Dark Souls

 PlayStation 3
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2451 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,188 out of 2451
  2. Mixed: 103 out of 2451
  3. Negative: 160 out of 2451
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  1. Yiordanu
    Sep 9, 2023
    8
    A video game that sets a before and after in terms of world-building and level design, its unique and immersive storytelling, along with its well-crafted atmosphere, make it a game full of personality.

    Its level design is something I had never seen in another video game. Every corner of the environments, every enemy and their placement leads you to devise ways to overcome each obstacle.    A video game that sets a before and after in terms of world-building and level design, its unique and immersive storytelling, along with its well-crafted atmosphere, make it a game full of personality.

    Its level design is something I had never seen in another video game. Every corner of the environments, every enemy and their placement leads you to devise ways to overcome each obstacle. All of this makes it an incredibly fun video game.

    Its only negative point is the poor performance in certain areas where it is not stable at all and can be a bit frustrating, especially in the Infested City, as it's a rather challenging area in combination with its poor performance.    … Expand
  2. Gefamao
    Sep 7, 2023
    9
    the classic but it has aged a lot

    words words words words words words words words words words words words
  3. JackFrostyG
    Sep 4, 2023
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. While I understand it's normal for people to like the first game of a series they play the most, I'll take my nostalgia goggles off and respectfully disagree, I find the original Dark Souls to be the weakest in the series.

    Pros:

    - First half of the game for the most part is great. While some of the bosses are fairly terrible, the enemy and zone design is still S tier.

    - The graphics and detail of environments is crazy for a 2011 game.

    - There's plenty of enemy variance and for the most part each biome contains enemies which feel suitable to the location.

    - Some of the music slaps.

    - The DLC is S tier

    Cons:

    - The back end of the game is clearly unfinished and much less effort was put into it. E.g. Firesage demon is a 2nd reskin of the tutorial boss, Demon ruins and Lost Izalith have insanely lazily placed re-used enemies. 9 Taurus demons just plopped into a corner of the zone, 5-6 capra demons strewn across the other side , 9 bounding demons placed anywhere in the lava before bed of chaos.

    - None of the 4 intro cutscene bosses feel as good as Ornstein and Smough or even Quelaag. Bed of chaos the gimmick of gimmick bosses. Nito moves like a slug and his attacks are just as slow. His entire boss fight is the adds. Seith is the most boring dragon fight in any RPG hit a sword behind him and attack him while moving back when he summons spikes, otherwise hug him. He doesn't fly or move. 4 Kings feel like bosses designed for the early game with laughable damage.

    - Some of the other bosses are poorly designed. Capra demon's entire gimmick is the 2 dogs with him. Taurus demon's entire gimmick is to drop attack, Ceaseless Discharge entire gimmick is run to entrance and attack. Iron Golem entire gimmick is to wait for him to exhaust himself, attack or wait for him to attack and fall off the platform. Gaping Dragon's entire gimmick is to bait a charge and attack over and over. Pinwheel is far too easy for the difficulty of the mobs prior to fighting him. Seems anti-intuitive to make Gwyn, the final boss so easy to parry. Like pinwheel, Priscilla is far too easy in comparison to the zone she resides in.

    - I understand it's popular for people to gatekeep the story of the game by saying that the story is amazing but you need to look into it more to be able to interpret it. I could not disagree more. Making the story a compilation of 100+ item descriptions is not a good story.    … Expand
  4. JuliaBohn
    Aug 24, 2023
    0
    Perhaps the most overrated game in history next to Zelda. The difference is that Zelda has more colors. They are games of the same style, based on memorizing the moment to dodge the monster's attack by rolling with your character, and then attacking to dmg the life of the same enemy.

    Games simply made easy with just two buttons for a target audience that doesn't like difficulty. The    Perhaps the most overrated game in history next to Zelda. The difference is that Zelda has more colors. They are games of the same style, based on memorizing the moment to dodge the monster's attack by rolling with your character, and then attacking to dmg the life of the same enemy.

    Games simply made easy with just two buttons for a target audience that doesn't like difficulty.

    The story in this game is simply non-existent. It copied several previous games, but because it was so accessible for ease, it became more popular and rightly named after a perjorative genre called “SoulsLike”.

    If you don't want to play easy games, when you come across this Tag, stay away. It is aimed at players who got tired of Nintendo's repetitive knight saving the princess stories and decided to play with less colors on another platform.    … Expand
  5. DemonsSouls
    Aug 5, 2023
    8
    Really good game, but the second half is dog water. It's a damn shame they didn't have enough time to flesh out the later areas of the game, but the first half and DLC more than make up for it.
  6. agq
    Jul 28, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the closest any game will ever come to in terms of true art. The story is told through rare bits of NPC dialogue, descriptions of items, and the world around you. The enemies, bosses and world design feel intricately designed in a way that makes the world feel real and lived in. This game-play can go from dreadful to fearless depending on where you are, the trip into the Depths and down to Blighttown always gives me a unique sense of dread that not even a horror game could give me. But you persist and move on through the game, unveiling the ending leaving you thinking that you have played the greatest game ever to be created.… Expand
  7. TheBigTicket
    Jun 28, 2023
    10
    Best level design I have ever seen and I dont think it has been topped yet. Atleast the part until Arnor Londo.
  8. RTCWFAN
    Jun 13, 2023
    9
    The beginning of a legend! Since the first part, I'm hooked to the series. Played the Prepare To Die Edition. Overall rating: 9.3.
  9. miguellopez99
    Jun 1, 2023
    9
    89/100 .
  10. Jerg4n
    Mar 20, 2023
    10
    Few games hit as hard as Dark Souls when the end credits roll. This game was a journey. A very deep, personal journey full of danger, death and darkness, but overcoming those obstacles gives you the strength to move forward. It might not be for everyone, but those who triumph in the hostile world of Lordran will cherish this experience as something truly special.
  11. 3ls0ul
    Mar 7, 2023
    9
    Este juego aún no lo eh jugado o completado, así que pondré una reseña y nota diferentes cuando lo haga.
  12. RyanBehemoth
    Feb 17, 2023
    10
    Dark Souls 1, simplesmente maravilhoso e uns dos melhores games da década passada! e o melhor jogo "Souls" pra mim ao lado de Elden Ring e Demon's Souls!
    foi o game que mudou minha vida pra sempre e se tornou uns dos meus favoritos de todos os tempos ao lade de Ocarina of Time e Super Metroid.
  13. ReviewsAreBS
    Feb 15, 2023
    10
    The best souls game and hardest (after Sekiro). The entire game world is mostly self-contained and interconnected like a dollhouse.

    There are flaws: The sidequests are non-intuitive and pretty random. Crafting is really annoying and tedious. Some levels were clearly rushed. But even with these flaws, it is the only souls game you need to play, all the sequels (except for Sekiro) are    The best souls game and hardest (after Sekiro). The entire game world is mostly self-contained and interconnected like a dollhouse.

    There are flaws: The sidequests are non-intuitive and pretty random. Crafting is really annoying and tedious. Some levels were clearly rushed.

    But even with these flaws, it is the only souls game you need to play, all the sequels (except for Sekiro) are just rehashing more of the same.    … Expand
  14. shenkenhigh
    Feb 14, 2023
    10
    it's udisputable 10/10; Btw DS got an Ultimate game of all time by GJ. I'am agreed with that. Such emotions, much atmosphere, solid challenge, git gud.
  15. Pmstz
    Jan 31, 2023
    9
    masterpiece

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  16. klaaz
    Jan 26, 2023
    10
    From Software's masterpiece that partly redefined the video game industry..
  17. Strifefair600
    Jan 15, 2023
    8
    This is a great game with a great difficulty it says on the back prepare to die and which I was prepared I don’t how I beat this game 10 years ago unfortunately I lost my copy but about 2 weeks ago I went to a video game store and said to myself I should get dark souls again it was pretty easy to find because I found it after 2 minutes and I wasn’t even looking for it at that time overallThis is a great game with a great difficulty it says on the back prepare to die and which I was prepared I don’t how I beat this game 10 years ago unfortunately I lost my copy but about 2 weeks ago I went to a video game store and said to myself I should get dark souls again it was pretty easy to find because I found it after 2 minutes and I wasn’t even looking for it at that time overall I think you should get the remastered version I only got the PS3 version for nostalgia both are pretty good but if you’re looking for an elden ring experience get Dark Souls 3 or stick with Elden ring… Expand
  18. The_D4RknesS
    Jan 6, 2023
    10
    I never had the patience and never will to play a fron software game, but this game is very good. I don't have the patience to play but I had to watch the entire campaign on Youtube
  19. Inokimca
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    A classic. That I have enjoyed more after it first came out, I think, I didn't understand how good it was because I had not played anything like it before.
  20. JrDouble
    Dec 7, 2022
    5
    I really tried to enjoy Dark Souls and made some decent progress over the time I played it. Unfortunately, the more I played it the less and less appeal the game had to me. Gameplay and progress are painfully slow there was little to no story to keep me engaged. I'm glad I tried it though as now I'll be sure to steer clear of FromSoft and Souls-likes moving forward.
  21. Crimson9
    Nov 28, 2022
    10
    The most impactful game of its generation and a game that From Software still has not exceeded.

    Interestingly, it is Demons Souls, and not Dark Souls, that invented the Souls genre. Dark Souls merely polishes every aspect of Demons Souls design. In terms of atmosphere, gameplay, sound design and lore, this is a magnificent game. But in one aspect it is far beyond any other game, and    The most impactful game of its generation and a game that From Software still has not exceeded.

    Interestingly, it is Demons Souls, and not Dark Souls, that invented the Souls genre. Dark Souls merely polishes every aspect of Demons Souls design.

    In terms of atmosphere, gameplay, sound design and lore, this is a magnificent game. But in one aspect it is far beyond any other game, and that is level design. No game has ever done it better, and From Software have yet to replicate the incredible feeling of loneliness when your character is stuck far away from Firelink Shrine. Linearity and fast travel have taken that feeling away from From Software games, as the games have become more focused on action than adventure.

    And so, this remains the best Souls game, and probably the best game of all time.    … Expand
  22. saggio_grillo
    Nov 24, 2022
    10
    a true masterpiece, it revolutionized the world of video games by inventing a new genre, it has inspired and continues to inspire everyone. the gameplay is extremely satisfying and the level design is the best that has ever been seen in the entire history of video games
  23. hector_bcn98
    Nov 10, 2022
    10
    From Software vio la historia de los videojuegos y dijo: ahora me toca a mí. Esta vez sí.
  24. Gabitoxico
    Nov 10, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. JOYAAAAA Realmente me encantó el juego. FASCINANTE LA AMBIENTACIÓN Y LA JUGABILIDAD… Expand
  25. willianscerque
    Nov 4, 2022
    10
    Um dos melhores jogos que já joguei, sem dúvida merece ser o melhor de todos os tempos. Nunca será esquecido.
  26. TheAlgerian
    Oct 27, 2022
    10
    Best game ever made (Tied with Red Dead Redemption 2 and Mass Effect Trilogy).

    Do you remember these old Choose Your Own Adventure books? For those of you who did, this is basically that, but in videogame form, so basically a dream come true. Check out the size of my Steam library, so you can understand what I mean when I tell you this hands down the best game I ever played. Fair    Best game ever made (Tied with Red Dead Redemption 2 and Mass Effect Trilogy).

    Do you remember these old Choose Your Own Adventure books?
    For those of you who did, this is basically that, but in videogame form, so basically a dream come true.
    Check out the size of my Steam library, so you can understand what I mean when I tell you this hands down the best game I ever played.

    Fair warning:
    You might hate it at first if you're used to sub-par games (like recent Assassin's Creed games for instance). I know I did, I hated Dark Souls for three years after my initial purchase of the non-remastered version. But when it does click, you can't go back.

    I got Assassins Creed Odyssey the other day for 10 bucks, and I had to get a refund because it feels so poorly made when you're used to Souls games.    … Expand
  27. ZangBang
    Oct 24, 2022
    8
    85/100
    Dark Souls is undoubtably the best game of the seventh console generation. The fallen kingdom of Lordran is a both terrifying and beautiful corpse that perpetually enchants with its twisted, atmospheric ruined landscapes. The journey through its dilapidated castles, mystical forests and infernal caves constantly surprises and keeps you on your toes challenging in constantly    85/100
    Dark Souls is undoubtably the best game of the seventh console generation. The fallen kingdom of Lordran is a both terrifying and beautiful corpse that perpetually enchants with its twisted, atmospheric ruined landscapes. The journey through its dilapidated castles, mystical forests and infernal caves constantly surprises and keeps you on your toes challenging in constantly shifting ways your sense of direction, observational skills and combat prowess, with a ruthless challenge that only on rare occasions becomes truly unmanageable. The bedazzling, sheer variety of locations, with everchanging ambience, level structure, environmental hazards and enemies, makes the experience delightfully heterogeneous as the player finds its own way in the masterfully constructed map of Lordran, beautifully interconnected as it intricately branches and twists around itself with superb level design as exploration is constantly rewarded with branching pathways, countless shortcuts to unlock, secret pathways to open and hidden areas to discover. Many NPCs throughout the map can also be found and befriended, as their storylines provide a nice, moody narrative breather to exploration while also providing insight to the game's hidden lore. Sadly, the beauty of the level design doesn't last the entirety of the experience as it dwindles in the second half of the game, where the map structure isn't as brilliant and often lacks that same depth. Combat, on the other hand, mantains the same level of quality all the way throghout, with amazing enemy variety and depth of systems all the way throghout, as the player is provided with a plethora of different weapons, armors, tools and mechanics to suit their playstyle or experiment, and enemies continuously change their attack patterns challenging quick reflexes and adaptability, while progression demands thoughtful healing resource management, but even upon failure the game gives you the chance to learn from your mistakes offering you the possibility to reclaim your lost EXP if reaching your place of death, making for an extremely rewarding, gratifying experience. Bosses are the ultimate test of skill of the game, and their quality is somewhat fluctuating. The majority are amazing, beautifully stimulating duels with varied attacks and interesting twists that demand quick thinking and mindful positioning, while the others are less polished, with simple repeated, dull attack patterns and/or a faulty technical side, namely claustrophobic arenas or a confusing camera. The greatest flaw of the game is a decisively lacking balancing, as the overpowered magic build makes the majority of the game dramatically easier.    … Expand
  28. MaxieZeus
    Sep 2, 2022
    10
    A genre defining masterpiece with excellent combat and challenging enemies and bosses. A must for for people who like to be challenged.
  29. SilentLev
    Aug 31, 2022
    10
    Если в Sekiro глубже боевая система, в Bloodborne сильнее стиль, лор и атмосфера, в DS3 лучше боссы и саундтрек, в Elden Ring грандиозней мифология и мир, то в первой DS есть всего от этого понемногу, плюс самое впечатляющее строение мира и наиболее трогательная история. Единственная игра Миядзаки, титры которой я встречал со слезами на глазах. И, к счастью, это не от техническогоЕсли в Sekiro глубже боевая система, в Bloodborne сильнее стиль, лор и атмосфера, в DS3 лучше боссы и саундтрек, в Elden Ring грандиозней мифология и мир, то в первой DS есть всего от этого понемногу, плюс самое впечатляющее строение мира и наиболее трогательная история. Единственная игра Миядзаки, титры которой я встречал со слезами на глазах. И, к счастью, это не от технического состояния проекта или его хардкорности.… Expand
  30. MetalGearLiquid
    Aug 15, 2022
    10
    People say that your first souls game is your favorite one in the series this may not be the case for everyone but it's definitely true with me. I know how much this game is flawed but for me, this game is the closest one to a masterpiece out of the souls-borne games. I will start with the flaws. Firstly, lost Izalith just terrible level design boring enemies, and a majorly disappointingPeople say that your first souls game is your favorite one in the series this may not be the case for everyone but it's definitely true with me. I know how much this game is flawed but for me, this game is the closest one to a masterpiece out of the souls-borne games. I will start with the flaws. Firstly, lost Izalith just terrible level design boring enemies, and a majorly disappointing boss battle at the end of it. Secondly, blight town I dreaded every time I had to go through it everything that you hate about the souls game is present at this place poison, frame rate drops, a simple mistake and you fall to your death, flying enemies that are extremely hard to hit, and believe me I could keep going. The last flaw for me is magic it's just too op it's like playing on normal difficulty in this game. Now moving to the great things about this game. The level design is amazing for the most part. Firelink shrine is the best hob world in the series. Just like what we expect from fromsoftware amazing boss fights. I think that dark souls showed companies and game devs that people still enjoy really difficult games and those games could go mainstream. A truly game changer that is a must-play.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best PS3 Game of 2011
6
#6 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2011
4
#4 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 54 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 54
  3. Negative: 0 out of 54
  1. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Mar 6, 2012
    80
    It would be foolish of us to pretend that Dark Souls is a game for everyone. It's perfect at what it does, but a big part of what it does is make you suffer for your mistakes. It is a harsh, uncompromising task master and you will have to work to win its approval, because it certainly won't work to win yours. [Dec 2011, p74]
  2. RPGamer
    Jan 5, 2012
    90
    At the end of the day Dark Souls succeeds in producing a game that is both incredibly challenging and fair.
    Read full review
  3. Gamer Limit
    Nov 29, 2011
    85
    All in all, Dark Souls is a more difficult, but less enjoyable (and less accessible) Demon's Souls.
    Read full review
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