For console gamers, Dark Souls II is coming out next week. Personal computer gamers, however, have another month and a half to prepare for death as Namco Bandai today confirms that the PC version of Dark Souls II, retail and Steam digital download, will launch on April 25th. Higher texture resolutions and frame rates should make PC players happy for toughing it out a little bit longer to play the game.
Pre-purchase bonuses are now available for the PC release at Steam, GameStop, Amazon, and ClubNamco. Pledging $50 for the game ahead of release will secure a pack of digital extras, including a PDF art book, the complete Dark Souls II comic book (also in PDF format), the official soundtrack in MP3 format, and the Black Armor Weapons Pack DLC containing five shields and five special weapons to use from the beginning for an early survival advantage.
The Black Armor Weapons Pack includes:
Black Flamestone Dagger and Black Flamestone Parma – A dagger and shield encrusted in Black Flamestone both found in the Gutter at Black Gulch. Even though they are heavier than a normal dagger and shield, the Flamestone crystal’s unique properties make the dagger extremely sharp and give the shield high resistance to damage.
Yellow Quartz Longsword and Yellow Quartz Shield – A straight sword and small shield hardened with yellow quartz both uncovered at the bottom of the Iron Keep. Even though these items can break easily due to their high level of corrosion, they are exceptionally light and their power to inflict damage has not declined.
Bound Hand Axe and Bound Wooden Shield – A brutal hand axe and shield found in the Undead Purgatory. Both items are wrapped in chains and thorns to cause additional bleeding on enemies. Both the axe and shield have diminished in overall slashing power but their ability to deliver pain has been deliberately increased.
Homunculus Mace and Homunculus Wooden Shield – A mace and shield with spherical protrusions found in Aldia’s Keep. Although heavier-than-normal maces and shields, the hard protrusions greatly increase the striking power of the mace as well as the shield’s defensive capabilities.
Transgressor’s Staff and Transgressor’s Leather Shield – A staff and leather shield entwined with an unknown and seemingly lackluster element; these items are found in the Dark Chasm of Old. They have become a catalyst for sorcery and hex, and they cause an effect known as Darkness.
The Dark Souls II collector’s edition is also available to pre-order for PC. Like on consoles, it includes a Warrior Knight figurine, a cloth map, a hardbound art book, a soundtrack CD, and a collectable steelbook case. On PC it will come with the Black Armor Weapons Pack and a digital copy of the game to download on Steam. It also sells for $109.99 compared to $119.99 on consoles.
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