1. Improved Main Game Experience
Main game difficulty eased and convenience added
- Reduced monster attack delay and eased stagger timing
- Added difficulty selection function (Guidance of the Butterfly, Path of the Legend)
- Improved Ergo UI allows immediate confirmation of level-up availability
- Immediate use of decisions possible from Ergo consumption screen
Easier difficulty allows quick entry into DLC section
2. Initial Impressions and Difficulty of DLC
Difficulty spikes rapidly after entering DLC
- Reminiscent of main game difficulty before easing
- Added frozen status ailment
- High monster damage and health
Field difficulty is still high, but off-beat attacks are mitigated by adjusting monster windups
Convenience provided by placing Stargazers after defeating elite monsters
3. Story and Direction
Story following Lea Florence
Story conveyed through cutscenes and audio logs
Improved story intuitiveness and immersion
Improved camera direction
- Emphasis on building scenery, zoom out according to boss motions, etc.
- Increased immersion and convenience
Includes section explaining events prior to the main game
4. Boss Fight: Disappointing Reward Design
Disappointment in boss reward design
- Special rewards (weapons, amulets) provided for only 3 out of 8 bosses
- Bland rewards such as enhancement materials and cosmetic items
5. Boss Fight: Improved Balancing and Design
Bosses themselves are improved compared to the main game
- Reduced windup shenanigans (except for Tyrant Devourer)
- Improved balancing: Health designed according to pattern difficulty
High quality of multi-vs-one boss fight (Puppet Master Marchiona)
- Pattern diversity and design containing human malice
- Excellent visibility: String glows red when puppet attacks, clearly indicating target change
- Device to reduce unpleasantness of attacks from outside the camera
6. Boss Fight: Major Boss Analysis
Puppet Master Marchiona
- Strategy requiring securing damage opportunities by destroying puppets
Misery-Blinded Relic Owner
- Typical large boss design
- Easy attacks, high health, powerful one-shot
Blood Artist Arlecchino
- Phase 1: Combo attacks of 6 or more hits difficult to evade/guard, recovery catch
- Phase 2: Reminiscent of Radahn after eating Wegovy, 21-hit opening pattern, breakage debuff
7. Final Evaluation and Expectations
Analysis of Arlecchino Phase 2 pattern
- Short delay after combo, important to utilize Regain
- Quick takedown upon pattern break
Overall, a DLC that was fun to play
Souls-like experience without being unpleasant
Expectations for Dorothy's future appearance and DLC/sequel