Rather than review it normally, here is a chronicle of my first five runs. Know that I ranked it a 5, not because it's perfect, but because of how I feel about it
#1
This game is a clunky, muddled, overrated mess. They explain nothing, they set you up to fail, and the visual quality is awful. There must be some cognitive dissonance going on with you people to enjoy something so unfun. (couldn't beat Taurus Demon, lol)
#2
Never thought I would actually say this, but not only did I beat Dark Souls, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Don't let people tell you "if you die, it's your fault" or "tough, but fair", I got killed plenty of times by clipping or some glitch or other. (Not to mention some awful platforming 😆). But all that being said, the game is unmissable. Sure, the difficulty is high, but less from combat, more from being obtuse. The next move is rarely obvious, even frustrating, but constantly rewarding. Developing your skills, discovering new locales, triumphing over a challenge; these things are inimitable. After Sekiro, Bloodborne, and Souls 1, I am a FromSoftware fan. Praise the Sun.
#3
Mage build IS easy mode. Somehow Gwyn, Lord of Cinder gave me trouble. Still love this game though.
#4
Third time beating it this year. Still not easy. I love it. I'm a full-on fan, but this game is NOT perfect. The Anor Londo rooftops, O & S fight remains unfair and kinda shitty tbh, the Crystal Cave run to Seath with a curse on, Lost Izalith and the mf'ing Bed of Chaos is a joke. Some of it is so wack that cheesing it seems perfectly fair. I'm also going to say that Fromsoftware seems to craft minimal, yet immediately lovable side characters with stories that seem impossible to progress organically. They disappear to random locations, require some secret item, or bizarre timeline of interacting with others thats completely counterintuitive. It's beyond cryptic and it's disappointing. All that being said, natural progression remains some of the most satisfying in gaming, exploration is still awe-inspiring, and the circular verticality of the level design is still fascinating. Definitely worth a play, definitely real greatness, but holy hell is it a shit sandwich in places.
#5
I went from hating this game the first time I tried it to beating it four times within the last year. I cannot get enough. Top five of all-time, for sure. Played the DLC for the first time and it's thoroughly dope. Artorias, Kalameet, and Manus are superb bosses. Absolutely worth playing. By the way, Black Knight Halberd completely breaks the game. Easiest run through it yet. Final boss, first try.
If there is any part of you that wants to try it, expect to be crushed. Know that the more you push through the walls, the more you'll love it. Don't be ashamed to ask for tips or look at a guide. Avoid the graveyard at the beginning, level VIT END and STR and never RES, kill the dogs first, try tongue but whole, and don't fat roll.
And whatever you do, don't go Hollow, my friend.
#1
This game is a clunky, muddled, overrated mess. They explain nothing, they set you up to fail, and the visual quality is awful. There must be some cognitive dissonance going on with you people to enjoy something so unfun. (couldn't beat Taurus Demon, lol)
#2
Never thought I would actually say this, but not only did I beat Dark Souls, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Don't let people tell you "if you die, it's your fault" or "tough, but fair", I got killed plenty of times by clipping or some glitch or other. (Not to mention some awful platforming 😆). But all that being said, the game is unmissable. Sure, the difficulty is high, but less from combat, more from being obtuse. The next move is rarely obvious, even frustrating, but constantly rewarding. Developing your skills, discovering new locales, triumphing over a challenge; these things are inimitable. After Sekiro, Bloodborne, and Souls 1, I am a FromSoftware fan. Praise the Sun.
#3
Mage build IS easy mode. Somehow Gwyn, Lord of Cinder gave me trouble. Still love this game though.
#4
Third time beating it this year. Still not easy. I love it. I'm a full-on fan, but this game is NOT perfect. The Anor Londo rooftops, O & S fight remains unfair and kinda shitty tbh, the Crystal Cave run to Seath with a curse on, Lost Izalith and the mf'ing Bed of Chaos is a joke. Some of it is so wack that cheesing it seems perfectly fair. I'm also going to say that Fromsoftware seems to craft minimal, yet immediately lovable side characters with stories that seem impossible to progress organically. They disappear to random locations, require some secret item, or bizarre timeline of interacting with others thats completely counterintuitive. It's beyond cryptic and it's disappointing. All that being said, natural progression remains some of the most satisfying in gaming, exploration is still awe-inspiring, and the circular verticality of the level design is still fascinating. Definitely worth a play, definitely real greatness, but holy hell is it a shit sandwich in places.
#5
I went from hating this game the first time I tried it to beating it four times within the last year. I cannot get enough. Top five of all-time, for sure. Played the DLC for the first time and it's thoroughly dope. Artorias, Kalameet, and Manus are superb bosses. Absolutely worth playing. By the way, Black Knight Halberd completely breaks the game. Easiest run through it yet. Final boss, first try.
If there is any part of you that wants to try it, expect to be crushed. Know that the more you push through the walls, the more you'll love it. Don't be ashamed to ask for tips or look at a guide. Avoid the graveyard at the beginning, level VIT END and STR and never RES, kill the dogs first, try tongue but whole, and don't fat roll.
And whatever you do, don't go Hollow, my friend.