DS2 is objectively bad, mechanically, and game design wise. Avereged out, it has a mediocre aesthetic, aswell. If your only argument to the game's quality is that you enjoyed it, that's alright. You can subjectively like something despite the objective flaws. I think everybody experiencing the souls games should play it, to experience why it's perceived to be weaker than the others. They may even find their subjective experience enjoyable.
I used Davinci Resolve! Rn they got a free version with less bells and whistles, or a paid version that's a one time purchase rather than a subscription
Frigit Outskirts was hell, took me almost 3 days to kill the boss, by far the most difficult souls experience in any game just because it took 15 minutes to get there, still remeber it like yesterday and that was 10 years ago
Anyone who says ds2 is the or one of the "worst games ever made" has either never played it, rushed through it or went into it already with the opinion that it's bad.
I think I feel somewhat similar. Though, I'm more inclined to think less of Dark Souls 2, I do know I can still have fun with it in spite of the things I think are bad, and I'm sure I'll beat it someday... I may have missed that bonfire before Old Iron King and decided to take a break from that runback... a few years ago. (To DS2's credit, I similarly took a break from Sekiro and never went back to it despite actually liking it AND thinking it's good, I just suck at completing video games). It was only in the skim-over portion of the review, but I do feel Lifegems might play a larger role in the difficulty of the game. It's very easy to gain plenty with just the souls you have leftover from leveling. The stockpile can virtually become and infinite source of healing after a while. It doesn't even matter too much only getting the weakest from the merchant lady because the healing can stack. The game is still older, so coming to it later with the experience of DS1 and any newer game probably also does a lot, both dodging familiarity (with enough ADP) and knowing how to get the best from your stats and upgrades. Still, lifegems' availability does a lot in alleviating pressure by giving you more room for error similar to having more HP.
Every time I see a ds2 video, it's usually in defense of it or pointing out the good parts vs. the bad parts. Every time I see a video for any other fromsoft game, it's explaining why it's the best game that fromsoftware has ever made. Just an ironic observation hehe.
Dark Souls 2 isn't the worst, but it's not good, not even a hot take lol Visually one of the ugliest of the series, and the bosses are incredibly boring outside of the DLC bosses
Dark Souls 2 truly is a total enigma as a piece of art, and being the sequel to Dark Souls 1. It confounds me as much as it interests me, that even ten years after all this time, it still has so much discussion centered around it being debated as the best and worst entry, subjective as those opinions are. I still feel confused myself of why I consider Dark Souls 2 my least favorite entry in the Souls series, despite having developed a deeper appreciation for in that time; was it because that’s just the popular thing to say, or was I not thinking about it that hard back then? Honestly, I may never come to solid answer, but I certainly still respect Dark Souls 2 for being itself, unapologetically for better or worse.
Genuinely a fantastic way to put it and I couldn't agree more. It almost feels contradictory that I respect the game so much for being what it is while also saying that it's one of my least favorite titles in the franchise. I appreciate it a lot for both what it is and what it isn't
@@vazis I’m glad we feel similarly Vazis, I suppose I had been ruminating on my feelings of this game for such a long time but just didn’t care enough to make a video about it like you did. I know I’m extremely late to this party, but this was a good watch. Hell, I might just play Dark Souls 2 again to see if I feel any differently after so much Elden Ring and Bloodborne over the years. Hard to believe how much can happen in a decade, huh?
I'm glad we feel similarly too! It took a lot of looking around and examining other people's perspectives to see how I really felt about DS2, and even then it took me a hot minute to process. But I'm glad to hear the effort was worth it in that it made the video feel more enjoyable! And it really is insane just how much can happen in a decade's time lol, you can say that again
Barely talked about, but Dark Souls 2 was the only one in the series I ENJOYED the pvp aspects, the multiple covenants set for it and just the way it was handled. I also used DS2 as a full co-op experience, my friends and I played the hell out of it. It felt like the most open "play around" of the souls worlds, and even with the jank, or maybe because of it similar to the EDF franchise, part 2 has my fondest feelings associated.
Dark souls 2 is a great game, it's just not a great Dark souls game. If this shit was called Bimbly's Quest or something this game would be an easy 8/10 even with the BS.
The funny thing is, most say Dark Souls 2 sucks. And as I went to it the first time after beating Dark Souls, of course it was annoying at first. But after beating it once, then again, and again and so forth... Goddamn I love the game, and I don't really mind the things which people mostly hate. Because they're features, some atleast. I've pleayed the game so much that I've adapted to it so much, that I see no problems with it! And it's funny too, but I just love Dark Souls 2 and Dark Souls, even more than Dark Souls 3. And I think they're much better too combined, but every Dark Souls game is amazing.
I think people are just unwilling to appreciate what's good in Dark Souls II. Especially by those who want to brute force everything. It also really challenges you to different combatstyles instead of how most games want to simply adjust playtime. It's amazing, but takes an open mind an persistence.
I am convinced that everyone who likes this pile of shit game sees themselves in it. Inadequate, disappointing, in need of white knights. Youre all on fuckin copium. Stop with the bullshit. The game you love is inferior in comparison to the rest of the series, and theres a reason the frame hasnt ever been revisited. God damn. Shut the fuck up.
I personally like DS2 because it was my first one and you never forget your first. I honestly feel like if it had a different name, it wouldn’t have so much hate. Like Empty Souls, or Tragic Souls or something like that. That way it wouldn’t have been heavily compared to Dark Souls, like how Demons souls is compared to to it, but not at the same capacity as DS2 is compared to DS just because it is listed as a sequel.
Ds2 was my 1st. And it will always hold a special place in my heart. Majula is perfect. Absolutely perfectttt. My only qualm is that areas are harder than the bosses in DS2.
6:12 my 1st time through I was so scared of everything there that I saw Gavlan through a window really far away and sniped him to death only to realize he is the only merchant who buys things. I had literally been searching for him all game and then I killed him... I almost cried.
I SO feel you on that! When I first stumbled upon Gavlan, I was a hair away from showing him the business end of my sword, that place just brings it out of us lol. I'm sorry to hear that your encounter ended much more unfortunately 😔
So I haven't watched your full video yet but I do have a theory on why a lot of players and "Critics" dislike this game. I think it has something to do with not doing proper research into the game. We have such an aversion to spoilers that people pitch a fit if you don't put a spoiler warning so I wonder how many people are going into this game blind without even doing research on game mechanics.
Most people who say what Asmon said are just shitters at the game like asmon, I dont think its the best installment but no where near as bad as people say negative video equals more views just remember that
Dark Souls 2 should be in the conversation for one of the best games of all time but it’s not. Is that due to absolute casuals or the common situation where if you call something bad or trash enough eventually the lie will become true I don’t know. All I know is I had a hell of time playing Dark Souls 2 and I’ll never forget going through that journey and sadly due to the undeserved reputation of the game many won’t.
I think the health reduction thing is a bit silly of a complaint. I understand why but it is something you can look at as a more forgiving version of ember in ds3 Im playing through the game and enjoy it a lot a lot, to me it feels just like another souls like. Personally I havent experienced a lot if any of the wide issues people talk about. I had no issues with ganks, and I just got to 100 agility asap and had no issues with rolls. Maybe me going a streangth build and like doing a gajillion damage is affecting my opinion a lot and maybe the issues are more related to other playstyles and thats unfortunate for people who like to play that way. I think the game generally is pretty if not increadibly good tbh.
One thing I utterly adore about The Gutter and No Man's Wharf is the lighting. I love going around and manually lighting every sconce in the area, looking back and just being in pure awe of the flickering lights in the dark.
It can be very very vague with the mechanics and stuff, but im glad he enjoyed the game as some of us out there do. Also i have something to say about the making an entirely new build for new game+. You can go up to the old ladies at the beginning with a wilted dusk herb and use it to for redoing all your stats. Yes it's also a consumable but it really helps out if you think you put too much into one stat and/or want to put the points into another stat, or if you really just want to switch from hitting something with a giant chicken drum to throwing the sun into a random basilisk that looked at you funny. Hope he sees this if he wants to reconsider replaying for his own torture.
worst case scenario it’s the worst souls game but that’s it. Still better then plenty of games I’ve played in my lifetime. I still enjoy it more then DS1 tbh. 100% both of them too.
So heres the thing. Many people experienced ds2 first from scholar of the first sin. Scholar of the first sin had more bs difficulty than the original. Tons more enemies to fight tons less humanity drops. Weapon rebalancing that made many starting weapons weaker than they already were. So on so forth
This was my first souls game ever back when it came out and Honestly when i first played it i really didn't have alot of the "new player problems" you mention at the end. Aside from the I frames thing witch i didn't level at all the entire game. But i still got through it fine. And remember it fondly. Some things like the run backs to the bosses always seemed fine to me. Hell if you ever watch a DS1 video 9/10 youll see how much people liked thr run backs in those but then in 2 they are hated. Idk. Ive replayed all the DS games a million times at this point but i just dont understand the hate, definitely while imo DS1 is way more bs and jank but almost exclusively gets praise
