Enjoy this masterpiece of a game. This is absolutely one of the best games made this generation!
Genre: RPG/Action-Adventure
Developer: From Software/Namco
System: Steam (PC)
Total Score: 94/100
Value Score: 9.4/10
• Story: 10/10
o Dark Souls' story takes place in kingdom of Lordran where the player plays as a undead commonly named as "The Chosen Undead" to take a pilgrimage to become the next ruler of the realm. Majority of the lore of the storyline is explained through character dialogue, item descriptions and various cutscenes. However even with all the clues given to the player , the outcome or view of the overall result is up to the player which is a unique way to interpret the storyline.
• Characters: 9/10
o You'll find a colorful cast of characters in this dark toned game. Ranging from the undead to cursed souls, demons of the abyss and even humans who have lost their way. As soon as you start the game you are given the choice to customize your character - their overall appearance/class, their facial features, their age, etc. You can create various types of characters to your own taste as the customization options in the game are quite well detailed compared to most other RPGs similar to Dark Souls.
• GamePlay: 10/10
o Dark Souls' gameplay is similar to a WRPG more than a JRPG. However there are some notable differences that are exclusive to the Souls series. For one, you do not gain exp but souls from enemies defeated and from objects you find which can be used as consumables. You can use these souls not only to level up but to buy items such as consumables and equips. Each level up you gain you can increase a stat point to increase a certain attribute. Equipment force limitations upon your character via equipment load which is the amount of weight you can carry which can be increased by strength. You have two basic bars on your HUD - one for health which if it gets empty you will die and one for stamina which affects your performance on what you can do such as swinging a weapon, blocking, running and rolling. You can customize your character appearance wise and attribute wise no matter what class you choose in the beginning (which consists of variety set of classes that only affect your starting stats and a starting item - although it is recommended to get the master key unless you are thief). You can pretty much make a magic swordsman, a offensive two handed sword wielding sorceror or even a healing pyromancer. You'll eventually max out each stat because the limitation on the level goes beyond 700 and the chances of reaching that level is low in your first playthrough unless you do countless grind for days and days. When you begin the game, you'll be pretty much by yourself with basic equipment (but no sword or shield) - you will have to travel around in the tutorial area and eventually fight the tutorial boss thus enabling you to actually start the game. There are bonfires which you can use to heal your character, fix your character's gear up, level up, warp and even turn human which plays a major role in the overall gameplay. You can turn into a human via consuming "Humanities" which can be obtained from certain enemies or from finding them as you play. You can use the humanities for a few things such as turning into human (which will enable PVP and invasions), allow you to get immunities increased depending on the number of humanities you have consumed via a number counter on your HUD, and to rekindle your estus flask which is what you use for healing). Invasions occur via lag you can feel and your enemy will be in red, when you are invaded, the monsters will support your enemy but your enemy can die from the various obstacles and traps that affect you. Your enemy will be red and can be noticeable from afar if they are damaged. You can also get help by summoning different players to help you in fights against invaders or to simply play within a certain dungeon or area. Items range from weapons, armor, healing consumables, soul consumables, arrows, and other sorts of items. Equipment can get damaged from being used which you can fix via blacksmith or a certain item you get on a bonfire. There are various ways to attack enemies - each weapon has their own swing style, speed and range. You can do different type of "Skills" depending on where you are facing and what you push - which can make you backstab, kick a enemy to startle them or any other tactic.
• Graphics: 9/10
o Dark Souls' graphics are dark toned and well detailed. From the forests you wander through, from the sewers you will prowl through, the treacherous rooftops, and the abyss. There are a few beautiful places where the game's visual design is shown to be at its best and will leave you at awe. The PC Port however has a issue in the beginning where the overall game is limited to 30 FPS and the resolution being at a lower resolution than it should of - which can all be fixed through a fix that is well known and common around online.
• Sound: 9/10
o Dark Souls' focuses on mainly sound effects which are nice and refined - you will feel like you are in the atmosphere in the game. From enemies scratching and clanking across, traps going off, and the dark sorrowful voices you will hear amongst the many characters you will encounter will send shivers down your spine.
• Music: 7/10
o Music isnt that common in Dark Souls unless you are in a boss battle or in a cutscene but when you are some of the most amazing tracks can be heard. The famous Motoi Sakuraba who is the music composer for the Star Ocean, Valkyrie Profile and Tales Of Series is the one who designed the music for the game and it fits well.
• Length: 9/10
o You will more than likely be involved with at least 30-40 hours learning the long path of the game. There will be many areas, corridors and traps to go through - you'll also be busy countering and fighting all sorts of enemies that will sneak up on you - which will take some practice and some strategy to defeat some of them. All in all, a hefty amount of things can be done especially thanks to the addition of the DLC content which adds several more hours to the overall gameplay.
• Replay Value: 10/10
o Dark Souls' replay value is possibly the best aspect in the entire game. You will be able to do a new game+ with your current character but be able to go through the same areas but fighting against stronger monsters and stronger players during invasions and pvp fights. There's also the addition of multiplayer with up to 2 additional players which will always add more to the replay value as it is a completely different experience especially if you play with a new player. The game also lets you customize your character however you want them to be to the point you can create a character that can go any build.
• Player Value: 10/10
o Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition is an amazing game and possibly one of the most hardest games ever made. You will enjoy the storyline/lore, the simple yet complex gameplay, the unforgiving difficulty, the epic music and the hilarious engine that the game runs on. With the addition of a New Game+ and multiplayer feature, the replay value for this game is simply one of the best seen in a RPG and to top it off you have a reasonable amount of hours that can be placed in the game and it comes with a famous composer's music that will bring more than likely more than nostalgia to some players. The amount you can do with your character, changing their play style, fighting style and amongst other things will keep you coming back again and again especially with a addicting PVP experience.