Just to preface this, I love dark souls 2 as much as the next guy.

However, in my opinion animation was actually where that game lacked.

First of all, rolling, I think a jumpier roll like in dark souls 1 is more intuitive, because it makes it more clear when your i frames begin. Yes dark souls 2 roll was more realistic, but video games shouldn't strive for a realistic approach at all times, it matters more what is intuitive and responsive for the player. What I'm trying to say is that the old animations of dark souls 1 has more punch to them, and feel more satisfying to pull off as well. When I talk about the fact that they're intuitive, I mean the rolls in dark souls 1 do indeed feel very jumpy, but that's exactly why they're very good for players to get acclimated with. It's more clear when you are or aren't vulnerable in your roll based on the jumpyness that dark souls 1 had.

Let's remember that we're playing a video game here, striving totally for what is realistic won't always result in good game design, instead striving for satisfying and responsive animations usually ends up feeling better for the player.

You make the case that dark souls 1 had a bad sense of physics, while in fact I feel like most attacks were much weightier in 1 than in 2. A simple example of how more detailed and satisfying the animation for when your opponent gets hit by the black knight greataxe, he would flail with his arms in the air then bounce once or twice when he hits the ground, in dark souls 2 the golfswing animations just had your opponent launch with his arms stiffly reached out and pancake on the floor.

Does dks 1 bend the laws of physics a bit in that sense? Yes but it's more rewarding and satisfying because of it. Let's remember that this is a fantasy game and not your medieval 100% accurate war simulator.

So from all that, I guess it's pretty clear that what I mean is I prefer the old style animations than the newer ones, which always felt less satisfying to pull off ( don't get me started on parries lol )