|
|
Post by Vandelay on Sept 15, 2021 15:17:46 GMT
I managed to get a PS5 a couple of weeks ago and this was an instant grab for me. Love the Souls games and this is the one I never played, having not owned a PS3 (I did play it a bit via an emulator, but only about half).
It is a fantastic game. As others have already mentioned, the atmosphere is incredible and the HDR adds a lot to that (I can only imagine how amazing 3-2 looks on an OLED).
The gameplay itself is much the same as other Souls game, but I'm fine with that. The levels are much more claustrophobic though, with more linear design to them. The boss design is quite varied, but does have some more gimmick bosses. This might make it a little less interesting to replay, but you do have a lot of freedom in the order you want to complete levels and the build variety looks to be as interesting as ever.
Probably because of having played all the other Souls games, I would say this felt quite a bit easier than the others. The gimmick bosses that ended each archstone were often pretty simple to do and I did most of them on the first attempt. I also felt like I may have over-leveled a bit (only finished the game at around 60-70 though), as the final couple of areas I managed to do with very little difficulty. Perhaps helped by the Meat Cleaver, which felt like this game's equivalent of the Zwei. Final time was only 17 hours, which was about half of my usual time with these games.
Still loved it though and I look forward to going back to it. There doesn't seem to be as much hidden bits or optional bosses, but I'm sure there is plenty more to explore.
|
|
|
|
Post by FlexibleFeline on Sept 15, 2021 19:01:06 GMT
I managed to get a PS5 a couple of weeks ago and this was an instant grab for me. Love the Souls games and this is the one I never played, having not owned a PS3 (I did play it a bit via an emulator, but only about half). It is a fantastic game. As others have already mentioned, the atmosphere is incredible and the HDR adds a lot to that (I can only imagine how amazing 3-2 looks on an OLED). The gameplay itself is much the same as other Souls game, but I'm fine with that. The levels are much more claustrophobic though, with more linear design to them. The boss design is quite varied, but does have some more gimmick bosses. This might make it a little less interesting to replay, but you do have a lot of freedom in the order you want to complete levels and the build variety looks to be as interesting as ever. Probably because of having played all the other Souls games, I would say this felt quite a bit easier than the others. The gimmick bosses that ended each archstone were often pretty simple to do and I did most of them on the first attempt. I also felt like I may have over-leveled a bit (only finished the game at around 60-70 though), as the final couple of areas I managed to do with very little difficulty. Perhaps helped by the Meat Cleaver, which felt like this game's equivalent of the Zwei. Final time was only 17 hours, which was about half of my usual time with these games. Still loved it though and I look forward to going back to it. There doesn't seem to be as much hidden bits or optional bosses, but I'm sure there is plenty more to explore. Pretty much agree with all you say. I know what you mean about gimmicky bosses. I actually appreciate the boss fights in this mostly as they are quite easy especially with a certain spell you can acquire. RE: hidden bits, I guess the equivalent here are the NPC quests - including the one who turns up very late on. World tendency can still do one, though. |
|
|
|
Post by FlexibleFeline on Sept 15, 2021 19:04:22 GMT
Aaaarghhh!! I need a PS5, reading this thread makes me want to play the remake so much. It can't be as good as the OG but I still MUST play it How did you feckers all manage to get a PS5? Pretty much pure luck on my part - I'd had one on order for ages, gave up on it and cancelled the order...then saw the same shop (local indie here in Budapest) was advertising an incoming new bundle. I placed an order, thinking I might get something in X months, and the next day they called me saying someone else had cancelled their order and would I li- YES PLEASE! |
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 15, 2021 19:12:54 GMT
Also, re hidden bits, ironically, that's why you need to manipulate the world tendency to get certain areas to open up, revealing new areas.
|
|
|
|
Post by FlexibleFeline on Sept 15, 2021 19:19:17 GMT
Yeah, it's a frustrating mechanic - particularly if you're a completionist (shouldn't complain though, I know platinum was MUCH tougher on the original). Easy to ignore if you don't care about full exploration, trophies etc.
There was discussion / comparison earlier of the remake with the original. I don't think anything will replace my first playthrough of Demon's Souls on the PS3; one of the most unforgettable gaming experiences you could have at the time. But this version is superior in pretty much every single way.
|
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 15, 2021 19:27:08 GMT
I very nearly sold the original. It was doing my head in. (First souls game) I was this close to getting rid and then all of a sudden, something clicked and I started killing stuff a bit more effectively. I was so glad, because I loved the setting etc but couldn't get my head round the combat. Now look at the fucking state we're in  |
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 15, 2021 19:28:30 GMT
The hardest thing I found with the trophies is trying to change a world from pure black all the way to pure white. Christ, that was a slog. And that's with the fucking guide.
|
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 15, 2021 19:29:29 GMT
And pure bladestone can fuck off too  I compare that to the wait time trying to get journeyman boots in everquest, it took that fucking long! |
|
|
|
Post by FlexibleFeline on Sept 15, 2021 19:45:26 GMT
RE: clicking, I had a similar experience with Ninja Gaiden on xbox - I was on the verge of sacking it when I got good... er, well, became slightly less shit and could proceed. It became one of my favourite games of all time. Those gaming moments are gold.
Re: world tendency, discovering Primeval Demons was a huge relief (thanks internet, nothing to do with me exploring or using my own initiative) re: shifting towards White but it does only take you so far. I was paranoid at one point that I wouldn't actually be able to shift tendency all the way - not sure if this is actually true, perhaps you always can move it from one end to the other. But it felt I was running out of options.
And re: pure bladestone - I feel I got relatively lucky with that drop, to the extent I promised I wouldn't moan about any other drop (still did, of course).
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2021 19:53:55 GMT
And pure bladestone can fuck off too I compare that to the wait time trying to get journeyman boots in everquest, it took that fucking long! I'm still not sure I've ever got one. I recall farming a LOOOOOONNNG time. |
|
|
|
Post by FlexibleFeline on Sept 15, 2021 19:56:55 GMT
Wait - re: pure bladestone we're talking about the remake right? To exchange for a ring? That's what I was referring to (assume I've got the right upgrade material).
I understand there were some drops in the original you needed to get a particular trophy and these were incredibly rare. Kind of glad I just played it once on PS3 and felt chuffed to beat the game!
|
|
|
|
Post by retro74 on Sept 15, 2021 20:10:19 GMT
Pure Bladestone on the OG was a super rare drop from the black skeletons
I must have killed at least five thousand of them. I still remember the days I got it, running round the room with my daughter cheering - she was proper invested in the grind too, even though she was only little at the time
|
|
|
|
Post by Danno on Sept 15, 2021 20:24:17 GMT
I got lucky as hell, took maybe 400 runs. Kind of annoying tbh as I was single, skint and had nothing better to do
|
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 15, 2021 20:58:29 GMT
They've increased the drop rate of it in the remaster/remake. They've done some fine tuning with bits here and there. I can't remember most of them, but the pure bladestone is one I remember
|
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 15, 2021 20:59:14 GMT
Shit, I want to fire it up now and see where my character is
|
|
|
|
Post by retro74 on Sept 15, 2021 21:04:47 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 15, 2021 21:07:21 GMT
No, I think I'm about half way through. I've done 1-3 though, so that gives a rough guestimate. So I must have cleared at least one world.
Fuck, I'm a bit pissed and stoned but I'm going to have to fire it up right now to check!
|
|
|
|
Post by Danno on Sept 15, 2021 21:12:52 GMT
No, I think I'm about half way through. I've done 1-3 though, so that gives a rough guestimate. So I must have cleared at least one world. Fuck, I'm a bit pissed and stoned but I'm going to have to fire it up right now to check! gonna be further than you are in half an hour dude, best get on it! |
|
|
|
Post by retro74 on Sept 15, 2021 21:13:53 GMT
I think you need to send me your PS5 quaddy, I’ve got some spare time to get it done |
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 15, 2021 21:19:52 GMT
Haha it's like being at a comedy stand up with you guys I am honestly going to fire it up in a minute. Quite excited! |
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 15, 2021 22:45:31 GMT
Finally fired it up.
Level 65. Dex and magic by the looks of it.
I've got 2 levels of world 4 to do, and then it's off to 1-4. Everything else is done. Further than I thought.
|
|
|
|
Post by Danno on Sept 15, 2021 22:49:26 GMT
Finally fired it up. Level 65. Dex and magic by the looks of it. I've got 2 levels of world 4 to do, and then it's off to 1-4. Everything else is done. Further than I thought. get it platinumed, you Slag |
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 15, 2021 23:11:29 GMT
Bladestone!
|
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 15, 2021 23:12:14 GMT
Plus I want second chance for Ng+, so I need to focus when I'm not pissed |
|
|
|
Post by Vandelay on Sept 15, 2021 23:21:18 GMT
I very nearly sold the original. It was doing my head in. (First souls game) I was this close to getting rid and then all of a sudden, something clicked and I started killing stuff a bit more effectively. I was so glad, because I loved the setting etc but couldn't get my head round the combat. Now look at the fucking state we're in I was much the same with Dark Souls. I couldn't stand the controls. I dropped the game twice, first around the Taurus Demon, the second the rats under the bridge. I kept hearing such good things about it though and it always sounded like something I should like. Gave it one last final try and managed to reach the Gargoyle church. Took the lift down and I was back at Firelink. It was a few hours since I had been there and felt like travelled a huge distance, but when I thought about that actual journey I realised that there was no trick here and I really had made this trip. I was completely blown away. I had been on this tough, painful, sometimes frustrating journey, but I made it back home again. One of my all time great gaming moments and I instantly fell in love with the game. On the world tendancy stuff, I didn't actually touch it in this first play through, so definitely something to explore on a second play (Miles Morales first!). Not really sure how the system works. Is it something to do with killing NPCs and invading other people? Not got PS Plus at the moment, so may have to wait until I get around to picking up a sub before playing around with that stuff. |
|
|
|
Post by puddleduck on Sept 15, 2021 23:47:51 GMT
It's driven by you dying in human form. So each time you do that world shifts one towards black. Killing bosses, black phantoms or primevil demon's shifts it towards white.
It's why people often kill themselves in the nexus to avoid being human in a level.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vandelay on Sept 16, 2021 7:23:29 GMT
Ah okay. I had initially thought it was connected with you dying, but areas where I died a lot had no effect on it, so thought it was something else. I wasn't in human form for pretty much all those deaths.
I spent much of the game in the soul form. I used the Cling Ring throughout, so wasn't too worried about the loss of health (although, I realised at the end just how beneficial the extra bit of health was).
|
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 16, 2021 9:06:39 GMT
Ah okay. I had initially thought it was connected with you dying, but areas where I died a lot had no effect on it, so thought it was something else. I wasn't in human form for pretty much all those deaths. I spent much of the game in the soul form. I used the Cling Ring throughout, so wasn't too worried about the loss of health (although, I realised at the end just how beneficial the extra bit of health was). I posted this on a previous page which covers a bit of world tendency, but it's always best to check the wiki beforehand and then you can decide on the best way for you to play - offline/online/soulform/human form etc - You've got to beat the boss of level 1:1 first, called Phalanx. Once he's done (tip, use fire if you can), go back to the Nexus immediately (don't even push on after the boss is killed or you risk losing a few things), and speak to the maiden in black and it'll kick off the levelling procedure.
And it sounds really stupid, but you're better off killing yourself in the Nexus after you've leveled up.
When you kill a boss, you'll be transformed into human form. However, and this is a very big thing, being in human form out in the wild, shall we say, brings its own challenges. Basically, if you die in human form in a main level, the world tendency will shift to black a bit. Monsters will be harder, but drop rate will be increased. But the more black the world becomes, the harder it is. And there are things that change in both black world tendency and white world tendency. Killing bosses makes the world whiter. Dying in human form makes the world darker.
It's all a bit obtuse, and I'd highly recommend reading the world tendency on the wiki page to get your head round it.
So each time I kill a boss, I whizz back to the Nexus, level up, store stuff, buy stuff and then go right to the top of the level and hurl myself off to my death. Then I pick up my souls where I jumped, and then go out and carry on in a level (the Nexus is the *only* area where dying in human form has no consequence).
And yes, you have half health in soul form. But there's a ring in the first level (1-1) that helps with this. Don't leave 1-1 till you have 2 rings. Keep your eyes open when exploring it!
And yes, don't consume boss souls for now till you know what they can later on be used for.
And keep stones of ephemeral eyes and don't use them that much! |
|
|
|
Post by quadfather on Sept 16, 2021 11:12:08 GMT
I very nearly sold the original. It was doing my head in. (First souls game) I was this close to getting rid and then all of a sudden, something clicked and I started killing stuff a bit more effectively. I was so glad, because I loved the setting etc but couldn't get my head round the combat. Now look at the fucking state we're in I was much the same with Dark Souls. I couldn't stand the controls. I dropped the game twice, first around the Taurus Demon, the second the rats under the bridge. I kept hearing such good things about it though and it always sounded like something I should like. Gave it one last final try and managed to reach the Gargoyle church. Took the lift down and I was back at Firelink. It was a few hours since I had been there and felt like travelled a huge distance, but when I thought about that actual journey I realised that there was no trick here and I really had made this trip. I was completely blown away. I had been on this tough, painful, sometimes frustrating journey, but I made it back home again. One of my all time great gaming moments and I instantly fell in love with the game. On the world tendancy stuff, I didn't actually touch it in this first play through, so definitely something to explore on a second play (Miles Morales first!). Not really sure how the system works. Is it something to do with killing NPCs and invading other people? Not got PS Plus at the moment, so may have to wait until I get around to picking up a sub before playing around with that stuff. I know exactly the feeling you describe when you loop back to firelink for the first time. The relief is palpable. And then you start to appreciate how fucking brilliant the level design is. |
|
|
|
Post by Danno on Sept 16, 2021 15:20:56 GMT
I see the shonky collisions while falling made it through. 2-2 is driving me mental
|
|
I compare that to the wait time trying to get journeyman boots in everquest, it took that fucking long!
