From Software’s long awaited sequel for what has been deemed the hardest and most unforgiving game of this generation is about to be released and it’s just as punishing as ever!
Now I’m one of those people who’ve heard the hype but haven’t played the original title Demon Souls out of fear for my own sanity. It wasn’t until I got the chance to go hands of with Dark Souls that I regretted that decision.
I’ll be honest, with the short time I had with this title I died enough times to fill a graveyard. You know what though? I enjoyed every minute of it! I did expect to get unbelievably frustrated over the constant deaths but there’s something so gratifying about succeeding over such harsh difficulty. Its drives you forward as you learn from your mistakes and dive in for another shot.
At a glance Dark Souls employs a more diverse and colourful pallet than its parent title. Visually, environments are stunning, vast and immersive. Characters models are detailed and beautifully modeled – bar faces, but let’s face facts if you’re playing this game you’ll be too concerned with surviving to cater to your characters vanity points.
Boss monsters have a truly epic feel to them. In most cases they dwarf your character at by at least 3 times your height. In some cases you will see them ahead waiting for you in an almost arrogant fashion, while others will appear at a moment’s notice.
Gameplay takes a bit of getting used to. Pausing is frustratingly non-existent due to online play and taking a moment to recover your health at a camp fire results in all monsters on the map being revived. You will want to make sure that you master the control scheme as one incorrect movement can be the difference between success and becoming another corpse scattered across the level. Don’t say I haven’t warned you!
Dark Souls continues the tradition of unyielding difficulty and I applaud it for that. If you played Demon Souls you’re in for a real treat. If you haven’t? Just remember every death is a lesson and you damn well better learn from it.
Dark Souls unleashes itself upon Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 on October 6.
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