@ntomatas1: The console performance won't match the performance of that recommended machine.

@kelis_98: That is a matter of opinion.

I don't think it's terrible, I just got really bored with it really quick...because it doesn't feel like it has evolved from Fallout 3....thus...it just felt like I was playing the same old game.

Or if they are on PC....they can just enter a code.

Only 4 hours in and I walked away. I was bored.

It's not that it's a terrible game, and I didn't experience a single major glitch during that time, it just feels like I am playing Fallout 3 with slightly improved visuals and better character models.

I'm sure I will give it another go or two, but I doubt I will spend anywhere near the time in it that I did with other Bethesda releases.

@macaque12 I think Danny has been on vacation over the past few weeks, not certain though.

@Vraach @snakebite6x6x6 I still don't have a picture of the whole story yet..as I am still playing through the game (I waited for the PC version), but I love that they put references to the original DS.

For me, it's the world itself that is less appealing. In Lordran you spend the game learning about the world...why it's in its current state... and everything connects back to preceding areas. Where as in Drangleic, its all connected in Majula...but spreads out from there...like a bunch of linear paths... and you warp back when you are done.

I am still enjoying the game, just nowhere near the level of enjoyment I had with DS1. With DS1 I found it hard to put the game down...and I looked forward to playing it every chance I had. With DS2...I don't have that feeling.

I can't really explain it, it's a great game..it's just not as fun to me.

The Souls games are definitely not for everybody, and while I love DS2 I enjoyed DS1 more.

The only thing of note in this review that I would argue against is where you mentioned, "As someone who actively seeks out the lore and and backstory in games, Dark Souls II offers almost nothing in game to explain what's going on.".

The lore in the souls games are told by their NPCs and item descriptions. Almost every item in the game has a piece of lore attached to it...consider them like codex/journal entries you find in many other RPGs. The game just leaves it to you to figure it out on your own... one of my favorite aspects of the Souls games.

It's good that GS has added these alternative reviews, I just wish they would do them on more games.

@jeffgost @blackace The game play of the souls games more than makes up for what it lacks in the visual department.

It's not that I wasn't disappointed by the graphical downgrade from the trailers...

It's one of the reasons I am waiting for the PC release.

The PC modding community will turn it into the best looking version by far...it's only a matter of time.

I have this preordered on steam...although I doubt I will get much play time in around release...as I have also preordered Dark Souls 2... and if my experience with the previous Souls games is any indicator... everything else in my life...including other games... is about to be severely neglected.