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

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

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

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

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

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

    However, this game does so much right that I would still give it a 10    … Expand
  3. dodgingbullet
    Sep 9, 2014
    8
    Dark Souls is that kind of game that you pay for so you can feel idiot, miserable and incompetent about yourself. And although you pay gladly for those feelings you wind up having a great and marvelous journey.
  4. Artomoz
    Aug 17, 2014
    6
    Disclaimer: Dark Souls is not made to suit the average gamers. Disregard all those bad reviews made by players who could not survive the first few fights of the game. I myself was frustrated in the beginning, until I realized if you play this game with an MMO mentality, you'll do well. If an area is difficult, grind, level up, try again, if it's still difficulty, grind level up, repeat.Disclaimer: Dark Souls is not made to suit the average gamers. Disregard all those bad reviews made by players who could not survive the first few fights of the game. I myself was frustrated in the beginning, until I realized if you play this game with an MMO mentality, you'll do well. If an area is difficult, grind, level up, try again, if it's still difficulty, grind level up, repeat.

    The game boasts about difficulty, in the end, it's not the difficulty of the game, it's being patient and studying your enemies, knowing what level certain areas require and once again, being patient. Average gamers expect a Skyrim experience where you can just take on a mob, that's not the case with Dark Souls, the game will punish you for bad decisions.

    The game itself is a broken mess, which adds to the "difficulty." The game suffers from: bad frame rate, terrible game mechanics, bad hit detection, bad button input response and recognition. Hence why the 6 is being given, bad game development does not yield a difficult game, it's just lazy development.

    Aside from the negatives, the lore of this game is very interesting and will keep you going through out the game. The areas a player visits are interesting, while very linear, the developers did a good job in giving it a pseudo free roam feeling.    … Expand
  5. tmlorfing
    Aug 15, 2014
    9
    You better be prepared to die. Dark Souls is brutal: one screw-up can negate hours of progress. However, the reward for triumph is amazing. Nothing feels better than plowing through an area that killed you 10 times, or finally defeating that towering demon boss. Don't be deterred by the naysayers: This game will punish your mistakes, but it can be mastered and beaten.
    The story of Dark    You better be prepared to die. Dark Souls is brutal: one screw-up can negate hours of progress. However, the reward for triumph is amazing. Nothing feels better than plowing through an area that killed you 10 times, or finally defeating that towering demon boss. Don't be deterred by the naysayers: This game will punish your mistakes, but it can be mastered and beaten.
    The story of Dark Souls is minimal. Most of it comes from lore, dialogue, and little details. You are a cursed undead, and must find a way to break the curse. However, fate has given you another calling: and that calling will challenge you to the limit.
    The world of Dark Souls is beautiful and immersive. See that giant tower off in the distance? Often times, if you see an area in the background, you will end up going there. The game starts out somewhat linear, but soon enough the massive world is at your fingertips. Unfortunatley, some parts of the game struggle with major frame-rate issues. It's not game-breaking, but can get you killed if you aren't careful. But other than that, Dark Souls is graphically impressive.
    The Combat system works very well. Every class can use every type of weapon. You don't need to be a wizard to cast spells, and you don't need to be a knight to wear heavy armor. It is a system that lets you choose your own way to fight the brutal enemies the game throws at you.
    Multiplayer is refreshing and exciting. You can choose to invade other players' worlds, or you may be invaded yourself. The invader and the master will duel to the death: and the winner will be greatly rewarded.
    If you love RPGs, go pick up this game. If you prefer casual FPS games like Call of Duty or Halo, still go pick it up for a new, brutal experience. This is a game that I think should not be missed.    … Expand
  6. RussianPhil28
    Aug 12, 2014
    9
    Dark Souls is the kind of game in which your hopes on a productive day are diminished due to how engrossing the dark yet light world of Dark Souls turns out to be. Although it is very difficult each and every obstacle has a counter part to it which is up to the player to find. While other games use this scenario Dark Souls masters it. My amount of deaths in Dark Souls are more than myDark Souls is the kind of game in which your hopes on a productive day are diminished due to how engrossing the dark yet light world of Dark Souls turns out to be. Although it is very difficult each and every obstacle has a counter part to it which is up to the player to find. While other games use this scenario Dark Souls masters it. My amount of deaths in Dark Souls are more than my kills in Bf3 but that is what makes this game different. Death in Dark Souls is an element which sometimes yes sucks but killing that boss that killed you countless times is very rewarding. Making this RPG one of the best ever made the amazing combat and world design make Dark Souls excellent.… Expand
  7. yourfavcomedion
    Jul 17, 2014
    10
    This game is one of the few that actually have challenges these days. The last time I think I loved playing, and beat a game, like this was probably King's quest. I think this game deserves a lot more then 10 points. People give it a bad score because they probably suck at the game. You have to understand that this game is SUPER hard. Well if you don't understand that, go cry to someoneThis game is one of the few that actually have challenges these days. The last time I think I loved playing, and beat a game, like this was probably King's quest. I think this game deserves a lot more then 10 points. People give it a bad score because they probably suck at the game. You have to understand that this game is SUPER hard. Well if you don't understand that, go cry to someone who cares. I bought this 5 months before I actually beat the game. The bosses were really challenging, took more than 1 try to beat it. But what I don't understand is I got stuck on the easy bosses than the hard bosses. Like smough and orengstien, I beat them on my 3rd try, but the butterfly thing, I beat on my 15th try. Why that is? I don't know, but still these games are rare these days. That feeling you have after you work so hard on a boss then finally beat it, it is hard to say. Would I recommend this YES! It is the best game I have ever played.… Expand
  8. ninjanerd
    Jul 16, 2014
    8
    i think that dark souls is a good game. but im a noob gamer and i found dark souls to be incredibly hard and challenging and rewarding. the game looks good has a great combat system and has a large open world for you to explore. i dont think dark souls is a bad game it is just too damn hard for people like me who like easy games to blow through.
  9. Starkiller94
    Jun 14, 2014
    1
    When this game was made available to be downloaded for free with the 'Games with Gold' program on Xbox Live, I thought I'd go ahead and try it. (Available from June 1st, 2014 - June 16th, 2014) Believe me, it's not worth the 3.9 gigabytes it takes up on your hard drive. This game is the most repetitive, unforgiving piece of rubbish I've ever played in my life. Just compare it to The ElderWhen this game was made available to be downloaded for free with the 'Games with Gold' program on Xbox Live, I thought I'd go ahead and try it. (Available from June 1st, 2014 - June 16th, 2014) Believe me, it's not worth the 3.9 gigabytes it takes up on your hard drive. This game is the most repetitive, unforgiving piece of rubbish I've ever played in my life. Just compare it to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which was released about a month after this game came out. Does this game look like it was made in 2011, or 2006? You tell me... I know Skyrim looks like it was made in 2011 for sure. The graphics are mostly made up of dull grays, browns, and blacks, with a little puke green added into the mix. Low resolution images and screen tearing plague the game. The characters mouths don't even move when they speak. The voice acting is horrible too, sounding like the voices were recorded in a portable toilet. The controls are even worse... I found myself drinking potions and using items in the middle of combat because the control placement is so bad. Want to hear the real kicker?

    Everytime you die, all of the enemies in the stage respawn!!!

    Yes, I'm not kidding... Even if one of the small minion enemies kill you, the last 20 guys you just blew through are coming back. So basically it's a patience game... It tests to see how frustrated you get before you put your controller through a wall. Don't get me wrong, I like a challenge as much as the next guy. But Dark Souls takes it way too far... The checkpoints are placed miles apart from each other, causing you to be sent like ten to twenty minutes back when you die. So yeah, that aspect makes the game extremely repetitive... It just boils down to an half-baked RPG that could have been something interesting, but turned out to be a crock of ****

    I beg you not to download this game... By not downloading or purchasing it, you'll save yourself a lot of grief and turmoil.    … Expand
  10. Deathmonger
    Jun 12, 2014
    1
    In short, this game is really, really bad. I can't believe that it was recommended to me and that people actually like it. For people that say it is "challenging" and terrific, you don't really have a clue about video games. This takes video games back to 1999, and not in a good way. I have beaten over 140 video games, so I'm not just trolling here. Why did I pick 1999? Well that isIn short, this game is really, really bad. I can't believe that it was recommended to me and that people actually like it. For people that say it is "challenging" and terrific, you don't really have a clue about video games. This takes video games back to 1999, and not in a good way. I have beaten over 140 video games, so I'm not just trolling here. Why did I pick 1999? Well that is the year that Drakan: Order of the Flame came out. And Dark Souls is basically that game, without even getting to fly amazing dragons. Drakan was INCREDIBLE...when it came out. The combat was epic at the time. Graphics were amazing. Pathetically, Dark Souls is just about where Drakan was then, and that was 15 years ago, but Dark Souls actually has WORSE combat, CLUNKY controls, and TERRIBLE camera. And you will miss enemies 1 foot from you because the weapons don't hit where they should. People are confusing "challenge" and piss poor gamemaking. Funny thing about Drakan, is that half way through, it gets really freaking hard as well. You have to count your arrows, roll like a maniac against giants, dodge and run and arrow giants, sometimes even backtrack half a mile to where u left your dragon just to pull a giant to it so you can mount up and take it down. Drakan was hard and you had to use your brain sometimes. Dark Souls is hard because the controls and graphics and camera suck. Glad it was free on Xbox Gold, waste of money otherwise, and I still don't recommend playing it. And it isn't even that hard once you compensate for the poor controls and aim boxes, but you shouldn't have to.… Expand
  11. Arauggio
    Jun 9, 2014
    3
    Another overrated game! It is just hype. The game is well designed, but it lacks in history. There is no indication on what you must do (you just wake up and start walking around. There is no explanation; there is no motivation), and the difficult is unfair. You must stay hours doing repetitive things to gain levels and try to have a chance against a boss.

    Unless you are a masochist    Another overrated game! It is just hype. The game is well designed, but it lacks in history. There is no indication on what you must do (you just wake up and start walking around. There is no explanation; there is no motivation), and the difficult is unfair. You must stay hours doing repetitive things to gain levels and try to have a chance against a boss.

    Unless you are a masochist (AKA "core") gamer, avoid this title. It's just waste of time, literally.    … Expand
  12. milesprower06
    Jun 8, 2014
    1
    I too came to this game through Games With Gold, and was looking forward to how challenging it supposedly was.

    I want challenging due to gameplay, not challenging because they don't show you even the most basic concepts of HOW to play. I didn't even make it 30 minutes in because my time is more valuable than throwing myself at a boss endlessly because I have no clue how to equip and use    I too came to this game through Games With Gold, and was looking forward to how challenging it supposedly was.

    I want challenging due to gameplay, not challenging because they don't show you even the most basic concepts of HOW to play. I didn't even make it 30 minutes in because my time is more valuable than throwing myself at a boss endlessly because I have no clue how to equip and use spells. Sorry. Questionable design decisions if you think players can just figure stuff out like that by screwing around in the menus hoping they click the right thing.    … Expand
  13. Plasmaneedle
    Jun 7, 2014
    10
    To say Dark Souls is challenging is an understatement. Dark Souls is about as challenging as video games get. It's that challenge that will drive you to play the game through to the end and it's what makes it so satisfying to complete each challenge. Dark Souls is only for the hardcore but they will get a lot out of it.

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

    Alongside the challenge is an excellent combat system. It's fun and hard to fight the enemies. It preforms flawlessly and works well with the RPG system. The bosses are some of the best not only of this generation but some of them will go down as the best bosses ever. They aren't your typical bosses, in fact many of them are completely unique. They are all hard as nails and so very satisfying to kill. If you're a hardcore gamer looking for a genuinely challenging experience look no further.    … Expand
  14. sominex
    Jun 5, 2014
    2
    this game looks cool but you can't even save, can't even go back if you make a mistake, annoying. I don't understand why a video game wouldn't allow you to save.
  15. nosebeagle
    Jun 2, 2014
    2
    I heard the hype and tried dark souls...I do not understand the hype. The world is well rendered, and the concept is good. However, the wheels fall off quickly. Repetition galore is what this game should be called. Enemies reappear in the same number, formation, etc. after you leave an area and immediately return. They follow the exact patterns of attack, and the game slips intoI heard the hype and tried dark souls...I do not understand the hype. The world is well rendered, and the concept is good. However, the wheels fall off quickly. Repetition galore is what this game should be called. Enemies reappear in the same number, formation, etc. after you leave an area and immediately return. They follow the exact patterns of attack, and the game slips into mindless lather, rinse, repeat. Combined with the insane difficulty, this game becomes boring quickly. I like a good challenging game - I just like a little variety. Killing the same enemies with the same attacks after they use the same moves over and over again is mind-numbing.… Expand
  16. Dude_Largepants
    Jun 2, 2014
    0
    This game is hard. Not just "hard" but "throw your controller through the screen" hard. It's a modern game for people that somehow enjoy Megaman and Castlevania games. Endless trial and error and enemy pattern memorization are the key to success. You start the game with no real personal back story, no primer as to what the hell is going on and not even really any instructions has to howThis game is hard. Not just "hard" but "throw your controller through the screen" hard. It's a modern game for people that somehow enjoy Megaman and Castlevania games. Endless trial and error and enemy pattern memorization are the key to success. You start the game with no real personal back story, no primer as to what the hell is going on and not even really any instructions has to how the entire game works. A few words scribbled on the floor are you basic control instructions and anything beyond that is left to the player to figure out. I don't like 2 hours tutorials that are tacked on to games, but I would like to have a basic rundown of how everything works.

    As for the game mechanics themselves they're awful. There isn't much going on besides going from enemy to enemy dodging attacks and hoping that they somehow don't get in a cheap shot that usually kills you instantly. That's assuming you can even get any hits in at all. I can't describe much more as I didn't make it past the first enemy I came in contact with. I play all of my games on the hardest difficulty right out of the box and this is just too much.

    I get it, make a punishing game in a market that stagnant with games that offer little challenge at all. I get that people want a game that pushes their skill, but this game just goes too far. I'm not sure how it gained critical media acclaim and the gaming news outlets should be ashamed that they overhyped a game of this calibur. I also don't understand the point of this game as playing video games is meant as an escape from reality. This game offers no real game world to get lost in, it's graphics are on par with games like Divinity II(terrible graphics) and with its immense difficulty curve it takes all immersion out of the game. If a person really wanted that much of a challenge outside of their real life, why not take up a hobby like trying to solve the Hodge Conjecture?

    The happiest part of the experience is knowing that I got it for free no thanks to Games for Gold. I can only suggest that you read all the negative reviews if you're planning on playing the game, as the positive ones paint this game in a completely different and unrealistic light.    … Expand
  17. JustSumGuy
    May 28, 2014
    10
    If you've ever looked at the back of the box for this game, you probably saw the headline: "PREPARE TO DIE!" This phrase will leave a lasting impression on your mind, because if you play Dark Souls, you will die again and again. Players will be thrust into a cold, unforgiving world where almost everything you encounter wants you dead. While the game may sound intimidating, it is not unfairIf you've ever looked at the back of the box for this game, you probably saw the headline: "PREPARE TO DIE!" This phrase will leave a lasting impression on your mind, because if you play Dark Souls, you will die again and again. Players will be thrust into a cold, unforgiving world where almost everything you encounter wants you dead. While the game may sound intimidating, it is not unfair to players. Every mistake you make is your own, and not the fault of the game. Dark Souls is not for those seeking a leisurely gaming atmosphere. It is a challenging one that will test your skills. Surpassing the obstacles set before you will give you a sense of accomplishment that many games seem to lack these days.… Expand
  18. Icemastr
    May 24, 2014
    10
    One of my top five favorite games, 3 of which are Demon Souls, Dark Souls, and Dark Souls II. Dark Souls is challenging, the combat is fun, and levelling and exploring the world is addictive. The game isn't for everyone, but once you get into it you will be sucked in. This is by far the most time I have spent playing a single player game, more than 300+ hours just levelling up, taking downOne of my top five favorite games, 3 of which are Demon Souls, Dark Souls, and Dark Souls II. Dark Souls is challenging, the combat is fun, and levelling and exploring the world is addictive. The game isn't for everyone, but once you get into it you will be sucked in. This is by far the most time I have spent playing a single player game, more than 300+ hours just levelling up, taking down bosses, and having a blast.… Expand
  19. gabriot
    Apr 21, 2014
    5
    The only reason this game is hard at all is because hp is pretty much useless - you're going to die in 3 or less hits no matter what health you are. If they'd just be more forgiving in the game it'd be something i could enjoy, but instead what I get is a game that is far more frustrating than it is enjoyable. Call me crazy, but the reason I play games is to have fun. I suppose that'sThe only reason this game is hard at all is because hp is pretty much useless - you're going to die in 3 or less hits no matter what health you are. If they'd just be more forgiving in the game it'd be something i could enjoy, but instead what I get is a game that is far more frustrating than it is enjoyable. Call me crazy, but the reason I play games is to have fun. I suppose that's not the point of this game, because it certainly isn't that fun when you die and lose literally everything you accumulated (and if you used any consumable items, they've now gone to waste).

    Basically the only reason this game has the hype that it has, is that they just made the default and only selectable game mode the "insane" difficulty option. It sucks because I feel there's actually a good game here waiting to be played, unfortunately I have neither the patience nor mad skills to experience it. They should have just had an "easy" mode or something for players that don't enjoy playing the same section of a level 50+ times just to get that "perfect" run where you play absolutely perfectly and don't die.

    Hardly anything in the game is explained either, so unless you google things, you will never know what half the stats or terms in this game mean. Even with the in-game tooltips, it doesn't explain anything.

    On top of that, the game itself has some serious flaws. First off, you can't change the control scheme, which is completely unacceptable, first on the principal of it all, but furthermore for the fact that the default scheme makes zero sense and half the time you make a mistake it's because of the AWFUL control scheme. None of it is intuitive.

    The lock on mechanism is completely broken too, it never locks on to who you need it to, and you can't just cycle through enemies, you have to unlock on, then relock on and hope the game magically chooses the correct. All the while this is happing, you are getting peppered with fire bombs, the camera is swinging around in all manner of horrible directions, and your block direction will be compromised and you will probably get hit, which will take half your **** hp away.

    All in all it's a gimicky game that should be thankful as hell that it's hype train went "viral" and allowed a pretty mediocre broken game to sell tons of copies, and gather rave reviews that it absolutely does NOT deserve.

    Avoid this game unless you are a hardcore gamer that loves playing games on insane difficulty from the get-go.    … Expand
  20. Scootsmen
    Apr 5, 2014
    10
    A masterpiece of game, world and monster design, Dark Souls is an underrated gem of substantial quality. The game took me over a hundred hours to complete and I didn't even get a chance to complete everything the game has to offer. It boasts a Gothic world filled with creepy enemies, mysterious dungeons and brilliant boss fights. Dark Souls has a few glitches here and there and the Bed ofA masterpiece of game, world and monster design, Dark Souls is an underrated gem of substantial quality. The game took me over a hundred hours to complete and I didn't even get a chance to complete everything the game has to offer. It boasts a Gothic world filled with creepy enemies, mysterious dungeons and brilliant boss fights. Dark Souls has a few glitches here and there and the Bed of Chaos boss fight could have been better, but the good outweighs the bad so much that the game's flaws come off as minor. This is a dark and challenging game made with a burning love for role-playing games.… Expand
  21. JacobCleveland
    Apr 5, 2014
    9
    Now I will speak plainly about this game, and I won't go into excruciating detail. This is not for everyone. Hell, its not even for me. I enjoy a challenge, but this game gives you that strong sense of dread and the impossibility of the level. The game constantly tries to test your limits to the max, and I applaud the developers for that. However, this game has an acquired taste to it. TheNow I will speak plainly about this game, and I won't go into excruciating detail. This is not for everyone. Hell, its not even for me. I enjoy a challenge, but this game gives you that strong sense of dread and the impossibility of the level. The game constantly tries to test your limits to the max, and I applaud the developers for that. However, this game has an acquired taste to it. The graphics and art direction of this game is amazing, but it's just not for me. This game doesn't make the attempt to appeal to everybody, which I applaud. If you like excruciating difficulty and a interesting experience, play Dark Souls. If you want to shoot up 12 year old kids and call them campers, play COD.… Expand
  22. Gilgamesh
    Mar 30, 2014
    10
    Gamers who disregard this game too quickly should stick with Pokemon. Patience is rewarded with joy and sloppiness death at every turn. Controls take a bit to get used to (didn't even know I could parry until almost the end of the first run (duh, I know)) but once you lock down the concept of stamina and the cost of your actions the control you have is simple and simply amazing. FewGamers who disregard this game too quickly should stick with Pokemon. Patience is rewarded with joy and sloppiness death at every turn. Controls take a bit to get used to (didn't even know I could parry until almost the end of the first run (duh, I know)) but once you lock down the concept of stamina and the cost of your actions the control you have is simple and simply amazing. Few games, if given a chance, will provide you the raw emotions this game does both bad and good. Go borrow money and buy it...… Expand
  23. Nataraja
    Mar 17, 2014
    9
    This is a game sheer will power. Wonderful mechanics and hard as hell situations. The graphics are sub-par but the game play more than makes up for it. I die over and over... and just when I walk away in disgust and lay down for bed it hits me.... I need to do this and then that THEN THIS! Jump up, grab a drink, die a few more times and then VICTORY! The boss goes DOWN. Its now 4 AMThis is a game sheer will power. Wonderful mechanics and hard as hell situations. The graphics are sub-par but the game play more than makes up for it. I die over and over... and just when I walk away in disgust and lay down for bed it hits me.... I need to do this and then that THEN THIS! Jump up, grab a drink, die a few more times and then VICTORY! The boss goes DOWN. Its now 4 AM and I need to be up in an hour...

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

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

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

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

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

    It is weird that the selection of character doesn't really make a huge deal as you can play however you wish regardless of what class. In a nutshell..... very hard and    I really enjoyed this game. Make no mistake. It is frustratingly hard and sometimes the grinding for souls gets a bit boring, but the satisfaction of beating the bosses and even the mini-bosses is well worth it.

    It is weird that the selection of character doesn't really make a huge deal as you can play however you wish regardless of what class.

    In a nutshell..... very hard and frustrating, but worthwhile.    … Expand
  30. oobergoober21
    Feb 8, 2014
    9
    What can I say about Dark Souls? It's ruthless, terrifying, and very immasculating...but it's addicting and great!

    Dark Souls is infamous for being known as one of the hardest games ever, which could be true, but we're so used to playing easier games with no real strategy like Call of Duty. Difficulty wise, Dark Souls does require skill, which can grow as you play the game, but you have    What can I say about Dark Souls? It's ruthless, terrifying, and very immasculating...but it's addicting and great!

    Dark Souls is infamous for being known as one of the hardest games ever, which could be true, but we're so used to playing easier games with no real strategy like Call of Duty. Difficulty wise, Dark Souls does require skill, which can grow as you play the game, but you have to play smarter and more carefully if you want to make it far.

    Visually, Dark Souls is gorgeous-I don't think I have ever seen a game with more beautiful level designs and originality. The graphics are also fairly top notch, aside from a few framerate issues and the occasional drunken camera.

    The gameplay is one-of-a-kind. It's a different feel of combat when compared to other more popular games, and that's a good thing. To achieve maximum combat potential, you have to be patient and smart, because going head-in and "balls-deep", for the most part, won't get the job done.

    Dark Souls is a much needed breath of fresh air in the world of gaming. Amazing visuals, dynamic gameplay...but the real reason to play is the excitement of defeating the many bosses. Each boss, aside from the beginning few, is very challenging-so much that you could die many times in attempting to finish. You might kick, scream, swear, and rage, but when you finally recieve the victory you have so longed for, the feeling is priceless. That is the main driving motivation in Dark Souls.

    Only a few bugs and maybe the rare repitition hold Dark Souls from getting the oh-so-coveted 10, but the game is extremely entertaining and shouldn't be missed.

    I give Dark Souls a solid 9 out of 10.    … Expand
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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

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 66 Critic Reviews

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