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Dark Souls II

Second Dark Souls game set in Drangleic.

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Dark Souls II is an action role-playing game that retains the challenging gameplay of its predecessor, with directors stating they did not plan an Easy Mode because challenge is a core element.[1] The game features a more robust new game plus mode than the original, where enemy health and damage increase with each replay.[2]

Making and release

Development began in September 2011, and the game is roughly twice the size of Dark Souls.[3] Shibuya stated he had no intention of changing the controls from the original.[1] The covenant system was redesigned because Shibuya believed the original was "difficult to fully absorb and experience"[3] The development team used a more powerful graphics engine and added a more advanced AI system.[4]

An updated version, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin, was announced on November 25, 2014 and released on April 1, 2015.[5] At the Spike Video Game Awards on December 7, 2012, the existence of Dark Souls II was first revealed to the public.[6] Tomohiro Shibuya and Yui Tanimura were the directors for Dark Souls II, while Hidetaka Miyazaki, who directed the first Dark Souls, took on a supervisory role.[6] Tanimura stated in September 2013 that the PC version's launch was being postponed to guarantee it would be in an ideal state.[4]

FromSoftware made public on June 4, 2014, that a set of three downloadable content packs, named The Lost Crowns, would be released.[7] Crown of the Sunken King, the initial DLC installment, became available on July 22, 2014.[8]

What the cited sources add

A Polygon article from January 2015 details that patch 1.10 added a new character called the Scholar of the First Sin.[9] The same patch introduced the Agape Ring, which absorbs souls from kills during online play to let players control matchmaking.[9] According to a December 2012 Polygon article, the directors emphasized making the game accessible for newcomers by staging a proper introduction to the plot and gameplay.[3]

References

  1. Wikipedia, "Dark Souls II" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Edge Staff, "Dark Souls II: Shibuya on the gameworld, awkwardness and accessibility", January 29, 2013; Edge Staff, "Dark Souls II: Shibuya on the gameworld, awkwardness and accessibility", January 29, 2013; "Dark Souls 2 will be more accessible for series newcomers, may include vehicles", Polygon, 17 December 2012; Kain, "No Easy Mode Allowed: An Interview With 'Dark Souls II' Director Yui Tanimura, Plus New Screenshots", Forbes (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia, "Dark Souls II" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Bedford, "Dark Souls 2 - New Game Plus, preparation, differences, boss drops", Eurogamer, 7 April 2014 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  3. "Dark Souls 2 will be more accessible for series newcomers, may include vehicles", Polygon, 17 December 2012. facts only, no text reused. polygon.com
  4. Wikipedia, "Dark Souls II" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Dark Souls 2 Gameplay Reveal - 12 Minute Demo - IGN Video", Ign.com, 2013-04-10; "Dark Souls 2 Gameplay Reveal - 12 Minute Demo - IGN Video", Ign.com, 2013-04-10; Roberts, "Official Xbox Magazine | GamesRadar", Oxm.co.uk, 2014-09-11; Roberts, "Official Xbox Magazine | GamesRadar", Oxm.co.uk, 2014-09-11; Robinson, "Dark Souls 2 out on March 14, PC version to follow •", Eurogamer.net, 2013-09-19 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  5. Wikipedia, "Dark Souls II" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin Brings "New Game Plus" to the Next Level", USGamer, 6 February 2015 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  6. Wikipedia, "Dark Souls II" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Clements, "Dark Souls II Announced", IGN, December 7, 2012; Kain, "'Dark Souls 2' Announced At VGA 2012 - Coming To Xbox 360, PS3 And PC", December 8, 2012; "Dark Souls 2 a direct sequel to first title, may not make 2013", VG247, December 15, 2012; "Dark Souls 2 a direct sequel to first title, may not make 2013", VG247, December 15, 2012 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  7. Wikipedia, "Dark Souls II" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Houghton, "Xbox Games, News & Reviews | GamesRadar", Totalxbox.com, 2014-09-11 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  8. Wikipedia, "Dark Souls II" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Dark Souls 2 could have DLC after all, depending on fan feedback", Joystiq.com, 2014-02-01 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  9. "Massive Dark Souls 2 patch introduces the Scholar of the First Sin Feb. 5", Polygon, 15 January 2015. facts only, no text reused. polygon.com

Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Dark Souls II (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.

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1. Which company published "Dark Souls II"?

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Sources

Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.

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