Dark Souls II prologue set up your imminent and repeated demise

By Adam Rosenberg Published March 19, 2014

Check out our review of Dark Souls II.

Recommended Videos

Let’s be real for a moment. If you’re going to play From Software’s Dark Souls II, you’re going to die. A lot. That’s how the game works. Some enemy – it could be a steel-plated demon warthog or a lowly, scrawny bandit that you’d scoff at in most RPGs – is going to land a hit when you relax for a moment, and you’ll be treated to the ever-unwelcome “You Are Dead” reload screen.

None of that really has any bearing on this recently released prologue, but the game’s sharp-looking, moody intro certainly sets the right tone for what will no doubt be your wretched, often short-lived existence as a Hollow. Dark Souls II torments PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 gamers on March 14, with a PC release to follow on April 25.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…

Gaming

Dark Souls servers are finally coming back online

dark souls iii guide 20200925131848

After shutting down servers for all three Dark Souls titles on PC due to security issues, FromSoftware has finally spoken out and stated that it is already working on bringing the games back online.

Initially turned off due to an exploit being discovered in Dark Souls 3 that could allow malicious players to hack into other players' computers, FromSoftware claimed this would be a temporary server outage until the launch of Elden Ring. However, over three months later, we only just now have gotten an update on the issue. First claimed by a Reddit user, and then confirmed by PCGamer, FromSoftware says that online play will be returning to Dark Souls: Remastered, Dark Souls 2, and Dark Souls 3 soon.

Gaming

How to find the Claymore in Elden Ring

The Claymore and weapon stats from Elden Ring.

FromSoft did everything right with Elden Ring, which includes carrying fan-favorite weapons over from previous Dark Souls games. So, if you're wondering if the Claymore is in Elden Ring, you're in luck! With a little bit of exploration, you'll find this famous greatsword on the southernmost tip of the Lands Between. Whether you're an experienced Souls player or a newcomer to the series, you can always rely on the Claymore as an accessible weapon for most builds.

Those playing a more melee-focused role should have the stats to wield it, even early on. In general, mages, sorcerers, and magic-centered builds can still use the Claymore with only minor investments in strength and dexterity. After all, you'll run out of FP eventually. Here's where to find the Claymore in Elden Ring, the stats required to wield it, and some helpful tips and tricks for pairing it with other weapons and Ashes of War.

Gaming

Elden Ring brings me back to the era of game forums

Elden Ring character looking at the open-world of the game with a giant glowing tree in the background.

With FromSoftware’s latest release, Elden Ring, more gamers than ever have been venturing to the world of Dark Souls (in everything but name). While the trial and tribulation-based gameplay hasn’t been for everyone in the past, Elden Ring quickly became a mainstream success, smashing the sales of previous Souls games in mere days. With so many people playing and countless stories about how each is approaching it, Elden Ring has unlocked memories of an olden time where gaming secrets were found via word of mouth and the name of the game was constant discovery.

ELDEN RING – Overview Trailer
Sharing secrets
Unlike past Souls titles, Elden Ring has taken a huge page from the book of open-world games -- more specifically, a critically acclaimed hit you may have heard of called The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Like Zelda, Elden Ring throws players into its world and gives them free rein to play exactly the way they want. There is no set road and no rules of advancement besides going into different areas and defeating the main bosses, but the way you get to those objectives is entirely up to the individual player.