There was a time when I adored this game. Well, not specifically the Remastered edition but the "Prepare to Die PC Edition". It was 6 years ago when I beat Gwyn for the first time. Yes, it was practically unplayable on the keyboard/mouse but I was a stubborn motherfucker.
Since then, I replayed the PTD edition a few times. I remember how I beat Manus for the first time, spending a few hours, only because I was going full sorcerer and DLC bosses are all very much immune to magic damage. A few years later the Remastered version was released, which is far more functional. But. With each return to the world of Lordran, my opinion of the game got worse. From the masterpiece to the good to the mediocrity.
Now, I understand why the first DS is held in such a high regard — groundbreaking game design, fundamental gameplay, iconic score, and "unique" storytelling. It is, basically, the better version of Demon's Souls. And I'm sure it is. But for me, after all the years, the game doesn't hold up as well as I hoped it would. There's nothing new I could find on the new playthroughs. I was a STR-knight, I was a DEX-thief, I was an INT-sorcerer, and a pyromancer. There's no difficulty for me here. Every boss (except for Bed of Chaos; I'll return to it a bit later) falls on the first try, be it Asylum Demon, or Manus, Father of the Abyss. I'm not bragging about my skills here, I'm complaining about the simplicity of the game. With that said, "easy bosses" isn't the biggest problem.
I died more from trying to stick to the ground than fighting mobs. This motherfucker Miyazaki must be proud of himself for creating such "wonderful" landscapes and levels. I just hate him for approving it. Why would you make a fuck-knows-how moving bridge in Blight City? Why would you create the whole Hollow location?? What's the point of darkness in Tomb of the Giants??? And with that, there are a few builds worth checking out. Practically every questline is boring. I may be complaining for dumb reasons (as if I'm a casual player), but at least I kill fucking Artorias on my first try. Anyway, these are still not the biggest complaints.
A fucking Bed of Chaos. THE WORST BOSS EVER CREATED. This is my biggest complaint. I may have killed Malenia on my 70-ish try on the first playthrough but at least she has a fucking moveset that is comprehensible, and with every new playthrough it's easier to fight her. Bed of Chaos, on the other hand, is a nightmare. A random, nerve-wracking bullshit of a boss. Fuck anybody who conceived and programmed it, and I mean it.
Apart from my hatred towards the locations, they are undeniably beautiful in their ways and very atmospheric. But it's not the kind of atmosphere I'd cherish. I like the vibes of DS2 and DS3 more.
Since then, I replayed the PTD edition a few times. I remember how I beat Manus for the first time, spending a few hours, only because I was going full sorcerer and DLC bosses are all very much immune to magic damage. A few years later the Remastered version was released, which is far more functional. But. With each return to the world of Lordran, my opinion of the game got worse. From the masterpiece to the good to the mediocrity.
Now, I understand why the first DS is held in such a high regard — groundbreaking game design, fundamental gameplay, iconic score, and "unique" storytelling. It is, basically, the better version of Demon's Souls. And I'm sure it is. But for me, after all the years, the game doesn't hold up as well as I hoped it would. There's nothing new I could find on the new playthroughs. I was a STR-knight, I was a DEX-thief, I was an INT-sorcerer, and a pyromancer. There's no difficulty for me here. Every boss (except for Bed of Chaos; I'll return to it a bit later) falls on the first try, be it Asylum Demon, or Manus, Father of the Abyss. I'm not bragging about my skills here, I'm complaining about the simplicity of the game. With that said, "easy bosses" isn't the biggest problem.
I died more from trying to stick to the ground than fighting mobs. This motherfucker Miyazaki must be proud of himself for creating such "wonderful" landscapes and levels. I just hate him for approving it. Why would you make a fuck-knows-how moving bridge in Blight City? Why would you create the whole Hollow location?? What's the point of darkness in Tomb of the Giants??? And with that, there are a few builds worth checking out. Practically every questline is boring. I may be complaining for dumb reasons (as if I'm a casual player), but at least I kill fucking Artorias on my first try. Anyway, these are still not the biggest complaints.
A fucking Bed of Chaos. THE WORST BOSS EVER CREATED. This is my biggest complaint. I may have killed Malenia on my 70-ish try on the first playthrough but at least she has a fucking moveset that is comprehensible, and with every new playthrough it's easier to fight her. Bed of Chaos, on the other hand, is a nightmare. A random, nerve-wracking bullshit of a boss. Fuck anybody who conceived and programmed it, and I mean it.
Apart from my hatred towards the locations, they are undeniably beautiful in their ways and very atmospheric. But it's not the kind of atmosphere I'd cherish. I like the vibes of DS2 and DS3 more.