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Dark Souls II shows off new screens, reveals its PC specs, and promises exclusive PC content

Check out our review of Dark Souls II.

If you are a PC gamer and are looking for a title that will make you die an awful lot (virtually speaking, of course), then Dark Souls II may be the game for you! Dark Souls II hits PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on March 11, but PC fans will have a little longer to prepare themselves mentally and spiritually – and possibly upgrade their PCs as necessary. The PC version of the game will be released on April 25. 

Bandai Namco has released the specs, along with a handful of new screenshots. Check out the images above, and the requirements below.

Minimum: 

• OS: Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8

• Processor: AMD Phenom II X2 555 3.2GHz or Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo E8500 3.17GHz

• Memory: 2 GB RAM

• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT, ATI Radeon HD 5870

• Hard Drive: 8 GB available space

• Sound Card: Compatible with DirectX 9.0c or higher

• Network: Internet connection required for online play and product activation

Slightly beefier are the recommended specs, but still nothing too taxing. 

Recommended:

• OS: Windows 7 SP1

• Processor: Intel CoreTM i3 2100 3.10GHz or AMD A8 3870K 3.0GHz

• Memory: 4 GB RAM

• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 465 or higher, ATI Radeon HD 6870 or higher

• Hard Drive: 8 GB available space

• Sound Card: Compatible with DirectX 9.0c or higher

• Network: Internet connection required for online play and product Activation

Beyond the increased texture resolution and enhanced frame rate, PC users can pre-order the game to receive the “Dark Souls II Black Armor Weapons Pack,” which 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.

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Ryan Fleming
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Fleming is the Gaming and Cinema Editor for Digital Trends. He joined the DT staff in 2009 after spending time covering…
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