Dark Souls II Starting Tips

While the US PlayStation Blog article I’m posting about is titled “survival guide”, I feel like “starting tips” more successfully encapsulates what it’s really about. Considering we’re really close to its release date (at least for the console versions), some would-be players might appreciate:

Durability and You

Your equipment will wear over time, slowly losing durability as you take hits and inflict wounds. One thing to be careful of is scraping your blade against hard surfaces. If you’re continually banging on the walls with your Falchion, the durability will drain much faster. Resting at a Bonfire will restore your equipment’s durability, but if an item has broken completely, you’ll need to visit a Blacksmith for a solution.

Left or Right?

Dark Souls II was built with player freedom in mind. This game is not linear. If you find yourself struggling with a certain enemy or area, explore other paths. There is no (right way) to progress through the game. Each player will find his or her own path. If you truly get stuck, try exploring past areas you may find that things have changed since you left.

Covenants

Dark Souls II has been designed to integrate a single and multiplayer experience. Covenants exist to allow players to role-play within Drangleic. Many NPCs throughout the game will offer membership with their respective Covenant. Whether you prefer a hardcore single-player experience, challenging other players to PvP battle, helping fellow comrades through tough areas, or defending against other players, there’s a Covenant for you. Special rewards wait for those who choose to champion their Covenants dutifully.