I don't often buy games nowadays, but this one totally deserved a place in my shelf/heart. It's like old games were. Not the best graphics and story but near-perfect game mechanics. Finally a game where they put the focus right. And I love how challenging it is - while still remaining fair. Gives me the thrill/kick I expect from a game. Just like drugs, that's what I play computer games for; artificial reward system boosts (and fun). A worthy successor in my opinion.
It teases me to buy at my second hand (wooo, someone got annoyed and left Deluxe Edition of Dark Souls 1). But I am the very nervous man after all and I don't like jumpscares... Yeah...
Having found Dark Souls 1 nigh on impossible, I went to Dark Souls 2 when it came out anyway 'cause I was intrigued.
I've finished it once and after watching This and the following video in the playlist (VaatiVidya is a pro) I was absolutely mind blown. Like, Bioshock Infinity had me pondering life for a week but this wasn't far off. I loved every aspect of the game and though I still think it should have a death count for people to laugh at, I wasn't deterred.
It's not your mainstream "we'll help you along the way" RPG-style game and that makes it very much unknown to many people, hence finding it in shops is difficult. I find that to be a good thing though. The game is so immersive and I've never felt so isolated while playing it. I've gone back to Dark Souls 1 to re-attempt it (on console 'cause the PC import is awful)
Anyway, it is currently torrented and therefore I have no assistance from Covenants etc. but I'm gonna go find it in due time and buy it. I'm on NG+ at the minute and the Lost Sinner's causing me a serious problem but I'll hopefully do it eventually. Need the DLC too. Very underrated indeed.
So much Unknown in these series. the path's , what you need to clear the way , and ofc.. Death count, Lost souls and such. Really annoy to see the rewards are such low when the Fights you jump in takes All the time you have. its something that you should die to map the whole place. then find a way to survive. and then, Die trying that.
I mean, I enjoy roguelikes (you know, those - casual with graphic or hardcore with ASCII) and I'm not angry when I die, because that is the main reason. This is why I'm intruged by that but I also lack some nerve at points...
I've torrented it at first, too. Played it for three days and instantly bought a steam code. I love the fact, that it's not quite a MMPORG but more a mix of it. You don't play to be better than others but to get as far as possible. The PvP system is quite balanced, too. I yet hadn't a fight I left unsatisfied, thinking it was unfair. No matter the different class, level, skill, progress and equipment. Probably going to buy the season pass.
By the way, you can't import your torrented save game to the online gaming.