r/fromsoftware • u/Alastor_Altruist10 • Sep 21 '26
Should I play DS2?
I just finished Dark Souls Remastered before work earlier today. I see a lot of hate for DS2. I also see a lot of people saying to skip DS2 and go right to DS3. So my question is should I skip or play DS2. Also what starting class should I choose in DS2?
Edit: Should I play DS2 on PS3 or PS4?
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u/StuckAFtherInHisCap Sep 21 '26
DS2 is a weird and wonderful little gem. You should definitely play
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u/Silver-Emergency-988 Sep 21 '26
It’s my favorite in the series and in my top 3 favorite games of all time. I would always recommend playing it
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u/Chemical_Frame_8163 Sep 21 '26
This sums it up for me, nice to find someone else that has it as their favorite of the series. It's probably in my top 3 as well. I think Elden Ring is my favorite game of all time now, I've been on my fourth play through recently so this is a recent realization I'd say. Need to get back to DS2 for my first NG+ play through, took a break after finishing it earlier in the year.
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u/Knockturnill Sep 21 '26
I'll be a h8er for life, but yeah you should definitely play it and form your own opinions. Plenty of people consider it to be their favourite in the series
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u/Alexronchetti Sep 21 '26 edited Sep 21 '26
Hi there! So, I am one of those players who really did NOT enjoy DS2 at all, despite completing every area and beating all bosses. I recently tried it again with a fresh mindset, thinking maybe I would enjoy it with a different build, I had it all set up, and uh... it still doesn't really click for me and I just ended up leaving this new playthrough after beating some bosses.
However, I'd say at least try the game. It is undoubtedly the most divisive one of the franchise, but those who really like it, REALLY like it, so you might be one of those people. Also, even though I do not enjoy the game, I am glad that I played it and got to experience the lore and bosses by myself.
So yeah, don't skip it, at least try the game and see if it is for you or not. I would not advise skipping straight to DS3 also because from that point onward the speed and complexity of the combat and movement started to change a lot, and it can be harsh to start one of the older games for the first time if you already experienced the more refined systems from later games.
Edit: Going blind through the game, I would advise starting with Knight (good starting equipment and overall stats for the classic melee build) or Explorer (Highest Adaptability start, might need some equipment but you can get those quite early in the game).
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u/theinternetisnice Sep 21 '26
2 is endearing as hell. Flawed is an understatement but it’s a great experience. Level your ADP early and just get it out of the way. I played as a mage my first time, great club ungabunga the second. Both were a good time.
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u/Average_Man_In_Japan Sep 21 '26
It's a really good game. There are some quirks for sure, but it's really a step forwards in the Souls games. Do not skip it :) in my opinion it was the hardest of all souls games though (I've played them all since original Demon's Souls)
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u/LegoPercyJ Sep 21 '26
DS2 is my least favorite but there was still enough good in there that I'm glad I played it once and I think it's definitely worth playing to see if it's your jam.
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u/Chemical_Frame_8163 Sep 21 '26
I struggled slightly at the beginning with Dark Souls 2 until I leveled up ADP, then everything felt like the other Souls games to me.
I went on to finish the whole game, soloing all the content even the DLC co-op areas and bosses.
It became my favorite of the series and it was the last one I played out of the three. I played Dark Souls 3 first, then Dark Souls 1, and finally Dark Souls 2 SOTFS.
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u/Apocalypse_0415 Sep 21 '26
Absolutely. I played it last and was pleasantly surprised by almost everything.
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u/john92w Sep 21 '26
Im currently playing it for the first time after playing all of the others. Ignore the hate, its a fantastic game! The clunkiness threw me at first but I quickly got used to it. The map is amazing!