After more than 400 hours of playing time the conclusion is that DS2 is still a good game and also a dark soul.However, the atmosphere and especially the level design (!) of DS1 is not as good as DS1.There are no such genius tricks as the depths, Blighttown or Sens Fortress from DS 1 which are ingeniously connected with each other. Often the level gets so exhausted, long, dull corridors that end in big rooms with elevators. There are exceptions now and then, but sometimes you get the feeling that the developers didn't feel like it. Proper levels (e.g., Forest of Fallen Giants, lost bastille or no man's wharf) face catastrophes like black gulch or the bad undead crypt. When I think of the Catacombs or tomb of the Giants from part 1, I get melancholic.Nevertheless DS 2 is packed with action and secrets. Many weapons you can try out and also the multiplayer has been improved me. Meaningless backstab fishing is over. However, personal skill counts only about 50%. You hardly have a chance against a level 800 opponent unless you bring as many levels with you. With DS1 you could beat everything with a level 100 character, you were only good enough.All in all DS 2 is fun. 4 stars would not have been enough for the duration of the game. So 4,5. Rounded up to 5.Praise the sun and git gud!