From Software
Latest
Dark Souls 2 brings suffering to PC on April 25
Dark Souls 2 players – of the PC persuasion – can find pleasure in the pain on April 25. Bandai Namco announced this morning the PC and Steam version of the unapologetically difficult RPG sequel will arrive around six weeks after the PS3 and Xbox 360 console launch on March 11. We'll have a review next week if we can get the reviewer to stop crying for five minutes. Geez! The announcement was made on the game's Facebook page, where it's said developer "From Software have been working to perfectly adapt the game for a mouse and keyboard combo."
Prepare to buy: Dark Souls 2 Collector's Edition detailed in new trailer
Bandai Namco takes the wraps off its Dark Souls 2 Collector's Edition in the new trailer above, giving players a closer look at the $120 package's featured bonus material prior to its release next month. The Collector's Edition includes the Black Armor Edition of Dark Souls 2, which bundles the game disc with a soundtrack CD featuring music from composer Motoi Sakuraba. The package also includes an art book, a cloth map, and a 12-inch PVC warrior knight figurine, which seems large and solid enough to bludgeon someone with. Note: product is not recommended for bludgeoning purposes. The Dark Souls 2 Collector's Edition is currently sold out at Amazon, but is still available in limited quantities at NewEgg and other retailers accepting pre-orders. Dark Souls 2 launches for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on March 11. A release date for the PC version has not been announced. [Image: Bandai Namco]
Rise from your demise in this Dark Souls 2 trailer
The indomitable human spirit is the subject of this latest Dark Souls 2 trailer, which shows the punishing series isn't defined by how often you die, but what you learn from your demise each time.
It's an encouraging start, but the real Dark Souls 2 lies ahead
Speaking as a seasoned loser of Souls, playing the first two hours of Dark Souls 2 doesn't provide the culture shock of the previous two games. Demon's Souls bellows its cruelty by killing you mercilessly within minutes of starting, while Dark Souls literally sends you round in a circle like some kind of sick joke, but there isn't something in the opening of From's latest action-RPG that screams out "I am what Dark Souls 2 is!" Not that this is a bad thing. If there is something that defines the opening beyond its genetics, it's a new attention to accessibility. Yet that DNA of slow, torturous exploration remains encouragingly unscathed.
Dark Souls 2 invaded by Shaun of the Dead actor
Actor and comedian Peter Serafinowicz, known for his dubbed vocal performance as Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode 1 and the ever-grumpy Pete in Shaun of the Dead, will voice a new character in Dark Souls 2, publisher Namco Bandai announced this week. As part of the announcement, Serafinowicz revealed that he's a hardcore game player and a big fan of the original Dark Souls, calling it "the most engrossing game I've ever played," and "the best game of all time." Serafinowicz is a veteran voice actor within the industry, previously playing roles in games like Star Wars: Battlefront II and Lego City Undercover. In Dark Souls 2 Serafinowicz will voice Mild-mannered Pate, a mysterious treasure hunter who "may teach players a few tricks of his own in order to survive during their quest." Little else has been revealed regarding Pate's role in the story, but if we may suggest a minor change to the Dark Souls formula, Pate could serve as an ever-present companion character -- à la Navi, or Omochao -- chiding players for their missteps and offering helpful hints like "Hey! Blighttown is dangerous!"
Dark Souls 2 screens prepare you for your doom-over
You may've somehow escaped doom at the hands of Demon's Souls and Dark Souls, but From Software's latest is nearly out to get you too. If you're itching to be found, the good news is Dark Souls 2 hits Xbox 360 and PS3 on March 11, and then PC shortly thereafter.
First pages of free Dark Souls 2 comic 'Into the Light' now available
Praise the sun! The first pages of Dark Souls 2: Into the Light – a free, digital prequel comic book based on the deadly From Software franchise – are now available for fans to read on the official Dark Souls 2 Facebook page. Dark Souls 2 publisher Namco Bandai promises two new pages of the comic will be released each week until March 14. Dark Souls 2: Into the Light is co-written by Rob Williams (Ghost Rider, Dark X-Men, Cla$$war) and newcomer Andi Ewington with the art by Simon Coleby (Judge Dredd, Authority). Dark Souls 2 will bring its special brand of terror to players on March 11 in North America, March 14 in Europe, and March 13 in Japan.
Dark Souls lead developers resistant to mobile version due to controls
Dark Souls series publisher Namco Bandai is interested in a mobile adaption of the punishing action RPG, but From Software's leads aren't sure altering the game's controls would be such a good idea. In Digital Spy's interview with Namco Bandai's Alex Adjaj, director of global strategy for mobile, Adjaj explains the difference in vision between the publisher and developer. "We'd like to bring Dark Souls to mobile, but it's very difficult because the guys at From Software are very much console oriented," Adjaj said. "To change their mind about it, it takes quite a while." Adjaj also said he thought that in regards to a mobile version, "there is a need to redesign the way you reroll in the game to make it a bit more casual, so with shorter sessions." While Adjaj mentions the existence of peripherals for mobile devices to add buttons and thumbpads, he concedes that device manufacturers want the primary control method to be touch-oriented. We can just see it now - Dark Souls players on trains and in cafes, silently seething as they lose thousands of souls, definitely never swearing or throwing their phones.
New Dark Souls 2 screens are looking kind of blue
From Software hints at the many new and exciting ways in which players can expect to die in its latest batch of screenshots for Dark Souls 2, due for release next year for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. These new shots also give a glimpse at the game's Blue Phantom mechanic, which allows you to enlist the help of online players during combat. A YouTube user helpfully demonstrates how useful/terrifying Blue Phantoms can be during gameplay with this murderous little vignette, inexplicably accompanied by vocals from Randy Newman.
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.
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 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 modder introduces first-person punishment
YouTuber Soul Slasher has come up with a way to make Dark Souls a more classic RPG experience in the vein of King's Field, by switching the player perspective from third-person to first-person. Soul Slasher explains in the video above that this effect was accomplished through the use of several third-party programs, including his own custom HUD mod. Unfortunately, this first-person mod isn't available to the general adventuring public. Dark Souls is an open-world action game developed at From Software categorized by its extreme difficulty and minimalist plot. Its sequel, Dark Souls 2, is slated to launch in March 2014.
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 art book wreaks beautiful havoc in October
If you survived long enough to appreciate the twisted, melancholy beauty of Dark Souls, maybe prepare to buy Udon's art book. After releasing Dark Souls: Design Works in Japan last year, the comic book studio is bringing an English version to North America in October. The 128 pages of the 8.25"x11.75" hardcover book span the game's worlds, characters, weapons, and monsters, including concept art and sketches. Design Works also features interviews with director Hidetaka Miyazaki and various From Software artists. If you're looking for something to tide you over until March 2014, Dark Souls: Design Works has a list price of $40, although at the time of publishing Amazon is selling it for $29. %Gallery-190281%
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.
DarkStalkers Resurrection and Dark Souls for $10 on Xbox Live this week
The word of the week on Xbox Live is "dark," evidently, as both DarkStalkers Resurrection and the Games on Demand version of Dark Souls are heavily discounted until June 4. You can pick up either game for $10. The marketplace also has Ghost Recon: Future Soldier for $15, along with some discounted DLC for the tactical shooter. We realize that one doesn't have "dark" in the title, but it does have "ghost." Both DarkStalkers and Dark Souls have ghosts in them, so it makes sense, see? PSN is running a DarkStalkers Resurrection deal of its own as well. Pick up Resurrection for $15 and you'll get a free download of the excellent Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix. PlayStation Plus members can get the same deal for only $10.49. This promotion also runs until June 4.
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%
