[quote=Asuras]
Any opinions on the standard difficulty so far? I've been watching snippets of play and to be quite honest it seems like Dark Souls 2 is a large step down in difficulty compared to the first from what I've seen. :\I'm really hoping it's still really difficult. Otherwise I'll have to join the Difficulty Covenant on my first run. I'm getting my copy in the mail tomorrow. I am so psyched you have no idea.
[/quote]

The gameplay you're seeing is likely from mainly people that got the early copies(so time to get used to the changes from one) and true blue Souls Vets. The game is actually harder, but at the same, time easier. For a vet, it will be a quick refresh and figure out of the changed parts. For someone who's had the game down for a while, it will be a harsh, but rewarding, challenge. But for both, it's a new experience. 

You can watch all the gameplay you want, most of it is from AFTER they have figured things out, such as Peeve's streams and videos(he had a early copy from Namco, so was on NG+ before the 11th). But for those going through the first time, it will be a fight.