User blog comment:The Milkman/Dark Souls II E3 Impressions/@comment-71.14.94.210-20130616102247/@comment-4237253-20130616120305

No, it's just a little more involved. Basically, it's just a lot harder to circle strafe and get free damage. You are also not invincible when you parry. On the flipside, you can knock enemies down and stab them in the face, which is pretty rad.