Info about DARK SOULS™ II:

Official game description:
Developed by FROM SOFTWARE, DARK SOULS™ II is the highly anticipated sequel to the gruelling 2011 breakout hit Dark Souls. The unique old-school action RPG experience captivated imaginations of gamers worldwide with incredible challenge and intense emotional reward.  
DARK SOULS™ II brings the franchise’s renowned obscurity & gripping gameplay innovations to both single and multiplayer experiences.  
Join the dark journey and experience overwhelming enemy encounters, diabolical hazards, and the unrelenting challenge that only FROM SOFTWARE can deliver.
Key Features
------------
*   **Go Beyond Death**: dare yourself to engage against intense gameplay in a vast world powered by an all new engine that leaps graphics, sound & FX forward like never before  
*   **A labyrinth of monsters & bosses**: immerse yourself into mind-bending environments filled with new twisted monsters and deadly bosses that could only come from the imagination of FROM SOFTWARE  
*   **Sensory assault**: a wide range of threats will prey on human senses & phobias - auditory hallucinations, vertigo, acrophobia, etc  
*   **Deeper and darker**: more intricate customization options provide weapons and armor tailoring to player style  
*   **Evolved multiplayer**: updated multiplayer system enables improved online interaction to bring forward cooperative & competitive play  
*   **Refined gameplay**: DARK SOULS™ II features fluid motion-capture animations, an upgraded combat system, a vastly expanded suite of characters, deeper customization options, new weapons, armor abilities, and a balanced player progression system

Release date: Apr 25, 2014

Categories: Soulslike Combat, Action RPG, Exploration, Character Progression, Cooperative Multiplayer, Competitive Multiplayer, Boss Fights, High Difficulty

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 25; verdict: Mixed Monetization; summary: The reviews for Dark Souls II highlight several key themes related to monetization. There is a significant amount of discussion around the DLC content, with users expressing both positive and negative sentiments. Some users feel that the DLC is worth purchasing, while others feel that it is unfair to have to buy additional content. There is also confusion and frustration regarding the different versions of the game, particularly with the release of Scholar of the First Sin. Users are mixed on the value of the season pass, with some feeling it is a good deal and others feeling it is unfair to have to repurchase content. Overall, the monetization aspects of the game are a major point of discussion among users.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues related to hidden mechanics, item usage, and game difficulty. Players frequently encounter mechanics and interactions that are not well-explained within the game, leading to frustration and a reliance on external guides. Additionally, the purpose and usage of items are often unclear, further necessitating the use of external resources. The game's difficulty is also a common point of contention, with users noting that while it may be lower than in other versions, there are still many challenging and frustrating sections.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues with controls and launching the game, which severely impact the user experience. However, there are positive aspects such as good battery life and a fluid combat system. The control issues and launching problems are critical and need immediate attention.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $15.00 - $25.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the community finds the game worth purchasing, particularly when discounted. The mentions of discounts and promotions indicate that a fair price range is perceived to be lower than the current base price. The repeated emphasis on waiting for promotions or discounts suggests that the community considers the game to be overpriced at its current rate but still valuable at a reduced price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 70.0h
  - Story completion: 42.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides direct statements about the time it took players to complete the game, including both the main story and additional content like DLCs. The quotes mention specific playtimes such as 70 hours, 42 hours, and references to multiple playthroughs, which help estimate the typical playtime for game completion and story completion. Session length and endgame playtime are not explicitly mentioned, so they are marked as null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game becomes fun almost immediately when engaging in multiplayer activities, particularly with friends. The enjoyment is enhanced by cooperative and competitive multiplayer interactions.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: Multiplayer activities
  - Time to anchor: 0h 0m
  - Friction: Complexity of playing with specific friends; Multiplayer activity can be volatile
  - Unlock drivers: Playing with friends; Engaging in multiplayer activities
  - Conditions: Cooperative play; Competitive multiplayer interactions
- Player Archetypes:
  - Challenge-Seeking Veteran (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment of the game's unique challenges and mechanics.
    - Playstyle: Strategic and adaptable, often replaying areas and experimenting with different builds.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Dark Souls fan; veteran player
    - Reference games: Dark Souls: Remastered; Dark Souls III; Elden Ring
  - Curious Newcomer (sale)
    - Motivation: Desire to experience the Dark Souls series for the first time.
    - Playstyle: Exploratory and experimental, often seeking guidance and tips from more experienced players.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: newcomer; first-time player
    - Reference games: Dark Souls III; Elden Ring
  - Enthusiastic Advocate (buy)
    - Motivation: Desire to share the enjoyment and unique experiences of Dark Souls II with others.
    - Playstyle: Versatile and engaged, often participating in community discussions and multiplayer activities.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: fan; advocate
    - Reference games: Dark Souls; Dark Souls III


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Enjoyable and rewarding experience (weight 0.18): Players consistently describe the game as enjoyable, with rewarding combat and story themes. The experience is enhanced when played with friends and appreciated for its humor and exploration.
- Preference for original version (weight 0.17): Many players prefer the original version of the game, finding it more enjoyable and better balanced compared to re-releases like Scholar of the First Sin.
- Fantastic and cool game (weight 0.14): The game is frequently praised as fantastic and cool, with players enjoying the gameplay and considering it a marvel. The DLC is also highlighted as fantastic.
- Engaging gameplay and lore (weight 0.13): The gameplay is described as engaging, with good level design and challenging PvP. The lore is also noted as engaging, contributing to the overall enjoyable experience.
- Challenging and rewarding gameplay (weight 0.13): Players find the gameplay challenging yet rewarding, with difficult but fair boss fights. The game offers unique challenges that are both fun and mysterious.
- Good enemy placement (weight 0.13): Players appreciate the changes and improvements in enemy placement, finding it reasonable and better in subsequent playthroughs. This includes better positions and types of enemies.
- Beautiful and immersive environments (weight 0.1): The game's environments and landscapes are frequently praised as beautiful, gorgeous, and immersive, contributing to the overall enjoyment.
- Difficulty as a charm (weight 0.09): The game's difficulty is praised as part of its appeal, providing a true challenge that players enjoy despite its hardness.
- Variety in exploration and builds (weight 0.09): Players appreciate the variety of places to go and builds to try, along with the freedom to explore and the simplicity of the game.
- Majula as a memorable hub (weight 0.09): Majula is highlighted as a memorable and well-designed hub area, with players appreciating its residents and the overall feel of the hub world.
- Vibrant and unique atmosphere (weight 0.09): The game's atmosphere is described as vibrant, unique, and enjoyable, with great music contributing to the overall experience.
- Great moments and things (weight 0.07): Players note that the game has many great moments and things, contributing to the overall positive experience.
- Best in the Dark Souls series (weight 0.07): Some players consider Dark Souls 2 to be the best in the series, with the best gameplay and as their favorite Dark Souls game.
- Great characters and setting (weight 0.07): The game's characters are praised as well-designed and intriguing, with a great setting that adds to the overall enjoyment.
- Excellent soundtrack (weight 0.07): The game's soundtrack is praised as good, amazing, and impactful, adding to the atmosphere and overall experience.
- Excellent lore and worldbuilding (weight 0.07): The game's lore and worldbuilding are highly praised as excellent and interesting, contributing to the depth of the game.

Common complaints:
- Game is inferior to others (weight 0.22): The game is often considered worse than other Souls games, with many players stating it is the worst in the series. It is frequently compared unfavorably to titles like Dark Souls 3 and Elden Ring.
- Bosses are poorly designed (weight 0.18): The game's bosses are frequently criticized for being weak, frustrating, and overwhelmingly terrible. Many players find them forgettable and not as good as those in other Souls games.
- Level design is inconsistent (weight 0.14): The level design is criticized for being inconsistent, nonsensical, and confusing. Players find it poorly designed, leading to frustration and a lack of cohesion compared to previous games.
- Hitboxes are problematic (weight 0.13): Players report issues with hitboxes, describing them as bad, poor, questionable, and terrible. These hitbox issues contribute to a frustrating gameplay experience.
- Game feels unfinished (weight 0.11): The game is criticized for feeling unfinished, with problems such as delay issues, slowness, and clunky gameplay. Some players describe it as very bad overall.
- Graphics and design are mediocre (weight 0.11): The graphics and area design are often described as mediocre and outdated. Players feel that the graphics could be better and are not up to the standards of other games in the series.
- Gameplay is frustrating (weight 0.09): The gameplay is described as poorly designed, frustrating, and unfair. Players find the mechanics badly designed, contributing to an overall negative experience.
- Controls are poor (weight 0.08): The controls are criticized for being not very good, poor, and difficult to get used to. Players report frequent falls and difficulties due to poor control design.
- Adaptability stat is flawed (weight 0.07): The Adaptability stat is widely criticized as stupid, frustrating, and poorly implemented. Players see it as a fatal flaw in the game's design.
- Game lacks clear guidance (weight 0.07): The game is criticized for not explaining crucial pathways and hidden doors until too late. Players find themselves constantly tracking sealed areas and hidden passageways without clear guidance.
- Shrine of Amana is difficult (weight 0.06): The Shrine of Amana is frequently mentioned as terrible and frustrating due to its high difficulty. Players find this area particularly challenging and annoying.
- Too many gank fights (weight 0.05): The game is criticized for having too many gank fights, where players face multiple enemies at once. This is seen as a significant issue affecting the gameplay experience.
- DLC areas are very difficult (weight 0.05): The DLC multiplayer areas are noted for their high difficulty, which is significantly higher than the rest of the game. Players find these areas particularly challenging.
- Too many enemies in small areas (weight 0.05): Players report that there are too many enemies in small areas, making the game feel crowded and unfair. This contributes to the overall frustration with the game's design.
- Bosses surrounded by mobs (weight 0.05): Bosses are often surrounded by mobs, making the fights feel unfair and poorly designed. Some bosses are criticized for feeling like mobs with more HP.
- Combat feels unbalanced (weight 0.05): The combat is described as exhausting, heavy, and unbalanced. Players find the combat mechanics to be unfair and poorly designed.
- Stamina regeneration issues (weight 0.04): Players report issues with stamina regeneration, having to stand AFK to regenerate stamina. This is seen as a significant flaw in the game's mechanics.

Gameplay feedback:
- Diverse enemy encounters (weight 0.19): The game features a variety of enemies placed in different environments with varying AI behaviors. Enemy positioning and dynamics differ between versions, providing unique challenges.
- Comparison to other Souls games (weight 0.16): Players frequently compare this game to other titles in the Souls series, noting similarities and differences in balance, mechanics, and overall experience.
- High game difficulty (weight 0.14): The game is noted for its high difficulty level, which can be particularly harsh in the early stages and requires quick adaptation from players.
- Combat system and mechanics (weight 0.14): The combat system is tactical and satisfying, with well-adapted controls for both controller and keyboard. The game also features a variety of weapons and play styles.
- Complex level and world design (weight 0.14): The game features complex level design with different layouts and transitions. The world design includes hidden doors and light-based secrets, enhancing exploration.
- Boss battles and mechanics (weight 0.12): The game includes numerous boss battles with varying mechanics and difficulties. These encounters require different strategies and often involve fighting alongside mobs.
- Rich lore and storytelling (weight 0.12): The game is praised for its good and excellent lore, which is rich in content and deeply integrated into the storytelling and character development.
- Reflections on Dark Souls II (weight 0.1): Revisiting Dark Souls II after experiencing Scholar of the First Sin offers a reflective journey on the game's merits and its significant evolution within the Souls franchise.
- Progression and RPG elements (weight 0.1): The game includes a progression system with RPG elements, allowing for build customization and flexible character development.
- Soulslike gameplay mechanics (weight 0.09): The game embodies the Soulslike genre with challenging mechanics and trial-and-error learning, typical of Souls-style games.
- Cooperative multiplayer mode (weight 0.09): The game features a cooperative multiplayer mode, allowing players to engage in online multiplayer aspects and enjoy the game together.
- Challenging DLC content (weight 0.06): The game offers challenging DLC content with additional areas and gameplay mechanics that provide a tough but rewarding experience.
- Sluggish movement controls (weight 0.05): Some players have noted that the movement controls can feel sluggish, impacting the overall gameplay experience.

Performance notes:
- Optimization and Performance Issues (weight 0.09): The game has significant optimization issues, with players reporting poor performance and lag. Some players mention that the game is not well-optimized for PC, leading to bad performance overall.
- Controller and Mouse Issues (weight 0.06): There are notable problems with controller recognition and compatibility. Additionally, some players have reported issues with mouse sensitivity, affecting the gameplay experience.
- Stability and Bugs (weight 0.05): Players have reported stability issues and bugs, including constant falls due to bugs. These issues affect the overall gameplay experience and can be quite frustrating.
- Online and Server Issues (weight 0.04): The online component of the game is described as very small and buggy. Additionally, there are frequent reports of servers going down, which can disrupt the online gameplay experience.
- Graphical Problems (weight 0.04): The game's graphics are considered outdated by some players. There are also mentions of graphical differences that detract from the visual experience.
- Technical Requirements (weight 0.04): There are mentions of issues related to the game's requirements, including specific problems with 64-bit PCs. This can limit the game's accessibility for some players.
- Positive Performance Note (weight 0.02): Despite various issues, some players report that the game runs at 60 FPS, indicating that there are positive performance aspects as well.
- Battery Life Impact (weight 0.02): Some players have noted that the game significantly affects battery life, with reports of batteries lasting only about 4-5 hours. This can be a concern for players on laptops or mobile devices.
- Sound Glitches (weight 0.02): A specific sound glitch during a boss fight has been reported. This issue, while not widespread, can detract from the immersive experience during critical moments.

Recommendations:
- Original version recommended over Scholar (weight 0.22): Many players suggest that new players should opt for the original version of Dark Souls 2 rather than the Scholar of the First Sin edition for a better experience.
- Recommended for Souls fans (weight 0.12): Fans of the Souls series are particularly recommended to play this game, as it is seen as a valuable addition to the series.
- Recommended despite flaws (weight 0.09): The game is recommended even though it has some flaws, suggesting that its strengths outweigh its weaknesses.
- Highly recommended game (weight 0.08): The game is strongly recommended by many players, indicating a high level of satisfaction and enjoyment.
- Not recommended for casuals (weight 0.07): Casual players, especially those coming from Elden Ring, might find this game too challenging or less enjoyable.
- Recommended for new players (weight 0.06): The game is seen as a good starting point for new players to the series, providing a solid introduction to the Dark Souls universe.
- Try if on the fence (weight 0.05): Players who are unsure about the game are encouraged to give it a try, indicating that it might pleasantly surprise them.
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.04): Potential buyers are advised to wait for a promotion or sale before purchasing the game, suggesting that it might not be worth the full price.
- Avoid guides initially (weight 0.04): Players are advised to avoid using guides and wikis initially to enhance the discovery and challenge aspects of the game.
- Worth playing for challenge (weight 0.02): The game is worth playing for those who enjoy challenging and deep gameplay experiences.
- Use mods for better gameplay (weight 0.02): Using mods can enhance the gameplay experience, making it more enjoyable and tailored to individual preferences.
- Play with friends (weight 0.02): Playing with friends in cooperative mode is highlighted as an enjoyable aspect of the game.
- Research before playing (weight 0.02): Doing personal research before playing is recommended to better understand and appreciate the game.
- Be patient with the game (weight 0.02): Patience is advised when playing the game, indicating that it might have a learning curve or require time to fully appreciate.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.35): Players are frustrated by a variety of gameplay issues, including poor controls, hitbox detection problems, and unfair enemy placement. Difficulty spikes, especially with certain bosses and areas like the Frigid Outskirts, contribute to this frustration, along with technical issues such as performance problems and server connection issues.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.15): Players enjoy the game's rich lore, vibrant atmosphere, and engaging characters. The game's challenging gameplay, unique areas, and rewarding exploration contribute to a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.11): Players feel satisfied by overcoming the game's challenges and defeating bosses. The game's balanced gameplay, improved world design, and rewarding combat mechanics contribute to this sense of achievement.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): Players express disappointment due to the game's perceived flaws, including poor game design, underwhelming bosses, and a lack of innovation. Comparisons to other games in the series and technical issues also contribute to this sentiment.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Players are excited by the game's challenging gameplay, diverse elements, and intense moments. The game's multiplayer aspects, PvP, and immersive soundtrack also contribute to this excitement.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's depth, unique challenges, and detailed mechanics. The game's customization options, build freedom, and rewarding gameplay experience are also highly valued.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Players feel nostalgic about the game's memorable moments, characters, and lore. Replaying the game after years and comparing it to previous games in the series evoke this sense of nostalgia.
- Joy (weight 0.03): Players experience joy from the game's enjoyable gameplay, beautiful level design, and fun NPCs. The game's unique moments and overall fun factor contribute to this positive emotion.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Players admire the game's cool world design, combat system, and attention to detail. The game's ambition, uniqueness, and improvements over its predecessor are also highly regarded.
- Approval (weight 0.02): Players approve of the game's difficulty, combat mechanics, and connection to the main story. Recommendations to play the classic version for the best experience are also mentioned.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game's high ratings, engaging gameplay, and thematic depth. The game's combat system and challenging bosses also contribute to this enthusiasm.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Players express anger towards the game's frustrating mechanics, poor design choices, and unskippable credits. Difficult bosses and mobs also contribute to this anger.
- Preference (weight 0.01): Players prefer the original version of the game with DLCs over the SOTFS version. Some players find the Scholar version easier to play and recommend it for its improvements and mods.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Players find amusement in the game's humorous moments and enjoy the experience of dying and fighting mobs. Some parts of the game are found to be funny and entertaining.
- Hate (weight 0.01): Despite spending significant time playing the game, some players hate it due to poor development choices and lack of functionality in basic game mechanics.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Players feel relief upon finishing the game and finding it not as bad as expected. The game's challenges and difficulties are overcome, leading to a sense of relief.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Players have affection for the game due to personal attachment to characters and memorable moments. The game holds a special place in their hearts.
- Awe (weight 0.01): Players are in awe of the game's intellectual depth, visual presentation, and deep atmosphere. The game's meaningful and immersive world contributes to this sense of awe.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players love the game for its cozy feeling, great lore, and fun exploration. The game's unique aspects and enjoyable moments contribute to this love.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Players regret buying the game due to its flaws and issues. Missing the active multiplayer period also contributes to this regret.}