8. Better Graphics
At the risk of sounding shallow, the original Dark Souls impressed more in the art direction department than on a purely technical level. User made PC mods aside; the game just doesnt look as pretty on console as some of its contemporaries. Happily, From Software (and consequently Edge, who had the distinction of being treated to a 10 minute demo) has confirmed that Dark Souls II will far excel its predecessor in terms of looks. This is thanks largely to a brand new game engine that Tomohiro Shibuya, Dark Souls II director, has helped build at From Software. What this new game engine will mean in terms of actual gameplay, is still up for speculation, but From Software has already said that in terms of graphics, Dark Souls IIs visuals will come "tantalisingly close" to being hyper-realistic. Hopefully, that's not just hyperbole to sell advanced copies...