Dark Souls 2 announced, destined for the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3

Long been the substance of rumors, many a' gamer's hopeful speculation has now been confirmed: Dark Souls 2 is official, and it's heading towards a console near you. The announcement was made at VGA 2012, and a trailer appeared a short while later on YouTube, which has since been removed. Thus far no launch date has been given, but we do know that it will be available on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

Software's Dark Souls is a fantasy RPG, and by the looks of its trailer, the sequel will be just as awesome as the first iteration in the series. The trailer is a pre-rendered low-res video, but it reveals a nice glimpse into the game's world. Intriguing characters, fiery mountains, dragons, and fatally-wounded characters all make an appearance.

Namco Bandai's Vice President of Marketing Carlson Choi offered this statement. "Dark Souls II retains the core essence of Dark Souls while evolving to present new twists and challenges that are sure to please longtime fans and attract new comers to the series. Software is going to take a very dark path with Dark Souls II; players will need to look deep within themselves to see if they have the intestinal fortitude to embark on this journey."

Intestinal fortitude aside, Dark Souls 2 will present gamers with an "entirely new story" and an expanded world. The sequel will be directed by Tomohiro Shibuya of Monster Hunter fame, and will have the series' creator Hidetaka Miyazaki overseeing its production. The trailer keeps disappearing as fast as it reappears, so keep your eyes peeled on YouTube, check around, and you're bound to find a copy before it gets taken down.

[via Forbes]