Does online matter?

In fact two questions.

When I went to XB1 I was due for Gold renewal so I just went for a new LIVE account altogether to start afresh on XB1 (don't bother to ask why, I frequently did the same over the years rather than renew, I'm an odd bod). So anyway my X360 gold account lapsed
a month or so ago and I have no real intention of renewing it as DS2 will probably be the last game I bother with on the 360.

So I get no online options when I play DS2 which I don't really mind BUT...

Is the game still playable? Is there a fatal flaw with playing offline only before I get too far?

And speaking of getting too far if at all. If I'm struggling real bad getting over those Knights guarding Helga's Flame tower (or whatever it is) early game - am I kidding myself and may as well give up now? I don't mind the maddening challenge but at the
same time if these blokes are giving it to me real bad am I any hope against the harder ones, like even the very first boss?

For the record I'm a Cleric because I wanted... needed that healing thing.

I'm trying to get through the Flame Tower to get that ring that stops hollowing at 75% odd. I need it, I reaaaaly NEED IT. I'm a walking corpse with only 1 effigy so if I don't get it soon I'm dust.

:)

 

How does online work?

Actually Im having kid of the same problem to I wanted to show my friend my world and we had connected before on the day of the update and got on each others world. This time I tried checking off online game so he could go on but it wouldn't check same thing
for him to. We both have Xbox live but only the free version that came with our Kinects is that the problemor is it something else pls help

 

How does online work?

People on your friends list need to be playing it at the same time as you

 

Online support will definitely enhance the experience. Granting help to someone on a boss is a quick way to farm souls and practice the boss fight. Receiving help on a boss is a life-saver!

I would go back and start in the Forest of Fallen Giants, it's a bit easier than the tower.

 

Make sure your character is light enough to do fast roll. When they take a swing at you roll to their right side and then just stay behind them. They will swing three times (sometimes four) and then pause. Hit them during this pause. You should be able
to get in 4 hits during this time. Two hand your weapon for more damage.

It may take some practice to get this down but its a skill well worth mastering.

 

Another option would be to just run past them. They are really slow and you should be able to easily dodge their attacks.

 

I actually took the plunge yesterday and renewed for 3 months just for this game. and I'm glad I did if for nothing else but the tips, they've already put me onto a shield I walked straight passed and other invaluable warnings etc. Funny watching some deaths
too, especially the fools jumping off cliffs I suspect just to bait you to follow.

Question there - how do you leave a message? This game is maddening for it's lack of instruction for a beginner. Plenty of things I got no idea about and am learning the hard often fatal way.

And have given up on the Knights for now and am stumbling around the forest doing somewhat better but still getting smashed. I've given that big floating Knight a miss for now though after the first half dozen attempts, got no idea what to do with him.

 

I would recommend going back to Heide's Tower of Flame a bit later, maybe after you've killed the Pursuer boss. Otherwise, I think it's possible to lure them off the cliffs. I know you can kill the Dragonrider by making him throw himself off the cliff.

 

Barry . . . . there is an NPC that you meet a short bit into the game. Pate. He's not far after The Forest of Fallen Giants, just a bit past The Cardinal Tower bonfire.

These games are incredible, but maddening for sure with lack of instructions.

Pate will give you the White Soapstone and you leave your Summon Sign using that.

I have a second character I'm starting for fun if we're close in levels maybe we shall commence some Jolly Co-Op!

 

To drop your sign, you need the white sign soapstone or the small version, but to leave a message you do that through the menu. Hit the start button and select the second tab from the right.

 

Thanks, I found the message thing and am using it. Seems I'm one of the few offering genuine tips (as I see them), most are trying to bait you over a cliff or to kill a friend or the most lame over-used unoriginal of all "but hole" and/or "try chest then
but hole".

oh yeah, hilarious after the thouuuuusanth time. Kids, if you haven't got anything original to say you haven't got anything to say.

 

I never play online, I really never like the online in DS they sould have added a dedicated co-op mode, playing with friends makes games 100 times more enjoyable.

 

If you use the name-engraved ring, you pretty much can do a dedicated co-op mode.

 

"They should have added a dedicated co-op mode"

Yeah. Nah. This game already caters to the casuals too much.