Would Dark Souls be more enjoyable if it wasn't insanely tough?

[thejunglegod]

Was trying out Dark Souls because of all the critical praise it has generated. And i can't believe how crazy difficult it is. I mean the bonfire system is just too much with re spanning every enemy in the area again. Not to mention the crazy boss fights. I quit after the first 30 minutes of game play as I realised that i hadn't made any significant progress. So I quit as I have very less free time thanks to work.
I love the shield block mechanic and is the best implementation of block and parry in anybgame. What I was wondering is would the game have been better if not for the insane difficulty?

 

[KaOTiK]

It is hard at first and still at times. But the game isn't "cheap", you died because you made a mistake. Once you learn how enemies attack and what they do you can breeze threw areas. Giving up after 30 mins is like quitting in the middle of DS is like quitting in the middle of a tutorial for most games. Some starting "classes" are harder than others, if you want an easier time starting off Pyromancer is the best.

Frankly, the game wouldn't be as praised as it is if it was so easy and didn't punish you for screwing up. The bonfire system is really well done once you figure the game out. You can not rush yourself in DS, doing so WILL get you killed. You have to be prepared for each corner you turn. After awhile, those early areas are such a breeze you can plow through it all because you know what is where and because you are more powerful as well as knowing how the enemies react/attack.

This is a game you need to put some hours into before you can start to make progress, but it is sooo satisfying when you get to the next area and you get the true feeling of progression and of anxiety/fear because you don't know what is next and how you are going to deal with the new.

You die in DS, you die a lot, it is a fact of the game. Don't let the lose of the souls bother you, it isn't a big deal. If you are dying a lot, step back and figure out WHY you are, because I promise you, it is YOU that is at fault for it, not some cheap mechanic.

 

[Dankk]

I'm pretty sure the toughness is part of the game's appeal.

Dark Souls was designed to appeal to oldschool hardcore gamers who grew up playing dungeon crawlers that were extremely challenging and unforgiving. Once you manage to survive the game and play it all the way through, it becomes that much more rewarding.

 

[Wardawg1001]

I'll admit to nearly throwing my controller in frustration more than a few times playing Demons Souls and Dark Souls, and more than a few times wishing that it had a slightly more forgiving death mechanic, but in the end I wouldn't want it to change. The difficult and unforgiving nature is what makes it unique and appealing amongst so many games these days that seem to have holding your hand as their top priority. And it really is all about skill, aside from a very few instances you almost always fight enemies one on one, and with the exception of a few bosses nothing can simply one-shot you through your shield or has un-dodgeable attacks. Damn near everything in this game can be beaten in melee combat without even taking damage, if you play well and know what you are doing.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

No. The difficulty is part of what makes the game great. Its much more satisfying to beat a boss that you have had trouble with for ages, than it is to beat them on the first go around.

And to be honest, the game isn't THAT hard. It just forces you to be really careful.

 

[you2]

I'm mixed. I have not gotten very far in the game; need to restart and try some of the hints folks have suggested (I made it to the first bonfire (after the turtorial) but couldn't kill the first boss. I'm hopeful with some of the hints provided I can do better but not sure. Part of the frustration is the control-mechanics. I'm using pc with ds and ms fix but certain things like backstap just don't seem to happen. So is the game tough? I can't quite tell yet but it is definitely 'clumsy' on the pc and that is not very fun (I think I died 30 times to the first boss; and I would not call that a fun experience). So I think two things; they need to greatly improve the pc controls/experience and perhaps change the ramp slightly or make a 'dumb' mode for really dumb gamers like me.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Was trying out Dark Souls because of all the critical praise it has generated. And i can't believe how crazy difficult it is. I mean the bonfire system is just too much with re spanning every enemy in the area again. Not to mention the crazy boss fights. I quit after the first 30 minutes of game play as I realised that i hadn't made any significant progress. So I quit as I have very less free time thanks to work.
I love the shield block mechanic and is the best implementation of block and parry in anybgame. What I was wondering is would the game have been better if not for the insane difficulty?

My grandson (he is 15) has the game on our steam account, and he loves it. I have not started it just because it is supposed to be so difficult. He is not so intent on completing every game he starts, while I am. He is also a better player than I am.

It is part of the "specialness" of the game that it is so difficult. I like a challenge in a game, but I also want to feel going in that I will be able to complete the game without becoming totally frustrated. Personally, I think a game should have an "easy" setting that allows almost anyone to complete it. I mean, if I pay money for a game, I want to finish it. I play a game to get a feeling of accomplishment in completing it, not to get angry and frustrated. Real life has enough of that!!

 

[CPA]

I quit because I was using mouse and keyboard and just couldn't get the controls right. Would it be simpler if I used a controller?

 

[ArchAngel777]

The game is designed perfectly. So far, I'd argue that the hardest part of the game is the very beginning of it for the following reasons.

1) You are new to the game, so you don't really understand the controls, nor are you proficient.
2) The base weapons, without upgrades are terrible for the mini-bosses. And because you are new to the game, you don't understand that a mini-boss is optional and you can go back to it. So you keep trying persisently, becase you are not proficient yet, you die, die, die some more and get discouraged.
3) Your HP and stamina is very low, same with all your defenses (phys,mag,light,fire)

The game is designed so well that as you upgrade your gear and get better, it happens at such a rate that you become better skilled at the game.

Black Knight in the undead burg, for instance, with the Morning Star unupgraded with a regular shield. Well, if you are not proficient, the Black Knight will do his three hit combo, deplete endurance and take half of your life away. One quick mistake and he swings again, you die. Because you are new this mistake happens.

Black Knight requires probably 6 back stabs with the non-upgraded morning star. Most people will make mistakes and will, again wipe.

Eventually your gear catches up and you can two shot them easily (sometimes one) and those are the even tougher ones. Part of you thinks it was all geared based, until you realize that you can now parry with a high success rate on a regular basis. Yes, your gear got better, but you got better.

So after paying NG+ and knowing how easy it is, you go back and start a new char. Your FLY through the game. That black knight? Yeah, your back stab or parry him 3-5 times and he is dead. You didn't get hit once. You kill Havel with absolutely no difficulty. What changed? You got better at the game. The gear and knowleged increased at a rate which allowed this to appear seamless to you.

I am thoroughly impressed with the game. By far the greatest game I have played in a really long time.

Now, are they still hard parts in the game? Yes - But the difficulty is a result of not planning your attack, or being careless (haste makes waste in some parts of this game) with it. I can't tell you how often I am switching spells/pyromancy/miracles/weapons/shield/rings in the game to assist with some unique situations. Game is awesome.

 

[PhatoseAlpha]

Lowering the difficulty would tear the heart out of the game. The challenge is part of the games appeal. It's also necessary for the game's mood to work - constant oppressive loneliness in a world where everything is out to kill you doesn't work real well when you're the most dangerous thing around. Take that out, and you'd be left with a dull third person action game.

Part of the frustration is the control-mechanics. I'm using pc with ds and ms fix but certain things like backstap just don't seem to happen.

This isn't actually a control problem. Backstab takes a lot of practice and experience, simply because monster's stances tend to be misleading, especially after a heavy attack which is typically when you're going for one. Pay attention to the direction they're moving, not where they're looking - it's a much better indicator of their facing.



A good part of the game's difficulty stems from being counter to years of gaming instincts. Learned this the hard war in Demon's Souls - if a bridge is covered in burning scorch marks, incinerated barrels and charred skeletons, it's because something is torching everything on that bridge, not for ambiance. If you see a 10 foot tall knight with glowing red eyes, you should probably think twice before you go over there. The elevator you're about to step on is positively soaked with blood? Should give you a heck of a clue that not everybody survives the ride.

Far too many of my deaths in this series could be labeled "Obvious in retrospect". So, approaching the dragon's nest, the one surrounded by charred skeletons, while the dragon was there, and looking at you wasn't a good idea? You don't say.

 

[surfsatwerk]

l2p

 

[PowerYoga]

The game isn't "hard" per se, but it's extremely punishing when you make mistakes. You can beat the game with a broken sword hilt if you're good enough. A lot of the difficulty also lies in surviving ambushes: like someone else already said, if the corridor is covered in blood and warning signs of "oh shit" and "terrible demon ahead", you should probably prepare yourself.

On a second playthrough the game is a lot easier because you know where most of the stuff are.

 

[Kalmah]

Does this game go on sale often?

EDIT: found it cheap on amazon digital download. Now my order is in purgatory. "may take up to 4 hours to process". poo

 

[Dijeangenie]

For me - the difficulty added to the appeal of the game, and I don't think the game would be anywhere near as appealing if it was not. I understand that not everyone wants this experience, which is fine, there plenty of less difficult games out there, but I like having some trickier games around.

 

[hans030390]

I quit because I was using mouse and keyboard and just couldn't get the controls right. Would it be simpler if I used a controller?

Yes, so much easier. Get a wired 360 controller.

 

[Dankk]

Does this game go on sale often?

EDIT: found it cheap on amazon digital download. Now my order is in purgatory. "may take up to 4 hours to process". poo

Just be sure to get these two things:

1) DSFix (fixes the resolution so your eyes don't bleed)

2) 360 controller (fixes the controls)

Enjoy.

 

[Kalmah]

Just be sure to get these two things:

1) DSFix (fixes the resolution so your eyes don't bleed)

2) 360 controller (fixes the controls)

Enjoy.

Good to know. I have the controller. So if amazon ever let's me get my damn game I'll be ready to play. Thanks.

 

[KaOTiK]

Good to know. I have the controller. So if amazon ever let's me get my damn game I'll be ready to play. Thanks.

If they have given you the key, just copy it and activate it on Steam and you can start downloading right away.

 

[yepp]

Backing up your save constantly makes dying just that little bit more bearable.

 

[zebrax2]

Being unforgiving to mistakes is what makes Dark Soul a great game. The only complaint i have is that it is easy to get lost on where to go next.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Being unforgiving to mistakes is what makes Dark Soul a great game. The only complaint i have is that it is easy to get lost on where to go next.

This is my problem. I'm at a point where I have no clue where to go. There are so many paths that lead off that you can miss.

 

[Lonyo]

The PC version can be completed in 1hr 37 minutes.

http://www.twitch.tv/speeddemosarchivesda/b/355843975
Skip to 7 hours 23 minutes.
The guy does a speedrun in 1hr 37, but part way through they also stop to show some tips and tricks for skipping some areas.
While the game is playing typically there is someone explaining what's going on/what they are doing.

 

[thejunglegod]

Well well. It seems the keyboard plus mouse combo may have led to my downfall. Ordered a 360 controller and will give it another go when they arrives. Hoping for done good times and not the same old frustrations.


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[you2]

I'm a bit confused; some folks say that dsfix and msfix fix keyboard mouse; other say the only possible wy to play is with a controller. I haven't restarted yet but it would be good to understand (I've tried briefly with controller and felt it was easier to use mouse/kb; but i could never get pass the first boss with mouse/kb (but perhaps I just didn't understand mechanics).

 

[ArchAngel777]

Just beat NG+ last night. Only one boss was difficult - Manus. Took me at least 8 tries to beat him. Almost every other boss died on the first attempt. But he was also hard in NG as well. Now that I have nearly every item, I'll just speed run through NG+2, and so on. I want to beat NG+7

If the game gets aproximately around 7% harder each time after NG+ (as reported), then I can expect around 50% harder than NG+

Game seems huge and long at first, but once you have been through it, you realize just how short it can be.