After Skyrim, I thought to myself, what’s the most stressful, rage-inducing experience I could put myself through? Naturally, a trip to the DMV was my first choice but there were no appointments available. So I went with the next best thing: Dark Souls. The only difference being, with Dark Souls, there is a chance, albeit slim, that I could end up feeling good about myself.
I didn’t quite finish it back when it came out, so I deleted my save and started anew. Thankfully, my skills had not atrophied over time and I quickly cut my way through the first few areas. Even the bosses that once gave me fits found themselves bowing to my mighty sword. The rush you get when clearing an area is like few in gaming. No Achievement or Trophy has ever made me feel the sense of accomplishment that I got when I finally dropped the Capra Demon in the Lower Undead Burg. My next stop is the infamous Blighttown, an area that I have heard horror stories about.
Have you ever stopped a game for a really long period of time and when you came back, you find that you are somehow really good at it now? This happened to me with Pac-Man, as well. I sucked as a kid, but as an adult, I can usually get the high score. Just like I did during GamerSushi Weekend. Seriously, ask the guys, they will tell you. I even called it beforehand, too.
So what about you? What games have you stopped and then picked up again later without missing a beat? Have you stopped a game and then discovered when you come back to it that you have no idea how to play anymore? Do you plunge through or restart?
I’m nervous to go back to Dark Souls. I would restart if I went back, but I feel like the frustration might be too much for me. But who is to say for sure.
I’m always worried when I stop playing a multiplayer game that when I go back I’ll be dominated by the other players. Thing is you might end up playing better or worse people on any given day. The goal is to be called a hacker or cheater by someone, then laugh over their dead body. For me anyway.
About 7 years ago I picked up Deus Ex for the first time but didn’t really get on with it and so gave up. A couple of years ago the internet finally convinced me to try it again as apparently the beginning is hard to get through. I’m glad I did as that is one brilliant game.
It has to be MGS3 for me. Untill about 2 weeks ago I had not played it in about 4-5 years. Took me awhile(the virtuous mission) to remember the mechanics. After After that it’s as if I never stopped playing.
The topic of Souls games did you find Dark Souls easier than Demons? For whatever reason I was never able to get very far in Demons Souls whereas in Dark Souls I’ve finished the campaign twice (once on PS3 and PC respectively).
@Julez I’d given Dark Souls a shot on the 360 and got thoroughly stuck pretty early on, but I recently started fresh on the PC, and my memories of the previous play sessions actually helped a lot when I was running through the first few areas.
I’ve gotten decently far in Demon’s Souls, but I haven’t picked it up in a while. Can’t really remember where I stopped playing. The key to both games is spending a bit of time grinding and leveling up early on until you’re strong enough to beat most of the basic enemies you meet. Then it’s time to either find or buy some better weapons.
It’s easy to get stuck and frustrated in the early parts of both games if you don’t start spending souls on levels as soon as possible.
I think Dark Souls is easier because of the bonfires. The key for me is patience. I don’t grind too often ( I need to though), but I take my time and I can do well. When I start to rush is when I die.
I just started Dark Souls yesterday and I spent a hour goddamn hour on the two skeletons you fight after that first boss fight. I still haven’t beaten them. To hell with that game.
@Drell Hmmm. Are you in a cemetery near the Firelink Shrine? If so, definitely don’t go that way yet.
My other advice about Dark Souls and Demon’s Souls is that if you keep coming up against a difficult enemy, you have two options:
1) Backtrack and explore the world some more until you find a different route; there’s almost always a less challenging (or at least different) option.
2) Run past enemies until you’re leveled up enough to beat them. That works surprisingly well.
@Jeff
That’s exactly where I am. Basically I’ve spent the last two hours at the same part, and now I can get to the second big skeleton before dying. I didn’t realize there were other routes, nor did I see any way to backtrack. And my gamer pride kept me away from thinking of running, lol. Thanks for the tips, though.
Haha yeah, man… pretty sure you want enchanted weapons before you start trying to fight off those skeletons. Go back to the bonfire and look for a route around the cliff to the right.
@Drell
When I started playing, I also went the way of the cemetery and right away found myself totally effed. I’ve never gone to a FAQ/Walkthrough to a game so fast in my life. Definitely easier heading out the other way, I didn’t make it much further than that though According to steam I’ve only played about 5 hours so starting over wouldn’t be too bad.
Yeah, I feel like Dark Souls is one of those rare games where a walkthrough will only tell you what you should do in theory because you still actually have to manage to pull it off in the first place.
The online community in Dark Souls is a great one. The game is obscure on purpose and going online and learning and sharing things with people is part of the experience.