From Software 'n such

[Blinge]

Everything I've read indicates there's no "Server" tendency in the PS5 remake of Demon Souls.
A quick google also pulls up outdated wiki and gamefaqs posts talking about the ps3 game, where it was a thing. So maybe that's giving you some false positives?

Ironically.. if you, like me.. just want to play DeS on your trusty old Ps3. the servers are shut down, so world tendency will always function offline
anyhow -

WT being difficult? not really hard to get to pure white- just don't die in human form. Kill bosses. profit.
HOWEVER there are some nasty little exceptions, like killing certain body form NPCs dragging your WT down.
Why would you do that? If they shoot first..
Executioner Miralda in 1-1, through a white WT gate.. will attack you, kill her in self defense? grats, your WT just went down 3 steps. She is never not hostile.

This is all fresh in my memory because i just played thru the game three times in august.

1 pure mage/ magic only. funsies.
1 pure thief/ dagger and bow. upgraded my secret dagger to Fatal -> meaning only backstabs and parries really do anything
boy that was a mistake. considering how much of the enemies are unbackstabbable. made for some shitty boss encounters. Also farming the max upgrades for sticky bow and the Fatal Dagger in NG was quite horrendous.

last playthrough was in previous 2 days. I went fat Temple Knight. Halberd/Mirdan hammer (crushing) +3.

Deathless run! Played slow, smart and safe.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Finally got to try Bloodborne at a friend's, annoyed at the lack of control mapping options as usual but using the PS4 interface to do it moves dodge to a face button more sensibly close to the right stick. I'm not fond of lock on being on a right stick click, I may make R3 the heal button instead.

Game's a very interesting vibe, the start of it feels a lot more hostile than Dark Souls. Your choice of starting weapons seems to be between a gritty weapon that has a long sword moveset, a shortsword combined with an actually good whip, and a one handed axe mixed with every single polearm move DS1 had with buffed speed and range? My fave is either the Threaded Cane or Hunter Axe so far, I'm not sure about firearms though, blunderbuss seems quite iffy, will have to try the pistol.

[Lemnear]

Finally got to try Bloodborne at a friend's, annoyed at the lack of control mapping options as usual but using the PS4 interface to do it moves dodge to a face button more sensibly close to the right stick. I'm not fond of lock on being on a right stick click, I may make R3 the heal button instead.

Game's a very interesting vibe, the start of it feels a lot more hostile than Dark Souls. Your choice of starting weapons seems to be between a gritty weapon that has a long sword moveset, a shortsword combined with an actually good whip, and a one handed axe mixed with every single polearm move DS1 had with buffed speed and range? My fave is either the Threaded Cane or Hunter Axe so far, I'm not sure about firearms though, blunderbuss seems quite iffy, will have to try the pistol.

Don't worry too much about firearms (the pistol seems to be better than the Blunderbuss, at least for the distance), there are better ones anyway.
The Endurance here is very generous, with 20 points you can practically attack and dodge unlimitedly.
There are no "similar" weapons between them, each weapon is unique, obviously they are less than any souls, but they make even Elden Ring pale in comparison for movesets.

[MJR]

Bloodborne is certainly my favourite of all From Software games. It's also the only one I managed / bothered to platinum, got even DLC trophies. Only game I know that has True Lovecraftian vibes.

I stopped playing Demons souls on PS5 on new game+ when I got tired being 1-shot by all enemies, but I did kill Executioner Miranda just before that.. and noticed WT dropping all suddenly, without realizing what did it. If I have to bloody google it in order to understand, then I do consider it hard and convoluted. Or just not very good design.

But doesn't matter. It was still great to play it again on PS5. Now I wish they did remake of Dark Souls.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Don't worry too much about firearms (the pistol seems to be better than the Blunderbuss, at least for the distance), there are better ones anyway.

Hmm, good to know, thanks! I went with the Blunderbuss because BIG GUN GUD but its damage has been shockingly low, it seems like to get any damage out of firearms requires specifically building around them.

I haven't figured out how to level up yet, I assume the game forces you to run with your default stats for the early game before it's unlocked as a feature.

[Lemnear]

Don't worry too much about firearms (the pistol seems to be better than the Blunderbuss, at least for the distance), there are better ones anyway.

Hmm, good to know, thanks! I went with the Blunderbuss because BIG GUN GUD but its damage has been shockingly low, it seems like to get any damage out of firearms requires specifically building around them.

I haven't figured out how to level up yet, I assume the game forces you to run with your default stats for the early game before it's unlocked as a feature.

It starts like Demon's Souls, you can't level up before a certain point (in Demon's you had to complete stage 1-1).
Firearms are parry tools in Bloodborne, only a couple seem to do consistent damage (and only if you raise the stat they scale to and upgrade them).

I'm telling you now because you might regret it later,

Spoiler

you'll have to find 3 Umbilical Cords (out of 4 i think) in the game, no NPC will mention this throughout the game, and some actions (or actions not taken) could cause you to lose up to 2 out of 4.

This is to get to the TLB (Yes, there is).

[BIL]

Don't worry too much about firearms (the pistol seems to be better than the Blunderbuss, at least for the distance), there are better ones anyway.

Hmm, good to know, thanks! I went with the Blunderbuss because BIG GUN GUD but its damage has been shockingly low, it seems like to get any damage out of firearms requires specifically building around them.

I ran into this too (BB was my first Miyazaki title). Thought "Jesus, who uses guns here?! I wanna RAWK!"

The thing about firearms, especially early on, is they're not so much for doing damage; nor even sniping. It's all about the parry, the stagger, and the Visceral Attack. (you can do serious shooting damage, with the right setup and build, but early on, it's best to get your parry mechanics down)

Basically, get just inside the enemy's reach to bait out a nice juicy swing, then shoot 'em in their fuckin eye. Then, reap ULTIME VIOLENCE Even on a trade, the window is generous enough, you can recover and dash in for the R1 riposte. Just gotta ensure the bullet strikes 'em during their active attack frames; too early, you'll just flinch 'em, too late, well, your hat is lying just over there good sah

You can't quite parry on reaction, by design, since you have to factor in 1) raising the gun, 2) firing the gun, and 3) the bullet's travel. But with a little practice, you might find it surprisingly consistent. I went with SHOTTEH on my first character, the dimension-travelling war veteran DR BIRUFORD. But (perhaps biased, after so long with a certain later-game pistol the good doctor purloined), I think the pistols' timing is easier to learn.

With the blunderbuss, you have to factor in a bit more startup delay; the payoff for that is, while the pistol shoots just the one shot, BUSSAH unleashes a cloud of raking buckshot; each landing at slightly staggered times. So the odds of you catching the enemy during attack frames is significantly boosted.

Not a spoiler, just a translation tip: there is an excellent shotgun later on, which they call a fuckin "rifle." :/ I'm not a gun dude, just a farm boy with a few military uncles, but I ignored the thing for an obscene length of time, multiple loops! Tried it out on a whim, saw the glorious shredding staggered buckshot, and went WHY THE FUCK U LYIN??? STOP FUCKIN LYIIIN~ :[ It's gold n' shiny, you'll know when you see it. (there is another gun named "rifle" that, indeed, gives the longer-ranged focused shot you would expect)

The brick trolls (you'll find one early on banging on a door) are perfect for getting used to the parry timing. The giant wolves have some nice tells, too, but early on, they're too dangerous to engage for very long - especially as the couple in Central are nastily close together. Watch for the windup, where they raise both claws, and start rearing up for a big lunging bite. Most enemies have at least one such gift-wrapped tell, a deadly fruits basket if you will. You'll learn to spot 'em, and learn which are your favourites. Note the audio cues, too! A certain scary enemy found near the starting area give a very nice "OOURGHH" right before his running attack; perfect layup. Also note his three-hit combo, the second a meaty haymaker; another nice place to cut in. I immediately fell in love with the emphasis on body language and sound, here.

Also, any time an enemy goes into a flailing, happy-slapping combo? Do a deft backdash and blast 'em, the bullet will slam into their spam nicely. That there is another gift from the ambivalent cosmos!

I suggest practicing on your friendly new neighbours!

YOUUU PLAGUE-RIDDEN RHAAAAAAAT
*KTHOOM* *RRRRIPPP*
GUOAAAARRR W-won't larse long :[

Also, consider using Blood Bullets to save on ammo, early on. By way of habit, I hit [up] on the dpad at every warp-in, then immediately heal. Better to save five bullets at the cost of one blood vial early on, I think. I still do this even after having built up comfy stocks of both.

I so wish they'd sort the framerate and loadtimes out, because barring those, this is a masterpiece of controlled shredding carnage. And good god damn, don't even get me started on the style... immense! I'll be on a stable PC release like white on mahfuckin rice. LOOKIT WHAT U MADE ME DO SONY Came back after silly time on DS3+ER, could barely put the fucker down.

Glad you've made first contact, at any rate.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Thanks for the info. Speaking of viscerals, can I mash light attack as soon as they're open? Do I have to wait briefly to connect? I'm having trouble telling if they're open for a visceral or not after a parry, if I did a charge attack on the right spot behind them, etc. I guess I'll get a feel for it the more I play.

Glad you've made first contact, at any rate.

Now hurry up and play Dark Souls, it has dragons. :V

[BIL]

Speaking of viscerals, can I mash light attack as soon as they're open? Do I have to wait briefly to connect? I'm having trouble telling if they're open for a visceral or not after a parry, if I did a charge attack on the right spot behind them, etc. I guess I'll get a feel for it the more I play.

There's a slight wait; parryable enemies both zako and lethal tend to share the distinctive "dropped to one knee, then windedly recovering" sequence; you'll definitely get a feel for it, deliberate standardisation in the name of more efficient slaughter.

Note that you can catch them quite late in the recovery; don't give up on dashing in for those traded V-ATKs! (or inadvertent ones; sometimes homie catches a stray, gotta capitalise on that BIG DAMAGE + GENEROUS IFRAMES; and sometimes more! while there's just the one V-ATK, you can customise its effects extensively further in)

I see DS1 fans complain this was sloppy, but I think they're just pussies. Nah for real, to me it only enhances BB's inimitable blend of spectral grace and car crash ultraviolence As Jack so aptly said, it's both a ninja stepper and an ungodly slugfest. Trick is knowing when to step and when to slug. ;3

Glad you've made first contact, at any rate.

Now hurry up and play Dark Souls, it has dragons. :V

Did all eight loops. Marvelous time; best 3D take on the classically soaring, interlocking Japanese ARPG world I've ever seen. Bloodborne is more of a classic Biohazard/Silent Hill survival horror joint, by comparison. I love both.

A TALE OF CONQUEST AND ROCK-HARD BUNS!!!

CARDIO OF LEGEND

^^^ MFW Shadow Set + Raw GreatAxe & Tower Shield :3

Dr. Biruford is a military veteran from a different dimension who was missing the hard-lovin' 1CC life



HE NEEDED THA REAL ULTRAVIOLENCE SOUND! (yooo, TECHNOUCHI worked on DS1, no surprise his BGM enhances )

"Excuse me sir, do you have a minute to talk about our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ?"



In the end...



HE BROUGHT FREE DENTAL CARE TO BLIGHTED LORDRAN (｀w´メ) (;｀w´;)

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Ooh, my bad, I thought hadn't played Souls yet for some reason, I remember you mentioning no spoilers because you hadn't played one of the games yet but had a brain fart and couldn't remember which.

[BIL]

Ooh, my bad, I thought hadn't played Souls yet for some reason, I remember you mentioning no spoilers because you hadn't played one of the games yet but had a brain fart and couldn't remember which.

Haha, cheers. That was DSIII (aka DR BIRUFORD IS BACK ONCE AGAIN ), also since enjoyed mightily. (as was Elden Ring!)





JYEAAA BOYEEEE BB CHARGE SHOT REPPIN Fuckin rad game.

[Blinge]

Roo i'm shocked you never played BB before!
and the fact you rebound your controls in the souls series is fucking heresy to me lmao
what the actual fuck.
As a Demon Souls1 console veteran, the option to rebind was never there, so I learned to love what I had, which was fine and perfect anyway
(i'm NOT A CULTIST!!)
now you pay the price!

BIL now known as the loop master

i think i still have ds2,3, sek and ER to do all loops for.

[Stevens]

Aahhhh - You must be the new hunter, welcome to Yharnam Roo. I don't think I need to add anything here other than every weapon is viable. There is no filler, they're all good. Sadly my favorite is locked deep in the dungeons..

The other peeps seem to have given you a pretty good lay of the land. Have fun!

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Honestly if I couldn't remap it I wouldn't play it, I loathe the defaults. I was told I should try the Xbox 360 versions of DS1 and 2 sometime but realizing how much I hate lock on mapped to R3 (especially when you have to press it a few times to actually get it to lock on when you're just outside lock distance or there's terrain kind of but not really in the way) and dodge / run on a face button positioned far from the right stick (ugh, don't put the most commonly used button as far way from the stick as possible) I probably won't. I'll be satisfied by the Switch and PC versions.

The people who settled for the claw grip in BB never realized the accessibility options existed in the PS4's system menu guess.

[ryu]

You're not doing the claw you're not playing Souls

The cool thing back then was that everyone with their brain intact figured out the grip by themselves. It's not a meme propagated by youtubers.

[Sima Tuna]

Monster Hunter veterans since gen 2 have long mastered the claw. You merely adopted the claw, but we were born to it, molded by it.

[Air Master Burst]

I never needed the claw for Souls games? Dodge rolls are fairly lengthy set animations, it ain't hard to tap the right stick a bit and be back before you need to do it again.

Stick clicking is never a great compromise, though (with all due respect to my beloved GunValkyrie).

[Blinge]

I only claw when sprinting and wanting to swing the camera.
but yeah, plenty of time to dodge using right thumb for both stick and circle

[ryu]

I only claw when sprinting and wanting to swing the camera.

Isn't that how everyone plays these?

[Austin]

Click jumping is fine because you only need to do it, like, five times over the course of any traditional Souls game. Better to have more useful functions on more accessible buttons.

[Air Master Burst]

The real issue is that run and dodge are mapped to the same button. Run is one of the few acceptable functions for stick clicking, too, so talk about a wasted opportunity.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

The real issue is that run and dodge are mapped to the same button. Run is one of the few acceptable functions for stick clicking, too, so talk about a wasted opportunity.

I hate stick clicking when I'm also trying to hold forward on a stick. I usually have it mapped to a non-essential function that won't interfere if I hit it accidentally. I have LS mapped to cycle spells in DS1, and R3 for one/two handed swapping or transform attacks in BB, mostly because I loathe lock on being a right stick click (you sometimes have to press it a few times quickly to get it to lock onto something at a distance).

In Sekiro I think I had RT/R2 mapped to run with the face buttons for attacking and deflecting, which means there's even less of an issue as you can rotate the camera with your thumb while holding run, no claw needed.

For anyone that cares what mappings I use in DS1

I use a controller with discrete buttons on the D-Pad to minimize accidental diagonals you get on some controllers like XB360.

L2/LT: Block
L1/LB: Jump (unmap Jump from the dodge/run button, it allows you to do a dodge out of a run instead of risking getting a jump instead, and you can't really put this on a face button as it makes it hard to press while running unless you move the confirm button which Switch ver doesn't allow)
R2/RT: Normal Attack (I prefer R2 as the 'primary' attack button)
R1/RB: Heavy Attack

L3: Switch Magic (my stick is kinda sensitive, this won't interfere with combat much if you press it accidentally, using this for Parry also works if your stick isn't as wonky)
R3: Swap One-Hand / Two-Hand

D-Pad : same as defaults, except D-Pad Up for Parry if I have L3 as Switch Magic, I don't rely much on Parrying as I'm not crazy about the PvP, Parry on L3 would be better in that case

Triangle/Y: Lock-On (you can adjust you view or quickly press it as needed without needing thumb on stick)
Square/X: Dodge/Run
X/A: Confirm/Use/Collect
Circle/B: Use Item (you could put this on the D-Pad or a stick click I guess, but having this on a face button is convenient and lets you walk backward while using dragon breath, having it on the same button as Cancel does mean you have to avoid mashing it too much or use Start to exit menus, but it's better than Dodge being on this and accidentally backstepping off a ledge when you exit a menu)

[Sima Tuna]

I've never had a problem running by holding down B/Circle and then jumping by release-tapping B/Circle again. In later souls games, I always remap the controls back to this DS1 default. I don't want to click a stick to jump, ever.

[Air Master Burst]

Honestly, if you're going to play these games seriously (or any 3d action) you really should get yourself an Xbox Elite. The extra finger paddles make all the difference, especially for stuff like DMC style switching.

[Blinge]

Nah.

Also i'm not a fan of clickrun either.
Irritates the hell out of me in Let it die..
then again that's the point of the whole game hyck hyuck

[Sima Tuna]

Clickrun is personally responsible for killing at least two of my controllers.

[BIL]

I resorted to HERESEH

It all started when Malenia says “Now you will witness true horror” and i took it almost as an offense... for the series "please excuse me? Who the fuck do you think you're dealing with?" I'll show you the real unholy aberration!

It seems for me, the TRVE FAITH remains NO INT EVER. (｀w´メ)

Well, not faith. That implies adherence, discipline. I just DGAF about that sparkly shite. You hear the one about Radagaon and Rennala?

He bought her a pair of flip-flops and a glintstone dildo for her birthday!（＾w´ ）

Spoiler

So if she didn't like the flip-flops, she could go fuck herself! (■｀w´■)

But being a longtime enthusiast of grimly practical blunt/edged weaponry, ARC has opened a new frontier of pain. Dr Biruford's in a bit of a goth phase atm.



Can't be too glum though, the 900mph Spiked Bat to the face is a versatile auld classic.

BIL now known as the loop master

i think i still have ds2,3, sek and ER to do all loops for.

I found BB and DS1 stabilising, or even getting a bit easier, on account of resource buildup. And ofc, you learn a lot over time.

DS3 was marginally trickier, at least for my build (pure STR+DEX, not a hint of INT/FTH/LCK, or ARC, as BB+ER call it). Stats+gear maxed around loop 6, had to tweak a bit to keep the final DLC showdowns comfy. Alternated the Heavy Spiked Bat w/Keen Warpick, depending on target's Strike/Thrust resist. Same for Fume BBC/Keen Greatsword, vs massive targets. Learned to zweihand on a few bosses I'd previously fought with a shield, too. Booting up today for the first time in many months, I see I actually left it parked at the "Begin NG+7 (Loop 8 )?" prompt; saving it for after ER. Deserves its own thread tbh.

Will definitely do the ER DLC's second run before summer's too gone, at least. It's a one-time difficulty boost, stacked onto the traditional loop buff. (once you've killed the DLC endboss, the boost will apply to the next loop, and only that loop)

Soapbox: I find it interesting there's just the one. Feels like an acknowledgement that the tension between ever-increasing boss spectacle and DS1's paradigm has reached an inflection point. There are plenty of no-damage, no-cheese DLC endboss kills on Youtube, now. The first I saw was many weeks ago; an SL1 Vagabond sword+board kill, with clever use of Mist Raptor to ghost the nuke.

They're formidably impressive, but also a bit sterile. BB, DS3, and even relatively mild DS1's DLC showdowns all have a finely-balanced push/pull, a sense of mortal struggle. With ER's finale, it's like they studiously filled in and sanded over those precarious handholds, leaving a bloodless dodge/attack/dodge exercise against a training dummy run amok. Or rather, dodge/dodge/dodge/dodge/dodge/attack/dodge. Not looking forward to it, tbh, despite liking the Base+DLC's other 99% tremendously.

I'll always look forward to whatever they're doing next, but I would like to see them either refresh the player suite, or return to something earthier. Or do both; just in different games. I don't think limited Otogi/ZOE-style orbital flight is at all incompatible with what certain later bosses seem to yearn towards. I feel bad watching LION_OU backflipping off pillars and triple-jumping all over his room while I stand there like an asshole rolling through his laz0rs before twatting him with my Spiked Bat like I'm fighting the Taurus Demon, y'know?

Well, I have no such misgivings with OUGONJU NO MICHI, aka ROAD TO THE ERDTREE, the TRVE+HONEST ER manga.



Anyone else gave this a look? I'd no idea it existed, assumed it was doujinshi at first. Good fun, imo. As it cheerfully warns, it's a gag manga, but an unmistakably affectionate one by and for fans. Mangaka apologetically took the DLC release week off, dawww. :3 Not entirely without some fire and grit, either.



Genuinely kinda interesting as a Bizarro From, full of cheerful camaraderie in a crowded world.

[Lemnear]

It all started when Malenia says “Now you will witness true horror” and i took it almost as an offense... for the series "please excuse me? Who the fuck do you think you're dealing with?" I'll show you the real unholy aberration!

It seems for me, the TRVE FAITH remains NO INT EVER. (｀w´メ)

Well, not faith. That implies adherence, discipline. I just DGAF about that sparkly shite. You hear the one about Radagaon and Rennala?

He bought her a pair of flip-flops and a glintstone dildo for her birthday!（＾w´ ）

and Rennala gave him a sword that he didn't even unwrap (it's still in a chest) ;(

Well, I have no such misgivings with OUGONJU NO MICHI, aka ROAD TO THE ERDTREE, the TRVE+HONEST ER manga.



Anyone else gave this a look? I'd no idea it existed, assumed it was doujinshi at first. Good fun, imo. As it cheerfully warns, it's a gag manga, but an unmistakably affectionate one by and for fans. Mangaka apologetically took the DLC release week off, dawww. :3 Not entirely without some fire and grit, either.



Genuinely kinda interesting as a Bizarro From, full of cheerful camraderie in a crowded world.

from Day1, I suspect it's the manga adaptation of the author's first ER run at this point.

Thops....mygod how I hate him...the first time you find him he asks you for runes! Nobody asks me for runes, but above all with what courage!

I always tell myself that I should continue the run as Carian Knight, beautiful to look at, but always not very good compared to other things.

Have you tried the Death Knight's Twin Axe//Longhaft Axe? They seem like the natural evolution for those who did the vanilla campaign with the Golden Halberd.

In fact it's true anyway...essentially the bosses have evolved, but the way you fight them hasn't...even with all the super cool spells and the AOWs...except for a few, like the AOWs with Dash/jumping attacks.
I don't like it when bosses are just there doing "look how strong I am, you can't beat me" attacks...and then they just die one little hit at a time slowly slowly -_- regardless of whether you're using the coolest weapon on earth or a stick..
I may be a heretic but two of my favorite boss fights are Dragon Slayer Armor (DS3) and Champion Gundyr (DS3) for example.
The combat is very tight, it's a constant alternating attack/dodge and not dodge/dodge/dodge/dodge/1-attack.

[BIL]

I may be a heretic but two of my favorite boss fights are Dragon Slayer Armor (DS3) and Champion Gundyr (DS3) for example.
The combat is very tight, it's a constant alternating attack/dodge and not dodge/dodge/dodge/dodge/1-attack.

Fuuck yeah. Intense contests... Gundyr especially. DS3 has a lot of those.

DS3 Spoiler

Will always treasure the "Holy SHIT " moment, after I went for an easy R1 on his exposed back, only to be mule-kicked across the ring. Going "That's new..." before noticing Gundyr's sad eyes burning red as the BGM ignited, then exploded.

I'd brought in Sword Master, happy to see his crazy no-pants ass again, and had blown most of my Estus on Kremhild's invasion, just before. Wasn't expecting a real fight, just enjoying the chilly atmosphere. Ended up deserting poor Master as Shin Gundyr pulverised him, then Home Boning out in the split-second between buddy dying, and champ exploding across the ring at me. An utter disgrace. Fought the rematch solo, just barely survived with no Estus left. Fuck! I had all this recorded, but deleted all except the DLC endgames to save HDD space. (so I wouldn't forget ~muh strats~ )

Also, it was mostly just me getting beaten like a rug. Amazing memory, though. One of the most understatedly impactful phase transitions in their games, or any game. The tutorial jobber revealed as a champion denied.

Have you tried the Death Knight's Twin Axe//Longhaft Axe? They seem like the natural evolution for those who did the vanilla campaign with the Golden Halberd.

I take forever to try new stuff, still rocking my blood-crazed gasher setup. Discovered powerstanced Blood Great Knives w/Bloodhound Step, turning bosses into goddamn sushi. Rad-looking weapon though, I particularly like the Shunkan Idou weapon art. Was pairing the Armour of Solitude set with Death Knight's helm for a while in the DLC, nice Armoured Reaper aesthetic.

[evil_ash_xero]

Finally got to try Bloodborne at a friend's, annoyed at the lack of control mapping options as usual but using the PS4 interface to do it moves dodge to a face button more sensibly close to the right stick. I'm not fond of lock on being on a right stick click, I may make R3 the heal button instead.

Game's a very interesting vibe, the start of it feels a lot more hostile than Dark Souls. Your choice of starting weapons seems to be between a gritty weapon that has a long sword moveset, a shortsword combined with an actually good whip, and a one handed axe mixed with every single polearm move DS1 had with buffed speed and range? My fave is either the Threaded Cane or Hunter Axe so far, I'm not sure about firearms though, blunderbuss seems quite iffy, will have to try the pistol.

You just got to try it?! Oh man, this is peak stuff. If you like it, make sure to try out the Old Hunters content. It really improves some things.
The firearms are just for parrying (well, except for the cannon). I use the Blunderbuss as it almost never misses. The pistol does a little more damage, but it
does so little, it doesn't really matter. It's all about the parrying. And the pistol does miss.