I changed my mind and decided to finish the DLC. I don’t like to leave things unfinished if I can help it. Overall Dark Souls 2 was a frustrating experience. Bosses and levels are often underwhelming and over before they started. I repeatedly found myself thinking “that’s it?” Others are so infuriating they feel like a cruel joke, just sticking a middle finger in your face rather than actually making a decent level.

It’s also mechanically a bit jank in comparison to others. It’s flat out not fun to play until you’ve levelled up agility either - dodging is unreliable and healing is too slow. Playing the DLC is an interesting experience, because it’s probably the most the game actually felt like a souls game. It feels like the missing link between Dark Souls 1 and 3 that the rest of the game doesn’t. Its levels are larger, with layers, branching paths and shortcuts. Enemies are spaced at reasonable distances. Bosses are actually challenging.

I’m exaggerating a little, but as much as I preferred the DLC, it also felt very familiar. Dark Souls 2 for all its flaws does feel unique. It’s visually striking and frequently beautiful. It’s unpredictable and intriguing, and still has some memorable moments. I can see why some gravitate to it. It’s got a weirdness to it that’s fun to engage with, particularly after playing the other Souls games. I’m glad I played it, but I don’t think I’ll be going back. Maybe to Majula, or Heide’s Tower of Flame, just to stare at that gorgeous sea and sky.