PixlBit

Okay, our orders are way different right now. For me, it's

1) Dark Souls
2) Demon's Souls
3) Bloodborne
4) Dark Souls 3
5) Dark Souls 2.

 I disagree somewhat about the game having a nice mix though. I feel like shields just get you killed in this game and you should really just roll instead. The problem is there are so many enemies in most areas that having a shield up is just a liability because you're going to lose all of your stamina.

 I had a lot more success just playing the game like Bloodborne and two handing a strength weapon with fuck all armour and a steady dodge finger.

 I feel like DS1 is cool all the way through (apart from the Valley of Defilement which can fuck right off. Also, the treck to the last boss is bullshit), and has some of my favourite level design in the series. I am just a sucker for levels with one checkpoint that weave their way back to the start.

  I know I spent a lot of time getting lost in the swamp. I don't think I spent that much time on multiplayer though. I'm guessing you uncovered all the secret areas because you've mentioned 2 and you can't get to one of them without another you haven't mentioned. I did die a lot to a boss that you haven't mentioned and might not be up to - he's optional and one of the best fights in the series, even if the camera is a tougher foe than he (seriously, breaking lock if the camera moves slightly above you is bullshit.)

 With the magic thing, they fixed it in DS2, and all they really had to do is follow that formula. 

Yeah you're pretty close to finishing. It's definitely better than DS2, but on repeat playthroughs a lot more issues presented themselves than I would like. Some seem to have been patched out like the ludicrous fall damage that forced you to waste estus just to proceed. Others persist though. 

 As much as I love Bloodborne, I wish it would stay out of my Souls. Bloodborne's fast paced combat is great, but part of the reason I fell in love with Dark Souls was because the combat was slow, methodical, and tense. This one is a bit too fast and frantic to truly feel like a Souls game.

 Also, some builds just don't work. With the lock on mechanic probably being the worst in the series, it means a pure ranged build is impossible. I can't be a mage or a pure archer build, and again, one of the reasons I fell in love with Souls was the diversity it offered and that no two playthroughs ever felt the same.

 Idk. I love the game. I love the series. I just have a lot of gripes with it, and I don't think it really matches up to Dark Souls 1, Demon's Souls, or Bloodborne's legacy. I kinda just hope From get to try something new, because that's when the passion seems to really ignite. I especially hope Miyazaki gets to make his Souls-like sci-fi game.

 Although I don't know how you cracked it in 30 hours. It took me 74. I didn't die all that much either, I just went slow and explored every nook and cranny and just absorbed it all.

 Oh... I also played a LOT of the multiplayer. That might have clocked up the runtime.

I listened to the new Deftones album but I didn't really dig it for some reason. I'll have to give another go at some point, as it may be more of a grower.

The game is coming to Xbox One so I'd assume the beta is there too.

This sounds like something that would begin an anime, but spliced in with progressive metal. I dig it.

 Also, this has demon vocals. Have I broken you?

Axiom Verge is the superior pick here in my opinion, but The Sun and the Moon is definitely worth a play if you have the time.

I have not tried that, but after looking at screenshots I'm definitely on board with it.

This game is awesome. If you're wanting some more metroidvania goodness, give Chronicles of Teddy. Combat is a bit sloppy, but it nails the feeling of exploring a foreign world. You slowly learn a new language over the course of the game which is what allows you to enter new places, and you have a system similar to an ocarina for some things.

 It's not the best game ever, but I'm enjoying it at the moment.

Momodora is great. I just wrote a blog about it at destructoid. Might repost it here, but honestly it feels like no one would read it.

Axiom Verge is also quite good, since Nintendo won't make another Metroid game...

The PSP remake is the best game on PSP because you unlock Symphony of the Night.

 I got a spear/staff thing that sets enemies on fire, so I use that in fast mood. And no, they're pretty difficult until you get better gear. Also, drop your equip load if you're having too much trouble. It's like Souls in that equipment slows you down and makes you lose more stamina/regain it slower. Plus if you have low equip you get some precious i frames in your dodge.