120°

Dark Souls 2 to implement a difficulty setting option?

GameZone writes, " Ever since the announcement of Dark Souls 2, there have been some speculation whether From Software would be making the game a bit more accessible to a broader audience, namely by scaling down the difficulty. However, From stated that wouldn't be the case.

During the latest Beta test which happened this weekend, the servers changed up the difficulty setting about 2/3 of the way in."

Read Full Story >>
gamezone.com
Sly-Lupin4249d ago

Probably a good idea, as scaling damage/health would go a long way toward making the game appeal to a broader demographic while retaining the old one, and possibly disincentive cheating.

Irishguy954249d ago

Agree, I would play it on the intended difficulty but a lower difficulty level would be better for people who just can't handle the pain. Although I do wonder what Dark souls would be like without the actual need to be good at it. It's one of the appeals of the game. Having consequences and being hard are what makes the game so satisfying when you're good at it. You always have the worry on your mind not to mess up. Succeeding is great feeling

xXBlondieVanHarlowXx4249d ago

If it is implemented, i hope players who play on a classic difficulty get more out of the game then people who play on easy. I'd hate to be beat in a PvP match by a guy who has maxed out a character on easy difficulty and has scooped up all of the most powerful weapons because he breezed through the game.

Although, like Irishguy95 above me said, the difficulty is one of the appeals of the game. Gives you a sense of satisfaction when you beat a boss. When you survive a horde by the skin of your teeth. It's a very rewarding game. Would lose a chunk of it's "soul" (LoL) if it added difficulty settings. I wouldn't mind harder difficulty settings though :P

Irishguy954249d ago

I'm sure they would limit the online to classic mode players. There's no reason to mix them I believe.

joab7774249d ago (Edited 4249d ago )

I could only agree under 2 conditions...1. Achievement for hardest difficulty and 2. Use this as an opportunity to make an even harder difficulty (not simply ng+ but something unique). And how does ng+ work with an easy difficulty? Or online?

Roccetarius4249d ago

Hopefully this was only for testing purposes, and that the final game won't have a difficulty change.

brish4249d ago

I was in the beta.

"normal" mode in dark souls 2 is more difficult than dark souls. When I saw the message that it switched to hard mode i was shocked.

Prepare to die!

ZBlacktt4249d ago

If they want to sell games they would. We all understand those that want a extreme challenge. But Dev's need and want to sell their creations. Any kind of limitation prevents that. This is why other games have settings.

MadLad4249d ago (Edited 4249d ago )

Don't understand why people would be against this.
Broaden the range of gamers it would appeal to without negatively affecting those looking for the traditional experience.

Whether or not it goes against the soul, if you will, of the game is definitely a point to make. At the end of the day though, it's good for the developer and good for the supporting of the series.

Philoctetes4249d ago

One of the things I love about this franchise is the way the developers pretty much give gamers a choice to either play the game the way it was meant to be played, or don't play it at all. I'm staunchly opposed to a difficulty choice in this game for that reason. I don't want From to sell out casuals.

ZBlacktt4249d ago

Look what happen after Demon's Souls. It was a exclusive for the PS3. It was known for it's difficulty. The development company Atlus went bankrupt and was bought up by Sega Dream Corporation. So people can click disagree all they want here. Be the fact remains, you either get a game that appeals to the masses. Or you get nothing at all in many cases.

GrimWykydtron4249d ago (Edited 4249d ago )

its not meant for casuals, what makes that game so special is that it treats u as adult with skill and experience in games to back it up, no easy mode, no easy win, no tutorial to tell u how to look around thats what makes Demon Souls and Dark SOuls so special and so fun to play. Its one of a kind game and making it casual friendly will simply ruin that. Its like buying Ferrari and then asking them to cut car power in half and put on some electronic system that limits its top speed to 100 km/h, it simply means its not for you.

SlavisH24249d ago

either way i will play it on the hardest setting! I love a challenge

Show all comments (30)
130°

Why Dark Souls 2 Deserves a Second Chance in 2025

As difficult and frustrating as it is, people should consider reliving the Dark Souls 2 experience, especially because of what's coming to the game.

Read Full Story >>
gamerant.com
PrimeVinister50d ago

Many of those who hate Dark Souls II hate it because it's not Dark Souls. The same people love Dark Souls III because it isn't Dark Souls II.

And so many of the issues at the centre of common complaints about DS2 are present in DS3 and sometimes even DS1. The hatred and bile spewed over this perfectly decent game is ludicrous.

CrimsonWing6950d ago

I don’t think it’s a terrible game, but like a movie sequel by a different director, for me, it does NOT capture any of the “magic” felt from the Miyazaki entries. Boss battles don’t feel epic, environments don’t have the same sense of awe, the enemy variety isn’t particularly interesting, the art direction just feels bland, about the only thing I can give it praise for is some of the music.

Now, again, this is only how I feel about it, so I’m not trying to invalidate his you feel about the game, but it is the worst entry in the series due to those factors and it’s the least re-visited entry, for me.

Is it decent as a game on its own? Sure. But in comparison to the Miyazaki entries, it does not stack up and I believe that’s where many were disappointed with it.

PrimeVinister50d ago

Completely fair. I cannot disagree either, mate.

MrWood50d ago (Edited 50d ago )

You can also play it in VR flawlessly on PC & controller with the LukeRoss mod so… another reason to jump back in with extra immersion.

jznrpg50d ago

It’s not a bad game it’s just not as good as the others

Shadow Man49d ago

The controls felt very clunky to me, I tried playing it after beating Darksouls 3 and it didn’t feel fluid, obviously the hit detection is less superior for been an older game.

Show all comments (13)
100°

Dark Souls 2 Broke the Mold with Smelter Demon’s Over-the-Top Design

The Smelter Demon is a bombastic boss design that bolsters Dark Souls 2's roster with an experience that updates an older fight's form to function.

Read Full Story >>
gamerant.com
CrimsonWing69259d ago

Man, I dunno about that. In fact, most boss fights in Dark Souls 2 were forgettable.

__y2jb259d ago

Dark souls 2 is really underrated.

HyperMoused258d ago

My First DS's no idea why it gets so much hate

Redgrave258d ago

Or as I liked to call it, Horny Butthole Face

110°

Hidetaka Miyazaki claims Dark Souls 2 “carried” the series forward

Dark Souls 2 remains a divisive entry in the landmark RPG franchise, but Hidetaka Miyazaki believes it led to the success of Elden Ring.

Read Full Story >>
theloadout.com
anast490d ago

The game isn't good though.

Rols490d ago

DS2 was fine. While there was a bit of recycling assets or ideas for bosses, it was a bigger more open Dark Souls. The Fume knight boss is one of the hardest bosses in the series until Sekiro and Elden Ring were released.

CrimsonWing69490d ago

The problem with Dark Souls 2 was the same problem when a different director takes over for a sequel to an outstanding movie. It typically (there are exceptions) doesn’t have the feel and vision of the previous movie.

I wouldn’t say Dark Souls 2 is terrible. Had Dark Souls 1 never been a thing and we got this, I think it would have been praised more. The problem is it didn’t have the Miyazaki touch to it and felt pretty derivative. The soundtrack is a banger though.

Aussiesummer490d ago

And it will happen in the future when he doesn’t touch them as he is planning on.

MrBaskerville490d ago

I like DS 2, might even be my favorite of the 3. But it's a hard sell, there's so many obscure things you need to do to make it an enjoyable experience. So always find it hard to recommend, but it is worth the trouble.