Dark Souls I, II and III

[Sean]

God.

DAMNIT.

[Sean]

And, thanks

[James]

And that's it!
I polished off New Game ++ this morning and then quickly ran through to Anor Londo in NG+++. This allowed me to grab the last Soul Of Sif I needed for the boss weapons and (finally) got Priscilla's Dagger. With that Dark Souls is complete to 100% (by achievements at least). This game is unbelievably good. 119h 53m 36s on the in-game clock doesn't even tell half the story of all the time I've spent chatting and reading about Dark Souls over the past two months.

At some point I will embark on a Soul Level 1 run (planning is already under way), but I think a break is in order having lived Dark Souls for three and a half playthroughs.

[Rich]

And that's it!
I polished off New Game ++ this morning and then quickly ran through to Anor Londo in NG+++. This allowed me to grab the last Soul Of Sif I needed for the boss weapons and (finally) got Priscilla's Dagger. With that Dark Souls is complete to 100% (by achievements at least). This game is unbelievably good. 119h 53m 36s on the in-game clock doesn't even tell half the story of all the time I've spent chatting and reading about Dark Souls over the past two months.

At some point I will embark on a Soul Level 1 run (planning is already under way), but I think a break is in order having lived Dark Souls for three and a half playthroughs.

Well done. I haven't even looked at the achievements. Were there any fun ones or were they just busywork?

I've not touched Dark Souls for a bit. Gwyn at SL1 has beaten me. I've still got my save and I will keep trying but I'm happy with getting there.

[Chopper]

Nice job, iwatttfodiwwfa! Sounds like the same sequence in which I did the ending - I was very nervous trying to get Priscilla's tail at the end in case I killed her and had to go through NG++++

[James]

Well done. I haven't even looked at the achievements. Were there any fun ones or were they just busywork?

I've not touched Dark Souls for a bit. Gwyn at SL1 has beaten me. I've still got my save and I will keep trying but I'm happy with getting there.

Hmm, kinda both. The weapon crafting achievements and weapon collection achievement require you to go to specific places and quite probably would need a bit of farming. That said, having such a significant focus was really enjoyable - even if the game had become a little easier by the time I hit NG+++.

Nice job, iwatttfodiwwfa! Sounds like the same sequence in which I did the ending - I was very nervous trying to get Priscilla's tail at the end in case I killed her and had to go through NG++++

Yeah, I'd already tried and failed on NG, NG+ and NG++. This time I backed up my save so that I could've reloaded it should she have died. Thankfully I was prepared and got it first try thanks to Great Magic Weapon, Power Within and my Great Scythe!

[Alex79]

Ok so I got this today. Any initial tips for a complete newcomer?

[DomsBeard]

Ok so I got this today. Any initial tips for a complete newcomer?

Always keep your shield up. Oh and once you're into it don't stop. My biggest regret is beating a hard boss then not going back for ages and now just getting annihilated as I've forgot everything.

Don't be afraid of using Twitter or YouTube for help either you'll need it.

[Chopper]

Go UP the path from Firelink Shrine.

[James]

Ok so I got this today. Any initial tips for a complete newcomer?

Good advice so far; shielding up and taking it slow and steady are key.

Wherever possible tackle enemies one-on-one. A bow can be useful for pulling a single enemy from a group at a time.

Also, pick Pyromancer as your class and Master Key as your gift. Pyromancy will give you a leg up early on. Though the Master Key will allow you early access to some difficult areas, it is without doubt the most useful gift.

Always ask if you are frustrated or stuck. Depending upon which platform you're playing on there may or may not be people who can co-op with you, but there will always be plenty of people willing to give advice and support.

Enjoy the feeling of satisfaction you'll get from every small triumph!

[The Sonic Mole]

Ok so I got this today. Any initial tips for a complete newcomer?

Always ask if you are frustrated or stuck. Depending upon which platform you're playing on there may or may not be people who can co-op with you, but there will always be plenty of people willing to give advice and support.

Enjoy the feeling of satisfaction you'll get from every small triumph!

Couldn't agree more. The community aspect of Dark Souls is one of its strongest assets. It has got me past some of the tougher moments in the game.

[Alex79]

Thanks for the tips. I can't stop thinking about this game when I'm not playing it! I headed up through the Undead village place, I'm at the Undead Parish now trying to find a bell but I got walloped by a black knight. Felt pretty good when I beat the Taurus Demon thing haha. This game is awesome. And unrelentingly harsh. You can't take any enemy for granted because they will mess you up! Had to look at a guide a couple of times already, I'd have been totally lost otherwise. It was a bit annoying at one point last night someone came in my game and killed me but its not happened again yet.

[Alex79]

ARGH FFS DAMMIT!!!

Just spent about an hour farming enemies by a bonfire to save up about 15k souls only to die, then die again before I could get back and pick up my loot.

Infuriating but what a brilliant game mechanic. Save or spend? Risk reward etc. It just makes the whole thing even more tentative.

[DomsBeard]

ARGH FFS DAMMIT!!!

Just spent about an hour farming enemies by a bonfire to save up about 15k souls only to die, then die again before I could get back and pick up my loot.

Infuriating but what a brilliant game mechanic. Save or spend? Risk reward etc. It just makes the whole thing even more tentative.

That's the worst feeling ever I feel your pain and it's always worse when the second death comes at the hand of something you've killed dozens of times before no bother.

[James]

It was a bit annoying at one point last night someone came in my game and killed me but its not happened again yet.

You'll only be invaded when you're in human form and in an area where the boss is still alive. Other than for kindling bonfires and summoning in help with a boss, it's quite easy to avoid being invaded if/when you don't want to. I still get a knot in my stomach when I see the fog walls go up!

[The Sonic Mole]

It was a bit annoying at one point last night someone came in my game and killed me but its not happened again yet.

You'll only be invaded when you're in human form and in an area where the boss is still alive. Other than for kindling bonfires and summoning in help with a boss, it's quite easy to avoid being invaded if/when you don't want to. I still get a knot in my stomach when I see the fog walls go up!

Of course there are benefits to taking on an invader. They often award you a hefty amount of souls if you beat them. Also, if you have a black separation crystal, use it and it will send your attacker back to his world.

[James]

Of course there are benefits to taking on an invader. They often award you a hefty amount of souls if you beat them. Also, if you have a black separation crystal, use it and it will send your attacker back to his world.

I know the Black Separation Crystal works to return yourself to your own world (when acting as summoning/invading phantom), but I could've sworn that I tried this on an invader to no effect. Hmm, must check that.

[Alex79]

This is the best game I've played in... I don't know how long. It's amazing, and I've barely scratched the service. I'm still in the undead parish about to fight the gargoyles guarding the bell. The game is the reason I've barely posted in the last few days - when I'm not playing it, I'm thinking about playing it. I just wish I wasn't so time poor, I'd love to sink a long weekend in to the game. I got 3 hours of non-stop in today as I finished work early, man it felt good.

[NokkonWud]

This is the best game I've played in... I don't know how long. It's amazing, and I've barely scratched the service. I'm still in the undead parish about to fight the gargoyles guarding the bell. The game is the reason I've barely posted in the last few days - when I'm not playing it, I'm thinking about playing it. I just wish I wasn't so time poor, I'd love to sink a long weekend in to the game. I got 3 hours of non-stop in today as I finished work early, man it felt good.

Since Castlevania Symphony of the Night?

[Alex79]

Haha I do tend to overuse the 'this is the best game I've played for ages' line. It's funny playing both alongside each other. I'm almost seeing SOTN as a 2D Dark Souls. Obviously it's not, but there are definitely similarities to be drawn.