Using these produces a great deal of tension yes, equipping one in your off-hand means you can be sure of your footing, but-as it turns out-it's rather difficult to block incoming attacks with a stick. Even Drangleic's dark underground areas are enjoyable to explore thanks to the inclusion of torches, a surprisingly great addition that provides a mobile source of light. The layout of each feels meticulous and logical I often cursed traps and enemies, but never blamed level design for my deaths. Some are immensely perilous (to the same degree as the infamous Blighttown), but none feel frustratingly cheap. It's an engaging system that succeeds in making you feel as though you're not alone during your journey. You can summon them for help, or even invade their worlds to straight up murder them for a variety of rewards. While you're playing through the game, you'll see the ghosts of other players who have fallen victim to Drangleic's many perils.
DARK SOULS 3 MULTIPLAYER REVIEW TRIAL
Learning the attack patterns of foes, the locations of cleverly hidden traps, whether or not that gaping hole in the ground leads to treasure or will simply kill you should you step in it-all of this is accomplished through trial and error.ĭark Souls 2, like its predecessors, has unique online functionality. This process is a battle of inches, as enemy encounters are frequent and difficult, and the setting itself is no less threatening. In practice, this means exploring every bit of the vast world and fighting its many enemies and bosses. But most importantly, that death is a great teacher.Īs a newly branded undead in the kingdom of Drangleic, your goal is simple: gather as many souls as possible in the hopes of breaking your curse. That circle-strafing is not a one-size-fits-all tactic. That bipedal hippos are really fucking deadly.
But every time I took an axe to the face, or got murdered by somersaulting zombies, or mistakenly cartwheeled off a cliff, I learned something of value: that patience, as always, yields the greatest rewards. I know this courtesy of a worldwide death counter. During my 54 hours with Dark Souls 2, I died 226 times.