Why Dark Souls 2 Is Worth Playing A Comprehensive Review
Dark Souls 2 often finds itself in a contentious position within the Dark Souls series. While the original Dark Souls and Dark Souls 3 are almost universally lauded, Dark Souls 2 has a more divided fanbase. However, dismissing Dark Souls 2 outright would be a disservice to a game that offers a unique and compelling experience within the Soulsborne genre. This article will explore the reasons why you should consider venturing into Drangleic, even if you're a seasoned Souls veteran or a newcomer to the series.
1. A Unique and Vast World to Explore
One of the most compelling reasons to play Dark Souls 2 is its uniquely designed world. Drangleic, the setting for the game, is a vast and interconnected land filled with diverse environments. From the imposing majesty of Castle Drangleic to the eerie, mist-laden Huntsman's Copse, each area offers a distinct visual and gameplay experience. Dark Souls 2 excels at creating a sense of scale and wonder, encouraging exploration and rewarding players who dare to venture off the beaten path. Unlike the more interconnected world of the original Dark Souls or the streamlined level design of Dark Souls 3, Dark Souls 2 takes a more branching approach. This allows for a greater sense of player choice and freedom in terms of progression. You're not always forced down a linear path, and you have the option to tackle different areas in a non-linear order, catering to your preferred playstyle and character build. This non-linearity adds significant replayability, as different routes can lead to different challenges and discoveries. Moreover, the sheer variety of locations in Dark Souls 2 is remarkable. You'll traverse towering castles, navigate treacherous swamps, explore ancient ruins, and even delve into the depths of a volcanic caldera. Each environment is meticulously crafted, with its own unique atmosphere, enemy types, and secrets to uncover. This variety keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, preventing the experience from becoming monotonous. The world design in Dark Souls 2 also contributes to its overall sense of mystery and intrigue. Drangleic feels like a land steeped in history, with the remnants of past civilizations scattered throughout its landscapes. This sense of history is further enhanced by the game's lore, which is rich and complex, inviting players to piece together the story of Drangleic's rise and fall. By exploring the world, interacting with NPCs, and discovering hidden items, you can gradually uncover the secrets of this fascinating kingdom. The interconnectivity of the world, though less emphasized than in the original Dark Souls, still plays a crucial role in the overall experience. Certain areas are connected by intricate pathways and shortcuts, allowing for efficient traversal once you've unlocked them. This interconnectivity adds a layer of strategic depth to exploration, as you can plan your routes and anticipate potential challenges. Furthermore, the world design in Dark Souls 2 often incorporates verticality, with areas spanning multiple levels and offering a sense of height and scale. This verticality not only adds to the visual appeal of the game but also introduces unique gameplay opportunities, such as utilizing plunging attacks or navigating treacherous cliffs and ledges. In conclusion, the unique and vast world of Dark Souls 2 is a major draw for players seeking a challenging and rewarding exploration experience. Its branching pathways, diverse environments, and rich lore create a compelling sense of adventure, making it a worthwhile journey for any Souls enthusiast.
2. Refined and Expanded Gameplay Mechanics
Dark Souls 2 introduces several refinements and expansions to the gameplay mechanics that set it apart from its predecessors. One of the most notable additions is the Adaptability stat (ADP), which governs your agility and determines the speed at which you perform actions such as rolling and using Estus Flasks. This stat adds a new layer of character customization, as players must carefully balance their offensive and defensive capabilities. Unlike in other Souls games where agility is largely determined by equipment load, ADP provides a more nuanced way to control your character's responsiveness. Investing in ADP allows for faster rolls with more invincibility frames, making dodging enemy attacks significantly easier. It also speeds up the animation for using Estus Flasks, allowing for quicker healing in the heat of battle. This means that players who prioritize ADP will have a distinct advantage in terms of mobility and survivability. However, neglecting ADP can make the game significantly more challenging, as your character will feel sluggish and unresponsive. This forces players to make strategic choices about their stat distribution, considering both their preferred playstyle and the challenges they'll face. In addition to ADP, Dark Souls 2 also introduces other gameplay enhancements, such as power stancing, which allows you to dual-wield weapons of the same type for devastating attacks. Power stancing opens up a whole new range of combat possibilities, allowing for unique weapon combinations and attack patterns. By meeting the stat requirements for both weapons, you can enter a power stance, changing your attack animations and enabling powerful dual-weapon strikes. This can be particularly effective against bosses and other challenging enemies, but it also requires careful resource management and positioning. Another significant change in Dark Souls 2 is the limited enemy respawn mechanic. While enemies will initially respawn a limited number of times, they will eventually stop appearing altogether. This can be seen as both a positive and a negative, depending on your perspective. On the one hand, it allows you to clear out areas that you find particularly difficult, making progress less frustrating. On the other hand, it can reduce the opportunities for farming souls and items. This mechanic encourages players to explore different areas and adapt their strategies, rather than relying on grinding the same enemies repeatedly. Furthermore, Dark Souls 2 features a wider range of weapon types, armor sets, and spells than its predecessors. This variety allows for even greater character customization and experimentation. You can create a wide range of builds, from heavily armored knights to nimble mages, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. This variety also extends to the enemies you'll encounter, with a diverse roster of creatures and bosses, each with their own unique attacks and behaviors. Learning these enemy patterns and adapting your tactics is crucial for survival in Dark Souls 2. The refined and expanded gameplay mechanics in Dark Souls 2 add depth and complexity to the Souls formula, offering a unique and challenging experience for players. The addition of ADP, power stancing, and the limited enemy respawn mechanic, along with the vast array of weapons, armor, and spells, provide ample opportunities for experimentation and customization. Whether you're a seasoned Souls veteran or a newcomer to the series, you'll find plenty to appreciate in the intricate gameplay of Dark Souls 2.
3. A Different Approach to Difficulty and Challenge
While all Souls games are known for their challenging gameplay, Dark Souls 2 presents a different kind of difficulty compared to its brethren. It's not necessarily more difficult, but it demands a different approach and mindset. One of the key differences lies in the enemy placement and encounter design. Dark Souls 2 often throws multiple enemies at you simultaneously, requiring you to be strategic and deliberate in your movements. This can be frustrating for players who are used to the more one-on-one combat encounters of the original Dark Souls. However, it also encourages you to think tactically, using crowd control techniques, environmental hazards, and your own positioning to your advantage. In Dark Souls 2, simply rushing into a group of enemies is often a recipe for disaster. You need to carefully assess the situation, identify the most dangerous threats, and prioritize your targets accordingly. Using ranged attacks to thin out the herd, creating chokepoints to limit enemy movement, and utilizing backstabs and parries are all essential skills for surviving the game's challenging encounters. Another aspect of Dark Souls 2's difficulty lies in its emphasis on attrition. Healing items are more limited compared to other Souls games, and Estus Flasks, the primary healing source, are not replenished automatically. Instead, you must acquire Estus Flask Shards and burn them at bonfires to increase your Estus capacity. This means that you need to be more conservative with your healing and avoid taking unnecessary damage. This emphasis on attrition can make exploration more tense and rewarding. Every enemy encounter becomes a calculated risk, and you need to weigh the potential rewards against the cost of using healing items. This also encourages you to explore the world thoroughly, searching for hidden items and shortcuts that can help you conserve resources. Furthermore, Dark Souls 2 features a mechanic called Soul Memory, which governs matchmaking in multiplayer. Unlike Soul Level, which is a measure of your character's stats, Soul Memory tracks the total number of souls you've acquired throughout the game. This means that you'll be matched with other players who have accumulated a similar amount of souls, regardless of their character level. This system was intended to prevent high-level players from invading and griefing low-level players. However, it also has some drawbacks. It can make it more difficult to find co-op partners or engage in PvP with specific builds, as your Soul Memory can quickly outpace your character level. The difficulty in Dark Souls 2 is also influenced by its interconnected world design. While the world is vast and diverse, it can also be confusing to navigate. Some areas are interconnected in unexpected ways, and it's easy to get lost or stumble into challenging encounters unprepared. This sense of disorientation can add to the game's challenge, but it also contributes to its overall sense of mystery and exploration. Ultimately, the difficulty in Dark Souls 2 is not about artificial roadblocks or unfair encounters. It's about demanding patience, strategy, and adaptability. It's about learning from your mistakes, mastering the game's mechanics, and overcoming challenges through skill and perseverance. This unique approach to difficulty is one of the defining characteristics of Dark Souls 2, and it's a major reason why the game remains a compelling experience for Souls fans.
4. A Strong Focus on Build Variety and Character Customization
Dark Souls 2 truly shines when it comes to build variety and character customization. The game offers a vast array of weapons, armor, spells, and items, allowing players to create a diverse range of unique characters. Whether you prefer a heavily armored knight wielding a massive greatsword, a nimble rogue dual-wielding daggers, or a powerful sorcerer casting devastating spells, Dark Souls 2 provides the tools to bring your vision to life. The sheer number of options can be overwhelming at first, but it also allows for endless experimentation and replayability. You can try out different weapon combinations, armor sets, and spell loadouts to find what works best for your playstyle. This encourages you to explore the game's world thoroughly, searching for hidden items and equipment that can enhance your build. One of the key factors contributing to build variety in Dark Souls 2 is the stat system. Unlike some other RPGs, stats in Dark Souls 2 have a significant impact on your character's abilities and effectiveness. Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Adaptability all play crucial roles in determining your combat prowess, spellcasting ability, and overall survivability. This means that you need to carefully consider your stat distribution when leveling up, focusing on the stats that are most relevant to your chosen build. The Adaptability stat, in particular, is a unique and important addition to Dark Souls 2. It governs your agility and determines the speed at which you perform actions such as rolling and using Estus Flasks. This makes it a crucial stat for any build that relies on dodging and mobility. Investing in Adaptability can significantly improve your character's responsiveness and survivability, but it also comes at the cost of points that could be spent on other stats. Another factor that enhances build variety in Dark Souls 2 is the infusion system. Weapons can be infused with various elements, such as fire, lightning, or magic, to add elemental damage and scaling. This allows you to tailor your weapons to specific enemies and situations, making them more effective against certain weaknesses. Infusion also affects the scaling of your weapons with different stats, allowing you to create hybrid builds that combine physical and elemental damage. Dark Souls 2 also features a wide range of covenants, which are factions that offer unique rewards and gameplay opportunities. Joining a covenant can grant you access to special items, spells, and multiplayer interactions. Some covenants encourage cooperative play, while others focus on PvP combat. This adds another layer of customization to your character, allowing you to align yourself with a particular playstyle or philosophy. The strong focus on build variety and character customization in Dark Souls 2 ensures that no two playthroughs are exactly alike. You can experiment with different builds, weapons, and playstyles to create a truly unique character. This makes the game highly replayable and rewarding for players who enjoy tinkering with their characters and exploring different combat approaches. Whether you're a seasoned RPG veteran or a newcomer to the genre, you'll find plenty to appreciate in the deep and satisfying character customization of Dark Souls 2.
5. A Deep and Rewarding Multiplayer Experience
The multiplayer experience in Dark Souls 2 is a core component of the game, offering both cooperative and competitive gameplay. While the Souls series has always been known for its unique approach to multiplayer, Dark Souls 2 takes it a step further, providing a deep and rewarding online experience that can significantly enhance your journey through Drangleic. One of the key aspects of Dark Souls 2's multiplayer is its emphasis on cooperation. Players can summon each other into their worlds to tackle challenging areas and bosses together. This can be a lifesaver, especially when facing difficult enemies or navigating treacherous environments. Playing cooperatively allows you to share the burden of combat, revive fallen allies, and strategize together to overcome obstacles. The sense of camaraderie and teamwork that can develop in these cooperative sessions is one of the most rewarding aspects of the Souls experience. In addition to cooperative play, Dark Souls 2 also features a robust PvP system. Players can invade each other's worlds as hostile spirits, engaging in intense one-on-one duels or chaotic free-for-alls. PvP in Dark Souls 2 is a test of skill, strategy, and adaptability. You need to be able to read your opponent's moves, exploit their weaknesses, and manage your resources effectively to emerge victorious. The thrill of victory in a PvP encounter is immense, and it can be a great way to hone your combat skills and test your builds against other players. The covenants in Dark Souls 2 also play a significant role in the multiplayer experience. Each covenant has its own unique goals and playstyles, influencing how you interact with other players online. Some covenants encourage cooperative play, while others focus on PvP combat or defending specific areas. Joining a covenant can grant you access to special rewards and interactions, adding another layer of depth to the multiplayer experience. Dark Souls 2 also features a unique mechanic called the Way of Blue covenant. Players who join this covenant are automatically summoned to help other Way of Blue members who are being invaded by hostile spirits. This creates a sense of community and mutual support among players who are new to the game or struggling with the challenges of Drangleic. The multiplayer in Dark Souls 2 is not without its quirks and controversies. The Soul Memory system, which governs matchmaking, has been a point of contention among some players. However, the overall multiplayer experience in Dark Souls 2 is a deep and rewarding one. It offers a unique blend of cooperation, competition, and community, enhancing the core gameplay and providing countless hours of additional content. Whether you're a seasoned PvP veteran or a newcomer to the Souls series, you'll find plenty to enjoy in the multiplayer of Dark Souls 2.
In conclusion, while Dark Souls 2 may have its detractors, it offers a unique and compelling experience within the Soulsborne genre. Its vast and interconnected world, refined gameplay mechanics, different approach to difficulty, strong focus on build variety, and rewarding multiplayer experience make it a game worth playing. If you've been hesitant to dive into Drangleic, now is the time to give Dark Souls 2 a chance. You might just discover a hidden gem.
