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. Pariah406
    Nov 9, 2012
    10
    Being a gamer for over 20 years has led me to a lackluster world of cookie cutter games with insane hype and terrible delivery. If you can remember how revolutionary Halo 1, Knights of the Old Republic, Resident Evil, Mario, Grand Theft Auto and Metal Gear Solid were to the video game arena, you will understand this review. Right before I packed my video game life up to sail it away withBeing a gamer for over 20 years has led me to a lackluster world of cookie cutter games with insane hype and terrible delivery. If you can remember how revolutionary Halo 1, Knights of the Old Republic, Resident Evil, Mario, Grand Theft Auto and Metal Gear Solid were to the video game arena, you will understand this review. Right before I packed my video game life up to sail it away with my mid twenties, I took a gaming friend's advice and plunged into the world of Dark Souls. Not only did I become insanely immersed in this diverse, action filled and challenging world but I also regained faith in the video game movement because it was so enthralling. I played through with three different character classes and every time I found something new, joined a new covenant and giggled after falling from ledge after ledge. I loved getting punished in the game because it served as a reminder how unforgiving games used to be and the rewards left you with an adrenaline rush. It simply is a game for excellent gamers who desire a new wave of video games and anyone without the tenacity and skill to beat it should just keep playing Fable.… Expand
  2. p360assassin
    Nov 7, 2012
    10
    This game is a masterpiece. The people who say it requires grinding are retarded. The only time I grinded was when I suddenly decided 35 hours in that "Ya no, heavy armour ain't for me, I'm going for a dodge build". The game does not require any grinding, it requires observation and skill. Nothing more.
  3. iozay
    Nov 1, 2012
    0
    The game is impossible to control. Controles are by default incorrect displayed in the interface(For PC version at least). I would defenitely not recommend this game to anyone. The game defenitely has a lot of potential but is not executed well.
  4. drunkenmuse
    Nov 1, 2012
    9
    For those looking for a challenge and some of the greatest medieval fantasy design in the last few years - play this game. There's little handholding but for those who have grown tired of running through games unscratched, a fair challenge awaits you.

    Because the game is fair - if you die you just need to rethink your strategy.
  5. Laurence
    Oct 28, 2012
    10
    I picked up this game with the mindset that I'd beat it for the sake of beating a hard game. Then Dark Souls ended up being one of my top 3 games. I almost stopped playing about 1/5 of the way through, its true that in one section frame rate becomes and issue and its true that the game can feel brutally hard but at the end its all worth it. Never have I felt so immersed in a game: someoneI picked up this game with the mindset that I'd beat it for the sake of beating a hard game. Then Dark Souls ended up being one of my top 3 games. I almost stopped playing about 1/5 of the way through, its true that in one section frame rate becomes and issue and its true that the game can feel brutally hard but at the end its all worth it. Never have I felt so immersed in a game: someone commented below that they didn't like the 'no-pause' menu, I ended up loving it! It makes it feel less like a game and more like an experience. I can't remember another game that lets you play for 20 hours and then opens up a path for you that ends up right back where you were 10 minutes in the game, the level design is beyond superb and really makes it feel like your stuck in the world, with all the complexities and mazes you would expect in a castle and city the size Dark Souls is. The sparse collection of NPCs really make the world feel as bleak and the director intended. Music is fantastic. The plot is controversial, I personally love how they went with it. There is actually a huge amount of information under the surface: in item descriptions and character dialogue. You could easily completely miss what's happening for example the truth about princess Gwenevere, and you could never meet certain people integral to the plot such as primordial serpent kaathe and Gwendolyn, just like you can miss my favourite area in the game: Ash Lake. Overall don't expect this to be like other games, think of it as an experience, but one that's very much worth the effort when you finally overcome the challenges involved.… Expand
  6. Firemind
    Oct 27, 2012
    5
    Dark Souls is a good game in some ways. I like the way you fight and how you have to watch out for traps, attacks and so on. It's pretty cool, because you won't come far with button-smashing.That's something I really like about Dark Souls. Also there's nothing to say about the difficulty of the game: it's okay, but sometimes unfair. For example: you search the area for the next checkpointDark Souls is a good game in some ways. I like the way you fight and how you have to watch out for traps, attacks and so on. It's pretty cool, because you won't come far with button-smashing.That's something I really like about Dark Souls. Also there's nothing to say about the difficulty of the game: it's okay, but sometimes unfair. For example: you search the area for the next checkpoint and meet an enemy, that's much higher than you are. So you die, that's okay. But you lose all the Exp gained on the way to this enemy. So you've got two options: forget the Exp, farm everything again or you try to get it back, but actually there's no chance of getting it back, because you die again if you go there, where your Exp are. So what? You farm again and again and again. You spend hours and hours farming the same routes over and over again. If you like this, go and play World of Warcraft but in Dark Souls it's just annoying. I really want to like this game, but it's difficult to like it that way. Don't be fooled by all of these hype-guys, giving the game a 10. It's an average game, but nothing more. Dragon's Dogma is much more fun, nearly the same way of Gameplay and you have the choice how difficult that game is.… Expand
  7. Fird
    Oct 7, 2012
    10
    I will start off by saying I never played Demon Soul's because I did not own a PS3. So I heard all this hype about a game called "Dark Souls" a few weeks into its release, so I decided to rent it and see for myself what it was all about, I played it for about 2 days and took it back (keep reading), I later decided to re-rent it because I told my friend how blisteringly hard it was, so II will start off by saying I never played Demon Soul's because I did not own a PS3. So I heard all this hype about a game called "Dark Souls" a few weeks into its release, so I decided to rent it and see for myself what it was all about, I played it for about 2 days and took it back (keep reading), I later decided to re-rent it because I told my friend how blisteringly hard it was, so I decided to give it another shot. I instantly got hooked, and I mean the game blew my balls... to the ceiling. I put over 500+ hours into it within about a 2 months or so, I had never played such a hard yet at the same time satisfying game in my entire life. The amount of builds,weapons,armor and items was astounding. I would spend hours just researching items and builds, the game has the most replay value of any game I have ever played.I also want to mention, I don't get addicted to games ever, I have played nearly every big title of the past 7 years, basically every MMORPG out there, but no one RPG/Game has sucked me in harder than Dark Souls.

    The world is small yet so large, the game has a very dark atmosphere, tie that in with the multiplayer. and the fear of always being invaded by another playing while trying to summon a NPC to help on a boss, just amazing. Every time I think about Dark Souls or something mentions it, chills run down my spine, I have only owned the game for about 6 months but the game already gives me huge nostalgia, I would go out on a limb to say this is the most unique and thought out game of at least the past decade. I know I might be over-dramatizing it, but to me this is what the game is like, I just love it, only thing that worries me is the game's community will eventually die and move on, and the soul's series will die, hope to God that doesn't happen. Please if you can, support the developers, buy the PC Version, Xbox or PS3, it doesn't matter.    … Expand
  8. X-fushion
    Oct 5, 2012
    9
    If you are a gamer that wants some challenge, get this game yeah it´s hard as hell but its totally worth it, the boss battles are epic and all the adventure you go trough, the combat works well, the atmosphere is really cool and also discovering the secrets of this game.
  9. BigStozz
    Oct 2, 2012
    9
    Fantastic game which is incredibly challenging and rewarding, at times you'll want to tear your hair out or just stop playing the game but it's so damn addicting!
  10. Herm0n9900
    Oct 1, 2012
    10
    After a bit of a rocky start Dark Souls has steadily grown on me to the point that it has become my #1 game of all time displacing Oblivion and Knights of the Old Republic. The game is very difficult especially to those who've never played demon souls. I own both the 360 and pc versions. I've invested around 300 hours into the game and have played it through 3 times. The only otherAfter a bit of a rocky start Dark Souls has steadily grown on me to the point that it has become my #1 game of all time displacing Oblivion and Knights of the Old Republic. The game is very difficult especially to those who've never played demon souls. I own both the 360 and pc versions. I've invested around 300 hours into the game and have played it through 3 times. The only other games I've played more than once are Halo and KOTOR. My only real concern at this point is that DS has ruined all other video games for me; I simply won't play button mashers again! You need to be patient, build your skill and understanding of the upgrade paths and character building. When you are frustrated take a break and come back to it. I am looking forward to my next play-through where I'll simply focus on the pvp aspect of the game which involves invading other players worlds and punishing other players that have sinned! The game has it's flaws such as targeting strangeness, enemy weapons passing through walls, a sparse story line and lack of manual but I still have to give the game a 10 for overall enjoyment and value. I've seen a few low scores given to this game which are simply ridiculous. I myself nearly rage quit but kept with it.… Expand
  11. Onomatopoeia
    Sep 28, 2012
    10
    Dark Souls is an outstanding game that I will long remember. The combat system is uniquely designed with lots of variation and options available to the player. It needs to be said that the aforementioned variation and options are all functionally useful in the game and not just fluff. The game world, though somewhat dark by design, is attractive graphically with a surprising continuityDark Souls is an outstanding game that I will long remember. The combat system is uniquely designed with lots of variation and options available to the player. It needs to be said that the aforementioned variation and options are all functionally useful in the game and not just fluff. The game world, though somewhat dark by design, is attractive graphically with a surprising continuity between different zones. Each zone challenges the player in unique ways. Some weapons/Armor/Spells work well in some zones tbut not in others. The fun is in figuring this out. The overall presentation is wonderfully imagined and beautifully expressed by talented artists. While the game does have a story, it will remain ambiguous to the player unless he engages the few NPCs at various locations. Despite this, the game is so enjoyable that it hardly even matters. There are stated objectives to accomplish even if the reasons are not always clear. The game does have a reputation for being difficult, but this seems to be at least somewhat overstated. It does take some diligence to navigate tricky terrains while also executing offensive and defensive maneuvers, but it can be done by most who are willing to try. It is possible to summon other players (or NPCs) to assist with boss battles. That said, a player feels a tremendous sense of accomplishment after successfully completing objectives. The game features guilds, each offering unique equipment, magics, or privileged access to (spoilers) - goodies, let's say. Some guilds offer offer direct help to players such as localized heals or souls. Souls are the game's currency for both leveling a character's attributes as well as for the purchase of items. Complete control of character design right down to individual attribute points makes this a true RPG experience. The game also features the capability to summon other players as well as be summoned yourself. This can be for cooperative efforts or PVP. Even if the player chooses to remain a solo adventurer, he can still read advice left by other players as well as dispense it. This game has replay value. There are so many hidden items/treasures/magics/paths/NPC decisions/etc/etc that it is not possible to experience it all in a single play through. There is enough room in character building to have a significantly different experience when compared to a previous play through. This game is definitely worth the money for what it gives you in return. This game earns a rare 10/10 from me.… Expand
  12. ergulerhan
    Sep 9, 2012
    10
    I'Ve spent 150+ hours on this game. Combat on this game really though but it's cool. It's only for hardcore gamers. That's why I lovin this game so much.
  13. Chapa9dj
    Aug 24, 2012
    4
    Overrated, uninspiring and boring. So this is the game that my friends pictured to me as the ''Panacea of Gaming'' and turned out to be completely wrong.
    The gameplay is clunky as hell, especially when you engage in a boss fight.. The map design feels bland and very empty, not to mention that the graphics are downright terrible. Is this 2012 or 2004?
    Ok, continuing with this, its not    Overrated, uninspiring and boring. So this is the game that my friends pictured to me as the ''Panacea of Gaming'' and turned out to be completely wrong.
    The gameplay is clunky as hell, especially when you engage in a boss fight.. The map design feels bland and very empty, not to mention that the graphics are downright terrible. Is this 2012 or 2004?
    Ok, continuing with this, its not open world as some people told me, its completely linear and boring and the character lacks personality and charisma.
    Also, it has GFWL. That is enough for anyone to stay away. I don't even know why companies still use this.

    I'm glad i got it as a birthday gift, but sometimes i wish my friend didn't have to spend that amount of money. I'm not ungrateful, on the contrary, but this game is definitely not my cup of tea.

    Definitely one of the most dissapointing games of 2012.    … Expand
  14. mrb1138
    Aug 16, 2012
    10
    IMO the best game this generation. I love playing through the game, building new characters, helping new players and invading the vets. The game just refuses to get old, I can't think of higher praise. And with new content on the way I maybe playing this for a very long time.
  15. holymoly
    Aug 13, 2012
    7
    Dark Souls is a good game, but not a great game. What makes Dark Souls a good game is the challenging difficulty, dark atmosphere, and haunting boss encounters.

    GOOD Dark Souls is one of the hardest games ever made. It takes a truly obscene time commitment and a strong gaming background to be able to progress through this title. If you're new to role-playing games, this isn't the one    Dark Souls is a good game, but not a great game. What makes Dark Souls a good game is the challenging difficulty, dark atmosphere, and haunting boss encounters.

    GOOD

    Dark Souls is one of the hardest games ever made. It takes a truly obscene time commitment and a strong gaming background to be able to progress through this title. If you're new to role-playing games, this isn't the one you should start with. The game punishes failure more than any other game to arrive in the last decade; every time you die (and you will die a lot) you risk losing a vast amount of progress. That can be a good thing, however, because it encourages you to persevere and become excellent. The boss fights, which test even the best players, will demand greatness from you. The feeling you get when killing a truly difficult boss is like nothing else. BAD

    Three key points. First, the game lacks narrative almost entirely. It's strange to have an RPG without a story component, but there you have it. Don't come to Dark Souls looking to be entertained by the storytelling. Second, the game comes without common conveniences like the option to pause the game or fast-travel between locations. You'll find yourself running back through hostile areas again and again just to get to another location on the (non-existent) map. Third, the game doesn't explain how to perform simple actions like upgrading weapons, invading other worlds, storing inventory items, or what your next objectives should be. Players will need to do a lot of reading online in order to even learn how to aim with a bow. Some will argue that this just adds to the challenge, but I disagree - challenging difficulty is one thing, but not explaining how to interact with the game world is another thing entirely; it's just sloppy game design. CONCLUSION

    Though Dark Souls will appeal to some, most gamers will be (rightly) inclined to steer clear. The game does one and only one thing well - it punishes mediocrity. It doesn't tell a good story, doesn't help you learn how to play, and doesn't make playing convenient. It just beats on you again and again. Some will love it; other will hate it. I'm somewhere in the middle.    … Expand
  16. AncientGR
    Aug 13, 2012
    4
    Challenging, addictive and exciting but eventually proves to be too user-unfriendly and unrefined for it's unforgiving level of difficulty. Lacking of all but the basic plot and scenario, forwarding the story at a very slow and repetitive pace that strongly resembles the early 90's -fun- yet now obsolete trial-and-error mechanics.
    Compared to other titles of its age, feels more like an    Challenging, addictive and exciting but eventually proves to be too user-unfriendly and unrefined for it's unforgiving level of difficulty. Lacking of all but the basic plot and scenario, forwarding the story at a very slow and repetitive pace that strongly resembles the early 90's -fun- yet now obsolete trial-and-error mechanics.
    Compared to other titles of its age, feels more like an arcade than a complete-game experience.
    Unforgivable flaws include taller enemy attacks hitting you through walls, slippery surface glitches, frame rate drops, difficult multiplayer mechanics, dull combat mechanics, doesn't pause, and eventually subjects you to an unavoidable charade of almost endless farming and backtracking.
    Adult players should be warned that this game shows no respect of your time spent playing it. If you are playing video games only for a few hours of high-quality fun, then steer clear of this game.    … Expand
  17. thebrock
    Jul 22, 2012
    7
    There is no dought about the most difficult rpg game to be released on xbox 360. Dark souls is an absolute **** nightmare. It is time consuming, and very very repetitive. Also the storyline can be a little hard to follow if you dont use the internet as a guide. I however loved the leveling system in this game and felt the attention to detail was incredible. Will probably go back and haveThere is no dought about the most difficult rpg game to be released on xbox 360. Dark souls is an absolute **** nightmare. It is time consuming, and very very repetitive. Also the storyline can be a little hard to follow if you dont use the internet as a guide. I however loved the leveling system in this game and felt the attention to detail was incredible. Will probably go back and have another crack at this game. Nearly got to the end but not quite. If you like a challenge buy this game.… Expand
  18. G-baby
    Jul 19, 2012
    9
    This is one of those games that, if you give it a chance, will completely consume your soul. I have put in well over 150 hours and I'm still playing it. It is a difficult game that requires discipline and patience, though I feel its not as difficult as the previous game Demons Souls. The dark fantasy setting has been masterfully rendered by the developers and the multiplayer makes bossThis is one of those games that, if you give it a chance, will completely consume your soul. I have put in well over 150 hours and I'm still playing it. It is a difficult game that requires discipline and patience, though I feel its not as difficult as the previous game Demons Souls. The dark fantasy setting has been masterfully rendered by the developers and the multiplayer makes boss fights super exciting. I would have given this game a ten but there are frame rate issues and lag in a few areas of the game, but the overall experience more than compensates for the very minor technical issues. This is a game that is well worth your hard earned dollars.… Expand
  19. glnm888
    Jul 17, 2012
    10
    After playing countless hours of online shooters and starting to become jaded and bored of gaming, this game could not have come at a better time for me. I was hooked from the barebones, albeit challenging, opening tutorial on. In a video game reality where even learning the basics could be challenging yet fun I knew I was in for some much needed gaming satisfaction with this one. TheAfter playing countless hours of online shooters and starting to become jaded and bored of gaming, this game could not have come at a better time for me. I was hooked from the barebones, albeit challenging, opening tutorial on. In a video game reality where even learning the basics could be challenging yet fun I knew I was in for some much needed gaming satisfaction with this one. The problem I'd started to get into with prior gaming experiences was that campaigns would constantly flow between being way too easy to being too difficult and I just lost interest. The beauty of Dark Souls, simply as an experience in and of itself, is that it manages to stay challenging the entire first playthrough but not in a way that if you've already beaten it, or figured out how to conquer a part of the game already, you will still find it challenging. That's what I enjoy most about this game is once you figure something out, you can use that knowledge to make what amounts to be a very challenging game, a lot less challenging over time. I enjoyed my time playing Skyrim as well but I actually prefer the style of Dark Souls graphics and the combat system a lot more. Combat in Dark Souls includes the ability to parry blows, block with shield or weapon depending on what you have equipped, deal critical "back-stab" hits if the character is positioned right, and slug away with both strong and standard damage attacks that vary greatly in implementation and usefulness depending on weapon type. There are a lot of different weapon types too but not so many that it gets overly confusing and you want to stick to one or two standby weapons all the time. I like the bleed effect that sharp katana bladed weapons have, so even if you have a low attack rating on a katana, if you hit a fleshy enemy enough times you can deal anywhere from 25%-50% of their health in damage. Playing this way enables you to explore different class builds and strategies. It should also be noted that the "load" system is well thought-out too, with players using bulky weapons and armor having less mobility but not paralyzingly less mobility. Magic and ranged weapons have their ability to dominate in the game as well so you aren't limited to always needing a strong melee weapon on hand. Various character building strategies can be implemented so as to keep the game fresh and play through multiple times. I should not that I've beaten the game a total of 5 times. The first time it was often agonizingly slow to progress but still satisfying to play after 70 hours. The second time it took me roughly 30 hours and I savored it this time around. The third time I beat it in about 20, knowing which smaller areas could be skipped while still managing to progress through to the end of the game. The last time I beat it I did so with practically no leveling up for extra stats to help. That in itself shows off what kind of game this is. One that can be beaten with sheer knowledge and skill alone (not exploits) is one-of-a-kind. It's too easy in other RPGs like Skyrim to just level up smithing or whatever have you and build super strong weapons or magic, etc. and rally to the end that way. In fact, in Skyrim grinding is absolutely necessary at times. In Dark Souls is ill-advised. So decide what you'd rather be doing for hours on end, learning to master a game as a player or learning to master it as your character.

    Moving on, the plot is virtually non-existant aside from being a premise and a justification for why you encounter bosses at certain points throughout the game. That said though the plot is bare it leaves a lot of mystery to other aspects of the game so it helps with the already lonely, desolate feel of it all.

    I recommend this game to anyone that wants a unique gaming experience they can savor for awhile and feel satisfied, maybe even proud, for having done so.    … Expand
  20. BlueWorrior
    Jul 16, 2012
    10
    Okay, I'm gonna make this quick. Dark Souls is quite probably one of the best games EVER MADE. I stated that in all caps to let you know just how serious I am.

    Dark Souls Isn't just a game: It's an experience, an adventure that you will never forget. It has depth, atmosphere, tweaked and challenging gameplay, great visual design and an almost beautiful musical score. I implore you. Buy    Okay, I'm gonna make this quick. Dark Souls is quite probably one of the best games EVER MADE. I stated that in all caps to let you know just how serious I am.

    Dark Souls Isn't just a game: It's an experience, an adventure that you will never forget. It has depth, atmosphere, tweaked and challenging gameplay, great visual design and an almost beautiful musical score. I implore you. Buy this game. Right now. If you hate it you probably think that it's too hard. If you do, you are soft, play it and gain skill through experience, because it will pay off, I assure you.

    Best game of year? definately. Best game of the decade? I'd say so. Over-dramatic review? yeah, sorry 'bout that. But get this game anyway. It'll be the worth every penny.    … Expand
  21. Kongopete
    Jul 11, 2012
    10
    The quintessential gamer's game. One of the most engaging and unrelenting games created in history. It requires attention, focus, and perseverance; qualities which most games have become actively attempting to remove from their games. It rewards exploration and discovery, all while demanding you do not lose focus on the tasks at hand. It is difficult to describe the feeling Dark SoulsThe quintessential gamer's game. One of the most engaging and unrelenting games created in history. It requires attention, focus, and perseverance; qualities which most games have become actively attempting to remove from their games. It rewards exploration and discovery, all while demanding you do not lose focus on the tasks at hand. It is difficult to describe the feeling Dark Souls gives me upon turning it on. I remember conquering bosses and overcoming tasks that I formerly found impossible. But, while that is often the accredited or most maliced part of the game, simplifying Dark Souls as being a completionist's or masochist's wet dream is far too generalizing. Forgotten are the beautiful environments, precise combat, fascinating (although minimalistic) lore, and the incredible amount of loot and upgradable items. The game is incredible in its ability to linger. It leaves a satisying feeling not for the constant accomplishments, but for the true greatness of the game. For myself it was very difficult to move on afterwards. Finding the best can sometimes ruin everything else for a gamer.… Expand
  22. pk45
    Jul 9, 2012
    0
    Really regret buying the game and was really hoping to enjoy it. The "hardcore" aspect was appealing...however, there is absolutely no ramp-up for your learning curve. The situations get so involved, so quickly that you do not have much time to get the combat system down (and I am not a fan of their targeting system)........if there was a chance for a learning curve and the combat systemReally regret buying the game and was really hoping to enjoy it. The "hardcore" aspect was appealing...however, there is absolutely no ramp-up for your learning curve. The situations get so involved, so quickly that you do not have much time to get the combat system down (and I am not a fan of their targeting system)........if there was a chance for a learning curve and the combat system worked better, it would probably be ok. You have to be very, very precise with your aim , so much so that it is unreasonable for what they expect you to pull off sometimes. I have not played the game for several months and I would still love to kick them in their collective balls and then give myself a good shot for being suckered in to the marketing. All I wanted was a good RPG (graphics, story, etc.) that was not necessarily for kids if you know what I mean. I do not mind difficult at all, but this is not difficult, it is unreasonable. Time for my therapy session! ;)… Expand
  23. Thaetriah
    Jul 9, 2012
    10
    Pure masterpiece. Dark Souls is a successful exception in modern video game titles that awakes "the good old days of video games era". With incredible level of challenge, the game makes you feel like a true hero. Everything you do in the game is rewarded by sense of glory and victory. The quality of Dark Souls depends on player, because it gives you no hand to hold and you are the onePure masterpiece. Dark Souls is a successful exception in modern video game titles that awakes "the good old days of video games era". With incredible level of challenge, the game makes you feel like a true hero. Everything you do in the game is rewarded by sense of glory and victory. The quality of Dark Souls depends on player, because it gives you no hand to hold and you are the one crafting your own experience. With high replayability, unique online experience (that said, the game is worth of every penny even for single player-only experience), challenging and entertaining gameplay (and tough!), atmospheric world to explore and amazing feel of achievement(s!), Dark Souls offers the best you can find nowadays in video games.… Expand
  24. Spakment
    Jul 6, 2012
    10
    Dark Souls is a modern masterpiece. It asks a few classic questions of its players.

    Can you learn from mistakes? Can you learn from subtle hints? If not, then you will hit a brick wall and fall at the first hurdle. Persevere and you will slowly improve your skills and character. Dark Souls is a masterclass in game design. There is a mini world to explore and a plethora of secrets to    Dark Souls is a modern masterpiece. It asks a few classic questions of its players.

    Can you learn from mistakes? Can you learn from subtle hints? If not, then you will hit a brick wall and fall at the first hurdle. Persevere and you will slowly improve your skills and character. Dark Souls is a masterclass in game design. There is a mini world to explore and a plethora of secrets to uncover and more play styles than any other game I've played, in every play style there is a huge range of options and upgrades. With each switch of style or even weapon type it forces you to completely change your tactics and the way you approach enemies. As an example of its diversity; fundamentally this is a fighting RPG but with the right equipment (invisibility & silence ring and a long range bow) you can play the game as a stealthy sniper. The online aspect adds a new challenge and I've had some real epic "boss" style battles; one memorable encounter was as I was about to enter a boss battle I was invaded by a clearly more proficient player, quickly I started summoning other players to help take care of him, every new player I threw at him he slowly took apart and defeated, after I had exhausted all possible summoners, the invader bowed, dropped some humanity on the floor, let me pick it up and then we proceeded to battle, he overcame my unrefined skills, but it was an exciting and frantic battle.

    I've not been more gripped and entertained by a game as I have Dark Souls.    … Expand
  25. marsh52
    Jul 4, 2012
    10
    Ok, so I don't even know where to start with this game, first of all, this game looks incredible. The graphics are absolutely stunning. Also, the music in this game is amazing as well. It has one of the deepest story lines of any game I have ever played, and one of the most immersive worlds of any game I have ever played. But don't get me wrong, this game is difficult. So this is not forOk, so I don't even know where to start with this game, first of all, this game looks incredible. The graphics are absolutely stunning. Also, the music in this game is amazing as well. It has one of the deepest story lines of any game I have ever played, and one of the most immersive worlds of any game I have ever played. But don't get me wrong, this game is difficult. So this is not for the average gamer. But, if you're up for the challenge, Dark Souls is one of the most rewarding and satisfying games you will ever play.… Expand
  26. Aegrus
    Jun 28, 2012
    10
    The combat and story (yes, there is a story, but people who stop playing after a few hours never figure it out), atmosphere, online components (pvp and co-op) and graphics are all amazing, and that's been discussed before. Now, I'm going to point out other things that haven't been talked about so much- such as, there are no load times after the main menu. There are no glitches to be seenThe combat and story (yes, there is a story, but people who stop playing after a few hours never figure it out), atmosphere, online components (pvp and co-op) and graphics are all amazing, and that's been discussed before. Now, I'm going to point out other things that haven't been talked about so much- such as, there are no load times after the main menu. There are no glitches to be seen anywhere after you install the day 1 patch. It clocks in on the shorter end at 60 hours, with the average being 80 hours to complete and the near-completionist time being about 120 hours. There is also a new game+ that can extend the game for many playthroughs. The max level is about 700, but you'll only get to about 80 after one playthrough. The ending varies depending on your choices, but the choices are subtle and eays to miss, so you always need to proceed carefully. You can kill anyone- even critical npcs, so there really is a sense of urgency and caring for the npcs that you don't feel in most games. Most weapons and armor are unique, so they really feel valuable, and it's a huge effort to get each one. Often, they're in secret areas, so not everyone gets every (or even most) items in the game. The framerate drops at parts, but it never gets as low as Skyrim's and people play that just fine. It takes some intelligence and patience to play this game, as most of your problems have a variety of solutions, but it takes strategy and planning/experience to see the best ones. For example, in one area of the game, you have to kill ghosts that are unkillable without using consumable items with time limits. Many people expend all of their items, and then have to farm to buy more. However, being cursed by a completely different type of enemy in a different part of the game allows you to hurt ghosts without using consumable items. But the game never tells you about curses, or invincible ghosts, or anything. Part of the fun is discovering it first hand.
    That was just one example. There are many like that. Unlike most developers that count on its audience being stupid and lazy, From Software counts on its audience to be clever and cautious. Dark Souls truly is a game about survival- you're just a random soldier in a world filled with monsters as strong as, or much stronger than you, and your wits and skill are your only hope.

    People with neither hate the game, rant about it being broken or too hard, and then rate it 0 just to keep themselves in nice, comfortable denial about how unskilled, thick-skulled, and impatient they really are.    … Expand
  27. Benzia
    Jun 23, 2012
    9
    Overall, very beautiful game. What strikes me about this game is how well the artistic blend of the world collides with the astonishing game play. When you pick this one up, it is not nearly what you would expect it to be. We all know that each game has their own little perk that makes them unique in their own way, but Dark Souls truly does take the cake on this one. Where this game wouldOverall, very beautiful game. What strikes me about this game is how well the artistic blend of the world collides with the astonishing game play. When you pick this one up, it is not nearly what you would expect it to be. We all know that each game has their own little perk that makes them unique in their own way, but Dark Souls truly does take the cake on this one. Where this game would normally be labeled 'difficult', it sounds so much better as challenging; it just fits. This game is, granted, time-consuming. Though, if you look deep into the constant repeated deaths, you will realize that there is always a pattern. With each Game Over, you are meant to learn from the mistakes and flaws that you made upon death. That, of course, may take hours. Hence, time-consuming and all. The challenge Dark Souls presents is simply tremendous. From the point you begin the game you think: "Hey, this is cool. Should be a breezy hack and slasher game, right?", wrong. As stated before, you practically are required to identify a pattern with every obstacle you may come by. The developers of Dark Souls made it so you literally are expected to spar with enemies and dangerous foes that your character may encounter. Depending on your class, your tactics may have to be changed a bit. That's what I enjoy about this game, the complex challenge in your battles and the artistic dark age scenery. The combat system blows me away and it always keeps me on the edge of my seat when you are granted the ability to really duel with the various enemies. I felt that Dark Souls provided a fair set of combat methods and classes that fulfills the needs of preference-based players. Whether you are more of a magic user, or fancy a good old bow, you are almost always able to find a handy weapon that suits your pleasure. There is another point that some people may bring up during the play through, what the heck is the story? The story, my friends, is for you to find out. When you play through the dangerous labyrinths and areas of Lordran, you pick up plenty of items and encounter multiple friendly units. Each item has a description and somehow gives some background on the lore of the world. In turn, you are basically your own little historian. While you play and uncover the secrets of Dark Souls, you begin to piece together that your mindless killing spree is not merely for nothing. The mysterious character you play as has a role that is key to the legendary land you will traverse. The thing is, you can't be lazy and just expect the game to just tell the story for you. You as the player are expected to learn about the story yourself. The story really is quite exciting, and therefore it is given a plus. Where that last point just didn't make it for me was the multiplayer. Sadly, this game (Like it's predecessor, Demon Souls) harbors a very limited interaction with other players. There is a very unique system of how online players are able to interact with each other in this game, that being able to lay down a summon sign for anyone to see and take interest in. Though in my opinion, this could have been a bit more interactive by allowing some friends to be able to play some classic coop. Instead of hoping you can find your friends' sign in a selected area, perhaps a feature that allows some instant friendly encounters would be in order. For that reason, I take away one measly point. This doesn't affect my view on the game, though. Dark Souls has earned their spot on my list of top games and it is a game that I would return to just for the hell of it; that is, at my own risk.… Expand
  28. ChrisStone
    Jun 17, 2012
    10
    First up if you get this game you will die, a lot. I died a couple of times during the tutorial, but that is what makes the game so good. When you die it makes you want to go back and beat whoever (or whatever) killed you, when you do that there is no greater satisfaction, trust me. When I first went on Dark Souls and I finished the tutorial, hated the game. There's no map or compass toFirst up if you get this game you will die, a lot. I died a couple of times during the tutorial, but that is what makes the game so good. When you die it makes you want to go back and beat whoever (or whatever) killed you, when you do that there is no greater satisfaction, trust me. When I first went on Dark Souls and I finished the tutorial, hated the game. There's no map or compass to guide you, the enemies are hard to kill, good weapons and armour are hard to find at the beginning of the game and I spent at least 4 hours fighting my way up to the Taurus demon and being killed by it. But after a while when I got used to the control scheme and I got better at backstabbing and parrying etc, the game got easier and a lot more fun to play.

    Overall, this game, in my opinion, is very similar to games like the old Onimusha titles. You have to scavenge for new armour and weapons, enemies are difficult to kill but not impossible, it's just a fantastic deep game that is defiantly worth buying.    … Expand
  29. Peter-B
    Jun 13, 2012
    10
    Playing this game is like being beaten repeatedly with a car antenna. Gradually, you begin to learn how to take the beating so that it does not hurt so bad, and eventually, you learn to fight back, and win. The beauty of the game, is that the challenges you encounter seem impossible on first attempt, and only through numerous failures do you begin to find a strategy that allows you toPlaying this game is like being beaten repeatedly with a car antenna. Gradually, you begin to learn how to take the beating so that it does not hurt so bad, and eventually, you learn to fight back, and win. The beauty of the game, is that the challenges you encounter seem impossible on first attempt, and only through numerous failures do you begin to find a strategy that allows you to survive to face your next challenge. It makes every victory truly enjoyable, and a first attempt victory that much sweeter. This game is the opposite of hack and slash. It rewards perfect timing of striking and blocking and precise movement. I am reviewing this game highly so that other people will feel my pain - the pain of being one-shotted, falling off of cliffs, and getting a boss to 5% health before he destroys you - and hating/loving every minute of it.… Expand
  30. Ph4bim
    Jun 13, 2012
    10
    Na minha opinião é o MELHOR JOGO que joguei dessa geração de consoles!! Se você é um jogador veterano, que jogou bastante o famoso classico CASTLEVANIA SYNPHONY OF THE NIGHT, e até HOJE, se sente "orfão" (pois acha a que Konami não fez um á digno pra essaNa minha opinião é o MELHOR JOGO que joguei dessa geração de consoles!! Se você é um jogador veterano, que jogou bastante o famoso classico CASTLEVANIA SYNPHONY OF THE NIGHT, e até HOJE, se sente "orfão" (pois acha a que Konami não fez um á digno pra essa geração), você vai jogar DARK SOULS e vai dizer a cada minuto:

    " Ã    … Expand
  31. Yashime
    Jun 2, 2012
    10
    Yeah, close to perfection :-). I don´t agree with some critics here who says that the character move unnatural: those guys are completly washed up from Modern Warfare and other game who the character don´t care about gravity! (play a multiplayer with Call of Duty or Battlefield and you will understand).
  32. Chuck_Woolery
    May 26, 2012
    10
    It's funny how all the negative reviews say the same things... "I don't have the time to deal with this games frustrations/difficulty" or "I work and have kids and don't have time for a game that doesn't teach me how to play" or "there is no story" or "its poorly designed". But guess what people... take a look at the rest of the reviews. Most people think its a masterwork,It's funny how all the negative reviews say the same things... "I don't have the time to deal with this games frustrations/difficulty" or "I work and have kids and don't have time for a game that doesn't teach me how to play" or "there is no story" or "its poorly designed". But guess what people... take a look at the rest of the reviews. Most people think its a masterwork, uncompromising, and with good reason.

    I work 50-60 hr weeks, have 3 kids, and never have time to game for more than a couple of hours late at night. I still spent 75+ hrs on it so far, setting aside all other games such as ME3 and Arkham City.

    If you treat every battle like its your last, and learn to fight, and think about what you are doing, when you are doing it, and where you are going, it is not "hard". It is uncompromising and very rewarding.

    No story?? This is was one of my favorite fictions in YEARS... you just have to open your senses and mind to experience it. And imagination. No, its not spoon fed to you.

    And it is beautifully designed. I love how people think good design means developers finding the best way to to teach you and entertain you while minimizing effort on your part. Well that's only one way to design something.

    The best things are those are not for everyone.

    Things that are for everyone, are well, common. Have fun with that.    … Expand
  33. MikeHammersmith
    May 24, 2012
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A completely original concept is hard to come by, yet the Undead lands of Dark Souls offer exactly that. Unfortunely, this game will alienate a lot of people, myself included, due to its odd take on gaming. What's so odd about it? You're expected to fail CONSTANTLY at this game. It's part of the misery the characters all live in, and you'll find yourself battling through the same scenario over and over to try and scratch out just another inch of ground before falling again. It's merciless, and I honestly enjoyed it to a point. Eventually though, I decided that it was just a hair *too* depressing to spend 3 hours battling, using up consumables, and actually be worse off than when you started. I'd recommend everyone that likes action RPGS to play it, as it's actually a great game, but it will certainly test how far you're willing to go to acheive success.… Expand
  34. kevlar4
    May 18, 2012
    9
    dark souls is an awesome game it is one of the hardest games of this generation my only gripes are there are some pvp balancing issues the framerate drops in certain areas and the controls dont always work
  35. sdwillie
    May 17, 2012
    0
    This is quite possibly the worst game I've ever played. Using a scale of 0-10 it falls somewhere between 90 and 100. Not because it's SO good, but because it earns *both* the 9/10 *and* the 0, and the zero is enormous. Tremendous. Overwhelming. So much so that the 9/10 doesn't count.

    Just to get the irrelevant out of the way, everything it does, it does everything extremely well.    This is quite possibly the worst game I've ever played. Using a scale of 0-10 it falls somewhere between 90 and 100. Not because it's SO good, but because it earns *both* the 9/10 *and* the 0, and the zero is enormous. Tremendous. Overwhelming. So much so that the 9/10 doesn't count.

    Just to get the irrelevant out of the way, everything it does, it does everything extremely well. Graphics, sound, environments are all beautiful. Controls are pretty good, some things on the stick are awkward but almost nothing is bad to the point of detraction (archery is garbage), and there aren't many instances of 'screw you cam' (when you're trying to run across a narrow path and the camera rotates around your character making a straight path nearly impossible but falling to your death *extremely* easy). Inventories are deep and enemies are varied. In short, nearly every thing the developer attempted was successful.

    Sadly, the developer chose to do a lot of things which aren't good. Some are absolutely awful. And those aren't the worst.

    Open the case and you have a disc and 16 page manual. The manual is in four languages, so you have a few pages in your native tongue. The deep inventory uses icons which are never explained. Attributes and abilities are never explained. There's a Bonus system which is never explained. There are loads of things which are never explained. Including what you're actually trying to do, unless a single statement in the middle of a cut scene with a character whose relevance is never mentioned counts. This game needs a serious manual more than anything I've seen in several years. You're given a few pages. Have fun googling for the information that the developers should have given you.

    There was a time and place when it made sense for falling to your death to be integral to a game. Actually it's still that time, but the place remains what it was: platformers, particularly 2D platformers. In a 3D RPG it's awful, particularly in conjunction with Dark Souls next absolutely miserable failing...

    The ability to save progress is something that there's no compelling, or valid, argument against. Unless you're the maker of Dark Souls, in which case they apparently believe differently. I say "believe" rather than "think" because I said "valid." To put it in the form of a question that pertains to Dark Souls, "What's wrong with making a player repeat what took nearly 90 minutes, only to die by falling because the moving walkway slid out from under the player's feet?" What's wrong with that? *Everything*. It's awful to have few checkpoints, but much, *much* worse when the game makes them easy to miss.

    Leaving a number of other major shortcomings (4 off the top of my head) I'm just going to move to the last, the net effect of the fully intended and incorporated failings of Dark Souls. It's frequently called a difficult game. It isn't. There are a few points in the game that are hard, but most of it isn't more challenging than most of what's out there. Rather than difficult, Dark Souls is frustrating. For the linguistically challenged, difficult is getting stuck at a point, failing over and over before passing on the 40th (or more) attempt. Frustrating is forcing players to spend fifteen (or forty) minutes passing tedious obstacles on each of those forty+ attempts. That's why mistakes are made, and how weak enemies gain the potential to defeat your character. And it's complete and unforgivable garbage.

    In short, the people that made Dark Souls should be pleased with how well they succeeded in making the game they set out to make. Unfortunately, most of what they tried to do in inherently detritus.    … Expand
  36. Shrykull
    May 13, 2012
    10
    Difficult, rewarding and sadistically beautiful. One of my favorite games of all time. I spent over 300 hours playing this it has a fantastic replay value.
  37. grahammcgrew
    May 13, 2012
    10
    Dark Souls is the "War and Peace" of video games, a vast and epic immersion, a world into which one disappears in rapture. Highest accolades, tears of joy.
  38. WideningTuna
    May 6, 2012
    0
    Story sucks. Too difficult. Don't waist your time with this game. Takes hours upon hours to do anything. Don't wait your time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  39. S_Jake
    May 4, 2012
    10
    Dark Souls is a masterpiece, but it is not for everyone. What it provides is a dark, rich, intense world with danger lurking around almost every corner. It also has a nasty tendency to punish mistakes, even small ones, with death. While this makes for an experience that can be intensely frustrating, it also makes it an extremely rewarding one as long as you are prepared to put in theDark Souls is a masterpiece, but it is not for everyone. What it provides is a dark, rich, intense world with danger lurking around almost every corner. It also has a nasty tendency to punish mistakes, even small ones, with death. While this makes for an experience that can be intensely frustrating, it also makes it an extremely rewarding one as long as you are prepared to put in the effort required. Ask yourself what you want from a game: Do you want a game that holds your hand while you waltz through it, or do you want a game where you are dropped, alone, into a world where you constantly have to fight for your life (and frequently die)? If it's the former, then look elsewhere. If it's the latter, you may just get as much out of this as I did.… Expand
  40. Bribber646
    May 2, 2012
    10
    First i would like to start out that there are way too many reviews by people on this game who have not even completed it or come close to completing it. Not really sure how they even post about he game with 1 hour of experience. Dark souls in my opinion is a fantastic game. It has great graphics and creative environments that are always interesting to watch as you journey through theFirst i would like to start out that there are way too many reviews by people on this game who have not even completed it or come close to completing it. Not really sure how they even post about he game with 1 hour of experience. Dark souls in my opinion is a fantastic game. It has great graphics and creative environments that are always interesting to watch as you journey through the world that is Dark Souls. The gameplay is very addictive and is also very challenging which made me want to play for hours without stopping. Because the game is a challenge you can expect to die dozens of times on your first time through but as you play through the game and get experience you do become a lot better and master the controls. Something that i would like to say about the difficulty however is that there are two distinct parts in the game that are to the point where it isn't really your fault that you died. I have played the game and beaten it dozens of times and i still die several times at these specific parts. Sadly, one of those parts is a boss fight. Something else that i would like to point out is the lacking story line and because of the lack of story line it can sometimes be very difficult to find where you are supposed to go at the beginning of the game. I guess this can be a plus in that it really encourages you to explore the surroundings which is very helpful in the game. The lack of story line isn't really a big penalty because you don't keep playing the game because of a riveting story but because of the addicting gameplay and the pride in beating the challenge. Something else that i would like to point out is the controls sometimes do get you killed. It isn't that they are sluggish but sometimes the aim assistance can screw you over when you target a new enemy. The co-op in this game is great if you actually manage to get somebody in your game. The problem with co-op is that it fails 8 times out of 10 and it really just annoys the crap out of you when you try to play with a friend. The pvp is very fun when you get into it but it also is a hassle because of the large delays you can sometimes experience when playing against another person and really diminishes the experience of it. Overall, Dark souls was a fantastic game and i would recommend you buy this game as it provides fun for hours on end.… Expand
  41. Hyomoto
    Apr 30, 2012
    9
    I gave this game a 9 because I don't believe in 10's. Any time I see a review of 10 I can't help but think it's lying, does any game deserve a perfect score? Dark Souls isn't perfect. It's just really damn good, and if you want a real, earned sense of accomplishment to go with your game time, this is where you'll find it. I find modern gaming to be mind-numbing easy. Reviewers go onI gave this game a 9 because I don't believe in 10's. Any time I see a review of 10 I can't help but think it's lying, does any game deserve a perfect score? Dark Souls isn't perfect. It's just really damn good, and if you want a real, earned sense of accomplishment to go with your game time, this is where you'll find it. I find modern gaming to be mind-numbing easy. Reviewers go on and on, not about how hard it is to beat a title, but how long it will take you! Dark Souls hearkens back to a time when video games challenged you to TRY and beat them, but there was no expectation that you'd succeed. In fact, that was where the replayability was, trying to beat the damn game! In this, Dark Souls makes a concession to modern gaming in that there are no game overs, and with enough perseverance you should be able to win. Probably. You'll actually need to learn something about your character, how they move, how far they attack and how quickly they can escape to be successful. Figuring out a boss' weaknesses, blind spots and coverage gaps will be instrumental to you victories. Or in the case of the Minotaur, a bit of dumb luck might support you (it did me!). The difficulty in this game isn't just your enemies health its how they move, attack and their sheer power. Luckily the controls work and respond like you need them to, and part of your learning experience will be to know what capabilities your weapon has and how to use them effectively (I prefer the spear and shield myself, but I'm a cautious man). Like Demon's Souls, you can defeat any enemy at any level and with any weapon. Powering these things up just gives you that warm comfy that you'll die slightly less horribly at your enemies hands because everything has a price. Wear that heavy armor to take less damage and reduce staggering, but give up your movement and dodge speed. It's a game of give and take, most of the time you'll be giving your life and taking a beating. But because of this, for each victory, you'll get something that little Xbox blip just can't give you, a real sense of achievement. The feeling of overcoming your enemies with your wicked cunning, superior preparation and steadfast devotion. Beasts begin to fall to your blade the way you once fell to theirs. Each step takes you deeper and deeper into adventure and danger, the way the RPG's of old used to. If you want a game that is going to pat you on the back, tell you everything is going to be alright and spoon feed baby then skip Dark Souls. It doesn't want to be your friend and it won't do you any favors. It's the type of game some people won't play, just based on its reputation. The last frontier of gaming; a place where only the courageous and masochistic dare to tread. But then again, if you agree with this review I have to assume you've already played it, how could you not know about it?… Expand
  42. xLegis
    Apr 17, 2012
    10
    I played Demon Souls and hated it. Not because it was a bad game, but because I was a "casual player". I wasn't good enough to match the harden integrity of that game. I thought I was a hardcore RPG gamer then but I wasn't. Then there was Dark Souls, my second chance to redeem myself and reinstate myself in the hardcore community. However, I said I'd only play it once. I said I'd only getI played Demon Souls and hated it. Not because it was a bad game, but because I was a "casual player". I wasn't good enough to match the harden integrity of that game. I thought I was a hardcore RPG gamer then but I wasn't. Then there was Dark Souls, my second chance to redeem myself and reinstate myself in the hardcore community. However, I said I'd only play it once. I said I'd only get achievements attainable through one play through. I said it was just a hold-over till Skyrim. I lied to myself 3 times. My main account is on it's 7th or 8th plaything. I recently became the Dark Soul (awarded for getting all achievements). I have more hours in this, then I do Skyrim. PRO'S: The graphics are beautiful, the controls are on point, customization (builds) are strategical, common enemies can be deadly, the map layout can kill you, boss battles fierce, and pvp's are the definition of epic. CON's: This game is NOT for everyone. It is the hardest game I have ever played (And I beat Ninja Gaiden on Master). It is the physical manifestation of "Unforgiving". You will die, you will yell, you will sweat...a lot. Every enemy is capable of killing you no matter your level, many times in less then 7hits. It is the lone-wolf's paradise with very little interaction with NPC's other then fighting and the story line is pretty much non-existent. That's it. VERDICT: Try it, rent it, steal it w/e. Just don't look down on this game because it was too much for others to handle. $60 well spent, still playing it, praying for DLC's.… Expand
  43. ZacOfTheZombies
    Apr 13, 2012
    9
    Arguably one of my favorite games of 2011 and definitely one of my favorite RPG's. Dark Souls combines frantic combat with brutal difficulty to produce a game that rewards foresight and adaptability. Enemies form the starting areas can still kill you even at the end of the game if you rush mindlessly, so the game as a whole punishes you for playing it like a hack and slash. Armors andArguably one of my favorite games of 2011 and definitely one of my favorite RPG's. Dark Souls combines frantic combat with brutal difficulty to produce a game that rewards foresight and adaptability. Enemies form the starting areas can still kill you even at the end of the game if you rush mindlessly, so the game as a whole punishes you for playing it like a hack and slash. Armors and Weapons offer each player a chance to make a entirely unique build to bring to the world through mixing and matching any of the hundreds of items. The game's hidden gem is it's story. One of betrayal and lies, the game give the player only the thinnest glimpses into the story and for anyone who wishes to know what is really going on in this world must dig and discover it for themselves. The other shining point of the game is it's Multiplayer, which is seamlessly integrated into the singleplayer experience. The drawbacks to Dark souls also sadly reside in Multiplayer. Certain items are horrendously game breaking, a bad netcode results in frustrating hours of trying to connect to players and also the wondrous world of lag deaths. Net code aside, Dark Souls is something that every RPG fan should play and any gamer should challenge.… Expand
  44. Nogohoho
    Apr 10, 2012
    10
    Dark Souls in an incredible adventure, and sometimes a slog into the darkness of humanity. Many give up on the path to understanding, but for those few souls who are resilient enough to take on these evils, and look upon the face of death will find themselves a god amongst men.
    This is a good game, a hard game, and it will break you until you break it right back. It will not treat you    Dark Souls in an incredible adventure, and sometimes a slog into the darkness of humanity. Many give up on the path to understanding, but for those few souls who are resilient enough to take on these evils, and look upon the face of death will find themselves a god amongst men.
    This is a good game, a hard game, and it will break you until you break it right back. It will not treat you nice, it will not give you an easy out, but you can always find a way. Are you a bad enough dude to face your own mortality?    … Expand
  45. Melychath
    Apr 3, 2012
    10
    My first review!
    Dark Souls ruined TES for me. I believe that that is all that need be said, but I suppose I should explain. I loved Morrowind (my introduction to TES). I lost more time to Oblivion than I care to admit, and had immeasurable fun doing so. And so, I was thoroughly excited to get my hands on Skyrim. Then, I played Dark Souls. A spear is not simply a weapon you choose for the    My first review!
    Dark Souls ruined TES for me. I believe that that is all that need be said, but I suppose I should explain. I loved Morrowind (my introduction to TES). I lost more time to Oblivion than I care to admit, and had immeasurable fun doing so. And so, I was thoroughly excited to get my hands on Skyrim. Then, I played Dark Souls. A spear is not simply a weapon you choose for the look it grants your character, but a tool used to keep a vicious enemy at bay. A rapier doesn't just alter the way your character swings his or her sword, but acts as a rapier should, with lunging, piercing attacks. Small shields are effective for parrying. Large shields absorb vast amounts of damage. This is how any hack and slash game should work from here on out. This game is not for everyone. If you enjoy casual games that spell everything out for you, don't play Dark Souls. If you enjoy running mindlessly into a crowd of baddies, mashing buttons and potting till all lie in ruins around you, don't play Dark Souls. If you enjoy the threat of death at every corner, a well timed and planned attack, a genuine experience of accomplishment for having beaten some SOB demon who has killed you 10+ times in a row, definitely, definitely, definitely, buy Dark Souls! More on how this game ruined TES: Did I mention how incredible the combat feels in DS? I believe I did. After sinking many, many hours into Dark Souls, I finally decided I needed to set it down so that I could play my beloved TES. I popped Skyrim in my box, palms sweaty in anticipation of the new shouts and dragon slaying to be had. I was looking forward to conjuring and casting and hacking and slashing and customizing again. What I was not prepared for was the utter disappointment I would experience with Skyrim. Don't get me wrong, I have played a lot of Skyrim, and I did eventually begin to enjoy it again, but the combat system in Dark Souls surpasses that of Skyrim on so many levels that I have had to mentally place TES in a category separate from Dark Souls. Dark Souls is a dungeon crawling, hack and slash and magic casting RPG that caters to the masochistic (I say this lovingly). A combat-first game in which story is subtly told and sparsely given (to great effect). Skyrim is a game of world exploration, where combat plays second fiddle to discovering and exploring new locations. Story can be found within book after book, heard through the ever-repeating voices of the towns' denizens, and followed along with the main quest line to a neat and tightly wrapped ending. In Skyrim you are the great and almighty hero who no man or beast may stand against. In Dark Souls, you are constantly fighting for your life.

    So why did I compare Dark Souls to Skyrim? These two games are really not comparable. I did so under the assumption that a person reading this review has not yet played Dark Souls (nor Demon Souls for that matter), but has played Skyrim, Oblivion or Morrowind (as I said earlier, I have not played TES titles prior to Morrowind). The assumption seems safe given the sales numbers of TES. And, why should I pretend any longer, I'm a little peeved that Dark Souls was so fun that Skyrim was ruined for me. In fact, I'm a lot peeved. So much so that I want others to experience the joy and bliss that is Dark Souls, and to return to any TES title as pissed as I am. Perhaps, we can demand future RPGs to have equally incredible combat systems as Dark Souls if enough people get torqued!

    P.S. Editing this is a real pain. Excuse me if I rambled.
    P.P.S. Play Dark Souls!    … Expand
  46. Human
    Apr 1, 2012
    10
    I love this game so much I almost resent it. This has messed up my standards for games now. You get such a rush from succeeding in this game that everything else pales in comparison. This game does sooooo many things right that other games don't even attempt. For example, the environments. The environments are not just pretty, but they are a reward. Almost everywhere is hard to get to inI love this game so much I almost resent it. This has messed up my standards for games now. You get such a rush from succeeding in this game that everything else pales in comparison. This game does sooooo many things right that other games don't even attempt. For example, the environments. The environments are not just pretty, but they are a reward. Almost everywhere is hard to get to in this game, so feel such relief when you get to the next bonfire. There are whole areas of the game completely hidden to the player unless you know exactly where to look. This game is so incredibly dense. The story seems really stupid and weird on the surface, but once you do some digging and look into some online resources, everything, every item, character, enemy, everything, has a reason to exist. It feels like a hell that exists by itself and you are intruding on it. The multiplayer is also very well done. The covenant system is interesting but some of them seem kind of empty and broken. Nonetheless, PVP in this game is exhilarating. Only get this game if you have a lot of time on your hands. People say Skyrim will steal your life. No, THIS will steal your life.… Expand
  47. lavellej
    Mar 30, 2012
    10
    Wow, how I love Dark Souls. I have been playing video games for 33 years and this is the best one I have ever played. I have 150 hours of playtime in the game with 6 characters and I am just as mesmerized as I was in hour one. From Software has truly created a masterpiece and I am so grateful. The main thing people focus on when they hear the name Dark Souls is the difficulty. Is theWow, how I love Dark Souls. I have been playing video games for 33 years and this is the best one I have ever played. I have 150 hours of playtime in the game with 6 characters and I am just as mesmerized as I was in hour one. From Software has truly created a masterpiece and I am so grateful. The main thing people focus on when they hear the name Dark Souls is the difficulty. Is the game difficult? Yes. However, the challenge is an aspect that makes it wonderful. The sense of accomplishment after completing a difficult area or a boss you have struggled with is so huge. There is nothing like the adrenaline and heart pumping that you get while fighting the games many epic bosses. Going head to head versus the infamous Smough and Ornstein will make your heart beat out of your chest and you palms sweat. Graphically the game is amazing...the characters, environments, and bosses are top notch. The sound is awesome as well. The sound of armor clanking while you walk and swords hitting shields and flesh is very visceral. The lack of music in most areas make all of the sound effects stand out. The boss battles have elaborate musical scores which adds to the battles and make them so memorable. The music to the Four Kings battle is just as epic as the battle itself. The combat is where the game is the strongest. It is precise and addictive. If you die in a battle, it is because you just screwed up. I cannot recommend this game enough. I don't see myself tiring of it anytime soon.… Expand
  48. czombie
    Mar 25, 2012
    2
    This game has some promising features but it is way too difficult and has some annoying features. For instance, if you die in the middle of trying to clear an area, you have to go back to the beginning and kill the same mobs all over again (although you do get to keep the weapons and items that you've already found). If this game had an easier setting for more casual gamers, and if itThis game has some promising features but it is way too difficult and has some annoying features. For instance, if you die in the middle of trying to clear an area, you have to go back to the beginning and kill the same mobs all over again (although you do get to keep the weapons and items that you've already found). If this game had an easier setting for more casual gamers, and if it let you save in the middle of a quest, it might be a lot of fun. If you like a challenge and are an RPG fan then you might light this game a lot. I gave up on it through and will be moving on to something a little less difficult.… Expand
  49. Bedbugwonder
    Mar 25, 2012
    9
    Game Starts. Prison cell, small corridor, orange writing, outside, DEAD. Youâ
  50. Rammsoldat
    Mar 23, 2012
    10
    You the chosen undead make your pilgramage from the undead asylum in the north to lordran to fulfil the prophecy and break the curse of the darksign. For people who played the previous game "demon's souls" this game will be very familiar as it plays exactly the same with the odd addition here and there, there is also the familiar concept of souls as currency that you drop when dead andYou the chosen undead make your pilgramage from the undead asylum in the north to lordran to fulfil the prophecy and break the curse of the darksign. For people who played the previous game "demon's souls" this game will be very familiar as it plays exactly the same with the odd addition here and there, there is also the familiar concept of souls as currency that you drop when dead and have to fight your way back to. The best new feature of this game is the intergrated world, no longer do you have the nexus hub and warp to each level now you must fight your way to wherever you must journey. This game like the last one is for gamers seeking a test of skill and determination. A game not for the weak of mind or the weak of heart.… Expand
  51. SodeNaShirayuki
    Mar 22, 2012
    9
    Do you remember the first game you ever played? Mine was Bugs Bunny: Crazy Castle 4 on the Gameboy Color. I loved it. I meticulously documented every level code. If I got stuck, I'd spend hours, days, even weeks throwing everything I had at the problem. And when I finally beat it, it felt like a huge accomplishment. The sad thing is that I know that now I could breeze through it withoutDo you remember the first game you ever played? Mine was Bugs Bunny: Crazy Castle 4 on the Gameboy Color. I loved it. I meticulously documented every level code. If I got stuck, I'd spend hours, days, even weeks throwing everything I had at the problem. And when I finally beat it, it felt like a huge accomplishment. The sad thing is that I know that now I could breeze through it without even trying. And that's why I love Dark Souls - it recaptures that wonderful feeling of having to make your own way in an unknown world, earning your own successes and paying for your own mistakes. You're setting off on an adventure, and you don't know quite what you may find. The most obvious aspect of Dark Souls is its difficulty, so we'll start there. It's hard. There's no escaping it, but it's almost never unfair. If charging at that Hydra gets you killed time and time again, try something else. Success in Dark Souls means switching your gamer mindset. You need to accept that this is true dark fantasy, cold and brutal. Running away is a valid strategy, and dumb heroics will almost always get you killed. But it's not frustrating. Death in a video game too often means groaning "Ugh, now I have to do all that again". But here, death is an experience in and of itself. Each time you see the words "YOU DIED", you've learned something new - and if you haven't, you're not being creative enough. You will die, over and over, but you'll never feel like you made no progress. And that's why I - someone prone to nerd rage - have happily thrown my miserable, hollow avatar to his end again and again, and several hours later looked up and wondered where the time went. To focus solely on the difficulty is almost a sin, though. Dark Souls is gorgeous. From soaring cathedrals to vast crystal caves, giant ash lakes to dark, claustrophobic catacombs, sunken, burning cities to dripping, noxious swamps, every corner hides something new, beautiful and almost invariably deadly. There's nothing quite like the feeling of uncovering a shortcut and realising just how ingeniously the map fits together. The story is cleverly minimalistic - there will seem to be none at first, but read around enough and you'll discover a plot that challenges almost all fantasy conventions. The RPG elements of gameplay are strong, yet fluid - while you're required to pick a class at the start of the game, the way you play is almost exclusively determined by the equipment you use and the stats you choose to level up. A knight can become a cleric can become a pyromancer, as long as you have the stats and weapons to cover it. This freedom carries over to your equipment choice - there are very few weapon combinations you can't use if you so desire. Dual Zweihanders? Go for it, as long as your strength's high enough. Similarly, if you want to try beating your enemies to death with two shields, you can. It's a wonderful way of giving the player as much freedom as possible, allowing you to choose your own path.
    An aspect of Dark Souls which doesn't get as much attention as I think it should is the morality system. There is none. The only person who will ever judge your actions is you, and few NPCs are safe. See that knight by the bonfire, desperately searching for her father? If you want, you can kill her and steal her Humanity. No-one will care. There is no good or evil in Dark Souls except what you make, and even when you've finished you may be left wondering whether those bosses really deserved to die. Of course, it's not a perfect game. The impact analysis is occasionally off - in a game like this, where realism is paramount, it's irksome when your character gets hit from around a corner or through a pillar. It rarely happens, but it's still a problem. Similarly, the game occasionally dips from hard into unfair - dying when a boss smacks me with a giant tentacle is fine, but when I deliberately dodged it and still expire from some ungodly splash damage it feels cheap. There is framerate drop (particularly in Blighttown), and very occasionally the map is simply unfinished. But to focus on Dark Souls's failings is wrong. It's an excellent game. You'll hear a lot about it being for hardcore RPGers, but I don't think that's true - while some people will want to tear it apart and dissect it, there's a lot to be said for the simple joy of tumbling out the other side, slightly confused and too busy wondering how you survived to realise you've won. It's not solely for the L337 PR0 - it's for anyone that's willing to devote themselves to puzzling out and conquering a unique and immersive experience. What ultimately makes Dark Souls great is that it strikes right at the heart of what it means to be a gamer. When I pick up that controller, I'm an 8-year-old again with my Gameboy. I'm setting off, ignorant, into a strange and cruel new world - and when that world is as brutal, eerie and desolately beautiful as Lordran, you can't go far wrong.    … Expand
  52. CruelProphecy
    Mar 19, 2012
    10
    So after reading some of those "Troll" comments i made Metacritic account just to adress some of them.First im hearing that that DS doesnt have a story.That is not true in fact there is a lot of story going on in the background,you have to search for it,read item descriptions etcetera.If you are gonna slam the game because it doesnt have story please Youtube Search:Dark Souls Lore.SecondSo after reading some of those "Troll" comments i made Metacritic account just to adress some of them.First im hearing that that DS doesnt have a story.That is not true in fact there is a lot of story going on in the background,you have to search for it,read item descriptions etcetera.If you are gonna slam the game because it doesnt have story please Youtube Search:Dark Souls Lore.Second thing is that this game is about cheap deaths and unforgiving save system.Yes there are a lot of cheap deaths but i dont mind that because i should really pay more attention to what is going on in the area around me.The save system is not great but its basically telling you:You F*ck up you have to live with it and thats waht makes Dark Souls unique.Another thing that people say its that the game is too hard.Well you picked up a game that developers said would be harder then Demon Souls which i didnt played because i dont own PS3.But i love DS its one of the best games i have ever played.Yes the voice acting can be sometimes pretty terrible (especially on Vamos),And some Trolls here say that this game is only for people which wanna prove how awesome they are.I think its not about that its more about accepting a challange something that most games dont offer.Especially modern shooters.This game is unforgiving but thats what makes it so unique.If you love hardcore RPGs buy this game,And dont believe those trolls that got stuck on Capra Demon and are complaining about enemies are basically only zombies.… Expand
  53. Fitonito
    Mar 19, 2012
    10
    When I play this game I feel like a cat on the hot roof. And man when I lose 30000 souls... only game with real sense of achievement in a long time. It's love affair.
  54. AlchemistDon
    Mar 17, 2012
    10
    One of the most beautiful and best games i have ever played in my life. The challenge of the game alone draws you in, the game actually takes skill which is lacking in alot of games out there these days which is what i loved about old school gaming back i the day, games are to idiot proof these days.
  55. Diavir
    Mar 13, 2012
    10
    An amazing game. This was easily my favorite game of 2011, the combat is completely solid in every way imaginable and feels meaningful. Every hit feels like it has weight behind it. As for the difficulty, yes the game is hard, yes you will more than likely get frustrated, but it isn't hard in a way that isn't fair. It requires you to learn your opponents moves and skill sets, findAn amazing game. This was easily my favorite game of 2011, the combat is completely solid in every way imaginable and feels meaningful. Every hit feels like it has weight behind it. As for the difficulty, yes the game is hard, yes you will more than likely get frustrated, but it isn't hard in a way that isn't fair. It requires you to learn your opponents moves and skill sets, find weaknesses and strengths, analyze every part of the fight and then use it your advantage. My first play-through was around 60 hours. After completing the game you are instantly thrust into the game again which features an even harder difficulty. You are allowed to keep all your weapons, armor, items and souls, but will lose your keys (minus the master key) shortcuts, and a few other things. Monsters in this mode hit for a lot more and overall the game is even more unforgiving, it plays off the fact you have beaten the game and know the fights and tests you to your breaking point. The story is also another thing I really liked, while it is fairly sparse unless you do your share of work to figure out what is going on, it leaves a lot to the imagination, which I can understand would be aggravating to some but I was very fond of it.

    Do not expect a cakewalk, do not expect to beat this game in 6 hours, do not expect dumbed down and forgiving mechanics.

    Expect to die    … Expand
  56. Cabinutz
    Mar 12, 2012
    8
    Dark Souls is not a game for everyone. The gameplay of the game is similar to that of Monster Hunter in some aspects. You will die a lot. But the things that this game does well outshine the negative aspects of it. Customizability of your character makes them feel as if they are unique in nature. The ever changing areas as you progress through the game create a nice flow. The game isDark Souls is not a game for everyone. The gameplay of the game is similar to that of Monster Hunter in some aspects. You will die a lot. But the things that this game does well outshine the negative aspects of it. Customizability of your character makes them feel as if they are unique in nature. The ever changing areas as you progress through the game create a nice flow. The game is constantly scaling its difficulty to keep up with your levels, and for those who enjoy gameplay elements akin to childhood difficulty will be reminded of it. Gamers have become too catered to easy games where everything must be spoon fed to them. Its nice to find a game that goes back to its roots and teaches you the basic elements and allows you to wander out and discover the rest of it for yourselves. The story is very thinly laid out in Dark Souls, but everything else makes up for it. The only big problem I had when playing it was input lag, which made hard situations even harder.… Expand
  57. grahamsccs
    Mar 11, 2012
    10
    By far my favourite game of all time. Unlike many modern games, Dark souls doesn't attempt to hold your hand, leaving a sense of mystery and intrigue.
  58. Trif
    Mar 9, 2012
    10
    One of the best game released this year hands down. It's very challenging and it has alot to do, many different play styles so you can start over again, it has co-op and PvP and the bosses are just fantastic! Definitely worth the money.
  59. jamofalifetime
    Mar 7, 2012
    10
    There are a lot of complaints about how easy games have gotten these days. Dark Souls is the answer to the contemporary gamer's need for a difficult experience. There are little to no tutorials. The game slaps you smack dab in the middle of whatever the hell is going on and does absolutely no hand holding. For the first time since the SNES days, I've really felt a sense of achievementThere are a lot of complaints about how easy games have gotten these days. Dark Souls is the answer to the contemporary gamer's need for a difficult experience. There are little to no tutorials. The game slaps you smack dab in the middle of whatever the hell is going on and does absolutely no hand holding. For the first time since the SNES days, I've really felt a sense of achievement with completing whatever horrors this game throws at me.… Expand
  60. babyfarmer
    Mar 7, 2012
    10
    If you are an old school gamer that relishes a challenge, then this is the game for you. Make no mistake, when you play this game, you will die. A lot. But never has dying in a video game felt so good! This game is not for the easily discouraged or for gamers that need to have their hands held the entire time. You have to figure out almost everything in the game for yourself, there is noIf you are an old school gamer that relishes a challenge, then this is the game for you. Make no mistake, when you play this game, you will die. A lot. But never has dying in a video game felt so good! This game is not for the easily discouraged or for gamers that need to have their hands held the entire time. You have to figure out almost everything in the game for yourself, there is no tutorial, but when you do figure out what to do or how to beat that boss that has killed you 10 times in a row......the feeling is so gratifying! You can never let your guard down in this game, the moment you do is the moment you die. Once you learn the mechanics of the tight combat system is where the game really shines. When you die (and you will), it's almost always your fault. You zigged when you should have zagged, or didn't have your shield up, or weren't aware of your surroundings as you rolled off a cliff. The game is rarely cheap. I will freely admit that this game is not for everyone, but if you have the time and patience to sink your teeth into a difficult game with a steep learning curve, the rewards are bountiful. This is without a doubt my favorite game that has been released this generation for consoles.… Expand
  61. Wynnyelle
    Mar 7, 2012
    9
    I have spend an absurd amount of time playing this game and it never really seems to get old. Don't be fooled by the people saying that it's "too hard." The game is hard at first until you get used to the playstyle, but the main thing about it is that it doesn't hold your hand in any way. You are forced to figure things out yourself. The game also has a unique aesthetic to it that isI have spend an absurd amount of time playing this game and it never really seems to get old. Don't be fooled by the people saying that it's "too hard." The game is hard at first until you get used to the playstyle, but the main thing about it is that it doesn't hold your hand in any way. You are forced to figure things out yourself. The game also has a unique aesthetic to it that is very atmospheric and appealing. The story may seem lacking to somebody trying to blaze through the game, but it's there if you're willing to seek it out. Talk to characters and listen to what they say and you can start piecing things together to find some interesting tidbits of information you otherwise would never have known about. The feeling you get when you down a boss is also an immensely satisfying one. You might try your brains out for a while, but believe me, once you finally win that fight, it'll all be worth it.… Expand
  62. FragCzar
    Mar 6, 2012
    7
    Finished the game. Rate it a 7. The game designer/producer describes the game as "spicy" yet "edible". I suggest the game is more "bitter" than "spicy", and having been "eaten" it leaves a bad aftertaste. Story is minimal, camera and controls are chaotic, frame rate is bad in many areas, and the game requires too much repetition in order to figure out how to progress. I substitutedFinished the game. Rate it a 7. The game designer/producer describes the game as "spicy" yet "edible". I suggest the game is more "bitter" than "spicy", and having been "eaten" it leaves a bad aftertaste. Story is minimal, camera and controls are chaotic, frame rate is bad in many areas, and the game requires too much repetition in order to figure out how to progress. I substituted that repetition with online walk-throughs (which I try to avoid but could not avoid in this case). I rate it a 7 because it is entertaining in parts, but overall it is not a game I would ever recommend or replay… Expand
  63. Corepore
    Mar 6, 2012
    9
    Nowadays there seems to be no type of medium or hobby that isn't exempt from the laws of diminishing returns. If you have been gaming since your childhood such as me you probably feel like games are becoming more of a habit to play then fun or challenging. Well this game kindled a fire in me that made me feel young & immersed, which were feelings that I had thought were long lost in theNowadays there seems to be no type of medium or hobby that isn't exempt from the laws of diminishing returns. If you have been gaming since your childhood such as me you probably feel like games are becoming more of a habit to play then fun or challenging. Well this game kindled a fire in me that made me feel young & immersed, which were feelings that I had thought were long lost in the maturity of my age. Although the game has a few flaws, such as frame issues in certain areas, they're easily overlooked by the amazing art direction, mysteries in-depth story/lore, fun/challenging game-play & combat, and a somewhat unique take on character customization.… Expand
  64. Medevil9908
    Mar 6, 2012
    8
    Dark Souls is probably one of the most polarizing games ever made. You either love it or hate it. The main thing that makes this game difficult is its unforgiving gameplay. If you make a few mistakes during any fight, you'll most likely be killed. In addition to that, the items you can use to heal (estus flasks and healing spells) have a limited number of uses. Most enemies take a sizableDark Souls is probably one of the most polarizing games ever made. You either love it or hate it. The main thing that makes this game difficult is its unforgiving gameplay. If you make a few mistakes during any fight, you'll most likely be killed. In addition to that, the items you can use to heal (estus flasks and healing spells) have a limited number of uses. Most enemies take a sizable portion of your health away with each hit so chances are you'll run out of healing items.

    The game's environments are varied and either beautiful or intentionally ugly. The music in the game is very good. The graphics are good but they seem washed out at a distance (I think this was intentional). There are so many different ways to play the game. You can be either a magic caster or a melee-only tank. As you progress, you find many suits of armor (some of which look really cool) as well as weapons. The boss encounters are varied but they use the same enemy type 3 times in the game (the very first boss can be encountered two more times in different forms). It seemed like they ran out of new ideas for bosses which is odd considering that every other boss is different. The other two bosses are completely optional though.

    I understand that difficulty is that game's selling point but I felt that the difficulty should stay in combat and not in the menu/inventory system. The game explains what each button does, how to attack, block, parry, do critical hits, heal, equip/switch weapons, evade, how to use gestures, and how to bring up the start menu. Things that are explained easily in other games are not explained in this one. My first time playing this game I had no idea how repair/upgrade weapons, properly use a bow, or how to jump. Yes, jump. The manual only explains the bare minimum. Regardless this game is still a good buy. It has a unique online multiplayer component that I haven't seen in any other game (I believe it's in Demon's Souls but I didn't play that game). For new players: the game takes a few hours to get used to. If you're tired of easy games (Skyrim, KoA: Reckoning) give this one a try. It'll kick your ass. The best piece of advice is located right on the back of the game's box: PREPARE TO DIE.    … Expand
  65. Mohammad22
    Feb 20, 2012
    10
    Dark Souls is the BEST RPG GAME THIS GEN!!! the only reason some people hate it is becasue its Hard.. Otherwise its a really great and fun game. You MUST by it if you have a PS3 or Xbox 360
  66. Ps3blaze22
    Feb 20, 2012
    10
    BEST RPG game ever!, sooooo underrated too, i mean how the **** can an AMAZING game like this get a 7 or 8 while other **** games like Skyirm get 8 and 9, believe me.. you MUST buy this game.. Its so much fun, the story is also AMAZING! You will really like this game, I highly recommend this game to everyone with a PS3
  67. De4DLYV3NOM1
    Feb 17, 2012
    10
    This game has the potential to be game of the year, it is by far the best game I have ever played on my xbox 360, Before I got this game the gameplay videos for this game really made me want to get it, however was made unsure by reviews that complained of a too hard difficulty, and they are right that the difficulty is high, but not too high, the difficulty makes the game more fun andThis game has the potential to be game of the year, it is by far the best game I have ever played on my xbox 360, Before I got this game the gameplay videos for this game really made me want to get it, however was made unsure by reviews that complained of a too hard difficulty, and they are right that the difficulty is high, but not too high, the difficulty makes the game more fun and makes you be more cautious while playing the game which I think is a good thing, the games locations and enemy's vary throughout the game, leading to a fun and exciting experience which under no circumstances at all feels repetitive, especially since there is a diverse range of weapons and magic to choose from not to mention all the different armour that can be acquired in the game, This game is brilliant, I highly recommend it, there is only one problem with this game, and that is that I don't know if i can survive the wait between now and the next souls game is announced. Brilliant game well worth the time and the money.… Expand
  68. r3l3ntl3ss
    Feb 17, 2012
    1
    1 line to prove a badly put together game:
    Peoples mouths don't move, nuff sed. If From Studios cant animate mouths then what CAN they do. The games a bore and as you encounter the same enemy relentlessly the urge to rip your own eyeballs from your head increases. If you are thinking of getting this game, go for a more up to date game like one from the fallout series or elder scrolls. This    1 line to prove a badly put together game:
    Peoples mouths don't move, nuff sed. If From Studios cant animate mouths then what CAN they do. The games a bore and as you encounter the same enemy relentlessly the urge to rip your own eyeballs from your head increases. If you are thinking of getting this game, go for a more up to date game like one from the fallout series or elder scrolls. This game had the making of a brilliant game , its a shame it was put into the hands of From Studios.    … Expand
  69. ADobbo
    Feb 17, 2012
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I got Dark Souls after looking at gameplay and thought to myself, this looks like it could be one of the best games of 2011. I got this game and I immediately got used to the controls, RB didn't feel like such a bad button for attacking and it ended up becoming quite fun. However after easily killing the Asylum Demon the game just went downhill for me. The way the game is layed out just doesn't suit my gaming style. Don't get me wrong, the way the map links up is absolutely incredible and like no other game I've ever played before. The way that there is no loading screens when walking around the map is also good. It took me a bit of time to kill the Taurus Demon but by that time I was already bored by this repetitive piece of junk. The soldiers (or whatever they are called) are some of the most stupid things I have ever seen in a video game. I got to the Capra Demon and was a bit apalled to see that all the enemies seemed to have been called demons up until then. I have struggled with the Capra Demon for several hours of my time and I think if I put enough effort in I could finish him off, but why put effort into something which is such a time-consuming piece of rubbish that should only be found at a landfill. The NPC's mouths don't even move when they speak (or they barely do) which is unacceptable for a game of 2011 when games from 10 years ago even had mouths moving. If you are thinking of getting this game, buy a better RPG such as Skyrim or something from the Fallout series. There is absolutely no competition to Skyrim from this game. The only reason I give this a 1 is because of the way the map links up. This game is hard but hard in a boring way not fun. A game can only be so hard until it gets on your nerves. For some people this may not be the case but for me it was.… Expand
  70. whitespider999
    Feb 13, 2012
    5
    Instead of falling into the love it or hate it category. I am kind of indifferent about dark souls. It's certainly challenging. And there is a serious sense of empowerment from overcoming a situation based on understanding it. The combat is well constructed, and certainly involves more elements of craft than something like skyrim's. However after 63 hours with this game. I really haveInstead of falling into the love it or hate it category. I am kind of indifferent about dark souls. It's certainly challenging. And there is a serious sense of empowerment from overcoming a situation based on understanding it. The combat is well constructed, and certainly involves more elements of craft than something like skyrim's. However after 63 hours with this game. I really have nothing to say about it beyond listing it's features. Nothing is memorable besides the difficulty. It's almost mathematical. With no emotion or sweeping adventure. It's cold. And kind of dead. And that might be the point of what is being presented - however it's moving parts don't create something fascinating or magical or emotional. But rather a construct for masochistic players. I don't like being punished. Or hated. I don't like mean spirited things. This game feels like a heavy metal listening programmer - He's cold and condescending, ferociously skilled and talented - however the more time you spend with him, the less you like him. I liked dark souls until I understood dark souls. Now I am happy to be away, smiling, and supporting people. Being a good person. In the nice fresh air. Free. Free to enjoy the world and smile. And smell flowers. And kiss, and hug. And love.… Expand
  71. VotableDread
    Feb 12, 2012
    9
    With brutal gameplay, and dark but alluring settings, Dark Souls shines in that it puts a greater value in overcoming the cruel obstacles of its non-linear gameplay. Dark Souls is not for everyone (certainly not I) but for the right gamer its the right game. With much tantalizing gameplay and awe-inspiring atmosphere, the unforgiving world of Dark Souls provides a sure amount of replayWith brutal gameplay, and dark but alluring settings, Dark Souls shines in that it puts a greater value in overcoming the cruel obstacles of its non-linear gameplay. Dark Souls is not for everyone (certainly not I) but for the right gamer its the right game. With much tantalizing gameplay and awe-inspiring atmosphere, the unforgiving world of Dark Souls provides a sure amount of replay value and is one to be commended as a top game of last year.… Expand
  72. OspreyB
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    If you've read any of the other reviews, then you already know what Dark Souls is all about, so I can skip the facts and get right to my opinion. I don't think that Dark Souls is that hard. I'm not even a hardcore gamer, and I didn't find the difficulty curve to be unbearable. Nothing in Dark Souls is unfair to the player. Every challenge can be met with an eye for observation and a properIf you've read any of the other reviews, then you already know what Dark Souls is all about, so I can skip the facts and get right to my opinion. I don't think that Dark Souls is that hard. I'm not even a hardcore gamer, and I didn't find the difficulty curve to be unbearable. Nothing in Dark Souls is unfair to the player. Every challenge can be met with an eye for observation and a proper strategy. That's what I love about this game. It is possible to complete it without leveling up at all, not that I'd recommend trying it. Too many modern RPGs do away with skill, and leave the player's power to be determined by stats and numbers. Dark Souls is purely skill based, but it does help to have some good equipment. I've seen many reviewers complain about clunky and slow controls, and I'm almost positive that this is because they're trying to use equipment that they don't meet the stat requirements for. Dark Souls controls are fluid and easy to get used to. If the player tries to wear armor that weighs 20lbs and their equip weight is only 50lbs, they'll move slow and their rolls will result in falling and slow recovery. The tradeoff is that heavy armor obviously provides more defense. The player can sacrifice their heavy armor for robes or clothing and be able to dash, roll, and survive by evading. Either method works because Dark Souls allows for characters using any type of build to be effective.

    You can choose to be whatever you want, and the stats that you choose to level up can benefit or even restrict you. Weapons and magic scale with different stats, and the player must choose which weapon to use based off of how they plan on leveling up their character. You can't effectively use a weapon that scales with strength if you are only going to level up dexterity, and it isn't advisable to level up all of your stats equally because you'll end up limiting your own power. The max level is over 700, but for the average gamer, it will be very difficult to get anywhere past soul level 100. That means that you have to be careful about where you spend your stat points.

    A lot of the fun that can be had in Dark Souls comes from building a unique character, and strategizing based off of the skills and abilities that you have. The rest comes from exploration and discovery. Finding a new area is always a challenging and rewarding experience. There could be fake walls, sudden drops, archers from above, or any number of challenges, but they are all reasonable to overcome. The feeling of success that comes from seeing your strategy for an area pay off is unlike any other game. I could go on about the creativity of the different areas of the game, how seamless the world is, the different paths that could be taken, the innovation of the multiplayer, the genius planning behind the covenants, and how deep and incredible the story is, but you just need to play the game to find out about it all for yourself. If you make your decision based off of how hard everyone says that Dark Souls is, you will be missing out. It's hard at first, but the difficulty level is completely reasonable. We've been spoiled by the simplicity of games these days. By the end of Dark Souls, I was wishing for an even greater challenge. Luckily, the game gets even harder in New Game Plus!    … Expand
  73. dendoi21
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    If your an old school gamer that use to die alot playing Ghouls & Ghost and you can stand it being in his underwear game on end. Well this game is for you, You can start the game naked and die alot just like old times and throw your remote out your living room window.
    That in my opinion, is game of the year!
  74. XxMayhemxX
    Feb 2, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Amazing game. After about 20-30 minutes of playing you learn the enemies attack styles/defensive stances/parry stances and can handle them with ease. Then you won't die no more unless you get careless. This is very important.. DO NOT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN.. ANYTIME..Once you do then your dead. To me this game is a realistic combat game. PPl complain all you do is block. Well, if you don't block in real life you die(or get hit) If you don't want to get hit or die.. then you either A. block, or B. Dodge/Roll... Same for in the game... It's not like countless other games were you can take hits like a sponge.. with a crazy amount of hp in a lifebar. If you dug through your backpack IRL, would you expect the enemies around you to freeze in place til your done? Nope.. didn't think so.. not in combat in this game either... Back to enemy stances and combat.. you mastered the undead in the beginning? ok.. Next area...block and block some more. Study their moves and patterns because their completely diff then the undead from the beginning. They can parry and riposte if you strike at the wrong time. It's all about blocking and timing... and if you don't study them you will die. Once again take your time. IF you do die. You don't lose ANY items, only your souls(money), and they STAY where you died and don't disappear unless you die again.. so don't rush it. Take your time, focus on your enemies, not your souls and use strategy with each and every fight. Treat every single enemy like it's your last 2 hit points and you will be victorious. After logging well over 200 hours into the game(i haven't beat it yet) nothing is too difficult and you feel like you've become a black belt... literally But any small misstep can spell your doom. So you must stay vigilant at all times.. block when you walk around every corner. Graphics: Some ppl are raving about how good they are. Others are complaining they are horrible. Well I got the 411. The view on the horizon(far away view) is beautiful.. the world up close, not so much(bland textures). The weapons and armor.. simply amazing...(lighting and parallax bump mapping are superb) you can tell From Software put more focus on weapons and armor graphics more so then the world which i am perfectly fine with. There are a few pieces of armor that are more beautiful then anything seen in Skyrim. Story: There IS a story.. it's just not told to you in the normal fashion.. Your character is living the story. You, yourself are creating the story. One reviewer on here keeps comparing this game to Halo and FPS tournaments. Rediculous. it's a 3rd person action adventure combat game, not a shooter. This game is simply amazing. Do yourself a favor and BUY this game if you have any interest in action adventure PC style rpgs, you'll love this game. In fact, pick up a PS3 simply for Demons Souls, you'll be glad you did. Demons Souls is not getting the due respect it deserves, Multiplayer: You can play offline or online tho later boss battles may require you to have another player help you out(think Smough/Ornstien) As the back of the box states.. groundbreaking online features.. you can raid another players game.. kill them, and get their souls. Or you can place down a marker that says your ready to join another player coop style(or select a marker from someone else to summon them instead) It only works til you beat the areas boss then the other player dissappears... Grinding: There isn't quite the need to grind as ppl say.. unless your just getting hit too much by bosses/enemies. I grinded alot in the first area(undead burg) but after playing the game alot and learning how to fight... I can safely say.. i could start over.. and not need to grind... so it isn't nessacary so long as you fight properly... block and dodge/roll, time your attacks, look for openings... play it safe.. don't be a hack and slashing superman. You will get hit ALOT. Some ppl complain all you do is spam block.... so what.. no different then spamming attack on most conventional hack and slashers with an occasional heal.. or spamming guns in FPS's while aiming... Diff strokes for diff folks... Alot of ppl compare this game to Skyrim. Even I did earlier. Most ppl say it's not as good as Skyrim.. overall it's not.. but it's got alot of things going for it Skyrim does not... and the fact alone that so many ppl are using it in the same sentence as Skyrim says alot.. no other RPG besides Oblivion and Fallout 3 can make that statement... Say what you want, but Bethesda could learn a thing or 2 about melee combat from Dark Souls Again.. Go directly to your local store and BUY this game pronto... and learn to fight pansies... I gave the game a 9.. cause nothing is perfect. Blighttown frame-rate issues and multiplay can be frustrating for some ppl. Wasn't a problem for me. I played it all solo except 2 hard bosses. For all the haters, play Megaman on Nintendo and stfu… Expand
  75. 360gamer8302
    Feb 1, 2012
    10
    A game that demands your attention. A true work of art that other developers should use as a template. I spent 80+ hours on Demon's Souls, and Dark Souls is just as and more addicting then its spiritual predecessor. This game uses creative tools to make it stand out amongst other RPGs. The punishing diffuculty only makes you a better player. Those who rage quit do not give this game enoughA game that demands your attention. A true work of art that other developers should use as a template. I spent 80+ hours on Demon's Souls, and Dark Souls is just as and more addicting then its spiritual predecessor. This game uses creative tools to make it stand out amongst other RPGs. The punishing diffuculty only makes you a better player. Those who rage quit do not give this game enough of a chance.… Expand
  76. porss
    Jan 27, 2012
    9
    Wonderful game. It is refreshing to see a company rely on gameplay rather than graphics in their products. The combat is fun, diverse and mechanics are well thought out. The difficulty, as you've probably read, makes the game challenging. It's not just an easy walk spent admiring some developer's artistic talent. Overall the best game I've purchased in a while. With a little tweaking a tenWonderful game. It is refreshing to see a company rely on gameplay rather than graphics in their products. The combat is fun, diverse and mechanics are well thought out. The difficulty, as you've probably read, makes the game challenging. It's not just an easy walk spent admiring some developer's artistic talent. Overall the best game I've purchased in a while. With a little tweaking a ten for sure.… Expand
  77. iamjoppy
    Jan 21, 2012
    10
    Everybody who writes a bad review about this game never gave it a chance or are far too satisfied with the "on rails" game play of CoD Modern Warfare 1, 2, 3, etc...

    The visuals are stunning, there are tons of unique monsters and boss fights are all unique and very well thought out. The environment is huge and differentiated away from other games. I even rank this game above Skyrim simply    Everybody who writes a bad review about this game never gave it a chance or are far too satisfied with the "on rails" game play of CoD Modern Warfare 1, 2, 3, etc...

    The visuals are stunning, there are tons of unique monsters and boss fights are all unique and very well thought out. The environment is huge and differentiated away from other games. I even rank this game above Skyrim simply for the method in which it tells a story - it leaves you to fill in the gaps with imagination but doesn't leave out specific details.

    Those who ranked this game at 7 or similar, I can understand not liking the concept or game play. Those who ranked tis game under 5 have never given it a chance or are simply too bad to learn that you can't hack and slash your way to the end (you need strategy!).    … Expand
  78. alceste007
    Jan 19, 2012
    9
    The challenge level in this game is simply awesome. Dark souls really should have been game of the year for most sites. Truly amazing game. Not quite perfect, the controls need some work.
  79. sias
    Jan 12, 2012
    9
    GOOD - Fantastic precise and satisfying combat which requires tactics over button mashing. Superb visual design creating a unique dungeons and dragons/ ninja gaiden hybrid. Lots of RPG elements that allow you to create a vast amount of character builds. A sparse and dark story, that requires much investigation by the player to be fully realised (no long cut-scenes here). ExcellentGOOD - Fantastic precise and satisfying combat which requires tactics over button mashing. Superb visual design creating a unique dungeons and dragons/ ninja gaiden hybrid. Lots of RPG elements that allow you to create a vast amount of character builds. A sparse and dark story, that requires much investigation by the player to be fully realised (no long cut-scenes here). Excellent multiplayer design allowing various types of co-op and PvP gameplay that is integrated into your own single player experience. PvP in particular is very interesting, allowing you to effectively invade the games of other players, murder them and claim rewards.

    BAD - Frame-rate issues everywhere (Blight town and New Londo I'm looking at you!) which can really be crippling at times. Thankfully, although quite abundant, frame-rate drops are very specific to certain parts of a map, so are generally only glimpsed momentarily. Still, they can lead to some frustration. The lock-on system can sometimes be a pain. Although this is much improved from Demon's Souls (predecessor to Dark Souls - PS3 exclusive). The difficulty and relative obscurity of the story doesn't make for a particularly accessible game. In fact I really disliked the use of the high difficulty as a selling point. It really makes the game sound horribly elitist. The difficulty is about the least interesting thing in Dark Souls and is terribly overhyped. There are much harder games in existence. Nevertheless, the difficulty will put some people off.

    However, it must be noted that the game is very fair (more so than Demon's Souls) and actually offers a lot of assistance in the forms of NPCs who can be asked upon to help you in difficult boss fights (as well as gaining assistance from other players online).

    Overall - Dark Souls isn't for everyone and won't enjoy the mainstream success of games such as Skyrim due to a steep learning curve that will instantly put off some newcomers to the series. However, give the game some time and once everything clicks and you get an understanding of how the game works it becomes thoroughly enjoyable. Also, the sense of camaraderie that the games online mechanics produces is wonderful. Dark Souls has a massive emphasis on co-op play and you will never be short of people willing to come into your world and help you defeat a tough boss. I fear a lot of people will be put off due that awful 'You will die' tagline used in the advertising of Dark Souls. But if you are even the least bit curious to play this game, please ignore the stupid difficulty hype and just get down to enjoying a very original game.    … Expand
  80. mantecon
    Jan 11, 2012
    10
    Do not be fooled by angry rage quitters, 10 year olds and bad players! This game is hard, it wont hold you by your hand, it will not make your opponent easier so you can beat it, you will not be able to Hack and Slash everything with one sword swing or fight 10 enemies at a time.

    [How hard?] We have been spoiled! We are used to vanilla games that say you are playing in "normal difficulty"    Do not be fooled by angry rage quitters, 10 year olds and bad players! This game is hard, it wont hold you by your hand, it will not make your opponent easier so you can beat it, you will not be able to Hack and Slash everything with one sword swing or fight 10 enemies at a time.

    [How hard?] We have been spoiled! We are used to vanilla games that say you are playing in "normal difficulty" when in reality a 6 year old can play that difficulty and eventually win. We are used to bad, unrealistic and god-like-forgiving games where the AI usually allows you to punish them and continuously do damage to it. This game is hard for anyone that is used to going into a room guns blazing dying and that death meaning nothing. If you are used to walking with a big sword and doing tons of damage and your opponent be helpless then this game will be super hard. You could be level 100 and if you don't parry/block and wait you will die to a mouse.

    [Story and Gameplay] I won't spoil the game, there is a storyâ    … Expand
  81. XSevendust
    Jan 9, 2012
    0
    This "game" is literally HORRENDOUS. This is one of the worst creative endeavors ever undertaken. I made a metacritic account just to shut all these people up who say otherwise. If you like this game you have a serious ego problem because you are trying to be "mr hotshot" and "mr hardcore gamer" please give it a rest. Anyone could beat this game if they put in the time to memorize theThis "game" is literally HORRENDOUS. This is one of the worst creative endeavors ever undertaken. I made a metacritic account just to shut all these people up who say otherwise. If you like this game you have a serious ego problem because you are trying to be "mr hotshot" and "mr hardcore gamer" please give it a rest. Anyone could beat this game if they put in the time to memorize the areas and grind their way to victory. First off the voice acting is horrific, I could have done a more believable job than their hired voice actors, its laughable how bad the voice acting is. Also, the game atmosphere is all dark and lonely. No fun or excitement to be had here. The graphics suck and I dont know why people keep saying they are good and the interface reminds me of old NES or SNES games, sorry I will pass on crappy old japanese video game feel in the year 2012. I would rather play a game like Skyrim or Red Dead Redemption where the voice acting is amazing and the world is beautiful and wonderful stories are told. Speaking of story......there is NONE in DS. You run around facing mindless enemies who just come straight at you and swing. Not dynamic whatsoever. This game makes you think its open world but really its not because if you try a certain area you will quickly realize your supposed to "grind" more to get there and then come back later when you have leveled more and it will be easy to defeat the enemies. Some people claim this is how you know you have come along and gotten better. No this is not skill. This is memorization and learning. Your attributes are now better because you grinded. Doesnt mean you are good. Like I said people only like this because they want to feel like they are talented video game players, again WRONG you are just the only losers who waste the time to sit and memorize and replay areas over and over and over. If you want to prove your skill go play MLG halo or starcraft and then come talk to me. I have played in two MLG halo tournaments and have never placed higher than top 84 out of 200 teams and I dominate every multiplayer game I have ever played and have beaten every game I have ever played on the hardest difficulty. Dark Souls is just a terribly made game and one thing I am really sick of reading about is the "great" game design here. This is about the laziest game design I have ever seen. I am all about challenge like the next guy but they dont even teach you how to play the damn game. Everyone is like "thats the beauty they throw you in and you have to figure it out" no thats called lazy design. I need to learn how to play the damn game and I shouldnt have to look at online guides to help me. They teach you a few little things and thats it. Even basic inventory management is not taught. Would you call an Mixed Martial Arts coach good if you walked in and he taught you about wrestling and then threw you into a fight without teaching you any of the other facets of MMA? Of course not you would get your head ripped off standing up and would blame him for not teaching you. But apparently teaching you a few concepts in this game while you figure out this rest is "great" game design. Am I in college now? Where I just teach myself? No thats why we pay you for your game so you teach us how to play it. In review DS is a horrific game and I am telling you DO NOT but this game and if you buy it for the challenge and to brag I am here to tell you that you are not a skilled gamer just because you beat it so get off your high horse. Please stop. Like I said go play MLG and then come back and tell me how good you are. Any lemming can sit and memorize and grind and beat mindless horribly implemented NPCs. Beat SMART human players...now that takes skill. Re doing areas again and again to learn and level up is how you win in DS. Thats not skillful. Mindless spamming magic spells and blocking and evading dont make for amazing or skillful combat.… Expand
  82. doodlerman
    Jan 7, 2012
    10
    This is an example of a great open world-ish fantasy game. There isn't much of a plot and there are countless tough enemies that are far more powerful than you are (and are quite able to kill you in one hit), but the beauty of the game, which may come across as a real pain to others, is the whole trial and error aspect. You have to figure out which path is safest, and make strategies onThis is an example of a great open world-ish fantasy game. There isn't much of a plot and there are countless tough enemies that are far more powerful than you are (and are quite able to kill you in one hit), but the beauty of the game, which may come across as a real pain to others, is the whole trial and error aspect. You have to figure out which path is safest, and make strategies on killing enemies. Some areas prove to be absolutely impossible - dark lords, black knights, ice creatures, and countless other monsters all lurk the lands and corridors of ruins, and, save for a few bosses, can be snuck around if too difficult to kill. It doesn't take long to realize that one of the purposes behind the games creation is that YOU WILL DIE. You will die countless times. Even at the very beginning, you will die many times. Every time you die and/or leave to save at a bonfire, all enemies (except bosses) will reappear. One great aspect of this game is that there are different creatures lurking around, obviously with some history - and even if the history of such creatures was never imagined, anything can be interpreted. Some enemies you only see once, and they'll just be there in the least expected of places. Its truly a magnificent, bleak open world game that all true gamer lovers can find something to enjoy behind. It requires patience and strategy which is something not seen in most modern games outside of certain franchises.… Expand
  83. Sh0dan
    Jan 5, 2012
    3
    Clunky, inefficient design doesn't belong in games that are so challenging. For most gamers, challenge is fun part of any game. In most cases, the harder the better compared to today's super accessible casual games for the masses, so I was looking forward to Dark Souls based on what I had heard from around the web. But boy were those opinions misleading. Its not that the game is tooClunky, inefficient design doesn't belong in games that are so challenging. For most gamers, challenge is fun part of any game. In most cases, the harder the better compared to today's super accessible casual games for the masses, so I was looking forward to Dark Souls based on what I had heard from around the web. But boy were those opinions misleading. Its not that the game is too difficult.. I mean it is difficult, but that's not the problem, the problem is that its horrendously designed and when games are this poorly designed it really isnt a good idea for them not to have a forgiving nature. The game itself tries to mix western style high fantasy with outdated traditional Japanese design sensibilities which isnt a terrible idea, but its so poorly executed that the player constantly finds himself dying through no fault of his own. Camera's getting stuck on the surrounding, rolling directly through solid walls and falling to your death etc. Add to that the unfriendly user controls and interface with multiple button presses when one would suffice, odd control layout (left and right bumpers are the primary attacks / defence), the huge eye-saw of a HUD and inventory system, and the fact that game regularly slows down and gets very laggy even when there aren't any enemies on screen, and it all boils down to a terrible port of a mediocre PS3 game. And to top it all off, the environment GFX and sound are bland and uninspired... Anyway, I've wasted enough of my time with this game, so I'll end with the warning, regardless of what you have read about the PS3 exclusive Demon Souls (which apparently did have some potential, Dark Souls the sequel is not a worthy successor or a game I can recommend to anybody, especially on the 360.… Expand
  84. afrr23
    Dec 30, 2011
    4
    This is a good game, so hear me out.It's the falling attack gimmick that irks me and made me quit.Most boss fights revolve around finding some place to climb up, waiting and using said falling attack to do a huge amount of damage to him.Not only does this kill the mood of the fight but it makes no sense to me whatsoever.I just can't take a game that presents itself as "difficult" andThis is a good game, so hear me out.It's the falling attack gimmick that irks me and made me quit.Most boss fights revolve around finding some place to climb up, waiting and using said falling attack to do a huge amount of damage to him.Not only does this kill the mood of the fight but it makes no sense to me whatsoever.I just can't take a game that presents itself as "difficult" and "challenging" seriously when such simple and illogical methods defeat these monstrous bosses we are presented with.… Expand
  85. ZombieMessiah
    Dec 30, 2011
    9
    I reviewed this game a month or two ago when I first started playing, when I was playing offline- so I figured it was worth re-reviewing taking online content into account.***

    First things first- if you do not have online capabilities, this game is frustratingly difficult, and you will miss a good portion of the content. I had a lot of fun playing offline, but I wouldn't recommend it    I reviewed this game a month or two ago when I first started playing, when I was playing offline- so I figured it was worth re-reviewing taking online content into account.***

    First things first- if you do not have online capabilities, this game is frustratingly difficult, and you will miss a good portion of the content. I had a lot of fun playing offline, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone except the most hardcore. The couple patches and the ability to do online co-op have made the game much much easier.*** You will still die. As someone said a while back, what you quickly begin to realize is that it isn't your character that needs to improve, it's you. Those hollows in the burg? They won't even touch you after a while. Your armor won't improve enough to absorb the damage they do until long after killing them is worth your time. YOU have to improve. Know when to dodge, and when to block. When to cast magic and when to attack.***

    That bit of trepidation you feel when entering the catacombs for the first time? I can't think of a single other game out right now that feels that way. Not one. And that is just the PVE.***

    When you are in human form, (necessary to summon aid, or kindle a bonfire) you are vulnerable to attack by players. I find that the rate at which I am invaded is not terribly high. Certainly not enough to avoid going human over, assuming you have an aversion to PVP. The pvp is fun, and oftentimes, will have several factions pitted against each other. While gravelording, It is not uncommon to be invaded by both a spirit of vengeance and a darkwraith simultaneously, which results in interesting scenarios. Sword dance is designed for these situations.***

    As you creep down those stairs, or exit that lift, you are always on guard...always nervous about what lies around the corner, and with good reason. When you drop your guard, when you get lazy, or careless, you will die. It is that simple. But dying was never so much fun. Take SotN and breed it with super ghouls and ghosts, then pump it full of steroids and you have Dark Souls.***

    I take 1 point off the score for blight town framerate issues (which have improved, but still choppy) and PVP lag. Here's to hoping Gravelord gets fixed in the next patch.    … Expand
  86. PanzerWulf
    Dec 30, 2011
    0
    This game is incredibly repetitive. I like a challenge more than the next guy, but goddamnit! I play video games for fun and entertainment, not for bitter frustration. If you constantly like dying from cheap shots while putting up with such a lame battle sequences. This game is for you. I don't know about you, but i don't have the patience to fight nearly impossible bosses and their cheapThis game is incredibly repetitive. I like a challenge more than the next guy, but goddamnit! I play video games for fun and entertainment, not for bitter frustration. If you constantly like dying from cheap shots while putting up with such a lame battle sequences. This game is for you. I don't know about you, but i don't have the patience to fight nearly impossible bosses and their cheap hits to reload from a checkpoint ten minutes to fight that same boss again, with all the annoying enemies respawned again. Its not the challenge that really gets me, its the repetitive battle sequences, not to mention complete and utter boredom. At least in Skyrim, there's alot more ways to fight an enemy. This game is going to make you get so mad to the point where it just becomes, not fun. I admit, the games out today make it to easy for you to win, but you have to draw the line somewhere. At least make the game with some kind of variety. I love well written storylines and DS doesn't have one really. So it almost for me, becomes pointless to let this game drag on more than it has to. I had to turn off the game after dying 574897539 friggin times before i start putting unnecessary holes in my walls. This F--- this game! A video game should be fun to play and not a hassle! Skip this atrocity of a game and buy Skyrim.… Expand
  87. ToOGoodOfAPlaya
    Dec 28, 2011
    3
    "You Died"
    "You Died"
    "You Died" Get used to that as you're going to see it A LOT. Let me start off with some positives: considering how large the game world is, there is zero load time. The world looks amazing and is vastly populated with seemingly endless, forever spawning enemies that are so hard, their nightmares are afraid of them. But that's where it ends for me. Don't get me    "You Died"
    "You Died"
    "You Died"
    Get used to that as you're going to see it A LOT.

    Let me start off with some positives: considering how large the game world is, there is zero load time.
    The world looks amazing and is vastly populated with seemingly endless, forever spawning enemies that are so hard, their nightmares are afraid of them.

    But that's where it ends for me.
    Don't get me wrong, I love a challenging game, but when I say a challenge, I mean one that isn't a chore to grind through for three hours whilst dying and returning to your checkpoint 15 minutes sprint away.

    And that's a massive failure to me, not only do the checkpoints happen only during a full solar eclipse, but if you stop by after killing 5 baddies, and you heal up, be prepared to kill those guys again, as they seemingly come back to life.

    Enemies also seemingly never run out of stamina, and despite the belief that the move set is varied you will be killed by the same 2 hit combo over and over by every enemy that is near you.

    "You Died"

    Bosses should be this hard in all games, but what they shouldn't do (and in Dark Souls they do EVERY TIME) is hit you with an area of effect attack that knocks you down, wait for you to just start getting up, then as you stand hit you with same attack again and again and again and again and again ad infinitum.
    I say that though, you'll most likely die from the evil stare they give you as every weapon an enemy wields, seemingly does about 10000000 HP of damage.

    In all if I was told why I started in a prison at the games start and what the outlining plan was (after 4 hours I'm yet to get out of Lordran as I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing or where I'm going) it may be forgivable.

    Suffice is to say that this game is unforgiving, aimless and boring.
    After defeating bosses for a reward that seemingly does little more than look nice, and levelling up to find I'm still getting killed in 2 hits, I find little else to praise.

    Poorly implemented targeting and boring "story" make this feel like a chore rather than fun.

    AVOID    … Expand
  88. SpunkyMonkey
    Dec 28, 2011
    6
    Whilst there's fun to be had in Dark Souls it is also a prime example of how dumb, sad and gullible it's core audience is as reading through comments and user reviews people seem to be more bothered about the fact that they can play a tough game as some kind of badge of honour than the game itself. You see, the game is actually very lazy - great graphics but naff all music, barely any RPGWhilst there's fun to be had in Dark Souls it is also a prime example of how dumb, sad and gullible it's core audience is as reading through comments and user reviews people seem to be more bothered about the fact that they can play a tough game as some kind of badge of honour than the game itself. You see, the game is actually very lazy - great graphics but naff all music, barely any RPG elements of which to speak (with hardly any plot or story to drive you on), and worst of all repetative gameplay that just makes the game DRAG. I don't mind fighting a tough boss 5, 10, 20 times to beat it, but when I have to run down an empty path for a few minutes just to get there first and then be killed in one hit it's hard to look back on the time spent travelling and finding any fun in it. Also, the game could get away with being to tough and merciless if it's mechanics worked well, but the camera gets stuck behind trees, you roll through solid walls, and most unforgivingly of all the targetting mechanic spins you round in the opposite direction if you're not close enough to an enemy - by which time the enemy has usually jumped you. Dark Soul's also doesn't allow you to pause the game....ever. Now, I don't know about you but sometimes I need to pee, eat or actually do things in real life such as answer a phone call, the fact that this wasn't included is beyond a joke. If you're batteries die mid combat? No pause screen, your man just stands there and dies. But, slap a tag on it that this game is for "real games" and the drongos will buy en mass *facepalm*. On the plus side the combat can be fun and once you're a bit tougher it isn't so bad - until you come to a new area which means hours grinding to get tough again. I've probably focussed a bit too much on the negative aspects of Dark Souls, but folk need to be warned that it's more than just a case of it being a hard game - it's a hard game that's mechanics are poor and doesn't allow for glitches or reality. Deffinately try before you buy.… Expand
  89. rfscinza8
    Dec 27, 2011
    10
    This game is awesome! Everything you need if you want to play a RPG. The boss fights are amazing! You find a cat with a croc tail... LOL... and a lot of crazy stuffs in everywhere. This game is one of the best in 2011.
  90. Offtheheezay95
    Dec 27, 2011
    9
    great game and prepare to die.... ive had quite a few rage quits over the brief time ive played the game and a great change to the genre of rpgs although online play could be a little better
  91. DecafTable
    Dec 22, 2011
    10
    Honestly the game is pretty easy once you know how the game works. Difficulty is a fun learning curve that most people with no patience will not enjoy. This is a real man's game, and i'm happy to own it. This really is the only 'adult' game I can think of. I thoroughly enjoy the dark nature of the game, the realistic color scheme which isn't cartoony like most games. The graphics are soHonestly the game is pretty easy once you know how the game works. Difficulty is a fun learning curve that most people with no patience will not enjoy. This is a real man's game, and i'm happy to own it. This really is the only 'adult' game I can think of. I thoroughly enjoy the dark nature of the game, the realistic color scheme which isn't cartoony like most games. The graphics are so jaw dropping that you'll want to spend your time looking around your environment. The open world landscape lets you see other parts of the world as you think to yourself, "i'll be heading there soon" The best part of this game that deserves the most attention to detail is the combat mechanics. This game has the most polished and deeply rewarding combat system ever imagined. This isn't a game where you can mash a few buttons and expect to live. You need to take into account consideration for what an opponent wears or doesn't wear, is it weak to slash attacks from a katana or will a stunlock from an ultra greatsword work well? Is this mob weak to fire? Once you master and become proficient with parry/riposte you'll be killing some enemies in one hit. This is very satisfying because the risk/reward for timing this will earn you the kill instantly, but fail by a 1/2 second and you may end up dead. It's this very nature of the game that makes you feel like you are always on the verge of death if you make a few wrong decisions. This realistic sense of life and death will have you shiver going into areas you know will be difficult. The voice acting in this game is top notch and has to be some of the best i've ever heard. You won't hear the same voice overs for multiple characters like other games either. The ambiance is really well portrayed here as well, you don't hear annoying background music every area you go into, rather you'll hear eerie screams, crows flying around and bickering, maybe if a skeleton shaking his bars on his cell door. This kind of thing immerses you into the game, especially when it's pitch dark and you hear a Darkwraith clanking as he runs across the room towards you crunching the skulls underneath his feet. You will be scared, you'll laugh (probably not), you'll cry, you may even get mad. But the payoff is the rewarding feeling you get once you accomplish what you thought was possible each time you die. I've sunk 300 hours into this game and i'm not even bored yet, talk about a great $60 well spent! Buy this game now!… Expand
  92. BXBlodia
    Dec 19, 2011
    10
    To me, this game is a masterpiece and most unique and enjoyable experience this generation.
    Dark Souls is the first game this year which caused me to spend almost every idle hour of my day coming up with strategies for THAT BOSS and considering stat choices, as well as speculating about the lore.
    The way it's story is told, the vague introduction, often cryptic npc dialogue and item    To me, this game is a masterpiece and most unique and enjoyable experience this generation.
    Dark Souls is the first game this year which caused me to spend almost every idle hour of my day coming up with strategies for THAT BOSS and considering stat choices, as well as speculating about the lore.
    The way it's story is told, the vague introduction, often cryptic npc dialogue and item descriptions make the player curious. You WANT to get to know more, and you just can't stop thinking about it. The world is surprisingly rich once you start researching it through npc's and items, and the setting quite literally radiates fear and misery. This game is about suffering and tries to put it to an end, with whatever means necessary. Every character you encounter is a tragic one, and some you just can't help but sympathise with. In few cases, when you learn what you did with your actions you will feel for the pixels on your screen, because npc's are scarce and very much alive, and the player grows to like (or hate) them.
    The game's combat is challenging at first, but when you get the hang of it it all becomes very natural and... easy. With each enemy slain, not only your character grows stronger (potentially), but also the player does. And this "player xp" is decisive in here, because mastering parry and learning how to read bosses, mobs and adapt will greatly enhance your experience, and spare you a _LOT_ of deaths and time spent grinding souls to face a boss. You can tackle most of what the game has to offer in the first few locations without spending a single soul to upgrade your character or your equipment. If you lack the talent, you can get through content with hard work (which was how I finished my first playthrough). Perfect equilibrium.
    Another aspect that adds to Dark Souls' greateness is the soundtrack. You will only hear the music in certain locations and during boss battles, and in almost every case the music shows the boss' "personality" or sets the player in a certain mood. Depending on the encounter it will vary from monumental and epic to eerily calm and giving you a feeling of false safety.
    To me, Dark Souls is the best game released this year. The single best one.    … Expand
  93. mikelink
    Dec 14, 2011
    7
    Let me start off by saying that this is not a bad game. I bought it day one and I really tried to love it like I loved Demon Souls but I could not. The graphics are wonderful, the difficulty is ramped up, and a lot of love went in to making this game ad you can see it everywhere. What made me trade this game in three and a half hours after I bought it was the fact that it was so repetitiveLet me start off by saying that this is not a bad game. I bought it day one and I really tried to love it like I loved Demon Souls but I could not. The graphics are wonderful, the difficulty is ramped up, and a lot of love went in to making this game ad you can see it everywhere. What made me trade this game in three and a half hours after I bought it was the fact that it was so repetitive I wanted to smash my head against a wall. In my opinion, Every single area is exactly the same and there is no variety in structure. It might be just because I didn't get far enough but that's how it seems to me. I know it's a hit or miss game but i urge you to try it yourself because at it's core it is REALLY god.… Expand
  94. msherry9
    Dec 13, 2011
    9
    I would definitely give this game a solid 9.5. First off, if you've never played Demon Souls (like me) and are still hung up about the notorious difficulty of the game, I advise you not to buy into the hype. While the game can still be very challenging, it's something that can easily be overcome once you get the combat down properly. I've never played Demon Souls before and I had heard aI would definitely give this game a solid 9.5. First off, if you've never played Demon Souls (like me) and are still hung up about the notorious difficulty of the game, I advise you not to buy into the hype. While the game can still be very challenging, it's something that can easily be overcome once you get the combat down properly. I've never played Demon Souls before and I had heard a great deal about this game, so I decided to finally give it a go. The game is so thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to finish mainly due to the satisfaction that it brings when you overcome a new challenge. I've read several reviews where people say that the game is a chore and like "eating brussel sprouts" until you complete a challenge, whereas it turns into "eating ice cream". This could not be further from the truth. The game is CONSTANTLY like "eating ice cream", rewarding you at every turn with exciting new gear or spells to fuel you're ongoing push towards the final boss. I believe the IGN review has something along the lines of: "If you play games for fun, than this game is not for you". This statement is also extremely false and is very misleading to newcomers who are thinking about potentially purchasing this game. The game simply requires you to be more open-minded as well as patient in contemplating the best strategies to overcome certain situations and boss fights. The graphics of the game are gorgeous, giving players a huge variety of stunning environments ranging from murky catacombs to snowy fortresses set upon a mountainside. It's essentially an open-world experience, since you can go almost anywhere at anytime, but there's still a decent amount of linearity. If you stumble upon an area where the enemies take 15 hits to kill and are capable of killing you in 1-2, you probably shouldn't be at that area yet and should return there at a later time. The combat mechanics work extremely well, never feeling overly repetitive nor becoming a chore. The game tries to get players to "bond" with their weapons and develop a sort of attached relationship. I've definitely felt this before, as I was reluctant at one point in the game to cease using my Fire Spear that I crafted since the monsters were all basically immune to fire. The game has you select from one of many starting classes, which primarily only affect you're starting equipment and attributes (except the Pyromancer, who might be the only class that can utilize Pyromancy spells). Spells are an absolute blast to use and there's tons of variety for a myriad of situations in which they can be implemented. The storyline is almost nonexistent, save for a few cutscenes and cinematics here and there, but this does not hinder the experience whatsoever. It may even bolster it, depending on who you ask, granting the game a more "realistic" feel. It gives the sense that the storyline is essentially what a "real" hero's journey would be like, with many difficult trials and failures along the road to success. Let me be completely honest when I say this, however: you will die. You will die alot, but overcoming death in this game is part of the grand satisfaction I mentioned. You die to an extremely difficult boss, losing your souls temporarily (if you can recover your "body", similar to Diablo 2), come back, and annihilate the boss. These moments are uniquely crafted, leaving you feeling like you're on top of the world when you achieve them. The game is about as dark of a fantasy as you can get and leaves very little to no room for comedic relief, save for a few moments that are few and far between. The game's crafting system is addicting in many ways, constantly dangling that carrot in front of you to collect that last Titanite Shard to upgrade you're weapon. The game does, however, have some issues that are worth mentioning. My biggest complaint is the framerate tearing in certain areas and scenes of the game. Blighttown is the worst offender, making it close to maddening to explore without tilting the camera towards the ground. There are also some other sequences and boss fights that briefly experience this, but no other notables. Another issue I've noticed is sometimes a delayed reaction in the control scheme when activating items. During boss fights, timing is crucial, and when I press X to use my Estus Flask to heal myself, I expect my damn character to pop that baby open and drink instantly. Multiple times, I've done this only to see a 2-3 delay before my character finally drinks, and this is after I've resumed dodging attacks. My character has then stopped during an attack, and I either die or sustain a serious blow. This doesn't happen that often, but when it does, it's frustrating. Overall, Dark Souls is one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences I've ever had the pleasure of playing. If you're still hung up about purchasing it, give it a rent, and you may be pleasantly surprised. Highly recommended.… Expand
  95. Warlike
    Dec 13, 2011
    9
    This game has amazing combat, which feels very responsive. after playing this game a while, other games like Skyrim feel lacking in the melee combat. The game does not have much story other then the starting video and little bits of lore you receive from npc's, This dissapoint's me because i am very interested in the world and the strange undead disease that is ravaging the land. SomeThis game has amazing combat, which feels very responsive. after playing this game a while, other games like Skyrim feel lacking in the melee combat. The game does not have much story other then the starting video and little bits of lore you receive from npc's, This dissapoint's me because i am very interested in the world and the strange undead disease that is ravaging the land. Some bosses can feel very frustrating and unfair. knowing a bosses weakness and pattern is mostly the only way to win the fight which can be frustrating constantly dying trying to figure out what to do, although once you do the satisfaction is great. I also have a problem that some enemies are able to turn to face you while they swing their weapon which is annoying, and alot of the time un-dogable even if you roll around. Probably just me getting frustrated at the difficulty, a very enjoyable game with the added bonus of pvp.… Expand
  96. bugbear1
    Dec 10, 2011
    9
    My toon, originated as "deprived" and is now level 61 and capable of healing, fire, magic and also is fairly deft and adroit with spears and shields. After minimal patching, unlike some similar newer games of its ilk, DARK SOULS runs spendidly and has the full gamut of expected tropes and conventions of many dungeon-crawlers from yesteryear including a "difficulty level" that would makeMy toon, originated as "deprived" and is now level 61 and capable of healing, fire, magic and also is fairly deft and adroit with spears and shields. After minimal patching, unlike some similar newer games of its ilk, DARK SOULS runs spendidly and has the full gamut of expected tropes and conventions of many dungeon-crawlers from yesteryear including a "difficulty level" that would make the Marquis de Sade cry. Ironically, buoyed by player-choice and an open world, DARK SOULS hammers home the challenges with brutal combat and spikes in difficulty that might hamper less hardy players. Great game and world. Tough to master, impossible to tame.… Expand
  97. ViralKillsBrain
    Dec 8, 2011
    9
    Probably the best game i've played this gen. It does have some issues (areas of low framerate, multiplayer is a little too much of a hurdle to get into) but it says alot when those issues can be overlooked.
  98. jslaw
    Dec 7, 2011
    10
    I never played demon souls so I did not know what to expect when I bought Dark Souls. All I knew was that it was an action RPG and was supposed to be "hard". Talk about an understatement... I have long been dissatisfied with RPG's and console gaming in general mainly due to them being too easy. Most RPG's you can save your game every 3 steps, or just grind your way to victory. DarkI never played demon souls so I did not know what to expect when I bought Dark Souls. All I knew was that it was an action RPG and was supposed to be "hard". Talk about an understatement... I have long been dissatisfied with RPG's and console gaming in general mainly due to them being too easy. Most RPG's you can save your game every 3 steps, or just grind your way to victory. Dark Souls went far beyond my expectations.

    Combat: The combat is some of the best I have played in a video game, second only to Mount and Blade. The strikes feel slow at first but it really works. The strikes of characters and npcs feel like they have some weight behind them. The endurance mechanic for blocking is well done as well. You can block as long as you have endurance but when it runs out hits will stagger you. You can only attack if you have endurance as well. The responsiveness of the controls are is wonderful. You may find yourself hiding behind your shield with your endurance gone and know the next strike will stagger you. In this game you can actually use the dodge button to roll out of the way if you time it right. The rolling dodge in other games feels useless not activating fast enough or moving quick enough to save you. In dark souls you can go from a shield block to a roll in no time at all.

    Aesthetics: The game doesn't play like a movie as you wander from cut scene to cut scene like modern (and worthless) RPGs. You are given very little direction and left to your own devices. You will feel brilliant when you connect the small clues and discover something. The game seeks to create atmosphere which it does well. The atmosphere lends itself well to the game and you will find your own story.

    Difficulty: The best selling point. I get the same feeling playing dark souls that i used to get playing the old wizardry games. Dark souls goes out of its way to kill the player. Enemies are often hiding in a way that they surround you if you run past. Occasionally bottomless pits are found just after emerging from thick foilage. The bosses in this game will murder you if you don't come up with a plan to defeat them. You can lose your souls if you die in a bad spot or get killed on the way to retrieve them. When you have collected a lot of souls, it can be extremely harrowing when you run into a tough encounter far from a bonfire. Closing note: Dark Souls is the most fun i have ever had on Xbox. Probably the best single player RPG ever. Better than fallout 1, 2 and 3D. Better than Oblivion, Morrowind, and Skyrim...I am really happy that this game is so popular in north america since people often talk about hard core games as not appealing to westerners. I always found that insulting and now we have a game to point to when we say "You are wrong!" I hope other developers follow suit and tap the hardcore gaming market.    … Expand
  99. VulcanHades
    Dec 6, 2011
    9
    This game is very underrated. A lot of people seemed turned off by the difficulty and apparent lack of story, but those people don't know they are missing out on a jewel. This game is the perfect example of what games should really be about: gameplay. Dark Souls has a very good combat system featuring evasions, parry attacks, backstabs, special moves, poise and target lock. Coupled withThis game is very underrated. A lot of people seemed turned off by the difficulty and apparent lack of story, but those people don't know they are missing out on a jewel. This game is the perfect example of what games should really be about: gameplay. Dark Souls has a very good combat system featuring evasions, parry attacks, backstabs, special moves, poise and target lock. Coupled with a very efficient UI that allows players to easily and rapidly toggle between weapons, items and spells. All very fluidly and dynamically. In addition, the game offers incredible variety in weapons. Each weapon is unique and has different set of moves, animations, speed, range, stamina usage and recovery. With many different ways to upgrade and ascend them. Dark Souls depth simply puts many other rival RPGs to shame. The game also has brilliant level design all around. Areas are very beautiful and unique, and they each have different types of enemies, challenges and rewards. It's a little hard to explain, but the levels are actually "gameplay themed" in addition to color-themed. The levels and their obstacles represent a challenge in themselves. But another part of the challenge is being able to manage our items, spells and souls between smartly placed bonfires. Not to mention the very satisfying and truly epic boss fights. Furthermore, this game offers great multiplayer through online play items such as the whitesoap stone which allows players to summon help (coop) and various orbs that let you invade the world of other players (player vs player). Story wise, a lot of people criticize the lack of narrative in Dark Souls. But I think the story is still interesting. It's just different than your typical soap opera RPG that have those interminable dialogues and cut scenes. In Dark Souls, the story is more like a big puzzle and the player needs to put pieces together to understand the people and the world that surrounds him. You get clues by reading item descriptions and talking to various NPCs, but also by looking at the environment. I thought it was actually pretty clever and original. That being said, the game still has its fair share of flaws. The most unfortunate ones are the bad artificial intelligence and lack of dedicated server. And that is the main reason why I'm not giving this game a perfect 10. But Dark Souls is still a nearly flawless game that in my opinion deserves to be GOTY.… Expand
  100. ReSultZ
    Dec 2, 2011
    10
    Simply point you have NEVER played a game like them as Dark Souls and Demon's Souls are on another level. The bad news is these games are so long and good, they ruin other games.
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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.
    Read full review
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