Bandai Namco Explains How Dark Souls 2 Will be More Accessible

Dark Souls 2 will still be a harrowing, exigent trek through a grim open world, but developer From Software has gone to great lengths to make the game’s more accessible to a wider audience. Speaking to OXM, Bandai Namco producer Takeshi Miyazoe explained how the team is maintaining the series’ spirit while simultaneously polishing a few of the nagging rough spots.

"It's a lot of things that happen behind the scenes, like the motion capture," Miyazoe explained. "In the previous game, the player motions were hand-animated, whereas this time they're motion-captured by stunt artists."

This will give each and every swing of the sword a more precise feel, without reducing the experience to your average action title slog. The tutorials will also be much improved, giving players a clearer picture of how everything’s strung together.

“In terms of tutorials it will be a little more than in Dark Souls, but we’re not going to explain all the tools you’ll have. We want players to be creative,” he continued.

Those who enjoy dealing with the fear of death at all times might not like these additions, but once again, the core of the franchise will be present in Dark Souls 2. Some of the frustrations, though, should be absent.