Dark Souls Catch-All

Most likely, they flat ran out of stock. By this point, the CEs are manufactured and in transit to retailers. If pre-order demand exceeds that supply, then they're going to have to renege on that promise of all pre-orders being collector's editions.

Went with PS3 version due to above information. Has release day shipping popped up as an option for anyone on Amazon yet? When does that usually become available?

Sort of wishing I'd heard the performance thing in time to switch my Amazon order over to the PS3 version. Still, I'm willing to bet that the 360 version's performance problems don't make the game unplayable or anything.

The original Demon's Souls had slowdown, I don't think either version of Dark Souls is going to be slowdown-free.

I got a response from Amazon saying that my pre-order of the PS3 version *would* be upgraded, so they're putting their money where From's mouth is. I'll find out the truth on Tuesday.

ahrezmendi wrote:

This is the part that confuses me the most. From said that *all* preorders would automatically get the CE, which is exactly how they did it with Demon's Souls. I don't understand why retailers are now separating them into two categories, when any preorder should be a CE by default.

Yeah it's odd. But maybe that means those Walmart, Target, Gamestop, or Newegg pre-orders will be CE.

But it's hard to take that gamble, when Best Buy and Amazon clearly declare the CE.

Stele wrote:
ahrezmendi wrote:

This is the part that confuses me the most. From said that *all* preorders would automatically get the CE, which is exactly how they did it with Demon's Souls. I don't understand why retailers are now separating them into two categories, when any preorder should be a CE by default.

Yeah it's odd. But maybe that means those Walmart, Target, Gamestop, or Newegg pre-orders will be CE.

But it's hard to take that gamble, when Best Buy and Amazon clearly declare the CE.

I think the retailers are just confused. They deal in precise UPCs, which describe one and only one item. Now From/Namco are overloading this UPC to be one thing before Oct. 4, and another thing afterwards. Their systems probably aren't equipped to handle it.

My plan was to play some Demon's Souls to stop myself from buying Dark Souls. 4 bosses into a new character later, I really want to buy Dark Souls.

I was thinking I should play Demon's Souls while the servers are still up if I ever want to get that platinum. Honestly finishing a 2nd run would get me close, since I was a bit over-leveled for the first finish. Ah well, that's for that other thread if I decide to fire it up this weekend.

Is it important to have the multiplayer enabled in either of the games or could one enjoy the game without the notes and the chances of people running into your game to kill help you?

The more I see of this game the more I want to play it but then I remember that the first one wore on me fast. It just looks so pretty, maybe I'll give it a try at a discount.

Also for those of you wondering about the 360 performance I saw this on Kotaku.

While I bought Demon's Souls at launch, I never did manage to finish it. Had just bought my PS3 and I believe Uncharted 2 managed to distract me. And, oh, look Uncharted 3 on the horizon!

Thankfully I'll have more time on my hand, so looking forward to finishing Demon's Souls in November and then picking this up. Have been rather longingly looking at the trailers and recalling what I enjoyed about Demon's.

Can't wait for Tuesday. I do wish that they would include normal, planned co-op, but it is not a deal breaker.

That Giant Bomb quick look is a great way for people that are new to the games to get a feel for the game and how the difficulty level fits into the gameplay.

I watched the Giant Bomb quicklook last night (well, pretty sizable chunks of it, I skipped forward several times) and yeah, I'm definitely stoked for this one. Given the differences in the versions, if I had a PS3, I'd get that version. However, I've only got the 360, so I'm sticking with that release. Hopefully there'll be some others with that one!

Farscry wrote:

I watched the Giant Bomb quicklook last night (well, pretty sizable chunks of it, I skipped forward several times) and yeah, I'm definitely stoked for this one. Given the differences in the versions, if I had a PS3, I'd get that version. However, I've only got the 360, so I'm sticking with that release. Hopefully there'll be some others with that one!

It's too bad the hardware holders would never consider cross-platform play. Given the weird anonymous nature of multiplayer in this one it seems like there would be fewer barriers to interconnectivity.

imbiginjapan wrote:

It's too bad the hardware holders would never consider cross-platform play. Given the weird anonymous nature of multiplayer in this one it seems like there would be fewer barriers to interconnectivity.

If the online components of this game grow more popular, that's definitely something I would like to see. I wonder what, if any, changes would need be made.

PS3-PC co-op worked great for Portal 2. They should just talk to Valve.

I played most of Demon's Souls online, but in spirit form. I didn't want to deal with invasions, but I loved seeing other players around and bloodstains and all of that.

But when I got more serious about trying to collect weapons and items which required pure white/black world tendency, I ended up having to play the game offline for extended periods of time. In my new game+ I ended up just leaving it offline for the most part so far trying to collect the same things again more quickly.

I really hope that whatever system there is in Dark Souls is something that can be changed while still online and not pulled back to the global rating like before. I want to stay online and still be able to unlock everything.

Sales numbers from Japan. 279,567 copies, and 2nd place was ICO/SotC with 91,902.

bombsfall wrote:
Plastefuchs wrote:

Is it important to have the multiplayer enabled in either of the games or could one enjoy the game without the notes and the chances of people running into your game to kill help you?

The notes and bloodstains are very helpful. I haven't done a lot of co-op and I live in dread of BPs, but overall I think it's a much richer experience with online enabled. That said, DS is completely doable offline, if a bit lonely.

+1

It's also pretty difficult to get some trophies (if that's your bag) without online.

Stele wrote:

PS3-PC co-op worked great for Portal 2. They should just talk to Valve.

I played most of Demon's Souls online, but in spirit form. I didn't want to deal with invasions, but I loved seeing other players around and bloodstains and all of that.

But when I got more serious about trying to collect weapons and items which required pure white/black world tendency, I ended up having to play the game offline for extended periods of time. In my new game+ I ended up just leaving it offline for the most part so far trying to collect the same things again more quickly.

I really hope that whatever system there is in Dark Souls is something that can be changed while still online and not pulled back to the global rating like before. I want to stay online and still be able to unlock everything.

I just hope they make some of the rarer crafting materials a bit easier to get. Pure Bladestone anybody?

Stele wrote:

Sales numbers from Japan. 279,567 copies, and 2nd place was ICO/SotC with 91,902.

Very happy to see this game be so successful.

I have got to stay out of this thread, or I'll be buying a copy come Tuesday.

ahrezmendi wrote:

I just hope they make some of the rarer crafting materials a bit easier to get. Pure Bladestone anybody?

Nah, you just have to wait for casual_alcoholic to start playing so it can drop on his first black skeleton kill again

ClockworkHouse wrote:

I have got to stay out of this thread, or I'll be buying a copy come Tuesday.

Stop fighting the inevitable. This game will kick your ass, and you will love it!

In case anyone was waiting on reviews, here is the first:

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/119/1197...

Dyni wrote:

In case anyone was waiting on reviews, here is the first:

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/119/1197...

Sold. Like, damn, that just sounds like the best thing ever.

ClockworkHouse wrote:
Dyni wrote:

In case anyone was waiting on reviews, here is the first:

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/119/1197...

Sold. Like, damn, that just sounds like the best thing ever.

Yeah maybe this game is worth $60...

I'm very interested in the magic system changes that review mentions. Magic in Demon's Souls was definitely powerful, but I don't think it was overpowered. If it's even *less* powerful in Dark Souls... a new approach will be in order.

Coldstream wrote:
SpyNavy wrote:
Coldstream wrote:

Can I tell you all how much I hate you? Amazon will be delivering this to my door on Oct 4th. I will be leaving to go on active duty on Oct 2nd. Gah!

Part timer serves you right :)

Bah, the Navy gets its cold, briny hands on me permanently in May 2012. I'm enjoying my freedom while I still can! :)

Navy has had me for 20+ years. What will you be doing?

I picked it up on 360 if anyone wants to suffer with me.

Boughten. Don't have a PS3 so this will be interesting. This is one of the games that almost made me buy a PS3 - I'm pretty shocked Sony didn't snatch up this game as an exclusive.

Too bad I can't directly play with my friends (easily) but at least we can share war stories.

If you see a ghost die a horribly stupid death, it was probably me!

Dyni wrote:

In case anyone was waiting on reviews, here is the first:

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/119/1197...

Wow. Some huge pieces of information in there.

There's no limit to what you can carry, for instance, so you can hold on to any dagger or bow or interesting spell in case it comes in handy hours later.

Great change! Equip burden was just annoying for a game with so many items out there.

Instead of a magic bar, you get a certain number of casts for each spell each time you rest at a bonfire – powerful Pyromancy or life-saving Miracles will usually be limited to just a few uses. Magic is as relevant to the game as ever, but it's no longer a cheap-and-easy, rechargeable long-range option. Sooner or later, especially in the boss battles, you're going to have to wade on in there with an axe and risk your hide up close.

Very interesting magic change. I was very reliant on magic for certain parts of the last game. This will change things a bit. No more 2-hit firestorm boss kills.

As you wander the parapets of the Undead Burg, you'll occasionally hear the tolling of the bell at the top of the gargoyle tower, signifying someone else's triumph over a boss. You'll feel spurred on to success yourself, reassured that it's not impossible, or you'll smile at the memory of your own victory if you're already further on.

Nice! Even more added effects besides the ghosts and bloodstains of others.

here are points in the game where you actually need help; FROM's tacit admission of this comes in the form of NPC summon signs that appear outside certain boss battles, letting you summon help even if you're playing the game offline.

Cool! Sounds like I'll play in human form for help a little more this time around.

Making your way through Dark Souls' death-trap world with half a health bar is hard enough, but the Curse effect stacks – so if you get caught again, you'll be down to a quarter of a health bar. A third time, you'll be down to an eighth. I know one Dark Souls player who lost something like 10 hours trying to make it to a healer when everything in the world could kill him with one hit. There's punishing, and then there's unfair.

Oh sh*t.

Overall this sounds awesome, as expected. Now I'm really thinking I need to fire up DS this weekend and get back into the mindset, get familiar with the controls again, in preparation.

SpyNavy wrote:
Coldstream wrote:
SpyNavy wrote:
Coldstream wrote:

Can I tell you all how much I hate you? Amazon will be delivering this to my door on Oct 4th. I will be leaving to go on active duty on Oct 2nd. Gah!

Part timer serves you right :)

Bah, the Navy gets its cold, briny hands on me permanently in May 2012. I'm enjoying my freedom while I still can! :)

Navy has had me for 20+ years. What will you be doing?

A month of Emergency Medicine at NMC Portsmouth. Go full-time AD in May for intern year, not sure where yet.

On topic, really looking forward to this. Always wanted to play DS, but couldn't really justify getting a PS3 with the limited stuff on it that was exclusive and I wanted to play. Glad the new one is on 360. I will be monitoring this thread while I'm away so I can live vicariously through the anguish of everyone here.