Dark Souls II is 25% complete, may not make a 2013 release

[Shin Asura]

Then if that's the case, why not make it for next gen

Dark Souls II detailed in Edge
Miyazaki takes the back seat for new directors.
December 15, 2012 / 10:52 AM EST / Sal Romano (@salromano)





The latest issue of Edge Magazine has the first preview of Namco Bandai and From Software’s recently announced Dark Souls II. The magazine staff saw a 10-minute playthrough of the game, which it describes as on par with Watch Dogs and Star Wars 1313 in terms of graphics.

Tomohiro Shibuya and Yui Tanimura, who have previously directed the Another Century’s Episode series, will replace Hidetaka Miyazaki as the sequel’s new directors—a decision made by both From Software and Namco Bandai to help move the series in a new direction.

“For the IP to evolve and provide a new experience within the Dark Souls world the new wind from directors Shibuya and Tanimura is key to providing players with a brand newDark Souls experience,” reads the mag. “In order to maintain expectations and satisfaction and the rewards players experience this was the time to bring in new characteristics and tastes of the directors for the series to continue evolving.”

Miyazaki will still serve as a supervisor, but won’t be making any development decisions. He only reinforced the team’s commitment to releasing things on time, and suggested the revival of Demon’s Souls‘ server-based gameplay. He is currently keeping busy as director of a new project, which he can’t talk much about.

Dark Souls II will be a direct sequel to the first game, and have an open world about the same size, but with denser content. It is not set in Lodran, but the world’s name is key to the story, and will be revealed at a later point.
Shibuya said he wants to make elements such as the Covenant system clearer and more accessible, and the story and messages less subtle. He believes his experience on previous games will help enhance the game’s action. He also promises to include “hidden” elements in the world and story.

A fat, grotesque creature was shown. Shibuya said this is the result of a fusion between monsters by a mad scientist-like character in the game. A Nazgul-like black rider was also shown. He serves as an the executioner of evildoers. Shibuya confirmed the game will include some sort of Morality system.

Dark Souls II is currently 25 percent complete, and might not make a 2013 release. Development began in September last year, and boasts a team substantially larger than that of the first game. Internal staff for world creation has almost doubled.

Thanks, NeoGAF.

[Wrath]

I am so pumped. But I find myself wondering what project Miyazaki is working on...

Could it be a next-gen medieval fantasy title? One can dream.

[Yuuichi]

may be a next gen game if graphics with the other next gen ones. Just please please...PLEASE do not have another blightown FPS problem.

[Mael Duin]

I'm little afraid now that there is new director but I'm still positive about this game. It's good thing that certain things are going to be more access able, like covenants. Darkwraith for example is just too stupidly hard, or Gravelord Covenant.
I'm extremely interested hearing the name of the country now...

[brebaz]

If it's not coming out in 2013, does that mean it will also come out for the Next-Gen consoles?

[Blacksite]

If it's not coming out in 2013, does that mean it will also come out for the Next-Gen consoles?

I doubt it. The PS3's supposed 10-year lifecycle means you'll still see some developers releasing games for the platform.

[Cybertox]

75% in one year feels kinda rushed doesnt it?

[TDbank24]

Dark Souls II would be an awesome PS4 launch game.

[Wrath]

may be a next gen game if graphics with the other next gen ones. Just please please...PLEASE do not have another blightown FPS problem.

This is the most overused complaint ever. Seriously, it wasn't nearly as bad as some people claimed.

[darksora]

Great article, surprised to see that ds2 is gonna be competitive in terms of graphics, both demon and dark souls are average visually so I was perfectly fine with darksouls 2 being the same as the first game in visuals.
Also I was right about tye directors quote being taken out of context XD I even suggested that he's referring to covenants and story being a little clearer in the VGA trailer thread.

Edit: I had no problems with blight town, I always thought people hated it because of falling off or the mood of it :P

Only area I had FPS issues were the rolling cats. Frame rate would turn to a slideshow XD

[brebaz]

I doubt it. The PS3's supposed 10-year lifecycle means you'll still see some developers releasing games for the platform.

Maybe a simultaneous release? No one knows at this point!

[RyanGT]

That gives me more time to play the first game and prepare for number 2.

Question...is Dark Souls the same game as Demons Souls? Or are they completely different?

[Wrath]

That gives me more time to play the first game and prepare for number 2.

Question...is Dark Souls the same game as Demons Souls? Or are they completely different?

Dark Souls is officially called the spiritual successor of Demon's Souls. However, both play very similarly.

[DarkVincent07]

That gives me more time to play the first game and prepare for number 2.

Question...is Dark Souls the same game as Demons Souls? Or are they completely different?

Very very very similar gameplay. If you've played demons souls you'll feel at home.

And yeah take your time devs! Don't rush this baby. It would make a great PS4 game for sure


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[Joe Zombie]

Disappointed somewhat, but still excited. The wait seems so long however, but there's plenty of great games coming out next year.

I wouldn't worry too much about the direction the series is headed. The team still knows what Dark Souls is at its core. They want to make it more understandable, and accessible, but all the while retaining the Souls formula and challenge. Miyazaki is the supervisor. It isn't like he doesn't have a say in anything regarding development.

[shrike]

It's more worrying to me that he has taken a sum of money to step back from the series rather than making a clean decision, let alone not being involved.

It's also worrying that the guy who will be directing it is also responsible for games like Resident Evil Outbreak.

[Shibby]

That gives me more time to play the first game and prepare for number 2.

Question...is Dark Souls the same game as Demons Souls? Or are they completely different?

Yes. The difference is Dark Souls is open world, and Demon's is hub world.

The reason for the name change was that Demon's Souls was a PS3 exclusive, so they needed to change the name to make it multiplatform.

[Wrath]

It's more worrying to me that he has taken a sum of money to step back from the series rather than making a clean decision, let alone not being involved.

It's also worrying that the guy who will be directing it is also responsible for games like Resident Evil Outbreak.

Um, he's working on a new IP, possibly for next-gen systems.

It's not like he just got bribed by his superiors to back off the series.

[Yuuichi]

Mean time that knight artoris or whatever is owning me. Sorcery is to slow agianst him, pyro is a big chance, I am lost or do I need to do something first because I went right for him after I entered.