Got this game to see what all the fuss was about. I don't know where to begin, but luckily I wrote a rough review way back when so I wouldn't forget what it was like.

Good stuff:

Character design
•being able to create a personalized character
•creative enemy designs and some NPCS

fashion souls
•so many wearable outfits to choose from

Atmosphere
•dark atmosphere which fits the name of the game very well

Exploration (somewhat)
•being able to either slightly branch off paths or at the very least do things in different orders

Bad stuff:

Difficulty
•getting through the gauntlet of enemies is more annoying and infuriating than the bosses themselves
•some mid bosses are harder than the final boss
•carnal demon is in such a small boss area
•ornstein and smough

Level design
•blighttown
•skeleton catacombs
•tomb of the giants
•warping isn't available until after anor londo so backtracking was the only way to move around until then

NPC 'lore'
•NPCs barely talk
•most lore is given through item descriptions so anything can be missed very easily for the more casual player

Music (lack thereof)
•no music except for bosses

Multiplayer
•multiplayer can add to frustration in the idea of being invaded at inoppurtune times

Armor
•armor barely protects against attacks
•armor hinders roll-dodging

In conclusion, when I beat this game I didn't feel satisfied and haven't done another full run since.

The most breathtaking gaming experience of my life. This game changed the way I play games, and taught me patience. It challenged me to use my natural human ability to learn. I will hold this game inside my heart forever.
My first playthrough is highlighted by community engagement with other players, discovering new information and secrets about the game as I went. It was also full of moments of complete defeat and desperation, contrasted by the ecstacy of overcoming a challenge that truly cannot be compared. An excitement I will likely never experience again.

it’s crazy how this game came out slightly before Skyrim and yet does so many things soooo much better. I feel like it simultaneously feels more and less dated in terms of the world and overall presentation of the game in some ways..

I’ve never really understood people who complained about blackreach, and I know for a fact that they have never been to blighttown. It really does make Skyrim look like a game that was build for babies (which it is but I guess that just makes me a baby)

It’s also INSANE…!!!!!!…!!!.!.!.!!!
that we have gotten ds2, 3, bloodborne, sekiro AND Elden Ring which are all masterpieces of games in their own right that are incredibly fleshed out and surpassingly impactful and innovative each in their own ways while we have seen NOTHING OF SUBSTANCE WHATSOEVER from the elder scrolls in this time… actually blows my mind it just isn’t close at all. From/bethesda are not even close to being on the same level , honestly just sell the elder scrolls IP to someone who actually cares, or just wait around until the Skyrim modders just make it themselves

Maybe I will give it a 10 once I finally beat it someday. This game has certainly made me understand where Skyrim falls short as a game. Dark souls maybe the most unmatched dark fantasy atmosphere of all time.

9/10 I’m gonna go play morrowind

i owe you an apology miyazaki, i wasnt really familiar with your game

i have learned to love dark souls. the atmosphere is great, the way the world is connected is amazing, and i love the combat system. almost everything is amazing, except lost izalith which is the worst shit ever.

o&s and gwyn are awesome. pretty much every boss is. excellent game.