From Software's third installment in the Souls series is another superb game, but overall Dark Souls 2 did not impress me. I've played it three times, including NG+, but I can't say it's nearly as good as it's predecessor.
However, it does have the same elements as the previous souls games, and that alone makes it a great game. But the new mechanics are also great. Character creation is better, gameplay is smoother, the lifegem+estus mechanic is cool, the warp option at the beginning makes it much more streamlined and etc. Overall, the mechanics of this game are as good as ever.
But in three ways Dark Souls 2 disappoints;
Balance
World Design
Bosses
The first is something that frustrates me. While Dark Souls PVP wasn't balanced by any means, PVE was relatively balanced. Here it's nothing like that. Strength weapons like maces are blatantly overpowered and you can tank most of the games bosses with a good shield. Dual wielding DEX weapons or using sorceries is so pointless it's annoying. Just get a club and a shield, pump strength and you are good to go for NG. As for PVP, hexes are blatantly overpowered and other exploits are just annoying...
The world design is not nearly as coherent as Dark Souls. There is no WOW area like Anor Londo, and it doesn't all come together either. There ARE poorly designed places like The Lost Bastille though. The atmosphere never gets as scary as the Tower of Latria or as lonely and beautiful as the Storm Area in Demons Souls. Its a shame because the first few areas (Majula) are great.
The last disappointment were bosses. There were only THREE hard bosses in the game (Ruined Sentinels, Darklurker and Smelter Demon) and the latter two were optional! No wonder the game is considered easy. There was no boss like Ornstein and Smough that was tough enough that it FORCED you to get better to get passed them. No need, just go around and continue to use your OP shield and club.
Oh well, still a solid game.