Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition
Release Date: September 22, 2011
RPG, TPP, fantasy, sandbox, co-op, action RPG, soulslike, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Steam
An action RPG set in a dark fantasy world. It has been developed by the Japanese From Software studio, known from e.g. Ninja Blade, Demon’s Souls, and the Armored Core series. The story of Dark Souls takes place in a grim universe, greatly resembling the medieval age. The plot in scarcely depicted, and the players take role of an undead character, whose actions will shape the fate of the world.
Dark Souls for PC, X360 and PS3 is an action-RPG set in a dark fantasy universe. The game was developed by From Software Studios, the authors of Demon's Souls, an extremely demanding representative of the same genre that won the hearts of PlayStation 3 owners in 2009.
Story
Dark Souls for PC, X360 and PS3 is set in the universe designed to resemble a medieval fantasy and actually draws inspiration from various themes. Again, these are, among others: knights and kings, death and the underworld, or fire and chaos. In contrast with the previous work of From Software Studios, the game area of Dark Souls was not divided into separate levels. Instead, you can enjoy seamless travelling between different zones and large locations – you can actually go to whatever place you see on the screen. This way the developers emphasized the role of exploration and created more complex locations (built not only horizontally but also vertically). In the game you can again delve into dark corridors of castles or abandoned undergrounds, without having any detailed map on your hand. The walkthrough takes approximately 60 hours.
Gameplay
Dark Souls gameplay model is almost identical to the one known from Demon's Souls. The game starts from character creation. You get to choose sex, appearance, name, and class. The last of these elements is just a suggestion, since every character can be developed in any way without following some pre-set guidelines.
In the game you use a lot of different weapons, dozens of which are brand new. Each of them offers unique attacks and character animations, whereas much depends on the proficiency of your nameless hero and whether he holds the weapon in one or two hands. The creators also improved the physics engine, which can often be used to gain the upper hand over the enemy. Moreover, the hero is able to wield magic to his advantage (spells and miracles). Again, souls of defeated opponents serve both as a currency as well as experience points.
Game modes
Once more, an important role in Dark Souls for PC, X360 and PS3 plays co-op (calling other players for help) and competitive gameplay (challenges), as well as watching other players’ deaths and reading messages they left. In this way, you can learn a little more about the universe around you. The explorers of the Dark Souls universe can also affect one another’s fate. In this way, the developer tried to recreate the atmosphere of classic RPG’s (e.g. Dragon Quest), where everyone played on their own, but exchanged their experience with others.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
Last Update: February 15, 2012
Dark Souls Game Guide & Walkthrough
Dark Souls. They say that it is the most difficult game of the generation and it made many people’s heads turn grey. Indeed, a production by From Software is uncompromising, absolute, scant in hints and multithreaded.
Videos and Screens
[1:07] Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition Launch Trailer
[1:43] Dark Souls GC 2012 Prepare to Die Edition trailer
The main pros of the game
- Challenging Gameplay: Many players appreciate the game's difficulty and the sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming tough bosses and challenges. The game is often described as deeply satisfying when players finally succeed after numerous attempts.
- Atmosphere and World Design: The game is praised for its unique and immersive environments, filled with atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. The interconnected world and lore are also highlighted as strong points.
- Nostalgia and Classic Status: As a classic title, it holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers, with some players expressing that it is one of the best games they've ever played.
- Variety of Playstyles: The game allows for different character builds and playstyles, which adds to its replayability and depth.
The main cons of the game
- Technical Issues: Several users mentioned that the game is capped at 60fps and has controller dependency, which can detract from the experience, especially on PC. There are also reports of key binding issues that frustrate players.
- Slow Mechanics: The gameplay mechanics are described as slow, which can be infuriating during combat. Players noted that actions like drinking Estus or recovering from being knocked down can feel sluggish and lead to frustrating moments.
- Learning Curve: While many embrace the challenge, some players found the learning curve steep and the game difficult to approach without prior knowledge or guides.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Multiplayer and Online Features: Some players expressed disappointment that the online components, such as multiplayer interactions, were missing in this version of the game, which they feel detracts from the overall experience.
- Customization Options: There are complaints about the lack of flexibility in controls and character builds, with some players feeling they were "backed into a corner" with their choices, leading to frustration in boss fights.
- Modern Quality of Life Improvements: Reviews suggest that the game shows its age, and players often recommend the remastered version for improvements in frame rate, controls, and overall gameplay fluidity.
Summary
- Overall, "DARK SOULS?: Prepare To Die? Edition" is viewed as a classic with a mix of deep challenge and rewarding gameplay, but it also suffers from technical shortcomings and outdated mechanics that can frustrate new players.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 4320 votes. 489 players anticipated the game.
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in Souls Game Series
Game Series
Souls Series
A series of action RPGs, enjoying a cult status among many players. Japanese studio FromSoftware is responsible for its creation, and the entire series is inextricably linked with Hidetaka Miyazaki, who served as production director for most installments.
8 video games
Dark Souls Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows August 21, 2012
PlayStation 3 September 22, 2011
Xbox 360 October 4, 2011
Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Dark Souls System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Core 2 Duo 2.6 GHz, 1 GB RAM (2 GB RAM - Vista/7), graphic card 512 MB (GeForce 8800 GT or better), 4 GB HDD, Windows XP/Vista/7
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