Elden SoulsBorne: Felyne Village - the FROM thread

If you get yourself to level 25 or so & have a 3+ weapon you'll have a decent chance at it.

Oh boy, I said I'd play DSIII day one; I've only just started today, while you lot are all on the DLC. Killed Texas Homebase or whatever his name was, and got to the second bonfire on the wall. Got lost in the Firelink Shrine for about 10 minutes. I'm not sure I should be typing in this topic at all.

Right. Riiiiiiiight.

With the new DLC, I had a new character, with whom I'd left it a bit late starting so she wasn't ready, and my original character, who is level 99 and was finding it a bit easy. I decided I'd get my new character to the bare minimum, then play through the DLC a little at a time with both, so I could experience it at its most challenging but I could still see everything with Lucas even if Lilly hit a brick wall.

Your man Jaster also has a new character, and he got the idea into my head that I should fight

Spoiler:

early to get some good kit and levels. Even though it probably hasn't made that much of a difference to my character, I've dedicated myself to that task for the last few evenings. Tonight, while bopping to the inimitable Nicki Minaj, I conquered this challenge.

I was severely underlevelled. My online play has been no use, so I was solo. But I bloody did it!
Now I'm kitted in some beautiful armour, and I'm happy to say my butt looks even better in it than did the boss'.

Roll on Ashes of Ariandel!

We went out for a family meal last night and they asked me what I want for xmas, I normally say ca$h but saw DSIII for £25 in GAME yesterday and I'm thinking I may ask for it and a few other games this year.

And give the only Souls game, I've not played ago.

If you've not got on with the others, I can't see DSIII being any different for you Mas. It's definitely the best game in the series mechanically, but the overall gameplay is still the same.

I started to get on pretty well with DSII in till I did die and your health started to go down each time, I could never recover from the point I was at.

Some reviews did seem to make out its got the easiest start to get going.

Using a human effigy in DSII restores your health to its maximum, so pop one of those if you found yourself starting to struggle with the lowered health levels. DSIII is easier to an extent - no health lowering upon death, opt-in to invasions rather than always-on - but it's tricker in some aspects too.

Long since traded in DSII, like I said DSIII is likely only going to go on Christmas list or if I see cheap.

I think that DS3 is the slicker and most accessible experience, I can see it being enjoyed where the others have failed.

That's probably true. I'm going to say one of the only negative things I'll say about the Souls series: the landscapes do vary and surprise, but there is a lot about the three games that's derivative. I'm powering* throught DS3 at the mo, and I have seen a lot of "equivalent" characters; supposed story aside, that does feel a bit naughty. I've come to the conclusion that your favourite Dark Souls game will probably be the first one you play.

*ha ha ha ha right

I think that's very true. I've also said many times how the two sequels appear to be trying to replicate Dark Souls, which is a much more original and holistic package. I've not played Bloodborne yet, but I think that does well for being a bit different and I'm hoping FROM's next game will as well.

Jimbob wrote:: I've come to the conclusion that your favourite Dark Souls game will probably be the first one you play.

I honestly can't pick which I like more out of Dark souls & Bloodborne but I can definitely see why that might be the case for most people

I'm still on this; still loving the game, and doing a lot better than the previous two, due to my experience - I can see through the matrix now. Got me 2/5 chairs filled up. Possibly went down a secret way and killed a boss for no real gain. Still frowning a bit at the "Huh?! Huh?! Reference?! Doesn't this room look familiar?!". Those chunky religious birds sound like a good laugh though.

Jimbob wrote:: Possibly went down a secret way and killed a boss for no real gain. Those chunky religious birds sound like a good laugh though.

Ooh, where did you go?

And I don't know about you, but getting "cleanse the bastard's curse" muttered to me on a night out really gets me going.

JayMoyles wrote:: And I don't know about you, but getting "cleanse the bastard's curse" muttered to me on a night out really gets me going.

Noted for the next meet

I will forget about this, and likely piss myself laughing if you somehow remember and bring it up.

What's especially brilliant is it naturally goes with a hug Laughing

JayMoyles wrote:

Jimbob wrote:: Possibly went down a secret way and killed a boss for no real gain. Those chunky religious birds sound like a good laugh though.

Ooh, where did you go?

Firey lakey bit. I suspect I've just missed something, or it'll be useful later. But I also remember going down the big tree and to the beach in Dark Souls 1. Mad

JayMoyles wrote:: And I don't know about you, but getting "cleanse the bastard's curse" muttered to me on a night out really gets me going.

This means like a hand-y or something right?

Jimbob wrote:

JayMoyles wrote:

Jimbob wrote:: Possibly went down a secret way and killed a boss for no real gain. Those chunky religious birds sound like a good laugh though.

Ooh, where did you go?

Firey lakey bit. I suspect I've just missed something, or it'll be useful later. But I also remember going down the big tree and to the beach in Dark Souls 1. Mad

JayMoyles wrote:: And I don't know about you, but getting "cleanse the bastard's curse" muttered to me on a night out really gets me going.

This means like a hand-y or something right?

Did you go inside some ruins? The area is basically done when you reach the big ballista firing at you. It's laid out bizarrely as you can take on the boss right away and skip the whole area itself.

Also, Laughing

Yeah, I cheesed the king with crossbow bolts. I know there's a (from previous experience) mega-useful weapon there.

I have got to the top of the snowy place now:

We all went through that, buddy. Luckily we didn't have to do the Space Jam again.

Spoiler:

I downloaded Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin over the weekend on PS4. It will be my first Dark Souls game (didn't play Demon's either) and it's a game I want to play properly. Is it worth waiting until I've dusted off some other games I'm playing, or can it be enjoyed as a dip-in-and-out game? Is it level-based a la Ninja Gaiden or open-world? And any tips for new players? (ie. there's a slow start but bear with it...)

gjones wrote:: I downloaded Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin over the weekend on PS4. It will be my first Dark Souls game (didn't play Demon's either) and it's a game I want to play properly.

Yay! Another convert Grin

Quote :: Is it worth waiting until I've dusted off some other games I'm playing, or can it be enjoyed as a dip-in-and-out game?

Hmm. There's an argument to be made either way. It's difficult, very in-depth, and you can get lost, but it can be nice to have other things to play when you don't feel up to Soulsing, for reasons I'll get onto.

Quote :: Is it level-based a la Ninja Gaiden or open-world?

It's open world, but that world can be viewed sort of like a wheel with spokes, and each of those spokes plays out like an individual level. The levels feel much more distinct than in any of the other Dark Souls games as in this one you're implied to be travelling further than you actually physically walk as a player.

Quote :: And any tips for new players? (ie. there's a slow start but bear with it...)

Hoo boy. The one you have in your parentheses is very accurate. The game is hard and a little obtuse, as it has been deliberately designed to require co-operation and playground-style discussion. A big part of the experience is being initially baffled and struggling to make progress, but eventually learning the systems and the world until things that initially seemed terrifying and insurmountable eventually become your bitch.
I'll give you some tips, but I'll spoiler them. I recommend giving yourself a couple of hours' play first, then coming back if it's frustrating.

Spoiler:

The game is a bit like a Metroidvania, but rather than later areas being gated by keys or new powers, they're often marked by tougher enemies. If you're going in a direction which seems way too hard, sometimes this can be because you've made a wrong turn and should come back later. Especially as fast travel is unlocked from the start in this one, it's always worth retracing your steps and exploring a little more.
Stats! Some are obvious, corresponding to your health and stamina, but others are a little more vague. One of them, I think it's called adaptability, basically judges how quickly animations play out, so it's worth investing a little into. Then you have strength, dex, faith and intelligence. Rather than levelling up all of these, once you've found a weapon type you like, level up the stat which applies to that weapon. If a sword has "A" for dex and "D" for strength, that means it's damage output will be influenced more by levelling up your dexterity than your strength.
Don't feel like you're chickening out by summoning an NPC or another player to help you in a tough bit (you do this by clicking on the signs people leave on the floor.) It's part of the game, and some parts are designed so that this is the way to do it.
When you die, you'll see you come back a little more zombified and with a slightly lower max health. This will keep happening until you reach 50%, and won't go back up until you use a human effigy to restore your humanity. Rather than get worked up about it, it helps to think of 50% as your max health, and the human health bar as a powered up Super Saiyan mode for particularly tough bosses etc. This feeds into my next, and most crucial piece of advice:
DON'T FEAR DEATH. Dark Souls is about death and undeath, and dying isn't a sign of failure but part of the mechanics. Obviously you want to hold onto your souls when you have a lot, but you don't lose any of your items and progress. Sometimes, if you're just wanting to explore a new area, making suicide runs is the best option. No death was a waste, as long as you learn something.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask us- that's all part of the fun! On the other hand, when you beat something without help, feel free to brag. That's also part of the fun!

Sunny

Praise the sun! Sunny

Thanks Drunka! I think I'll dive in to it after I've worked through Tomb Raider. I feel ready for a hardcore action game, no matter how intimidating Dark Souls sounds!

Brilliant!
I'm really excited to read your thoughts, as I don't think I know anyone who played Dark Souls II first and a lot of criticisms of the game boil down to it not being Dark Souls.

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