Dark Souls 2 Before 1: A Heretical but Honest Guide
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Should you play Dark Souls 2 before Dark Souls 1? The answer, while perhaps controversial to die-hard fans, is yes, you absolutely can, and in some cases, you might even want to. While the chronological order might seem logical, the reality is that Dark Souls 2 stands as a somewhat distinct entity within the franchise, offering a unique (and often divisive) experience. Playing it first won’t spoil the overall narrative arc in any meaningful way and might even ease you into the notoriously unforgiving world of Souls games. Let’s delve into the reasoning behind this potentially blasphemous suggestion.
Understanding the Disconnect: Lore and Mechanics
The Lore Perspective
The Dark Souls trilogy, while sharing a thematic core of cycles of fire, dark, and undead curses, doesn’t weave a tightly interconnected narrative. Dark Souls 1 establishes the foundational lore, introducing concepts like the First Flame, the Lords, and the Hollowing. Dark Souls 3, in many ways, acts as a direct sequel to the first, revisiting familiar locations and themes, and explicitly referencing events and characters.
Dark Souls 2, however, takes place in a different land (Drangleic), across the sea from Lordran (the setting of Dark Souls 1 and 3). While it shares lore elements and thematic threads, the connection is more tangential. It explores different interpretations of the curse and the nature of power, presenting a more introspective and personal narrative. The protagonist’s quest in Drangleic is largely self-contained, focusing on their own struggle against the undead curse and the search for a cure. Understanding the events of Dark Souls 1 isn’t crucial to grasping the plot of Dark Souls 2, although knowledge of it can definitely enrich your experience.
The Gameplay Divide
Perhaps the most significant reason to consider playing Dark Souls 2 first lies in its distinct gameplay mechanics. Dark Souls 2 introduced several changes, some lauded and others criticized, that differentiate it from its siblings. The most notable of these is the Adaptability stat (ADP), which governs the player’s agility, rolling invincibility frames, and estus flask consumption speed. This means that unlike the other games, your character’s agility isn’t solely determined by equipment load; you need to actively invest in the ADP stat to achieve a comfortable level of responsiveness. This is something some people don’t like, and it is a defining feature of Dark Souls 2.
Other mechanical differences include:
- More deliberate combat: Dark Souls 2 often encourages a more patient and tactical approach to combat, with enemies frequently appearing in groups.
- Lifegems: A plentiful and readily available healing item, providing an alternative to the Estus Flask and allowing for more sustainable exploration.
- Weapon Durability: A more prominent factor than in the other games, requiring players to carefully manage their equipment.
- Enemy placement and density: Dark Souls 2 is known for its often overwhelming enemy encounters, which can feel unfair to some players.
- Power Stancing: Two-handing two weapons of the same type.
These differences mean that the skills and habits you develop in Dark Souls 1 might not directly translate to Dark Souls 2, and vice versa. Starting with Dark Souls 2 allows you to learn its unique systems without the baggage of pre-conceived notions about how a Souls game “should” play.
Why Start with Dark Souls 2?
Here’s a breakdown of the potential advantages of starting your Souls journey with Dark Souls 2:
- Lower Expectations: Because Dark Souls 2 is often ranked lower than Dark Souls 1 and 3 by fans, you might approach it with lower expectations. This can lead to a more enjoyable experience, as you’re less likely to be comparing it to the perceived perfection of its predecessors.
- Unique Experience: Experiencing Dark Souls 2’s unique mechanics and world first will help you appreciate its individuality. It is mechanically very different from the others.
- Potential Challenge: Some argue that Dark Souls 2 is the hardest in the series, particularly in terms of its combat encounters and enemy placement. If you thrive on a challenge, diving straight into Dark Souls 2 might be a good way to test your mettle.
- Appreciation for Quality of Life Improvements: When you do eventually play Dark Souls 1, you’ll likely appreciate the quality-of-life improvements introduced in later games, such as fast travel from the start and more intuitive menus.
- Standalone Story: As mentioned before, Dark Souls 2’s story is more self-contained, so you won’t feel like you’re missing crucial context if you haven’t played the first game.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to play Dark Souls 2 before 1 is a matter of personal preference. However, dismissing it outright as a “bad starting point” is a disservice to its unique qualities and potential appeal.
FAQs: Dark Souls 2 First? Let’s Clear Up the Confusion
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Dark Souls 2 and its place in the Dark Souls saga.
1. Is Dark Souls 2 canon?
Yes, Dark Souls 2 is officially part of the Dark Souls canon. It exists within the same overarching universe and shares common themes, though it’s more of a spiritual successor than a direct sequel.
2. Will I be lost if I play Dark Souls 2 without playing Dark Souls 1?
No, you won’t be completely lost. While understanding the lore of Dark Souls 1 can add depth, Dark Souls 2 tells its own self-contained story within the same universe.
3. Is Dark Souls 2 easier or harder than Dark Souls 1?
This is subjective and debated among fans. Some argue that Dark Souls 2’s combat is more punishing due to enemy density, aggressive AI, and the Adaptability stat. Others find Dark Souls 1 harder due to its less forgiving world design and limited fast travel in the early game. The game attacks are significantly more difficult in some cases, but the areas in Dark Souls 1 are more difficult to travel through without being attacked.
4. Does Dark Souls 2 spoil anything from Dark Souls 1?
Not significantly. Dark Souls 2 references some lore elements from the first game, but it doesn’t reveal any major plot twists or character fates that would ruin your experience of Dark Souls 1.
5. Is the combat in Dark Souls 2 clunkier than in Dark Souls 1?
Some players find the combat in Dark Souls 2 to feel less fluid than in Dark Souls 1, particularly due to the Adaptability stat and the emphasis on deliberate movements. This is very often considered to be one of the major downfalls of Dark Souls 2.
6. Is Dark Souls 2 worth playing at all?
Absolutely! Despite its criticisms, Dark Souls 2 offers a unique and challenging experience with a distinct atmosphere, intricate world design, and robust multiplayer features. It also has arguably the best player-versus-player (PVP) combat in the series.
7. Should I play Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin?
Yes. Scholar of the First Sin is the definitive edition of Dark Souls 2, featuring improved graphics, reworked enemy placements, and all three DLC packs. It is almost always the recommendation for new players.
8. Are the Dark Souls 2 DLCs worth it?
Yes! The Dark Souls 2 DLCs (Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King) are considered by many to be among the best content in the entire Dark Souls series, offering challenging new areas, bosses, and lore.
9. Does Dark Souls 3 require me to play Dark Souls 2?
No, Dark Souls 3 is more directly connected to Dark Souls 1, both thematically and narratively. You can enjoy Dark Souls 3 without having played Dark Souls 2.
10. Is Dark Souls 2 as interconnected as Dark Souls 1?
No, the world design in Dark Souls 2 is less interconnected than in Dark Souls 1. While there are some shortcuts and interconnected areas, the overall structure is more linear.
11. Does the story in Dark Souls 2 matter?
Yes! While it’s not as directly tied to the other games, Dark Souls 2 explores fascinating themes of memory, legacy, and the nature of the curse. The characters are also well-developed and memorable.
12. How long does it take to beat Dark Souls 2?
The length of time to beat Dark Souls 2 varies depending on your playstyle and skill level. On average, it takes around 40-50 hours to complete the main story and 80-100 hours to complete all the optional content and DLC.
13. Can I skip Dark Souls 2 and still understand the Dark Souls universe?
Yes, you can skip Dark Souls 2 and still understand the core concepts of the Dark Souls universe. The story is a unique and engaging experience, but not required for playing the other games.
14. Where does Dark Souls 2 fit into the overall Soulsborne timeline?
Chronologically, Dark Souls 2 takes place after Dark Souls 1, but the exact timeframe is ambiguous. The events of Dark Souls 2 have a limited impact on the events of Dark Souls 3.
15. If I hate Dark Souls 2, will I hate all Souls games?
Not necessarily. Dark Souls 2 is a divisive game, and many players who dislike it still enjoy other Souls games. Its unique mechanics and world design may simply not be to everyone’s taste.
Embracing the Undead Curse: Your Journey Awaits
Ultimately, the “correct” order to play the Dark Souls games is the one that brings you the most enjoyment. Don’t be afraid to break from tradition and explore the world of Drangleic first. You might just discover a newfound appreciation for this often-overlooked entry in the Souls series. Remember, these games test not just your skill, but your patience, perseverance, and willingness to learn. For more on the educational aspects of gaming, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Your journey into the world of Dark Souls is just beginning!