Board Thread:Dark Souls II/@comment-9527834-20140319021218/@comment-24688516-20140419034134

^Nah. Firelink >>>>>>>>>> everything bcuz its not a hub. Its just the 1st main area that you get thrown into and gotta plan your routes from into a giant interconnected world and everytime you return your greeted with such depressing and gloomy music like theres no hope but your will and determination is forced to overcome it and you eventually gain the ability to teleport but your need to keep coming back is just as strong ... unlike the other two games.

If Majula didnt have a blacksmith and you could level up anywhere i would hardly ever need to visit. Characters that dwelled in Firelink Shrine were more interesting and had a bigger sense of purpose or mission and eventually moved onto other areas. Did I mention it links you to place the damn one and only Lordvessel, which is still in place where Drangleic stands. DkS1 is the better game I've come to realize despite slight lag issues on xbl.