Don't overthink it. You can practice it with no enemies around until you get the hang of the timing, but it's not super-critical to get it down perfectly.
It's just at the same time forward and r1 rather than hold forward, then r1. Like a backstab, it can't come too close after dropping your shield. You'll still miss it from time to time, but it's a great skill to get in your pocket early.
Keep moving forward. Kicks are used best early on to break the guards of those spear-wielding douchebags.
When a game gives me the option I play it on easy. Not to say Dark Souls is easy, it is challenging, but it's not 'soul crushingly difficult' game that it is portrayed to be. It may very well not be your cuppa, but I think there are a lot of people out there writing it off that would love it because of its impression.
I wish the game had a demo so I could at least try it out. The game just has this reputation for being soul-crushingly had and punishing, and that scares me.
I got mine used (on Amazon, I think) for literally five bucks. I'm not sure how much the shipping would add (I'm based in the States) but I have a feeling that if you keep your eyes peeled it you should be able to pick it up for a song and a dance. Which, if you convert that to Euros, comes out to a jig and a shuffle, I believe. I don't have my conversion tables handy, so I'm converting from memory.
That's Northern Ireland you're thinking of. In regular Ireland it works out to two ditties and half a step dance.
Are Xbox 360 games universal? I don't even know.... anyway, I don't think Amazon in the US ships to Europe unfortunately. I'll keep my eye out for it during the Steam sale, and it's on my wish list on amazon.uk as well. I can't believe I'm letting myself be talked into this!
I mainly play RPGs and MMOs to be honest. I do fine with the Elder scrolls series, although I tend to play those on easy or normal. I actually managed Kingdom Of Amalur on normal as well, once I got the hang of the system. I do get hit regularly though, the same in guild Wars 2. I'm not very good at dodging consistently. The Gothic series is very hard for me as well, even on easy and I get frustrated with getting stun-locked and dying lots in those games. I'm really rubbish at games like Tomb Raider, Prince of Persia, Devil May Cry, and anything that depends on me timing my reactions precisely or having to react fast. Hence the fact that I am a bit apprehensive about this game. Normally I manage by setting the game to Easy, by using a ranged character that doesn't go close up too often, or by having a power build that manages better. I'm an enthusiastic gamer, just not a very good one.
1. Be patient. 2. Explore everything. 3. Try not to see dying as a fail state. You're supposed to die. Dying is how you figure out what the game wants from you.
It's really nothing like any of those games, the combat isn't nearly as fast or combo based. You can get by and complete the whole game by just waiting for an opening and then hitting the enemy a few times and backing out before they counter attack. It's certainly deeper than that but it's not really required. Basically you get out what you put into the combat.
I'll give it a try then, hopefully it will go up for sale soon. I just love the atmosphere of the game from what I've seen, so I should really take a look at it. PvP is optional, right? It's only when multi-player is turned on? The last thing I need is for some twinked level umpteen to show up and kill me while I'm still learning. And can you chose whom to play with, or if you open the gates it's open for anyone who wants to invade?
There's an in-game thing that you do that basically opens up most of the multiplayer and also certain NPC interactions, so you can just avoid that most of the time and not get invaded. You can also just play in offline mode, but the multiplayer is part of the game after all so I'd only do that as a last resort. It's open to anyone, basically.
I'll echo what others said and that it is not a twitch game like DMC, platformers or some combotastic game. I would be hesitant to avoid the multiplay aspect. It's part of what makes it so great. It is true that you can be invaded (and like extarbags said there are some mechanics around this so it won't be an all the time grieffest) by another player and fight a PVP battle. If you happen to die (and you will), you can go to your bloodstain and get your souls like any other death. There's nothing so terrible about it. The benefit, though, is that you can call on other players to help you. Yes! Co-op! It's pretty great. Have a tough boss? You can call on up to two other human players to help you. That's pretty great. I don't know of any twitch game that lets you get help like that!
I definitely need to get this on the Pc then, my xbox doesn't have a permanent internet connection, nor do I have xbox live gold.
Really quick question so I don't have to re-install my controller; can you strafe (i.e move sideways while facing forward) without locking on if you use a controller?
I've got it! it's downloading right now. So, in the beginning when having to chose an item, the Skeleton Key isn't a good choice for a first character, right? Any recommendations?
That's the exact opposite of true. Definitely pick up the Master Key, as long as you're not starting with Thief.
Okay, will do. I'm starting as a Pyromancer with a skeleton key. Nice and safe, what could go wrong? :D
Everything. That's why we love it. Did you get a controller? If not, make sure you install the mouse fix and read Hammett 's super useful thread. There has never been a better argument for a wired 360 controller for your PC than Dark Souls, but needs must.
I have a controller, yes. Is there any way to set the game up to Full Screen? I don't really need higher resolutions with my aging PC, but I prefer to play with a full screen.
Get DSFix and you can run it windowed fullscreen, which is the best option. Otherwise there's an option in the standard game options for it.
The nice thing about playing windowed (I actually prefer to play slightly smaller than my max resolution so I can easily access my taskbar) is that you can easily access other programs and do things like ask questions without exiting out of the game. I would not recommend using shift-tab to steam UI all that often, as I've had problems with it in the past, but I often use Steam friends while playing and the like to rally assistance or coordinate my own help. But it wouldn't be crazy to play it the first time fullscreen and just soak it in with your undivided attention. Just know that the option is there if you change your mind. Regardless, do install DSfix now to get a game that looks considerably better even on marginal graphics cards like mine. The fact is it's a good looking game by default, but the fan patch makes it a great one.
Okay, I'll grab DSfix as soon as GFWL actually lets me play *grumble grumble* it doesn't want to recognise my xbox live account, even after uninstalling and reinstalling it!
Got it working, and managed to play for a while. I see how dying is not a big deal in this game, besides everything re-spawning there's no real punishment. It's a bit like dying in an MMO. Combat is indeed slow, and I feel like I have time to work out what to do and how to move rather then having to make twitchy decisions. The controls take some time to work out, attacking with RB and blocking with LB doesn't come naturally; I keep wanting to use the triggers instead. Rolling and jumping is finicky too. I got up to the Firelink Shrine and died twice, once to the heavily armored undead thing just before the boss, and once at the boss. So far, so good!
It's time to start! I got my controller, got the game, got DSFix installed... Let's do this! Sadly I've only got a short time to dork around while dinner cooks, but oh well! I know what I'm doing for most of Christmas Eve....
So the Asylum Demon killed me a couple of times... The first time was when I walked in on him (which was the second time we met) and wasn't prepared to drop off that ledge into a fight. After that I think it took two or three attempts for me to finish him. Number two was hilarious; I thought that maybe I could stand on the ledge and hit him with fireballs and uhhh he doesn't much appreciate that it turns out.
Seems like she got around it. Because there were a lot of problems initially with the Amazon sale versions of DS, I think it has more to do with their delay in licensing drm or whatever than with the XBL issues with respect to actually getting multiplayer to work.
fwiw my version registered and all just fine. I doubt I"ll get to play much until after christmas, sadly: I've got a lot of baking and cooking to do these next few days.
Mor Motherfucker it's midnight and I really ought to get to sleep because I've got three desserts to prepare tomorrow, and then I've got to be at my brother's for Xmas even dinner... But despite that you're making me want to go and pick up the controller and just do a little teensy weensy bit of exploring because how long can that possibly take right?
