I don't like Dark Souls 2 very much but I like where it was aiming.
Everything they showed pre release and the remnants of it that is still in the game pointed to them trying to make a game that is slower and more methodical than Dark Souls 1. Many people will disagree, but in my opinion The Gutter is one of the best exploration based zones Fromsoft has made, simply because of its gimmick that is so effective. Weird makeshift wooden structures in the dark and you have to light one beacon after the other to finally find your bearings and orient yourself. Exploring it for the first time was exciting. Not to mention how cool it is that a well in the main hub of the game leads down some bottomless hell hole. Really loved that.

I think games that are trying to ape the souls series would be a lot different nowadays, had dark souls 2 fully delivered on its promises. Instead we have the fast paced roll sims of today.