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boxotimbits t1_j1992ox wrote

Reply to comment by Jackalodeath in City of Tears by voithos

I definitely think HK is harder than DS1, especially with the DLCs. It's really not all reflex based, especially if you use a shield and heavy armor (which is a completely viable way to beat ds1). Some of the HK fights are fairly technical like you mentioned and the DS series overall often provides that same "if I just did things right I would win" feeling while dying over and over. But DS1 is an amazingly built world with a lot of emotional connection to NPCs that feel much more organic than plenty of other games. Some bosses are challenging, sure, but it's not as technically difficult as the later games in the series.

All that said, I would strongly recommend the game. And once you beat the first you might just find yourself wanting to continue the journey through the other 6 from software games in the same spirit.

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Jackalodeath t1_j19mg7i wrote

Oh believe me, HK reignited a long-snuffed flame.

Some personal stuff has them on the back burner, but I'm absolutely diving balls-first into the Fromsoft games once things get sorted. Best part is, my own reluctance towards them has inadvertently kept me from learning basically anything meaningful about the series, so that's several hundred (possibly thousands knowing me) hours worth of - from what I've seen/read - masterfully crafted lore, gear, and skills I get to experience for the very first time. All I really know are the memes about a massive sword-wielding dog, dodging, Sun worship(?), campfires are your personal Jesus, some fan theory involving Bloodborne and menstruation, and "You Died" in a very specific font. I'm excited to say the least!

At the moment I'm scratching a ninja itch I thought Gaiden would handle with AC: Odyssey (it's pretty and "free" so why not), which is turning out to be more RPG than anything (not complaining, still fun if a bit grindy.) From what I've gathered it uses a similar-ish gear/skill system as the Souls games; you pick a certain "class" or specialization that fits your playstyle, refine it with gear/ability synergies, and boil it down until you're practically a god that doesn't like being touched.

That in itself is my gaming bread and butter, right next to exploration/"sandboxes." Yet over the past... decade? Seeing the sheer magnitude of people singing Fromsoft's praises on practically every aspect of the Souls and "Soul Sisters" games, I can't wait to wedge myself into those worlds like a starfish hiding from a Nurse shark. I've heard DS2 is a bit of a... "Departure," from their usual quality - don't know exactly why, but it seems to be treated like the red-headed stepchild. So unless I get a great deal on all 3 Souls, Sekiro(spelling?), Bloodborne (this'un really piques my interest from the aesthetics alone, though I may have spoiled it a bit watching Jacksepticeye's playthrough; thankfully his train of thought derails every few moments and the past 2 years futzed my memory), and Elden Ring, I may pass up DS2.

In your opinion, would you say DS, 3, Bloodborne, Elden Ring, then Sekiro would be an ideal order of attack, skill-check wise? I've read Sekiro puts the timing and "reading" your opponents on a whole other level, comparitively speaking. If you've had the pleasure of playing them all of course.

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boxotimbits t1_j1a6lqd wrote

DS2 is very polarizing. Miyazaki didn't work directly on it and personally it is my least favorite. However it is still a phenomenal game and I wouldn't recommend you skip it. It has the best weapon and armor variety and introduced an incredible dual wield mechanic called power stancing. The DLCs each have really brutal sections so I wouldn't hesitate to coop them if you don't want the challenge. The biggest issues (imo) with it are that the world isn't built at all as cohesively as the first dark souls and that there are lots of ganks (enemies randomly attacking you from hidden places or far away). Also the bosses are not quite as diverse as other dark souls games.

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Jackalodeath t1_j1abt1b wrote

Ah, okay; that Miyazaki not being directly at the helm was portrayed as they tried to make the game without his involvement whatsoever. Typically I try to average out player gripes/praises since so many have a penchant for hyperbole, but the average was always 2 being on the bottom rung.

Thank you so much for the insight!

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