Dark Soul's: Prepare to Die Edition (PC)

[Omaeka]

Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition Hints & Tips + General Disscussion **THREAD**

I'm sure a lot of people have heard about this, and personally I believe it to be the best news on PC all year, the amazing console title Dark Souls; the spiritual successor of the Playstation 3 exclusive Demon's souls is coming to PC, with all new content!

Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition will include an untold chapter in the world of Lordran where the player must stop the spread of darkness at all costs by facing and defeating the Dark Knight Artorias.

New Bosses – Including Artorias of Abyss, Chimera of Tomb, and more
PVP Online Matchmaking System – Quick matching for co-op or PVP
New Areas – Including Oolacile Tomb, Old Ruins and more
New Enemies – Including Abyss Guard, Chained Prisoner and more
New NPCs – Including Hawkeye Gough and more
New Weapons and Armor – Equip some from the new bosses, enemies, and NPCs

Artorias!? I can remember playing on the Xbox 360 and getting the Greatshield and Greatsword of Artorias and wondering who the hell Artorias was (and using them at the same time, a bloody Zweihander and a Greatshield at the same time, this is one of a million reasons why this game is amazing). At first I thought it was a City or a Nation but its pretty damn cool its a Dark Knight, maybe it has something to do with that giant Wolf Sif (awesome boss fight).

I can actually remember last year waiting for Skyrim, I got this to hold me over until it came out, funnily enough after a week of playing Skyrim I was straight back to Dark Souls . The multiplayer is bloody amazing too (when it worked) and no doubt that the PC platform will have far superior connectivity than the consoles has, so hopefully there wont be any of that 'failed to summon' bullplop. There is something about that game when another player invades your world that just made me feel, well I don't even know, but the only other time I've ever had a similar feeling was playing DayZ and bumping into another player for the first time. I did play Demon's Souls on the Playstation 3 (only had the console a year, was so glad I owned it when it came out) and was kinda disappointed with how much easier Dark Souls was, but this new content looks solid. I honestly have no idea how you can easily deal with the Chimera for example, or the tentacle monster thing, whereas all of the Dark Souls vanilla bosses were really underwhelmingly easy the second time around. Fighting the Red Kite on the bridge straight after the first Minotaur Demon was also extremely disappointing the first time around due to being so easy (I took it on in melee, didn't use the archery glitch).

Am I the only one looking forward to this!? The only problem is that From Software (the developers) have admitted they are useless at PC and have no idea how to port, and its also using some weird 'technology' on the PC where if your framerate drops below 30 it locks your game up until it goes back up or something, the latter could be completely different, I can't remember the exacts but it was something to do with framerate falling to a certain level and then some kind of lockup or extreme framerate drop.

That sounds like a horrible combination, if it isn't ported very well mixed with that frame requirement thing, it could be one of the worst PC titles in history (performance wise).

Dark Souls developer From Software is having a torrid time getting its beloved action RPG up and running on PC and has confirmed it isn't including any optimisations for desktop gamers.
Producer Daisuke Uchiyama told Eurogamer that it had underestimated how tough it would be to port the game across.
"To be completely honest, we're having a tough time doing it due to our lack of experience and knowledge in terms of porting to PC. First we thought it would be a breeze, but it's turned out not to be the case. We're still developing right now - we're crunching right now.
"In Japan there's not much of a PC market and we haven't really taken into consideration that audience before. That's one of the reasons why we haven't been able to step up on the PC platform until now."
Uchiyama went on to confirm that it hasn't fixed the frame rate problems that had hobbled certain parts of the game on consoles.
"In terms of the frame rate for say, Blighttown, From Software sincerely apologises for that happening [in the console version]," he said.
"In terms of the PC version, the quick answer is no, [we won't be fixing the frame rate problems]. Because we wanted to get the PC version out as soon as possible, it's more strictly a port from the console version. We haven't been able to step up into doing any specific optimisation for PC.
"However, in exchange for that, we have prioritised adding new content for both original players and new players."
Happily, that new content appears to be very substantial. Uchiyama estimated that it should take a reasonably skilled player around 10 hours to get through the new areas.
What's more, it'll be fully integrated into the game rather than siphoned off from the main menu. Console gamers who buy it as DLC will be able to use their existing character, though they'll need to have progressed quite a way through the story before they can access the extra areas.
"We have three new venues, four new bosses and additional weapons," he explained.
"Accessing the new content is a little bit complicated. Depending on where you are in the storyline it may differ in terms of how it's integrated.
"There will be a certain point in the game that you'll have to surpass to access the new content. It won't be right from the beginning - the new content will be accessible more in the later half of the game."
The added narrative focuses on the character Artorias, referenced throughout the original release but never seen.
"In the console version only the name of Artorias has been brought up, but in the new content you'll actually see him as a character," revealed Uchiyama.
"The story itself is going to take place in the past. The player will be dragged into the past, 300 years back when Artorias was not a legend but actually existed."
Finally, Uchiyama touched on the future of the franchise, insisting that there are currently no plans for ports to other platforms or a full sequel.
"We are fully concentrating on delivering the PC version and DLC. There has not been any discussion about anything past that. So there's nothing in the works right now," he said.
"Speaking from the developer's perspective, even considering the new Wii U features or the Vita, because they are so specific to those platforms, if we were able to do something on those systems the game would be designed to fit those platforms rather than just be a port from the PS3 or 360."
Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition launches for PC on 31st August, with the new content the landing on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 as DLC towards the end of the year.

For people who have never heard of this game (wtf are you doing?) I'll smash some gameplay videos and screenshots below.

Gameplay (combat) wise its incredibly similar to the newer Zelda titles.

Official Prepare to Die Trailer

Official Dark Souls Xbox 360 & Playstation 3 Trailer (awesome music!)

Random gameplay video

 

[Omaeka]

Waiting for reviews on the PC version before I buy.

Well gameplay wise it will be amazing I promise on my soul. Just abit iffy about performance really.

I was looking forward to this.
But it's looking like a carbon copy of the console variant, limited frame rate etc, so it won't be a buy at normal prices, rather when it drops ; 5 quid or something.
Also I've no idea what lock up you're referring to, it's just capped to 30 FPS.
The game locking up would be utterly retarded.

I heard about the framerate thing from a friend who usually know what he's talking about so he most likely told me about the frame limit and I probably chinese whispered the info i my own head.

As for it being a carbon copy, there's nothing bad about that at all, I wouldn't want it be any different! They were never gonna bring it to PC anyway, they were just gonna release an expansion for the consoles but decided to hit the PC market with the game after a few petitions, so really the whole game itself is just a huge bonus that we might of lost out on!

 

[Omaeka]

From aren't lazy, they'll definitely boost the resolution of the textures and no doubt throw in a ton of DX11 features. (I'm especially hoping lighting, the lighting on consoles was amazingly good)

The only bad thing is they most likely won't be doing anything but them, it'd be nice if they added in an actual moving jaw for speaking characters! Although to be fair, it does give a pretty nice atmosphere that they don't actually appear to talk physically, makes it feel like your all just souls floating around and communicate without physical interaction.

 

[Omaeka]

All accounts say they're not doing anything of the soft.
It's a plain port, they're porting the 360 version to the PC.

You're kidding yourself wishing for DX11 features..

Please don't say this is actually confirmed?

Meh, at least it should run well then!

 

[Omaeka]

That's still unknown.
The console variants have some horrible frame rate issues, who knows if that'll trickle down to the PC variant.

Although, with its 30 FPS cap, why not just play the console variant, likely cheaper.

Well the framerate slowdown in the consoles was actually due to lack of hardware (except in the Great Forest, that was just a draw distance bug) so the PC should be up to it. From just need to crack down and port it well. As for playing it on console; don't have one!

 

[Omaeka]

I thought this was a PS3 exclusive? Wasn't it Demon's Souls that was released on the Xbox?

I'm glad this is coming to PC as I've only played the second.

Nay. It was Demon's Souls (PS3) > Dark Souls (PS3/X360) > Prepare to Die DLC (PC/PS3/X360).

If it runs about as well as the console versions do, it'll still be playable, I just have no idea how they can justify, and I quote;

"In terms of the PC version, the quick answer is no, [we won't be fixing the frame rate problems]. Because we wanted to get the PC version out as soon as possible, it's more strictly a port from the console version. We haven't been able to step up into doing any specific optimisation for PC.

What!? How can they possibly think its okay to do that? It could have just been fixed secretly and then people would have actually believed it was the outdated hardware causing the issues, but now they are not only solidifying the fact it was just dumb coding, they are also refusing to fix it.

I'm pretty annoyed, I was really really looking forward to this, I guess I still am but man...

 

[Omaeka]

Other way around.
Demon souls was the PS3 exclusive, dark souls was on PS3 and Xbox 360.

EDIT : See, when Alan Wake got a PC release, Remedy did that properly, bar a few low textures I could forgive it was perfect for me, a very good game, nice graphically etc.
But this? Urgh.

Remedy did everything right, From are doing everything wrong.

Weird thing is, they ported Ninja Blade to PC and it ran fine, I'd say they are about equally demanding hardware wise, with Dark Souls just edging forward. They can't really use the never ported before excuse because they have, if it runs worse than console versions I won't touch it, if its about the same/abit better I will get it(providing the bloody DLC doesn't get bad framerate too).

 

[Omaeka]

Bad news for you son, it's the complete opposite. It's a straight port with no graphics options. There's only 720 or 1080 option and 30 or unlocked FPS.

What about 1440x900?

About the 'boycott' of the game using GFWL, what a bunch of cretins. Using Games for Windows Live on a Windows PC... Oh the humanity!

I'm on fire today with my ingame references.

 

[Omaeka]

I'll be up for some Co-op forsure.

 

[Omaeka]

It is supposed to be hard, but it isn't, it is just unfair.
Even the very first trap, there is *no* way of knowing it is there until after it has spanked you.

Hannah Montana on the Wii might work for you.

Great counter argument. Totally relevent.

I like difficult games. But this one is like punching Stephen Hawking and claiming to be a great boxer.

Punching Stephen Hawking and claiming to be a great boxer? So your saying Dark Souls is in no way difficult and beating it is no great feat? Well I agree, but I think your actual point was to try and insult the games difficulty in a 'its not even hard its just stupid' kind of way? I'm pretty confused here, people say the exact same thing about Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden, Street Fighter etc.

Dark Souls is in no way shape or form anywhere near as difficult as those three though, but it's an accurate comparison. There's nothing wrong with how Dark Souls was made, nothing is a guaranteed death, if you die it is your fault. Whether the reaction time to dodge a lethal trap is 0.5 seconds or whether a boss can just plain one shot you despite having a million HP, that is down to you to beat those odds, and if you don't then its your fault, not the game's. Insulting the game and claiming it to be cheap or whatever is pretty dull mate.

That is in no way shape or form an insult against you, some people are just built for different things, and its the same with video games. Person A might be amazing at intelligence and strategy based games like Civ, Total War etc. whereas Person B might be amazing at little thinking, fast reaction games like Call of Duty, Unreal, Gears of War etc. while Person C is amazing at high intelligence, high reaction god-tier games like King of Fighters, Street Fighter, Devil May Cry, Counter-Strike, ArmA II etc.

Dark Souls falls within the latter, it doesn't take a genius to do great at it, but it does take some thinking, with quite a lot of applied skill and decent reaction time, so it'd fall in C imo, just not as high up as the others.

 

[Omaeka]

On Xbox 360, going into Blighttown from the Abyss place, it'd drop below 5fps when you look down towards Blighttown. Really bad.

 

[Omaeka]

Dark Souls PC uses the very same 1024x720 internal framebuffer as the console versions, regardless of which resolution has been set in the menus. The option provided is for output resolution only; a simple courtesy to allow the game to play on most monitors, but the image quality will always remain the same. In short, PC gamers will very much be getting the genuine console experience here, right down to the pixel.

Why!? Oh my ****ing god, my faith in this has been shattered, if I wanted a pathetic, cretinous experience intended for serfs, I'd of stayed on my console, how can they justify not giving us the most staple benefit of PC? We have AA but not resolution? They also can't get it running above 30fps when its limited to 720p?

Ayo wtf! Why didn't they tell us this months ago, rather than getting us proper gamer's hyped for months just to kick us in the googlies.

 

[Omaeka]

If this game had all the bells and whistles deserving of the PC platform it would've sold like hotcakes I imagine. ****** port will result in negligible sales like bulletstorm for pc and the devs will come out and say 'oh this is why we don't like PC as a platform'

sigh

Q F T

Why was that censored without spaces?

 

[Omaeka]

Do they have any gameplay videos of DS on PC? I'm not quite giving up all hope yet!

End of the day, so long as it looks AS good and runs AS well as it does on Xbox, despite the fact its nowhere near a PC quality, the games just too damn good to not experience or own.

I think it'll have a GTA IV effect, a game thats too damn good to hate but doesn't perform on its platform as well as it should.

 

[Omaeka]

Overclocker's sell Viva Pinata for like a quid iirc.

Why can't they do a quick demo of the PC version in intensive areas? I don't wanna see new content like somebody else pointed out. They are brand new areas so obviously they will be better made than vanilla, I wanna see how it performs in vanilla.

 

[Omaeka]

Your order for Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition has now been picked, packed and despatched to you.



So far so good for simplygames.

Is it Steam?

 

[Omaeka]

No retail would be GFWL only. I want the box and all the extras you get in the box

Good call, Demon's and Dark Souls both have amazing goodies retail, I still have all the special content from Dark Souls on the 360, the artbook is fantastic. I'ma have to wait a bit to get this though, so enjoy all of you! If it works as a PC game should, you'll be having too much fun!

Cue all the moaning crybabies tomorrow, too used to being spoon fed and claiming the game is unfair! Gonna be fun.

 

[Omaeka]

From the sounds of it, this is my next game then!

 

[Omaeka]

The combat is perfection, lol @ that YouTube video, I've never seen somebody suck so bad.

 

[Omaeka]

Out of the box it looks exactly the same as the console variant.

The low res textures are damn noticeable, even with the resolution fix it still looks like vomit.
It's fine to be a fanboy, don't be an idiot too.

So he's an idiot because he enjoys the game and wants to play it on PC? Mate if you can't play the game because you put that much emphasis on visuals, move on, you don't have to sit in a topic and insult the people who enjoy it.