Having not played the original, would you folks rate this game as more or less frustrating than the Ninja Gaiden series?
I'd say less frustrating. Demon's souls and so far Dark souls never feels cheap. You die a lot but almost always because of your own mistake instead of the game killing you because the developer decided that you should die multiple time at that particular part.
Ehh... I'd call it less frustrating, I guess. Mostly because instead of blaming the game like I tended to do with NG, my biggest enemy in Dark Souls is myself. It's not being patient and waiting a boss out to see all his moves before trying to slaughter him; it's killing a boss and feeling so badass after finally doing so that I overextend myself on trash mobs and end up dying, or trying to be fancy and rolling myself off a cliff. 98% of the time that I die, I feel it's my fault.
instead of the game killing you because the developer decided that you should die multiple time at that particular part.
I dunno, I get that feeling a lot (based on Demon's Souls). On some level, I get the "they're not cheap deaths" argument, and on another level, I don't. The games definitely have parts where the developers clearly designed things to be excruciatingly frustrating. I gather that there's a part in Dark Souls where enemies will curse you, halving your health, and the effect stacks. That sounds horrible.
That being said, there are an inordinate amount of situations where I'll die like 6 times in a row, before finally realizing that there's a smarter approach. The game makes me feel pretty stupid sometimes. But I've always been a bit more of a run & gunner, and the habit bites me in the *** with this one.
Tip: If you get a Spear (not a Halberd or Polearm), your normal attacks can be done while still having your shield up. This makes killing trash a lot easier.
Tip: If you get a Spear (not a Halberd or Polearm), your normal attacks can be done while still having your shield up. This makes killing trash a lot easier.
I've started a Wanderer, and the stamina regeneration with the shield up is rather poor.
Lower your shield for Stamina regen. I only have it up if I have full or close-to-full Stamina, or if I absolutely need it up. If you have room, a backwards roll will give you enough space to regen Stamina quickly.
Lower your shield for Stamina regen. I only have it up if I have full or close-to-full Stamina, or if I absolutely need it up. If you have room, a backwards roll will give you enough space to regen Stamina quickly.
I believe Rapiers work the same way, IIRC. You can stab with them with a shield up.
Yeah. I like the spear for hallways, and for when there's an archer taking potshots at me while I try to kill melee mobs. Oh, and for spear knights. It lets you goad them into attacking without lowering your shield.
I like the scimitar so far for most other things. The "kick" attack is nice, as it's a slash attack followed by a backroll. It's pretty useful for chipping away at some mobs.
The only problem with archery is the cost of arrows. The good one cost 50 souls a piece. I can't see myself using it as my primary weapon but it is a must to have some sort of range attack. As a secondary weapon with standard arrows(10 souls each) it is quite useful.
On a side note, did anyone get the drake sword? It is by far the best weapon early game and easy to get. It's a good weapon if someone if having a hard time with the weaker enemies, you can pretty much 1-shot most normal mob.
I like it. Aiming is a bit better. The arrow goes where the reticule is, instead of just off to the side (like in Demon's Souls). I upgraded my longbow to +3 and use it for sniping. It can be really useful to pick off firebombers or enemy archers (or for cutting the tail off the red dragon for the Drake Sword (20-25 arrows)).
No that's the problem. You mostly need to buy them and it's not like there's a vendor on every corner. You can find some but not enough to keep you going if your bow is your main weapon.
On a side note, did anyone get the drake sword? It is by far the best weapon early game and easy to get. It's a good weapon if someone if having a hard time with the weaker enemies, you can pretty much 1-shot most normal mob.
I did. Haven't really used it yet though, since my character doesn't have the strength to 1-hand it. I'm actually kind of bummed at how absurdly good it is, 'cause I think it's ugly as sin.
On a side note, did anyone get the drake sword? It is by far the best weapon early game and easy to get. It's a good weapon if someone if having a hard time with the weaker enemies, you can pretty much 1-shot most normal mob.
I did. Haven't really used it yet though, since my character doesn't have the strength to 1-hand it. I'm actually kind of bummed at how absurdly good it is, 'cause I think it's ugly as sin.
It's really good at lower levels, but easily gets outclassed once you upgrade weapons to also deal magical damage. Drake Sword is purely physical damage, and it doesn't scale.
On a side note, did anyone get the drake sword? It is by far the best weapon early game and easy to get. It's a good weapon if someone if having a hard time with the weaker enemies, you can pretty much 1-shot most normal mob.
I did. Haven't really used it yet though, since my character doesn't have the strength to 1-hand it. I'm actually kind of bummed at how absurdly good it is, 'cause I think it's ugly as sin.
It's really good at lower levels, but easily gets outclassed once you upgrade weapons to also deal magical damage. Drake Sword is purely physical damage, and it doesn't scale.
Edited, Oct 7th 2011 3:29pm by Spoonless
Ah, that's good to hear. I had heard people saying that it was the best weapon for 2/3 of the game.
Apparently I've been backstabbing wrong. Once you get behind the mob, you just attack. If you're using the movement stick at the same time, you won't backstab, but if you roll behind, stop moving, then attack it's pretty reliable. TIL.
I finally killed that damned Black Knight guarding the ring! I ran back to the rooftop with the ladder, then just chucked firebombs down on him while he herpderped into a wall. Lol level design exploit!
I finally killed that damned Black Knight guarding the ring! I ran back to the rooftop with the ladder, then just chucked firebombs down on him while he herpderped into a wall. Lol level design exploit!
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