Dark Souls

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1574 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,343 out of 1574
  2. Mixed: 87 out of 1574
  3. Negative: 144 out of 1574
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  1. 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
  2. TheRedFern
    Jul 8, 2023
    9
    The level design was one of the best ever made, the game felt amazing and the gameplay was fantastic. I played this probably 10 years too late and it still felt monumental and like it was a top 20 game of all time.
  3. Kio22
    Mar 26, 2023
    9
    This is a great game, was the easiest souls game of the series until I played Elden Ring and Dark Souls 2. The game play can take some getting used to but the fun thing about it is you can play any way you want. This games level design is magnificent and gives the player the freedom to choose whatever direction they want to go in. The story in this game is rewarded to players willing toThis is a great game, was the easiest souls game of the series until I played Elden Ring and Dark Souls 2. The game play can take some getting used to but the fun thing about it is you can play any way you want. This games level design is magnificent and gives the player the freedom to choose whatever direction they want to go in. The story in this game is rewarded to players willing to explore and look for it. The bosses are cool and most boss fights are fair except for one very frustrating one. Overall, it's a great game that is shaped by how people choose to play it.… Expand
  4. grimreapersims
    Feb 8, 2023
    9
    .....................................................................................................................................................................................................blank
  5. farrrullll
    Feb 5, 2023
    9
    Dark Souls Dark Souls Dark Souls Dark Souls Dark Souls Dark Souls Dark Souls
  6. botardi
    Jan 1, 2023
    9
    an absolute classic, the horrific post-apocalyptic medieval world is perfectly built
    the combat system is addicting, and the variety of playstyles is immense
    the first half of this game is without a doubt one of the greatest videogame sequences of all time, and then lacks a bit on the second half, being the the sometimes very very questionable game design of that sequence the only reason    an absolute classic, the horrific post-apocalyptic medieval world is perfectly built
    the combat system is addicting, and the variety of playstyles is immense
    the first half of this game is without a doubt one of the greatest videogame sequences of all time, and then lacks a bit on the second half, being the the sometimes very very questionable game design of that sequence the only reason its not a solid 10    … Expand
  7. Fr0styFeet
    Nov 12, 2022
    8
    Picked up dark souls for the 360 as my first souls game, and what a great game it was. It has some rough edges compared to the later entries in the series, but is still a great game with its magnificent world design, and the ability to actually make you feel proud of yourself for overcoming the game
  8. Netherghul
    Mar 6, 2022
    9
    One of the best games ive ever played. My Introduction into the souls series and I played it in its prime from 2011 and 2012. Never before had a game given me such a challenge. It has the best characters out of any souls game. Although I prefer 2 over this it is because I prefered ds2s dark and gritty tone to Dark Souls 1s. The Multiplayer is the worst of the series with all the backstabOne of the best games ive ever played. My Introduction into the souls series and I played it in its prime from 2011 and 2012. Never before had a game given me such a challenge. It has the best characters out of any souls game. Although I prefer 2 over this it is because I prefered ds2s dark and gritty tone to Dark Souls 1s. The Multiplayer is the worst of the series with all the backstab fishing and parry baiters. The Story and its lore however is Legendary and it deserves its roses for being the father of the Dark Souls series. Also Manus I hate you.… Expand
  9. Huitzilopochtli
    Feb 28, 2022
    9
    A true masterpiece that popularized the Soulsborne series. If you have not played this game, buy and play it immediately. A must-have for every video game consumer.
  10. cchenders40
    Feb 19, 2022
    10
    The masterpiece of the 360/PS3 generation. This game is one of the greatest video games of all time. From the level design to the combat it was revolutionary and brilliant. Even playing it now in 2022 you can still see how it effected the RPG genre and enjoy it. It has incredible replay ability. Each class offers a unique play through that will make you play differently and even encounterThe masterpiece of the 360/PS3 generation. This game is one of the greatest video games of all time. From the level design to the combat it was revolutionary and brilliant. Even playing it now in 2022 you can still see how it effected the RPG genre and enjoy it. It has incredible replay ability. Each class offers a unique play through that will make you play differently and even encounter new characters and lore. Each weapon also adds so much variety. In fact you could probably play this game through with a new weapon on each time through and the game feel new and different. The bosses are obviously amazing and the lore and world building are top notch. The games atmosphere is unmatched as well even all these years later. You feel the weight and dread, the highs let you feel a glimmer of hope only to take you down to the dark again. The difficulty is fair yet challenging. If you are constantly dying it is because you haven’t learned the mechanics or you lack patience. This game never holds your hand and it makes you rely on dialogue, environmental storytelling and remembering where you have been in order to navigate well and not lose your way. This game is not for the person who loves quest makers or fast pace shooters or quick games you can hop in and out of. I recommend this game to anyone who loves gaming, RPGs, or fantasy worlds. 10/10!

    P.S. When I read bad reviews for this game it only communicates to me that someone just didn’t get it.    … Expand
  11. Du7Ra
    Feb 16, 2022
    10
    It was elected the best game of all time for a reason. The best gameplay that you can find is right here.
  12. Salt_addict
    Feb 14, 2022
    10
    Oh Dark souls. A shop employee told me it was like Skyrim on steroids and I wouldn't enjoy it. The gauntlet was thrown down that day. (2011) Still one of my top games all these years later.
  13. Farrell64
    Dec 1, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Best Videogame ever!
    Gameplay, story, music, lore, classes, weapons, ambient, world, bestiary, bosses, online matchs...    … Expand
  14. nurfedx
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    One of the best Games known to mankind.
    From Software is a safe heaven for the Gaming community.
    Especially in times where big Developers dissapiont us with theyr fraudulent intent.
    Praise the sun!
  15. DarkSoulAxel
    Apr 10, 2021
    9
    Dark Souls 1 is a flawed masterpiece for sure. It has its annoying parts, has its parts that feel rushed (Lost Izalith) and needed some polishing (i.e. framerate in Blight Town). But despite all flaws, it strikes with charm, satisfying combat and upgrading, great level up system and awesome boss fights (for the most part, not so much for the Demon Centipede for example, holy hell). I haveDark Souls 1 is a flawed masterpiece for sure. It has its annoying parts, has its parts that feel rushed (Lost Izalith) and needed some polishing (i.e. framerate in Blight Town). But despite all flaws, it strikes with charm, satisfying combat and upgrading, great level up system and awesome boss fights (for the most part, not so much for the Demon Centipede for example, holy hell). I have played this game over 24 times I believe and put hundreds of hours into it, offline. That is enough proof for me to say that its my most favorite game of all time at this date. Its nature allows a lot of variety in playthroughs so you can challenge yourself one more unique time. Surely to be recommended, its my top 1 game in general. Only giving it a 9/10 because 9.5 is not possible and saying its 10/10, meaning perfect, would contradict my criticism above.… Expand
  16. f1o_o1f
    Apr 5, 2021
    9
    (PTDE review) One of the best games I've ever played. It's not for everyone, but everyone should have tried it once in their life.
    It's certainly hard, but not unfair. Lack of polish in late-game and obvious development constraints keep it from a full score.
    Also, if you get frustrated quickly and don't like to find the path for yourself, you will not enjoy it as much.
  17. DieterU
    Mar 30, 2021
    10
    This game is by far my favorite game. That I've literally ever played. Everything about it is just incredibly well done. Well, except for the Witch of Izalith fight. I love it when videogames fully utilize the uniqueness of this method of storytelling, and that's something Dark Souls does like few others have. Some of the story is told to the player directly, some of it is hidden in theThis game is by far my favorite game. That I've literally ever played. Everything about it is just incredibly well done. Well, except for the Witch of Izalith fight. I love it when videogames fully utilize the uniqueness of this method of storytelling, and that's something Dark Souls does like few others have. Some of the story is told to the player directly, some of it is hidden in the descriptions of items, and some of it you can figure out by interacting with the world, walking around, and being incredibly observant; inferring things about past wars based on where the corpses of certain characters are and whatnot. And it's really not just useless 'lore.' It really is such a fully fleshed out story. The atmosphere is another just incredibly well done aspect. Everything comes together to make this incredibly gritty and morose high-fantasy setting. The level design is truly impeccable. No other video game comes close; not even other FromSoft games can compare to the expertly designed areas here. The difficulty is undeniably one of the most iconic aspects. Yes, it's hard, but after each defeat, you fell like you've genuinely learned and that you can really do it if you just keep trying. Just a great game. Absolutely get it if you're interested in high-fantasy stories and you don't mind learning how to 'git gud.'… Expand
  18. MYP
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    The Original Dark Souls is a must-play for any Video game fan or Critic. The game is one of those games that other art enthusiasts can look at it and say well that's unique. There's nothing like dark souls franchise out there and it all started with this game, i acknowledge that it was demon's souls that started it all but demon's souls falls short in comparison with dark souls.
  19. Rains01
    Jan 26, 2021
    10
    ..........................................................................:
  20. Arya977
    Jan 11, 2021
    8
    Gameplay..........Good.
    Graphics............Mediocre.
    Score.................Amazing.
  21. migueltaker
    Jan 4, 2021
    9
    De los mejores juegos que alguna vez jugué, toda una experiencia, los escenarios increíbles
  22. prussii
    Dec 31, 2020
    8
    Poorly optimised and wacky, but hey it's dark souls and it's awesome. Memorable locations and bosses. Great world and unique storytelling.
  23. Boldozer3u
    Dec 27, 2020
    10
    Dark souls is one of the deepest and hardest games ever made, from its minimalistic story tp its highly detailed world and NPCs.
  24. PlagueMan
    Dec 23, 2020
    10
    In the name of the gwyn, this game is a Masterpiece. Praise the sun, this game is so deep.
  25. Brownies
    Dec 22, 2020
    10
    Dark souls took everything that demon's souls established and improved it in everyway, giving us one of the most challenging and deep video games ever.
  26. KaleSungurCrane
    Nov 22, 2020
    10
    OVERALL - 97%

    Gameplay - 9/10 Graphics (for time) - 8/10 Story - 9/10 Game Length - 9/10 Characters - 7/10 Level/Area Design - 10/10 Atmosphere - 9/10 Sound Effects - 8/10 Soundtrack - 7/10 Replay Value - 10/10 This game and the SoulsBorne franchise have ruined gaming for me. I am addicted to these games. Nothing else has nailed the a balanced in game difficulty like this.    OVERALL - 97%

    Gameplay - 9/10
    Graphics (for time) - 8/10
    Story - 9/10
    Game Length - 9/10
    Characters - 7/10
    Level/Area Design - 10/10
    Atmosphere - 9/10
    Sound Effects - 8/10
    Soundtrack - 7/10
    Replay Value - 10/10

    This game and the SoulsBorne franchise have ruined gaming for me. I am addicted to these games. Nothing else has nailed the a balanced in game difficulty like this. It took me a while to get into the swing of it and of course rage quit 1000 times, but there is no equivalent in gaming to beating a section of Dark Souls after struggling on it for so long. The map is incredibly intricate and linked together beautifully, and the areas are impressively varied and creative. I love Dark Souls.    … Expand
  27. TheHound1
    Aug 12, 2020
    10
    Incredible game design, level design, amazing environmental story telling, deep lore, doesn’t cater to a wide audience, is still being talked about 9 years after it’s release, literally spawned a whole new sub-genre.
    In a sea of uninspired generic easy as **** games, dark souls stands out as not only an “unforgiving” game but a game that respects the player and doesn’t treat them like a    Incredible game design, level design, amazing environmental story telling, deep lore, doesn’t cater to a wide audience, is still being talked about 9 years after it’s release, literally spawned a whole new sub-genre.
    In a sea of uninspired generic easy as **** games, dark souls stands out as not only an “unforgiving” game but a game that respects the player and doesn’t treat them like a **** idiot.
    In my opinion this is without a doubt the greatest game of all time.    … Expand
  28. punkblud
    Jul 31, 2020
    9
    My many playthroughs of this game have proven to me, that videogames can be art. The world this game presents is one of immense detail and rich history and its a shame the casual player won't get to scratch the surface of what this game has to offer in terms of both story and gameplay. So much is left to the imagination as well as interpretation giving the player the ability to dwell inMy many playthroughs of this game have proven to me, that videogames can be art. The world this game presents is one of immense detail and rich history and its a shame the casual player won't get to scratch the surface of what this game has to offer in terms of both story and gameplay. So much is left to the imagination as well as interpretation giving the player the ability to dwell in thought of what they just experienced. Everyone knows this series for its crushing difficulty as well as its iconic boss fights, this is for good reason since they definitely live up to the hype. The bulk of the difficulty faced is completely fair and it lets the player learn from their mistakes instead of holding their hand with trivial tutorials and easy modes. The glaring issue many others and I face regards the level/boss design of certain areas of the game but outside of that this game is a true masterpiece that any fan of video games should experience at least once.… Expand
  29. flipflapx
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    Mi juego favorito de todos los tiempos. Pero no por su dificultad, para mi dark souls es grande por su gran sistema de combate y por las builds que te puedes hacer. Tiene muchas armas, armaduras y estilos de combate que lo hacen sumamente completo en ese aspecto. Los escenarios y los enemigos estan muy bien construidos, haciendo interesante la exploración por su "mundo". No te dejes llevarMi juego favorito de todos los tiempos. Pero no por su dificultad, para mi dark souls es grande por su gran sistema de combate y por las builds que te puedes hacer. Tiene muchas armas, armaduras y estilos de combate que lo hacen sumamente completo en ese aspecto. Los escenarios y los enemigos estan muy bien construidos, haciendo interesante la exploración por su "mundo". No te dejes llevar por la dificultad, mirar estos juegos y pensar que son buenos porque son difíciles para mi esta sumamente sobrevalorado y le ha hecho un mal favor a la industria de los videojuegos, haciendo que los desarrolladores se enfoquen en hacer juegos difíciles mas que juegos con buenas mecánicas de combate como dark souls.… Expand
  30. Zaidx
    Jul 23, 2020
    10
    My favorite game of all time what else can I say its just perfect as a game
  31. TheSquirrel
    Jul 6, 2020
    9
    Dark Souls is a tense inch by inch death fest where the idea of self preservation becomes a fond memory of other games you have played. You play this game to die over and over and over and than you go to sleep haunted by how to get past the thing that is currently killing you. Leveling up and item upgrading have never felt so useless, as you just continue to die over and over and over.Dark Souls is a tense inch by inch death fest where the idea of self preservation becomes a fond memory of other games you have played. You play this game to die over and over and over and than you go to sleep haunted by how to get past the thing that is currently killing you. Leveling up and item upgrading have never felt so useless, as you just continue to die over and over and over.
    I can picture right now the thing I'm trying to get past and I haven't played the game in months. This type of game is not for me, I feel like half the time i'm fighting enemies, and the other half I'm fighting the camera and the controls.
    What they have is a slow moving, grainy looking, repeat every area a dozen times game that hides all of this by appealing to our inner desire to win at any cost. All this game has going for it is gameplay time and bragging rights, everything else is just there to kill you.

    You don't enjoy playing this game, you take pleasure in beating it. You get there angry and frustrated and turn off the game exhausted and beaten down. Not how I like to leave a game, not a game I enjoyed.

    UPDATE years later: This is one of the best games I have ever played. As you can see from my review above, it beat me down. I set it aside, and came back to it a couple of years later, and this time I pushed through the learning curve and the deaths and the frustrations. What I found was a rich, beautiful, incredible game that I have now played numerous times with several characters. It is incredible and if you can get into the headspace where you expect to learn through dying, this game will reward you.    … Expand
  32. soldar
    Jun 26, 2020
    10
    El juego llega a ser tan bueno que no dan ganas de quitar el juego y hay gran variedad de armas, escudos y armaduras
  33. Khazar2
    May 5, 2020
    8
    A hack n slash game that actually provides a challenge unlike many of the others.
  34. Stopdumbingdown
    Apr 14, 2020
    10
    as a guy who first played dark souls waaay late in its cycle and thus, i heard a lot of the talk about it, the first thing i MUST state is that this game is, in NO way, a rpg. anybody referring to it (so-called pro reviewers, for example) as such is naively and blatantly incorrect.

    this is a simple, basic dungeon crawler where you get to choose weapons and gear and fight. THAT'S IT.    as a guy who first played dark souls waaay late in its cycle and thus, i heard a lot of the talk about it, the first thing i MUST state is that this game is, in NO way, a rpg. anybody referring to it (so-called pro reviewers, for example) as such is naively and blatantly incorrect.

    this is a simple, basic dungeon crawler where you get to choose weapons and gear and fight. THAT'S IT.

    secondly, all i ever heard about this game was the debate between how hard it is and whether or not that difficulty was cheap or not.

    first, this game is hard ONLY IF you aren't able to comprehend enemy tactics. it is inherently dejavu-memorization combat. PERIOD.
    and, yes, the game purposefully puts you in at a disadvantage. ie. yes, there are cheap deaths. and, they are galore.

    THIRD -- yes, yes, this game is EASY EASY once you know its mechanics, tricks, tactics, and, it's your second playthrough. PERIOD.

    i can't EMPHASIZE this more- do not CHEAT on your first time through this game. you MUST play it organically. why? cuz the second and tenth playthru's will NEVER be the same since you know the game

    *yes, one can cheat in single-player games. obviously*

    the game has its share of issues but is clearly a masterpiece. when you first set foot in it there is amazement and questioning and intrigue for this superbly unique game

    screw-up and die and try again. and, realize that this game hinges on your ability to watch and comprehend and learn.

    the game is littered with poor gameplay and mechanics, yet, it is an experience like no other.

    what i know is that dark souls is one of the most UNIQUE games i've ever played.

    there is no doubt that it's so-called "difficulty" is a sham and can be debated away with ease. there's no doubt that this is NOT a rpg. this game is purposefully repetitive.

    the "story and lore" that fanboys try to prop-up is still relatively nil. AND, your second play-through will NEVER be the same as the first.

    nevertheless, this is an instant classic and one of the greatest Unique games of all-time:

    tho, overall, its simply a great game    … Expand
  35. Hdogg
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    Best game ever made. Anyone who actually gets to the end of the game or at least halfway through falls in love with it. The people who don't like it are those that gave up on it too early. No one likes this game right away. Just like the first time you took a sip of your daddy's beer. Grow up and drink the effing beer or shut up.
  36. scroole
    Mar 19, 2020
    10
    dasdasd dad ad a ad da das da dad asdasddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
  37. Cafe_8bits
    Nov 14, 2019
    8
    Dark Souls is not just a game, but an entire experience. Dark Soul is not your average RPG, where you grind your character untill you can destroy the world, but you as a player grow to master the mechanics as a whole. Levels matter here, but your handle of the game matter the most.
    The melancholic atmosphere and great narrative choices made this game an unforgettable experience for me,    Dark Souls is not just a game, but an entire experience. Dark Soul is not your average RPG, where you grind your character untill you can destroy the world, but you as a player grow to master the mechanics as a whole. Levels matter here, but your handle of the game matter the most.
    The melancholic atmosphere and great narrative choices made this game an unforgettable experience for me, and everyone who likes RPGs should play it.    … Expand
  38. RafaelBarrera
    Sep 13, 2019
    10
    A master piece. This game treats gamers like actual grown people, it doesn't treat you like you're stupid. Perfect combat, interesting lore, epic bosses, beautiful art...
    Not recommended for wimpy people ;)
  39. HonestReviews69
    Jun 13, 2019
    9
    Fun if you are good. There is a lot more to the game than being hard. But if you can't get past the first undead areas, then this game will be terrible 4 u. I love it for it's amazing combat, amazing visuals, the soul system, and the difficulty. (which is fair btw) If u play it smart u won't die
  40. brendo214
    May 21, 2019
    9
    While this game does have quite a few frustrating areas, the way that it is burned into my memory shows just how, well, memorable it is.
  41. ZXSth
    Apr 15, 2019
    8
    As everyone and their grandmother has probably recognized by now, Dark Souls is a legendary game franchise. This entry in the series is the one that many people see as the pinnacle of that experience - I think this is a prime example of nostalgia blindness, but am willing to validate the multiple things this game gets right.

    Dark Souls is a game in which you really must earn everything.    As everyone and their grandmother has probably recognized by now, Dark Souls is a legendary game franchise. This entry in the series is the one that many people see as the pinnacle of that experience - I think this is a prime example of nostalgia blindness, but am willing to validate the multiple things this game gets right.

    Dark Souls is a game in which you really must earn everything. It also tells you very little about what you need to do - some will adore this lack of forced direction, while others will be enraged by it. Additionally, the game has a phenomenally high learning curve that is rewarding to overcome, but hell to try and manage in the beginning (or at least, it was for me). This approach to game design is truly love-it-or-hate-it, with most players falling into the 'love it' category, if its rabid cult following is to be believes (key word being 'cult' - ergo 'niche').

    While Dark Souls is a great game with many environments that are undeniably beautiful and impressive, some areas of this game (and some of its bosses) present a kind of frustration that is incredibly off-putting and alienating. Specific examples include: The framerate-killing Blighttown; the visually staggering brightness of Lost Izalith (and its utterly infuriating puzzle-style boss, the Bed of Chaos); the egregiously dark and overwhelmingly difficult Tomb of the Giants; and the ragequit-inducing battle against the camera that is the Capra Demon boss fight (which invites cheesing the boss instead of fighting it).

    Despite being what I would call 'unrefined,' Dark Souls' interconnectivity between its areas, its challenging but rewarding combat, its vicious bosses and its overall artistic design are absolutely enthralling. The game has such a storied status in the video gaming world for a reason despite its flaws.    … Expand
  42. Dperks
    Jan 10, 2019
    10
    I dropped this game at first but later came back and beat it and now i regularly come back to beat it again.
  43. Edgard86
    May 22, 2018
    9
    Melhor Dark souls, viciante, ambientação e mapa perfeitos.

    Gamer Tag: Edgard 86
  44. RubikPinkiePie
    May 19, 2018
    10
    Perfect game, is not hard but exigent, the game only gives you the bases of how to play and the rest of the game you will have to discover it on your own in a wide world without restrictions
  45. Charlybs
    Jan 22, 2018
    8
    Yo diría que lo mejor del juego es la ambientación deprimente y esa sensación de soledad que hace que vayas con el culo apretado en cada paso para no morir. Puede llegar a desesperar no encontrar el camino correcto o morir 300 veces en el mismo jefe pero cuando consigues pasarlo la recompensa lo vale. Una vez te lo pasas tiene la opción de NG+ que está muy bien.
  46. 11254man
    Jun 26, 2017
    8
    I really hate useless _/10 scores, but this platform forces one, so wait until the end for a recommendation on how much you should buy it for, as I feel it to be a more accurate representation of whether the game is, you know... worth it. Dark Souls is an Action RPG by From Software. Dark Souls is a game I enjoy quite a bit, and I'm going to spend the bulk of this review talking aboutI really hate useless _/10 scores, but this platform forces one, so wait until the end for a recommendation on how much you should buy it for, as I feel it to be a more accurate representation of whether the game is, you know... worth it. Dark Souls is an Action RPG by From Software. Dark Souls is a game I enjoy quite a bit, and I'm going to spend the bulk of this review talking about why, and what gave me pause even in my blind admiration. First off, the sound design on the whole thing is wonderful, from satisfying sound effects to amazingly orchestrated boss themes, the game excels in its sound design. Graphical design is the first thing I start to have a bit of a problem with. The game looks great for the most part, but some things are just hard to get over. The lava in the game quite literally hurts to look at, some of the backdrops aren't even slightly worked on (though others are to excess) and, one thing I really can't get over: there are some spots that are straight up unfinished. The stairs into the Lower Undead Burg straight up don't have anything to the left of them, just a gaping, lazy hole. Now, story wise, Dark Souls can't be touched. it's told through item descriptions and optional character dialogue, with very little laid out for you. This allows you to piece together an expansive and complete world. The gamplay is where this series shines, however. Rolling is responsive, blocking is responsive, combat is calculated but an adrenaline rush all the same. Some of the bosses, like Orenstien and Smough, are some of the best in all of gaming. However, other bosses, like the Bed of Chaos, are inexcusable, awful bits of the game I wish I could just skip. So, is the game worth it? YES! Get it now! at its current 20$ price point (For both the game and it's DLC.) it's a steal. Definitely one of my all time favorites.… Expand
  47. AkumaJack
    Jun 8, 2017
    10
    This game is a flawed masterpiece.
    Some areas are the best designed ever in videogame history and some of the later ones are just flat out bad.
    But the game is great anyway. The combat system, the lore, the setting and mood of the game are on point. The DLC is one of the best i've ever played. Both because it encreases the challenge and because it has some of the best boss fights of    This game is a flawed masterpiece.
    Some areas are the best designed ever in videogame history and some of the later ones are just flat out bad.
    But the game is great anyway. The combat system, the lore, the setting and mood of the game are on point.

    The DLC is one of the best i've ever played. Both because it encreases the challenge and because it has some of the best boss fights of the whole game.

    Buy it with any doubt if you still haven't.

    I'm giving a 10/10 even if it isn't perfect. It has both problems regarding fps issues and game design ones imo.
    Nonetheless is one of my favourite games.    … Expand
  48. Mistwalker_94
    Mar 10, 2017
    10
    "Ever fallen in love with someone, ever fallen in love? In love with someone, ever fallen in love? In love with someone you shouldn't fallen in love with."
  49. BlakDak666
    Mar 9, 2017
    8
    Dark Souls is an important game that should be played by everyone. It is a game that challenges the person on thinking outside of the box and becoming more attuned to its world as a result. It punishes but also rewards with all sorts of gear, items and lessons. It has a wonderful atmosphere, some amazing boss fights and a DLC worthy of your time. Of course it is not perfect; the first halfDark Souls is an important game that should be played by everyone. It is a game that challenges the person on thinking outside of the box and becoming more attuned to its world as a result. It punishes but also rewards with all sorts of gear, items and lessons. It has a wonderful atmosphere, some amazing boss fights and a DLC worthy of your time. Of course it is not perfect; the first half of the game is outstanding, but starts to falter by the second half. The network connections are too long and tedious, making online coop or pvp an issue. Framerate drops often in large scale areas and some bosses are absolutely awful (esp. in the second half). Otherwise, a well done game that succeeds in dark fantasy and difficulty in games done right.… Expand
  50. rotud
    Feb 27, 2017
    10
    The first time I played this game I hated it so much that I made a metacritic account just to give it a bad review. I don't recall why I gave it another shot a few months later, but Dark Souls became my favorite game series of all time. What unblocked me the second time through was figuring out the co-op mechanics, which are not well explained in-game. If you learn how to co-op you can getThe first time I played this game I hated it so much that I made a metacritic account just to give it a bad review. I don't recall why I gave it another shot a few months later, but Dark Souls became my favorite game series of all time. What unblocked me the second time through was figuring out the co-op mechanics, which are not well explained in-game. If you learn how to co-op you can get past any boss easily, and eventually you'll get the hang of it. Also, while the graphics tech is not top notch in 2017, the art direction is breathtaking. I urge anyone finding it clunky or difficult to give it another shot, as it's so well worth it.

    Previous review from 2014:

    Overall extremely overrated game.

    The graphics are dated and not pretty whatsoever. Reminds me of EverQuest in 1999. There is virtually no story.

    The controls and camera are, frankly, awful. I put in 10 hours hoping I would get used to it but just can't. As an example, if you play a spell caster you need to click in the right thumbstick to target an enemy before you can cast. When you press the right stick it targets a random enemy (probably the closest, but it's hard to tell in a fray). This gives you very little control and is extremely prone to error which leads to frustrating deaths.

    On top of this the game is full of poor design choices. For example if you're stuck on a boss prepare to make a 5-10 minute walk back every time you die. I want a game to challenge my skill not my patience.    … Expand
  51. somethingguy912
    Dec 2, 2016
    8
    It might be a bit late for me to make a review on a game this old, but I had just completed the game's story just a few weeks ago, and do understand the appeal of this game, although, even with that in mind, it does have some flaws.

    Now, this game is largely herald for it's absolutely insane difficulty curve and it's seamless environment, and half of that is true. Now, the game is    It might be a bit late for me to make a review on a game this old, but I had just completed the game's story just a few weeks ago, and do understand the appeal of this game, although, even with that in mind, it does have some flaws.

    Now, this game is largely herald for it's absolutely insane difficulty curve and it's seamless environment, and half of that is true. Now, the game is difficult, but it's difficulty is largely based on the fact that the game does not give you any pointers in terms of plot or combat other than the basic controls of the game. There's one thing to hand hold the players, and it's a whole other thing to not even give your players the correct means to progress through the game. Most if not all of your credentials are going to rely on looking up the wiki, which much like with Minecraft, completely takes the user off from the initial experience when you get ganked on and the game does not explain certain aspects. Did you know that you could talk to the daughter of chaos? You wouldn't unless you looked up the wiki. Did you know that Lautrec would kill the Fireseeker in Firelink Shrine, and that you have to go to a specific part in Anor Londo to get the soul back? Only with the wiki. The only story details the game tells you is the basic main story of lighting the two flames via ringing the two bells and retrieving four lord souls, and despite my expectations for some narrative twists - the only one is the fact that Gwyndolin has made an illusion of sunlight in Anor Londo - there is none. It's as straightforward as it comes: link the flame to continue the age of fire, or keep it selfishly to yourself. It's about as black and white as it gets. As a result of this forced piecemealing of the story, it does lose points.

    As for the environment and the gameplay, it is very solid, once you get the hang of it. Once again, the difficulty comes from the lack of explaining core details, the game still can be hard if you just come in rushing, unless you are overleveled against weaker foes. Blocking and timing attacks are key, and keeping your health and stamina pools is necessary for your success. You will in fact, die a lot, but dying is only a part of the learning experience of the game, as it does not give you any wiggle room on it's part. The world is built very well, as you can seamlessly travel through Firelink Shrine and bend towards New Londo, and make a backroad to the Valley of the Drakes and head towards Blighttown, and so on and so on. Even areas that aren't tied together, like Demon Ruins and Tomb of the Giants, still give you an opportunity to see these areas from a distance. But be careful about travelling to said areas, like with other open world areas, some places will be harder than others. Weapon variety is very well done, with a number of weapons that tie to certain builds, but be certain that your builds are the ones you want, as you cannot ReSpec in this game. Not to mention, miracles and sorceries, basically spells, can only be restored through bonfires and by no other means, so be careful with using them. Multiplayer is a bit flawed, as connectivity is sometimes inconsistent and lags horribly via Coop or even PvP matches, which is still well done since it is still based on the combat.

    So overall, Dark Souls is a well done game on exploration, observation, survival, and combat, but as for a story driven narrative, a lot of it is overly reliant on the items you find and the wiki you'll look up to realize you need to go to Scrumly the Crow and give him a Sunlight Maggot in order to get the Old Witch's Ring to talk to the Daughter of Chaos, which is completely irrelevant to anything.    … Expand
  52. WPharolin
    Oct 28, 2016
    9
    It is currently October of 2016. By now, I'm going to assume that anyone reading this review is familiar with the common praise for Dark Souls. Great level and enemy design, tight controls, awesome sound design, difficult but fair gameplay, etc. Rather than repeat what you've heard a million times, I'd like to talk about my personal experience with Dark Souls.

    I bought the game when it    It is currently October of 2016. By now, I'm going to assume that anyone reading this review is familiar with the common praise for Dark Souls. Great level and enemy design, tight controls, awesome sound design, difficult but fair gameplay, etc. Rather than repeat what you've heard a million times, I'd like to talk about my personal experience with Dark Souls.

    I bought the game when it was first released, however, I didn't give it a fair shot for about a year or so later. I took the game home and played for a few hours and just didn't "get it". To this day I don't have any of the achievements beyond the first three that everyone else seem to have (Covenant: Way of White, Estus Flask, and Rite of Kindling). However, when a good friend came to stay with me for a few months he brought over his PS3 and we played through Demon Souls. Enjoying it far more than I would have guessed we decided we were going to buy Dark Souls for the Ps3 (since my copy had gone missing) and beat it as soon as possible.

    However, we were so engrossed by the game that our plan to rush through the game was foiled by the intriguing setting and narrative. We were engrossed by the experienced and our goals shifted from beating Dark Souls as soon as possible to simply experiencing all it had to offer.

    What set Dark Souls apart from any other gaming experience for me was that it worked, intentional or not, as an allegory for depression. The world is indifferent to you and your struggles, things get worse before they get better, and any improvement is made by persevering in the face of what seem like insurmountable odds. In Dark Souls, death is harsh, but not final. By giving you an infinite number of attempts to overcome challenges, the focus of the game becomes about life, survival, and having the will to stick with it. You don't really die in Dark Souls until you give up. The game is a constant struggle for survival in face of world indifferent to your presence. And that is what it's like to have depression.

    I've now beaten the game seven times over the course of its life and I've come to appreciate it as a coping mechanism as much as I do a fun gaming experience. Each subsequent play through I discover something new about the game I didn't know. Something new that adds a layer to the rich narrative as well to the allegorical meaning that I ascribe to the game. This allegory may very well be something that I'm assigning to the game that was never intended by its creators. However, intentional or not, Dark Souls has managed to craft a narrative that has inspired me and helped me to deal with my own depression.    … Expand
  53. JRY69
    Aug 31, 2016
    8
    Ah, Dark Souls 1. I was so hesitant to get into the series because of this infamous game. Known for its ball-crushing difficulty made me such a **** to try it out. But, after beating Bloodborne and Dark Souls 2, I finally bought the game and gave it a try. And while I'm not nearly as in love with the game as some others are, I do think that this is a very solid, fun, and extremelyAh, Dark Souls 1. I was so hesitant to get into the series because of this infamous game. Known for its ball-crushing difficulty made me such a **** to try it out. But, after beating Bloodborne and Dark Souls 2, I finally bought the game and gave it a try. And while I'm not nearly as in love with the game as some others are, I do think that this is a very solid, fun, and extremely challenging RPG.

    The story is mainly told through the opening cutscene, item descriptions, and NPCs. This is either something that you'll love or hate. Personally, I feel that the game does well enough telling you why you're doing what you're doing so that you won't care about the deeper lore behind certain characters or locations. But, if you're into that sort of thing, you can get plenty of it here as long as you like reading (or just go to Youtube). What really makes the game stand out though it the gameplay. It feels like a slower yet more complicated style of From Software's previous game, Demon's Souls. Well timed dodges/blocks and knowing when to strike is the way to victory over most bosses and enemies, and damn if it isn't satisfying as hell taking down a crowd of enemies or a giant demon boss. However, this is when I begin to have problems with the game.

    The game is supposed to be hard, I know, but some enemy set ups can be down right brutal (especially later in the game). Some early game bosses are very poorly designed as well. For example, the Bell Gargoyles. A doable fight yes, but no one can deny that a boss that's just two enemies of the same type bombarding you with fire on a thin platform isn't the best boss design. Or what about the Capra Demon; a fast, aggressive boss thrown into a tiny crowded room with 2 fast aggressive dog enemies. Then of course theres the Bed of Chaos but, I'd rather not even mention it's name as it give me PTSD.

    That being said, there are some amazing bosses in this game both in terms of story and gameplay. The Great Grey Wold Sif is a tragic figure: a pet who only wants to protect her master's grave. And of course the infamous Ornstein and Smough; a boss so well designed and thought out that it's my favorite boss in the entire series.

    Areas range from god awful to breathtaking. Some highlights for me was Anor Londo and The Painted World. But theres also areas like Blighttown that are not only designed poorly, but also cause the framerate to drop significantly; causing frustration and broken controllers everywhere.

    The combat itself is simple yet complicated. Each boss and enemy as specific times where you need to roll in order to avoid their attacks, as well as certain times where it's safer to attack them. Learning these things will result in your death. And get used to the death screen, because on your first play through you're going to be seeing it a lot.

    The graphics haven't aged gracefully, but it remains a pretty game in its own right. I never saw any texture pop in or low res textures in my many playthroughs of the game. I encountered a couple glitches when it came to the sound in the game. Namely the opening cutscene voice being extremely quiet, but that may be my own fault with sound settings on my Xbox.

    Overall, the game is extremely solid. And while I do have legitimate complaints with the game, it doesn't stop it from being a solid RPG that will kick your ass. But once you overcome the game's challenges, your confidence will reach new heights.    … Expand
  54. LtPaul
    Jul 30, 2016
    10
    Some people don't like dark souls. They don't like the lack of narrative, they don't like unforgiving gameplay and the sharp learning curve. But this isn't why you play dark souls. Dark souls isn't like any other RPG, or any other game at all. Death and learning from your mistakes is part of the game, and if can't deal with this fact then this game isn't for you, because to really unlockSome people don't like dark souls. They don't like the lack of narrative, they don't like unforgiving gameplay and the sharp learning curve. But this isn't why you play dark souls. Dark souls isn't like any other RPG, or any other game at all. Death and learning from your mistakes is part of the game, and if can't deal with this fact then this game isn't for you, because to really unlock the true potential of this game you have to completely adapt your playstyle to suit the unique playstyle of the souls games. This game isn't for everyone, some people like an easy ride though a game, but I strongly recommend that that any console or pc owner should at least give the game ago, because it is, and will always be, one of the best games of all time… Expand
  55. SemenTheGreat
    Jul 26, 2016
    9
    Let me get this out of the way. Dark Souls is an amazing, amazing game, but it has its flaws. At first glance, it seems like your typical action RPG, but after playing for a couple of minutes, you realize it's different. If not, the punishing death mechanics and hard hitting foes are sure to make you do. Even though you can't talk about this game without mentioning its difficulty, there aLet me get this out of the way. Dark Souls is an amazing, amazing game, but it has its flaws. At first glance, it seems like your typical action RPG, but after playing for a couple of minutes, you realize it's different. If not, the punishing death mechanics and hard hitting foes are sure to make you do. Even though you can't talk about this game without mentioning its difficulty, there a lot of other things that really define the experience, from the amazing art style to the abnormally smart level design. The story is also well written and heart breaking, but not very clear if you don't put any extra work into placing the pieces together. The story comes mainly from item descriptions and npc dialogue. Last, but not least, the bosses are epic and challenging, with really good visual design and incredible music accompanying it. But as I said, there are some flaws. The first things that comes to mind is the, at times, unstable frame rate, especially in Blight town. Some of the hit boxes are a bit questionable, and one of the bosses is just **** These are just minor ones that won't ruin the experience.… Expand
  56. Benjiro
    Feb 9, 2016
    9
    I am not done with my first playthrough but I think I am far enough to give my opinion on it. At first I was frustrated with Dark Souls and even thought I wasted my money, but BY GOD WAS I WRONG! Dark Souls seems quite unfair but if you just let yourself get absorbed by its atmosphere and tightness of the gameplay you will have one ofe the greatest RPG experiences of the decade.
    But    I am not done with my first playthrough but I think I am far enough to give my opinion on it. At first I was frustrated with Dark Souls and even thought I wasted my money, but BY GOD WAS I WRONG! Dark Souls seems quite unfair but if you just let yourself get absorbed by its atmosphere and tightness of the gameplay you will have one ofe the greatest RPG experiences of the decade.
    But alas... I have to take away one point for the sometimes frustrating drops of the framerate and the occasional glitches...    … Expand
  57. anonymity
    Nov 5, 2015
    10
    Dark Souls subverts a lot of expectations and design decisions attached to the 3rd person action genre; which consequently burns a lot of people taking it a face value. Most of the negative user reviews for this game are written out of ignorance and say more about the reviewers than the actual game. Dark Souls isn't perfect but is objectively one of the greats. It is not for everyoneDark Souls subverts a lot of expectations and design decisions attached to the 3rd person action genre; which consequently burns a lot of people taking it a face value. Most of the negative user reviews for this game are written out of ignorance and say more about the reviewers than the actual game. Dark Souls isn't perfect but is objectively one of the greats. It is not for everyone because it truly takes skill and patients, it asks you to get better as a player instead of your in game avatar.… Expand
  58. RShackleford
    Oct 22, 2015
    10
    This game is proof positive that there's at least one developer that can still make a quite difficult, albeit fun game. Good on graphics, good on controls, good on pretty much every front, the story might seem a bit light at first glance, but I think fleshing out the world any more than From did would lessen the game. Not many cutscenes to be found here, and not many needed by myThis game is proof positive that there's at least one developer that can still make a quite difficult, albeit fun game. Good on graphics, good on controls, good on pretty much every front, the story might seem a bit light at first glance, but I think fleshing out the world any more than From did would lessen the game. Not many cutscenes to be found here, and not many needed by my estimation.

    The first game in a long time to actually make me think before I act.    … Expand
  59. RllyCoolGuy
    Jun 10, 2015
    8
    Well, it's a really good game, it has its flaws, but i'll get there.
    At its core, it's an action-rpg, and it does that pretty well. When i first played, i thought that there was going to be a few classes. The usual tank-slash-melee guy, the casting-inteligence based-mage and the quicky-stealthy- dodgy(?) thief. All the classes are variations of the listed above, but thats kind of "cute"    Well, it's a really good game, it has its flaws, but i'll get there.
    At its core, it's an action-rpg, and it does that pretty well. When i first played, i thought that there was going to be a few classes. The usual tank-slash-melee guy, the casting-inteligence based-mage and the quicky-stealthy- dodgy(?) thief. All the classes are variations of the listed above, but thats kind of "cute" to see.
    Graphics and art design at all are pretty well done (except for blighttown, that was horrible).
    Speaking of blighttown, framerate drops EVERYWHERE, sometimes even if i'm just critting someone, the game just lags. It doesn't seem like so much problem, but later in the game, if it freezes or lags at you during a boss figth, you're completely f*cked.
    Overall, it's a good experience if you like rpgs, and a really good experience if you're masoquist enough to handle this game.    … Expand
  60. gothasis
    Jun 3, 2015
    9
    this game is amazing i like it but it gets hard u have to go in order to unlock orange doors but once u get the mechanics its easier o and anor londo is hard
  61. jjcc97
    May 22, 2015
    10
    I originally hated Demon's Souls, yet I decided to buy Dark Souls three days after release. I died and died and died. After making it to Bell Gargoyles after 15 hours in my first playthrough, I gave up. I came back three months later, and for some reason, I enjoyed it. I restarted the game, explored every aspect of the world I could, looked up help online, and had an amazingI originally hated Demon's Souls, yet I decided to buy Dark Souls three days after release. I died and died and died. After making it to Bell Gargoyles after 15 hours in my first playthrough, I gave up. I came back three months later, and for some reason, I enjoyed it. I restarted the game, explored every aspect of the world I could, looked up help online, and had an amazing experience. After learning how to play this game, I easily completed Dark Souls 2. Now, this series is my second favorite of all time.… Expand
  62. Bajo19
    May 17, 2015
    9
    Hours and hours of rage and endless trying of not looking on internet how you do this part and that part. Still you got to love this game, it is a big challenge. If you already got trough this game you deserve some kind of trophy.
  63. ManemanFTW
    Apr 18, 2015
    8
    is a very good RPG, what else can i say? oh the frame rate is **** in some parts but the game is so good that makes you forgive it very quickly. the combat is amazing and the pvp is actually very good. The only problem is that it is very difficult to play with a friend online. but hey, it is a very good game
  64. Fedismo14
    Apr 18, 2015
    10
    A este juego le dedique horas y puedo llegar a decir que ha sido uno de mis juegos favoritos y de los mejores que jugado:

    Pros: -un diseño de nivel excelente. -gran variedad de enemigos. -un gran trasfondo, dando así una historia de lo mas variada con hipótesis. -jugabilidad desafiante. -rejugable al 100%. -gran diseño de escenarios. -una muy buena banda sonora. -los diseños de    A este juego le dedique horas y puedo llegar a decir que ha sido uno de mis juegos favoritos y de los mejores que jugado:

    Pros:
    -un diseño de nivel excelente.
    -gran variedad de enemigos.
    -un gran trasfondo, dando así una historia de lo mas variada con hipótesis.
    -jugabilidad desafiante.
    -rejugable al 100%.
    -gran diseño de escenarios.
    -una muy buena banda sonora.
    -los diseños de los jefes son muy buenos.
    -muchas cosas ocultas y por descubrir.

    Contras:
    -falta de dirección, de repente en el juego no sabes a donde ir.
    -historia que a simple vista no se percata.
    -fallos en el online.

    Es un juego que no llega a ser para todos ya que puede llegar a frustrarte, ya que muchas veces no te enteras de nada y la dificultad llega a ser un poco mas hasta que la de otros jugos, sin embargo si uno le da una oportunidad puede tener una gran experiencia con este juego.    … Expand
  65. DLKnight
    Apr 9, 2015
    9
    I've only heard a bit about Dark Souls before playing it. I wasn't sure if I would like it or not since I heard of its difficulty. I have to say, this game is not one that will tell you you are doing something wrong. It told you what do do in the beginning, you didn't listen, it's your fault you forgot their was a lock on feature (my first of many frustrations up to the first boss). It'sI've only heard a bit about Dark Souls before playing it. I wasn't sure if I would like it or not since I heard of its difficulty. I have to say, this game is not one that will tell you you are doing something wrong. It told you what do do in the beginning, you didn't listen, it's your fault you forgot their was a lock on feature (my first of many frustrations up to the first boss). It's difficult if you let it be difficult. One has to learn how the game works, sometimes frustration will ensue; all part of learning. Observe and think, a game where rushing in will all but get you killed by a surprise horde of enemies. People also complain about the lack of story. There is a story, although it is not in your face. You want story? Take some time to read the item descriptions and look around the area, you lean a lot (although much of the lore is speculation, but that's part of the fun isn't it?). The game itself becomes a lot of fun once you lean the areas, and the thrill and suspense of not knowing if the floor will collapse under you leading to a surprise boss fight is prevalent. The wide variety of areas, sometimes you will look off to the distance with curiosity toward something, then a few hours later, be in that exact area. I will leave with saying that it is not for everyone. Some will be forever frustrated and too stubborn to try to keep going, to each their own. Still, a game AT THE VERY LEAST worth a try.… Expand
  66. PFCraig
    Mar 31, 2015
    10
    I would have given this game a nine because nothing is perfect but all of these low scores are bringing the average way lower than it should be, for such a classic game. That's right, I can happily call this game a classic because it has all the aspects: challenging yet rewarding game play, beautiful artwork, smooth controls, and fantastic music. Obviously this isn't for everyone, but ifI would have given this game a nine because nothing is perfect but all of these low scores are bringing the average way lower than it should be, for such a classic game. That's right, I can happily call this game a classic because it has all the aspects: challenging yet rewarding game play, beautiful artwork, smooth controls, and fantastic music. Obviously this isn't for everyone, but if you actually take the time to play it, the game will consume you. Ultimately, if you're looking for a touching experience, I highly encourage you to play Dark Souls.… Expand
  67. ravingmasher
    Mar 12, 2015
    10
    If ever asked what game could captivate such an immerse experience for someone, I would right away say: Dark Souls.

    The world, the art style, the music, the ambience and loneliness that comes with your character, it's all so chilling and eerie in it's atmosphere. By the end of the game, I truly had to sit there and ask what I had actually acomplished, but in a good way, in terms of the    If ever asked what game could captivate such an immerse experience for someone, I would right away say: Dark Souls.

    The world, the art style, the music, the ambience and loneliness that comes with your character, it's all so chilling and eerie in it's atmosphere. By the end of the game, I truly had to sit there and ask what I had actually acomplished, but in a good way, in terms of the plot and my character's development. Without being harsh and to come across as bigoted, I am sad that some of the more 'simple' players can't see the beauty of this games hidden story and imagination that comes with it. In this game, the story is your story. The journey is yours and thus not much of the story is set in stone, you create this in your head yourself. Sure, there are many theories out there that delve into great detail about this sort of thing on Youtube and I really do recommend them, but do remember that your imagination is still valid and neither correct or wrong.

    The combat is also very viseral, realistic (to an extent, it's a game of course) and tense. Sure, the game is prized on it's difficulty, but it's a dying shame to have that be the focus of why to play this. The difficulty adds to your experience. But that is of course my opinion, you can play the game exactly how you want to play it or for whatever reason.

    However, don't expect easy co-op sessions with your friends, it's just unheard of. It's to do with connecting via the mulitplayer set up they've created. If you want a co-op Dark Souls game, try the second one as it's much easier for it.

    In conclusion: fantastic game    … Expand
  68. Zardnar
    Mar 8, 2015
    10
    Funny to see all the negative reviews regurgitating the same thing over and over again...
    Dark Souls is not for everyone and is a brilliant game, truly one of a kind.

    If you are willing to learn and put forth the time needed to get descent, Dark Souls is one of the most satisfying gaming experiences out there.
  69. Jub
    Mar 2, 2015
    8
    This game was a much needed breath of fresh air into the gaming industry.

    It's not perfect and I did find that most of the difficulty is down to figuring out the game instead to player skill which is still fun but severely lowers replay difficulty. The setting, story and characters all come together to give this deep sense of hopelessness that will stay with you long after you finish    This game was a much needed breath of fresh air into the gaming industry.

    It's not perfect and I did find that most of the difficulty is down to figuring out the game instead to player skill which is still fun but severely lowers replay difficulty.

    The setting, story and characters all come together to give this deep sense of hopelessness that will stay with you long after you finish the game.

    One of the let downs for me was the PvP. There's really no sense of balance whatsoever.

    All in all this game has some really cool uniqueness about it and rewards the players hard efforts.    … Expand
  70. jcarl663
    Feb 14, 2015
    8
    It's a very unique and fresh game, which is surprisingly difficult your first time through. The lore is drip fed to you, which can be a double edged sword. It leaves a LOT of room for interpretation, but in many cases leaves too much room. If you look closely at points, things just don't make sense. It's pretty clear that Miyazaki really loves reusing things, so he tends to cram the sameIt's a very unique and fresh game, which is surprisingly difficult your first time through. The lore is drip fed to you, which can be a double edged sword. It leaves a LOT of room for interpretation, but in many cases leaves too much room. If you look closely at points, things just don't make sense. It's pretty clear that Miyazaki really loves reusing things, so he tends to cram the same things into his games repeatedly, even if they don't have any reason to be there. It's a weird part of Eastern philosophy that things don't need to, and often don't, make sense literally, but can be traced to some philosophical concept that does make sense.

    Point of note: this game isn't hard in the sense that you're constantly struggling. This game is hard to get used to. Once you do, it stops being hard. After the first few hours, you learn the majority of the mechanics and what the game expects of you. The gameplay, while difficult and rewarding, diverse and consistently fresh, is incredibly easy to cheese out and subsequent playthroughs offer little. Once you've beaten a new enemy, it's just a matter or repeating the pattern. There are many ways to play (many of which are entirely useless) tons of weapons and fighting styles (again, most of which are entirely worthless) but it can be fun.

    The biggest drawbacks I have for this game are that, for one, there are a few optimal play styles, from which any deviation is just wasting your own time and energy, and getting the play style you want often times means beating the game once just to get all the items.

    Despite these things, it is still an intensely fun game, offers a very unique challenge, a highly engaging world and a refreshing experience overall.    … Expand
  71. Mattacus
    Feb 14, 2015
    10
    Phenomenal. There is no getting around it, this is, bar none, the absolute best game of the last generation, and one of the best of all time. I've been gaming for decades, and nothing has gotten stuck in my craw quite like this baby.
  72. TemplarQuacks95
    Feb 1, 2015
    10
    If you are faint-hearted or can't take on a REAL challenge, DO NOT play this game. But if you love a challenge, get this game now.
    The first time played this game I couldn't stand it, so it gathered dust for a few months. But I decided to pop in the disk one more time, and I just couldn't keep my eyes off the screen. I played 7 hours straight that day.
    You don't need to be a hardcore    If you are faint-hearted or can't take on a REAL challenge, DO NOT play this game. But if you love a challenge, get this game now.
    The first time played this game I couldn't stand it, so it gathered dust for a few months. But I decided to pop in the disk one more time, and I just couldn't keep my eyes off the screen. I played 7 hours straight that day.
    You don't need to be a hardcore gamer to be able to complete this game. But you will need A LOT of patience. This is a trial-and-error game. You're SUPPOSED to die. That how you learn what you should and shouldn't do, what weaknesses a certain enemy has, and discover many hidden shortcuts. There is no greater sense of relief and satisfaction than when you defeat a powerful enemy in this game. That's one of the things that make it so great
    Dark Souls is easily one of the best games I've ever had the pleasure of playing. This has more replay value than almost any game I can think of. I truly feel a lot of pity for people who can't appreciate this masterpiece.    … Expand
  73. drlowdon
    Jan 18, 2015
    10
    A spiritual successor to the PS3 only Demon Souls, Dark Souls is a game like nothing else available on the Xbox360. As you may well have already have heard you will die a lot in the process of attempting to complete the game. In the 75+ hours it took me to finish I would estimate that I suffered in excess of one hundred deaths. Unlike a number of other games I could name however thisA spiritual successor to the PS3 only Demon Souls, Dark Souls is a game like nothing else available on the Xbox360. As you may well have already have heard you will die a lot in the process of attempting to complete the game. In the 75+ hours it took me to finish I would estimate that I suffered in excess of one hundred deaths. Unlike a number of other games I could name however this rarely (Blight Town’s frame rates and a certain archer being the exception) became frustrating as each death can be seen as a learning experience allowing you to progress just that little bit further next time.

    Following a short, but tough, tutorial section the player finds themselves in an open world that they are free to explore any direction they choose. Never knowing what is around the next corner provides a truly tense yet exhilarating experience and reaching a bonfire (the games equivalent of checkpoints) provides such a huge sense of relief that you will often find yourself letting out a deep breath.

    All this is backed up by an excellent combat system that allows for the use of magic, bow and melee tactics as well as any combination in between. Forgoing the use of complex button combinations success depends on quickly working out the attack patterns of the huge variety of enemies and launching your own attacks at just the right moment. A seconds lapse in concentration can be fatal even against the games most basic foes!

    If all this sounds impossible help is fortunately always at hand from fellow on-line players. Using an item found early in the game players can leave messages for each other providing information on how to find secret areas or on the weaknesses of certain enemies. It is even possible to summon another player into your world in order to assist you on a particularly troublesome boss and this can go a long way to swinging the odds in your favour.

    For anyone looking for something just that bit different I can't recommend Dark Souls highly enough, just ensure that you have the internet handy as the game doesn't clearly explain many of the concepts that are vital if you are to make any kind of progress.    … Expand
  74. Robo11
    Dec 27, 2014
    10
    Dark Souls is without a doubt my favorite game released on the 7th generation of consoles. It is the only game I would give 10/10, not that it's perfect because it certainly has it's issues, such as frame rate drops in certain areas. However, none of the issues the game have are significant enough to detract from the overall experience.

    There are many reasons why I love this game as    Dark Souls is without a doubt my favorite game released on the 7th generation of consoles. It is the only game I would give 10/10, not that it's perfect because it certainly has it's issues, such as frame rate drops in certain areas. However, none of the issues the game have are significant enough to detract from the overall experience.

    There are many reasons why I love this game as much as I do, but I think it is mainly the oppressive, lonely and foreboding atmosphere, combined with its excellent yet simple combat system that makes Dark Souls a uniquely harrowing experience. Much has been made of the games difficulty, and indeed this has put a lot of people off, however it is the games difficulty that creates it's atmosphere and separates it from other action rpg's.

    The World of Lordran is brilliantly designed with its web of interconnected areas, cleverly linked by ingenious shortcuts (which negate the need to backtrack once you have unlocked them). Each area in the game has it's own distinct theme with new enemies and as such you never feel bored. There is also just enough narrative to keep you invested in the story. Be warned though, the game will not spoon-feed you directions or checklists, so you will have to pay attention to what little direction/narrative you get.

    The name of the game here is perseverance and patience - this is not your typical action rpg game where you can run into any situation and mash R1 until you stand victorious (Skyrim, Dragon age etc...). Dark Souls requires a more measured and tactical approach to combat as even the lowliest of foes can slay you with relative ease. The lack of health regeneration combined with a limit on healing and the games bonfire/checkpoint system really drive home the need to exercise caution at all times.

    If you enjoy a challenge then Dark Souls is for you. However, if you are expecting a Bioware/Bethesda approach to the rpg (i.e. focus on dialogue and story) and/or lack patience/perseverance then you are barking up the wrong tree.    … Expand
  75. LongSlayer
    Dec 14, 2014
    10
    Dark Souls is truly an incredible and unforgettable experience. This game is notorious for being very difficult. In a first playthrough, a new player will find the game pretty tough and some areas are quite challenging. There have been a few instances in my experience where the difficulty gets really frustrating. But overcoming those challenges is a great feeling and satisfying. The amountDark Souls is truly an incredible and unforgettable experience. This game is notorious for being very difficult. In a first playthrough, a new player will find the game pretty tough and some areas are quite challenging. There have been a few instances in my experience where the difficulty gets really frustrating. But overcoming those challenges is a great feeling and satisfying. The amount of freedom you have with your character is unbelievable. You can really play as any kind of character you want. You pick a starting class and then continue with the class roots, or you can go in a complete different direction. With this freedom you can make one amazing, dynamic character. There are also lots and lots of different kinds of armor and weapons to choose from and each of the pieces of equipment can be upgraded in different ways. Because of this, there really is no "best" weapon or armor piece. The main story is okay, it doesn't really go into depth nor is it expanded a lot. There aren't really any quests, the game is extremely nonlinear and you need to figure out where to go next in the world with little guidance. The environment is stunning and wonderful. The different areas in the game are different from one another and exploring each area is an exciting adventure on its own. The PvP part of Dark Souls is pretty fun too. The one thing about PvP is that lag can really affect your battle and can either be in your favor or your opponent's. Dark Souls is an exhilarating game, and it's a must play for any RPG or action-adventure fans.… Expand
  76. qetuo761
    Dec 2, 2014
    10
    this game has brought me the upmost pleasure in everything i do and i fully believe that this... this is art. there is no other game that i'd rather have the pleasure of giving a perfect 10 than the game that managed to kick my ass yet leave me wanting "just one more try" every time it would kick me to the floor it would brush me off, pat my back and say "go get 'em tiger" then proceed tothis game has brought me the upmost pleasure in everything i do and i fully believe that this... this is art. there is no other game that i'd rather have the pleasure of giving a perfect 10 than the game that managed to kick my ass yet leave me wanting "just one more try" every time it would kick me to the floor it would brush me off, pat my back and say "go get 'em tiger" then proceed to rip my flaccid penis off. and i couldn't stop playing it. this is without a doubt the greatest game i have ever played and has rewritten my life to an unbelievable level. i will not be capable of enjoying another game again due to it not being half as good as this godlike masterpiece. if I'm having a bad day, i can sit down with a cup of brew and a controller and just DO something. after you beat it this game has the kind of replay ability usually only found in little big planet. i could sit down and speed run it and be done in just a few hours. i can hop on and port to the silently gorgeous Anor Londo and murder some people who just want to kill Big Smo and the Ornmeister. thats another thing; every bas has fully fledged character to them. Ornstein is a grand duelist who has slain hundreds of dragons and does it all with honor. Smough is willing to kill anyone to get to you, including his long time partner Ornstein, whom he crushes to death just for some extra power. this kind of detail is barely scratching the surface of this dynamic duo. but the verdict of this review :

    TL;DR godlike masterpiece, wouldn't play anything else if i could "69/10"    … Expand
  77. AmazingMonky
    Nov 26, 2014
    9
    This game is dripping with atmosphere, gives you the biggest rush in any game, story that is amazing (if you read the items) and challenges you every step of the way, if you want to jump into the souls series this is the place to start. only thing that can be counted against it is is catering to a more hardcore audience with a steep curve for casuals. If you are tired of linear storiesThis game is dripping with atmosphere, gives you the biggest rush in any game, story that is amazing (if you read the items) and challenges you every step of the way, if you want to jump into the souls series this is the place to start. only thing that can be counted against it is is catering to a more hardcore audience with a steep curve for casuals. If you are tired of linear stories and easy games that hold your hand for their entirety this is the game for you.… Expand
  78. Kaprawiec
    Nov 24, 2014
    10
    This game is all about gameplay. And Its rock solid. I havent played other game with this good combat system. I know its hard, the boss life bars are ridiculously big. But i get the feeling that its just like it should be. If Id get there in my real life i would die just as many times as the mc of this game does.
    Strongly recommend, best RPG gameplay wise.
  79. swargo109
    Nov 5, 2014
    8
    Probably one of the hardest games I've ever played and I loved every minute of it. Combat is simple to learn but difficult to master. The lore in this game is super deep and will have you thinking about the world of Lordran. The only negatives is that the graphics look slightly dated now and that there is some issues with frame rate in places. If you can look past these small problems, youProbably one of the hardest games I've ever played and I loved every minute of it. Combat is simple to learn but difficult to master. The lore in this game is super deep and will have you thinking about the world of Lordran. The only negatives is that the graphics look slightly dated now and that there is some issues with frame rate in places. If you can look past these small problems, you can find a cheap gem at your local Gamestop.… Expand
  80. Chronmeister
    Oct 31, 2014
    10
    This and the other souls games are all very similar which is great. They offer the best action rpg gameplay ever concieved alongside a gorgeous, dark and frightening world that should not be missed by any gamer. I cant stress enough how atmospheric and tense this game is. It will truly get your heart racing and your mind working. There are tons of really well hidden secrets and reallyThis and the other souls games are all very similar which is great. They offer the best action rpg gameplay ever concieved alongside a gorgeous, dark and frightening world that should not be missed by any gamer. I cant stress enough how atmospheric and tense this game is. It will truly get your heart racing and your mind working. There are tons of really well hidden secrets and really beautiful loot to collect. Everything here has a purpose, and every area and enemy must be taken seriously. The result is an amazing work of art that is as engaging as it is beautiful. The difficulty is really a plus and should not be something that turns gamers off. The sense of accomplishment you will get from each small victory is so cool and really helps this game get its hooks in you.… Expand
  81. kkollias
    Oct 29, 2014
    10
    I played this gem on the 360. Tied with Mass Effect 2, I consider them the best games of this console generation.

    Atmosphere: The art style is beautiful. The world is dark and gives you a sense that everyone is stripped of all hope. A wonderful lore filled with gods, heroes, big mistakes and contrast sits in the background and sets the tone for your journey. Gameplay: The game feels    I played this gem on the 360. Tied with Mass Effect 2, I consider them the best games of this console generation.

    Atmosphere: The art style is beautiful. The world is dark and gives you a sense that everyone is stripped of all hope. A wonderful lore filled with gods, heroes, big mistakes and contrast sits in the background and sets the tone for your journey.

    Gameplay: The game feels rewarding in two ways. First, as everyone knows, the bosses are difficult and beating them is an achievement. But, also, being patient and grinding is rewarding in the sense that you can become relatively overpowered and easily go through the content (for the normal playthrough at least). The combat is very well crafted. It's methodical and slow. Every enemy is important.

    A fantastic take on dark fantasy RPGs. I loved it and played through it tens of times.    … Expand
  82. coral2dj
    Sep 16, 2014
    10
    There might be kids raging and showing their big hate against this game. But ignore them, they are TOTALLY retarded. This game is the best of the best in my opinion, and will remain the best. I am currently in NG+7, and still not bored. I love this game. I don't care if this game is extremely hard. Its still fun, amazing, fascinating, enjoying. If you want a hard, amazing, interestingThere might be kids raging and showing their big hate against this game. But ignore them, they are TOTALLY retarded. This game is the best of the best in my opinion, and will remain the best. I am currently in NG+7, and still not bored. I love this game. I don't care if this game is extremely hard. Its still fun, amazing, fascinating, enjoying. If you want a hard, amazing, interesting game, Dark Souls is for you.… Expand
  83. notsoslimShayde
    Sep 11, 2014
    10
    This is the best game I have played in a long time. I would put it on my top 10 list. I played it for over 90 hours (more than any ever), and I would play it again if I had the time.

    What did I love? The strategy to build a character to finish the game, the intense encounters with bosses, the huge variety of enemies. This game throws everything at you - but is rarely unfair. An    This is the best game I have played in a long time. I would put it on my top 10 list. I played it for over 90 hours (more than any ever), and I would play it again if I had the time.

    What did I love? The strategy to build a character to finish the game, the intense encounters with bosses, the huge variety of enemies. This game throws everything at you - but is rarely unfair.

    An incredibly important thing to remember is that because of the leveling system, even mediocre gamers (like me) can ultimately win because we can make our characters more powerful and revisit the boss battles. This being said, you are never overpowering in boss battles. One or two hits can always kill you.

    I am a mediocre gamer, but I did complete this game - and thank you internet for all the assistance.

    Do I have a few complaints - sure... Sometime camera angles we mucked up; at times the grinding to level up or buy gear was boring; no fast travel between checkpoint until the end of the game; and the fact that save / respawn points to boss battles was sometimes too far.

    However, this game does so much right that I would still give it a 10    … Expand
  84. dodgingbullet
    Sep 9, 2014
    8
    Dark Souls is that kind of game that you pay for so you can feel idiot, miserable and incompetent about yourself. And although you pay gladly for those feelings you wind up having a great and marvelous journey.
  85. tmlorfing
    Aug 15, 2014
    9
    You better be prepared to die. Dark Souls is brutal: one screw-up can negate hours of progress. However, the reward for triumph is amazing. Nothing feels better than plowing through an area that killed you 10 times, or finally defeating that towering demon boss. Don't be deterred by the naysayers: This game will punish your mistakes, but it can be mastered and beaten.
    The story of Dark    You better be prepared to die. Dark Souls is brutal: one screw-up can negate hours of progress. However, the reward for triumph is amazing. Nothing feels better than plowing through an area that killed you 10 times, or finally defeating that towering demon boss. Don't be deterred by the naysayers: This game will punish your mistakes, but it can be mastered and beaten.
    The story of Dark Souls is minimal. Most of it comes from lore, dialogue, and little details. You are a cursed undead, and must find a way to break the curse. However, fate has given you another calling: and that calling will challenge you to the limit.
    The world of Dark Souls is beautiful and immersive. See that giant tower off in the distance? Often times, if you see an area in the background, you will end up going there. The game starts out somewhat linear, but soon enough the massive world is at your fingertips. Unfortunatley, some parts of the game struggle with major frame-rate issues. It's not game-breaking, but can get you killed if you aren't careful. But other than that, Dark Souls is graphically impressive.
    The Combat system works very well. Every class can use every type of weapon. You don't need to be a wizard to cast spells, and you don't need to be a knight to wear heavy armor. It is a system that lets you choose your own way to fight the brutal enemies the game throws at you.
    Multiplayer is refreshing and exciting. You can choose to invade other players' worlds, or you may be invaded yourself. The invader and the master will duel to the death: and the winner will be greatly rewarded.
    If you love RPGs, go pick up this game. If you prefer casual FPS games like Call of Duty or Halo, still go pick it up for a new, brutal experience. This is a game that I think should not be missed.    … Expand
  86. RussianPhil28
    Aug 12, 2014
    9
    Dark Souls is the kind of game in which your hopes on a productive day are diminished due to how engrossing the dark yet light world of Dark Souls turns out to be. Although it is very difficult each and every obstacle has a counter part to it which is up to the player to find. While other games use this scenario Dark Souls masters it. My amount of deaths in Dark Souls are more than myDark Souls is the kind of game in which your hopes on a productive day are diminished due to how engrossing the dark yet light world of Dark Souls turns out to be. Although it is very difficult each and every obstacle has a counter part to it which is up to the player to find. While other games use this scenario Dark Souls masters it. My amount of deaths in Dark Souls are more than my kills in Bf3 but that is what makes this game different. Death in Dark Souls is an element which sometimes yes sucks but killing that boss that killed you countless times is very rewarding. Making this RPG one of the best ever made the amazing combat and world design make Dark Souls excellent.… Expand
  87. yourfavcomedion
    Jul 17, 2014
    10
    This game is one of the few that actually have challenges these days. The last time I think I loved playing, and beat a game, like this was probably King's quest. I think this game deserves a lot more then 10 points. People give it a bad score because they probably suck at the game. You have to understand that this game is SUPER hard. Well if you don't understand that, go cry to someoneThis game is one of the few that actually have challenges these days. The last time I think I loved playing, and beat a game, like this was probably King's quest. I think this game deserves a lot more then 10 points. People give it a bad score because they probably suck at the game. You have to understand that this game is SUPER hard. Well if you don't understand that, go cry to someone who cares. I bought this 5 months before I actually beat the game. The bosses were really challenging, took more than 1 try to beat it. But what I don't understand is I got stuck on the easy bosses than the hard bosses. Like smough and orengstien, I beat them on my 3rd try, but the butterfly thing, I beat on my 15th try. Why that is? I don't know, but still these games are rare these days. That feeling you have after you work so hard on a boss then finally beat it, it is hard to say. Would I recommend this YES! It is the best game I have ever played.… Expand
  88. ninjanerd
    Jul 16, 2014
    8
    i think that dark souls is a good game. but im a noob gamer and i found dark souls to be incredibly hard and challenging and rewarding. the game looks good has a great combat system and has a large open world for you to explore. i dont think dark souls is a bad game it is just too damn hard for people like me who like easy games to blow through.
  89. Plasmaneedle
    Jun 7, 2014
    10
    To say Dark Souls is challenging is an understatement. Dark Souls is about as challenging as video games get. It's that challenge that will drive you to play the game through to the end and it's what makes it so satisfying to complete each challenge. Dark Souls is only for the hardcore but they will get a lot out of it.

    Alongside the challenge is an excellent combat system. It's fun and    To say Dark Souls is challenging is an understatement. Dark Souls is about as challenging as video games get. It's that challenge that will drive you to play the game through to the end and it's what makes it so satisfying to complete each challenge. Dark Souls is only for the hardcore but they will get a lot out of it.

    Alongside the challenge is an excellent combat system. It's fun and hard to fight the enemies. It preforms flawlessly and works well with the RPG system. The bosses are some of the best not only of this generation but some of them will go down as the best bosses ever. They aren't your typical bosses, in fact many of them are completely unique. They are all hard as nails and so very satisfying to kill. If you're a hardcore gamer looking for a genuinely challenging experience look no further.    … Expand
  90. JustSumGuy
    May 28, 2014
    10
    If you've ever looked at the back of the box for this game, you probably saw the headline: "PREPARE TO DIE!" This phrase will leave a lasting impression on your mind, because if you play Dark Souls, you will die again and again. Players will be thrust into a cold, unforgiving world where almost everything you encounter wants you dead. While the game may sound intimidating, it is not unfairIf you've ever looked at the back of the box for this game, you probably saw the headline: "PREPARE TO DIE!" This phrase will leave a lasting impression on your mind, because if you play Dark Souls, you will die again and again. Players will be thrust into a cold, unforgiving world where almost everything you encounter wants you dead. While the game may sound intimidating, it is not unfair to players. Every mistake you make is your own, and not the fault of the game. Dark Souls is not for those seeking a leisurely gaming atmosphere. It is a challenging one that will test your skills. Surpassing the obstacles set before you will give you a sense of accomplishment that many games seem to lack these days.… Expand
  91. Icemastr
    May 24, 2014
    10
    One of my top five favorite games, 3 of which are Demon Souls, Dark Souls, and Dark Souls II. Dark Souls is challenging, the combat is fun, and levelling and exploring the world is addictive. The game isn't for everyone, but once you get into it you will be sucked in. This is by far the most time I have spent playing a single player game, more than 300+ hours just levelling up, taking downOne of my top five favorite games, 3 of which are Demon Souls, Dark Souls, and Dark Souls II. Dark Souls is challenging, the combat is fun, and levelling and exploring the world is addictive. The game isn't for everyone, but once you get into it you will be sucked in. This is by far the most time I have spent playing a single player game, more than 300+ hours just levelling up, taking down bosses, and having a blast.… Expand
  92. Scootsmen
    Apr 5, 2014
    10
    A masterpiece of game, world and monster design, Dark Souls is an underrated gem of substantial quality. The game took me over a hundred hours to complete and I didn't even get a chance to complete everything the game has to offer. It boasts a Gothic world filled with creepy enemies, mysterious dungeons and brilliant boss fights. Dark Souls has a few glitches here and there and the Bed ofA masterpiece of game, world and monster design, Dark Souls is an underrated gem of substantial quality. The game took me over a hundred hours to complete and I didn't even get a chance to complete everything the game has to offer. It boasts a Gothic world filled with creepy enemies, mysterious dungeons and brilliant boss fights. Dark Souls has a few glitches here and there and the Bed of Chaos boss fight could have been better, but the good outweighs the bad so much that the game's flaws come off as minor. This is a dark and challenging game made with a burning love for role-playing games.… Expand
  93. JacobCleveland
    Apr 5, 2014
    9
    Now I will speak plainly about this game, and I won't go into excruciating detail. This is not for everyone. Hell, its not even for me. I enjoy a challenge, but this game gives you that strong sense of dread and the impossibility of the level. The game constantly tries to test your limits to the max, and I applaud the developers for that. However, this game has an acquired taste to it. TheNow I will speak plainly about this game, and I won't go into excruciating detail. This is not for everyone. Hell, its not even for me. I enjoy a challenge, but this game gives you that strong sense of dread and the impossibility of the level. The game constantly tries to test your limits to the max, and I applaud the developers for that. However, this game has an acquired taste to it. The graphics and art direction of this game is amazing, but it's just not for me. This game doesn't make the attempt to appeal to everybody, which I applaud. If you like excruciating difficulty and a interesting experience, play Dark Souls. If you want to shoot up 12 year old kids and call them campers, play COD.… Expand
  94. Gilgamesh
    Mar 30, 2014
    10
    Gamers who disregard this game too quickly should stick with Pokemon. Patience is rewarded with joy and sloppiness death at every turn. Controls take a bit to get used to (didn't even know I could parry until almost the end of the first run (duh, I know)) but once you lock down the concept of stamina and the cost of your actions the control you have is simple and simply amazing. FewGamers who disregard this game too quickly should stick with Pokemon. Patience is rewarded with joy and sloppiness death at every turn. Controls take a bit to get used to (didn't even know I could parry until almost the end of the first run (duh, I know)) but once you lock down the concept of stamina and the cost of your actions the control you have is simple and simply amazing. Few games, if given a chance, will provide you the raw emotions this game does both bad and good. Go borrow money and buy it...… Expand
  95. Nataraja
    Mar 17, 2014
    9
    This is a game sheer will power. Wonderful mechanics and hard as hell situations. The graphics are sub-par but the game play more than makes up for it. I die over and over... and just when I walk away in disgust and lay down for bed it hits me.... I need to do this and then that THEN THIS! Jump up, grab a drink, die a few more times and then VICTORY! The boss goes DOWN. Its now 4 AMThis is a game sheer will power. Wonderful mechanics and hard as hell situations. The graphics are sub-par but the game play more than makes up for it. I die over and over... and just when I walk away in disgust and lay down for bed it hits me.... I need to do this and then that THEN THIS! Jump up, grab a drink, die a few more times and then VICTORY! The boss goes DOWN. Its now 4 AM and I need to be up in an hour...

    Yes its that addictive. But if you do not have patience this is not the game for you. Great voice acting and incredible to play. Would love improved graphics, but game play always trumps graphics.    … Expand
  96. Axlyss
    Mar 16, 2014
    10
    The reason people mark this game down are as follows
    story and controls... Ill give you controls for a newbie the controls they some getting used too. But the story is here and its pretty damn good... Each zone has a hidden narritive that you would never see if you don't take your time and explore and you know READ, Each zone has far stretching lore each zone feels balanced (except maybe    The reason people mark this game down are as follows
    story and controls... Ill give you controls for a newbie the controls they some getting used too. But the story is here and its pretty damn good... Each zone has a hidden narritive that you would never see if you don't take your time and explore and you know READ, Each zone has far stretching lore each zone feels balanced (except maybe the ridiculous close bonfires in tomb of the giants)

    The graphics are fine and do the job, The gameplay is fun and addicting..    … Expand
  97. KingYellow
    Mar 12, 2014
    10
    - I picked up DS when I was a "freshman" at Okanagan College in my home town. The year was 2011. At that point in time I underwent a personal revolution, and because of my education, my worldview, critical thinking abilities, and creative and interpersonal skills all changed for the better. This game will forever be tied into that vital and enlightening time, and represents to me a part of- I picked up DS when I was a "freshman" at Okanagan College in my home town. The year was 2011. At that point in time I underwent a personal revolution, and because of my education, my worldview, critical thinking abilities, and creative and interpersonal skills all changed for the better. This game will forever be tied into that vital and enlightening time, and represents to me a part of the universe that strives to be all that it can be.

    -Over the past few years, I've struggled with alcoholism and substance abuse. My Dad's genetic code has locked within it a predisposition to addiction-- evidenced by the death of my Uncles. DS was and still is an escape away from the chaos of my life and the second law of Thermodynamics. I'd say that I've played the game for at least 500-600 hours, if not more. That fact in itself speaks volumes about the game's production values, replay values and overall design ingenuity.

    - There's a few disgruntled individuals who still think that video games are not art. The critical and logical fallaciousness contained within said belief is pretty unfortunate. I'm a musician, and I write songs-- someday, I hope my music will reach others and colour their worlds as it colours mine. Dark Souls is absolutely beautiful, and represents the palate of emotions we feel and the dilemmas we face every day of our lives. Fear, wonder, determination, surprise, discouragement, joy, light vs. dark, moral ambiguity, survival of the fittest, superstition, betrayal, camaraderie etc. DS has it all.

    -Philosophy is one of the most important areas of study in existence (trumped maybe only by science and the scientific method). Nietzsche famously said that if you stare long enough into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. In Dark Souls, there's almost a feeling like the game world itself is communicating with you, trying to tell you something, and this only grows stronger as your knowledge and playtime increases. There's a deep philosophical message implanted in the game, and players filter it differently through their respective lenses. At its core though, I think Dark Souls wants you to become an Existentialist Hero-- an individual who confronts the absurdity of existence and the certainty of death... and emerges victorious.    … Expand
  98. Havok1496
    Mar 9, 2014
    9
    Fantastic game that only has a few flaws. First the good news. The combat is great and challenging. The environments are beautiful and the enemies are varied. That said prepare to die a lot. Is the game impossibly challenging? no, but when just starting out the controls can be hard to get used to. I would say don't judge the game based on the first two hours, keep at it and you willFantastic game that only has a few flaws. First the good news. The combat is great and challenging. The environments are beautiful and the enemies are varied. That said prepare to die a lot. Is the game impossibly challenging? no, but when just starting out the controls can be hard to get used to. I would say don't judge the game based on the first two hours, keep at it and you will discover an amazing game. After the first few initial levels the game opens up and while challenging becomes a great adventure. The only issue i would have with the game is that the story is lacking. While the story is there its very basic and it would be great if there was more to it. The story sounds very interesting and yet the finer details are not really fleshed out as you go along. However, the gameplay makes up for this and ultimately this is one of the best games i have played in a long time. I could not put it down once i was able to begin to get a small grasp of the mechanics. Learning how to play this game is a challenge but over time you will learn how to approach certain enemies and defeat them. Is this game punishing at times with checkpoints yes, but the game is ultimately very rewarding. There will probably be moments of frustration while playing this game, I had plenty of them. I could not beat one boss until my tenth try. Still these moments will pass and will not ruin what is an amazing game. My advice to new players is to not be discouraged at the beginning. The game truly does get better. I have just finished my first playthrough and i cannot wait to dive into a second adventure.… Expand
  99. nox332
    Mar 9, 2014
    10
    So, Being a long time fan of playing rpgs, this really caught my eye, i couldn't believe so many people were claiming how good this game was, but these reviews coupled with claims of difficulty at the same time! I decided to give it a try, as usually not cranking game difficulty up very often, i really wanted to test myself!
    The game starts Quite slow, but i managed to persevere into    So, Being a long time fan of playing rpgs, this really caught my eye, i couldn't believe so many people were claiming how good this game was, but these reviews coupled with claims of difficulty at the same time! I decided to give it a try, as usually not cranking game difficulty up very often, i really wanted to test myself!
    The game starts Quite slow, but i managed to persevere into finally finishing the game. Yes there are moments when you may be put off continuing, but the feeling of triumph when you finally do beat a boss (Im looking at Ornstein and smough, after 20+ attempts!) is unbeatable, and is more satisfying than any game i have ever played. Only after a good number of hours played will you realise what a true masterpiece this game is. It is not only the difficulty that makes it good, the storyline, although minimalistic is broad and epic, and the game can be graphically brilliant at times too!
    Dont listen to the naysayers, give this a try and see for yourself, you will find yourself pleasantly surprised!    … Expand
  100. NAHT87
    Feb 25, 2014
    10
    One of the most challenging, creative, and rewarding games I've ever played. Also, some of the most hilarious negative reviews I've ever read. Let us have a moment of silence for the controllers broken to bits in the many moments of defeat/despair these poor souls endured before rage quitting... lol
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2011
7
#7 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2011
8
#8 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 66 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 66
  3. Negative: 0 out of 66
  1. Gamer Limit
    Nov 29, 2011
    85
    All in all, Dark Souls is a more difficult, but less enjoyable (and less accessible) Demon's Souls.
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  2. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Nov 15, 2011
    90
    Dark Souls' world is dense with something new around every corner. [Issue#78, p.76]
  3. Xbox Achievements
    Nov 15, 2011
    90
    Dark Souls makes no bones about being unrelenting in its difficulty though, although it's by no means insurmountable. It's a rare game that's unlike anything else, refusing to pander or compromise in any way, shape or form. In this day and age, Dark Souls is hugely refreshing then, and well worth the time and effort.
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