mason

I've played all 3 versions. I now prefer the PC version (with a gamepad and the Durante resolution fix, of course).

Pros:

• Not only does the fix allow it to look sharper, but the the gamma levels seem better to me. I'm finding it a lot easier to see what's around me, and what dangers are at my feet. I could never get that much clarity with my PS3 on a large LED screen.
• Load times are super fast, which is key when you get the ability to warp. It really makes it feel like less of a grind.
• Apart from the new content, which is coming to consoles anyway, the updates have made the game a little more balanced so that all kinds of character builds are viable. The best new feature is they've increased the number of areas you can warp to. You used to only be able to warp to a few specific areas, most of which were far from where you wanted to go. Now there's a lot less backtracking and running around in the late game. These updates are probably coming to the consoles anyway, but for now PC's where it's at.
• No bottomless box item duping glitch. Some may see this as a con, not a pro. The community seems to like duping, but I find it cheapens the game.

Cons:

• Games for Windows Live. For me it works okay and doesn't interrupt the game experience. The problem I have is that the achievements are bugged. Often a player will unlock an achievement in game, only to find that it won't register on Xbox Live / GFWL. So if you're going for 100% completion like me, it ruins things when the you know you've achieved everything, yet your online profile says you haven't.
• I don't participate in a lot of co-op or PVP, so I can't speak to how well that part works. I assume the community is smaller, but I don't know.

Bellowing is really meant for your typical blue energy blasts, not buffs. You really want lingering dragoncrest ring for this build. Crystal magic weapon already gives you high damage stats. It's better to make sure you're recharging less frequently.

It's a fairly common playstyle (one that I enjoy a lot), but combining Magic Weapon spells with the lingering ring works amazingly well when used simultaneously with Power Within pyromancy. The combination turns you into a high-DPS juggernaut. Especially since the ring helps spread out the power within damage over a longer period of time.

Ain't nothing wrong with longer lasting high damage output. This build can absolutely tear into the 4 kings and rip 'em a new one.

@Pieman51: That Catacombs Blacksmith ain't that tricky to reach. There are shortcuts to get to him in under a 60 seconds...if you know where to fall. Once you nail the pattern, it's easy to repeat. Then just homeward bone out of there.

I'm sure Youtube has some runs that show you how to reach him without much fighting.

I'm not saying anything new, but know that this is a total race against the clock where your damage-per-second determines if you win or lose.The second, third, fourth, fifth (and possibly 6th) kings will only appear at specific timed intervals, so if you can kill each one quickly, you'll never have to deal with more than 2 kings.

Easier said than done, but that's the principle.

In my experience, heavy armor/weapon builds relying on shields and defense don't work well since the battle really saps your stamina, which means taking longer to kill each King. Iron skin can give you more staying power, but still slows you down. So you can still get overwhelmed.

Better to save your stamina for dodging and attacking. The best way is to strip down to below 25% encumbrance, learn to dodge their attacks, and focus on damaging as quickly as possible. The priority is to maximize damage. In that respect, a fast weapon, spells such as "Power Within", weapon buffs and 2-handing your weapon can be keys to victory.

I love the funhouse gameplay of Sen's Fortress but there's so much platforming that you get in some sticky situations.

Like when I had 50,000 souls and tons of humanity, and got cocky because I had just used the bonfire on the roof. I slipped on the bridge with the crossbowman, and fell through the ceiling which sent me hurdling towards the basement. It would have been fine if I died, but instead of falling to my death, I landed on a precarious railing with nothing below me. The only way off was to kill myself, leaving my bloodstain on that railing.

Luckily I managed to buy homeward bones, make that same improbable fall, grab my bloodstain and bone out of there.

You're correct. Darkroot Garden, the Basin, etc used to be the land of Oolacile before it was destroyed hundreds of years prior to Dark Souls. You can see its crumbing ruins in all the forest zones in the game. The things in the environment and item descriptions also gave clues to its backstory.

The entire plot of the DLC is about going back in time to that same place but in a different era. So yeah.

From what I've played,

Sanctuary = where you fight Sif,

Royal Wood = Darkroot Garden,

Oolacile Town = Darkroot Basin (swallowed up by the abyss)... or DB is wherewhere you fight the dragon (not sure yet).

@Humanity: That drop off point is so much easier to see in the PC version. Maybe it's because of the graphical mod makes things less muddy, or because of my brightness settings, but now it's crystal clear where the line is.

Don't sweat it. You're going to encounter another Firekeeper right past the boss at the bottom of Blighttown (Hidden doorway right after boss room). That should be your goal. It's accessible way earlier than the Anor Londo one.

Edit: Just don't hit the weird-looking NPC blocking your way. Talk to him first. Then talk to the lady inside. That'll be your new Firekeeper.

The Hydra is a completely optional mid-boss, and a fairly easy once you get up close. (Edit, not too close, there's a drop-off in the water). I believe it's a necessary step in accessing the DLC (whenever console users get it). For now, feel free to ignore it. Unless you have a magic build and want some useful spells that come after killing it.

Um.... I kinda...like Blighttown. It's actually one of my favorite areas. But I came to Dark Souls for that sweet taste of masochism, and Blightown delivered the pain.

Now that I've played through the game a few times, there's something nostalgic about that hellhole.

Good to know.

I'll test it myself when I get home, but if true, I'm glad I no longer need to carry 2 flames.