozens of bugs and difficult control. In DS2 it's all the same.

Only after the second walkthrough, I've managed to see the weakest and the strongest points of the gameplay, it's balance, and melee combat system, and suddenly realized that game is actually pretty simple. The developers left many hidden "lifesavers" in every location. There are ballistas on the front wall of Cardinal tower while bossfight with The Pursuer, in No-Man's Wharf its a giant lantern which might be kindle, on The Earthern Peak it's cages with "leaving-meat" for Covetous Demon or massive wind mill before battle with queen Mytha.

For the gamers who are about to play Dark Souls 2, I can give the next advice: be attentive on the way to the room with a boss, and watch carefully for the number of enemies surrounding you. Of course, if you are eager for REAL challenge, play DS2 on PC, but prepare vital hotkeys entirely at the left side of your keyboard and be ready for pain.

I’ve played many RPG games when I was a kid and some more even after. Gothic: Night of the Raven, Neverwinter nights and Morrowind will always have a place in my heart. There was a time when I thought that Gothic 1 was the most difficult “slash and hack” game I’ve ever played, but it was before I’ve played Dark Souls 1. The first Souls I especially love for it's magnificent level design and lots of hidden details. After DS1 my choice was obvious, I should have a look at SOTFS. And so I did. Now, after two walkthroughs and deep surf into the history of project development, I've fully understood why the major part of the community looks at the game with such neglect. This is completely different product, a homage to Miyazaki's masterpiece. The game is not on the list of my favorites, however, I've played it twice, and I like it in some way. Step by step exploring the world of Drangleic I sunk into memories of another unique project - Gothic 1 (2001). That game was made in Germany, published with dozens of bugs and difficult control. In DS2 it's all the same. Only after the second walkthrough, I've managed to see the weakest and the strongest points of the gameplay, it's balance, and melee combat system, and suddenly realized that game is actually pretty simple. The developers left many hidden "lifesavers" in every location. There are ballistas on the front wall of Cardinal tower while bossfight with The Pursuer, in No-Man's Wharf its a giant lantern which might be kindle, on The Earthern Peak it's cages with "leaving-meat" for Covetous Demon or massive wind mill before battle with queen Mytha. For the gamers who are about to play Dark Souls 2, I can give the next advice: be attentive on the way to the room with a boss, and watch carefully for the number of enemies surrounding you. Of course, if you are eager for REAL challenge, play DS2 on PC, but prepare vital hotkeys entirely at the left side of your keyboard and be ready for pain.