Topic: Dark Souls - Demon's Souls Follow up!

[MysterD]

Durante's DSFix V 1.0 for Dark Souls PC introduces reconfigurable controls on KB/mouse via an INI file and SSAO support.

DSfix 1.0
Posted on 2012-09-07

This version fixes the following issues:
Crashing when alt-tabbing back into fullscreen mode
Correctly restore the render pipeline after the SMAA step (this may fix the sporadic issues with SMAA)

It introduces these features:
All the hotkeys are now configurable in DSfixKeys.ini
Integrated SSAO. Note that there are still some artifacts caused by the effect. The adventurous can enable the “reloadSSAOEffect” keybinding and try to tweak the VSSAO.fx effect file.

I’m not happy with the current state of the SSAO, but I wanted to get the release out because of the bugfixes and configurable keybindings that people asked for.

[Xessive]

Wow, I wish we had this guy working on Ghost Recon Future Soldier!

[MysterD]

Wow, I wish we had this guy working on Ghost Recon Future Soldier!

Given the disaster you said GR:FS PC is - yeah, that'd probably help, hehe!

Hehe, it's amazing that ONE person has took it upon himself to fix all this.
Seriously - FROM Software needs to hire this guy for PC ports, send him money, or do something. He's basically FIXING and IMPROVING From's basic-lazy port.
Oh, it gets better...
Durante's next patch looks like it will have "1080p DoF with fast high quality separable gaussian blur support."
And DSFix Version 1.1 is probably coming sometime today...

[Quemaqua]

Awesome. I'm really tempted to pick this up. I want to play the game again so badly.

[MysterD]

DSFix 1.1 released by Durante for Dark Souls PC.

DSfix 1.1
Posted on 2012-09-09
This is a rather big one.

Bugfixes:
SSAO depth buffer inaccuracy fixed. Removes line artifacts from SSAO.
Added further renderpipeline state restoration after SMAA and checks whether we are at the correct stage. May (again) fix the SMAA issues some people are having.
Fixed windows scaling issue when toggling between borderless windowed fullscreen and windowed mode.

New features:
SSAO is now configurable in the .ini, with 3 strength presets (low, medium and high).
Optional high-quality DoF blur. This allows you to set the sharpness as intended while still maintaining very high DoF image quality.
And maybe the most requested one: HUD on/off toggle as bindable key action. Default is the right Ctrl key.

I’m a bit burnt out now after basically spending ~90% of my free time on this for almost 3 weeks.
I’ll probably start getting the fix cleaned up for an open source release so that others can pick up the torch.

From Durante's new DS Fix FAQ V2 -- we might see his DSFix go open-source as soon as next weekend.

Will you release the source code?
Yes, as soon as it is at least remotely presentable and I no longer make large changes daily. I hope it will help people attempt similar things for other games and/or implement the 100s of features people are asking for in Dark Souls that I will never get to. I guess it should be ready some time next weekend.

EDIT:
DSFix V 1.2 adds texture-override functionality for custom textures!
DSFix V 1.3 adds support for the HUD - resizable HUD, minimal HUD support & HUD opacity settings.

[MysterD]

DSFix Source Code released into the wild.
DSFix Version 1.4 released.

[nickclone]

Totally stole this game to see how bad it really is...and it is bad. I spent several minutes in the jail cell (at the beginning), pushing every button on the keyboard to try and loot the corpse. The developers didn't even bother changing the control commands that pop up on screen from the Xbox version.

[MysterD]

PC Gamer -> Modder Nwks releases Dark Souls 60 FPS Unlocker Mod for offline mode only so far (which requires Durante's DSFix and GFWL protector disabler).

[idolminds]

Console DLC coming Oct 24th

The new and additional Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss content will be released on Xbox Live and PSN on 24th October, Namco Bananas has said.

[Quemaqua]

Happy times.

[TheOtherBelmont]

Console DLC coming Oct 24th
 

Awesome, I would like to play through this again with a new character.  I've been hearing good things about the DLC content itself.

[Ghandi]

I bought this on a whim a few weeks ago. I remembered reading the Demons Souls thread here long ago and enjoying it despite knowing nothing about what I was reading. I've been using a 360 controller, I didn't even bother with the keyboard as I assumed that I would be as frustrated as Nickclone - the devs basically said if it was going to PC it was going to be a direct port and don't bother expecting anything else. And, as a result, you pretty much have to download the latest DXFix that MysterD posted, since the game defaults to 1024x768 without it.

I'm not sure what the easy mode is, I saw something about it after I bought it but I haven't looked for the option so I don't know if it's there. The game is pretty challenging but is tons of fun. Running through an area for the first time and figuring out how to tackle it (or just to let it be for now) is lots of fun. It's not a game that I play much, but once a week or so I load it up and knock out a section that I've been on for a minute. Getting to the next bonfire or beating the boss that has been kicking your ass is pretty rewarding.

[TheOtherBelmont]

I bought this on a whim a few weeks ago. I remembered reading the Demons Souls thread here long ago and enjoying it despite knowing nothing about what I was reading. I've been using a 360 controller, I didn't even bother with the keyboard as I assumed that I would be as frustrated as Nickclone - the devs basically said if it was going to PC it was going to be a direct port and don't bother expecting anything else. And, as a result, you pretty much have to download the latest DXFix that MysterD posted, since the game defaults to 1024x768 without it.

I'm not sure what the easy mode is, I saw something about it after I bought it but I haven't looked for the option so I don't know if it's there. The game is pretty challenging but is tons of fun. Running through an area for the first time and figuring out how to tackle it (or just to let it be for now) is lots of fun. It's not a game that I play much, but once a week or so I load it up and knock out a section that I've been on for a minute. Getting to the next bonfire or beating the boss that has been kicking your ass is pretty rewarding.

There is no easy mode on this game.  It was something being considered by the game director for the next game they do that some news sites ran articles on.  Glad to hear you're enjoying it though.

[MysterD]

DSFix V 1.5 released - which also incorporates Nwk's 60 FPS mod.

It’s been a while, but I just released a new version of DSfix!

Bugfixes:
Fixed an issue with SSAO being rendered on top of particle effects/fog/water, instead of below them.
Improved the method used to determine when in the render pipeline to apply SMAA/SSAO, and also included more robust renderstate management. (This may fix the random display corruption issue people have been sporadically reporting ever since SMAA was included)
Tweaked the SSAO parameters a bit

New features:
As many modders requested, you can now load .dds texture overrides in addition to .png
It is now possible to set the desired target FPS of the game in the .ini, thanks to Nwks (Clément Barnier)! (This is fully integrated and also works correctly together with the intro skip feature)

Regarding the FPS override feature, please carefully read the notes in the .ini
This is the most invasive feature of DSfix, and thus carries the highest risk.

I am well aware that there are still many issues remaining with the minimal HuD, and since it seems like no one is fixing them I will get back to it at some point.

As for the performance requirements of 60 FPS, personally (after disabling all power management options for my GPU and CPU) I can mostly maintain 60 FPS at 1080p, 810 DoF with DoF blur 1, SMAA 4 and SSAO 2. This is on an i7 920 at 3.6 GHz and a 660ti.

EDIT -> 9-29-2012:
DSFix 1.6.1 released.

DSfix 1.6.1
Posted on 2012-09-29
Sorry about the bug in 1.6, it *should* be fixed now.

Changelog:
Fixed sporadic graphics issues introduced in 1.6
Fixed modified HUD issues with very long spell names
Fixed modified HUD issues with “POISONED”/”BLOOD LOSS” text

EDIT -> 9-30-2012:
DSFix 1.7 released.

DSfix 1.7
Posted on 2012-09-29
And one more for the road.

Changes:
Re-implemented the FPS limiter. It’s quite exact now and also performed at a better point in time (before presenting the frame)
Made frame period calculation (for animation) slightly more exact
Added FPS thresholding for SMAA. What this means is that you can supply a value – say 45 FPS – and if the game is in danger of dropping below that, SMAA will be disabled. It will be re-enabled once the framerate is safely above the threshold again.

[MysterD]

Damn, this game is BRUTAL. :-x "Prepare To Die Edition"? More like "You're Dead Edition."

Anyways, the combat is awesome! It's kinda too bad that...I kinda suck at this game and am still trying to get used to the combat itself and its controls. I didn't care for the graphics quality and low-res (1024x768) out the box, so I'm running DSFix at 30 FPS since I'm playing online, since using Framerate unlocker feature to 60 FPS can and will result in a G4WL/XBL ban (b/c doing so modifies the game code) - certainly NOT interested in that.

I've made my way...

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...to the Taurus Demon - and still trying to beat this guy. Been trying for HOURS!!

Always interesting to read the Messages players leave; AND see their Ghosts and how they died.

Despite constant flow of death, I can't STOP playing this damn thing...
Must go play...MORE.

[Quemaqua]

I grabbed it on the sale price. Bit wasteful of me, but I can't help it. This is one of the best games I've ever played, I wanted to try it on the PC, and wouldn't mind going through again at some point, especially now that I know the ropes.

D:

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Firebombs are immensely helpful with that dude if you can't manage him manually, but look out, it only gets harder from there.

[MysterD]

I grabbed it on the sale price. Bit wasteful of me, but I can't help it. This is one of the best games I've ever played, I wanted to try it on the PC, and wouldn't mind going through again at some point, especially now that I know the ropes.

D:

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Firebombs are immensely helpful with that dude if you can't manage him manually, but look out, it only gets harder from there.

Thanks a lot for the advice...

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In 1 battle w/ Taurus Demon, I got him down to half easily w/ some bombs, had a few bombs left, but then he bum-rushed me, and basically knocked me off the damn bridge when I tried to roll out of his way.

Will try again soon!

[MysterD]

Dark Souls: Artorias Of The Abyss DLC
REVIEWS

Scored out of 10
Metro -> Dark Souls: PTD Edition PC Review / Artorias Of The Abyss DLC console version review -> 9.
Eurogamer -> 9.
GamerLimit -> 9
OXM -> 9
GameTrailers -> 8.5

[MysterD]

I beat that boss last night! Finally!

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So, last night, I did it - defeated Taurus Demon.
How'd I do it? I took the advise of two messages from players I found in-game while online and playing. I love the messages system - and how players litter the ground w/ these.
1st message = "Try a plunging attack";
2nd message = "Close-ranged combat."

So, to start the battle - I ran away; went up ladder; and then when he was beneath me; I did a plunging attack off the tower. Then, I just stayed close, kept swinging - and decimated him.

B/c the game is so punishing, the feeling of victory is just so awesome, so sweet & so satisfying!

...But then, after a little bit talking to an NPC and then walking...

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...Ran into next obstacle of an area w/ a bunch of enemies on a bridge. Walked across it, then a Dragon came down and BURNED me - and ruined my armor. Switched out to some other gear. Great, back to the Bonfire area not too far from Taurus Demon - but thank God I didn't have to fight him AGAIN!

Anyways, a player left a message "RUN!"

Followed the player's instructions and made it to the bonfire.
SAVED; and called it a night last night.

This game is just downright BRUTAL!

Every time I die, I have the feeling of "Shit! I MUST get those lost SOULS back", so I can get to a Bonfire, upgrade, and be ready to try to battle some more enemies....and eventually be ready for whatever boss will come my way.
It seems b/c of the way this game's designed (with the lost SOULS being the carrot), it's a never-ending cycle of "I must go back for more!"

[Quemaqua]

Yep. That about sums it up. But it just gets better and deeper and richer as it goes and you dig into the world. Also harder. Way way harder.

[MysterD]

Yep. That about sums it up. But it just gets better and deeper and richer as it goes and you dig into the world. Also harder. Way way harder.

I think if enemies didn't respawn after a Bonfine, this game would be even MORE DIFFICULT. That might've been the point of no return for me OR flat-out take a vacation away from this game for quite some time - but, this isn't the case. It keeps pulling my back in, eventually.

But b/c of the enemies respawning when you hit a Bonfire - once you figure out how to defeat certain enemies or bosses, you can (more or less) grind your way to eventual success. If I die; I get sent back to the last Bonfire; grind some more; get some more NEW souls + then get my Lost Souls back; and then level-up at a Bonfire (whether either I go back to last Bonfire OR actually make my way to next Bonfire).

Damn, this game....is something else.

[MysterD]

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I fought the Moonlight Butterfly - and defeated that. That fight was much easier than my trials & tribulations w/ the Taurus Demon.
I've made my way today to the Capra Demon....and, well, I ain't beat him yet.

[Quemaqua]

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Seems weird... Capra should come well before Moonlight Butterfly, but I'm having trouble remembering which tracks you have to follow to get to the Butterfly. I guess... under the bridge? I'm blanking on how a few things connect. Either way, seems weird. I think Butterfly was my 4th boss, Capra my 2nd. As I recall. Dude is a bitch, though, for sure. Though my build did not do so well with the Butterfly either. Didn't have any magic resistance really so had to rely on rolling perfectly and timing things right and wait out each interval before the thing would set down so I could hit it. Long fight for me.

[Xessive]

You masochists! Super Meat Boy is at least entertaining, this is torture! Make some snuff films out of your in-game footage!

[MysterD]

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Seems weird... Capra should come well before Moonlight Butterfly, but I'm having trouble remembering which tracks you have to follow to get to the Butterfly. I guess... under the bridge? I'm blanking on how a few things connect. Either way, seems weird. I think Butterfly was my 4th boss, Capra my 2nd. As I recall. Dude is a bitch, though, for sure. Though my build did not do so well with the Butterfly either. Didn't have any magic resistance really so had to rely on rolling perfectly and timing things right and wait out each interval before the thing would set down so I could hit it. Long fight for me.

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To get to Moonlight Butterfly, I took the route to cross The Bridge w/ the Dragon; go down to Blacksmith; then through The Gardens. Hardest part w/ The Moonlight Butterfly was getting the damn dodging timing down. That took me a while. Without being locked-onto Butterfly, it was hit & miss for me, when dodging its projectiles - so, running and jumping worked....sometimes.
1. Basically, you locked onto the Butterfly, and you rolled when the projectile got near. Sometimes, rolling twice in a row is a good idea.
2. When dude drops down and is vulnerable; two-hand your weapon (for more damage) and keep attacking until he's ready to do his exploding suicide attack.
3. GET AWAY when he's gearing up to do the exploding attack.
4. Go back Step #1.

Defeating Butterfly got me a key, so I could go to the Undead Burg & unlock an area that you couldn't access earlier. I went back to where to Bonfire is near there - and then opened the door to go down the stairs and battle a bunch of fast thieves & dogs in what looks to be what used to be mini-city of some kind. Eventually, that leads you to Capra Demon. There's a route back to Firelink Shrine - which is where I went back & took my last Bonfire at, b/c there's a lady who sells a lot of items. She sold me a TON of poisonous throwing knives - I'm gonna try & battle the Capra Demon and his dogs w/ that.

[Quemaqua]

I still think this is probably the best game of its kind ever made. Hardly masochistic to enjoy oneself so much.

[Xessive]

I still think this is probably the best game of its kind ever made. Hardly masochistic to enjoy oneself so much.

Haha it's masochistic to enjoy so much torture!

I just like to bust on this game and rip on you guys

[Pugnate]

You just need to be more patient with the game, put your pride aside, and pick your battles. Honestly, I didn't die nearly so much.

[Xessive]

You just need to be more patient with the game, put your pride aside, and pick your battles. Honestly, I didn't die nearly so much.

I don't know man.. I can't go ninja, causin' all kinds of ninjuries to my unwary foes! It's no fun!

[MysterD]

Kotaku -> SPOILERS - Purpose of the Pendant in Dark Souls.

Dark Souls was notoriously one of the most challenging games of 2011. It killed players over and over, sometimes rewarding patience and determination in the face of death and failure with yet more death and failure.

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And if players felt like the game was trolling them? Well, they may have been right. At least, about one certain thing.

In an interview with IGN, game director Hidetaka Miyazaki explained outright what the deal with the pendant is. And the answer is: he was having fun on the audience.

The pendant is an optional starting gift when a player begins Dark Souls. It doesn't actually do anything, but Miyazaki said in an interview once that if he were playing, he'd choose the pendant or nothing at all. Players, naturally, then drove themselves and each other a bit crazy trying to suss out any hidden properties, and to follow the reasoning.

But the actual reasoning? As Miyazaki told IGN: "When it comes to the pendant, I actually had a little bit of an intention to play a prank."

Perhaps getting to hear the anguished cries of players worldwide isn't such a farfetched motive for the man who made the game that had what felt like the entirety of Twitter yelling unanimous obscenities for month.

[MysterD]

RockPaperShotgun -> How To Tweak & Mod Dark Souls: PTD PC.

[MysterD]

FINALLY defeated The Capra Demon today!!

Here's how I did it!

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Basically, ran and jumped as quick as I could to get to the stairs, before Capra can even hit you and dogs can try to swarm you.
Run to the top and battle the dogs one-by-one on the ledge next to top of stairs.

With the dogs gone, this will be easier to take on Capra.

Whenever you're on the ledge...
1. While Capra's below you - toss knives and/or firebombs at him (this worked GREAT for me!); OR just do the Jumping Down Plunging Swing.
2. If you plunge down - DON'T battle him head-on, just run back up the stairs and to top of the ledge; go back to Step 1.
3. Anytime he finally decides to chase you when you're on the ledge, wait for him to come up a bit; you jump down; and when he jumps down with or behind you just RUN back up the stairs to the top of the ledge; go back to Step 1.

[gpw11]

I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW TO PLAY THIS?!

[Xessive]

I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW TO PLAY THIS?!

Yeah.. I know how you feel.

After giving it more time (a lot more than it deserves) due to a friend who encouraged me to play it, I now understand it but I don't see how it's fun in any way. It's a game that doesn't respect the player and that's why I'm convinced that people who do enjoy it are masochistic and enjoy a little punishment *cough*Que*cough*

[TheOtherBelmont]

I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW TO PLAY THIS?!

YOU KILL THINGS WITH THE STABBY/SMASHY/MAGIC PART UNTIL IT DIES!

[MysterD]

Eurogamer -> Modder "Soul Slasher" is working on a First-Person Mode for Dark Souls: PTD (PC)

[idolminds]

I would think a first person mod would make the game harder with no benefit. You lose the situational awareness of things around you.