There's no doubt that Dark Souls players are very hardcore.
While most casual players might have just finished ringing the bells and started a new journey of suffering,
some dedicated players have already beaten the game at least once.
Meanwhile, passionate players have even drawn out the maps for every area in Dark Souls: Age of Fire.
Besides all that, as players kept exploring, they also figured out some ways that let beginners go full power in their first run.
It's the real kind of hack-and-slash, not the kind where monsters hack down the player.
The simplest method is at the Hellkite Bridge. Early on, buy a bow and arrows from the Undead Burg outside the city.
Then at the bridge, slowly shoot the dragon's tail. After twenty or thirty shots, the tail will break and you'll get the Drake Sword.
Even though it's just an early-game weapon, in the Undead Burg area, an undead holding the Drake Sword is the coolest one around.
For those who want a bit more of a skill challenge, they can practice parkour, head straight to the Catacombs, make a pact with the Gravelord, and get the Gravelord Sword.
This method is very simple, as long as the player is good at running through maps and doesn't get killed halfway.
The only part that's harder and requires some luck is the giant headless Titanite Demon in the tunnel.
Not only do you have to dodge its massive attacks, you also have to hide inside the nearby stone coffin and hope for the best.
Because the Titanite Demon might spot you and execute you.
But if you stay inside the coffin for half a minute, you'll be taken to the Gravelord's chamber and can sign the pact.
Compared to your starter weapon with less than 100 base attack, the Gravelord Sword's 300 base attack makes the early game almost a power trip if you just play a bit carefully. The experience is amazing.
On top of that, in Darkroot Garden, there's a mighty Black Knight holding a halberd.
If you lure him close to the cliff and use the terrain like a sneaky undead, you might get the Black Knight Halberd.
Just like the Gravelord Sword, once you get the halberd, the whole game becomes easier.
But compared to the Gravelord Sword, the halberd has slightly higher requirements for the player.
You can also kill Black Knights to see if they drop the Black Knight Sword, but that depends on both skill and luck.
Even though in later playthroughs the Gravelord Sword isn't that great when upgraded, and the halberd is only "usable,"
for a first run they're absolutely awesome, letting players feel how easy and fun the game can actually be.
Compared to the previous game, where the second boss was the infamous Dancer and people had to suffer through that, the new game is much more painful when played normally, but with these tricks it's just too enjoyable!
As more guides and videos from veteran players came out, everyone got excited.
Of course, in later playthroughs players will still have to suffer and pay back all the lessons they skipped, but who cares?
Right now, they're having fun!
"Haha, Lucas never saw this coming!"
"Heh, suffering? Doesn't exist! Power trip feels amazing!"
"+1, this halberd is so strong, bosses go down in just a few hits!"
"Everyone hurry up and enjoy it, before Lucas patches the loophole!"
"Exactly, exactly, enjoy it while it lasts!"
The "undead" online were laughing their heads off.
...
In Nebula Games' experience store, Rachel and Anna were in the lounge playing Dark Souls: Age of Fire.
One of them was tearing through the Undead Burg with the newly obtained Gravelord Sword, while the other was still trying to get the halberd.
"Lucas, are we fixing this?" Hector, sitting next to Lucas, asked.
"Why would we fix it? It's part of the game." Lucas smiled as he answered.
Hearing that, Hector looked surprised.
Something feels off!
Going by the cruel settings in the development of Dark Souls: Age of Fire, the players are already going all out, so why are they still so calm?
"What's with that look? I've been really taking care of the players, I just don't say it out loud. In the last game, people kept complaining it was too hard, some even used cheats to keep playing. But in this one, the normal route still keeps the difficulty high, while at the same time I gave players a way to 'skip class.' This is all for the players, this is all my love!" Lucas said with emotion.
Hearing Lucas's words, Hector was speechless, and Rachel and Anna, who were playing next to them, rolled their eyes.
They didn't believe it at all!
Seeing their expressions, Lucas could only spread his hands helplessly.
Trust between people is really getting more and more scarce!
"Oh right, Hector, take a look at this. This afternoon, have the project team start working on the new mode. Tomorrow you'll come with me to Galaxy Intelligent Technology to check out the latest AI settings and parameters, so we can match them with the new mode." Lucas handed Hector a design draft.
Hector froze for a moment, then took the draft from Lucas.
When he saw the first four words, his hand trembled.
"Death Mode!"
A bad feeling welled up inside him.
Then he looked further down at the contents and the keywords.
[The Gods and Lords of Fire in Their Prime]
[Unlocked by players who finish a first run]
Hector hadn't even read the rest, but just seeing these two points, he already understood.
Going to Galaxy Intelligent Technology definitely had to do with applying AI tech to the game.
And this "Gods and Lords of Fire in Their Prime" made Hector think of the game's setting.
In the game, the final boss was Lord of Cinder Gwyn—just an empty shell burning away, fighting only on instinct, not even using his famous Sunlight Spear.
From the setting, that was meant to show Gwyn's weakness, as well as his resolve to burn himself away by linking the fire.
But in terms of gameplay, Gwyn was weaker than many other bosses, especially since he could be parried.
But now???
A Gwyn that couldn't be parried, and could throw Sunlight Spears too?
The most important point: "Death Mode" unlocks after the first run!
Even though he never believed a word Lucas said before, Hector never imagined that this was what Lucas had prepared for the players!
After reading the whole draft, Hector opened the game forums. He saw players still happily posting under guides and videos with comments like "Lucas messed up," "Lucas showed mercy," and "Time to enjoy ourselves." He couldn't help but sigh deeply.
Lucas would always be Lucas!
(End of The Chapter)
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