Dark Souls 2 Gameplay Reveal - 12 Minute Demo

The 12 minute gameplay debut of Dark Souls 2 has been released, courtesy of IGN.

[Prcko]

Awesome!!!

[TopDudeMan]

GOTY - everyone make sure you watch the Q+A

[RyuCloudStrife]

I disagree.

[xHeavYx]

I can already picture myself throwing the controller against the wall

[omi25p]

it looks exactly the same as the last one.

[DragonKnight]

Where's the Q+A video?

My impressions of the game: Loving the visuals of it. Much better lighting overall and more detail put into it even at this stage.

Hopefully my reflexes are the reason I felt that the enemies seemed too easy, or it's just because of the demo, but that "surprise attack" event bothered me.

I'm loving the world, and the destructible environments.

Combat has changed. It seems more fluid in addition to maintaining the tight controls of the previous games. I'm loving the weapon swap upgrade though.

I hope they will allow parrying with the torch, but I can see them not.

All in all, it looks to be in-keeping with the Souls series and I'm hyped for it.

**EDIT** Found the other video. I watched the gameplay somewhere else. LOL.

[Irishguy95]

Here's proof to all those moaners about 'accessibility'

I like that the game looks better. Don't really care much though, i'm glad to see Souls series return again.

And why do you say that @ Below? There is no reason to believe that especially judging from the vid, it looks like a new souls game with better graphics, it seems the new producer hasn't done anything bad and it was as originally intended/ Souls game with more accessibility.

[ps3_pwns]

dont think this one is goty lol. demon souls and darksouls 1 are probably better.

[SegataSanshiro]

Here's hoping for a Sega Saturn edition

[Ser]

That's a good thing, omi25p. If it's anywhere near as good as the first two games, I'll be happy.

[nix]

dang i was right... last time i had said they will be showing 9 mins of dying... and how i was right.

which game shows deaths on their first demo..

looks great though.

[Blacktric]

"Here's proof to all those moaners about 'accessibility'"

Being able to carry three weapons EACH HAND sure means they didn't dumb the game down. And don't get me started on the extremely obvious item indication effects...

Subtlety in design's been thrown out of the window.

[Game4life]

Praise the dragons !

[InMyOpinion]

Imminent despair ahead.

[Starbucks_Fan]

Sweet, this game will help me fill up the swear jar ten fold.

[camel_toad]

Awesome indeed. I'm officially looking forward to this game more than anything else. Really surprised at the graphics too. Can't wait!

[Nevers]

Day one for me... but I knew this before it was even going to be announced. Love the Souls games.

[flyingmunky]

From Software keeps on putting out pure quality. I don't know who all keeps coming out with such crazy and unique enemy design, but I love it! This studio is really on a roll.

[Donnieboi]

Sweeet!! This game is gonna be amazing!

[landog]

graphically it looks about on par with the pc version of ds1.....cannot wait to see this thing maxed on my pc...will look 10x better i imagine

gameplay of course will be AMAZING on all platforms

[fossilfern]

Some of the Animation, particle effects, lighting and cloth physics are alot better! But I agree this will look outstanding on PC!

[MestreRothN4G]

Port.

[Rockefellow]

Yep, because we all know how well DS1 was optimized for PC. Get your head out of your ass and stop posting these stupidly-veiled slanderous comments. Just because you threw a small comment about "all platforms" at the end doesn't make it any less backhanded (or dumb, for that matter).

[AnteCash]

Yea its FLYING on my amd quad 3.2Ghz , 6770 , 4GB ram ...........NOT

PC and Optimization dont belong in the same sentence.

[landog]

runs at 2560x1600 at locked 30 frames, never below, with massive, MASSIVEly better graphics than the ps3 version i played

and yes, it looks way better than that sub-hd, 720p video on ign.....that better have been last gen console gameplay.....becasue it looks worse than ds1 on my pc

just being honest...butthurt all you want

[Reverent]

@landog, lol that is a load of crap. I've got the game on both my PC and my PS3 and there is virtually ZERO difference even when you have high resolution mods, etc.

Give it a rest, we know PC games usually look better; that doesn't mean sh*t in this game's case.

[MysticStrummer]

@landdog - Who are you trying to convince, yourself or people that don't know better?

[Banok]

downvoted by ragin consolers. ironic because it probably looks WORSE than ds1 on pc.

apart from a few cool new wind effects, it looks same as ds1 but as a pc gamer I notice the horrible low resolution.

[DeletedAcc]

That was impressive!

[hennessey86]

are poor, hoping the PC version is better this time

@below- already have :)

[MestreRothN4G]

You should try the Crysis series, specially Crysis 2.
You'll love it!

[pandaboy]

especially

[EdoubleD]

How is the graphics poor?

[flyingmunky]

After all the complaints that PC gamers had against the first game's port I don't think they should make a PC version. It is pretty clear that PC gamers are more interested in graphics than anything else.

[MuhammadJA]

Or if these guys don't know how to code for PC, then we don't want their games.

[despair]

they said long before the PC version was released that it would be a direct port and they were not familiar with PC development on the whole. So they admitted, before release, that it was not going to be improved and for giving a straight answer I applaud them and will continue to support them (on consoles though).

[Ser]

Do you enjoy video games only for the graphics? If so, that's pretty depressing.

[despair]

graphics might not be everything but it plays a big part of games, that said I thought the game looked good, not sure where the "poor graphics" comment came from, its not best of the best quality but it still has a nice ambiance to it and great designs(which are part of the term "graphics").

[EdoubleD]

Nice, I'm really looking forward to what's to come.

[Deputydon]

Gotta love the people that commented on how amazing the game looks before they even had time to watch the entire video...

[Captain Qwark 9]

doesnt look too much different than the last but that is by no means a bad thing in this case, why mess with perfection. prob going to be the best game ever like the last was!!!!!!!!! cannot wait!

[jobboy]

really good! hope the framerate can handle this gfx this time...

[darkziosj]

well at least they keep the same combat and not fuck it all up like ff13/ dragon age 2

[Kaiou]

FF13 combat was actually the best thing about the game though

[Ashlen]

Looks great! I'm looking forward to playing it.

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

They used to say "want dark souls? get a console and stop complainging!!"
Look at me now!!! Complaining got me a pc version!

Success story ended..

[Tultras]

How did you manage to misspell 'complaining' in the first sentence, but managed to get it right in the second?

[Ducky]

He learns from his mistakes.

[Tainted Gene]

lol it was just ONE "g". smh

[ziggurcat]

and PC elitists complaining also got an easy difficulty setting...

[Transporter47]

Wonder if they will ever do another Demon Souls, instead of just Dark Souls, i know they are similar but it be cool to have another Demon souls

[TheFirstClassic]

Yeah I really wish they would make a Demon's Souls 2, I really liked the art and atmosphere of Demon's Souls better.

[AKS]

It's doubtful. They changed the name to Dark Souls because they wanted to go multiplatform, and the quality was maintained quite well in the transition. There were definitely some things I liked better about Demon's Souls, but there were also some aspects of Dark Souls that were a major step forward, including one of the most amazingly well integrated game worlds I've seen. I didn't realize how well the areas were interwoven until I started opening shortcuts and started to get a sense of where everything is located. Also, the Covenant system was quite interesting; I want to see that continue for more PVP and jolly cooperation.

One thing I'd really like to see improved is more unique perks to various branches of upgrades, such as HP regen with Demon's Souls' Blessed weapons. There wasn't much difference in Dark Souls by comparison other than which stat modifies damage.

Also, I want them to return to Demon's Souls magic system and dump the limited casting stuff. It's not terribly practical when you can run out of spell casts.

[darren_poolies]

" It's not terribly practical when you can run out of spell casts."

I think that was the point. Meant people couldn't just spam it.

[AKS]

You can run out in Demon's Souls, but you can recharge. That animation can get you crushed in PVP.

Perhaps they could find a happy medium and not have any item that gives a huge MP recharge? That is, have grass or whatever that only gives back a modest amount of MP per animation. That way you can't be careless you spells against bosses or in PVP.

My problem with the limited castings system in Dark Souls is that it tends to force you to rely much more heavily on melee, and just about any other build is going to be better at melee than a mage. Mages are already going to have less health, stamina, ect. because they need to put points for spell slots and whatnot.

[MysticStrummer]

Man, if Sony announces Demon's Souls 2 as a PS4 title at E3... well... it would be a very good thing.

[RedSoakedSponge]

not going to happen..... but i agree! lol

[RazMaTaz0121]

People banging on about PC version already? Not to brag but Dark Souls on PC looked awful on PC, and required a bloody mod to make the game much better looking, something FromSoftware couldnt even sort out themselves.

On a side note, this game does look great, surely will be getting it =)

[kingduqc]

this game looks blurry as fuck full of aliasing man.

[grassyknoll]

I can't believe people are banging on about graphics & particles: This is Dark Souls 2! Nice to see the core elements have been transferred over & the art design looks great. Incredibly excited!

[LightofDarkness]

To be fair, the devs themselves opened the video by banging on about graphics.

[grassyknoll]

It's nice to see improvements to the engine, but the graphics have never been really important to Dark/Demon Souls (apart from scale). The only thing I would really like is stability in the frame rate.

It just annoy's me people are looking at pixels & particles when this is a potential classic. All the graphic cards in the world can't stop Crysis 3 being shit.

[Dynasty]

They also claimed that the final graphical quality will resemble the trailer.

http://www.gamechup.com/dar...

[KingMe42]

Actually they said it was just improved. The ones who hyped the graphics was the Edge magazine article, which then it all spread around.

And as far as graphics fo, maybe its not top of the line but you can notice the change in the details. Thats prob what they meant.

[ps3_pwns]

i agree once again pc gamers cant shut up avbout graphics this dark souls its not about the graphics. they should of left this console born series on consoles. tired of ungrateful pc pirates not playing there own boring pc games. console devs make the best games as you can see how hyped people are for demon/ dark souls series. but if u havent played them all your not reeally a true fan of the series.

[Sandmano]

I haven't given this franchise the attention it deserves I need to finish the first two that are just lying in my game collection...

[grahf]

I missed out on Demon's Souls because I fell on the wrong side of the console fence, but Dark Souls was AMAZING. I have entire days logged into Lordran. Do yourself a favor and give them a go.

[ZodTheRipper]

Demon's Souls was, imo, a much better game than Dark Souls. (Character/World tendency <3)
But it could also be the fact that Demon's Souls was 100% fresh at it's time so that Dark Souls didn't get me that much. (still over 100h played, of course)
I'd really like to know from someone who played Dark Souls first and then Demon's Souls after that, which of the games he enjoyed more.

[vickers500]

@zod18

My friend, who never shuts up about Dark Souls, played DkS first and then DS, and he liked DkS better. One of the main reasons he mentions being that armor is a lot more important in DkS than it is in DS.

[BlackTar187]

I like Demon Souls better I loved the enter doorway theme world gameplay. I have 100's hrs in both games but really enjoyed the central location.

As in regards to armor i use basically no armor in Demon and Dark i roll around lite as a feather for most of both games.

[AKS]

@zod18

Much better? That's a bit of a stretch. Each had their own strengths. Tendencies could be interesting, but they could also be a source of incredible infuriation at times.

I'd say Demon's Souls tended to have less cheap moments (not that either are cheap games; just by comparison) and had more interesting features to the upgrades (HP regen, MP regen, poisoning, critical damage, ect.). I also greatly preferred the magic MP system.

On the other hand, Dark Souls really impressed me with an incredible interweaving of areas in the game world and a very cool Covenant system. I hope they take the best of both games in Dark Souls II.

[greatcrusader44]

It probably depends on which game you played first. I only had a 360 when Dark Souls came out so it was the first one I played, eventually got a PS3 and Demon Souls and while I loved the game Dark Souls felt better, prob cuz it was a completely fresh experience, and Demon Souls while different, felt like another Dark Souls (for most people its the other way around but like I said I played Dk Souls first).

[GribbleGrunger]

Here's a Youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[thaimasker]

Instant classic imminent

[grahf]

I'm only 2 minutes in... did he just use BOTH SWORDS in the finishing attack!?!??!?

<- Stoked
Then a broken pillar!?/!/

Final edit: Done, and can't wait for this to come out.

[funkycoldmedina]

I also noticed three right hand equipment quick swap weapons too (short sword, axe and greatsword) during the dwarf axe throwing segment.

[Murad]

That looked super duper awesome. I think this is going to be the second game I'm ever going to pre-order after Awakening.

[Tdmd]

Looking better this far! Better graphics/animation, better scenaries (the bridge with the dragons was awesome), better combat (if such thing can be even possible) with those extra weapons slots! Can't wait to see more! Hope it will release this year...

[mano5000]

Nobody mentioned this so I'm just going to ask; Will this come out for PS4?

[ZodTheRipper]

I hope so and I'd guess so, but it's only confirmed for this gen right now.

[josephayal]

not bad for $15

[xabmol]

...

[d_dogg2007]

Your welcome Xbox fans! Because of the ps3 and its fans you are even playing this game. Being a Souls vet (Both demon and dark souls platinum) I find it looks a bit cartoony. The graphics are improved but the colors I find give it a cartoony look to it, its not as dark and brooding as the previous two souls games. Not saying it's bad because the difficulty still looks like it's intact. Need to see more for final verdict but I love the souls games!

[Swiggins]

You're welcome Americans, Because if it wasn't for Atlus and all their awesomeness, you wouldn't get to play the game at all.

That's you...that's how you look....

But I agree that Soul Series is amazing, hopefully we'll get to see this beast on the PS4 as well as the PS3.

[Pentex]

Where you fail is in the fact that d_dogg's comment, while being somewhat uncalled for, is fundamentally true while yours is not.

Demons' Souls hype had reached other parts of the world way before Atlus decided to publish it outside of Asia. The game started having a cult following early on and people from America/Europe started buying in droves the Hong Kong version which was entirely in english.

So it wasn't because of Atlus that people got to play it. When they did see the major success Demons' Souls was, they decided to pick it up and actually kinda indirectly told people to stop importing because they'd release it. To that effect they made a special collector edition with extras to sway people from buying the HK version.

I was one of the people that imported it and played it well before Atlus decided to publish it. The blurb around the game was massive, i had some people message me about the game asking how to import it.

[FunAndGun]

That chariot at the end was awesome...definitely an "oh crap" moment!

[maniacmayhem]

No need to watch, already will have this game Day 0.

[PCfanboy]

This game is beautiful.
Hope to PS4 version

[Crystallis]

all those dragons flying looked awesome.

[thaimasker]

HP BARS ABOVE MINIONS? OMG THEY RUINED THE SOULS SERIES.
Lol I remember when everyone was convinced that they f'd it up.

[GrumpyOla]

Great stuff.
The only thing that bothered me was the blue lock-on circle. I thought the size and colour were off.

[Eyesoftheraven]

"But the second axe, it...it hit you pretty hard there." hahaha!

[YoungPlex]

OMG Speechless!!!

[DivineAssault]

really? I think its going to be hilarious to die in all those ways.. I think those are great improvements to the game.. The graphics arent too much different than the last.. The level design looks to be much improved.. many more come to mind.. how are you speechless?

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Gameplay still looks challenging... I am very much looking forward to this game.

[MrChow666]

Looks like it stays true to what made the predecessors great, I was a little worried and this changed my mind. And for those who are looking for graphics: you have no clue what this is all about!!!

[MooseyXTC]

Looks more Demon's Souls than Dark Souls.
This pleases me.

[imsocool1234]

omi25p: It's a sequel to the 1st one.

[seanpitt23]

Should be on next gen consoles

[Arai]

A second trailer has bee released according to CVG, don't know if anyone posted it or if it's a re-cap of what was shown on IGN.

Direct YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Drakul]

Lads and gents welcome to the casual version of The Souls games.Sooooo poooooooor.

Another game became bitch of distrubutors.

RIP :(

[thaimasker]

I hope your being sarcastic lol.

[Drakul]

Unfortunately mate,

This DARK souls 2 looks brighter than Mario Bros.

Remember the first bridge in Sens Fortress; look down and see no shit but when you fall or jump down there are 3-4 Titanite Demons waiting for you, thats make the game D-A-R-K that gives name and spirit, not looking down and seeing salamanders dowwn there among the fully bright fire light.

Casual?? Yes, unfortunately.

[grassyknoll]

You totally ignoring the bit where he walked in total darkness.

[sandman224]

I'm so pissed I just typed a long and interesting comment about how amazing the series is and it deserves more credit than what it has gotten in the past atarting with demon souls. It's easily an 11/10 for this game. I'm pissed because I was using my iPhone 5 to type the comment out and it kick me off the web browser and that deleted my comment that a typed out earlier. . I'm so getting an s4.

[Deathdeliverer]

To be honest, and it hurts to say it.... i'm not impressed. I wanted and had Demon Souls before people even knew what it was. It is personally the best "Souls" game to me. Then with Dark Souls I was excited at the thought of a more OPEN Demon Souls. I more or less got what I wanted and its a good game but not GREAT like the first (Although it has been repeatedly stated that demon souls and dark souls are NOT related). The online became something that NEVER happened where in Demon Souls tension was around EVERY corner. Invasions from left to right and damn was it awesome. Anyhoo, now looking at Dark Souls 2 and it all looks been there done that. For the first time I am not excited for the series. If/When the next gen "Souls" games hit maybe the series will be reignited for me. And get rid of those damn bonfire crutches. Increase the fighting styles and variety. Demon Souls was like a dungeon crawling sim, where as Dark Souls started the TONS of regen items and respawn points. Lastly. No boss in Dark Souls gave me the sense of accomplishment I got from beating ANY of the bosses in Demon Souls. Not having bonfires probably has alot to do with that. You defeated the entire level and the boss in one fell swoop. On Dark Souls you master from the last bonfire to the boss room. And it usually isnt that far.

[sdozzo]

Don't care if it looks easy, etc. Just to have that atmosphere and gameplay back is going to be awesome.

[thatCat]

still on the fence.

[sdplisken]

i want this on PS4!!!!!!

[MrChow666]

Im sure there will be a future installment for the ps4, why not enjoy this for now?

[Frodosmugins]

people love to hate this game!

[Run_bare]

Wow, soo amazing, I am confident and satisfy that they will make a fantastic sequel to the brilliant demon and dark soul 1.

[MuhammadJA]

I'm not really impressed. Clearly better games are coming.

[DEEBO]

man they need to franchise this game.not to a point of going stale but like other's on this site are saying we need a p.c version,xbox old and new,ps3,vita and ps4.and i hope it does COD numbers because it deserves it.

[DivineAssault]

This is going to be some scary sh*t! getting ganged up on in the dark is creepy as hell.. ima love this.. Im still hopeful there will be a dual gen release since PC is getting it.. If not, oh well.. This is going to be nerve wrecking & awesome! Dying in this game is always bitter sweet

[DestinyHeroDoomlord]

Cool I hope we can get that ninja turtle armor, it looks impervious to back stabs. Oh and did you guys see the cape moving in the wind... sweet! Definitely looking forward to this game.

[g-nome]

I'm preparing to die all over again.

Dark Souls best game ever , after Demons Souls.

[tubers]

There's so much ssao! I hope this amount is on consoles.. nothing less.

A lot of dynamic lighting as well when he used the torch in the dungeon.

[BABY-JEDI]

My thoughts at the start with the beetle armour guy was,, ooh, let him attack, step back & counter, but once there was two of them, monty python sprung to mind with RETREAT, RETREAT... LoL

[TheKayle1]

uhm dont like the graphic

[Prcko]

hope for good visuals pc version

[PCfanboy]

Also invade cheaters with GOD MODE!

[DigitalEraycer]

Looks like more of an expansion. Dark Souls 1.5

[socks]

I like how that white dude has no personality. Really, putting him on video? Wth IGN...

I wish Giant Bomb had more things like this. Those guys ALL have great personalities.

[MrChow666]

I agree, what a douche...

[KingMe42]

Hhhhnnnnggggg

[Surt]

Again are we called upon. Yes, Demon souls levels were harder. But also Yes that Dark Souls bosses were tougher, and more memorable. Hold thy tongue? You remember the bosses of demon souls without pause? Exactly. The false king was the only real tough fight in demons. Now How about dark souls bosses.. yeah. Regardless, day one buy for me. And you soul eaters.. come to me. face the reaper.

[Marugo]

how come the enemy just dissapear? no blood?