Dark Souls II - Cursed

Since completing Dark Souls, I've merely dabbled with NG+ - not really getting anywhere despite my best intentions. However, I have picked up the PC version recently and installed a bunch of mods which make the game look truly spectacular. So I've been going back to it quite a bit and faffing about with the early game. 

To be honest, I've spent most of the time taking screenshots and examining the textures closely rather than playing the game proper. I've also had the urge over the last few days to boot up Demon's Souls again, as it's been quite a while since I last dived into the world of Boletaria.

But of course, Dark Souls II has appeared on the horizon, surrounded by billowing black storm clouds and its heading this way like some terrible, unstoppable, inevitable nightmare.

A trailer was released this week and it made me weep with a mixture of fear and complete joy. Words such as curse, misery and frail hope are scattered throughout, so no change there then. It also shows ivy-strewn castle walls, a giant bandaged-wrapped monstrosity, a long-limbed freak, some god-forsaken fiery demon and spiders. Terrible, awful, spindly spiders.

As if to hammer the point home that this is no laughing matter, the narrator says: "Your wings will burn in anguish, time after time."

I hope at the end of Dark Souls II, FROM Software include a final death tally. That will make frightening reading. My pre-order is in and I'm ready. March can't come soon enough.

Praise the sun! Dark Souls vanquished

After 123 hours, countless deaths and some of the most amazing gaming moments I've ever experienced, I finally delivered the coup de grâce and sent Gwyn, The Lord of Cinder into eternal slumber. Yes, I've finally completed Dark Souls.

Over the course of the weekend, I knuckled down and made my way through Demon Ruins and Lost Izalith, dispatching four bosses before finally coming face-to-face with Gwyn in the Kiln of the First Flame.

It was an amazing feeling to finally finish what I consider to be one of the greatest games ever made and even though the 123 hours logged was perhaps a bit extreme, I used that time well, exploring every inch of the game world - which, incidentally, features some of the best level design I've ever seen - and repeated sections to farm souls and upgrade weapons and armour.

Now, NG+ awaits, but I'm considering starting a new character and going through the whole experience again, playing in a completely different style.

So thank you to the spirited brawler who helped me take down Ornstein and Smough, to the multitude of invaders who made my heart beat significantly faster, to the horned Capra Demon for teaching me patience and new swear words, to the person I heard ringing the first Bell of Awakening which raised my flagging spirits, to those goggle-eyed curse frogs who taught me the true meaning of terror, and finally to Hidetaka Miyazaki and his team for delivering a truly epic experience.

Dark Souls confirmed for Europe

Namco Bandai have announced they will be releasing their highly-anticipated new game Dark Souls across Europe later this year on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The spiritual successor to PlayStation 3 exclusive Demon's Souls, Dark Souls boasts a raft of improvements over FROM Software's last game and should be another unmissable RPG from the Japanese company.

Director Hidetaka Miyazaki showed off the game in San Francisco earlier this week, which highlighted typically dark and atmospheric locations. This is what we know so far:

* Exploration will be encouraged, with a seamless, open world to explore. If you can see a tower or castle in the distance, it will be possible to eventually reach it.

* FROM Software are aiming to make the game just as rewarding as Demon's Souls, but this time they plan to ramp up the difficulty.

* Gameplay will be similar to Demon's Souls, learning from mistakes will make the player better.

* Dark Souls does not share the same game world as Demon's Souls.

* The level design will be more complex than Demon's Souls, with more vertical design used throughout.

* Online play will be similar to that in Demon's Souls, with players able to penetrate other people's game worlds.

* Character creation will not be class based, while more spells and items will be available with more focus on weapon customisation.

No release date has been set, but Dark Souls looks like it will be released late this year. In the meantime, check out these amazing screens:

3D Dot Game Heroes - PS3

FROM Software, the team who brought us the excellent Demon's Souls on PS3, have unveiled their latest title, and it looks wonderful.

Details are still sketchy, but we do know some parts of the story. Following the defeat of an evil demon, the king of the land has decided he's had enough of his flat, 2D realm and has transformed it into eye-popping blocky 3D.

The game is scheduled to launch in Japan in November, and I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on this magnificent looking title.

Here are some screens, and remember to check out the official Japanese website

Demon's Souls - PS3

I received my copy of Demon's Souls on PS3 from Japan this morning and I've played it for the last few hours. Even though I still have a lot to discover, I thought I would post some of my initial impressions.

The game was created by From Software, the team behind the PlayStation's King's Field series, and in many ways it's a spiritual successor to those classic titles. Demon's Souls is basically a very atmospheric dungeon crawler, featuring impressive visuals and great use of sound.

The atmosphere the game creates brings to mind PlayStation 2 classics Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, and there's a real sense of scale and solidity to the world.

Choosing between 10 different classes - from Shinto Priest and Knight, to Wanderer and Hunter, the player sets out in an epic adventure to capture the souls of demons.

The first 10-15 minutes acts as a tutorial, getting you used to combat and movement. This brief section ends with a boss battle, where you'll last approximately 15 seconds, as this grotesque beasts beats you down in one or two hits! Don't worry, though, this is supposed to happen.

You are then transported to the Nexus, the game's gloriously detailed central hub. Initially, all you can do here is store items and upgrade weapons. However, more opens up to the player later in the game.

It's then off to the first level proper. This is where things start to become interesting. Downed enemies release their souls, which you collect automatically. These green-tinged clouds are the game's currency. They are used for everything, from buying new gear to upgrading your stats.

However, if you die, not only are you sent back to the start of the level, but any souls you were carrying are dropped. To get them back, you have to find the spot where you died and collect them. It's an interesting concept, and one which brings back memories of EverQuest's notorious corpse runs. To make matters slightly easier, you retain all your equipment, so no Roguelike worries here, then.

When playing through this castle-themed first level, complete with ferocious fire-breathing dragon, you cannot gain levels or increase your stats. Only by completing the level does the rest of the game open for you to explore.

That means having to fight a giant fearsome boss. Now this giant black, gooey blob is a right pain, and it took me several attempts to vanquish him. However, seeing this greasy blancmange melt away was extremely satisfying. You can then head back to the Nexus, where you are now free to store items, upgrade weapons, buy new spells, increase your stats, level up and chat to locals.

All the game's other areas also become free to explore at your leisure from this point, all accessed via the Nexus and this is where Demon's Souls properly starts.

After nosing about at the top of this monolithic structure, I found a Hall of Heroes. People who have completed the game are enshrined here, and insignificant low level characters, such as myself, can gaze in wonder at these gods of the game. All their stats are layed out for all to see, accompanied by a rotating 3D model of their character - each one resplendent in fabulously shiny armour and gargantuan weapons and shields. If any inspiration is needed, this is the place to come.

As you explore the levels, other people who are playing can be seen scampering about in ghost form. It's also possible to team up with them at certain points, using special stones. I haven't had the chance to try this out yet, but it could be fun.

Now, Demon's Souls is incredibly tough. One mistimed block or missed swing, can end in disaster. You really have to plan your attacks and blocks, and there's no way you can hack and slash your way through. As such, it's not a game for everyone. Fans of Shiren the Wanderer and Monster Hunter will have a blast with this, but those who prefer their games light and fluffy should seek their enjoyment elsewhere. If any proof was needed, the game's cover features a noble Knight, slumped against a wall, obviously dead, with a volley of arrows embedded his shield!

Currently, the game is only available in Asia and Japan. If importing, try and find the Asian version, as all the voice work and text is in English. I was mistakenly sent the Japanese version - cue much gnashing of teeth. Although the voices are still in English, the text is in Japanese.

Demon's Souls will last dedicated players well over 100 hours, and with new modes open when the game is completed, this is definitely one for hardcore dungeon crawlers.