Dark Souls 1's story has you exploring Lordran. You encounter various bosses like Gwyn, the Lord of Cinder. His actions in the past are related to the state of the world now. In Dark Souls 2, there are different areas like Heide's Tower of Flame. The story unfolds as you interact with the strange characters and face the challenges they present, all while trying to deal with the overarching curse that plagues the land.
The stories of Dark Souls 1 and 2 are not directly connected in a simple linear way. However, they share the same overarching theme of the undead curse and the cycle of life and death. In Dark Souls 1, the events are set in Lordran, and in Dark Souls 2, it's in Drangleic. But both worlds face the consequences of the undead problem.
Well, 'Dark Souls: Tales from the Abyss' is quite interesting. It focuses on the more hidden and forgotten parts of the story, like the ancient civilizations that once thrived in the game world but are now in ruins. It gives a lot of details about the architecture and the old magic that was once used, which helps to build a more complete picture of the Dark Souls story.
There is a story. But it's not straightforwardly presented. You have to explore, interact, and think to uncover the full narrative of Dark Souls. It's a challenging but rewarding experience for those who enjoy digging into the game's secrets.