Honestly, I’ve never quite understood the hate Dark Souls II gets. Sure, it has a few inconsistencies in level design and some bosses feel less inspired compared to the first game — but mechanically, it’s incredibly deep. The build variety, PvP potential, and the sheer atmosphere make it stand out in its own right. It’s not DS1, and it doesn’t try to be — and that’s exactly why it deserves more respect than it gets.