Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Jul 23, 2018
    90
    Exacting and exhilarating, this slightly fugly remaster remains a challenging classic. [Aug 2018, p.76]
  2. Jun 25, 2018
    90
    Virtually every facet of this remastering enhances the experience of the original game, especially the performance. Despite this, it has some negative points.
  3. Jun 3, 2018
    90
    As a gameplay experience, you owe it to yourself to play Dark Souls Remastered – which to my mind is what Dark Souls should have always been.
  4. May 31, 2018
    90
    Dark Souls Remastered manages to capture the essence of the Dark Souls experience, primarily because this is exactly the same game that debuted way back in 2011, just this time everything is in gorgeous 4K, and everything runs at 60fps – even Blighttown.
  5. May 25, 2018
    85
    Although not quite as refined as one would have hoped, Dark Souls Remastered takes the critically acclaimed 2011 game and brings it back for a sharper, more fluid experience. Bugs and annoyances occur infrequently, but in the face of its stable framerate, its improved lighting and effects and its inclusion of Artorias of the Abyss, this is easy to overlook. Simply put, this is the best version of the game to date.
  6. Jun 29, 2018
    80
    Dark Souls Remastered is exactly what the name implies and fans will adore it. I still suck royally at these games. I still want an easy mode so I can manage to get through them without frustration, but the game that spawned a genre is still finely crafted. The jump in framerate and added DLC make this the package to own. For new and old players this is the version to own.
  7. Jun 23, 2018
    80
    This Dark Souls Remastered targets people who played the original game on console, or the ones who never played it before. It’s still one of a kind game, but this remastered version is definitely too lazy.
  8. May 31, 2018
    80
    With publishers regularly being satisfied with only the most basic of upgrades in remasters, it's not too surprising that the developers have scrimped on some of the potential that this version of Dark Souls could truly accomplish. Despite this, it's still a fantastic game and it is well worth reliving once again or experiencing for the first time.
  9. May 25, 2018
    80
    A solid remaster, with some good improvements in graphics, usability and multiplayer gameplay; it's definitely advised if you never played the original game, but if you've already played it, it couldn't offer enough incentives to go back to Lordran.
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 256 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 34 out of 256
  1. Jun 7, 2018
    9
    The Dark Souls series has a huge following and it’s easy to see why. This is a series that provides you with challenging andThe Dark Souls series has a huge following and it’s easy to see why. This is a series that provides you with challenging and adrenaline-fuelled action from start to finish and the great sense of achievement you get when defeating an enemy is second to none. As you can imagine back in 2011 when the first Dark Souls game came out it was a game that hooked many and I was one of them many, so when I learnt that the first Dark Souls was being remastered I was excited to say the least. Thankfully they’ve done the first Dark Souls justice with this remaster and it was a pleasure to embark on the fantastic journey all over again. Without a doubt this is the best version of the game and you can see improvements throughout your time with the game, so if you’ve never played a Dark Souls game before then you’re in for a treat. Combat is obviously a major aspect in this series and thankfully it feels better than ever. In my opinion everything feels more fluid when in combat this time around and even though you will experience some frustrating moments from time to time putting the game down is very difficult thanks to its addictive gameplay. If you like lots of varied content then you will absolutely love what this game has to offer and with the added DLC that means you won’t be getting bored anytime soon. You will however notice that the content does have a few bugs and technichal issues contained in it, but thankfully whilst these issues can be annoying none of them are game-breaking so they’re not too problematic. There is however no issues when it comes to the new and improved multiplayer offerings. The multiplayer aspect in the game has seen quite an overhaul and to say I had fun when playing the game in this way would be a massive understatement. Unfortunately though the improved multiplayer is the only new thing really and even though I was more than satisfied playing the same and improved game again it still would’ve been nice to have seen a couple of new features included. I’ve always been a big fan of the Dark Souls presentation style and it was nice to see some improvements included here. Visually the game definitely looks better and in a way the improved visuals make you become even more attached to the gameplay. The same can also be said about the improved sound design because it makes the game even more of an immersive experience. At the end of the day as far as remasters go Dark Souls Remastered is a very good addition to the remastered formula and I really enjoyed experiencing this masterpiece again. They’ve managed to improve the game in a number of areas and even if you’ve played the game before I fully recommend that both newcomers and veterans of the series should purchase Dark Souls Remastered immediately because in my opinion you won’t regret it. Full Review »
  2. May 29, 2018
    5
    The difference between User and Critic reviews is that I won't lie to you. I made a Metacritic account JUST to review this insult to theThe difference between User and Critic reviews is that I won't lie to you. I made a Metacritic account JUST to review this insult to the SoulsBorne series. Most of the critics are probably reviewing this game on the surface level and probably haven't made it to NG+. Let's start off with the good about this game as this review unfolds. Dark Souls: Remastered does not offer the graphical overhaul we as consumers would expect in 2018. Instead, there a few detail and lighting tweaks that make the game look a little bit better but it's not tremendously noticeable. Next up, added "patches". Some of the covenants now work properly and you can change your covenant right at a bonfire which is a helpful feature that was added. On top of that, by far the best good thing about this game is the reignition of the entire community. That is just about the only apsect that makes the game worth it's unappealing pricetag for a remaster. If you are either a returning veteran or someone who never got to experience the 2011 entry in it's full glory, then now is the time to pick this game up. That is, if you're willing to wait for a sale on the remaster. Another positive is: Blighttown is no longer an absolute disaster to traverse now that console has a solid 60fps. This was huge to me personally because Blighttown was absolutely dreadful on the original 2011 entry. Moving onto the negatives, I won't completely bash this game but I will be honest. After getting to NG+ (New Game +), I have never felt so disappointed in a remaster. Especially from a developer that I KNOW can do soooo much better than this lazy attempt at a cash grab. It's honestly saddening as a SoulsBorne veteran. This isn't the big "everything is fixed" patch that we were all hoping for. It's pretty much just a rerelease of the original 2011 Dark Souls. Many of the bugs such as ragdoll bodies that stick to the player model are still present. Chain backstabbing is still present, PvP has not been touched whatsoever, and the game is still riddled with it's initial janky feeling (especially in close quarters). The bugs are still largely in effect, anywhere from enemies dying and getting up to die again to getting backstabbed from the front (not parried). The remaster claims it has "dedicated serves" but you will still run into people online that seem like they have the weakest internet you could buy or live on the otherside of the planet. The biggest fix to online multiplayer that is a huge step for this game is that the player pool doesn't slowly build up anymore to a max of about 20 different people. But instead, the game offers many more people to play with or against. The player count has also been raised to 6. Finally, if you had played the original 2011 Dark Souls then you remember it's janky feeling. Anywhere from framerate drops, to the game feeling sluggish, to hitting your weapon on EVERY WALL IN THE GAME. These issues are still very much present in Dark Souls: Remastered. My advice to anyone looking to purchase this game is to wait for a sale. Otherwise, if you're like me and wanted to experience the original Dark Souls then this game is perfect for you. All in all, its comparable to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Remastered on the same level that it is not a full remaster but more so a quick cash grab at your nostalgia for said game. Full Review »
  3. Aug 24, 2018
    10
    While Dark Souls: Remastered is more of a port than a remaster, it is by far the best version of Dark Souls. The enhancements made by theWhile Dark Souls: Remastered is more of a port than a remaster, it is by far the best version of Dark Souls. The enhancements made by the X-BOX One X to have native 4K resolution make this game look absolutely stunning at places. To all those claiming it's a basic port, this game would run at two frames per second on the PlayStation 3 and XBOX 360. If you love Dark Souls and aren't cheap, you'll love this game. If you're new to this game or the series in general, Dark Souls: Remastered is a great place to start. Dark Souls: Remastered is a flawed masterpiece. Full Review »