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. metalhead980
    Oct 5, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dark Souls, A open world, Action Rpg with an extreme difficulty and great graphics.
    To say Dark souls is an immersive experience would be an under statement. Dark Souls is a work of art. A hand crafted masterpiece. A game that takes us back to the old days when games were extremely challenging. You will die a lot in Dark souls, this isn't a game for everyone but for those that stick with it the feeling of accomplishment is massive. If you like a challenge? a Rpg experience that spans 60+ hours buy this game.    … Expand
  2. RA1NMAN
    Jun 1, 2013
    3
    This game, to me, is dated, repetitive, and boring. It felt like it was only hard at times because the controls were so bad. After getting killed by a boss because of those clunky, unresponsive controls, spending 30 minutes having to fight all the re-spawned enemies to try again is not enjoyable, it's annoying. Some people enjoy this game, and that's fine, but these high ratings areThis game, to me, is dated, repetitive, and boring. It felt like it was only hard at times because the controls were so bad. After getting killed by a boss because of those clunky, unresponsive controls, spending 30 minutes having to fight all the re-spawned enemies to try again is not enjoyable, it's annoying. Some people enjoy this game, and that's fine, but these high ratings are ridiculous. I liked Deadly Premonition, loved it ,in fact, but I would never score it higher than 3-4. Here's a tip for everyone, most games have high difficulty settings in the options, if that's what you're after.… Expand
  3. Lucky-Jinx
    Oct 11, 2013
    4
    I bought this game under the impression that it was an open-end world-- and technically that may be true. Go left for instant death, go right and die in 5 seconds, or go straight ahead and take a few hours memorizing the bosses moves so you can kill him in the best AI exploiting method you can uncover.

    No character customization, no real plot, just a string of progressively harder boss    I bought this game under the impression that it was an open-end world-- and technically that may be true. Go left for instant death, go right and die in 5 seconds, or go straight ahead and take a few hours memorizing the bosses moves so you can kill him in the best AI exploiting method you can uncover.

    No character customization, no real plot, just a string of progressively harder boss fights with a mediocre combat system. However I did give this a 4 because when you DO beat that boss you feel that you really did accomplish something which is where the majority of the fan-base is coming from. If you enjoy punishing yourself, this is the game for you.    … Expand
  4. Joerh
    Oct 5, 2011
    10
    Just as the creator of Demon's Soul's said in reply to why he made another game "...to make it even harder" he left out how it's also even more intense, maddening, crazy, & brutally punishing (ALL in a great way)!!! While I always look for, & find good deals on games as I don't like to pay the $60 price tag -$40 is a little more reasonable to me- I happily paid full price for this one! :)Just as the creator of Demon's Soul's said in reply to why he made another game "...to make it even harder" he left out how it's also even more intense, maddening, crazy, & brutally punishing (ALL in a great way)!!! While I always look for, & find good deals on games as I don't like to pay the $60 price tag -$40 is a little more reasonable to me- I happily paid full price for this one! :) There is no better game to drive you up the wall one second, then turn around & reward you in such a manor save it's predecessor. With all the good/great games coming out in Q4 right now, I hope Dark Souls is voted Game of the Year just as Demon's Soul's was in 2009.… Expand
  5. Bentleym
    Oct 7, 2011
    9
    One of the most frustrating games I've ever played, yet also one of the most addictive. Dark Souls is Unique. One of the only games where I can die countless times, and replay the same area over and over and still want to continue playing. This is definitely a game where you will spend most of your time dieing, and it certainly isn't for everyone. But once you started playing, this gameOne of the most frustrating games I've ever played, yet also one of the most addictive. Dark Souls is Unique. One of the only games where I can die countless times, and replay the same area over and over and still want to continue playing. This is definitely a game where you will spend most of your time dieing, and it certainly isn't for everyone. But once you started playing, this game hooks you and draws you into it's sick and twisted world. Killing the games many bosses is definitely one of the most satisfying feelings in gaming and the big sigh of relief when you find that next bonfire. Dark souls is hard, Dark Souls is unfair, Dark Souls is unforgiving, Dark Souls is awesome!… Expand
  6. thekauffdog
    Oct 27, 2011
    8
    I love Dark Souls. I loved Demons Souls. However, the developer alienates such a large part of the gaming base available, not by making Dark Souls hard, but unfair also. Yes I understand that there is no pause button in the real world, but it isn't the real world. I have 4 kids and a wife. Guys like us that have to schedule gaming time apart from when we were 12 and could play for hours,I love Dark Souls. I loved Demons Souls. However, the developer alienates such a large part of the gaming base available, not by making Dark Souls hard, but unfair also. Yes I understand that there is no pause button in the real world, but it isn't the real world. I have 4 kids and a wife. Guys like us that have to schedule gaming time apart from when we were 12 and could play for hours, but now, 4 kids and family later, I NEED A PAUSE BUTTON!! It is so frustrating not being able to find a bonfire, and your son falls down, or needs s diaper change, or someones at the door. Simply put, they didn't make it hard, they made it unfair. I have no problem with the enemies, and the fact that the game gets harder as you die. But for the love of all that's good, I don't think a pause button dilutes the intensity that developers intended for Dark Souls. In fact, it's such a snub of the nose, you begin to wonder if any of the developers have kids and actually tried to give the game some time when it wasn't work related. Further more, SAVE POINTS!!! I understand that the intent is to make each time you play Dark Souls a journey. But sometimes even a trip to the gas station is journey you don't want to make. Point being, better or easier save points, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ISN'T A PAUSE BUTTON. Nuff said. Take it from a guy that has been playing video game for 28 years, missing these two key items are enough to turn away allot of gamers because they don't have the patience, or TIME Dark Souls demands. Now surely the developers want as many people to love and enjoy their game. I just find it so nieve they were as black and white with very little (to almost no) grey.....… Expand
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. Nimgif
    Nov 7, 2011
    9
    This game is in a nutshell a Action-RPG where you slowly get stronger. This in itself is not the strange thing about the game. That you gain strenght by actually learning the game, the moves of enemies and generally making better decisions, this makes the game unique. Yes there is grind, but is it really grind if the enemy no matter what lvl you are has a potential to dish out some realThis game is in a nutshell a Action-RPG where you slowly get stronger. This in itself is not the strange thing about the game. That you gain strenght by actually learning the game, the moves of enemies and generally making better decisions, this makes the game unique. Yes there is grind, but is it really grind if the enemy no matter what lvl you are has a potential to dish out some real pain on you? also that you have to not just equip the heaviest armour without thought or what weapon to use. i could go on about how much of the gameplay that is actually comming from your choice and how you believe to best handle a given situation. In a nutshell, it's a great game and deserves a play. but try a rental first its not for everyone

    Happy gaming    … Expand
  10. citizenx
    Nov 6, 2011
    9
    This is one of the best games I have played. Why? The game is hard... even frustratingly so. So why is that a good thing? Because it makes all the content in the game matter... and you are constantly having to learn new tactics to win. Games get boring when you realize you can exploit some scripted behavior and always win. This game manages to be hard, and not in a "The computer isThis is one of the best games I have played. Why? The game is hard... even frustratingly so. So why is that a good thing? Because it makes all the content in the game matter... and you are constantly having to learn new tactics to win. Games get boring when you realize you can exploit some scripted behavior and always win. This game manages to be hard, and not in a "The computer is cheating" sort of way. The monsters react quickly and realistically, and even when you get good at the game you never truly feel safe. Then there are aspects to this game similar to an MMORPG but better... In game wealth comes and goes easily, except for items. People join each other's games on the fly. You can take certain actions to make sure those people are only there to help with bosses, (and you need the help) or if you are up for it you can be vulnerable to being invaded for PVP where you risk in game wealth. The pvp is adrenaline packed in ways that so many games have failed to accomplish because of the gambling model. The music is good, the visuals are amazing, the animation and fluidity of the combat is great and realistic. I don't know what that other clown was talking about - the crow moves his head fast because he is a bird... have you not ever seen a bird in real life? After playing this game, I can't believe I ever wasted my time playing other RPGs where your accomplishments in the game didn't matter because there was never anything hard enough to use it on.

    I had to come back and edit this review, and drop the score down to a 9 however. The problem is, the multiplayer is unpolished and the most clever covenants (gametypes) do not work. The matchmaking is bad, and you can get locked in a room for 30 minutes waiting for someone trying to join your game. That would have been the biggest selling point IMO. Also, I lost like a straight week to this game, but after that I had explored everything and new every boss and enemies behavior. Then the game became less challenging. The economy isn't perfect either, since most of the items dropped are useless - the whole humanity affecting drop rate thing would have been super clever otherwise. The game's money is also troubled, since it quickly costs a fortune to make your character marginally stronger than he/she currently is.    … Expand
  11. Rafalas
    Nov 7, 2011
    9
    Definitely Game Of The Year. I'm enjoying this game so much that it's sucking my life. Enough with easy nowadays rpg games that carry the players by the hand. This game IS hardcore, but that is the point: you'll feel more success playing and achieving in this game than you have felt in any other game. Amazing, vibrating, action-packed are adjectives that just start to categorize Dark Souls.
  12. anonymity
    Nov 5, 2015
    10
    Dark Souls subverts a lot of expectations and design decisions attached to the 3rd person action genre; which consequently burns a lot of people taking it a face value. Most of the negative user reviews for this game are written out of ignorance and say more about the reviewers than the actual game. Dark Souls isn't perfect but is objectively one of the greats. It is not for everyoneDark Souls subverts a lot of expectations and design decisions attached to the 3rd person action genre; which consequently burns a lot of people taking it a face value. Most of the negative user reviews for this game are written out of ignorance and say more about the reviewers than the actual game. Dark Souls isn't perfect but is objectively one of the greats. It is not for everyone because it truly takes skill and patients, it asks you to get better as a player instead of your in game avatar.… Expand
  13. 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
  14. subsided
    Jan 29, 2013
    9
    This game is pretty awesome and a huge improvement from the original. It still keeps its crushing difficulty but fortunately it works for this game. the end
  15. 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
  16. Fidhel
    Nov 29, 2011
    10
    Exelente jogo perfeito só acredito que poderia ter uma historia um pouquinho melhor, Todo combate e unico isso da uma nova dinamica para o jogo a exploração e bem interessante. Enfim um dos melhores jogos que já joguei.
  17. EternalGamer2
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    I don't generally like difficult games and I even disliked Demon Souls when I tried it, but I love Dark Souls. The reason why is that the difficultly in this game is not based on fast reflexes or pain staking memorization. It is, instead, based on being careful and playing with an awareness of your surroundings. You can't button mash in Dark Souls. Not even on the easiest enemies.I don't generally like difficult games and I even disliked Demon Souls when I tried it, but I love Dark Souls. The reason why is that the difficultly in this game is not based on fast reflexes or pain staking memorization. It is, instead, based on being careful and playing with an awareness of your surroundings. You can't button mash in Dark Souls. Not even on the easiest enemies. They aren't hard, you just have to block and wait for openings. You need to lure them out and use the environment to your advantage. Encountering a new enemy is always exhilirating and intimidating. If you like exploration based games like Zelda or Metriod you are in for a particular treat as the world of Dark Souls is amazing. It is filled with secret passages and shortcuts where the world loops back on itself and links back up with previous areas from new angles. Dark Souls is big but it very dense. There are no large areas where you have to wander along boring open fields for hours on end like Oblivion or Fall Out. Each and every inch of the world is lovingly crafted, not randomly generated.

    This is easily my favorite game on the 360. It is the only game I would give a 10. Not because it is perfect (the frame rate problems and the difficulty curve can occasionally seem a bit unfair), but because it is one of the very very few games I will still be thinking about a decade from now.    … Expand
  18. k3k3ti6
    Nov 17, 2011
    10
    I don't think I've been so excited to die in a game before. This game really challenges you and makes you earn your reward. Alot of people I know don't like it or can't get into it, and to me it's due to the fact that they can't just run through and hack everything in site. This game is addicting and at times you will want to swear and throw the controller, take a deep breath and try try again.
  19. 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.
  20. LORDwargasm
    Nov 9, 2011
    10
    Beautifully done rpg with its own distinct flavour. Challenging but not as ridiculous as most make out but enough to feel like a divine being after every boss kill made after its 23rd attempt. Best played online tho, hints left by other players with orange soapstones have saved me having to die and restart on countless occassions and the summons left by players white soapstones have beenBeautifully done rpg with its own distinct flavour. Challenging but not as ridiculous as most make out but enough to feel like a divine being after every boss kill made after its 23rd attempt. Best played online tho, hints left by other players with orange soapstones have saved me having to die and restart on countless occassions and the summons left by players white soapstones have been seemingly necessary for some boss fights. Speaking of bosses every enemy is eye candy to look at, not so much graphically but impecably designed. The soundtracks nothing special neither is the story but they are not what this games about but they are fine enough. A brilliant game for those who like a challenging rpg, but prepare to suffer in your psyche greatly. Sound: 7. Gameplay: 10. Graphics: 8. Longevity: 10. Flavour: distinctly tangy… Expand
  21. bowflexman
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    Dark Souls is an incredible game that forces you to withstand intense challenges, but rewards you in return with a sense of accomplishment you will not find in any other game. Yes, that includes Skyrim. Dark Souls is an open world action RPG. Where this game differs from others is the fact that you will die...a lot. This game is incredibly difficult, but with patience you will overcomeDark Souls is an incredible game that forces you to withstand intense challenges, but rewards you in return with a sense of accomplishment you will not find in any other game. Yes, that includes Skyrim. Dark Souls is an open world action RPG. Where this game differs from others is the fact that you will die...a lot. This game is incredibly difficult, but with patience you will overcome this difficulty through the use of its absolutely perfect controls. This game's controls are so fine-tuned and so perfect that every death can only be blamed on the player, not the game. Anyways, to cut this short, this game is amazing. I have invested 92 hours into the first playthrough and cant wait to seek further challenges in new game+!… Expand
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. Daelus
    Feb 17, 2015
    5
    The Good - fun combat and a big world to explore. Good customization.

    The Bad - It's a long list, but the main ones: 1. The Cult-like fanboys of this game claim it is the hardest game out there....BS. The only truly difficult part of this game is the beginning bosses aren't scaled. The later bosses are the same toughness, but you are leveled with better equipment making the vast    The Good - fun combat and a big world to explore. Good customization.

    The Bad - It's a long list, but the main ones:

    1. The Cult-like fanboys of this game claim it is the hardest game out there....BS. The only truly difficult part of this game is the beginning bosses aren't scaled. The later bosses are the same toughness, but you are leveled with better equipment making the vast majority a cakewalk (and parry/ reposte is so op broken that anything less than a boss, and even some of them, is laughable). That lack of scaling (both ways) is a huge fail. I was as disappointed with the incredible toughness of the first few bosses as I was with the lack of challenge of the last 2/3rds. (Bed of Chaos....what a joke).

    2. Whomever designed this basically single player game to include live mp content was a moron. You can't pause the game for any reason (bathroom) or some "committed" fanboy will invade your realm and kill you (if you are human)....and that's in 2015...I can't imagine how annoying that would have been when the game was popular.....unbelievable fail. Many games have a mp component to a sp game....BUT THEY'RE SEPARATE!!!!!!!

    3. Story really, really sucks. In truth there really is no story as you could "complete" the game without ever knowing what you were doing or why. Again, the fanboys claim that is by design and that the game doesn't "hold your hand" like all other RPG's....joke on both fronts. Outside of Fable, I have never encountered an RPG that holds your hand more than this game....every 5 feet there is an unmissable note on the floor telling you exactly what to do right in that exact spot...even though you have no idea why you are doing it.....the lack of story is why this game has so many player communities on the net as nobody knows what to do or why.

    4. Inventory system is the worst I have ever experienced.....you can't sell your junk and by the time you figure that out, simply dropping the stuff (and no, dupes are not stacked!!!) takes forever...what the ^%& is the point of 25 broken swords!!!!!!!!!!!    … Expand
  25. Sunykamey
    Jun 17, 2015
    6
    Unforgiving this game doesn't hold your hand explains nothing at all and asks from you to figure everything out by yourself. If you like this than maybe it's for you. But beware the gameplay gets repetitive and the enemies just stronger and more unfair.
  26. 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
  27. kkollias
    Oct 29, 2014
    10
    I played this gem on the 360. Tied with Mass Effect 2, I consider them the best games of this console generation.

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

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

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

    A fantastic take on dark fantasy RPGs. I loved it and played through it tens of times.    … Expand
  28. 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
  29. 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
  30. 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
  31. 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
  32. 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
  33. 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
  34. RoosterCogburn
    Dec 9, 2012
    10
    I can't remember the last time a game forced me to forget all my preconceptions about video games and adopt totally new expectations and mindsets. This game throws away the rule book and writes a new one. Go into this experience with an open mind, don't let yourself be discouraged by setbacks, and find out what people who aren't willing to give Dark Souls a proper chance are missing!
  35. 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
  36. 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
  37. 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
  38. magee
    Apr 7, 2013
    10
    while the difficulty level of this game is high, every time you die its your own fault. the combat feels so good it never gets boring because every enemy is a enemy that can kill you not like in other games where you spam 1 key to win. this game just draws you in this world its so fun and rewarding to play it was my game of the year
  39. martjan
    Jan 29, 2013
    10
    I had to give this game few shots before I finally started enjoying it. The learning curve is very steep and you will die A LOT but once you get a hang of it, this is one of the most rewarding games on the market. I am not a stranger to rpg's and hard games but this is the only game that will make my heart beat faster in some intense moments. You are being constantly challenged andI had to give this game few shots before I finally started enjoying it. The learning curve is very steep and you will die A LOT but once you get a hang of it, this is one of the most rewarding games on the market. I am not a stranger to rpg's and hard games but this is the only game that will make my heart beat faster in some intense moments. You are being constantly challenged and reminded that you can die at any second be it by a monster, a trap or in some instances another player. Do yourself a favor if you buy this game. Take a look at some of the tutorials for combat and exploration, they will do you a lot of good. To summarize this game is not for people who are used to play games that hold you hand. Once again you will die a lot, you will get frustrated and you will try to break your controller into million pieces but it is all worth it at the end. As soon as I can I am pre-ordering Dark Souls 2.… Expand
  40. 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.
  41. 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
  42. DRVPereira
    Jan 7, 2013
    10
    Probably there's no point in writing a review more than a year after the release date, but I felt the need to write about one of my favorite games of this generation, as I only created my Metacritic account a couple of months ago. There are many things which may be listed as reasons for liking this game: the story, the gameplay, the difficulty and the multiplayer, for instance. Although itProbably there's no point in writing a review more than a year after the release date, but I felt the need to write about one of my favorite games of this generation, as I only created my Metacritic account a couple of months ago. There are many things which may be listed as reasons for liking this game: the story, the gameplay, the difficulty and the multiplayer, for instance. Although it may not appear, Dark Souls has a great, dense story, which is not told directly to the player. You must go after the elements that explain the story and the world of the game, reading the description of items and talking to every NPC that you'll encounter. The story is so rich that you'll even may find many videos on YouTube dedicated to explaining Dark Souls lore. The gameplay is awesome: the controls are very simple, yet extremely effective. The difficulty is just about right: the game is hard. It does not allow mistakes, you'll die many times and you'll die dozens of times more if you don't learn from your mistakes. But there's no reason in being hard just to be hard. There's also an amazing feeling of compensation when you can finally beat a challenging enemy. It's hard, but also very rewarding. The multiplayer is probably the most original that I've ever seen. You can interact with other players in many ways, such as PvP, cooperative gameplay, or just leaving messages on the ground to help (or confuse) others. I've played over 120 hours and I'm on the first third of my third playthrough.… Expand
  43. lpsyco
    Mar 29, 2013
    9
    Backstab the most supid and cowrd thing in this game....it all the experience.!!!!
    please do a favor to yoursels and reset this stupid thing in the game,or make a thing more har to take energy...
    Backstab the most supid and cowrd in this game....it all the experience!!!! please do a favor to yoursels and reset this stupid thing in the game,or make a thing more hard to take    Backstab the most supid and cowrd thing in this game....it all the experience.!!!!
    please do a favor to yoursels and reset this stupid thing in the game,or make a thing more har to take energy...

    Backstab the most supid and cowrd in this game....it all the experience!!!!
    please do a favor to yoursels and reset this stupid thing in the game,or make a thing more hard to take energy...

    the next game if I know that this continues
    do not buy, do not admit a game with a hard blow so easy to take power
    I and most people think the same
    I do not do because I'm not a coward!!
    .    … Expand
  44. 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
  45. 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.
  46. thx4thc
    Dec 14, 2012
    10
    4 me BEST GAME EVER (prepare to die edition). It is very SMART game. Pure gaming, best fantasy world, adult. You can not stop or pause single play! Revolutionary concept, adult aesthetics. Even Sony do not understand... Not for average gamers... In present times of average, nonconsistent games shines like a DIAMOND. Bugrim killa. In comparison with present games 15/10!
  47. Rufousjet
    Dec 29, 2012
    10
    I absolutely love this game but I can see how some don't . when I originally bought it I disliked it, not knowing what I was doing so after a few frustrating hours I returned it. But it lingered. That urge to just see what was beyond that tiny bit of progress I had made was so tempting that I got it again this time with the help of friends, forums and wikis to guide me on my way. AndI absolutely love this game but I can see how some don't . when I originally bought it I disliked it, not knowing what I was doing so after a few frustrating hours I returned it. But it lingered. That urge to just see what was beyond that tiny bit of progress I had made was so tempting that I got it again this time with the help of friends, forums and wikis to guide me on my way. And that's when it struck me how good it was , 9 hours in after killing a once intimidating boss. It struck me, that this game was perfect. How? The story: as intriguing as it was mysterious it has a decent set up which winds into a interesting yarn about this long since abandoned land. T.he graphics and atmosphere are both superb, no it's not the technically most stunning game and the atmosphere is second only to the S.T.A.L.K.E.R franchise (personal taste though) but it still fills me with that craving to return to its bleak yet beautiful word to see what it had to offer. The gameplay is where it shines though, its just top notch. You can tell its meant to be job just that, that it had weeks of fine tuning each element (carries over from demon souls). The boss fights, some of the best moments of gaming and I've been gaming for a decade. The only thing I can understand why someone who is a fan of the genre or of games in general might not like this is the sheer bare bones intro into it. The game doesn't hold you hand, its not meant to but it does provide a sleuth of options to intelligent players (and despite what you hear it is an open world some people just aren't looking hard enough). Its not that hard, if your discouraged, farm some of the easier enemies, practice your move set, look around, ask a friend, look on a wiki- the game just gets better the more you play and believe me, its something you should play...… Expand
  48. crawlord
    Jan 19, 2013
    10
    SO i thought i was a good gamer until dark souls . I had to die over and over to rethink gaming and strategy. Now i despise games that hold your hand. While the game cheats a little,i have noticed where you can take damage through some walls and arrows that curve slightly towards you ..... all is fair game . I love the game and i am going to start on demon souls to see what i missed.
  49. Nahguacm
    Dec 29, 2012
    10
    There is only 1 place this game does badly (Blighttown). The rest IS hard, but not in a cheap way, in a "I should have blocked" way. it has fantastic graphics, nonexistent loading screens,and VERY well implemented Multiplayer. The controls are not slow and clunky, as some say, unless you are wearing heavy armor, and the feeling of satisfaction as you finally beat a boss is notThere is only 1 place this game does badly (Blighttown). The rest IS hard, but not in a cheap way, in a "I should have blocked" way. it has fantastic graphics, nonexistent loading screens,and VERY well implemented Multiplayer. The controls are not slow and clunky, as some say, unless you are wearing heavy armor, and the feeling of satisfaction as you finally beat a boss is not replicated in any game I've played. Get. It. Now.… Expand
  50. AbsoluteDiscord
    Jan 19, 2013
    10
    This game is good, really good. Not just like "oh nice game you got here" it is like "ZOMG ITS A DARK SOULZ" I have had more fun with this game then I ever had with any game ever. Maybe it is just because I am sick and tired of games hold our hands to guide us through, because a real adventure does not have that. A real adventure is for you to draw your own conclusion from, not have theThis game is good, really good. Not just like "oh nice game you got here" it is like "ZOMG ITS A DARK SOULZ" I have had more fun with this game then I ever had with any game ever. Maybe it is just because I am sick and tired of games hold our hands to guide us through, because a real adventure does not have that. A real adventure is for you to draw your own conclusion from, not have the game flat out tell you, when I beat the game and did the link the fire ending I was confused in a good way, not the wtf way, more of the "I wonder..." way. I was able to draw my own conclusion about why this or that happened,and it made it more of an experience than anything.Overall it was one of the best games I have ever been given the pleasure of exploring through, I would totally recommend it to anyone who plays games like this.… Expand
  51. trevor2ooo
    Feb 4, 2013
    10
    i have never claimed that any game was the best I've played before I played this, I love it, the weapon customization the deadly bosses the vicious enemies, very hard but amazingly rewarding and the online is unique and very well done, wouldn't recommend for the casual gamer but anyone else should love it.
  52. LegionPichon
    Feb 5, 2013
    10
    The game that made my video game addiction return. My GOTY by far, never thought that a game could give such a feeling of accomplishment. The game challenges you and punishes like no other (except Demon´s Souls maybe). Totally recommended for the hardcore gamers!
  53. shprea
    Jun 27, 2013
    10
    At first, you'll think to yourself that Dark Souls is the hardest game ever. Every enemy can kill you in a few seconds, the world is covered in Bosses and booby traps, and you continue to die frequently. However, after about 5 hours, you realize that the game really isn't difficult: It's strict. It's not like the deaths are unfair. The game just has a set of very specific rules that itAt first, you'll think to yourself that Dark Souls is the hardest game ever. Every enemy can kill you in a few seconds, the world is covered in Bosses and booby traps, and you continue to die frequently. However, after about 5 hours, you realize that the game really isn't difficult: It's strict. It's not like the deaths are unfair. The game just has a set of very specific rules that it wants you to follow, and if you don't, you will die. In that regard, the game is masterful. It teaches you how to play the game with every death you have rather than with the use of extended tutorials and menus. You begin to develop strategies, calculate risks, and explore further. For this reason and many more, Dark Souls is one of the best games around. It's a must play.… Expand
  54. Purrphect
    Feb 26, 2013
    10
    This is the single most important, and the best RPG ever made, IMO.
    you will not find a more Challeging game, i love how you have to figure everything out yourself, no guidelines, just pure use of your own mind, i love it!
    And the weapons and armors, OMFG i have never seen such cool looking weapons and armor in anygame before, daaaamn you can look so goddamn epic! (pardon my language).    This is the single most important, and the best RPG ever made, IMO.
    you will not find a more Challeging game, i love how you have to figure everything out yourself, no guidelines, just pure use of your own mind, i love it!

    And the weapons and armors, OMFG i have never seen such cool looking weapons and armor in anygame before, daaaamn you can look so goddamn epic! (pardon my language).

    if you haven't tried it yet, it's a must buy, it's hard, but it's worth it!

    and there is so many things to this game, that you'll have 200+H's fun!

    Best RPG Ever made Period!
    JUST BUY IT! you will never regret it!    … Expand
  55. GildaTheGriffin
    Mar 17, 2013
    9
    I like this game. I managed, barely to not die just yet. Weapons are fun and can be upgraded several ways, but the direction and characters look... odd. Like it threw me out of the immersion with a giant head thing that grabs you by his teeth and that is a form of transportation to some near end of the game? Really? I just started and love it's variety, but character models need toI like this game. I managed, barely to not die just yet. Weapons are fun and can be upgraded several ways, but the direction and characters look... odd. Like it threw me out of the immersion with a giant head thing that grabs you by his teeth and that is a form of transportation to some near end of the game? Really? I just started and love it's variety, but character models need to feel human and or real, rather than some Japanese oddities of characters. I guess Americans like art styles that immerse you. Rather than be random and unique. It's odd, but fun and challenging. Can't believe I'm saying this, but I can't wait to see how I die.… Expand
  56. Lambanog
    Mar 13, 2013
    10
    In 2011, majority of the game review websites awarded the Game of the Year to Skyrim. Although Skyrim is a good game, I think Dark Souls is the game which deserves the Game of the Year Award (for 2011). It has a better combat engine (which ultimately makes it the "better" game). You always have to think of "how" to slay your enemy and not simply point at it and slash away. EverythingIn 2011, majority of the game review websites awarded the Game of the Year to Skyrim. Although Skyrim is a good game, I think Dark Souls is the game which deserves the Game of the Year Award (for 2011). It has a better combat engine (which ultimately makes it the "better" game). You always have to think of "how" to slay your enemy and not simply point at it and slash away. Everything revolves around this making it a very engaging game from start to finish. Some would say that Dark Souls is too difficult and does not appeal to mass audiences. It is true that it can be a difficult game but if all games were easy then that would make gaming very boring and lifeless. Dark Souls stands out because it is one of the unique games among the masses. Prepare to die!… Expand
  57. houyi111
    Jan 26, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Get this game now if you haven’t played it. Give this game a second try if you raged quit the first time!!!
    (English is not my native language, apologize beforehand)
    The best game I played on xbox360 and my first souls game!! Dark souls is not hard, it is just different. It has a learning-curve, and other games just don’t. I used to hate this game before actually played it, because 1: I am not a huge fan of cold weapon RPGs, I play online FPS heavily. 2: the game has a reputation of being difficult, and I play games mainly for fun not for stupid, ridiculous, hard difficulties, and secretly I was afraid that I won’t beat the game. 3. People bragged about it like "this game is for hardcore gamers only", somehow I find it offensive and arrogant. 4. I have two friends played it but gave up, I didnt ask why but it gave me the feeling that I should stay away from this game. Then two months ago, another friend highly recommended this game to me. And before I decided to buy the game I checked one 30 minutes walkthrough video on YouTube. The player didn’t die at all in that clip, so I was thinking this game really was not that hard if you just played with cautions. So I brought the game before Xmas and used the two and half weeks holiday (140 hours, farming a lot) to “complete” the game (1000/1000).

    I used at least two hours to know the basic controls including jump-attack, kick, run-jump. And the first 20 hours, I only managed to backstab 10% of the enemies, though I tried to backstab almost all the time. Never bother to parry in my first playthrough until I stuck at gwyn fight. So I am just a below average player. However, I “beat” almost all the bosses except dlc ones and gwyn on 2 or 3 tries in my first playthrough by summoning help. And finish the playthrough without trouble at all. And I am telling you again, I am not good!!! This game doesn’t have to be that hard like people claimed, e.g. if you checked guide beforehand. It may diminish that accomplish feeling (a lot) compared to dead at one boss for 30 times and finally beat it or spending two hours at wrong place until you found the right path. But you can surely beat the game in a non-hardcore gamer style. And at least for me, still felt quite satisfying after beat a boss at 1st try. So, compared to just give up and badmouth the game, I recommend checking the guide.

    Then on NG+, I decided to solo all the bosses. I died a lot but I was just enjoying it. Geez, I died 30+ times on soloing Smough&Orstine until I gave up and summoned Solaire (he changed everything). I was pissed and raged. But I cherish dark souls that even you’ve beaten it once, the game can still challenge you as hell. Now I have 300+ hours in this game (mainly white phantom), it made me quit BF4 and other games. And the only other game I want to play now is dark souls 2. This time I will definitely play it blind.

    What I like in dark souls:
    1. Combat. Well-done, neat, and responsive.
    2. Level design. Breathtaking, creative and unique.
    3. Boss fight. Epic, challenging and exciting.
    4. Lore. Simply the best, IMO.
    5. Enemies. Terrifying, huge variations and sometimes funny AI.
    6. RPG element. Builds. Weapons. Armors. So many things.
    7. Online. Co-op mainly. I might have a 0.1 w/l ratio in PVP…
    8. No loading during normal gameplay. (Slightly frame drop in two places, I guess due to in-game loading)

    Dark souls is simply the best game I played in recent years. Try it, don’t give up.    … Expand
  58. johnh23
    Mar 22, 2013
    10
    Absolutely my favorite game of all time. I recommend it to everyone i know that loves gaming. The boss fights are the best I've ever experienced in a game, the armor is beautiful, and you have so much freedom in building your character. This game spoiled me and set the bar so high for everything else i play, i love it,.
  59. BlueDuck
    Apr 13, 2013
    10
    One of the most engrossing and challenging games of this generation. Don't let the motto "Prepare to Die" deter you. Yes, death will come in many forms, yet there is such depth and beauty in the world that you can't help but to face death over and over again in order to experience one of the most invigorating senses of accomplishment any game has to offer.

    There are many reviews and    One of the most engrossing and challenging games of this generation. Don't let the motto "Prepare to Die" deter you. Yes, death will come in many forms, yet there is such depth and beauty in the world that you can't help but to face death over and over again in order to experience one of the most invigorating senses of accomplishment any game has to offer.

    There are many reviews and videos showing the gameplay and online system of the game. And these things are very enjoyable and add a lot to this game (the combat is fun and responsive, the online system works wonderfully, and the weapons are diverse and fun). But I think I will focus on my favorite and less-covered aspect of the game. The depth, beauty of the world and its characters.

    FIrst of all, the world is beautiful. There are large epic castles, deep dreary, yet magnificent, tombs, and mysterious and intriguing forests. The scenery draws you in and the amount of detail put into it is astounding. The same goes for the enemies, they are creative and unique. There is a lot of detail to each one of them as well. And I don't just mean visual detail

    Almost every spec of armor, weapon, or item in the game has a story or description behind it. This includes the items owned by the enemy. It is this level of detail and depth that really makes dark souls a masterpiece. For each item tells a little bit about the story via a written description in the menu. If the player wants to dive farther into the world, they have to read these descriptions. And they are well worth it. The game does such a good job at drawing you into the world, that it doesn't feel like a chore to read every description, it feels rewarding.

    The characters in the game also add that as well. Each character you encounter has their own story and adventure transpiring the same time as yours. As you progress in your quest, they do the same in theirs. Sometimes these paths cross. Sometimes there are rewards for interacting with characters, sometimes there are major set backs. Think of character interaction like side quests, they don't drastically change the main story, but they can greatly help you out or add a whole new level of depth to the current story. And all of it is optional. But since each character has such well written dialogue, you may find yourself becoming attached to them and yearning to interact with them as much as possible. You may start to feel bad about certain character circumstances, and you may start to hate certain character actions. Overall, It is rare to find a game that can get you this attached to computer characters. This is why dark souls is one of my favorite games.

    Dark Souls is a masterpiece. It has an extremely deep and rich world covered with beautiful scenes, terrifying enemies, and complex and intriguing characters. All of this is layered between a responsive and fun combat system along with a unique online feature. It is one of the best games of the generation and a personal favorite of mine. The difficulty and complexity is not for everyone. However, I do recommend that everyone should try this out.    … Expand
  60. Ghost736
    Apr 15, 2013
    10
    This game is really something else. If you ask anyone for a game like Dark Souls, they will all tell you Demon Souls. You will then be prompted to ask is there any other game like those two. The answer is no. There is not one game in the world that is at least 51% similar to this game, and man does that piss me off. I love this game so much, that I spent months looking for a similarThis game is really something else. If you ask anyone for a game like Dark Souls, they will all tell you Demon Souls. You will then be prompted to ask is there any other game like those two. The answer is no. There is not one game in the world that is at least 51% similar to this game, and man does that piss me off. I love this game so much, that I spent months looking for a similar experience.

    The experience that I got from this game was more of a thrill than any other game ever. Let me start with the fear factor. This game is NOT a horror game. Sure the enemies look horrific and are very detailed, but it is an action RPG. With all this in mind, it will scare the out of you. The constant fear of dying looming over your head is menacing, and trust me, you will die. It is like a Rubik's cube that if you don't solve in time explodes and kills you on impact.

    So what about it makes it so difficult? The controls are extremely simple. A two year old can get its control scheme, and that same two year old could figure out the menus. Does this make the game easier? The answer is not really. All it does is force you to rely more on skill rather than luck. Everything is super tight and responsive, where if you make a mistake, you can't blame the controller or the game for screwing you over. You made the mistake, and you alone. So with an easy layout and controls, what makes it hard? People who have played the game remember that first fight. THE FIRST FIGHT IS A BOSS WHO KILLS YOU IN TWO HITS. Should you get past him, you fight some normal guys which are the bare minimum. Wanna swing that sword around and try to breeze past? JOKES ON YOU, THAT WIMPY THING ALREADY KILLED YOU. Oh and you lost all of your experience because you probably died twice. When you die you have a chance to redeem what you have lost during that set time. In order to reclaim what you lost, you need to return to where you died and pick it up. If you die before you get there BOOM the Rubik's cube exploded. You die a lot due to its unforgiving enemies. This is what makes this game amazing. Each enemy is a puzzle, and you need to learn the enemy before you can kill it. This usually means that you die in the process of finding out its weaknesses. Bosses obviously take a lot more time, because the window of opportunity is smaller, and they do way more damage.

    To help you out, the game has bonfires which give you life and you can apply all of the rpg elements of the game like a huge amount of upgrading. Weapons and armor can be upgraded through materials gained through the monsters you slay and the chests you open, and new items can be crafted. The currency is universal and used for basically everything. You can get the currency by killing monsters and using certain items.

    There is also a chance to individualize your character by upgrading different attributes which truly paves the way. You are given a different puzzle depending on what you upgrade, meaning you will have to approach things differently if you are magic heavy than if you are a guy that uses a sword and shield. Each approach is VERY different, adding a large amount of replay ability. WARNING: some approaches are harder than others.

    This game is long for some and longer for others. I beat on my first play through in about 35 hours, but it can go up to 100 hours easily. The place is huge and there are lots of things to discover when in the world. Each place you visit you will definitely go back to at least ten times either for progression's sake, or to farm materials for upgrades and items.

    Now onto what a ton of people dock points because of: the story. It is very convoluted into the game. There is one, you just need to look for it, making EVEN THE STORY a Rubik's cube. If you actually put time into noticing it (which is very very hard but indeed possible, like the game) the story is actually very good. It follows the high fantasy genre of storytelling and is very cool. It is in fact one of my favorite things to do. Finding the lore in itself is like defeating a boss, but that is just me, and considering this is a niche game, I don't expect people to like that factor. Everything about this game includes a selective audience, but if you are willing to give it a try, you will be part of either extreme. Hate it or love it, this game is a one of a kind experience    … Expand
  61. mazonik
    Apr 17, 2013
    10
    El mas grandioso, melancólico y tenebroso juego de la historia, direccion de arte y de enemigo derivados de una auténtica inspiración demoniaca de los autores, y lo mejor este año sale el 2.
  62. SuperFloorMat
    Apr 28, 2013
    10
    Punishment at one of the fullest, But Victory at it's best. Dark Souls continues to receive a very demonic challenge with a lot of hours to spend developing your skills and training how to fight specific enemies. A large amount of weapons and monsters will keep you in for the adventure.. Just be warned this game is not meant to be easy and raging will occur
  63. JoeyMoey91
    May 19, 2013
    9
    Positives: Incredible scenery, awesome graphics, tons of variation with weapons, armor, in-game items, so much to explore, and seriously in-depth story (although not exactly clear to the player, but if you read everything and explore everything, you'll see the story, and what a story.), so much choice available to the player right from the beginning of the game. Able to replay this gamePositives: Incredible scenery, awesome graphics, tons of variation with weapons, armor, in-game items, so much to explore, and seriously in-depth story (although not exactly clear to the player, but if you read everything and explore everything, you'll see the story, and what a story.), so much choice available to the player right from the beginning of the game. Able to replay this game again and again and again and still be given a challenge. It's one of the more difficult games out there, but that's what I like about it. With the intense difficulty that this game provides (damn you FromSoft), the sheer jubilation you feel when you accomplish something in this game is what it's all about for me. And the added fact I've managed to get all achievements is something I never thought I'd achieve with this game (not that it was a simple task). You can also summon other players to your world to help you with boss battles, and to help you clear the area up until that point. There's no option to change difficulty, so you gotta learn from your mistakes and strategise how you're going to do things.

    Negatives: The lag you get when doing PvP (not so bad with co-op play) is ridiculous, it's pretty much impossible to fight an invading/invaded player-enemy as it will almost always lag out (for the majority of us). I personally don't consider this next point a negative, but a lot of people will find this game extremely hard and will be off-put by it.

    9/10 because of the huge amount of fun I had playing this, searching every rock and every corner of every area to find something new, even on my 50+ playthrough (not new game +50, but you get the jist). Extremely challenging game, which made it all the more sweeter once I completed it, and then completed it again to claim all 'ending' achievements. You will always find something new, very few people on earth know every little detail about Dark Souls, so you'll definitely get your money's worth.    … Expand
  64. scottmiller82
    May 4, 2013
    9
    This game is as rewarding as difficult. Every enemy in the game is a challenge, it's great to spend time learning how to beat them. For a strange reason, it's highly addictive too.
  65. 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
  66. D4RKNESS-360
    May 25, 2013
    9
    I found this game to be an enjoyable experience, although occasionaly frustrating due to its challenging difficulty. .

    Gameplay I personally found the combat to be mostly skill and reflex based. You have to learn when to strike, dodge and parry each type of enemy, and you also have to strategicly use the bonfires, which are the checkpoints of Dark Souls but when ever you use it, the    I found this game to be an enjoyable experience, although occasionaly frustrating due to its challenging difficulty. .

    Gameplay I personally found the combat to be mostly skill and reflex based. You have to learn when to strike, dodge and parry each type of enemy, and you also have to strategicly use the bonfires, which are the checkpoints of Dark Souls but when ever you use it, the hords of enemy that you just passed through will respawn, meaning back tracking will be harder incase you need to.

    Graphics I found the graphics to be more than what i initially expected out of this game, and found the dark and gritty art style to be very fitting to the gameplay, difficulty and the focus on "dark things."

    Story Ever put a puzzle together? If you don't look for the pieces of the puzzle then the puzzle will always be incomplete, and that what the story feels like to me. You get an introduction video introducing you to the lore and sometimes in the beginning you will be refered to as the chosen undead, but you were never told why you were chosen and for what. Most of the lore you will get are from the item descriptions and loading screens.

    Multiplayer I was very excited by this feature only to be dissapointed by how hard it is to play with my friends. It isn't like most games where you just invite your friends and they join. No! you have to jump through hell of alot of hoops that shouldnt be there. Me and my friends never get to play co-op because of how difficult it was.    … Expand
  67. DAvierence
    May 26, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The most challenge you will get... ever.

    I could have ended my review from there, but despite being the hardest game of 2012, it's not when you get used to it.

    Story wise, you are the chosen undead, set out to fulfill a prophecy,you ring two bells of awakening and head onto the place of the gods.And I summed it up for a casual gamer.the game has a lot of back story with the world, characters and the events in the game also,but its not there in front of you and requires interpretation and that's why this game is so awesome.Not much to say but moving on.

    The game play is a open world experience where there are no such things as loading screens(only when using homeward or re spawning).Everywhere you go, there is always something brand new to explore,and and every corner is a challenge, literally, even the rats pose a threat.you can also join covenants, which can benefit you for the better good.There is no choice of difficulty, because it is not needed otherwise it will eradicate your experience.The bosses are also challenging, but requires a strategy to deal with them.In fact, the entire game relies on your strategy.Don't be afraid of death, because you must 'prepare to die' to succeed.Blame the game and yourself for the destruction for your controllers(100% guaranteed) .There is online, where you invade players(which is fun to torture them further more), see where fellow hallows died on the spot and player messages on the floor, giving hints or tricking you to death.the controls are very fluent and need to get used to to proceed to the very end. Like every other rpg, you level up your character with souls, which is used as currency and maintaining humanity, to make your character into a human being, befitting your curse resistance and chances of items dropped from your victims.And of course, you can customize you character too.

    Graphically, the game is beautiful,where you travel to the depths of the lost izalith or venturing though Anor Londo and fighting drakes in a valley.Barely any texture pop in, but some characters don't move their mouths though nor have any convincing mouth expressions(not required for the record) and the sound department is full of epicness in a nutshell.

    This game, like i said, is a challenge.And i going to end it right here.overall,This game is a perfect gem for everyone!if you're don't like death,this game is not for you. if you want an FPS or a popcorn action flick, go play Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.I found nothing that is bad,but i do recommend you purchase the prepare to die edition of Dark souls if you are new to the series!    … Expand
  68. DirtySnackage
    Jul 24, 2013
    9
    Dark Souls is an amazing game. From the enemies, to the lore, to the environments, everything SCREAMS originality. The world of Dark Souls is a very bleak one, but one you could be lost in for hours. The game gives you what you put into it. Don't expect cutscenes or narratives to explain the story, its up to you to do the research by reading item descriptions, talking to npcs, and evenDark Souls is an amazing game. From the enemies, to the lore, to the environments, everything SCREAMS originality. The world of Dark Souls is a very bleak one, but one you could be lost in for hours. The game gives you what you put into it. Don't expect cutscenes or narratives to explain the story, its up to you to do the research by reading item descriptions, talking to npcs, and even drawing your own conclusions. The gameplay is exeptional, even though many people mistake it for being "stiff". The gameplay is very responsive, and almost every weapon attacks differently. On the topic of weapons, you can craft your weapons to a great extent to fit your exact playstyle. Even online, there is not just one way to go about playing. You can do whatever you want. And the game, contrary to popular belief, is NOT that hard. This is not to say it is not challenging, but it doesn't have artificial difficulty. Even if you have 1 hp, enemies and bosses are still beatable, with the right amount of skill. Each move is appropriately telegraphed just enough for you to get out of the way. But if the game does end up being too difficult, there is a way to make it easier. Git Gud.… Expand
  69. greenblackman
    Jul 6, 2013
    10
    Very in-depth combat and leveling system. You don't simply invest all your points into strength, and expect to bash your way to victory! What are you, casual? No, you have to play smart, not hard. Learn from your mistakes, and you WILL make mistakes. The artificial difficulty will constantly have you second guessing your every step.

    The lore is by far one of my favorites of any game,    Very in-depth combat and leveling system. You don't simply invest all your points into strength, and expect to bash your way to victory! What are you, casual? No, you have to play smart, not hard. Learn from your mistakes, and you WILL make mistakes. The artificial difficulty will constantly have you second guessing your every step.

    The lore is by far one of my favorites of any game, not simply because of the content, but how it is presented. The only narration is at the beginning of the game to give you the basic set up of the world. The rest is up to you to discover and put the pieces together. This dark and hellish land has so many stories to tell if you have a keen eye and the ability of deduction, which is unlike any other game I have played before. Time is convoluted in the land of Lordran. So you have to pay attention and keep track of what is happening now, what has happened in the past that is happening now, and what will take place long after your character is dead... Which is also happening now! Past, present, and future are all involved in the lore, and sometimes even the armor, weapons, and other equipment you find have stories.

    This is the part where I just gush about how much I love the game, feel free to skip. THIS GAME IS SO AMAZING! ON MY TOP 5 GAMES THIS IS NUMBER 1, 2, AND 4, BUT NOT 3- NEVER 3! THE WAY EVEN THE MOST MINOR OF CHARACTERS HAVE SUCH A HUGE BACKSTORY AND INTERTWINE IN YOUR JOURNEY! IT'S JUST SO FREAKIN' COOL... Okay, I'm done. No. Seriously. Get out of here.    … Expand
  70. Trickytyfly
    Jul 8, 2013
    10
    This game is probably one of my favorite games ever created. It brings back the feel of a challenge, while have the modern graphic capabilities. There are thousands of different combinations of weapons and armor. An extremely rich history and mind-numbing lore. It is not for the casual gamer.
  71. Orangegod39
    Jul 11, 2013
    9
    Dark Souls punishes you. Whether or not you like this game; you have to admit that it punishes you. Severely. How you reacted to the punishment directly affects the score you gave the game. If the uncountable deaths doused any passionate flame for challenge you had for this game, you are (sorry to say) weak. You couldn't do it. No matter how you look at it, you could not beat this gameDark Souls punishes you. Whether or not you like this game; you have to admit that it punishes you. Severely. How you reacted to the punishment directly affects the score you gave the game. If the uncountable deaths doused any passionate flame for challenge you had for this game, you are (sorry to say) weak. You couldn't do it. No matter how you look at it, you could not beat this game because you weren't strong enough. If you didn't want to, that's a different story. If the insane challenge fueled your drive to defy From Software and you continued, you were rewarded. For those who haven't bought the game and have no idea what I'm talking about I say this: You will never know how strong you are until you play this video game. If you beat games on easy... Stay away. Save the money. Buy Skyrim and stun-lock dragons for all I care; I'll be testing skill. Not my aim with a dual-casted firebolt.… Expand
  72. ThyRavenWings
    Jul 18, 2013
    10
    Dark Souls has driven me to the brink of madness with frustration, but it's just so damn good that i HAVE to give it a recommendation. I can't honestly recommend it enough
  73. JustBenjy7
    Jan 7, 2014
    9
    TL;DR I think Dark Souls is a great game, with a great setting, story and characters, it can be very rewarding, and has great character and combat systems that will keep you coming back, but can and will punish you if you do something dumb. All that said, it certainly isn't for everyone.

    I went from thinking "I might try Dark Souls, it looks like it might be good" to "I absolutely love    TL;DR I think Dark Souls is a great game, with a great setting, story and characters, it can be very rewarding, and has great character and combat systems that will keep you coming back, but can and will punish you if you do something dumb. All that said, it certainly isn't for everyone.

    I went from thinking "I might try Dark Souls, it looks like it might be good" to "I absolutely love this game" in under a day. Granted, I was about 2 years late to the party, but that hasn't spoiled my enjoyment of it.

    First off, I will say that Dark Souls is nowhere near as difficult as its reputation would have you believe... as long as you go in with the right attitude, some patience and a degree of skill. Charge into a group of enemies swinging your sword like a lunatic, and the game will punish you, but lure the enemies away from the group, and take them on one at a time, and you'll (hopefully) succeed. The way to play Dark Souls is carefully, with tactics and through trial and error.

    The game will not hold your hand. It will not tell you exactly where to go. It will punish you for doing something dumb. A prime example is something I have done, myself, seen friends do and seen in gameplay videos... fighting the first Black Knight. If you try and take on the Black Knight, at a low level, without only an hour or so of experience, you will probably die. I learned that lesson the hard way, and didn't try again until I was a higher level, and had better weapons and armour.

    I've played very few games that give you such a sense of adrenaline while fighting a boss, and such a feeling of victory upon defeating them. Each time I've faced a boss that I have no escape from, no choice but to fight up close and personal, I've felt my heart rate rocket and my breathing become shallow and fast. This happens with most of the bosses I've faced, and its the greatest thrill I have ever got from playing a game. But even better than the thrill is the moment that you conquer a boss (or maybe some other enemy) who has been giving you a lot of grief. Depending on the intensity of the fight, my reactions have either been a loud yeah" or sitting for a few minutes, breathing deeply, shaking a little.

    I've seen and heard many people talk about the story... no, it isn't given to you on a plate; you have to work for it. If you want to know about the world of Dark Souls, start exploring, reading item descriptions and talking to NPCs, or look online if you're stuck. If you don't care for the story, it can practically be ignored, as long as you remember what your goal is, because it won't be written down anywhere. That is something that they could have done differently, but its adds to the-- actually, forgetting where you're at is a real pain, and I won't try and defend that part. The depth of the story and the setting is incredible, and leaves many things to the imagination of the player.

    In terms of gameplay, I find the combat to be a good, solid system, and only the more advanced elements take an above average degree of getting used to. Weapons often have unique features, and there is no "best weapon" in the conventional way; how useful a weapon is, and if it is "better" than another weapon is almost always personal taste. And seeing as most weapons have a unique moveset, you can change up your style by just changing your weapon.

    Finally, Dark Souls is the only game that makes me want to playing it in 10 different ways, on simultaneous playthroughs. There is so much room for customisation and experimentation, that you may find yourself starting several new games before you've even finished your first go, and if you want more, you could try challenges, find one online ore make up your own.

    But even though I love it, I know Dark Souls isn't for everyone. Having read a few reviews, I disagree with some that say that Dark Souls is horrible, and there are some where the reviewer has clearly misunderstood (or failed to understand) a core element of the game, and that's fine, its just a difference of opinion.    … Expand
  74. Shadowlink839
    Jul 21, 2013
    10
    Firstly, before I say anything else, I must say this: Dark Souls is not for everyone. That should seem obvious based on its reputation, but when I say "not for everyone", I don't just mean that this isn't for first time gamers. It takes certain personality traits to want to play Dark Souls. I would recommend borrowing it from a friend first to see if you like it.

    Character Creation:    Firstly, before I say anything else, I must say this: Dark Souls is not for everyone. That should seem obvious based on its reputation, but when I say "not for everyone", I don't just mean that this isn't for first time gamers. It takes certain personality traits to want to play Dark Souls. I would recommend borrowing it from a friend first to see if you like it.

    Character Creation:
    Dark Souls didn't just stick with the standard warrior, rouge, wizard. There are 10 classes to pick from, each of them utterly unique, and allowing for a wide range of play styles, non of which are necessarily "better" than any other. Should you have any friends that play this game, endless fun can be had chatting about the different ways you both played the game.

    Story:
    Dark Souls has a reputation for having a bad, or even non-existent plot. I disagree with these statements. Your character's story is very minimalistic, whereas the story of the world around you is immensely detailed. It must be kept in mind that this was intentional. This is just another case of the game letting you know that you, the player, and thus, your character as well, are meaningless nothings. Millions before you tried, and failed at the very same task you are trying to complete. But as I said before, the story of the world you are in is huge, and the majority of it is told without dialogue. Much of world's history is slowly pieced together by occasional item's whose flavor text contains lore, and by merely exploring and looking at the once thriving and now desolate society around you. The unorthodox way of story telling doesn't always work for games, but Dark Souls pulled it off beautifully.

    Combat:
    Practically every weapon has two unique basic attacks, and 3 special attacks that are essentially the same regardless of what weapon you're using. You would think that having such a small number of attacks would make combat dry and repetitive. However, you would be wrong. Combat will always keep you on the edge of your seat for three reasons. Firstly, your extreme desire to stay alive. Secondly, Dark Souls probably has the largest number of different enemies I've every seen in a game. In my playing it I can only recall 3 types of enemies being reused in different areas. It's hard to explain in words just how many types of enemies there, and each of them is a new problem to be worked out. Thirdly, The level design in Dark Souls is just like the monsters. That is to say, it has incredible variety and is immensely different everywhere you go. Not only is combat thrilling, but your class does not bind you to wear certain gear and use certain weapons. Literally any armor or weapon can be used by any class as long has you have the stats to wield them, which you get by leveling up. This means two things. One, it means that your proficiency with weapons/armor is largely based on your actual skill/experience using it. And two, it means that you will constantly be switching out gear and experimenting to see what works best in the current situation. Everything about the combat makes it anything but boring and repetitive.

    Sound/Graphics:
    This deserves special mention. Dark Souls without a doubt is one of the most beautiful looking games ever created, and it's excellent sound design compliments that. Dark Souls generally leaves you without music to intensify the lonely feeling you get while playing the game. However, there are a few key areas, such as Firelink Shrine, which is essentially your base of operations, where beautifully written music kicks in. The only other times where there is music is during boss fights. And again, the music is just flat out fantastic.

    Non-artificial difficulty:
    One of the things I love most about Dark Souls is that it's difficult, but doesn't employ what I call artificial difficulty. This is when enemies are given more health or deal more damage. Dark Souls is hard because once you beat one area you move on to completely unknown territory. There could be anything there, even a boat.

    Victory and Death: The crowning jewel of Dark Souls is this: when you die, it means something. It's a visceral ache in your heart. When you win, it means something. Nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to the feeling of finally killing that boss that's halted your progress for so long.

    Problems:
    I first started played Dark Souls with my brother, who had played a bit of the game already, watching be play. I'm glad he was, because there are several extremely important game mechanics that are either explained poorly, or not explained at all. I would recommend playing the first hour or so of the game with someone who has played Dark Souls before. However, if you can't, I will save you some time and tell you to look up these things online: equip load, humanity, reverse hollowing, kindling, parameter bonus, durability, two handing weapons. Honestly, this is my only complaint.

    ADD version: Great gameplay. Great story. Absorbing world and atmosphere.    … Expand
  75. darkheart86
    Jul 25, 2013
    10
    How can I describe this game? To put it in short, it's a frustratingly difficult dark fantasy adventure full of anguish and rage that at the same time is so beautiful and rewarding that you simply can't put it down. Combat is very weighty, unforgiving and difficult but at the same time it is fair, pragmatic and rewarding. If you approach this game as something you can just fly through withHow can I describe this game? To put it in short, it's a frustratingly difficult dark fantasy adventure full of anguish and rage that at the same time is so beautiful and rewarding that you simply can't put it down. Combat is very weighty, unforgiving and difficult but at the same time it is fair, pragmatic and rewarding. If you approach this game as something you can just fly through with no problems and should be able to win without dying once on your first playthrough, you are going to either change your viewpoint very quickly or you are going to never play the game again after the tutorial and miss out on a can't-miss experience.

    The core mechanic of this game is trying to figure out an enemy's strategy first-hand by taking all the punishment yourself, dying, returning to where you fought the beast and exploit whatever weaknesses you were able to pinpoint. Bosses are incredibly difficult and hard to take down, but once you get the strategy on how to beat it (and after dying at least a few times), the feeling you get when you finally kill that boss is the most rewarding, beautiful feeling you can ever experience, and no game has ever given me this feeling so many times. Oh, and yes, every boss is like this (well, save a few poorly designed ones, but that's two or three compared to the twenty-something there are to fight).

    The story is very vague and left up to your own interpretation. The entire plotline revolves around the fact that you don't know who to trust and what to believe and you have no idea what the right thing to do is as NPC's will lie to you and tell you half-truths. Without giving the plot away, I will say that in the end you will have to make a very important decision, and both sides have very ambiguous arguments and it's very hard to tell which you should do. After making my decision, I sat for a good 5 or 10 minutes pondering whether or not I made the right choice as the screen faded to black immediately afterwards. That's right: You don't get to see what really happens after the choice is made.

    Multiplayer is fun and useful, and New Game is a very wonderful feature that will add another 50+ hours to your total game time as you do the entire story over again with all of your levels and equipment facing monsters that are twice as hard as the first time, and if you complete that, the +'s stack endlessly, at least from what I have seen. You can up the difficulty time after time again, making the challenge of this game never go away.

    If you really want a challenge and are not afraid to get your hands dirty and die a few hundred times, this game is a must-buy.    … Expand
  76. SebastopolQueen
    Jan 18, 2014
    10
    I play this game for a year and a half,and this game is amazing and hard,its is my favorite game of all time,I played Demon Souls and it was harder.The combat is great,i like the graphics,Coop is great,multiplayer is good,there is lots of over level guys who kills you instantly when you're low level.I wish it could have more dlcs in this one,but Demon Souls does not have a dlc.The bossesI play this game for a year and a half,and this game is amazing and hard,its is my favorite game of all time,I played Demon Souls and it was harder.The combat is great,i like the graphics,Coop is great,multiplayer is good,there is lots of over level guys who kills you instantly when you're low level.I wish it could have more dlcs in this one,but Demon Souls does not have a dlc.The bosses is hard and easy if you don't rush,this game is a little bit better then Demon Souls.I can't wait for Dark Souls 2.… Expand
  77. notalltogether
    Aug 11, 2013
    10
    This game is easily the best game I've ever played. That does not mean this game isn't frustrating, and it does not mean the game is for everyone, however, it is perfect for me.

    I did not play Demon Souls and had absolutely no idea what I was getting into. Starting out, the game gives you little to go by. You read the messages, and just sort of start learning by doing. This is    This game is easily the best game I've ever played. That does not mean this game isn't frustrating, and it does not mean the game is for everyone, however, it is perfect for me.

    I did not play Demon Souls and had absolutely no idea what I was getting into. Starting out, the game gives you little to go by. You read the messages, and just sort of start learning by doing. This is easily one of the most frustrating parts of the game. The first boss must have killed me like 20 times before I downed him. But that's one of it's best selling points. Every boss, every fight, everything about this game is one giant puzzle. You experiment, you learn a little bit, you try again. You learn, you learn, you learn... and you get better. And as you get better, the game gets easier. It throws new twists at you, new turns, new strategies you have to adapt too. But just like the rest of the game; you learn, you adapt, you get better, and you win.

    I rage quit about 12 hours into my first playthrough after I had just gotten to Blighttown. I started over and got to the same point in the game in 4 hours. I tell you this just to illustrate how much the game is about learning. The first time through the game, every fight every area was a challenge, but after I figured out the areas it became much easier.

    After you've learned the game, another beautiful aspect of the game becomes true. The replayability of this game is amazing because there are so many ways you can approach it. The main hub is a true spider, allowing someone who knows what they are doing to be able to fight bosses out of order, skip bosses they didn't know they could in their original playthroughs. There is an infinite new game plus system allowing you to fight the same enemies, just stronger versions, to test your skills.

    Some people may complain about the story, but the game has great depth if you are willing to look for it. The user is forced to come to their own conclusions about most of the world, from the experiences they have in the game, the small tidbits of dialogue, and the descriptions of the items that lay everything out for you.

    To me the worst part of the game... is that it ends. When the game was done, I wanted more bosses, more enemies, and I greatly anticipate the sequel.    … Expand
  78. IRMedia
    Aug 13, 2013
    10
    Lets get straight to the point about Dark Souls. It is a game designed with the gamer in mind. You play Dark Souls, from the very moment that it loads to the bitter end of the game and it's many cycles (if you can get that far). By removing most of the common traits found in todays high budget "AAA" titles, things like: Pointless walking to places or boring exploration segments, talking toLets get straight to the point about Dark Souls. It is a game designed with the gamer in mind. You play Dark Souls, from the very moment that it loads to the bitter end of the game and it's many cycles (if you can get that far). By removing most of the common traits found in todays high budget "AAA" titles, things like: Pointless walking to places or boring exploration segments, talking to pointless NPC's for useless information, a regenerating health bar, persistent save points and all the things that a casual gamer holds dear.

    Dark Souls begins as it means to go on and it starts you out within minutes of a boss fight, one of many boss fights that you will encounter through out the game. In fact, the boss fights are the main crux of this game, everything else you do is done in preparation of the boss fights. These often gargantuan enemies will put to test your build and skills in a way that few games will ever replicate.

    And your build, your characters development and advancement through Lordran is core to the games mechanics and it's beating heart. Finding the right combo of armour/weapons and Magic feels empowering as the game becomes that little bit easier when you nail it. Enemies that would repeatedly kick your ass now can be taken down in a few hits of your new sword.

    Most importantly with Dark Souls is the genuine feeling of achievement when obstacles have been climbed over. You have to work out for yourself (or with one of the many DS Wiki's) how to navigate each area of Lordran. Whether your crawling the Depths or marauding through the Dark Root Basin you are constantly in danger, and it's this constant threat which makes DS the nerve shredder that it is. When you die you get punished for it so you do your best to NOT DIE!!!!

    There is also one element of the game which often gets overlooked. It has PvP, glorious, brutal and downright brilliant PvP. You can't jump right in however, as with everything in this game you need to earn it. Once you earn it, you can invade another players game and kill them, take their souls and Humanity (rare in game item essential for PvP). You can do this at any level and the game matches your character to similar skill level players. I can say for certain that the PvP in Dark Souls is one of the best and most engaging MP games out there right now.

    If your into adventure games and RPGs then I would recommend this. Its not for the faint of heart, it is difficult at first, but once you get used to it and your character gets harder so does the enjoyment of the game. Which goes up exponentially.

    Play Dark Souls, Love Dark Souls. It's better than everything out there.    … Expand
  79. TundraFreeze
    Aug 19, 2013
    6
    If you are going to make a game this long have the decency to add a storyline to it, because this is not acceptable. Dark Souls features a fun and challenging combat system, with a plethora of weird and fantastic monsters to fight. The different zones or environments you travel through are equally as unique and fantastic as the enemy monster designs. So this game does some things reallyIf you are going to make a game this long have the decency to add a storyline to it, because this is not acceptable. Dark Souls features a fun and challenging combat system, with a plethora of weird and fantastic monsters to fight. The different zones or environments you travel through are equally as unique and fantastic as the enemy monster designs. So this game does some things really well. What it fails at is the storyline, which is far too thin to engage you, in particular for a game this long. I had trouble finishing the game because I simply stopped caring about it, it became boring because there is no real storyline in it. The storyline seems to have been attached as an after-thought. A thin storyline is acceptable in a short game, say 10 hours or so which is how long Demon's Souls was, but not in an 80 hour game. If I am to enjoy an 80 hour game I need some kind of storyline, something to hook me in and keep me interested. Dark Souls does not do that. It does not help that your character has no personality, he or she is just a killing machine, nothing more nothing less. Bottomline: if you want an action RPG with an engaging storyline and a protagonist with a personality I would think twice before buying this game, but if you just want to fight your way through some unique-looking monsters in equally unique environments you might enjoy Dark Souls.… Expand
  80. Guedryan
    Sep 4, 2013
    10
    Definitivamente o melhor RPG de ação dessa geração de consoles, somente podendo ser superado pelo Dark Souls 2 que será lançado, contudo esse um desafio que nenhum jogo se propõe a fazer, pois não existe facilidades, um jogo que lhe frusta por pegar um jogador mal acostumado com checkpoints, saves e etc, e faz o jogador parar com a realidade que a morte a melhor forma de aprender... jogoDefinitivamente o melhor RPG de ação dessa geração de consoles, somente podendo ser superado pelo Dark Souls 2 que será lançado, contudo esse um desafio que nenhum jogo se propõe a fazer, pois não existe facilidades, um jogo que lhe frusta por pegar um jogador mal acostumado com checkpoints, saves e etc, e faz o jogador parar com a realidade que a morte a melhor forma de aprender... jogo incrível.… Expand
  81. Itz_Rhino
    Sep 9, 2013
    10
    Dark Souls is hands down, the single best game I have played in my entire life. Now, I know that is a HUGE claim, but I can say it without hesitation. I am 26 years old... I've played games since I was 3. Yes, I have played all the greats that Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and Microsoft have thrown out there over the past few decades, but in mu humble opinion... nothing compares to my experienceDark Souls is hands down, the single best game I have played in my entire life. Now, I know that is a HUGE claim, but I can say it without hesitation. I am 26 years old... I've played games since I was 3. Yes, I have played all the greats that Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and Microsoft have thrown out there over the past few decades, but in mu humble opinion... nothing compares to my experience with this masterpiece of a game.

    Where to start... The game is flaunted as this bastion of the hard-core gamer. It's super difficult and only a masochist sitting in a dark room on a bed of nails could handle it. Yes, the game IS difficult, unforgiving, and doesn't give you much direction or advice... but that is the BEAUTY baby! You are left to figure things out on your own, find and blaze your own path, and take a few bruises along the way. A game should be an experience, and Dark Souls is just that. And unlike any other RPG I've come across, skill is more rewarded than time spent playing (although time spent playing DOES affect skill). Allow me to explain; on my first play through, I played for about 90 hours before I finished the game. On the second character I created, it took me about 50 hours, and my third took me about 20. I was achieving the same level or higher that I reached on my first play through, discovering MORE about the game than my previous play through, and STILL finishing faster... MUCH faster. Now, I can get to level 70 in five hours or less, I can beat the game in less than 2 hours, and I can beat the game as a level 1 character. This is the only game I can think of that has allowed me to progress in this way. Usually I am forced to do a bunch of crap to level up enough to advance through a particular section. Dark Souls removes the MANDATORY leveling and replaces it with SUPPLEMENTAL leveling. Leveling WILL make the game easier for you, but it is not a necessity. This is where most players who hate this game fail. They run into a challenge, and instead of changing tactics, they think they need to level up, so they grind... and grind... and grind. You have now turned the game into a chore. Blocking attacks and hitting between blocks not working? Try rolling. Getting whooped up close? Try ranged. Mix it up and you will succeed. You can play this game any way you want, and it is possible to succeed in every situation. The combat mechanics allow you to take advantage of your opponent's openings with precision, and you develop that precision through time and death. You develop as a player over time and death, and the development is extremely rewarding and obvious. You'll discover new tactics that you never knew about, constantly come across a new play style, and discover new things about the game for hours and hours and hours. I am at over 1500 hours between my PC and xbox versions of this game, and there are STILL things I learn. The multiplayer is extremely organic and fluid. The fact that putting yourself in a position to get help from another player also opens you up to being invaded... genius. There is always a dark side to every seemingly good event, and it's only a matter of time before you discover it. IMPORTANT NOTE: This game is NOT for the feint of heart. If you are easily frustrated, impatient, or not keen on the idea of having to discover everything about the game on your own (not like Elder Scrolls "Hey, I've never been to that area on the map before, let me check it out" but like, discovery in EVERY aspect: combat, weapons, enemy abilities, the world, the lore, etc.), then STAY AWAY. I'm serious! I'm not trying to put down anyone that is like that, I'm just warning you that you will not like the game. You will most likely quit after the first few hours (if that). I can talk about Dark Souls for hours, but I'll spare you the pain. I hope you enjoy it!    … Expand
  82. jubileeo
    Sep 17, 2013
    10
    Dark Souls makes me want to break my controller and scream every time I play it I love it. Wasn't sure at first while getting used to the controls. Its great because its really challenging right away you can't just breeze through levels without effort. Definitely a game you can put lots of time into.
  83. naiski
    Sep 19, 2013
    10
    A breath of fresh air for the “non-casual” gamer.
    Nowadays most game developers' target audience is the “casual gamer”.
    The casual gamer is like a normal human being, except incredibly stupid. The casual gamer has the patience and mental capacity of a four-year-old. When presented with a choice, such as two possible paths, and not provided blatant evidence implying the consequences of    A breath of fresh air for the “non-casual” gamer.
    Nowadays most game developers' target audience is the “casual gamer”.
    The casual gamer is like a normal human being, except incredibly stupid. The casual gamer has the patience and mental capacity of a four-year-old. When presented with a choice, such as two possible paths, and not provided blatant evidence implying the consequences of each path in advance, the casual gamer will panic. They will begin to foaming at the mouth, shaking violently, and sobbing. If the casual gamer encounters a challenge and fails, they do not learn from their failure. They will continue trying to employ the same strategy, and failing, until they grow old and die, because the casual gamer lacks the basic human facilities to recognize signals and patterns that are necessary for human beings to exist and function in the world.
    Souls games are not made for the casual gamer. If you're sick and tired of excessive hand holding, objective markers, shallow can't-go-wrong builds, constant cinematics, linearity, typical multiplayer mechanics, and general lack of difficulty, look no further. This is a game made for gamers who can learn from their mistakes and enjoy a challenge. It's also one of the most innovative and unique games ever conceived. It's developers like From Software that keep gaming alive for those of us with brains.
    Dark Souls takes what Demon's Souls did right and refines it beautifully while making some major changes that really improve the quality of the game. The open world is fascinating, beautiful, and fun to explore. There are a lot less “cheap tricks” in the levels while still maintaining relatively the same degree of difficulty. In general, I found that the levels were a little easier (mostly due to the lack of the aforementioned “cheap-tricks” like sudden hard-to-spot death pits and balancing on tiny ledges) while the bosses were a lot harder. The improved healing system eliminates a lot of boring grinding/farming and makes PvP much more competitive. Dark Souls expands on the innovation of Demon's Souls, providing new interesting ways to interact with other players and NPCs. I also found the story a little more engrossing. The mechanics are deeper, the builds are more varied, there are more spells/miracles, and more NPCs.
    This is the game of the decade.
    My only complaint is that when leveling up, I preferred the maiden in black whispering about touching the demon inside her with a sexy accent to bonfires.    … Expand
  84. melongod
    Oct 21, 2013
    10
    One of, if not the single best RPG released in recent years. This game is designed to be difficult, but it's not as difficult as some users may make it out to be. While it definitely IS difficult, the game rewards you for trying, learning and fighting your way through the massive world of Lordran, fighting your way through the slums of the Undead Asylum, all the way to the PrimordialOne of, if not the single best RPG released in recent years. This game is designed to be difficult, but it's not as difficult as some users may make it out to be. While it definitely IS difficult, the game rewards you for trying, learning and fighting your way through the massive world of Lordran, fighting your way through the slums of the Undead Asylum, all the way to the Primordial Flame, surrounded by a massive kingdom burnt to ash. On top of the amazing world and fantastically deep lore, the game features some of the finest combat to ever be featured in any RPG, with weapons and armor that can be customized to your play style, allowing you to be a swift thief one moment, stabbing your enemies in the back, to a bulking tank of a knight, crushing your opponents with massive weapons made of steel, dragons teeth or even a basic club. It also features some of the most rewarding and finely tuned Player Versus Player combat to ever be featured in a videogame, allowing you to invade the worlds of other players, or be summoned to assist friends and strangers alike in the deadly world of Lordran. Any way you look at it, this is the perfect RPG, and would be a daunting pass to surpass.

    Prepare to die...    … Expand
  85. DarthKato
    Dec 8, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is single handily one of the best games I have ever played. Any one that says that this game is bad, probably didn't get passed the first or second boss and are butt hurt. DS as excellent graphics, solid controls, and a deep, engrossing story. Few games I have seen can compare to this game.

    When you firs enter the game, you are given a short tutorial and then you are left to figure everything else out. This kind of confidence in the player is a breath of fresh air. Most games today "cough"Skyrim"Cough", tend to hold your hand like a mother holds her child's. If that bothers you, like it does me, then this game is for you. You are taught how to play, pointed in a direction, and then its all up to you. Very few games now days do this. The only other game that does this, that I can think of, is Dragon's Dogma. In that game too, you are given basic information, and then you go off on a grand adventure.

    Speaking of a grand adventure, this game is as good as it gets. You start off, for unknown reasons, in a prison cell, and are helped out by a mysterious stranger. After making it out of your cell the tutorial begins in the form of messages on the grounds. As you learn each of these life saving skills, you are given a few scrubs to practice on These early enemies aren't too tough, but its best to still be careful. That is something that you need to learn early off, everything in this game can kill you quickly.After you get through the "starter Dungeon", you will face your first boss. Its not that tough and should be easy enough to beat as long as you take your time and stay behind it. After you are finished with him/her( not sure what it is) you are on your own. All you have is the equipment, the skills you learned, and a mystery to keep you going.

    As you are released into the world, you will notice how beautiful it is. The graphics in this game are amazing, and only get better in the later stages. Enemies are all unique looking and, in a word, terrifying. That is another thing about this game that may turn some off: the oppressive, grim nature of the world. Do not think that you will be going into Skyrim's inviting world. Dark Souls takes place in a literal "Hell on Earth." Nearly everything, and everyone, will try to end your life. From the plants, to the animals, to the former inhabitants that went insane. Only a few are friendly, and even thy may end up falling to your blade sooner or later.

    But don't let the deadly world scare you off. You will be able to craft your character into a fighting machine that only the strongest can stand up too. This will be accomplished by putting points into various skills( you can choose between several different classes, that each have different starting stats), and also you can craft and upgrade arms and amour. Also, the controls are so tight and responsive, that you will have no problem battling in this nightmare. The thing is though, don't go into certain areas until you are certain that you will be able to handle it, or you will die quickly.

    The problem with this game is the online play. Its kind of hard to get into a game with other players, and its nearly impossible if they are on your friends list. I have spent hours trying to get into one my friends games, only to fell every time. Its not as hard to invade other though( as long as you are just invading random players). This can be a fun and challenging activity for both new and veteran players. One problem though, don't count on all players to be honorable. A good deal will try to kill you right out the gate, while others will bow first.

    Well, I hope that I have helped to sway you to at least try Dark Souls. Its a fun and challenging game, that looks as good as it plays.    … Expand
  86. TheEman2459
    Nov 5, 2013
    10
    This Game has taken 300+ hours of my life and i regret nothing. A challenging game with great music, visuals, and gameplay, a Must buy from a $20 dollar bin at Walmart. The frame rate gets really bad at the beggining of some stages but other wise my Favorite game of all time.
  87. Ebelon
    Nov 20, 2013
    9
    I played this game a year after Skyrim came out and i can say that dark souls sure gives skyrim a run for its money. Skyrim is still my favorite RPG of all time but Dark souls is a very close second. It has a very mysterious allure that just begs to be explored. The fluid movement and combat feel very realistic, and the swing of a sword has the "umpf!" that really lets you feel likeI played this game a year after Skyrim came out and i can say that dark souls sure gives skyrim a run for its money. Skyrim is still my favorite RPG of all time but Dark souls is a very close second. It has a very mysterious allure that just begs to be explored. The fluid movement and combat feel very realistic, and the swing of a sword has the "umpf!" that really lets you feel like there's power in your attack. The pvp is also very intense but its ruined by hackers and cheaters (so best to wait for Dark souls 2 to play online). The punishing difficulty may be intimidating but the reward of overcoming a a very hard enemy is like no other. If you are weak at heart don't play this game, but if you're looking for a genuine challenge that rewards you for perseverance then buy this bad boy and prepare for hell.… Expand
  88. 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
  89. Mareus
    Feb 5, 2014
    10
    So most people who gave this game a low score seem to hate it because the game is too hard. To them I have nothing to say. If they like easy games that hand-hold you and treat you like you are an incompetent idiot, well... good for them, but that is really just a personal preference and is not a real argument about the quality of the game.

    However there are those who try to mask their    So most people who gave this game a low score seem to hate it because the game is too hard. To them I have nothing to say. If they like easy games that hand-hold you and treat you like you are an incompetent idiot, well... good for them, but that is really just a personal preference and is not a real argument about the quality of the game.

    However there are those who try to mask their hatred for the game with a valid argument, but their arguments are valid only if they are saying truth. So for those of you who say the game has bad control mechanics, I wonder if you have actually played the game or are you just plain trolling?

    The mechanics are superb and controls are very responsive, but everything depends on your equipment. So if you wear heavy armor and wear a heavy axe of course you will move slow and attack animations may look sluggish, but that does not mean the control mechanics are bad. It just means, you should perhaps choose lighter equipment. This amount of attention to detail can only be found in Dark Souls and it actually shows just how deep the game really is. Everything matters and you can fight however you want - with almost limitless options. Upgrading weapons also helps, so do not blame the game for your own failures.

    For those of you who say the game is repetative and boring, again I wonder where does such dezinformation come from? Every enemy can be killed in dozen of different ways and you can manage even the most difficult fights with a bit of brain and pretty basic movement.

    The story is subtle, it doesnt scream at you and it doesnt hand hold you. You have to figure out things yourself, but that does not mean the story is bad or lacking.

    The lack of pause and consolized inventory is probably the only valid argument as to why this game should not get a 10/10, but that is really just nitpicking in the end.    … Expand
  90. 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
  91. xbonekilla
    Dec 29, 2013
    9
    Just a masterpiece. Deep combat, that isn't about memorizing long combos, rewarding exploration. A world that is slowly revealed to you. No reliance on gimmicky gameplay and long cutscenes. A gamer's game.
  92. 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
  93. 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
  94. 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
  95. 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
  96. 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
  97. 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
  98. 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
  99. LongSlayer
    Dec 14, 2014
    10
    Dark Souls is truly an incredible and unforgettable experience. This game is notorious for being very difficult. In a first playthrough, a new player will find the game pretty tough and some areas are quite challenging. There have been a few instances in my experience where the difficulty gets really frustrating. But overcoming those challenges is a great feeling and satisfying. The amountDark Souls is truly an incredible and unforgettable experience. This game is notorious for being very difficult. In a first playthrough, a new player will find the game pretty tough and some areas are quite challenging. There have been a few instances in my experience where the difficulty gets really frustrating. But overcoming those challenges is a great feeling and satisfying. The amount of freedom you have with your character is unbelievable. You can really play as any kind of character you want. You pick a starting class and then continue with the class roots, or you can go in a complete different direction. With this freedom you can make one amazing, dynamic character. There are also lots and lots of different kinds of armor and weapons to choose from and each of the pieces of equipment can be upgraded in different ways. Because of this, there really is no "best" weapon or armor piece. The main story is okay, it doesn't really go into depth nor is it expanded a lot. There aren't really any quests, the game is extremely nonlinear and you need to figure out where to go next in the world with little guidance. The environment is stunning and wonderful. The different areas in the game are different from one another and exploring each area is an exciting adventure on its own. The PvP part of Dark Souls is pretty fun too. The one thing about PvP is that lag can really affect your battle and can either be in your favor or your opponent's. Dark Souls is an exhilarating game, and it's a must play for any RPG or action-adventure fans.… Expand
  100. 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
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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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