'Dark Souls' 2 Release Date: What Gamers Had To Say About Two-Hour Beta Testing (VIDEO)

"Dark Souls II" creators allowed 5,000 lucky gamers test the beta version of the game on Oct. 12 to check out the software's server strength. Reviews from the testers are in, so what did the gaming giants have to say about their "Dark Souls" experience?

The test lasted about two hours, leaving gamers wanting more, but that's not to say the gameplay was satisfying. There were six characters available during the test: soldier, warrior, dual swordsman, sorcerer, temple knight and hunter.

"Dark Souls" is reportedly set to launch in March 2014, but are there changes in the game significant enough to please gamers? Check out what the gaming giants had to say about their beta test run:

"Kotaku" talks about their gaming experience:

"For the most part, the rest of the game felt pretty much like the Dark Souls experience that I'm used to. The combat feels tight, though ever so slightly different than the first game. I need to play more to get a better feel for what the differences are, but it feels more difficult to roll around and dodge attacks. That may be because I'm used to running around with no armor and fast roll, because they tweaked things, or both."

IGN talks about the changes in the gameplay:

"The two biggest changes to the summoning system that I noticed are that players can now heal themselves while summoned, and are also on a timer, which is indicated by a slowly trickling hourglass above the players' heads. I was briefly invaded by a black phantom at one point, but he was quickly slain by the Soldiers of the Server Strain, so I continued on my merry way, able to enjoy the environment in relative peace from then on."

VG247's died quite a few times during the two hour test:

"While I finished the Dark Souls 2 beta in under the two hour limit, I still died a few times while figuring out the area. It's a dank, depressing environment littered with dark forests, ruined keeps and mouldy caves. The series hasn't lost its ability to draw you in with its bleak tones, but perhaps even bleaker is the game's new punishment for death. Die and you lose a chip off your total health. This happens every time you are killed up to 50% of your health, so repeated death can absolutely result in your max HP being halved. It's utterly sadistic."

Are you excited for "Dark Souls II" or there another game on your radar? Tell us in the comment section below!

Check out footage of the beta testing in the video below.