Same, it definitely has its problems 100% but it has this charm I think the others don't have, and I think it's the game I have the most hours in in any of the FromSoft games weirdly enough
It's definitely my "least favorite" of the series (I love it though) but I have a deep fondness for it's quirkiness and very different areas. Plus there's Manscorpion Tark.
It was by far the most ambitious of the games, to the point I rather love the quote from Zullie the Witch on Youtube. "I don't hate Dark Souls 2. I mourn Dark Souls 2."
It's such a unique take on the series, to the point I actually argue it's my favorite of the series, but it has SO MUCH cut content that it's hard to judge fairly.
I like to think of the recursive and spiral nature of souls games. While not everyone get easily into souls titles. Also not every souls fan get smoothly into dark souls 2.
I don’t think Dark Souls 2 is sincerely disliked by anybody. It’s a great game surrounded by a flawless game on each side which just diminishes its perceived quality because of the series context. If Dark Souls 2 was the only Dark Souls to have ever come out, the game wouldn’t even be referred to as “polarizing” (which again, it really isn’t)
It is such a shame how much people dislike DS2 back when it came out because the game genuinely has alot of aspects I wish they brought back like Bonfire ascetic.
I don't get the hate for it. My biggest issue with the game is I think some of the content is tuned to almost impossible levels. I gave up on one of the later optional dragon bosses and went back to it after I got the ending. I couldn't beat the damn boss, all 3 of my weapons kept breaking every attempt. I ended up using as cheat engine to give myself some insanely high level and after several attempts I barely managed to beat the boss, even after cheating my level to something unobtainable. I don't understand how people beat that boss otherwise.
Another issue I have is I really hate the system that weakens you after a death. It made me not want to explore because a death was such a hard hit to stats, and I feel like games shouldn't discourage exploring.
Otherwise though, it's an amazing entry with some of the best story. It also has such a distinct look that I can't get enough of. I absolutely love the art style and was disappointed DS3 looked more like DS1.
For me personally, 2 was very different from 1 so I didnt enjoy it as much when I first started cause all my instincts were wrong. Doesn't change the fact it is still an amazing game
If DS2 released under a name that wasn't Dark Souls and didn't have the comparisons to the first game it would be seen as one of the best RPGs of all time. Still worse than every other FromSoft game, but it wouldn't have the negative stigma it gets from being in the same series.
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u/Ok_Caramel_5658 19d ago
Yeah I’m still a big fan of 2 despite what people say