Dark Souls 2 SOTFS was my first Dark Souls game due to it being a better PC port than the Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition, so it holds a special place in my heart despite being what seems to be the least-liked game in the trilogy.  It didn't require me to be familiar with most of DS1 since it did its own thing in terms of the setting, and I really liked how much of a mark the player can leave on the levels as they progress, like illuminating the Gutter, raising and lowering platforms in Shulva, stopping the Earthen Peak windmill, disabling the Iron Keep fire traps, bringing Brume Tower to life, and any time you can break walls with explosive barrels.