50 hours in

I really seem to be taking my time with this game. Was surprised to see I have 50 hours clocked up. Some areas I've flown through as by their very nature I was probably overpowered for them. I suppose as there is a separate route to each Old One which get progressively more difficult, when you finish one the beginning of the next will seem easier.

Some of the level design has been excellent and some not so. My main gripe would be the lack of an organic progression from one to the next. Harvest Valley to Earthen Peak fits in terms of theme and geography. The next jump to Iron Keep made no sense in either respect. Heide's Tower to No Man's Wharf felt bizarrely juxtaposed.

Certain areas are almost over before they've begun. Maybe its the extra bonfires (or what feel like "extra" bonfires they're so plentiful!) that make it easier to miss alternate routes as you only see a lot of the sections once before hitting a new checkpoint. Great in terms of reducing frustration but not so good for getting a real feel for the environments. Will definitely have to revisit a couple of the areas, the likes of The Gutter felt as if I went down 2 ladders and then it was over!

I miss the old shortcuts too. The ones that gave you early access to an area (e.g. Valley of Drakes) or a quick path back (e.g. Undead Parish elevator). Maybe there are some in there that I haven't come across. (Can't wait to check all of the secret stuff on YouTube once I get to NG+). There are still some well devised shortcuts within levels ala Demon's Souls but the whole warping dynamic has changed the relationship between areas and makes for a less cohesive gameworld imo.