DARK SOULS II Illustrated Map Walkthrough

[@mopspear]

I really hope your channel takes off man. This stuff is so great.

[@VGCartography]

really appreciate it!

[@SuperSaiyanNoob]

This is genuinely really cool. I love Dark Souls 2 and I draw fantasy maps, but they're always larger in scale than something like a Dark Souls setting where the locales are the interesting thing instead of geography and landforms, so I could never conceive of how to do my own map for DS2 properly. So watching this was eye-opening as well as really cool. Thank you! I'm going to check out the rest of your channel now. You do some amazing work.

[@VGCartography]

thanks much!

[@avyfa1946]

I still don't understand why they just didn't flip elevator direction that leads to Iron Keep, especially in SoTFS.

[@MikeHesk742]

They had so many different ways they could have tweaked it in Scholar after they'd heard the feedback, even options that wouldnt require any extra development. If it just faded to black or they added a single line of lore to an item somewhere that this was somehow a magic elevator or something ("Mytha forged it from iron gifted by her true love", yadda yadda, or "the iron remembers where it came from"... deepest lore), it would be far from the strangest area transition in the franchise.

[@Hepheat75]

Dark Souls 2's map was indeed a bit messy, but some areas are absolute eye candy.

[@Metalton95]

Shrine of Amana
Undead Crypt (lit up)
Brume Tower
Shulva Sanctum City
The Old Chaos
Heide’s Tower of Flame
Undead Purgatory (from distance)
Dragon Aerie
..plenty of phenomenal individual locations, aesthetic-wise :)

[@Ryzen776]

The area were developed with great care, it's just when it came time to put everything together that they dropped the ball.

[@mateusfolletto6142]

The game feels like exploring all those cities and kingdoms we read about in Dark Souls 1 items. It's pretty cool.

[@guitarplayer654]

This channel deserves so many more eyeballs. I know it has been many years since these games have been in the gamer zeitgeist, but as someone who is finally taking on DS2, this video is so much more helpful than any other DS2 content I’ve seen.
So many guides are seemingly specific for original DS2 or SOTFS and almost never specify which. And additionally, so many guides assume you know the various paths by heart.
Thank you for all of the care you put into these videos and excited to see what’s next

[@VGCartography]

thanks, that means a lot!

[@RazorOfArtorias]

the elevator to iron keep part lol Awesome work!

[@MortalMercury]

I thought the level up lady said: Bear seek seek lest

[@l-mnf6517]

Bring the nostalgia. While playing you don't realize the whole size of everything. Great video.

[@smw1193]

This game is way bigger than I remember.

[@despecc]

its been years since i played but i got to reminisce every area as you went through them and it brought back so many good memories

[@parmanello]

This is phenomenal content. It's only a matter of time before this channel blows up

[@fourohsevenfishing]

you're an absolute legend man, I've been eyeballing your maps for a while and had no idea you made videos as well!

[@basmentmage3290]

Holy shit youre underrated, honestly the amount of effort you have put into this is phenomenal l, 10/10!

[@VGCartography]

thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@to_boldly_roll]

Heading over from the subreddit! Man, that's awesome stuff. Already loved the previous maps (and others as well). This video is hilarious. Keep it up, dude! Thanks for the efforts!

[@SlightRecoiI]

This is such a great video, it's the best way to figure out which content you've missed during a playthrough, and where to find it, and it is very visually appealing as opposed to just bland gameplay clips.

[@VaultTecCitizens]

Jesus I miss this game. My best friend and I were so excited to see anything Dark Souls on TV. They ran advertisements on regular cable and we were like "oh my god its real!"

[@Ripko]

These illustrations actually help so much. I was running around like a headless chicken in the forest fortress and this is exactly what I needed. Subbed please make more of these.

[@MikeHesk742]

Really glad you point out how DS2 has even more variety in paths open to you from the start of the game than DS1. The world may be less interconnected but SoulsBourne games since DS2 have all trended towards being more linear, at least until Elden Ring.
As for the Earthen Peak elevator, it frustrates me that if the devs had just gone for a dumb "fade to black" transition instead of a physical elevator the fans would all just assume some weird magic had happened and be okay with it. They'd even probably invent lore to make it fit. But by having a physical elevator this somehow totally breaks suspension of disbelief, like "if i can see the gears turning, that means there's no magic happening behind the scenes". This from the franchise where paintings can contain a world, falling asleep looking at a Dragon Eiree can teleport you there, random DLC shrines can teleport you to far-off lands, and really wanting a pendant can allow you to reach through time and space. None of these were established lore when they each happened for the first time, they were just last-ditch ways for the developers to transition between areas that didnt fit and players were happy to go "deepest lore" and move on.

[@VGCartography]

yeah I think my reaction was a half-second "huh." then stopped thinking about it

[@AikanaroSauron]

This is brilliant, entertaining and so well made. I love the illustrations and commentary. Thank you for your work, man!

[@VGCartography]

thanks for the kind words!

[@TheColorUrple]

Classic Tomb Raider and Dark Souls are some of my all-time favorite series, and I truly believe most of that is due to how much I love navigating intelligent map design.
I really hope you keep this project going, these videos are some of the coolest shit I've seen on TH-cam.

[@VGCartography]

thanks for that!

[@tsuyu19ku]

So glad I've found your channel! Brilliant 👏

[@iBChaLuPAking]

8:22 😂 Every souls fan is shaking their head

[@CannibalCowboy51]

So dang confusing. Just standing outside harvest valley and wondering where the elevator goes.😅

[@Domo3000]

Best Souls 2

[@yazidteavi2011]

i dont even need to see it to know its the best guide, and I just finished the game... man I really needed this guide earlier XD. thank you very much for doing these, can't imagine how time consuming it can be.

[@VGCartography]

thanks! it takes time but I also like studying my favorite games so closely for a bit

[@VaultTecCitizens]

Dude this owns. Thank you for the effort this took. I surely appreciate it.

[@phantasmrain]

Excellent illustrations!

[@deloron8813]

Love the video format!

[@arkan5000]

This must have been a ton of work. I saw your vid on DS1 a while back and only know i learn about this one. As i'm playing DS2. Thanks for your work!

[@kool2bloo315]

Fine, I’ll pick the game back up again 😂

[@VGCartography]

making this project increased my appreciation for DS2 a lot!

[@ccgj]

Your map videos are amazing! Great help for first journeys!

[@JessicaMorgani]

This is so helpful!
I wish this game came with a link to your video!

[@minenamedothJeffeth]

This is awesome stuff love the world layout of DS1 and 2

[@Kenzo222100]

This is so good! I'd love to see this for Bloodborne :)

[@VGCartography]

in the works!

[@ManleyReviews]

awesome video man.

[@VGCartography]

thanks much!

[@arthurdent9160]

Keep up the awesome work. Your videos are phenomenal!

[@VGCartography]

thanks for checking them out!

[@millard2839]

Wow ds2 is much bigger then the first one ha

[@xXLunatikxXlul]

And I found it more enjoyable, since I am a fan of the King’s Field series and DS2 really feels like it was inspired by Shadow Tower and KF4:The Ancient City, even more than DS1 ever did tbh.

[@holschermarc]

Ah yes "Barer seek seek lest" - the ancient words

[@GuillaumeCartier]

This is sooooo good

[@indieemil]

Oooh, this is soooo good - well done! 😄

[@thatdamncat71]

Man, you should have way more likes and followers!! These are just ✅💯

[@VGCartography]

thanks much!

[@dolfozx]

Well, im here 1 year after. I finished ds2, ds3, sekiro and elden ring right after i saw the first video (dark souls 1), this type of video is incredible, please, make ds3 too, in my next playthrough of these games i for sure will see these videos again, love from brazil ❤

[@VGCartography]

that's awesome! DS3 will happen 👍

[@dolfozx]

@@VGCartography NICEEEE 🫶🏽

[@titaniumsalmon3238]

4:15 My colorblind self always thought the Guardian Dragons were green lol, how funny!

[@VaultTecCitizens]

Does anyone else think that Lucatiel is one of the best overall NPCs in the whole series? She is so appropriately helpful and tragic at the same time. I really feel for her.

[@oscartw]

You got shit luck in Yt exposure man. These ds map series are great

[@kokorochacarero8003]

Right down the road!

[@tacofitness1876]

god DAMN this is quality content

[@10Tomika10]

Best map design out of DS1,2,3 -> thats why i love it.

[@vcp2077]

Surprised to see so few views on such an amazing video

[@sova2183]

You have no idea how much i love you man

[@thrador1789]

Beatiful Work.

[@jopezu]

amazing work! you make em, i watch em. 😊

[@ShawnBlaque]

Such a cool video. Might be my sign for another play though lol

[@fentfantatic1999]

who gave Cale a TH-cam channel

[@UsernameGeri]

Lovely stuff once again. I won't forget to subscribe now so I won't miss DS3 :)

[@Blubberkip]

Will you do one for DS3? Loving this content :)

[@VGCartography]

yep, working on drawing it currently!

[@chiaramae5095]

amazing video! would love to see ds3!!!

[@spaceinvader4565]

yaaay no way was just watching the ds1 one...i got lucky today

[@VGCartography]

I've been waiting for you to watch it so I could post this one!

[@GodWarsX]

A few tips and tricks in the mix of things betwixt? Oh man I'm on board

[@ArleniaSery]

Phenomenal!

[@rafaeldd2230]

Great video

[@teratoma.]

comment for support

[@Skobeloff...]

1st stop: Heide, dodge the enemies, dodge cheese the boss = a great start.

[@AudioMan.]

I had to search this because i just beaten the spiden And the roten boss And Now iam Fighting that DLC Dragon that breaks your weapons , looks like i skiped a little bit 😂

[@Zapdos7471]

This is really pretty but a lot of the smaller details are a bit out of order. There may be some non-SotFS info mixed in.

[@nixblood]

I'm currently in the iron keep on my first run, and why god am I not even half way through :D

[@MultiAlonso9]

Dar souls 3 map please!

[@MagixVegasUser]

Haiti's tower of flame

[@villevarhala7200]

Can you do ds3❤

[@VGCartography]

that's the plan, but I'm slow.

[@villevarhala7200]

Take your time! Good things are worth waiting for!

[@romarus186]

best!

[@zZiL341yRj736]

Dark Souls 3, Bloodborne, Demon Souls too please!

[@AtreyusNinja]

ds2 map > ds3 map

[@toprak3479]

Waiting on the TR4 and TR5 still

[@Tracker947]

God Scholar of the First Sin was such a shitshow. The original is the true way!

[@insanelyheinousbeefer]

8:20 lmao 10/10 delivery

[@jjt8072]

3:40 you need to kill the last giant to open the door that leads to the pursuer

[@shinji391]

It's pronounced DRAN-LAY-ICK. Don't play video games without sound.

[@VGCartography]

DRAN-LAY-ICK my balls