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[01011001]

I get your point and agree with you somewhat but if Dark Souls isnt hard what is? I'm just curious what you classify as hard in the contemporary sense. And I dont believe those games are targeting that demographic that you describe, maybe other games do but definitely not the souls games.

nowadays almost no game is actually hard.
some indy titles are maybe, but in the AA or AAA space, basically zero

in the Indy scene, I would say there are quite a few. "Jump King" for example, or "Getting over It". Cuphead is pretty hard towards the end...
it would be easier to list games that came out before the PS360 gen tho. Ninja Gaiden Black is somewhat hard, as is DMC3 if you don't play on easy (which you have to unlock first by dying enough), or God Hand can be really hard, especially since it gets harder the better you play... you are literally dynamically switching between difficulty levels if you do good in the game
Super Mario Bros 2/Lost Levels is a hard game, as is Super Ghouls & Ghosts, Contra 3, Contra: Shattered Solider... stuff like that

basically these are games that aren't just about being focused but also demand a good amount of mechanical skill from the player.
Dark Souls is rarely really demanding in terms of mechanical skill (it is way too slow for that to begin with), it's more about knowing strategies and choosing the character build that fits your style... I for example usually am all about dodging using light weight builds with fast rolls, but I know someone who barely dodges and is all about using shields and hard hitting weapons and his character usually has a fat roll because of all the tanking gear, which I could never play with.

 

[Magnific0giganticus]

This is how it works:

Git.....

Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
Die
....Gud

Win

And then repeat

 

[bbeach123]

I finished all Fromsoft game but rage quit halfway through all mario, contra and most platformer game . Shit is hard .

 

[Keihart]

No boss ever took me even close to 20 tries in bloodborne da fuq

Not even Ebrietas and Son of Kos?
To be fair, the weapons with stagger kinda break the hardest bosses.

 

[Nickolaidas]

What is this absolute horseshit?

People spend 20 tries on a boss in Dark Souls, beat it, and feel the need to run unto NeoGaf proclaiming: "the game ain't that hard lol." They beat one From Software game and feel like fucking Batman, and won't go one second without mentioning it.

And now, apparently, every boss in Bloodborne is easy, and Kena is a breeze in the wind that people beat with 1 hand and a bag over their head.

Kena got some hard fucking bosses, but you get on here and it's: "roflcopter the bosses are so easy you are just shitty lol", like you didn't just spend 10 tries getting past them.

"When you learn the boss, it's actually easy". No shit Sherlock Holmes. But first, you need to learn them, and that's not easy.

Let's end the fake big dick impersonating bragging bullshit. We get it, you are proud you beat a hard boss, but don't pretend you are Chuck Norris and come up with some story about how you beat them all on 2 tries and everyone is just a door knob compared to you.

Most bosses in Dark Souls use attack patterns and weaknesses which, once realized, make the battles a lot easier. It's all about how easy/fast it is for the player to learn the 'pattern'.

I remember beating Orstein and Smough fairly easily - like 7-8 attempts easily - , and I was impressed with myself because I had heard those guys were the toughest fucks ever.

Yet I found myself at a loss when fighting Artorias or Kalameet. I think I beat Artorias after like, 40 attempts? I couldn't do anything to Gwyndolyn until I read how a pro did it. Then I beat him in the 2nd try.

Bed of chaos was like the easiest boss ever for me, but I had my shield of Artorias at +5 and my elite armor at +10 by that point, and I also saw a youtube video making me prepared for not sprinting and simply slow-running through the whole fight. It's attacks barely fazed me when defending.

And the Hellkite Drake? The shittiest, cheesiest, most 'Go Fuck Yourself I Don't Care If You Have High Fire Defense, I'm Still One-Shotting You With One Particular Attack' sub-boss in the history of video game bosses? You literally outcheese him by peppering it with arrows while standing near the balcony where you first meet Solaire, make it come to you, take cover when it breathes behind the wall, and as it starts walking back and looks like it's about to fly up to its perch again, you rinse and repeat. May need to wear a Hawk Ring, but other than that, easiest fight ever .... ONCE you know the 'pattern'.

In the end, your build and playstyle plays a huge part on how easy it is to beat certain bosses and how well you can defend/adapt to their tactics.

And New Game Plus? Let's just say that by then you've become so adapt to the enemies' patterns that even though they strike thrice as bad, you'll fell them thrice as fast. Took me 150 hours to beat New Game, and 25 more to beat New Game Plus.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Whelp, it’s that time of the month again.

 

[bender]

They beat one From Software game and feel like fucking Batman, and won't go one second without mentioning it.

 

[nightmare-slain]

but dark souls/bloodborne/sekiro really aren't that hard (especially Sekiro) there's a bit of a learning curve but after a few hours of getting used to how it works you will be kicking ass. sure there might be a couple bosses that hold you up for a bit but you'll get there.

sounds like you tried to play it and got your ass kicked lol instead of sticking with it you decide to come on the internet and complain/cry.

 

[bender]

but dark souls/bloodborne/sekiro really aren't that hard (especially Sekiro) there's a bit of a learning curve but after a few hours of getting used to how it works you will be kicking ass. sure there might be a couple bosses that hold you up for a bit but you'll get there.

sounds like you tried to play it and got your ass kicked lol instead of sticking with it you decide to come on the internet and complain/cry.

I'm terrible at parrying so Sekiro defeated me fairly early in the game.

 

[Rush2112]

I like how people brag about multiple tries on a boss.

 

[Venza]

The issue was Dark Souls wasn’t a difficult game to me after playing all the Ninja Gaidens and more precise melee games. The combat was slower and overall the touted insane difficulty was overstated.

 

[StateofMajora]

Dark souls is trash. Slow, clunky and has a reliance on character building rather than skill. I hate hate hate the animation locking and general agonizing slow pace.

People can tell me to get good all they want. It’s less skill based than Dmc or bayonetta. And Ninja gaiden 2 og is the hardest one of these games i’ve beaten.

 

[bender]

Dark souls is trash.

People can tell me to get good all they want.

Getting good will not fix your piss poor taste.

The issue was Dark Souls wasn’t a difficult game to me after playing all the Ninja Gaidens and more precise melee games. The combat was slower and overall the touted insane difficulty was overstated.

Demon Souls bucked a lot of popular trends and gain a fairly large following because it ditched the accessible difficulties found in the majority of popular titles found at the time. It had consequences for failure and it demanded your full attention. It wasn't trying to be a character action game like DMC, NG or Bayo so the comparison is a little strange. I'd never classify any of the Souls games as punishing but they do stand in stark contrast of something like that cel Sshaded Prince of Persia (the platformer that wouldn't let you die from falling into pits).

 

[StateofMajora]

Getting good will not fix your piss poor taste.

Demon Souls bucked a lot of popular trends and gain a fairly large following because it ditched the accessible difficulties found in the majority of popular titles found at the time. It had consequences for failure and it demanded your full attention. It wasn't trying to be a character action game like DMC, NG or Bayo so the comparison is a little strange. I'd never classify any of the Souls games as punishing but they do stand in stark contrast of something like that cel Sshaded Prince of Persia (the platformer that wouldn't let you die from falling into pits).

You have one of the worst tastes i’ve seen on the forum, so i’m not surprised you like dark souls drek.

 

[CrimsonSquall]

Not even Ebrietas and Son of Kos?
To be fair, the weapons with stagger kinda break the hardest bosses.

Bloodborne was my first Souls game ever and the most runs for a boss were Kos and that first wolf one. 6 tries.

 

[bender]

You have one of the worst tastes i’ve seen on the forum

 

[ReBurn]

I knew with my first Souls game that I was completely out of my depth. I knew it was more game than I could ever handle and I've had no desire to ever try another. It doesn't bother me at all that people are great at games like that and I'm not. It's just games.

 

[bender]

I knew with my first Souls game that I was completely out of my depth. I knew it was more game than I could ever handle and I've had no desire to ever try another. It doesn't bother me at all that people are great at games like that and I'm not. It's just games.

What was your first Souls game and what was your favorite game that year?

 

[DeepEnigma]

Bloodborne was my first Souls game ever and the most runs for a boss were Kos and that first wolf one. 6 tries.

Kos was a bitch, even with a squad.

 

[Venza]

Getting good will not fix your piss poor taste.

Demon Souls bucked a lot of popular trends and gain a fairly large following because it ditched the accessible difficulties found in the majority of popular titles found at the time. It had consequences for failure and it demanded your full attention. It wasn't trying to be a character action game like DMC, NG or Bayo so the comparison is a little strange. I'd never classify any of the Souls games as punishing but they do stand in stark contrast of something like that cel Sshaded Prince of Persia (the platformer that wouldn't let you die from falling into pits).

Being observant and taking your time to learn the mechanics and layout of areas were key things I loved about the souls games. I never rushed anything. That’s the thing for most people it was hard because they didn’t take the time to learn the area and boss/enemy attack animations. It was very manageable to me after playing such fast paced character action games and a great change of pace.

 

[Hugare]

Yeah, I hate the repetition in From games

I honestly think that's poor design. Having to go a long way to fight the boss every time you die, just to learn some of its moveset before dying and repeat all over again is just not fun imo.

Wanna know a game that have perfected this formula decades ago? Punch Out

You dont know any of your oponents moveset when you start the fight. You'll probably go down at least 2 times, or even get knocket out a few times before learning how to fight.

But you lost the fight? Go back to it in a second. No "minions", no nothing, back to the "boss" immediately

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

I wanna see the guy who beats Flamelurker on his very first try.

 

[bender]

Being observant and taking your time to learn the mechanics and layout of areas were key things I loved about the souls games. I never rushed anything. That’s the thing for most people it was hard because they didn’t take the time to learn the area and boss/enemy attack animations. It was very manageable to me after playing such fast paced character action games and a great change of pace.

The sense of discovery in Souls games is great. It rewards you for being methodical. The loop is also great as if it kills you, it usually teaches you something a long the way. And the desire to keep back to your lost Souls can lead you to being impatient or sloppy. Those are the best deaths.

 

[ReBurn]

What was your first Souls game and what was your favorite game that year?

It was Demon's Souls on PS3. My favorite game that year was probably InFamous. Followed by Tekken 6.

 

[bender]

It was Demon's Souls on PS3. My favorite game that year was probably InFamous. Followed by Tekken 6.

Probably not for you then. I just remember the conversations that DeSo sprang with my circle of friends. It was almost like being back on the playground and sharing cheat codes for the NES.

 

[Venza]

Having to go a long way to fight the boss every time you die, just to learn some of its moveset before dying and repeat all over again is just not fun imo.

Play Sekiro. The checkpoints in that game are far more forgiving. The bosses also happen to be among some of the hardest in the SoulsBourneKiro(?) series.

 

[zaanan]

What is this absolute horseshit?

People spend 20 tries on a boss in Dark Souls, beat it, and feel the need to run unto NeoGaf proclaiming: "the game ain't that hard lol." They beat one From Software game and feel like fucking Batman, and won't go one second without mentioning it.

And now, apparently, every boss in Bloodborne is easy, and Kena is a breeze in the wind that people beat with 1 hand and a bag over their head.

Kena got some hard fucking bosses, but you get on here and it's: "roflcopter the bosses are so easy you are just shitty lol", like you didn't just spend 10 tries getting past them.

"When you learn the boss, it's actually easy". No shit Sherlock Holmes. But first, you need to learn them, and that's not easy.

Let's end the fake big dick impersonating bragging bullshit. We get it, you are proud you beat a hard boss, but don't pretend you are Chuck Norris and come up with some story about how you beat them all on 2 tries and everyone is just a door knob compared to you.

Welcome to the internet motherfucker!

Also, I am pretty much the worst gamer ever, and I platted Bloodborne, so suck it!

 

[zaanan]

I have beat Sekiro, and Kena, and Dark Souls, and Cuphead, and plenty of hard games, but the idea here is that you guys are bragging about being some sort of masters of difficulty once you do. Like some kid who just got transformers for Christmas and thinks you are Optimus Prime.

And what do you know, like clockwork, 90% of you start to complain and brag right off the bat on how I am a giant noob and shit. Is everyone here a weekend warrior? does everyone here HAVE to pretend they walked through Sekiro?

Listen, I could learn how to do handstands for 40 minutes, but that doesn't mean it ain't difficult. I could learn to play the solo for Comfortably Numb, that doesn't mean it's easy. It's the same principle in games, and you can't start to bitch and moan and try to puff your chest every time someone says something is hard. Learning is hard, and that's normal for all of you.

Ok major points for recognizing the greatness of the best solo ever. You alright mothafucka.

 

[bitbydeath]

I just wish Dark Souls had an easy mode so I could enjoy it. Sounds like the story of my life.

They all have this funny weakness of being stabbed in the back. This even applies to bosses in most cases as many have to turn around to fight you.

 

[Shifty1897]

It hurts worse when multiple friend groups hear you're finally playing Jedi Fallen Order and find out you're struggling on "Jedi Master" difficulty.

If it was a turn based strategy game I'd kick their asses. *Grabs cane, hobbles off*

 

[Oddvintagechap]

I hate it when people write. Why do they do this.

 

[existensmaximum]

OP, I totally agree with you. I love Dark Souls and I've beat it a couple of times, but to say it isn't a hard game? Sure, you can save and have an infinite number of tries, but it takes A LOT of patience, practice and skill to beat it (without summoning someone and get help). And to keep trying and trying over and over again, repeating the same levels, same enemies, same bosses hundreds of times..

It's hard and far from everyone can do it. I'd love to see an extensive list of all those modern games that are much harder than Dark Souls? I mean, there's got to be plenty of them, right? I'm not saying it's the hardest game ever, but you need to put it into context.

Yeah, I was around during the NES days too and sure, Ninja Gaiden or whatever is A LOT harder due to a lot of reasons, but come on. There will always be even harder games.

 

[Hobbygaming]

I have no big issues with the Souls games, but I did run into a brick wall with Returnal. It's dependent on how skilled are you with certain type of gameplay. People without patient and perseverance are just out of luck with games like Dark Souls. I can understand your frustration but you will have to accept that for other people is a different experience.

I'm curious if you got stuck on the same biome I was stuck on forever

 

[Hobbygaming]

Games like Bloodborne, Returnal, etc are hard at certain parts, I don't care what anyone says

 

[DelireMan7]

Something that really bother me as a Soulsborne fanboy is how always people reduced these games to their difficulty by only speaking of that...

Dark Souls 1 and Bloodborne are easily my best games of all time and difficulty is not the reason why.

The atmosphere, world design, storytelling, build diversity, art/character design,.... are the real reason these games are masterpiece. Challenge (and most importantly fairness) is just a bonus in my eyes.

Hot take :
If you're playing the Soulsborne only for their difficulty, you're doing it wrong.

 

[StateofMajora]

Probably not for you then. I just remember the conversations that DeSo sprang with my circle of friends. It was almost like being back on the playground and sharing cheat codes for the NES.

Nes game design is a good comparison, i’d agree there honey pie.

 

[Sorcerer]

I suck at videogames, but I eventually beat Dark Souls, don't claim it was easy but persistence is a useful skill. Now Dark Souls 2 on the other hand is making me tear my hair out.

 

[Neff]

Souls isn't hard, it's vague with its commication and punishing with its penalties, but it's not hard. Most bosses have a braindead exploit which can be figured out with simple trial and error.

By contrast a game like Sekiro is hard, because even when you've figured it out the game will still demand good reactions and technique.

 

[bender]

Nes game design is a good comparison, i’d agree there honey pie.

Your reading comprehension rivals your taste, sugar.

 

[Paasei]

Kena got some hard fucking bosses, but you get on here and it's: "roflcopter the bosses are so easy you are just shitty lol", like you didn't just spend 10 tries getting past them.

Who the hell says rofl copter anymore?

 

[ZywyPL]

People who win in souls games lose at real life, fair trade if you ask me, so let them enjoy that tiny moment of accomplishment.

 

[ParaSeoul]

if its your first time playing one of these games,you'd probably die the most to the first boss but after that you'd learn the mechanics and have a much easier time with the later bosses.

 

[ParaSeoul]

It does have an easy mode. Its called paying attention.

People don't understand this,its why you have people who call the games trial and error.

 

[FukuDaruma]

 

[laynelane]

I suck at videogames, but I eventually beat Dark Souls, don't claim it was easy but persistence is a useful skill. Now Dark Souls 2 on the other hand is making me tear my hair out.

That was my initial experience with DS2, as well. It felt like my armour was made of tissue. Learning how important Adaptability was for I-frames during rolls really helped. Good luck with the game, it's a great one.

 

[TheSHEEEP]

It ain’t that hard if you git gud lmao

Bubububut git gud is hard.

It should be easy!

 

[Banjo64]

From games are hard in the sense that you have to learn enemy attack patterns and you have to adjust your own play style accordingly. They stay hard if you persist in trying to run and gun, rather than having patience, utilising evade etc. I think what people mean when they say it’s easy is if you take the time to learn the game, it becomes easy. Which I agree with.

 

[Nickolaidas]

I suck at videogames, but I eventually beat Dark Souls, don't claim it was easy but persistence is a useful skill. Now Dark Souls 2 on the other hand is making me tear my hair out.

I had to strip naked in order to beat the Fume Knight, but I did it. After 40 - 50 tries, no less.

Golden rule in Souls games: If nothing else works, strip naked.

 

[KRYPT83]

 

[laynelane]

I had to strip naked in order to beat the Fume Knight, but I did it. After 40 - 50 tries, no less.

Golden rule in Souls games: If nothing else works, strip naked.

haha I go almost naked for him and the dual cats too. It really makes a difference.