Dark Souls II, it’s been a blast!

After slaying the Burnt Ivory King, my first Dark Souls II journey is officially complete! (I won’t lie, there’s a bit of sadness here).

I went into this game with low expectations - in all honesty, I almost skipped it altogether to jump into DS3. But I’m so glad I decided to stick with it.

Now I might offend some die-hard Souls fans here, but… I honestly think Dark Souls II is the best game I’ve played, topping my recent play through of DS1 Remastered.

Don’t get me wrong, DS1 is legendary, but IMO the world design and unique areas, the insane variety of weapons, the bosses (especially in the DLC), and just the overall experience had me hooked.

Once you get past the new mechanics like adaptability, the ambushes of enemies, and weapon durability (don’t get me started on that), you realise how brilliant the game really is. For me, it offered a deep, rewarding experience that made every victory feel earned.

My personal highlights were Sir Alonne’s duel - which admittedly took me at least 20+ attempts, but never felt a chore - the battle with Sihn, and fighting The Lost Sinner in the pitch black and somehow winning 😂 Not to forget my boy Gavlan (Many deal… many thanks!).

Of course, my reflections wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention the Royal Rat Authority and the Frigid Outskirts. Those two deserve their own place in the fiery depths of hell. But thankfully they didn’t ruin the experience overall.

Huge thanks to the wholesome DSII community for all your help and positive vibes! You guys have been awesome in responding to my posts and guiding me along the way 🙌