Dark Souls 2
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Namco Bandai shows off invaders, cooperators in Dark Souls 2 screens
Remember, remember, the 16th of November, when Joystiq gave you new screens showing off invaders and cooperators in Dark Souls 2, courtesy Namco Bandai. We know, it doesn't rhyme. So what? You'll have bigger things to worry about when the infamously-brutal RPG kills you repeatedly on March 11, 2014.
Close the blinds and lock the doors, for Dark Souls 2 screens draw near
Forget those other would-be horror games on Hallow's Eve, because there's naught more chilling than losing all your souls. Let these screens serve as warning, PS3s and Xbox 360s, that Dark Souls 2 roams the streets on March 11, 2014, then stalks PCs shortly thereafter.
Dark Souls 2 beta rescheduled for November
Like any Dark Souls player worth his or her salt, the Dark Souls 2 beta is putting past failures behind it and having another go at things on November 10. Namco Bandai announced the rescheduled beta is set to take place between 2AM and 5AM ET (that's 11AM to 2AM PT) starting November 9. The second Dark Souls 2 beta failed to get going over the weekend, leaving would-be adventurers unable to log in and their souls disappointingly safe. In its announcement, Namco assured fans that all the people who took part previously will be allowed into the rescheduled beta, and there's still space for more participants. Hopefully there'll be no false starts for the game proper, which is due on PS3 and Xbox 360 on March 11 in North America, then on PC shortly thereafter. In the meantime, do check out our impressions of the beta from last month's Tokyo Game Show. And just keep loving death.
Dark Souls 2 North, South American PS3 beta delayed
Dark Souls 2's beta test for North and South American PS3 users will be rescheduled after players experienced trouble logging onto the game's servers, Namco Bandai America's Twitter feed has announced. Namco Bandai clarified that everyone that downloaded the client released for use with this network test will be able to download a patch for access to the next test. When questioned for specifics, the account stated that more information concerning the next test should be available early this week.
Dark Souls 2 and Destiny of Spirits betas coming to EU PS Plus
Dark Souls fans in Europe can prepare to die a little sooner than anticipated, as a free beta version of Dark Souls 2 will be available for PlayStation Plus subscribers this Sunday. Publisher Namco Bandai plans to host a server stress test for Dark Souls 2 on October 27, between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM GMT. Sony recommends players download the beta client beforehand, as the beta will not be playable outside of the three-hour period on Sunday. PlayStation Vita owners are eligible for another beta test taking place this week, as a pre-release version of Q Entertainment's monster-collecting RPG Destiny of Spirits will be available from October 24 through November 1 for PlayStation Plus members. The beta version of Destiny of Spirits will be open to players worldwide. A North American beta test for Dark Souls 2 has not been announced.
You beta be ready for Dark Souls 2
I ignored how the dual swordsman flummoxed Richard at E3, and the Namco rep's advice to wield a torch through the opening area: I was going to kick ass with two swords in Dark Souls 2. Ten minutes in to the beta preview, I'd died five times. As others around me progressed through the gloomy cavern and unlit fort, my attempt to blitz the dark had left my hero in dire straits. Developer From Software's tweaks in Dark Souls 2 are designed to further punish dying and being undead: consecutive deaths whittle down max health when you're not human - mine was at around 60 percent at this point - oh, and you can be invaded even when you're undead now. An invasion was the only thing missing from my Dark Souls 2 debut. When I relived my woes with director Yui Tanimura after, he laughed with a big, maybe pitying smile, joking I'd "unfortunately" played the dual swordsman wrongly. As ever with Dark Souls, the joke was on me.
Dark Souls 2 retains Havok physics
Dark Souls 2 uses the Havok Physics engine, like Demon's Souls and Dark Souls 1 did before it. A Namco Bandai representative confirmed to Joystiq Dark Souls 2 features the much-used engine, the news coming as game director Yui Tanimura said he'd focus on next-gen physics were he to make another Dark Souls game for the PS4 or Xbox One. Dark Souls 2 incorporates Havok physics with a new graphics engine, the latter revealed late last year. At E3, Tanimura told Polygon the new graphics engine means players can "dive in and immerse themselves within the actual gameplay and feel as if they are actually part of the game itself." That said, Tanimura told us last week he feels graphics are at a "maximum level" on consoles, and that he would pay more attention to physics were he to make another Dark Souls on next-gen hardware. "In order to implement a physics engine, we'd need more machine power and more CPU power," Tanimura told Joystiq through a translator last week. "That can only become possible if we were to create a game for the, for example, PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. So that's something [I'd] personally be paying attention to if [I was] to create another [Dark Souls] title for the PS4 or Xbox One." In the nearer future, Dark Souls 2 is on the way to Xbox 360 and PS3, consigning us all to our many, many deaths on March 11, 2014 in North America, and March 14 in Europe.
Dark Souls 2 Collector Edition pre-orders live, prepare to be broke
Now that Amazon is taking pre-orders for Dark Souls 2: Collector Edition, you can offer your savings as a sacrifice before the game slaughters your patience anyway on March 11. The Collector Edition is priced at $119.99 and includes a cloth map of the game's world, an art book and a 12" Warrior Knight figurine. It also contains the Black Armor edition of Dark Souls 2, meaning you'll have a soundtrack and metal case to go with the steeled will any Dark Souls fan undoubtedly harbors.
Dark Souls 2 director Tanimura on next-gen physics, covenants, familiar faces
Dark Souls 2 director Yui Tanimura would look to focus on physics rather than graphics for a next-gen Souls game, should that ever happen. Speaking to Joystiq at publisher Namco Bandai's Tokyo headquarters, Tanimura talked about potentially implementing a next-gen physics engine for a purely hypothetical Dark Souls game on Xbox One or PlayStation 4. "In terms of graphics, all the consoles have already reached the maximum level. From [my] point of view, there's not that [much] difference among the consoles when it comes to graphics," Tanimura told us, when asked about what he'd want to do with a next-gen Dark Souls that wasn't Dark Souls 2 (the available translator referred to Tanimura in the third-person during our interview). Tanimura would want to pay more attention to the physics engine: "In order to implement a physics engine, we'd need more machine power and more CPU power. That can only become possible if we were to create a game for the, for example, PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. So that's something [I'd] personally be paying attention to if [I was] to create another [Dark Souls] title for the PS4 or Xbox One."
Dark Souls 2 confirms the date of your demise
Dark Souls 2 is scheduling your death for March 11, 2014 in North America, March 14 in Europe, and March 13 in Japan. Those dates apply to PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, while PC players must wait until "shortly thereafter," according to Namco Bandai. A spokesperson told us the extra time will allow the game to "fully capture all the necessary specs" for the PC audience. Namco also unveiled the sadistic sequel's Collector Edition (see below), should you choose to spend lavishly on your demise. Along with the game disc, the CE bundles in a 12 inch figurine, the soundtrack, an art book and a cloth map. If you'd just prefer to pre-order, you still get the bonus of a tin case housing the game along with the soundtrack. The news comes ahead of the Dark Souls 2 beta, launching on October 12. We took the beta for an early spin at Namco's Tokyo headquarters – more on that later this week – and we also chatted with director Yui Tanimura about all things Souls, including what developer From Software hopes to learn from the Dark Souls 2 beta, and how the franchise could benefit from next-gen tech.
Dark Souls 2 beta pushed back a week, sign up starting today
The first round of the Dark Souls 2 beta begins on October 12, followed by another round a fortnight later on October 27. The PS3 closed beta was originally billed for October 5, but hey, if there's one thing Souls players ought to be good at, it's patience. At least they can while away a bit of the wait by signing up for the beta through PSN; as far as we can see sign-ups aren't available in North America yet, but they are in Europe, where brave adventures can register via one really simple click right over here. Seriously, the other thing Souls players should be good at is spotting traps. Try this link instead, and be safe in the knowledge Dark Souls 2 hits PS3, Xbox 360 and PC in March 2014.
Dark Souls 2 closed beta starts October 5
Namco Bandai will launch a closed PlayStation 3 beta program for Dark Souls 2 on October 5, the publisher announced. Sign-ups for the beta will start after September 5, at which point players will see a registration announcement on the game's official Facebook page. Though the beta program is locked to PS3 owners, Dark Souls 2 will launch in March 2014 for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Our co-opinion of the game from our time with the E3 demo was positive, though we reluctantly admitted that we're gluttons for the game's unrelenting punishment.
Co-Opinion: Dark Souls 2
This is Co-Opinion, where two Joystiq editors play a game and discuss their experience. This edition focused on the E3 2013 demo of Dark Souls 2, from developer From Software. .portal-left { padding: 10px; background: #CCC; margin: 20px 0; min-height: 85px; } .portal-right { padding: 10px; margin: 20px 0; min-height: 85px; } .portal-right img { padding-left: 5px; } .portal-left img { padding-right: 5px; } Richard Mitchell: So you and I both got a chance to try out Dark Souls 2. I was prepared to die, and I did. Many times. There were a few pre-defined classes to choose from in our demo. I tried a dual swordsman first. I played until I realized that he only had a tiny shield, which probably wasn't the best choice. I restarted and picked a much beefier knight with a hefty shield and sword, and a massive two-handed sword to boot. What did you roll with? Xav de Matos: I rolled warrior from the start. There's no way I'm rocking through the unknown depths of From Software's evil mind without a shield at the ready. Even though I wanted to get right into the action, I had to stop and take a look around because Dark Souls 2 looks gorgeous. From Software's new engine really gets lighting and shadows right. Even the bright outdoors pop. Then there's the little stuff, like watching the grass sway from side to side in the wind. It's all really detailed and beautiful. Sadly, no one should ever stop to smell the roses, or they'll need to be plucked and put on your grave. %Gallery-191476%
Dark Souls 2 confirmed for March 2014
After being crushed, swiped, slashed, mauled, and eaten so very many times, we know better than to trust a Souls game, even if it has an enormous banner at the LA Convention Center. Happily, a Namco Bandai representative's confirmed to us Dark Souls 2 is indeed due in March 2014.
Dark Souls 2 takes over Los Angeles building, coming March 2014
An enormous sign on the LA Convention Center, where E3 will be held starting June 11, pairs Dark Souls 2 with a March 2014 release window. Two separate photos of the sign were posted to the web by All Games Beta and Twitter user VaatiVidya. While it seems the writing is on the wall, we've contacted Namco Bandai to confirm the game's March 2014 release window.
Dark Souls 2's box art is many shades of grey
The box art for Dark Souls 2 recently popped up on the web, and features a dude with a sword walking away from the box-holder. For all we know, the man may be walking backwards while holding the sword, as animated .gif pack shots have yet to be realized.We've placed hi-res versions of the box art, courtesy of All Games Beta, in a gallery for your viewing pleasure below. Dark Souls 2 is coming to Xbox 360, PC and PS3. %Gallery-185535%
Greater priority on PC for Dark Souls, sequel director says
Dark Souls 2 director Yui Tanimura has admitted that From Software botched the job porting Dark Souls to the PC. "A lot of it was not very well done, sort of half-assed," Tanimura told Shacknews through his translator, Tak Miyazoe."Yes, we will definitely put more priority on the PC," Tanimura said regarding the upcoming sequel. "Last time, we started working on PC after the console version was complete. This time, because we are considering the PC from the beginning, you can be sure there will be more care put into PC development."The PC port of Dark Souls was the result of an impassioned internet petition that caught the attention of Namco Bandai. The first two games in the series, Demon's Souls and Dark Souls, were both directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki. Namco Bandai announced Miyazaki would not direct Dark Souls 2, a "company decision" in favor of dual directors Yui Tanimura and Tomohiro Shibuya.%Gallery-185482%
Rumor: Dark Souls 2 screens show what's going to kill you
All Games Beta has posted leaked screenshots and a trailer it says are from Dark Souls 2. See 12 minutes of gameplay right here.
Dark Souls 2: Twelve minutes of deadly footage
Foreboding, firelit stone castle environments full of deadly knights and nearby monsters. Death in the middle of a developer-driven demo. It's Dark Souls 2, and director Yui Tanimura picks up a torch and guides you through it in 12 minutes of new footage.
Dark Souls director sad to leave series, but wants to move on to something 'warmer'
Demon's Souls and Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki is upset about leaving the series, he tells Edge. Dark Souls 2 has been passed to a new pair of directors, Tomohiro Shibuya and Yui Tanimura, a move that was "a company decision" according to Namco Bandai producer Takeshi Miyazoe, and was essentially done to inject the series with some fresh blood (large stains of it, no doubt). Despite his feelings for the Souls series, Miyazaki admits, "Sometimes I'd like to work on a warmer game – not necessarily casual, but warmer in terms of the atmosphere and the environment." Given how pervasively gloomy the series is, we can understand how being mired in it every day might be draining. Furthermore, while Miyazaki is "sad about not being involved" with Dark Souls 2, he says, "Maybe this is the time to have new inspiration, so I'm fine about that." For his part, he says that he is eager to play Dark Souls 2 "with a little bit of distance." The development team, fans and the press all understand "what the core of Dark Souls is," he says, and that core "will never change." Finally, while he'd rather not see "Dark Souls 8," he adds that the important thing is serving the series' fans. "We want to stay true to what they expect."
