Dark Souls 2 will offer more freedom than the first game, Namco Bandai has revealed.

Director Yui Tanimura said that more open progression was a focus, and teased that players won't have to go to certain places in a specific order, as with the original.

© Namco Bandai

'Dark Souls 2' will offer more freedom, says the game's director

"Freedom of exploration is something we want to prioritise for Dark Souls 2, even more so than Dark Souls 1," he told Digital Spy.

"In Dark Souls 1, you were able to travel to several areas, but hopefully for Dark Souls 2, there you have more freedom to explore throughout the game."

He continued: "We realise in Dark Souls 1 there were some certain orders, like ringing the bells or going to Anor Londo, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

"In Dark Souls 2, we're hoping we can provide more freedom so things don't have to necessarily be done in a certain order.

© Namco Bandai

'Dark Souls 2'

"We're hoping that if the player tries hard enough, or are willing enough, they could even start halfway through the game, depending on how willing or how brave they are."

When discussing how the player approaches the end stages of the game, Tanimura said that while the goal of "trying to cure a curse" is the same, how you reach the latter stages "is dependent on the player".

"You won't have to follow a certain line, it will be unique for all players, I think," he said.

"It might be an interesting aspect that players will be able to enjoy a little bit more than Dark Souls 1."

Recent new Dark Souls 2 videos demonstrated some of the new character classes available.

Tanimura recently vowed that more care will be taken on the PC edition of the game, admitting that the original was inferior to its console counterparts.

Dark Souls 2 will be coming to Xbox 360 and PS3 in March 2014, but was recently listed for the PS4 by a European retailer.

Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a496115/dark-souls-2-to-offer-more-freedom-can-start-halfway-if-brave-enough.html#ixzz2YSAbG9cs

Why would you skip half the game for? It might as well not be there, if you can do that

I figure some will like to use this option on their second/later playthroughs. Kinda like where you skip the tutorial part in Demon's Souls on your New Game +

so excited. Wish there was a wii u version

most people won't on their first play though.

spiritually, DS did the best job of recreating the best parts of super metroid from any modern game i've played.  the little secrets that let you skip entire sections of the game or put them in a different order is part of that formula.  it's just fun knowing you are "winning" against the game.  the extra challenge is very rewarding.

anyhoo, sounds like good stuff.  i just hope the skippable pathways are secrets and not just truely open world.  more satisfying that way when you discover a shortcut.

If this is true, it'll make the NG+'s a bit...easier...simply being less boss fights to haggle through. But, again, on the first play through, it'll be an interesting challenge.

Increased freedom is always welcome. An already perfect game became even better.

No, it doesn't, since the bosses will crush you anyway on NG+. Think of the Four Kings.

I hope they don't waste the potential (challenge) that achievements could have in this game. Having a more open game and being able to challenge bosses at different times makes the replayability go thru the roof. Super pumped for this game.