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Is Dark Souls 2 Shorter Than Dark Souls 1? The Definitive Answer

No, Dark Souls 2 is generally not shorter than Dark Souls 1. While the main story completion times are fairly similar, with Dark Souls 2 averaging around 44 hours and Dark Souls 1 around 42 hours according to HowLongToBeat, Dark Souls 2 tends to be longer overall, especially for players aiming for complete playthroughs and DLC content. Factors like world design, encounter difficulty, and the inclusion of extensive DLC in Dark Souls 2 contribute to its length.

Understanding the Length of Souls Games

Determining the “length” of a Souls game isn’t as straightforward as clocking a timer. It depends heavily on play style, player skill, and completion goals. Some speedrunners can blitz through a game in a few hours, while completionists might spend hundreds of hours exploring every nook and cranny.

The Variables Affecting Playtime

Several factors influence how long it takes to beat a Dark Souls game, including:

Player Skill: Experienced players will navigate the games more efficiently, defeating bosses with fewer attempts and generally progressing faster.
Build Choice: Some builds are inherently more powerful or easier to play than others, impacting overall completion time.
Exploration: Thorough exploration can significantly extend playtime, uncovering hidden areas, items, and lore.
Farming: Grinding for souls or specific items can add substantial time to the playthrough.
DLC Content: The DLC packs for both Dark Souls 1 and 2 offer significant additional content, dramatically increasing playtime.
Co-op Play: Playing with friends can make encounters easier and faster, but also introduce more opportunities for exploration and social interaction, which can add time.
Deaths: This is the big one! Dying frequently, especially on tough bosses, will drastically increase your overall playtime.

Why Dark Souls 2 Can Feel Longer

Although the average main story completion times might be comparable, Dark Souls 2 often feels longer due to several reasons:

World Design: Dark Souls 2’s world is more sprawling and interconnected in a less intuitive way than Dark Souls 1. This can lead to more backtracking and a less streamlined sense of progression. Individual areas may be shorter, but there are a lot of them, and traversing them adds up.
Enemy Placement and Encounters: Dark Souls 2 is notorious for its aggressive enemy placement and frequent gank squads. Dealing with these encounters can be time-consuming and frustrating, leading to more deaths and longer playthroughs.
ADP Stat: The Adaptability stat in Dark Souls 2 governs agility and iframes (invincibility frames) during rolls. Players need to invest levels into ADP early on to make their character feel responsive, adding an extra layer of complexity and potentially extending early-game playtime.
DLC Content: Dark Souls 2’s DLC is considered some of the best content in the entire Souls series. It offers challenging new areas, bosses, and equipment, adding dozens of hours for players who choose to experience it all.
Collectibles and Secrets: Dark Souls 2 is packed with secrets, hidden items, and optional areas. Completionists will spend a considerable amount of time uncovering everything the game has to offer.

Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin

It’s crucial to specify which version of Dark Souls 2 is being discussed. Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin is a revised edition with altered enemy placement, improved graphics, and integrated DLC content. This version is arguably even longer than the original Dark Souls 2 due to these changes.

Ultimately, It’s Subjective

While data suggests that Dark Souls 2 tends to be longer, the actual playtime is highly subjective and depends on individual play styles and completion goals. Some players may find Dark Souls 1 more challenging and time-consuming, while others may find Dark Souls 2 to be a more lengthy experience. Both games offer a significant time investment for those who wish to fully explore their worlds and master their challenges.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to the length and difficulty of Dark Souls 1 and Dark Souls 2:

Which Dark Souls game is generally considered harder? While subjective, many players find Dark Souls 2 harder on a moment-to-moment basis due to enemy placement and the need to invest in the ADP stat. Bosses in both games offer unique challenges.
Does DLC content significantly increase the length of either game? Absolutely. Both Dark Souls 1’s Artorias of the Abyss and Dark Souls 2’s DLC trilogy (Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, Crown of the Ivory King) add dozens of hours of gameplay.
Is Dark Souls 2 a good starting point for the series? Opinions vary. Some argue that Dark Souls 1 is a better introduction due to its world design, while others suggest Dark Souls 2’s character customization and respec options make it more forgiving for beginners.
How long does it take to beat Dark Souls 1 if you focus solely on the main story? Around 42 hours, according to HowLongToBeat.
How long does it take to 100% complete Dark Souls 1? Approximately 105 hours.
What makes Dark Souls 2 different from other Souls games? Dark Souls 2 has a different director than Dark Souls 1 and 3, leading to changes in combat mechanics, world design, and overall feel.
Is farming required in Dark Souls 2? While not strictly required, farming can be beneficial for leveling up and acquiring essential items, potentially adding to the overall playtime.
Does playing co-op affect the length of the game? Co-op can make some encounters easier and faster, but it also introduces opportunities for exploration and social interaction, which can either increase or decrease playtime depending on the group’s goals.
What’s the deal with the ADP stat in Dark Souls 2? ADP governs Agility, which in turn affects iframes during rolls and the speed of using estus flasks. Players often need to invest points into ADP early on to improve their character’s responsiveness.
Which version of Dark Souls 2 is considered the “definitive” edition? Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin, due to its revised enemy placement, improved graphics, and integrated DLC.
Is Dark Souls 2 easier than Dark Souls 3? Many players find Dark Souls 3 more streamlined and faster-paced, potentially making it easier for some. However, the aggressive enemies and challenging late-game bosses in Dark Souls 3 can also pose a significant challenge.
Does weapon durability affect gameplay length in Dark Souls 2? Yes, weapon durability is significantly more fragile in Dark Souls 2, requiring players to carry multiple weapons or repair them frequently, adding to the complexity and potential length of the game.
Is Dark Souls 2’s story connected to Dark Souls 1? While both games share the same universe and themes, the storylines are largely independent, allowing players to enjoy either game without prior knowledge of the other.
What is the strongest starting class in Dark Souls 2? The Deprived class can be the strongest if you know what you are doing.
What is the hardest thing about Dark Souls 2? For most people, the gank squads and odd enemy placement makes Dark Souls 2 the most difficult game in the series.

Is Dark Souls 2 shorter than 1?