Why is Dark Souls 2 So Different from Dark Souls?
Dark Souls 2 stands out as a unique entry in the Souls series, diverging significantly from its predecessor, Dark Souls. The core reason for this departure can be attributed to a fundamental shift in leadership and creative direction. Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director of Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls, was not the director for Dark Souls 2. He transitioned to other projects, entrusting the sequel to Tomohiro Shibuya and Yui Tanimura. This change in leadership brought about distinct design choices that set Dark Souls 2 apart, sometimes controversially, from the original.
The absence of Miyazaki’s direct influence resulted in a game that, while retaining the core Souls-like DNA of challenging combat, exploration, and boss battles, felt dramatically different in terms of its level design, mechanics, and even its overall tone. Dark Souls 2 is not a mere rehash; it’s a distinct interpretation of the Souls formula, which has resulted in varied opinions within the community. It’s crucial to understand these key differences to appreciate Dark Souls 2 for what it is – a unique, if flawed, experience.
Key Differences Stemming from a Change in Direction
A Different Approach to World Design
The most immediately noticeable difference lies in the world design. While Dark Souls boasted a tightly interconnected world, where areas looped back on each other, creating a sense of seamless exploration, Dark Souls 2 takes a more hub-based approach. The central hub, Majula, acts as a nexus connecting different, often disparate, locations. This design choice results in a less organically connected world, which is often cited as one of the main reasons the game feels different from the original. The sense of exploration is still present, but the feeling of a cohesive, interconnected world is diminished.
Mechanical Overhauls and Additions
Beyond world design, Dark Souls 2 introduces significant changes to gameplay mechanics. The most notable, and arguably most contentious, is the addition of Adaptability (ADP) as a core stat. Adaptability directly affects a player’s Agility (AGL) stat, which governs the speed and number of invincibility frames (i-frames) during dodges and rolls. This means that players, especially those used to the dodge mechanics of Dark Souls, initially feel clunky, prompting them to level Adaptability early on to improve their character’s overall mobility.
Furthermore, the Estus Flask healing system is different in Dark Souls 2. Players start with one flask, and have to find shards to increase the total quantity, while also collecting bone dust to increase its potency. This encourages a more deliberate approach to combat encounters, adding another layer of resource management to the game.
Distinct Combat Pacing and Mechanics
The combat in Dark Souls 2 is also fundamentally different. It is often described as being slower and more methodical compared to the original. Enemies are more numerous and aggressive, often swarming players in large groups, which favors strategic positioning and crowd control over the fast-paced combat of Dark Souls. Additionally, the enemy despawn mechanic, where enemies stop respawning after being killed a certain number of times, encourages exploration and makes the game significantly easier to navigate in the later portions, however this has been a point of contention for many players.
Different Boss Design and Encounters
While Dark Souls was praised for its unique and memorable boss battles, Dark Souls 2 is often criticized for its less imaginative and more formulaic boss encounters. Many of the boss fights in Dark Souls 2 revolve around large groups of enemies or repetitive patterns, whereas the first Dark Souls relied on unique attack patterns and strategies. While not all bosses in Dark Souls 2 are lackluster, this is a common criticism, and a further reason why the games feel different.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was Hidetaka Miyazaki involved in Dark Souls 2?
While Miyazaki was not the director of Dark Souls 2, he did serve as a supervisor. However, his role was largely hands-off, as he was busy with other projects and wanted to give the team creative freedom.
2. Why is Dark Souls 2 considered the “black sheep” of the series?
Dark Souls 2 is often called the “black sheep” due to its divergent design choices, less cohesive world, and changes to core gameplay mechanics. These differences often lead to comparisons with the original Dark Souls, which is typically held in higher regard by fans.
3. Is Dark Souls 2 a bad game?
No, Dark Souls 2 is not a bad game. While it has its flaws, it is a solid RPG with a lot of replayability. Its unique mechanics and challenges offer a different, yet compelling, experience. However, it’s important to approach it as a distinct entity from the original.
4. What is the significance of the Adaptability stat in Dark Souls 2?
Adaptability (ADP) is a crucial stat in Dark Souls 2 that governs the speed of rolls and the number of invincibility frames during dodges and rolls (Agility). Players need to level this stat to feel more fluid in combat, making it an important early-game consideration.
5. Is the level design in Dark Souls 2 worse than Dark Souls?
The level design in Dark Souls 2 is certainly different, with a hub-based design as opposed to the interconnected world of Dark Souls. Whether it’s “worse” is subjective. Some players prefer the more open and varied locations of Dark Souls 2. However, it certainly contributes to the differences between the two games.
6. How is the combat different in Dark Souls 2?
Combat in Dark Souls 2 is generally slower and more methodical. Enemies are often grouped together, requiring players to be more strategic about their positioning and crowd control methods.
7. Why do enemies despawn in Dark Souls 2?
Enemies in Dark Souls 2 despawn after being killed a certain number of times. This was implemented as a way to encourage exploration and alleviate the frustration of repeated deaths in difficult areas. Although many view it as a negative design choice.
8. Does Dark Souls 2 have a better magic system than Dark Souls?
Many players feel that the magic system in Dark Souls 2 is more interesting and diverse than its predecessor. The wide range of spells and the different ways to implement them can be compelling to explore.
9. Are the bosses in Dark Souls 2 not as good as the bosses in Dark Souls?
While some boss fights are praised, many feel that Dark Souls 2 bosses are less imaginative and rely on repetitive mechanics compared to the unique, single-entity battles of Dark Souls.
10. Is Dark Souls 2 lore canon?
Yes, Dark Souls 2 lore is considered canon within the Dark Souls universe. References and characters from Dark Souls 2 appear in subsequent entries, solidifying its place in the narrative.
11. What is “Scholar of the First Sin?”
“Scholar of the First Sin” is a remastered version of Dark Souls 2 that includes improved graphics, a different enemy placement, and additional content. This version is widely considered the definitive way to play Dark Souls 2.
12. Is Dark Souls 2 harder than Dark Souls?
Dark Souls 2 presents different challenges than the first game. The change in the core mechanics and different approach to encounter design contribute to its challenge, and whether its definitively harder than the original is subjective based on the players preferences and playstyle.
13. Is PVP better in Dark Souls 2?
Yes, many players consider the PvP in Dark Souls 2 superior to that of the original. This is due to a more robust system and less rampant exploits, which plagued the original Dark Souls.
14. What makes the warrior class a good choice in Dark Souls?
The Warrior class in Dark Souls provides a solid starting point for most players due to its good power, weapon proficiency, and flexibility for different builds, making it an easy to understand and get to grips with.
15. Should I skip Dark Souls 2 if I loved Dark Souls?
No, you should not skip Dark Souls 2. While it’s different, it still offers a rewarding and challenging Souls experience with plenty to offer, even to players who might prefer Dark Souls. Experiencing Dark Souls 2 gives a more full understanding of the overall series.