From Software 'n such

[ryu]

I don't know if I want to continue the whole game like this though mmm

Yeah keeping it at one build and playstyle can get old because of how long Elden Ring is. I had problems sticking to one myself when I played it.

Finished Dark Souls II last night. New game at soul level... 199. Wtf, how did that happen? Sure I did a little bit of equipment farming here and there and generally fought all enemies in my path, but it's not like I was explicitedly going out of my way to farm for Souls. Did they lower the level up requirements for SotFS, or maybe increase the amount of souls gained?

[Lemnear]

I don't know if I want to continue the whole game like this though mmm

Yeah keeping it at one build and playstyle can get old because of how long Elden Ring is. I had problems sticking to one myself when I played it.

Finished Dark Souls II last night. New game at soul level... 199. Wtf, how did that happen? Sure I did a little bit of equipment farming here and there and generally fought all enemies in my path, but it's not like I was explicitedly going out of my way to farm for Souls. Did they lower the level up requirements for SotFS, or maybe increase the amount of souls gained?

DS2 NG+ is awesome, there are 4 UNIQUE weapons only found there, plus more enemies and NPC invaders.
Probably the only one worth doing at least one NG+ run.

[ryu]

DS2 NG+ is awesome, there are 4 UNIQUE weapons only found there, plus more enemies and NPC invaders.
Probably the only one worth doing at least one NG+ run.

Doing at least NG+ eventually is my plan. It didn't feel right being this overpowered for large parts of the content.

[bcass]

NG+ in most From games is the victory tour, whereby you tear everything you previously struggled with to shreds. Also commonly known as the "power fantasy" in gaming parlance. A key tenet of From's design philosophy.

[BIL]

No opprobrium meant to the uploader, but in DS2's Ivory King / Frozen Eleum Loyce / Chicago DLC... am I the only one who didn't challenge Aava until I'd explored the stage, and neutralised her terrifying advantage? Skimmed his comments, and they're full of people who also waltzed in and got shredded to bloody ribbons. Repeatedly. Apparently, this is tres experimental.

I'd never even considered this happening. It's been three years, but I recall a voice imploring me not to cross the fog door because "Aava is watching you." And I said "Yeah, I figured you were fluffing me with your 'Don't play this DLC at all!' warning, earlier - but this sounds incredibly specific, and that's a fuckin boss door. I think I'll exhaust my alternatives first. Thanks!" And wow, wouldn't you know it - turn around to see a convenient pathway leading elsewhere.

It feels a neat microcosm of these games' mainstream-fearsome rep. Nobody pays attention to their surroundings and the things in them. It's a very important skill to have. People who suck at arcade and other classical games tend to be the same way, I've found.

[ryu]

It's been so long I don't remember the specifics, but I remember trying to beat invisible Aava for the challenge of it. Can't recollect if I beat him that way or just moved on though. Probably the latter because I don't remember skipping the first loop of the area.

[BIL]

Oh yeah, I can see trying for the fun of it. That guy and his commenters sound like they were shocked to discover the walkway they ran past prior to every doomed boss attempt.

[bcass]

Invisible Aava will be the least of your problems in that area.

[Blinge]

I went through and had a look yeah. The penalty for dying is nothing, so why not?

Oh yeah, Fromsoft made a Keitei King's Field game, 3 of them
That is - mobile phone game in 2004. flip phone shit.

and shit is the right word lmao.
Someone bought a phone that still had the game installed and uploaded it, the first one.

some vids covered this development. one of them is mine https://youtu.be/3M8cIi_YH9g

[ryu]

Hah yeah. But I suppose at the time that was better than nothing if you absolutely had to play KF on your phone.

Oh yeah, I can see trying for the fun of it. That guy and his commenters sound like they were shocked to discover the walkway they ran past prior to every doomed boss attempt.

You're right he really talks about it like it was a big deal lol

[Sumez]

No opprobrium meant to the uploader, but in DS2's Ivory King / Frozen Eleum Loyce / Chicago DLC... am I the only one who didn't challenge Aava until I'd explored the stage, and neutralised her terrifying advantage? Skimmed his comments, and they're full of people who also waltzed in and got shredded to bloody ribbons. Repeatedly. Apparently, this is tres experimental.

I honestly can't remember what I did, but I enjoyed this video a lot. It doesn't really offer any new perspectives on anything, but I like the acknowledgement of just how great Ivory King is. It's a real microcosm of a lot of DS bests.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

am I the only one who didn't challenge Aava until I'd explored the stage, and neutralised her terrifying advantage? Skimmed his comments, and they're full of people who also waltzed in and got shredded to bloody ribbons. Repeatedly. Apparently, this is tres experimental.

It's a bit depressing but a lot of people seem content to bang their heads repeatedly on a challenge rather than considering there might be a solution elsewhere they've simply missed. And will then complain it's somehow the game's fault. Problem solving is a skill that takes an open mind and a lot practice and abstract thinking (playing a lot of puzzle oriented video games can help with this I think). But really, it's not that different from Kalameet in DS1 where you're confronted by something that very clearly tears you apart, and you look elsewhere to deal with it. Same goes with Manus to a lesser extent; finding the Silver Pendant greatly simplifies the second phase of his fight rather than trying to dodge all his magic.

[Sumez]

it's not that different from Kalameet in DS1 where you're confronted by something that very clearly tears you apart, and you look elsewhere to deal with it. Same goes with Manus to a lesser extent; finding the Silver Pendant greatly simplifies the second phase of his fight rather than trying to dodge all his magic.

Wait
What

Silver Pendant?
What can you do with Kalameet?

[ryu]

Wait
What

Silver Pendant?
What can you do with Kalameet?

There's a wall in one of the buildings in Oolacile Township that only opens when you have a light source active (e.g. illumination spell). Behind it is a chest with the silver pendant, a consumable that reflects dark spells for a brief moment when you use it. That's how you're supposed to counter Manus' spells in phase 3.

No idea about Kalameet though. Maybe he meant you're supposed to fight him after Manus when you're stronger?

[Sumez]

Oh lol, my memory is just bad. Dug up my SL1 Manus fight video on YouTube, and I do use the silver pendant.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Kalameet's first encountered on the bridge leading to the part of the woods with the abyss chasm holes. He gives you a good long stare but doesn't actually do anything. Then, if you explore the dry riverbed and find the ladder that goes down to where the waterfall and the Darkroot Basin is in the present, you'll discover it's where Kalameet lives as he roasts you to death unceremoniously upon swooping in. He doesn't like guests. Then, later you meet Gough, who knows you've encountered Kalameet and asks if you're having trouble with him, and offers to assist. If you refuse, he won't help out until you've seen Kalameet again.

Of course it's possible to meet Gough before Kalameet, and not realize he's key to killing Kalameet without having to resort to absurd exploit-tier tactics. You'd need to try Kalameet a few times, wonder what the heck you're missing as getting instamurdered by this dragon who isn't polite enough to at least kidnap you in the process is clearly Very Weird Even By Dark Souls Standards™, then go back and talk to NPCs in the DLC until you discover Gough is happy to help you. You're out of luck if you killed Gough for some reason! It's especially obvious to the player enlisting Gough's help is the way to go as it triggers a proper fog gate and boss fight complete with lifebar. :3

Note that you don't have to die to Kalameet; if you descend into where he lives then Homeward Bone out as soon as you see Kalameet swooping in, you'll warp out before you're roasted to death and still trigger the flag that gets Gough to offer his help shooting down Kalameet.

Oh lol, my memory is just bad. Dug up my SL1 Manus fight video on YouTube, and I do use the silver pendant.

lol, I would've believed you if you told me you just learned to do it the badass way instead

[BIL]

I first played DS1 in early 2022, promptly did all eight loops. So damn good. Next played it in late 2023 on a New Game, wanting to reacquaint with lore for the upcoming DS3. I flat-out forgot to use the Silver Pendant on Manus (despite acquiring it just like the first time around), and proceeded to do Phase 3 sitting on one asscheek. I think I actually had to bring in Sif not just for ~teh feelz~ but so she'd draw aggro.

Felt pretty rad to notice it in my inventory after.

There's the most awesomely morbid, funereal booming when you're near one of those light-sensitive walls. Like someone thumping a rusty boiler, very Akira Yamaoka-esque. Oolacile Township's atmosphere being pretty fuckin bleak (those desperate screams), and the common enemies hitting hard, plus the precarious footing, I was so freaked out. Chasm Of The Abyss was a letdown after, especially with that promising dungeon opening. Was hoping for a real heart of madness situation, passing through that grimy hole in the brickwork. Felt like Diet Tomb Of The Giants, not bad but kinda over-familiar. Fantastic DLC overall, though. Actually all of Miyazaki's plus DS2's have been, imo, even if I found Shadow Of The Erdtree's final boss annoyingly plinky.

[Blinge]

Hmm.. on a NG playthrough. A fully built up character from the whole game and the DLC probably doesn't need to use the pendant against manus.
You can tank most of it.

Challenge runs tho? yeah probably you want it rather than not.

[Blinge]

https://youtu.be/9WY6KSWT8Ro?t=989

Wait looks like I did Manus without the pendant even at Soul Level 1
he didn't do that attack where the big circle of dark magic comes from the outside and 100 arrows aim for the centre.

that's easily avoided though: his telegraph is holding his staff straight up.
If he does that you sprint towards him, right in front of him they don't hit. there's a safe circle in the middle

[Sumez]

Hmm.. on a NG playthrough. A fully built up character from the whole game and the DLC probably doesn't need to use the pendant against manus.
You can tank most of it.

Oh yeah, since Manus is a "new" addition to the game, I've never actually fought him outside of being Soul Level 1 :3

Seems I only used it for that attack though. Probably weren't aware of the safe spot.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Interesting to know about the safespot! I've always used the Silver Pendant, except one time when I dabbled briefly in Online on the Switch version and I kept trying to help someone struggling with Manus who kept dying and wasn't using the pendant. In desperation I threw mine down to encourage the dude to use it, then went super aggressive on Manus to try and keep aggro and minimize how many attacks he got to make. Took a few tries but eventually got the guy past Manus. :p It was the first time since running SL1 runs I went up against Manus so I remember being surprised at how tanky you are to his magic. With 35+ Vit and decently upgraded armor, you'll survive any of his magic at full health in NG. Manus also gives lots of opportunities to use Estus to heal, so I find him generally easier than Kalameet or Artorias.

Chasm Of The Abyss was a letdown after, especially with that promising dungeon opening.

Yeah, I like the forest area too, but it being so wide open and easily run through makes it feel like a slightly forgettable prelude to the rest of the DLC, with Oolacile Township definitely being the highlight in terms of map design. The Abyss itself is certainly tense and foreboding... until you realize there's only like two spellcasters in the whole area, with everything else being patient enough to come at you one at a time or being those very slow humanity spirits. It feels nowhere as brutal to learn to navigate as the Tomb of Giants or even the Catacombs. Even if Oolacile Township is the only significantly interesting dungeon to explore in the DLC area, the boss fights in the DLC are all pretty good which is nice.

[BrianC]

Wow. That guy is doing the Bull Shannon head palm! RIP Richard Moll.

[Austin]

I didn't know about the Silver Pendant or the safe spot.

[Blinge]

https://youtu.be/9WY6KSWT8Ro?t=989

Safe spot at 11:09

[BIL]

am I the only one who didn't challenge Aava until I'd explored the stage, and neutralised her terrifying advantage? Skimmed his comments, and they're full of people who also waltzed in and got shredded to bloody ribbons. Repeatedly. Apparently, this is tres experimental.

It's a bit depressing but a lot of people seem content to bang their heads repeatedly on a challenge rather than considering there might be a solution elsewhere they've simply missed. And will then complain it's somehow the game's fault. Problem solving is a skill that takes an open mind and a lot practice and abstract thinking (playing a lot of puzzle oriented video games can help with this I think).

Indeed, this problem solving is to me the heart of Teh Hard Gaming™. Any format, any genre. "How can I survive this? And ideally, dominate it?"

I always think of that great scene in Gladiator, where they're all waiting for some godawful danger to emerge from the arena gate. And Maximus, veteran of countless deadly battles, tells the panicked men "Whatever comes out of that gate, we've more of a chance if we work together."

Put the player in an intriguing dilemma, make them scramble to assemble a working strategy. Ideally let them turn the tables, so now it's the fuckers coming out of the gate who're in for a nasty surprise, or at the very least, an even fight.

H4RDCOR3 is often equated with brute hardship, but it's really about growth. This is something lifelong scrubs like DSP - the portrait of a 12y/o boy trapped in a 43y/o man's body - and his ilk cannot ever grasp. Of course you're gonna get bopped at first, but wouldn't you rather a hearty challenge than a cakewalk? Unlike IRL, you won't get your shit ruined, and can always try again! Prepare To Die, more like Prepare To Retry. Anyway, rant over; been watching him again lately, best black Gamer Humours ever.

"SONIC BOOOM!"

EDIT: Yoo, god DAMN, I will forever fanboy out at the BLOOD-DRUNK HOONTERS. Such charismatic heavies! Between two frame-perfect "This is how you'd don't dodge in SoulsBorneRings," putting his entire body into rending the mouthy scrub with his obscenely beefy armament... that ice-cold executioner's approach. Arms down, chest out, walkin' up on his panicked quarry like he's ordering at Denny's. Only this order is not for a hearty Grand Slam Breakfast, but blood-crazed GRAND SLAM MURDER

"BLOOOD! NOWWWW!"

CUTTER LIKE A METAL DICK IN MY HAND / CARTRIDGE LIKE A BIG TESTICLE GLAND (⌐■w■)凸 (◎w◎;)

SIMILAR ENERGY (づ ᴗ _ᴗ)づ♡

https://youtu.be/9WY6KSWT8Ro?t=989

Safe spot at 11:09

Coupla years back, this run gave me SPIKED BADDICTION THAT PIECE HAS STACKED COUNTLESS BODIES

1) timber from Ancient Yggdrasil Vanished
2) cable + nails from Larry's Cut Price Hardware Barn ~Proudly Sold by The Undead Merchant~

ALL U NEED IS WOOD (*'ω' *)



"Borrow my hog and use it well on your journeys, son" "Thank you DS2bro, I will!" "WAIT WTF THERE'S NAILS IN IT" "I found it like that I swear!"

VIOLENCE BREEDS VIOLENCE, BUT



IN THE END IT HAS 2 BE THIS WAY (｀w´メ) (;｀ω´;)

[Sima Tuna]

DS2 is awesome

I agree. It's fucking sick how they rebalanced shields, added a bunch of builds (hex, pyro with actual scaling) a whole-ass weapon customization system where you can change the alignment of any weapon to make it suitable for your build and the game is made to be NG+'d as many times as you'd like.

[Blinge]

How did they rebalance shields?

bahaha. DSP getting clapped by the blood drunk hunters is a certified hood classic

[Lemnear]

DS2 is awesome

I agree. It's fucking sick how they rebalanced shields, added a bunch of builds (hex, pyro with actual scaling) a whole-ass weapon customization system where you can change the alignment of any weapon to make it suitable for your build and the game is made to be NG+'d as many times as you'd like.

I think it's the souls I've played the most Online (and think that I have 771 hours on Dark Souls 3)... I remember an online invasion in which the host made an absurd parry with a COLOSSAL AXE ...LOL, before EVERY weapon had its parry, fast or slow... also you could combine more weapons in a better way. And the adaptability created Agility builds, something non-existent in the others.

Then many say that it sucks, but I really like the game world aesthetically, it is much more in line with Dark Souls 1 than Dark Souls 3 is (and it is also closer to the original Demon's Souls)

and speaking of Demon's Souls, I've started multiple different games of the Remake...after watching Mark_MSX//The Electric Underground blast the game in every way possible.
I think he said a lot of bullshit in that video...aside from the beginning of Boletaria where the facade changes, and more generally Latria (which however has a gorgeous bloodborne-like sky), the game is IDENTICAL, many environments are exactly as they would be today if Demon's Souls had been released TODAY by FromSoftware.
Then he talks about inertia in the movements but I don't think there is, the only real flaw is the physics, that is somewhat new (???) and makes things like World 5-1 a living hell. The hitboxes are more precise and there is less phantom hit (and God only knows how for Mark_MSX the lack of phantom hit could be a flaw LOL).
For the rest it reminds me a lot of the original, and at the same time it isn't, and I think that's the best thing, so that the Remake doesn't erase the original and vice versa.

[Blinge]

the remake aesthetics don't look ugly.
but they look generic as fuck and dont respect the original.

[Blinge]

Nah wait they're great what am i talking about..

Spoiler