Demons/Dark Souls

Anyone play this franchise?

I have played Demon's Souls and barely scratched Dark Souls because I have not had much time. Looking forward to Dark Souls 2.

Those of you that don't know, Demon/Dark Souls is a dark fantasy RPG in a western style (create your own character), but it is created by a Japanese team. So you have a very different feel, and it's this atmosphere that keeps me playing despite the lack of story. The style of the game is very dark and realistic, and the vast areas are really fun to explore.

The most infamous thing about the series is its difficulty, which scares a lot of people away. But I really don't find it difficult so much as challenging, and that's a nice change of pace from most modern games. You never actually die in this game, but when you are defeated, you will lose your human form and the souls (which act like experience points and currency) that you have been holding. It makes you careful about where you are going to go, and enhances the exploration aspect of the game that I like so much.

I suck at PVP though because I never divide my stats the right way. Whoops.

I very much have enjoyed this series, especially for the challenge.  This game is NOT, by any means, "easy."

I've also enjoyed many of the characters and their stories, despite how sad they can be.

The graphics are good, the gameplay is amazing, and I absolutely love the online playing, even though I rarely play online.  The ability to help others in boss fights when they need it is something that really appeals to me, because I am a very social player and I always love to help others.

I enjoyed the co-op features of the game (helping others) but the black phantoms seriously piss me off. :/ It's like I'll be trying to do something and just all of the sudden get stabbed in the back. I understand that it's fun to play PVP and find people to fight against. I just wish that there was a way to turn off or decline that feature while I'm doing actual game exploration.

Ah, yes, the black phantoms. =( I remember that, now. (It's been a bit, lol) I must admit that they really did irritate me, as well, enough to pout, call my brother, and make him help me.

Pathetic, I know, but he's a good gamer and I'm a lousy one. xD I truly hope they don't have that and better armor in the next one. I want more varied armor options, but that's just me.

One time I started fighting this one phantom, and I had a spear equipped. Spears/Rapiers are great for exploring the game because you can use them with a shield, and they have sort of a poke-poke motion that keeps you from getting yourself stuck in narrow hallways. They are pitiful for PVP though, because they are easy to parry and are not good at guard breaks. So I kept trading blows for this guy, couldn't break his gaurd, couldn't out maneuver him, etc. We must have had equal stamina and HP for this to happen. And this lasted for like AN HOUR between us banging on each other's shields before I finally gave up and tried to run and ended up getting shanked, lol. The black phantom always has the advantage if you run because he becomes invisible at a distance. There is a ring you can use to make yourself invisible to phantoms at a distance, but why would you be wearing it if you weren't expecting a fight in the first place?

Although this has worked in my advantage, where I would just climb into some inaccessible place while being chased and snipe the guy. At this point he will rage quit, but whatevs.

I have to say though, it definitely adds to the sense of danger.