If video games were a fraternity, Dark Souls II would be it's hazing ritual. Namco Bandai and From Software's much anticipated sequel is going to shame you with horrific deaths that you should have seen coming but somehow didn't. It's punishing difficulty spikes and insanely challenging boss battles will make you question just how much you really want to dedicate to finishing the game - but please, do finish. Dark Souls 2 may be one of the most difficult games you'll play but it's also one of the most satisfying. Finishing each tough quest will feel like a major victory and you'll want to keep pressing on now matter how many times you die. Dark Souls II is miles ahead of both of it's predecessors and a game that not everyone will love, but everyone should experience.

"Dark Souls II refuses to hold your hand..."

Much of the structure of Dark Souls II is carried over from Demon Souls and the original Dark Souls. If you were worried that more exposure would pressure From Software and Namco Bandai to make you a more accessible title, worry no more - Dark Souls II is full of the same sadistic pacing, fragile characters and cheap traps that made the other games such a pain to lovingly endure. Dark Souls II refuses to hold your hand the way most mainstream games do, and save for a bit of explanation towards the beginning of the game, pushes you into the deep end of the pool without warning, expecting you to fend for yourself. The result is a game about exploration, failure and ultimately a rewarding feeling like no other in gaming.

There are some changes here from previous games, but they're more modifications and tweaks than anything else. Enemies no longer constantly spawn after beating them, so players won't be able to spend hours grinding against lower class enemies and as a result you'll be forced to take on some of the game's tougher moments as the designers intended. For all of it's difficulty though, Dark Souls II is pretty steadily paced and allows you plenty of chances to level up before taking on some of the game's bigger enemies.

"...but just remember, you're doing so at your own peril."

Though there's a definite path that Dark Souls II points you down, you're free to explore the world at your own pace, but just remember, you're doing so at your own peril. There were quite a few times that I wandered into situations that my lower level character was nowhere near ready for but that's a major part of the trial and error style gameplay that makes Dark Souls II so invigorating. There are also multiple ways to handle each encounter and path, mainly dependent on your chosen class; your level and what gear you've collected.

Much like its predecessors, Dark Souls II wants to tell you a story, but it also does so without the need for long-winded dialogue and exposition. The story is told mainly through your own gameplay and your own decisions though its still very liner so you'll have an end-point but with over 80 hours of content, you're not going to fins it very soon.

Like Demon Souls and the original Dark Souls before it, Dark Souls II is not for everyone. It's a punishing and insanely difficult test of not just your video gaming prowess but your sanity and dedication at the same time. It is also however one of the most rewarding and satisfying games I've ever played and those who survive it's massive amount of content and live to tell the tale will find have a badge of honor of sorts. You're going to hate Dark Souls II but strangely you'll also love every minute of it.