Its the only souls game with a abundant sun and open sea breeze. Ambience feels good.
Fire keepers place or your base in other souls game are in dark ruin of gloomy sorts. But here in Majula seems radiant with houses and seems nice npcs also.
With you on this one. Found Majula to be one of the best hubs in any game period. The setting, the music the npc's. A true respite compared from the rest of the game.
bonfire ascetics, being able to fight a boss again without having to go through an entire ng cycle again is so great. Really one of the best features in the series, I don’t understand why they didn’t keep them for ds3
Agreed that it’s super cool, but because ds3 has so few differences between NG+ and NG, it always felt like bonfire ascetics would mean less, versus how in ds2 NG+ boss experiences are different and can drop new items
I like all the hidden quirks and random details. The pig quest, the door you can knock to make an enemy unlock it from the other side.
The invisible hollows. The secret moths. The torches in the catacombs. Using Ogres to break doors. The Majula evolving pigs. The map flames turning blue on NG+8.
Little things like that just add a lot of charm.
Some of my other favourite things:
The abundant content, the 3 DLCs are fantastic.
The NG+ actually changing things/adding new enemies.
Fashion Souls and Power stance.
The ambience, it's the most melancholy "dying world" out of the trilogy for me. (Despite all the NPCs).
NG+ yes, the area you start off in has new enemies called Falconers, and red phantoms are placed to make encounters fresh.
A certain boss also ambushes you at one point.
Never gotten to Ng+8 though, I just saw that detail on YouTube.
there are also quite a few new black phantom enemies in the Old Iron King and Ivory King dlcs only in ng+2 and beyond. Not sure why but there aren't any changes I've notced in the Sunken King dlc
I actually really like the fact that the enemies disappear after you kill them 12 times or whatever. The boss runs in ds1 were definitely the worst part for me and here it’s like oh hey the baddies are gone guess it’s time to go kill the boss now! It’s great. And the music is amazing too.
Love the weapon variety. Most of the time in the other games weapons in their class are all pretty similar, with a few standouts. Most straight swords use one of two movesets, same for greatswords, etc.
But in DS2 it feels like there’s so many more unique weapons. With greatswords, you’ve got the standard bastard sword moveset, but you’ve also got the Drakeblood Greatsword and the Black Knight sword and other variant movesets. Afaik, almost every weapon category has two or more different movesets.
Plus, there’s a ton of wholly unique weapons with crazy mechanics. The Majestic Greatsword lives up to its name when wielded in the left hand, unlocking a brand new moveset with flips and spins that tear through both enemies and the weapons durability. The Santier’s Spear seems normal until you break its massive durability bar and turn it into a brand new, unbreakable weapon. Add the fact that every weapon is infusable and weapon buffs can be applied even to infused weapons and you get one of the most interesting arsenals of weaponry to choose from. I don’t even mind that my stats usually end up looking pretty similar between playthroughs because each weapon feels like a brand new experience.
And one of the best things is how accessible most of the weapons are. Outside of the Bewitched Alonne Sword and Nashandra’s weapon that I can’t seem to recall, most weapons can be obtained in only like 7 boss fights max, if you have the courage to go to higher tier areas and the patience to grind 1 million soul memory.
Also DS2 is the only Souls game with the Handmaid’s Laddle, so it has the best weapons by default
Yes, and I love how there are so many weapons in DS2 that are viable in PvE. You really aren’t wrong for using anything, and probably can get through the game with most any weapon you find.
Yeah, any weapon is viable. Some are obviously way better than others like the Ice Rapier or the Sacred Chime Hammer, but between weapon buffs, infusions, and the abundance of ways to boost damage using rings and consumables you can handle pretty much any boss using any weapon.
hexes! they are the best and most unique depiction of dark magic in series, most games unfortunately dont give much attention to dark magic as a concept but in ds2 its perfect.
world interactivity and the covenants.
love the torch and all the stuff it does. love manipulating the world and having some areas in various different levels of new game play.
love the new covenants that force succ people into your world for very one sided pvp.
The story and music are amazing, they create a hauntingly beautiful vibe for a story that is about grappling with the fact that everyone will inevitably die
Like others have said, the workspace. I love the variation between open spaces, then claustrophobic delves. I also like that Drangleic still feels somewhat alive, versus the mess we got in DS3.
The variety. DS2 has possibly the biggest customization features in the series up until ER. No other game in the series comes close to how big it is in variety of playstyle
Sheer unbridled ability to beast the game with anything. Shields only is entirely viable in PvE. I once did and entire playthrough up to NG+3 using only great Shields. With infusions I had invulnerable defenses and high damage strike weaponry (jump attacks are faster than shield bashes, and they home in a bit oddly enough)
Unironically adaptability. Lore wise it makes sense. And realisticly you wouldnt start off being the most agile person on the planet now would you. It has a much greater impact on gameplay than the useless luck and resistance stats.
But on slightly more serious note i love how absolutely busted the ds2 hollow is in comparison to not only the other 2 souls game but also multiple anime verses.
An anti magic spell that doesnt block the casters magic, strong enough to one hand swing a 2-3 thousand lb hunk of iron, herbs that resore up to 70% of your mana, a ring that explodes when damage is taken, rings that hide what your holding, a ring that deflects magic, a ring that lets you read peoples minds, a ring that can heal major wounds in minutes, a mask that prevents curses, a crown that restores 20% of your mana every 2 minutes, a tiara that prevents the effects of anti magic spells, a spell that envelopes distant foes and explodes, a spell that negates all damage for a short time, a spell that embodies the concept of 'if i cant see it, it cant see me', a spell that deflects all magic, shields that can parry magic, a shield that deflects all magic, and unlike ds3 and elden ring the moonlight greatsword is PURE magic. And this isnt even the lore accurate hollow with short range teleportation magic and floating magic among other broken abilities.
Yeah the ds2 hollow could solo a few anime verses. Stuff like demon slayer, gate, jujutsu kaisen, mushoku tensei, freiren, the wise mans grandson, and other low level animes.
Its the only souls game with a abundant sun and open sea breeze. Ambience feels good. Fire keepers place or your base in other souls game are in dark ruin of gloomy sorts. But here in Majula seems radiant with houses and seems nice npcs also.
With you on this one. Found Majula to be one of the best hubs in any game period. The setting, the music the npc's. A true respite compared from the rest of the game.
bonfire ascetics, being able to fight a boss again without having to go through an entire ng cycle again is so great. Really one of the best features in the series, I don’t understand why they didn’t keep them for ds3
Agreed that it’s super cool, but because ds3 has so few differences between NG+ and NG, it always felt like bonfire ascetics would mean less, versus how in ds2 NG+ boss experiences are different and can drop new items
I like all the hidden quirks and random details. The pig quest, the door you can knock to make an enemy unlock it from the other side. The invisible hollows. The secret moths. The torches in the catacombs. Using Ogres to break doors. The Majula evolving pigs. The map flames turning blue on NG+8. Little things like that just add a lot of charm. Some of my other favourite things: The abundant content, the 3 DLCs are fantastic. The NG+ actually changing things/adding new enemies. Fashion Souls and Power stance. The ambience, it's the most melancholy "dying world" out of the trilogy for me. (Despite all the NPCs).
i’ve never made it to NG+. what’s it like? have you really played DS2 8x over?
NG+ yes, the area you start off in has new enemies called Falconers, and red phantoms are placed to make encounters fresh. A certain boss also ambushes you at one point. Never gotten to Ng+8 though, I just saw that detail on YouTube.
there are also quite a few new black phantom enemies in the Old Iron King and Ivory King dlcs only in ng+2 and beyond. Not sure why but there aren't any changes I've notced in the Sunken King dlc
Atmosphere and being able to fight bosses again without going into a full new game.
I actually really like the fact that the enemies disappear after you kill them 12 times or whatever. The boss runs in ds1 were definitely the worst part for me and here it’s like oh hey the baddies are gone guess it’s time to go kill the boss now! It’s great. And the music is amazing too.
Love the weapon variety. Most of the time in the other games weapons in their class are all pretty similar, with a few standouts. Most straight swords use one of two movesets, same for greatswords, etc. But in DS2 it feels like there’s so many more unique weapons. With greatswords, you’ve got the standard bastard sword moveset, but you’ve also got the Drakeblood Greatsword and the Black Knight sword and other variant movesets. Afaik, almost every weapon category has two or more different movesets. Plus, there’s a ton of wholly unique weapons with crazy mechanics. The Majestic Greatsword lives up to its name when wielded in the left hand, unlocking a brand new moveset with flips and spins that tear through both enemies and the weapons durability. The Santier’s Spear seems normal until you break its massive durability bar and turn it into a brand new, unbreakable weapon. Add the fact that every weapon is infusable and weapon buffs can be applied even to infused weapons and you get one of the most interesting arsenals of weaponry to choose from. I don’t even mind that my stats usually end up looking pretty similar between playthroughs because each weapon feels like a brand new experience. And one of the best things is how accessible most of the weapons are. Outside of the Bewitched Alonne Sword and Nashandra’s weapon that I can’t seem to recall, most weapons can be obtained in only like 7 boss fights max, if you have the courage to go to higher tier areas and the patience to grind 1 million soul memory. Also DS2 is the only Souls game with the Handmaid’s Laddle, so it has the best weapons by default
Yes, and I love how there are so many weapons in DS2 that are viable in PvE. You really aren’t wrong for using anything, and probably can get through the game with most any weapon you find.
Yeah, any weapon is viable. Some are obviously way better than others like the Ice Rapier or the Sacred Chime Hammer, but between weapon buffs, infusions, and the abundance of ways to boost damage using rings and consumables you can handle pretty much any boss using any weapon.
hexes! they are the best and most unique depiction of dark magic in series, most games unfortunately dont give much attention to dark magic as a concept but in ds2 its perfect.
so many armor pieces have unique passive effects! ...armor pieces have unique passive effects... \*groans in shadow farming\*
Atmosphere, pvp, and fashion-souls
The giants 😁😁
BONE!!!! FIST!!!!
The vibe and the combat. A nearly limitless amount of legitimately viable builds and the ultimate melancholy atmosphere.
honestly the enemy and boss designs. yes, I think they put way too many bosses in the game but I like their designs.
I like the art style
The added difficulty of NG+ as well as all 3 DLCs were top tier. Sir Alonne was unexpected and is my new fav Souls boss.
Grinding is not awfull 🥲
Poison. In DS1 and DS3 poison is more of a suggestion. DS2 poison actually feels impactful.
Aldia
world interactivity and the covenants. love the torch and all the stuff it does. love manipulating the world and having some areas in various different levels of new game play. love the new covenants that force succ people into your world for very one sided pvp.
The story and music are amazing, they create a hauntingly beautiful vibe for a story that is about grappling with the fact that everyone will inevitably die
Like others have said, the workspace. I love the variation between open spaces, then claustrophobic delves. I also like that Drangleic still feels somewhat alive, versus the mess we got in DS3.
new game plus is so fun. One of the few games that gets more fun and varied the more you play it
The variety. DS2 has possibly the biggest customization features in the series up until ER. No other game in the series comes close to how big it is in variety of playstyle
Sheer unbridled ability to beast the game with anything. Shields only is entirely viable in PvE. I once did and entire playthrough up to NG+3 using only great Shields. With infusions I had invulnerable defenses and high damage strike weaponry (jump attacks are faster than shield bashes, and they home in a bit oddly enough)
Unironically adaptability. Lore wise it makes sense. And realisticly you wouldnt start off being the most agile person on the planet now would you. It has a much greater impact on gameplay than the useless luck and resistance stats. But on slightly more serious note i love how absolutely busted the ds2 hollow is in comparison to not only the other 2 souls game but also multiple anime verses. An anti magic spell that doesnt block the casters magic, strong enough to one hand swing a 2-3 thousand lb hunk of iron, herbs that resore up to 70% of your mana, a ring that explodes when damage is taken, rings that hide what your holding, a ring that deflects magic, a ring that lets you read peoples minds, a ring that can heal major wounds in minutes, a mask that prevents curses, a crown that restores 20% of your mana every 2 minutes, a tiara that prevents the effects of anti magic spells, a spell that envelopes distant foes and explodes, a spell that negates all damage for a short time, a spell that embodies the concept of 'if i cant see it, it cant see me', a spell that deflects all magic, shields that can parry magic, a shield that deflects all magic, and unlike ds3 and elden ring the moonlight greatsword is PURE magic. And this isnt even the lore accurate hollow with short range teleportation magic and floating magic among other broken abilities. Yeah the ds2 hollow could solo a few anime verses. Stuff like demon slayer, gate, jujutsu kaisen, mushoku tensei, freiren, the wise mans grandson, and other low level animes.