[Lurking Lawyer]

If ever there was a game that was crying out for a P&H thread, this is it!

I got my despatch e-mail from Tesco this morning, but there is at least one (UK-based) person on my friends' list already playing it as at lunch time today. Lucky sod! So, which of the retailers jumped the gun this time....? Anyone here got their copy yet?

I'm torn between trying to play the game "blind" and figure it out as I go or referring to hints/tips/wiki as when it appears to help me figure out what the hell is going on. I know from experience of Demons Souls that I found it a bit of a struggle to work out what the underlying game mechanics were (world and character tendencies etc) even once I had referred to the wiki and guide book!

At least one of the reviews I've read suggested that Pyromancer seems to be a decent starting class, as it gives access to a power fireball spell right from the off. I usually tend towards magic-using characters anyway so that's probably what I'll go with for my first run through....

[gvp000]

Mine's despatched too now - Look forward to discussing this one in depth, I haven't played the first one so I don't know what to expect other than it's bloody hard !

[Lurking Lawyer]

A few early-game hints and tips, courtesy of Kotaku:

http://m.kotaku.com/5846594/welcome-...tag=dark-souls

[Kravenius]

I can imagine the words "HELP!" typed on numerous occasions in this thread. Most likely by me after the first thing I come across gives me a right good kicking.

[Lurking Lawyer]

I see the PS3 boys have got their own P&H thread - they're already on page 2!

I suppose the PS3 will naturally attract more people given that Demons Souls was PS3-only.

[Lurking Lawyer]

Just read that the developers recommend taking the pendant as your starting gift on the first playthrough.

No idea why or what it does - but I'll probably go with what the devs suggest!

[addyb]

Originally Posted by Lurking Lawyer

I see the PS3 boys have got their own P&H thread - they're already on page 2!

I suppose the PS3 will naturally attract more people given that Demons Souls was PS3-only.

Don't forget guys this game needs to be a team effort so hopefully we can share the love over both forums. Think a lot of us will need all the help we can get so anything helpful I will post here as well!

Mine should be here tomorrow from gamestop!

PREPARE TO DIE!!

[Kravenius]

Originally Posted by Lurking Lawyer

Just read that the developers recommend taking the pendant as your starting gift on the first playthrough.

No idea why or what it does - but I'll probably go with what the devs suggest!

Given that I'll probably need all the help I can get, following the devs suggestion would probably be wise.

Really looking forward to this although not quite sure why. I think it's because it doesn't sound quite like anything I've played before. Either that or a glutton for punishment.

[addyb]

Originally Posted by Lurking Lawyer

Just read that the developers recommend taking the pendant as your starting gift on the first playthrough.

No idea why or what it does - but I'll probably go with what the devs suggest!

From what I gather it's supposed to come into it's own at the end of the game so whether that means a different ending I don't know. I was all set to go with the masterkey but think that would be better for a 2nd play through when you want to uncover more secrets. I'll be using the official guide for that as well! Think that's only arriving next week though.

[Lurking Lawyer]

Yeah, I just ordered the official guide too - Amazon shows it as not released until 11 October.

[gvp000]

I've just read through the linked guide, and I'm really looking forward to this now. A couple of sentiments stands out :

80+ hours and still not completed !
When you get frustrated with repeated deaths, take a break.


I'm scared to start this now - lol ( hope mine arrives today )

[TheMadMan]

Ordered mine through Amazon and yet to receive a despacth email, although I have paid for expedited delivery so hoping it will be with me for release date.
Having played Demon Souls on the PS3 I found the demon souls wiki very useful. Here's the link to the Dark Souls variant: Dark Souls Wikidot Wiki - Dark Souls Wikidot Wiki

There's plenty of useful information on the wiki and the forum is also very useful. Without the help from the forum I would have given up on Demon Souls before even killing the first boss. A subtle change of class allowed me to more or less breeze past the 1st boss and then I was on my way. The moral of this story - look at the starting stats of the character you want to play. Whilst magic might seem like a good idea (I normally go for magic class in a RPG) I found the starting stats quite low and my mage was forever getting hammered. A change to a melee class solved my ineptitude and, due to strength, vitality and endurance, I prevailed and moved forward.

As a result, I am going to start with the bandit class due to his melee stats. I'm hoping this will work for me, just as it did in Demon Souls. You also get a lot more staisfaction defeating an enemy with hand-to-hand combat as opposed to magic. I will be selecting the master key as my starting gift as I like to explore.

Finally, just remember that it doesn't really matter what your starting class is as you can build your character to be anything you want. If you really want to start with a clean slate and build a character the way you want then start with the depraved character as all the staring stats are equal. I would imagine that starting the game with this character is not for the faint hearted and you will DIE a lot with this build, at least initially.

Thats me. I'm looking forward to starting the game. Feel free to put me on your friends list (Gamer Tag: TheMadManNo1).

[Stinja]

Originally Posted by Lurking Lawyer

I see the PS3 boys have got their own P&H thread - they're already on page 2!

I suppose the PS3 will naturally attract more people given that they are sexier and generally more attractive.

Our first post has some useful stuff and a map

Dark Souls - Play & Help thread

But it is disappointing the "us and them" for games which are essentially solo, but are niche, so comments and feedback is split in two different places. Ditto EDF games

I'll try to keep an eye out here and Play&Help you lot too, or drop handy hints over. Or you are welcome over our side, and make one big happy love-in thread

[ineedamonk]

Will have my copy tomorrow. Can't wait to get started!

Looking forward to hearing some of the impressions of those who got it today. (No dodgy Bruce Forsythe ones though. )

[Lurking Lawyer]

Originally Posted by Stinja

But it is disappointing the "us and them" for games which are essentially solo, but are niche

I spy with my little eye a bit of creative quoting from my earlier post!

For my part, it's certainly not intended to be divisive and "us and them" . I'd probably have bought it on PS3 myself if that didn't mean much more limited opportunity to play (since the PS3 lives downstairs under the main TV downstairs while the Xbox is in my "office" upstairs)

I shall be following (and probably contributing) to the PS3 thread too

Now, sod off back to where you belong you smelly Sony fanboys!

[gvp000]

Thought i'd hijack this tread for a mo. whilst we're waiting for genuine play & help's to surface..

I've read through the reviews of this game and the main critism levelled against it, is that it's too hard and most people won't complete it. The general opinion seems to be that this means the game won't be for everybody and it'll impact sales.

Maybe I'm just too old, but when did the expectation of completing a game change. I Never used to expect to finish a game when I got a new one. I'd play it and maybe start again a few times without ever getting to the end, there was only one difficulty and that's the way it used to be. I can remember being astonished when I actually completed my firsts game ( Bard Tale II & Dungeon Master on the Amiga ) and ever since then games have been getting easier, to Homefrontesq levels where a play through is around 7 hours.

I wouldn't want to go back to the games which didn't actually have endings like the one's on my Acorn Electron ! - but there's something about the single difficulty level and solitary save game that appeals to my retro-gaming gland. I can't wait to get stuck into this and measure my progress against others on a level playing field.

Watch this space for my post moaning that the stupid game is way too hard and I'm selling it.........

[Lurking Lawyer]

I'm with you entirely, gvp. I suspect we're of a roughly similar age (39 in my case) and so grew up with games where I had no real expectation of being able to finish it, such were my average gaming skills (and lack of attention when some new game came along to distract me, leaving the current one part-finished!).

I remember being inordinately proud of completing Sabre Wulf on the Speccy and having my hand-drawn map published in one of the gaming mags of the day, but that was very much the exception rather than the rule. Dungeon Master on the Atari ST was another one I was proud to get to the end of.

I suspect we're perhaps a little more forgiving of the difficulty level than some younger gamers to whom it may be more unusual. It doesn't mean I don't get exasperated and come close to hurling on the controller through the TV -I lost count of the times I rage-quit out of Demons Souls But I kept going back to it (not that I finished it....)

So, has the postie bought anyone a nice present yet today? Still waiting to hear from SWMBO whether ours has been delivered yet and, if so, whether there's a parcel for me....

[gvp000]

Originally Posted by Lurking Lawyer

Dungeon Master on the Atari ST was another one I was proud to get to the end of.

You're in the club - hand-drawn badge is in the post !

[TheMadMan]

Just recevied an email from Amazon stating mine has been despatched. Should have it tomorrow which is great as I have a days leave booked!

[gvp000]

I have in my hand - Dark Souls Limited Edition with Concept Art Book, Soundtrack and Making of DVD.

Wasn't really expecting any of that - anyway I'm off to die.....

[Lurking Lawyer]

A report from 'Er Indoors confirms no post received today.

Arse.

[Andy58]

Originally Posted by gvp000

- anyway I'm off to die.....

Well done Sir, I will be joining you tonight

I'm thinking about a Pyromancer class to start with - shield & spear, looks like you can still attack whilst blocking with that and keep the firebombs for the tougher enemies/bosses.
Can't wait

[jim_is_ere]

My copy arrived today, so feel free to add me to your friends list

Going to have a crack as a thief, as you get the benefit of 2 gifts

Cheers

Jim

[TheMadMan]

I'm looking forward to all the posts tomorrow about how hard this game is. I suppose those that have played Demon Souls truly know how hard this game is. And how frustrating!

Good luck and don't give up.

If you are really struggling consider changing your class. If you like fighting hand-to-hand make sure you invest points in endurance so that you can roll/block a lot more without getting tired. That endurance bar sure reduces fast so keep an eye on it.

Above all else remember it's okay to retreat and try to roll away! Roll/block/attack - not necessarily in that order.

[addyb]

Originally Posted by TheMadMan

I'm looking forward to all the posts tomorrow about how hard this game is. I suppose those that have played Demon Souls truly know how hard this game is. And how frustrating!

Good luck and don't give up.

If you are really struggling consider changing your class. If you like fighting hand-to-hand make sure you invest points in endurance so that you can roll/block a lot more without getting tired. That endurance bar sure reduces fast so keep an eye on it.

Above all else remember it's okay to retreat and try to roll away! Roll/block/attack - not necessarily in that order.

Yep good advice. I found demons souls very tough at first. I think it took me around 4 hours to finish 1-1 but after that it got a tad easier. If your dealing with several enemies at once try and use the environment against them, knock them off ledges, run up stairs etc and try and funnel them so you can take them out 1 at a time. This game will severely punish you for trying to be a hero and taking on the world.

Rolling and blocking are your friends as madman stated. Keep your shield up when going round corners, through doors and just keep an eye out at all times. You really are never safe in this game.

[gvp000]

God this game is hard - The first big ugly (15mins in) is seriously tough - having the recommended break now

Almost killed him once, but there doesn't ever seem to be a good time to attack !

This is going to need snacks and a botttle of wine or maybe beer....I'll be back.

[TheMadMan]

Originally Posted by gvp000

God this game is hard - The first big ugly (15mins in) is seriously tough - having the recommended break now

Almost killed him once, but there doesn't ever seem to be a good time to attack !

This is going to need snacks and a botttle of wine or maybe beer....I'll be back.

Ha, reminds me of the early stages of Demon Souls. I will advise though, based on personal experiences, that drinking (booze) and playing this game will probably not work well.

One other thing that I think is worth mentioning - do not attack any NPCs and don't even inadvertently stand on them. They will turn against you and, if Demon Souls is anything to go by, they tend to be hard as nails and they will kill you. You will probably find that from then on in they will be against you and will always try to fight you, thus locking out any ability to trade with them etc.

[TheMadMan]

The link to the map in the PS3 forum isn't working but I have found this one that is: http://i.neoseeker.com/mgv/14628-Mr%...ouls_map_5.jpg

Maybe useful.

Also, link to another forum: http://www.neoseeker.com/forums/51620/

[Kravenius]

It's arrived. So I'm off to die, I'll try and keep tally and let you know how many times

[gvp000]

Originally Posted by Kravenius

It's arrived. So I'm off to die, I'll try and keep tally and let you know how many times

Ha - no chance I've lost count ! - It's amazing how easily you can kill something only to be completely outclassed by two of them !