Last night I managed to take out that giant kraken that killed me when I first started the game. I ran up to it this time and it swung its tentacle arms down and knocked me across the shore, almost into the abyssal ocean (instant death if that happens). So I ran back to its lair and stuck my back against the wall, so it could only knock me into the wall itself. Then I proceed to chop its slimy ass to pieces with my axe while it whacked me over and over. I used Earth Heal to keep my health up and a Moonstone to replenish my magic points for that. After about two minutes of furious axing the beast succumbed and I gained a level from its death alone. I also got another Dragon Fruit that it was guarding by its feet.
After killing the kraken and raiding its lair for loot, I took off across the ocean, exploring the submerged paths that intersect around the front of the island. This was a dangerous affair due to giant stinging insects and flying fish. If they knock you off a path you fall into the abyssal ocean and die instantly. I ended up finding a small island out in the ocean with a huge tower on it. Climbing the tower I found four torches blazing and in the middle of that a floating Fire Crystal. The Fire Crystal imbued upon me a new type of flame magic.
Returning from my ocean escapades, I swung around to another side of the island. While carefully traversing a rope bridge, I saw a waterfall below me. Feeling sporty I jumped down to it. Luckily the water was only knee deep so I didn't drown. I decided since From Software is awesome I bet there's a secret here. Sure enough behind the waterfall was a cave. In the cave I found bastard skeletons, but I took them out easy enough. Within the cave I also found a barred doorway with a strange looking lock on it, almost demonic in nature. Making a mental note I continued traversing the shoreline of the island.
I explored some caverns along the shore that originally I couldn't hang with due to bastard skeletons. I was finally strong enough now that they were like gnats to me. I ended up finding a treasure chest that the Pirate Key fit in (the key the kid in the termite nest gave me) which left me some kind of Demon Key. I recognized the shape of the Demon Key, it looks to match the lock behind the waterfall! So I saved my game near there, and tonight I plan to see what lies in wait behind that lock.
That whole adventure above only took about an hour in game time. I played another hour before that too, and did all kinds of other crazy fun stuff. So as you can see, the time investment versus entertainment payoff is excellent in this game, there's practically zero fluff. You're either making progress or your dying.
I hope anyone who's never tried this series and is now reading my rantings, that they are starting to understand why King's Field games are so great.
