Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition PC
User Score
7.0 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 849 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 570 out of 849
  2. Mixed: 49 out of 849
  3. Negative: 230 out of 849

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  1. Andrew_Paterson
    May 18, 2013
    2
    Sometimes I wonder why I haven't learned to read meta critic user reviews BEFORE buying a game.

    Dark Souls is probably an awesome game provided you're not playing the shoddy PC port. But I'm getting ahead of myself and before I start ranting about how terrible the game-play is I must walk you through the issues in trying to get to game-play. Firstly there was the wait for the Steam key     it took about a week to acquire which is long in the digital age but livable. Then I had endless issues with Windows Live. I have windows live installed and working for other games but for Dark Souls it crashed and/or battled to sign in. Sadly you need Windows Live to save. I sorted Windows Live out and finally got into the game. Or thought I had: I got bogged down in the awful, awful character creation interface and then got stuck watching a long unskippable cinematic followed immediately by another long unskippable cinematic.

    I finally get to play but have very little good will left after the preceding mess. And then I discover that the controls are broken. A keyboard and mouse are not recommend and can't be used anyway as the mouse sensitivity on it's lowest setting will see a tiny bump swing the character through ninety degrees. An XBox controller (which is recommended) doesn't work because the button configurations are mangled and can't be re-configured. A genuine XBox controller on a genuine windows operating system (Win 7) and somehow the Dark Souls developers got the button mappings wrong.

    This game is broken.

    I finally quit in frustration. Or tried to. Because the controls are mangled there was no way to get back to a menu to save and quit; I had kill the process instead. Now every time I launch the game it chastises me for not closing it correctly.

    After installing various fan patches I got the game to a playable (and decently looking) state and unfortunately discovered that after all the effort I'd gone through the game play is terrible.

    The premise is that Dark Souls is unforgiving and will kill you again and again until you play cautiously which is awesome. I've been looking for a challenging game for years.

    The reality is the game killed me again and again as the camera seldom points anywhere useful and I stepped off ledges I couldn't see. Or the character locks onto an enemy far behind him and stops me from blocking an enemy immediately in-front. A stabbed in the back instant kill.

    Absolutely nothing about Dark Souls is good or even working.    … Expand
  2. laggypancakes
    May 15, 2013
    10
    The port is far from perfect but the game is incredible. Mods really help this game shine (fps unlocking, remapping keys, textures etc).

    PvE:

    There are tons of different weapons/spells/armors and play styles to chose from, a healthy amount of upgrade options, and a constant fear of each enemy you face. The game requires patience, intelligence, and strategy from the player ranging fro    m each trash mob pull to mini bosses to the actual bosses. Another great part for me was the fact that the game does 0 hand holding. You are dropped off into this world without a clue of what to do and very sparse clues of where to go- just like you would be if you were truly this character.

    Honestly though I think the best part of this game was how they handled player death. When you die all of your accumulated money/experience is dropped at the spot you died. There is a blood splatter on the floor and a great aura hovering over the spot. In order to restore your lost money/exp you must get back to that same spot without dying again. When you are successful you don't suffer at all- but when you aren't the game punishes you by making you "grind it out" on the trash mobs if you want it back. You always keep your items though which is nice.

    Another refreshing aspect was how they handled damage mitigation and potions. When you block damage you can block all of it if you have a solid shield or you can parry attacks with a lower weight shield (none of which can block %100 of damage so you have to choose your style). Now when you block damage it gets taken away from your endurance which regenerates very slowly while holding block. Attacking, dodging, and blocking all require a decent chunk of endurance so your timing and strategy need to be on point.

    The potion aspect was also pretty cool- you are vulnerable while drinking so again you have to time it right. In addition to that you get potion refills to X amount (as well as magic refills) at every "save point" which are spread pretty sparsely throughout the game. You can also spend some experience points (humanity really, not souls) to increase that amount of potions you get at a certain fire and eventually increase the max number of potions you can carry. Potions in this game are genuinely helpful and not game-breaking or useless like in a lot of games.

    PvP/Co-Op:

    PvP is pretty good in this game- I liked how when you allow Co-Op games you MUST also allow yourself to be invaded (pvp). The biggest problem with this is that there are "pvp specific" builds that will lower the overall level of invading players in almost a "twink" manner that seems to discourage building a well-rounded player for PvE.

    One great part about online play is that you can write and read messages from other players.

    The graphics aren't mind blowing but the art style is pretty well done. Nothing in the game really felt all that cheesy either to be honest.

    This game has some flaws no doubt but it's an absolutely incredible experience.    … Expand
  3. tingham
    May 13, 2013
    9
    Probably the best RPG I've played in the last 5 years. The first thirty minutes or so I had this dreadful feeling that I'd just wasted thirty bones on a pile of rubbish. After sticking with it for a bit longer (and getting my first magical weapon) I'm completely hooked. Each battle feels like the consequences are dire; lack of rails means even the environment is an enemy to overcome. The game evokes the feeling of "old school" solo RPGs but presents in a very earnest and straightforward way the dismal lot of the undead.… Expand
  4. nJoe
    May 7, 2013
    10
    Giving this game a 10 is, for me, dependant on the following three conditions:

    1. Use a gamepad (xbox 360, ps3 controlers are fine). The game does not play well with keyboard and mouse but fantastically with a gamepad.

    2. Install dsfix for resolutions beyond 720p and fram rates above 30 fps. This will make the game look quite beautiful. Through this fix you can also disable depth of     field, which makes the game look much crisper. (There are excellent instructions included with the fix.)

    3. Install dscfix to improve your pve and pvp experience. Unfortunately the game uses peer-to-peer connections through Games of Windows Live for multiplayer and sometimes it can be very hard to establish connections. With this fix, you can easily connect to anyone with whom you are friends on GfWL.

    Some would argue that a game should be perfect "out of the box", but in this case the developer From Software had a very limited budget with which to port the game to the PC. Hence the lacking graphics features, for instance. Installing the mods is very easy though and it lets you enjoy the game to its fullest. As a gamer I don't mind doing my part to maximize my experience with a game.

    Story
    The game is very sparse in what it lets you know, but you can draw conclusions along the way and there are clues that will let you piece together some of the many curious things you see and hear during your travels through Lordaeron. Should you want to read them, there are excellent online articles that explain the story in detail. There is quite a bit of drama going on, both in the present and in the past.

    Graphics
    Out of the box, the game looks blurry and the frame rate is capped at 30 fps. You can fix this though with the above mentioned mod, dsfix, and once you have, it looks fantastic. All the armor and equipment is extremely well designed with amazing attention to detail. The enivironments are cleverly crafted with excellent atmosphere. At times you will dread even taking a single step forward.

    Sound
    The sound is rather minimalistic, but in a fitting way. Heavier armor makes noise when you run or roll, weapons sound realistic when they hit enemies, shields, walls etc. There is not a lot of music, as the environments speak a lot for themselves, but the boss battles.. well, you'll see.

    Gameplay
    PVE: The game is about knowing what you're up against and a certain amount of skill. So expect a stiff challenge early on. The level design is great because it allows you to explore the world in a non-linear fashion. You may wander off in a direction that sets up against brutal enemies and that is usually a sign that perhaps you should go elsewhere for the time being. There are, however, hints in the game as to where you should go, albeit in loose terms.

    Bosses are well designed for the most part and some of them are very difficult initially. It can take a while to nail down a boss fight, but stay with it because eventually you will figure out what you need to do.

    There is plenty of gear and spells to be had by finding secret places, and getting there is a lot more rewarding if you managed it yourself by way of exploration. One awesome aspect of Dark Souls is the many different paths you can take with your character's development. Do you like to wield fast rapiers, long spears, huge two-handed weapons, or perhaps fist weapons? You can specialize in whatever you like and upgrade your favorite weapons along numerous paths such as lightning, magic, faith, occult, fire and chaos. Then there's magic as well, two different schools (three, kind of, with the expansion which is included in the pc version). Armor comes in tons of variations as well and in the end not too many characters in Dark Souls will ever look the same. Some even follow guides to outfit their characters like favorite characters from other games, such as Castlevania. There is no limit to the amount of awesome builds and ideas you can come up with, and this becomes even more intriguing PVP.

    PVP and Co-op: This is where the game gets really interesting after a while. Initially it can be very annoying, however, as you can get invaded and killed by fellow players. The good thing is you can summon others to help you and you can let them summon you into their playthroughs. Is a boss giving you all you can handle and more? Summon a friendly phantom, bow to it when it appears and go to town on the boss! There will come a time when you realize what areas are prone to invasion and you might even linger there for some good duels. Depending on how you built your character, you will fare well or badly versus certain builds. It's a bit of rock-paper-scissor, but your skill will go a long way and since you can have multiple weapons, shields and spells equipped to change around, you will have a fair bit of flexibility.There is a lot more to PVP and co-operation in Dark Souls but I'll let you find out the rest for yourself.

    There is no space for rounding this off properly. So, GLFH!     … Expand
  5. frast2012
    May 4, 2013
    8
    Gra z klimatem, ciekawym systemem walki, do tego najcięższa gra na tą generację konsol. Szkoda że twórcy obmyśleli tylko poziom trudności. Gra wygląda fatalnie, do tego fabuła nie ma nic wyjątkowego, a gra dużo więcej niż trudny poziom i ciekawy system walki nie posiada. Jest do tego nie dopracowana i kiepsko zrobiona na PC. Jest to jednak dobra gra, którą można polecić każdemu graczowi ktażdemu graczowi który chce porządnego wyzwania. Moja ocena 8/10… Expand
  6. Mudomo
    May 3, 2013
    9
    *this review does not talk about the PC port, just the game itself*
    I would have given this game an 8 if not for how much time I poured into it. This is one of my favorite games ever. I would recommend this to anyone who is willing to take a challenge, and after that challenge is over have a very fun experience doing PvP and the like. The art direction in this game is top notch, and the c    haracter design is just awesome. While the controls may be a bit clunky, they are easy to get used to and the combat system is very unique and fun. I also love the level design and how connected through shortcuts the certain areas are. Now I have to mention the bosses. While some bosses are at a perfect difficulty level (Capra Demon, Quelaag, Ornstein and Smough, The Four Kings), I was able to recollect around 7-8 that I consider MUCH too easy. These bosses can be beat on the first try if you understand the game, and are all around too damn easy. This game was close to a 10 but there are little flaws and then big ones such as the fluctuating difficulty which rounds it down to a 9. Still, a 9 is an amazing score and I would recommend this game to almost anyone.… Expand
  7. llamayarmybar
    Apr 30, 2013
    5
    Even with the mods available to fix most of the terrible things about this port, it still hardly does it any real savory justice. The crippling thirty frames per second cap is hardly worth bending your will around (with mods of course) and alters none of the tedium, aside from adding some completely game breaking glitches if you choose to set it any higher than thirty. One salvation touted as truly "re-defining" the Dark Souls PC experience, is the support of new textures from the community that can be used in the game. Of course every time you utilize this feature to load up a nice new high definition texture you get a very unwelcome frame drop of five to fifteen frames per second over a course of ten to fifteen (or much longer) seconds. Though a wonderful attempt at remedying so many of the vast problems, mods alone do not fix this game. Having only played the single player game and gotten all the way through to the ending, one has to ponder what exactly comes after Dark Souls. The fact that new game plus opens up hardly anything much different than before is rather embarrassing. Sure the difficulty is padded and most of the enemies are much tougher than before, but that's hardly fun really. Anyone can tell you that souls stop mattering after new game plus two or three. Their were also far too many weapons that could basically get you through the entire game without much trouble (and not surprisingly could be used on new game plus). Couple all of these negative features with some tedious boss fights and you have yourself a game that is much worse than Demons Souls. Its certainly far less original, though it may be survived simply because of its online base which naturally- loves the game to pieces. And how could I blame them? Its an incredible experience. Online of course.… Expand
  8. Senten
    Apr 30, 2013
    10
    It's been a long time since a RPG kept me that heavily.

    You awake as an undead in a dungeon cell, jailed to wait for the end of the world, as someone unknown throws the key to the cell's door in front of your feet. From now on you are alone in an hostile world and you have to figure out why you have been chosen to be freed from the Abyss.

    There is no story being narrated in Dark Soul    s. There might be people that miss it but in my humble opinion it is the way a real role playing game should be. You experience the story on your own, you write it yourself. And the world around you with all its creatures and humans is so authentic that you easily can imagine what might have happened to this damned landscape.

    Dark Souls is not a game for casual players, it offers a lot but claims even more and is really difficult. I know people that played the game some hours and threw it furiously shouting into the next corner. But on the other hand I also know people that loved exactly this challenge. And during about 90 hours of average playtime there is a lot to beat and even more in the New Game+, because there are contents that you can only reach in the second play-through.

    In Addition Dark Souls offers innovative online Coop- and PvP-Features that make the game worth playing it again and again.

    Pros:
    + Beautiful Design
    + very atmospheric
    + challenging difficulty (while staying fair)
    + Coop capability
    + varied and innovative PvP features
    + rewarding
    + there is a lot you can do wrong (decisions) but better in the next play-through

    Cons:
    - It is pretty hard to play coop with a specific friend if you do not know how the coop system works
    - there is no native 1080p resolution
    - a game-pad is definitely required

    Hint: There are patches made by the community that add features like 1080p resolution and coop-mode optimizations. Just search for "DSfix" and "DSCfix".

    Conclusion: Dark Souls is really a bad console port but such a good role playing game, so that those small issues are of no consequence for me, especially because they have been fixed by the community.

    I recommend this game to everyone, who loves challenging role-playing-games with a gloomy atmosphere and owns a game-pad.

    I rate it 10/10. It is just that good.    … Expand
  9. f0rdragon
    Apr 28, 2013
    7
    very good game with a lot of potential but poorly executed.low fps,terrible pc port and don't even bother to even test it without controller.some of the port problems can be fixed by dsfix but this isn't an excuse for these major problems.the game is jekyll and hyde.
  10. Maxwanko
    Apr 27, 2013
    0
    This PC Port is a crime. Unplayable. I spent hours trying to get this game to work after purchasing it on Steam. I downloaded mods from the community. It remained a clunky piece of junk, and the partial controller support did nothing to help the play experience. Screen resolution was not modifiable. I'm sure the console versions are great, but if the game is not playable, it is a zero.
  11. RuedR5566
    Apr 27, 2013
    8
    this is a enjoyable game, although the story line is single, you can still make some choice, and some reaction with NPC. the fight in this game has a lot fun and to build ur character, such as upgrade state and chose equipmant.
  12. Potitoman
    Apr 25, 2013
    7
    Too much game! This game is easy to pick up but demands time, patience and diligence to master. The combat system is amazing. Simple but immensely deep and satisfying. Even the lowest ranking enemies will cut you to bits if you rush in or lose concentration. The world or Lordran is beautiful in a dark way. It's history and lore revealed only to those who seek it. The problem is that this game really does demand too much of you. If I were a teenager with nothing better to do, I would score this a 9 or 10, but as a married man that works and has two kids, this is too much. I don't have the time to go back and fight the same boss for the fifth time just to have my behind handed over to me.
    As a game, it's great. It is addictive as anything and very satisfying, but it does cross that line from being a game to feeling almost like a commitment. Too much for me.    … Expand
  13. ChunkySaurus
    Apr 21, 2013
    3
    This is just a terrible console port. I played with an XBox controller and the controls were still awful. If it had a plot or some interesting characters, I would endure the difficulty. However, there is no plot and the NPCs add nothing. The main character has no back story either. So after dying for the third time on the same common enemies, I started to question why I wanted to play any further. I couldn't find a good reason. It seems like console gamers have some pretty low expectations if they believe this is one of the best games "of this generation".… Expand
  14. Gabcd
    Apr 19, 2013
    4
    Horrible controller integration. Lots of user made fixes (that you have to figure out).

    Once you get to play the game, it doesn't look interesting enough to make you want to play.

    I'm sure this game is a lot of fun to most(some) people, but I am willing to uninstall this game without having played more than the couple minutes it takes to get past the first "boss".

    A waste of money to me.
  15. kbl1983
    Apr 16, 2013
    0
    The Bad 1. Terrible port 2. Stressful for beginners 3. Can get PKed while online 4.Wheres a map?? 5. Poor character creation 6. NEED XBOX CONTROLLER TO EVEN PLAY! 7. Almost unplayable with keyboard and mouse "headache" 8. Tough as hell so cant rush through and will be chased down 9. YOU WILL DIE ALOT or "Prepare To Die" so not a stress free game The Good..... 1. Was able to make it playable with some download fixes… Expand
  16. Mastrolindo
    Apr 12, 2013
    10
    Here it is "Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition". Well i've got to say the porting sucks. EXTREMELY. I had even some problem's with GFWL but then with some help of the forum i resolved it. I don't agree with the ones that say it sucks only because of the porting and they say you CANNOT mod the game... i did and is not so difficoult they just must be retarded what can i say D:. Talking about the game is just as it is on console only with a new area the Abyss and some new bosses like Artorias. So if you liked it on Console and you want it for PC for the new content or because you never played it feel free to buy it!!! Just install Durante DSfix and the bad porting by FROM SOFTWARE will be resolved! And probably you will not encounter the problem i had with GFWL … Expand
  17. bob13bob
    Apr 10, 2013
    10
    There are issues to this port. Google: steam dark souls tweak. It will lead you to a guide which fixes many of hte problems. my graphics improved greatly, and fps improved greatly.

    Been gaming since chrono trigger on the Snes. In terms of best single player game, this ties with chrono trigger. In terms of best gameplay in a single player game, this is it. The game is hard, and yo    u learn by dying. And it's awesome. You have to pay attention to every fight, or you can die to the smallest creature. The combat is challenging. For the first time, I feel like I'm actually exploring. There is no map, so you have to pay attention to your surroundings.

    This is the first single player game I've send more then twenty hours playing in years. Others may be pretty, but theyare boring.    … Expand
  18. sekko2
    Apr 10, 2013
    10
    Best game yet. I have over 400 hours of game play.Finished like 7-9 times. 40-70% pvp.Dark souls has really rewarding single player.Very unique multiplayer.Almost all places have their own enemies only 1-2 places have same enemies.Boss fights are soo epic and hard.
  19. BladeStrike
    Apr 7, 2013
    7
    Simply put it is overrated. It can be challenging but there are plenty of harder games out there that have difficulty settings. This games difficulty is over-exaggerated greatly. Having played this myself I have to assume it only gained popularity because its not "mainstream". Fight the power, kids..!

    Its not a bad game though, just overrated, and my score of 7 suits it perfectly. I did    n't have any real problems with this port either.… Expand
  20. Creamwolf
    Apr 5, 2013
    10
    Must admit I raged hard at the game at first. I wanted to play with the Keyboard and Mouse.
    Ordered a USB controller online, And I have never been happier! The gameplay outshines all the flaws made while porting the game to PC.

    Only thing I'm still angry about, Must be that the description on some items are faulty; The Tiny beings ring for example does not regenerate health, It increas    es it.

    Even after the problems I had, I will give it a solid 10 out of 10. I really hope the next game will play as good as this.    … Expand
  21. madgoblin
    Mar 31, 2013
    10
    This game is an amazing game. Really, it is. It puts you into a world of endless impending doom, which is great for getting into the game. The game gives a tough challenge, and even though the game gets slightly bad in design near the end of the game, it still gives you a great atmosphere and a great experience, with heaps of re-playability.

    Don't be scared of the difficulty, and don't     be scared of the PC port. You can easily either download a mod or just play it, it will only hinder the experience slightly. The game also has great graphics, with good textures and some very good models, with detail in every inch of the environment.

    Even though the console port is sloppy, it really doesn't hinder the experience much. Play this game, and love it.    … Expand
  22. darkballz_pl
    Mar 31, 2013
    10
    Poor console port but the best RPG so far. This is how the RPG should be made, dark and bleak, however the controls can be pain in the ass. In some areas fight is really hard but yet enjoyable. Definitely challenging and absolute must-have for an RPG player.
  23. thangar
    Mar 30, 2013
    5
    I really want to like this game, I really do. I've played it before on a PS3, looked pretty neat, a couple days later, I saw it on sale at steam, and I make the poor decision to buy it.
    It's a good game, but PC port is just awful. Actually, it's worst than awful: It's just freakin' bad.
    Poor controllers, it's bad even with a XBOX360 Controller, I have no idea how they managed to do this.     Poor Resident-Evil-4-graphics, you can't even change the most basic graphic options, just resolution and antialising. Dumb controls: you have to surf through menus with the awful xbox360 controller D-pad (or should I say circle-pad?), and finally GFWL. Seriously? It's 2013 and still using GFWL?
    Don't buy this, spend your money in a better and well-made game.    … Expand
  24. Kaniya
    Mar 30, 2013
    9
    I really appreciate how namco bandai answered to that petition signed by pc gamers for the release of this game on this platform. They respected what people demanded and its really respectable to us as well. Dark Souls is a different kind of game where DEATH is part of the gamelpay. You die, you get punished, but u will get better. Dark Souls is a game where players choses their character based on the pre-defined classes and roll into a dark world which every corner of it holds a secret. Dark Souls its a semi open world and for you in order to finish the story must kill every boss in the game. you kill enemeis and gain souls, use souls to upgrade, use the BOSS souls to make weapon, Loot for better armor, try different weaposn and examine the enemies weak points, die and experiements till you learn the mechanism of the game thats the general formula. The world has a lot to explore and it might take you quiet long time to discover its secrets and you might still miss some of it :D this ediiton for the PC is packed with the DLC where the games takes place in another town. So actually you have a longer playthrough than the normal console version. the game roughly takes about 30-50 hours to complete for the first time. Gameplay is really awesome but its needs patience also so if you thing DARK SOULS is a hack and slash game do not go for it at all sadly graphics arent that much to hold up well with other PC titles, the resulations have problems and its just a scale up from 720 and its not a real 1080 if you want to run it on 1080. FPS is more smoother than the console version but its still a 30 FPS locked and sometimes it falls below but it doest hurts the gameplay that much. You also need a xbox controller to enjoy the game finally this game is an awesome experiece where you will feel the joy of victory,… Expand
  25. Giggerbar
    Mar 28, 2013
    9
    Dark souls: a game released in 2012 and still going strong with its iron fist

    This game will take your dignity and push you down in the dirt much like your ex girlfriend but you’ll always come crawling back to it later to see if she’s getting any nicer...Any way back to the game....

    With today’s fast paced gaming experiences with all its insta health regen systems and chest high wall    h walls, I feel that every self proclaimed gamer should take this game as an initiation to be allowed onto the online world of gaming so we wouldn’t end up with the screaming spoilt youth of today who need a good smack in the face...And so here we have Dark souls- Dark souls is a grand example of how games should be nowadays, this game really isn’t afraid to take out its iron fist and ram you senselessly for being reckless, unprepared or just generally stupid. You’ll always have to adjust your load out to effectively suit your environment and enemies alike, which is what you really want but still you may want to lube up that cavity of yours... Overall the scenery looks pretty; the controls work for the most part although the camera can be finicky at times so you may want to swap out your Texet for an analogue controller; It has plenty of areas to explore and with me being 98 hours in and still needing to kill 2 more bosses it is well worth the £15.00 I paid for it; although you will cuss shout and scream you will not be able to keep your hands off of it for it doesn’t ease up with its tight iron fist... 9/10 would bang Christopher Gillard
    P.s it can only run at a maximum of 30FPS which takes getting use to...    … Expand
  26. newprophet
    Mar 27, 2013
    10
    Great game greats people!!!! horror best rpg game. The best game-play I've played. The first game is sunk into the soul. Look forward to Dark Souls 2.
  27. Yutoh
    Mar 26, 2013
    10
    Plug in a controller, install the DSfix mod to play the game at 60fps, and enjoy this game as it was meant to be played. The Dark Souls/Demon's Souls games are some of my favorite games of all time. The challenge is very rewarding. The story isn't spoon-fed to the player like most other games out there. Instead, the player needs to be observant, investigate by talking to npcs, and look at item descriptions to uncover the many gems about the Dark Souls world. I have played this game on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. I will say the PC version is the best if you go through the 5 minutes of work to polish this game by installing dsfix. Make sure you read the readme before installing the mod! The only flaw this game has is the networking. It can be very difficult to connect to your friends worlds, but once you connect to them once, it is a lot easier to connect again.… Expand
  28. Xanthor
    Mar 22, 2013
    0
    With most PC console ports I am willing to see past the problems and try to enjoy the game. But this game is horrendous. The resolution is awful (even running 1920x1080). Never heard of camera smoothing? Then, several keys just won't bind. Finally, after painfully setting up the controls, attacking the undead creatures will result in hitting air to the left or right.

    Well, Bandai, enjoy    ing the easy money? How about completely redesigning the PC port and RESPECT one third of your customer base for a change? It could be a great game, but the port makes it a complete waste. By the way, there are more publishers that could (should) set the same example.… Expand
  29. owen445x
    Mar 21, 2013
    10
    I was getting so sick and tired of video games so dumbed down like Fable that I could murder everything in seconds. Finally a game where it sets the standards to the word difficulty. It doesn't care if you die and hate it and that is why I love it. I spent over 150 hours on the Xbox version and loved every minute of it. Some parts made me want to punch a baby right in the face because I died and lost all my progress, but that was my fault for not being more careful. I say if you can beat this game, then you deserve to be called a gamer.… Expand
  30. BAPACop
    Mar 21, 2013
    0
    A game at the very least needs to be playable with the controller for the system it is created for. Just like it would be incredibly stupid to require a PlayStation controller to play an Xbox game, it is incredibly stupid to require an Xbox controller to play a PC game. The controller for the PC is the keyboard and/or the mouse. This game can not be played with the keyboard and/or the mouse. Since this game therefore does not satisfy even the minimum requirements, I give it a 0/10.… Expand
  31. stitchmouth
    Mar 16, 2013
    9
    The game, when using a game pad and modded to unlock the proper video settings, runs absolutely beautifully. As a game overall, the DLC provides some new weapons and bosses which are amazingly fun fights. This would be a 10 except for the fact that the PC port was indeed terrible. Keep in mind that in Japan, PC gaming isn't a big thing, so developers don't often build for that. In this case, it definitely came back to bite them in the rump when they attempted their port.

    Some of the best and most precise controls of any game ever, beautiful visuals, amazing gameplay, and unique story told mostly through the description of in game items, makes this one for the ages.    … Expand
  32. AthanasiosT
    Mar 9, 2013
    1
    I really really tried to play this one. but when I play a PC game, I want to be able to play it as it's meant for PC. Meaning that this is a really bad console conversion. Mouse and keyboard have just decorative roles, even though I downloaded two extra moddings (1 for game and 1 for mouse controls). Framerate is awful and if you insist on using mouse control, the frames just hop like a frog. Too bad, because the game seemed very-very good....… Expand
  33. Primax
    Mar 3, 2013
    0
    Quite literally the worse console port I have ever encountered. Not only is the port quality terrible, the game forces you to use the god awful Games For Windows Live. I deeply regret buying this on steam and will be refunding it.
  34. xHarry777
    Feb 27, 2013
    9
    A terrible port can't ruin this masterpiece of a game. Being able to control every aspect of your character and game makes it one of the best RPGs out there.
  35. Garnog
    Feb 26, 2013
    9
    OK...I just got this game for the PC after months of indecision and reading mixed reviews. Ultimately, a bad case of boredom and Skyrim OD convinced me to pick it up. Well, wouldn't you know...this has become my current fave action/ rpg. The first thing I did (even before beginning the game) was to head on over to the Dark Souls Nexus and download the DSFix as well as a few other goodies like texture improvements, and some weapon re-skins. Holy crap, it looks and plays awesome! Not one crash (unlike Skyrim every few minutes) after hours of play; runs smoothly at 60fps and the graphic mods make it shine. I am amazed at those whiners who complain about it being a poor PC port; as a PC gamer you never heard of mods? That is why I play PC games more than my PS3...the ability to mod. Seriously, it only took a few minutes to download and install the fixes, and was it ever worth it. This game will kick your sorry butt, even from the beginning. There are often hints and tips from other players lying around the areas, but even if you know the exact method to beat a particular boss, YOU still have to DO IT. Make no mistake, this is a game that requires skill, timing and patience. If you lack any of these qualities, stay away. It can be brutally hard in spots, but never unfair; and when you finally do beat that annoying Black Knight and get his kickass sword it is a reason for celebration. At times, playing as a human I got pwned by another player invading my world. It might be advisable to stay Hollow until you've upgraded yourself, otherwise you might be making a long trek back to the site of your ignominious demise. Finally, a great looking intense action oriented game with a real challenge and lots of customization options. Playing Skyrim after this would be like going back to kindergarten. Praise the Sun!… Expand
  36. Purrphect
    Feb 26, 2013
    10
    This is the single most important, and the best RPG ever made, IMO.
    you will not find a more Challeging game, i love how you have to figure everything out yourself, no guidelines, just pure use of your own mind, i love it!

    And the weapons and armors, OMFG i have never seen such cool looking weapons and armor in anygame before, daaaamn you can look so goddamn epic! (pardon my language).

    if you haven't tried it yet, it's a must buy, it's hard, but it's worth it!

    and there is so many things to this game, that you'll have 200+H's fun!

    Best RPG Ever made Period!
    JUST BUY IT! you will never regret it!

    And the PC port aint that bad, if you just go to http://darksouls.nexusmods.com/ and download The Mouse fix mod, and DSfix. it will make this game look stunningly beautiful, more than on PS3 and Xbox 360    … Expand
  37. not_good
    Feb 24, 2013
    4
    I kept hearing about how much better this game was than Skyrim, but at least you can play that This is the most pathetic port I've played in a long time, the graphics are stretched and look terrible, the controls... oh god the controls.If you need to download 'fixes' to get this game working properly they done up. End of story.
  38. LewisWells93
    Feb 19, 2013
    9
    I bought the PC port of this game (Purely because it was £20 cheaper). I can see where people are coming from when they dislike the transfer over (Instructions given in 360 format) also the game is horrific to play with a mouse and keyboard! With a controller however the game plays just as well as the console version does. This was my first jump into the 'Souls' universe and whilst the 'Prrepare to die' caption made me worry, I think it was for the right reason. This games difficulty is unforgiving. Period. People may hate, or like this. I am one of those who was slowly turned throughout my experiences, you might ask why? Dying over and over again to begin with was a frustrating experience but then I soon learned that this game was not meant to be rushed. You have to take the time to check for traps, blindspots, shortcuts etc and the game will reward you accordingly (Bonfire, items etc). A game being difficult does not make a game bad, people have grown up in an age of Call of duty/Mindless action games where all you need to do is run and gun. I find the brutal difficulty very refreshing and it gives me a great sense of accomplishment when I manage to kill off a tough boss or get through a hard area! To the actual game mechanics itself... At full resolution this game looks beautiful, I could not tell the difference between the PS3 and PC version, so I have no qualms about graphics! I enjoy RPG's anyway, but to those new to it, I think its a nice simple levelling system which just requires you to do a bit of reading to see what will benefit and what wont help. The flexibility of the system also allows you to create your own unique character to suit your style of play! The only issue I would take up with this game are the online features. Good the majority of the time however some things do ruin it for example the invasions of other players to your world can leave you at a great disadvantage (Especially against hackers who have the best equipment right at the start), it can leave you feeling rather done over if your new to the game, also Windows live has a wonderful tendency to not allow you to summon players or will just disconnect itself.

    Apart from those online issues, I think the game is wonderful, like I mentioned due to its refreshingly difficult gameplay and it's classic RPG elements. If your not afraid of a challenge I would highly suggest giving the game a go!    … Expand
  39. drachehexe
    Feb 12, 2013
    4
    I can't believe the gaming industry took this game seriously. This game is pure garbage. The graphics and models look 10 years old, the textures are among the wort I have seen in current generation game. And no wonder it's the hardest game to play, the controller setup is the worst. It's the most unintuitive controller scheme there ever has been and you can't change the controller settings. The interface is also unintuitive and not very user friendly having to take several steps just to swap gear. Also, you left stick doesn't work in the menus, forcing you to use the dd-pad to navigate menus which is unintuitive as well and just plain stupid. This game is full full of bad design from top to bottom. I regret even buying this game at a discount. It sucks and it it sucks really bad.… Expand
  40. larme
    Feb 9, 2013
    9
    A poor port that is fortunately fixed by the community. Otherwise one of the best games I have ever played. Minus one point because of the mediocre out of box quality.
  41. NeverDie
    Feb 6, 2013
    10
    People who are giving this game 0 or 1 couse they don't have controler are stupid, and i think, they shouldn't be able to give a score, if they probably didn't play game. I'm giving this game 10, just having hope, that this will help rising that score. The game is good, have wonderfull world to explore and enemies to fight with. Boss battle are hard, like the rest of the game, and it's fun, you enjoy it so much, that you coming back, and fighting the same boss for like 10th time, just to get your souls back. But there is one issue, that made me stop playing this game, so i need to get back to it in few day. That issue is that this game is on steam and game for windows live... so, if it's on steam, it should saves my progress on cloud, but it didn't, so when i installed the game and i haven't my saves i was pretty annoyed. But it didn't changed my opinion about this game. So i highly recommended that game for every one, that like rpg and have fun with hardly leveling his character.… Expand
  42. Widden
    Jan 31, 2013
    0
    Rubbish. It's an extremely shoddy console port, nothing else. Steer well clear of it to save your sanity. No proper mouse and keyboard handling, low-resolution textures, un-skippable movies; the lot!

    Does not worth a penny.
  43. krnology
    Jan 29, 2013
    9
    Dark Souls on the PC has been one of the most enjoyable games I have played in a long time. I received it as a gift on steam and wasn't sure what to think when I first started to play. After more than 60 hours I think the game is rewarding, challenging, fun, frustrating, complicated, and deep. There are flaws, most with getting the game to run correctly. There are also various quarks here and there. For example, very little direction is given. You have to learn what to do by your own wits as the game chooses not to provide any indication of where to go or what to do next. There is multiplayer that allows others to invade your world and try to kill you or even help you. There are also steep death penalties that will take your experience and force you to go back to your death spot to get it back. I had a good time with this game and think anyone choosing to play will find it a challenging and unique experience. I followed some advice I found on the steam forums and connected a controller and a few other community modifications (just put dark souls nexus into a search engine or check the steam forums). The add-ons are worthwhile since they help take Dark Souls from console graphics to modern PC graphics.… Expand
  44. Dracalyus
    Jan 29, 2013
    8
    This game has its issues and it is in need of some improvements and yes it is a straight from console to pc port. That aside I still rate this game as a whole amazing. Why? The community released a fix for the internal resolution glitch. "The controls are bad" Buy a controller. Many console to pc ported games need one for the controls not to be horrible. "It doesn't feel like it was meant for PC." IT NEVER WAS INTENDED TO BE. From Software admitted in the beginning when they were first developing Dark Souls for Xbox and PS3 they had no intentions of releasing it for PC. They did this to test the waters. To see what the response would be for their series if they released a game to PC and even included the DLC early exclusive to PC. All that aside, I own copies for both PC and Xbox and I still find the PC version better. The xbox couldn't handle certain parts of the game without lagging. My PC being a powerhouse had no trouble. The gameplay is exceptional. The feeling of embracing a challenge again and again just to die and pick yourself back up again, to try and figure out a new way to get past it. The views are just exceptional. The intricate weight factoring and weaponstyle choices. Just everything about this game made me fall in love with it. True it has its faults and it could have been better, but after the sales reception of this game From Software is now more then aware they have a following in PC gaming and is more then likely to release their next addition on a better enhanced version for the PC.… Expand
  45. ClownHawk
    Jan 28, 2013
    9
    I think after 200+ negative reviews which are almost all around the porting issues of the game, we should slow that down and talk about other parts of the game too. I cannot agree more that the PC port is rather a failure, however meanwhile it is absolutely unfair to forget how great this game is. I solved most of the porting issues by couple of patches and buying an XBOX controller. Never ever have I enjoyed a game so much, while being amazed and creeped out by it at the same time. The amount of depth and uniqueness you get from this game is not comparable to any other game. If anyone rates this game low just because this game is not similar to other games they played - well that's a sad perspective in my humble opinion. This game is worth all your time and money. get it and enjoy it!… Expand
  46. Kanazawa
    Jan 27, 2013
    10
    An incredible game that truly challenges the player. I never quite had any problem with graphical issues or FPS but maybe that's because of my custom built computer. The atmosphere was incredible and the entire feel to the game was very dark and depressing. The online part is horrendous to deal with an invader always striking fear in my heart. I love the idea of it of course, it just adds to the dark and depressing atmosphere.… Expand
  47. FarscapeSDC
    Jan 27, 2013
    8
    Having played the original Xbox 360 version of Dark Souls, I find myself feeling just the tiniest bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I was exceedingly happy to finally have my beloved Dark souls on my powerful PC, but the problem with it is despite my Desktop having superior hardware, the bad design choice when "From Software" was porting it over makes me a bit regretful.

    To start wi    th, Dark Souls was designed to be a console game, which means that the controls were designed with consoles in mind. The game is almost unplayable on a Keyboard and mouse set-up. If you want to be able to play the game, one must have an Xbox 360 or a PS3 controller plugged into their PC.

    The second main complaint is the awful frame-rate and pathetic resolution. By default, the game is locked at 30 FPS (Max) and 1280x840 resolution. This is utterly unacceptable. Thankfully there is a mod called "DSfix" which allows you to kick the resolution up to a lovely 1900x1300 (although you cannot increase the frame-rate without pissing off Games-For-Windows-Live, which can get you banned from playing the game online)

    My third main complaint is about the game's main demon, one far more frightening than any of the actual in-game demons -- Games For Windows Live (GFWL). The game runs with GFWL taking care of its online component, making the online component worse than playing on Xbox Live or the Playstation Network. Finding players to help you out (Cooperative PVE), or players to invade (PVP) is unreliable at best, and downright awful at worst. If you plan to play the PC version of Dark Souls online, you best have a strong Internet connection and a lot of patience.

    I shall now list my other, less important, complaints.
    - The Dark Souls tutorial worked well... on the console. From Software made the awful oversight of leaving all the in-game prompts in the Xbox 360 format, so anyone who is trying to play with a Keyboard will have no choice but to memorise the controls or learn through trial and error.
    - There are infrequent but very annoying graphical glitches.
    - The game crashes more often than I would expect.

    Despite my complaints, Dark Souls has a lot of good things going for it.

    The game is challenging while never feeling completely unfair. At no point did I feel like the game was just killing me for the hell of it. When you fight a difficult enemy and die, you learn its patterns and its tells, and then you go back and try again, and you succeed, because you have gotten better, which is something few games really do.

    The variety in the enemy design keeps the later stages of the game interesting. As opposed to the same creatures with increased stats, or just more enemies, you actually encounter different enemies with different attacks and different weaknesses.
    "Oh, you've beaten the zombie-warriors? Here's some Zombie-knights! Oh, you've beaten the zombie-knights? Here's some lightning-spitting lizard-men!" the game seems to cry as you transition seamlessly from area to area to encounter completely different atmospheres and enemies.

    The variety in enemies is further reflected in the level design. from abandoned asylums to ruined churches; from a glittering city of the gods to a murky swamp filled with poison-spitting mosquitoes; each area looks and feels different and atmospheric. And the best part? Almost no loading screens! With the exception of when I died, I didn't see a loading screen for the first six hours, which is very impressive. Instead of smaller areas connected by transition-screens, Dark Souls feels mostly like a massive, singular area that loops back in on itself t create shortcuts that you couldn't have anticipated until you reach them.

    Combat is slow and methodical, forcing you to un-learn some of the things other games have taught you. Running in and whaling away at an enemy with your massive cleaver is more likely to get you beaten to death than it is to get you victory. Taking your time and feeling the enemy out is more important than playing aggressively.

    Conclusion

    Dark Souls is still - despite all my complaints - an excellent game. It is challenging, fun, and entertainingly frustrating. However, if you are not willing to put up with the lower frame-rate, having to mod it to get the resolution up, and GFWL wreaking havoc on the online component, then you might want to get the game for Xbox 360 or PS3.    … Expand
  48. MrSnakes
    Jan 26, 2013
    7
    I've found this game to be an excellent RPG game, the characters are interesting, the story and lore are rich and deep. As we all know, the PC version is probably one of the laziest ports from a console in recent history. But there's also the problem of how much people are reacting to this port, the port was never planned until a petition that received a huge amount of signatures got through to the developers who then decided to make a port to support their profits. I don't think this is a bad game, wipe the horrific port away and it's one of my most favourite games ever, but the port does bring it down. Though I also think people are overreacting, since the PC port was never apart of their plans and shouldn't be used as a basis for a review. Like how they were forced to make a PC port, we're forced to go through an unplanned port. But this lesson does leave a bright future for the next Dark Souls game. The combat is excellent and the whole thing is rewarding, and the game has a glorious multiplayer with a complex and amazing covenant system. This game is probably one of the best games on a console, but for a PC it needs to step up its game to even make a mark on the vast market. Lets hope Dark Souls II doesn't turn out the same way.… Expand
  49. MrZellian
    Jan 23, 2013
    6
    Terrible absolutely terrible port! I loved this game, i believe its one of the best rpgs i ever played! If i was to rate the gameplay and the story its definitely a 10 and a MUST play for anyone who loves rpgs and has some patience because this game has a very steep learning curve, but the game is horribly delivered to the PC! If you can get your hands on the xbox version i highly recommend it! Other than that the mutliplayer has a lot of issues mainly issues with cheaters and lag. 10/10 for the game, 6/10(it would be lower for any other game, but its still Dark Souls) for the port! If you can get your hands on an xbox controller or do some searching on the Internet to find some good mods to make it work properly its a definite purchase!!!… Expand
  50. Matseb2611
    Jan 23, 2013
    10
    Dark Souls is a great, dark fantasy RPG. It is set in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world, where vile creatures are everywhere and nowhere is safe. The game's atmosphere is very intense, thanks to beautifully-crafted locations and dramatic music that usually plays during boss fights. The flow of the game is sort of semi-linear, meaning that more often than not there is a choice of several locations to do in your own order of preference and in many of those locations there are branching paths, often leading to shortcuts to the previous locations, hence saving you the time in case you wanted to go back. Now of course one of the most defining features of Dark Souls is its high difficulty. However, it is quite unlike most other challenging games out there. The way it is designed, dying is an important part of the game, and hence the words 'Prepare to Die' have to be taken seriously. The players should expect to die frequently, at which point the game simply continues and returns them back to the last bonfire (checkpoint) rested at with all enemies respawned. The trick is not about trying to avoid death altogether, but about picking yourself up and learning from your mistakes. It's a tactical game, because every enemy and every boss requires the right approach, and until you approach them with the correct mindset, they will keep beating you again and again. Admittedly sometimes it can be annoying having to walk big portions of the area to get back to the boss fight, but it is almost always well worth it. Dark Souls is not a button masher. It's not about how fast you can hit the attack button, but more about your timing, patience, concentration, and battle strategy. Its premise is quite simple really - persistence and determination pay off. Initially a lot of the areas and bosses seem impossible, but eventually any challenge can be beaten. There have been times I thought to myself … Expand
  51. Anthony1010
    Jan 22, 2013
    9
    Let me start out by saying I am writing this review from perspective of someone who does research on things before I purchase them. I read that in order to properly enjoy this game, I would need a controller (which I have) and a graphics fix which I can download. (Which i did.) That being said I am reviewing this not as a port, but as the masterpiece that it is. In short, Dark Souls is an excellent game. The lore, the weapons, the items, the environments, the enemies, the NPC's... everything about this game is well done. This is a difficult game to review simply because you need to play it to experience what it has to offer. If you're a fan of action games or RPG's, or if you just like a challenge, it would be a crime if you did not give this a shot.… Expand
  52. Bryan2013GC
    Jan 22, 2013
    0
    Essentially to begin with game mechanics & principles these days are consistent with real life mechanics; jumping, real time strategy, sneaking, crouching etc etc. Dark Souls on the other hand takes you right back to the dark days of gaming (sluggish controls, slow time ducking and dodging, button squeezing due to frustration) which is a consumer killer. This game is slowed and unresponsive especially to the fact of combat. I have given myself patience to cope with it. Ultimately I decided that having a brain aneurysm is not worth the time dedicated to this game and starting 33 times with the same re spawned enemies doesn't help either (nightmare much?). Another aspect is the system of combat and ammo; For example no arrows for certain classes in early stages of the game, so therefore close encounter combat would have to be necessary for the hunter or any other class that is reliant on distant damage before closing the gap with fast strikes. Its just redundant for that class to even have close combat. I give this game a 0 and would like to question the game developers in what the hell where they thinking? there is no excuse for such bad ports with amazing game engines and technologies we have now (2013 not 1990 anymore guys!!)… Expand
  53. Kain
    Jan 17, 2013
    0
    This game is offensive to everyone that is not in coma since 2000 , it's rather easy to look for a game made in that time superior to this that they called a "game" , 0 graphics , 0 sound , 0 Gameplay , the one thing that could be interesting is the plot , but i will take my hat to the ones that have the courage to play this more than 10 mins .... 6.8 user score at the moment is very flattering to this "game"… Expand
  54. Neardark
    Jan 16, 2013
    0
    I dont mind if this game is hard, This is one of the reason why I got this game. I play all my games at the hardest difficult always. I don't care about GFWL, the low frame and the outdated graphics, there are solutions for it, This game had the potential to be one of the best PC games of 2012, but the company was so lazy to put a little effort to make this playable. I spent about 10 minutes trying to figure the keys, cause the game use xbox layout (the **** menu is on the END key). You die not because you suck, but because the camera keeps you changing your target between enemies. People are rating this with 10 because they are console players or because they played the game before at console and like it, Come on guys you know that this port does not deserve 10, the developers dont even botther to try make this playable with mouse and keyboard. This game should get a 5 score, but with so many people rating with 10 and defending a bad port game for no reason i will rate this with 0 to balance the score. My advice: Pirate this game from torrent sites and try it for yourself, then if you think developers should get your money for doing nothing with a pc port, feel free… Expand
  55. robben1234
    Jan 16, 2013
    0
    No plot. Bad gameplay. Worse graphic. Many bugs. Need to install fan patch. Actually, one good in game - it's boss', but boss' its 30% of game, of this game - other part, ith piece of ****
  56. Sirus13
    Jan 15, 2013
    10
    I have got to say this game has single-handedly renewed my faith in gaming as a whole. I got into the game late because I refuse to play on consoles but it was well worth the wait. People are complaining about that it is a bad port and that's true but you can fix it with one mod, DSFix. Easy as hell to install and makes the game look better than both the PS3 and 360 version. The mod community knows what it's doing, plus Dark Souls 2 is getting a proper PC release. The KB+M controls are pretty broken but I think this is one of those games that is ACTUALLY better with a gamepad anyways. As with gameplay... well go read a different review cause I'd be here for days. This game is definitely in my tope 10.

    Oh, and go play Demons' Souls. It's just as good.    … Expand
  57. spookychief
    Jan 10, 2013
    9
    I already had a 360 controller for my PC. Since the PC is my gaming platform of choice. I love that this uses the Xbox controller since i can enjoy the game on steam big picture sit on my couch and play the game on my TV. Now with that said graphically, i know this was From software's first PC game and they really didn't have a clue how to go about porting the game to the PC but they did a fantastic job i'd have to say, the game is easy to fix with a graphic mod. The graphic mod for all you PC gamers like me is a must have if you enjoy eye candy. The game is just so brilliant and exhilarating to play i'm writing this review with only 10 hours in the game and i'm highly addicted to it. I have not experienced any crashes at all the game runs flawlessly on my system 7950, x6 amd 3.2, and 8 gigs of ram @ 40 FPS+ which is great. Fun game pick it up mod the visuals and have fun!… Expand
  58. Jooshua
    Jan 10, 2013
    9
    After playing more casual games this is total a breath of fresh air when compared to lesser rpg's (Skyrim comes to mind), Dark souls really rewards you for skill and intelligence and severely punishes you for stupidity. The combat is great and with a controller at least, the controls are good, while difficulty of the enemies only serves to add to the sense of satisfaction when you defeat them. Overall a great game albeit with some PC porting issues but that's nothing mods can't fix.… Expand
  59. KillerAlfa
    Jan 9, 2013
    10
    This is one of the best Action-RPGs ever released on PC and one of the worst ports ever released on PC. But I give score for quality of game itself, and that's why Dark Souls gets 10. It is just brilliant.
  60. RajinJMG
    Jan 8, 2013
    9
    Easily one of the best games I have ever purchased. This game offers a wide array of exploring and battles starting with smaller enemies working up to nerve racking battles with Giant Water Hydras and Fire Breathing Drakes. However, if purchasing on PC, GET AN XBOX CONTROLLER. Almost impossible on keyboard.
  61. Imsomniwight
    Jan 8, 2013
    9
    Dark Souls is a bad PC-port but it's not unplayable. Playing with a keyboard and a mouse is possible but not easy (with a controller it's a lot easier).There is no excuse for these problems and as you're playing it becomes clear that the developers did not put any effort into making the game suitable for PC. You have to resort to community-created fixes and mods to get past the problems that they should've taken care of but apparently were too lazy to. Even the tutorial is for people with X-Box controllers and the mouse is always jittery.

    The game is difficult but that's basically the trademark of Dark Souls so I don't consider that a negative. It was meant to be hard and it's clearly not meant to be played by casual gamers seeking purely entertainment. The game doesn't tell you the story the traditional way - by handing it for you on a silver platter. Instead you have to be interested yourself - you need to combine the pieces you got from talking to NPCs, reading item descriptions, looking at the game environment and deducing into a story. Not a groundbreaking story but a decent story.

    One thing I absolutely love about this game is the bosses. Oftentimes they do not really have any ties to the story but they are so difficult that beating them feels rewarding, like you truly accomplished something. The people who designed the bosses had a good imagination; each and every boss is interesting and unique. Not that there are any complaints about your everyday enemies in this game.

    Gameplay is absolutely fantastic and that's a good thing because that's what this game is completely based around. You don't need to sit through 30-min cutscenes, instead you can play the game itself and that's all you need to ever do. You are fighting enemies more powerful than yourself so combat is not just mindless button mashing. In combat, you have many options and not just "boring attack 1" and "boring attack 2" and to win you need to know how to use all the different mechanics. You need to be patient and getting from point A to point B is never easy as enemies never disappear - they respawn always if you rest at a checkpoint.

    If you're looking for a challenge and a certain old RPG-charm (and you can stand playing the game with a keyboard and mouse or you are ready to buy a controller which you shouldn't have had to buy) then you've found your game.    … Expand
  62. ShatteredAwe
    Jan 8, 2013
    10
    6.8 User Score? Wow, guys wow. Even with the horrible port, these guys weren't sure that the PC would make them a profit. Now that we've bought the game, when DS2 comes out it'll be better. Come on. This game is awesome, and it's meta critic user score shouldn't be affected by one stupid port.
  63. Antiks
    Jan 7, 2013
    2
    Terrible port. Controls can't be reset and the mouse and keyboard stuff is just broken. Do not buy this game if you don't own and xbox 360 controller for your pc. Also you need to make several community fixes to the game to get it looking decent and running decent. Would not recommend anyone purchase this game for PC. Buyer beware.
  64. wiike
    Jan 6, 2013
    9
    Extremly solid gameplay combined with deep plot. It has the best map design I ever seen and it's a open world ARPG. The overall mood of the game is great and actually make the game very addict while anger introducing when your character died and lose all your souls. The only weakness of this game is the bad UI design and slightly lack of music. Some might complain about the graphic but there are a graphic fix free to download online.… Expand
  65. Muan142
    Jan 5, 2013
    9
    Beautiful, addictive, reminds a little me of Gauntlet Dark Legacy back on the Gamecube. It's honestly not that difficult, especially if you make good use of the wiki. My only complaint is that it could use a more heroic soundtrack. I think they were going for a dark horror feel, and it is there but it's not whats enjoyably about the game. Something closer to Shadow of the Colossus' soundtrack might have been more appropriate.… Expand
  66. Batzzel
    Jan 3, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. THIS GAME IS AMAZING! This game have everything, with this game you can be Anger, Happy, Sad, and all at the same time. I Already played 100 hours of this game, and i can't complete it yet (i'm close). Every person who says "this game is bad" is because he hasn't enough skills, i play this game with my Keyboard and I really appreciate this kind of games, 'cause this game is Hard, is a real challenger.… Expand
  67. Exoaria
    Jan 2, 2013
    7
    Before you take to heart what a lot of the negative reviewers are giving this game, understand that a lot of them are judging it completely on the aspect that it is not possible to play properly with a mouse and keyboard. Steam, and the retail version both clearly state that a Microsoft Xbox 360 controller is needed to play the game.
    The real quarrel that I have with the PC Port is that i    t is not properly optimized. It is locked at 30 fps and on my moderately good rig which can play Skyrim at near maximum, it stutters a lot when entering new areas. This has been fixed by tweaking some settings in Catalyst Control Center and using a modification called DSFix.

    If you are willing to use an Xbox 360 controller, or equivalent, then this game should pose you no threat as long as you use DSFix or have a newer Nvidia GPU.

    Dark Souls is an extremely challenging and rewarding game that makes you beg for more with its unforgiving and barren atmosphere. It takes you from the depths of an Asylum to the highest reaches of Lordran as you fight your way to the top through trial and error. There are many secrets to discover and really is the type of game with many different unique aspects that were lost to gaming many years ago - the only way that you can really experience this is to try it for yourself.

    It boasts a unique weapons system and a stat range similar to the complexities of World of Warcraft although it's pretty ridiculous comparing the two games. I mentioned the popular mmorpg to reference the stat system and the importance of the type of gear and stats you increase depending on your class, although it is a little more flexible.

    Boss battles will have you cringing, and the whole way through you will either be angry or on edge, waiting for the next enemy that appeared around the corner. The words "YOU DIED" will be engraved into your mind for eternity after playing this game.

    I give this game a 7/10 because of the bad PC port. However, providing these issues were fixed and judging the game based on their original console versions it would be a clear 9/10.    … Expand
  68. maikarukun
    Jan 2, 2013
    6
    The Game itself: Amazing, The User Experience: Horrible. That sums up Dark Souls PtDE PC. The game itself is beautiful, very fun challenging gameplay, a deep and complex combat system with dodging, parrying and ripostes, a huge world, massive enemy variation, tons of great bosses and cool gear, but all of it, is eclipsed by how horrid this port is. Here's my experience with it: The games resolution is limited to 1024x720... like, really? So, right off the bat, I'm installing DSFix just so I can play the game at a resolution befitting of something made post 2007.
    So, DSFix properly installed, recognized by NexusModManager, brilliant, time to play, right? WRONG.

    The game immediately crashes on launch 'DARKSOULS.EXE is not working', really?
    So, I uninstall the game, and reinstall Games for Windows Live, thats' right guys, it's not SteamWorks, welcome to the Dark Ages.
    I spend an hour reinstalling the game and then DSFix, same error again.

    Not to mention its unplayable with keyboard and mouse. If you want Dark Souls, buy it on Xbox or PS3, it isn't worth the money of effort of getting it to work on PC and pretending you don't want to through your monitor at a baby.    … Expand
  69. Baraquel
    Jan 1, 2013
    6
    An average game. Can not understand all the highly positiv reviews. The gameplay on Pc isnt very good but after the first hour and an graphic patch its ok and i dont want to complain about it. But the game it self isnt as good as it could be. The first hours of the game are very hard as u expectet sometimes its frustrating to die this often but before u bought the game u knew it. But after the first 3 bosses the game gets to easy in my oppinion. Enemys get weak and ure Charakter getts too strong. I killed the final boss without losing half my hp.… Expand
  70. Vercinger
    Jan 1, 2013
    0
    Obligatory 0 for using Games for Windows Live. An unforgivable offence, as GfWL is Microsoft's attempt to kill PC gaming in favor of the Xbox. There might be something playable under the DRM, but I'd have to pirate it to find out.
  71. EddyHan
    Dec 30, 2012
    3
    The worst port ever for PC! No advance graphics settings and no way of changing the controller inputs around. I like the punishing and brutal gameplay, but the controls need to be changed.
  72. Wlad007
    Dec 30, 2012
    9
    With DSfix and controller it is absolutely amazing game. AI could be smarter, but game is still challenging.
  73. ozorxoron
    Dec 30, 2012
    0
    Awful port, it's like you're punished for trying to play with mouse and keyboard. Unless you have or are willing to buy a controller, avoid this. I had this on the 360 and it was a favourite of mine, was hoping to get some joy out of it on the PC too, but I'm not buying a controller just to play this mess of a port. Glad I got this in a sale and didn't waste too much money on it.
  74. Jord68
    Dec 29, 2012
    10
    Don't believe the low scores for this game, it may have been a bad port but an amazing gem lies beneath. Play with DSFIX MOD to see this games true potential, and it works great with multiplayer so don't worry about that.

    PLAY THIS GAME WITH DSFIX MOD, you wont regret it.
  75. aceofspades1944
    Dec 28, 2012
    6
    I first played this game on the xbox 360 and it was amazing. I loved everything about it. Once I bought the computer version I was disappointed. The game is still great but the port to PC was terrible. All the instructions it gives you on how to attack and interact with the game world are still showing up as controller commands (ie hit RB to attack). Also, the original windows 7 cursor is still in game but you can't use it for anything. It just sits there and reminds you how much better this game is on a console. If you want to play this game and PC is the only option I highly recommend buying a controller.… Expand
  76. Morte
    Dec 28, 2012
    10
    This is definitely a game for the patient. It is hard, but fair and requires that you LEARN from your mistakes, instead of running in and hoping for the best. The entire area is a potential advantage or disadvantage depending on how you use it, so it requires that you think about what you're going to do before you try to fight. It isn't for everyone, if you like hack and slash, run for the hills, if you want a challenge, dish out the cash and buy Dark Souls. Personally, I like it, it has a good plot if you look for it and the challenge is unrivaled in modern games. I give it a 10 for the pve and pvp challenge.

    It is hard. It is challenging. It is fair. No boss is impossible, all bosses have weaknesses or strategies that work to take them down. All you need is a little patience.    … Expand
  77. Doghin
    Dec 27, 2012
    9
    I believe that the official reviewers should have given the game reduced scores for the poor port: controls and graphics, but I bought a controller, used the patch and this game is amazing.
  78. truefreestyle
    Dec 26, 2012
    0
    If replaying the same 20 minutes over and for several hours is considered fun then this is the game for you. Dark Souls is a badly designed game that punishes you for making mistakes and the developers literally design this game to piss you off (they even intentionally kill you at times even right before you can save). To be honest I feel that their advertisements for it being an "extremely difficult game" is more like another way of saying "badly designed game."… Expand
  79. bvr
    Dec 26, 2012
    6
    In a nutshell: engrossing and janky as hell. People giving this game a 10 should be shot. Sure, the game is supposed to be difficult but that difficulty is based largely on the clumsy controls and buggy programming. When I say controls, I'm not crying about the mapping of buttons. I'm talking about a camera and movement system straight out of 1996. I feel like I'm controlling Lara Croft in Tomb Raider 1. Black knights that glitch in front of your face as you're running away from them is an example of poor coding. If you're willing to put up with that, you're in for a good game. Not a great game, just a good one.… Expand
  80. faceless-1
    Dec 26, 2012
    3
    Pros: Boss battles are really good and well done, Difficulty is hard like in old games (dungeon master for exp.).
    Cons: failed port on PC, really bad story, Dated graphics and windows life, game is also a bit boring after a while
    This game dont match RPG standards in many areas if you compare it to Witcher 2 Dark souls got only 1 advantage (its harder).
  81. Spanked_Ur_Mom
    Dec 25, 2012
    0
    Awful game. I bought this game for $15 on Amazon and still feel like I got ripped off. I definitely wish there was a one level demo that I could have tried because then I could have saved my cash. This is a game that I will not play at all. It will just sit in my library and rot. I would not even recommend this game to others if it was a free-to-play game. My complaints are not because it is a console port. I actually like playing games with a 360 controller. If a game does not have controller support, I map out a profile to use with xpadder. My complaints are with the game itself. The controls are terrible. It is hard to make your character stab or throw something in the direction you want him to. The graphics are low quality, even the cutscense look bad. The screenshots on Steam make the game seem like the graphics are okay but they are no where close to being okay. The game is difficult as well. Difficult to the point of being frustrating. There is no way to change the difficulty setting to bring it to a level that I would enjoy. Namco Bandai has officially joined Atari and Sega on my list of Publishers to never purchase games from. EA is getting close to being on that list too. Right now they sit with Ubisoft on my list of Publishers to only buy games at half of retail or less.… Expand
  82. Artorias
    Dec 25, 2012
    10
    One of the best games i have every played.
    This are my main three agruments a good game should have:
    It has a great story (as time goes, you will get your answers :P ) , very good graphics (with a resolution fix mod but nvm) and good controlls with a xbox360/ ps3 controller (i have not tried out the keybord controlls yet). Plus the time effort is very minimum for setting up the mod and t    he settings.
    Although the intro is telling you the most story plot, you need to talk with npcs for background informations, but enough spoilered :)
    To sum it up, DS PTDE is quite hard but after some time you learn it all and you will love it for sure.    … Expand
  83. DrinkingBob
    Dec 22, 2012
    10
    This is the best game ever made. The graphics are beautiful with the DSfix, the story is great. Yes the game is hard, but it is fun to play. Also the online component of the game is really fun and keeps you playing!
  84. PaulGR
    Dec 19, 2012
    0
    Briefly: maybe the worst game I ever played. Graphics that are worst than a 2000s game; the gameplay itself is the following: dying and then doing the same thing over and over again - I ended up spending 2 hours and 25 minutes killing the same mobs and boss. If you don't have an X-box controller, you are going to have a bad time as it is impossible to play without one. I am on the process of returning the game back and getting a full refund, it is the first time I feel sorry for buying something - I wish I had given the 50 euros I've spend on that cr*ap to a homeless person. DO NOT buy this thing.… Expand
  85. Ib2deadly
    Dec 19, 2012
    10
    Best game I have played in years. Playing since release and still going strong. The overall immersion is very satisfying. The difficulty brings me back to the gaming challenges of my youth. I would recommend this game to anyone at any age. I originally pre ordered on PS3, I eventually purchased a the PC version on sale over at Steam. Look for it, buy it.
  86. suneater
    Dec 13, 2012
    9
    This is quite possibly the hardest game I have beaten. Not because of any particular area or boss, but because the devs throw every kind of BS imaginable at you throughout a long campaign (~60 hours for my first playthrough). Although it has a fantastic start, things start to peter off about halfway through at the end of Anor Londo. Smough & Ornstein is probably the best boss fight in the game and it feels like the devs ran out of ideas afterwards (a boss you have to die to in order to progress, invisible walkways, a boss who smacks you from off-screen into pits, starting a boss fight with half HP with the nearest bonfire 15 minutes away, etc.). If you decide to pick up the PC version, you WILL need a controller, DSfix, and outside help, either from a friend, guides, wikis, youtube videos, etc. If you are able to stop yourself from breaking your controller while playing, this is an excellent Action-RPG that will keep you busy for a long time.… Expand
  87. MadclownJack
    Dec 12, 2012
    9
    IFirst of all, i'm aware this is a console port. But it's this gamer's honest opinion that therein lie its beauty. When i played with a gamepad, i sucked. More so than i thought possible. I broke a gamepad trying to get cope with the game's controls. I'm not proud of that. I deleted the game shortly after and forgot all about it. Then, i went through a handful of similar games only to be disappointed by all of them. Something was missing. There still was my yearning for a challenging game. After that, i gave DS another shot. This time, i took upon myself to get accustomed to the keyboard mappings, because i had no gamepad. I think the controls are very accessible and PC friendly. They're not "Default" pc controls, but once you figure out which button does what, you'll find the game more relaxed and easy flowing. Hell, you can even map keys the way you like them. It took some time, roughly 8 hours of non-stop gameplay to see that the game CAN be a chore, but it's also rewarding. That tiny moment of success is worth hundreds, even thousands of "deaths". I'd also like to mention that i feel the game is really FAIR to a player that abides by it's rules. You don't lose items when you die and the souls you lose, you can reclaim if you're smart and determined enough. I just can't believe that i hated it because it make me use my brain! What the hell?! How dare it!? I never needed to think or analyze or even strategize to get through any other games. It was at that moment that i realized that games have been spoonfeeding me for years. That's why YOU will love this game as well. It has a feeling of those old arcade games like GnG. It has a SOUL, if you will. At times, it can be tiresome, it can also be demanding and unforgiving, but in the end, it's well worth the effort you put into it.… Expand
  88. jcalberta
    Dec 5, 2012
    5
    If the idea behind the difficulty was to exclude a huge number of gamers .. then they succeeded. Not every person is born with the ability or dexterity ... plus other handicaps and factors that make this game unplayable for many. For instance, I am 64 years old - I was not born the Nintendo Generation - I can barely type properly. There are several games I've been forced to regretfully abandon over the years (Prince of Persia ... ) that I would dearly have loved to play. But there was no difficulty level that would permit me. To deny any option that will allow ALL people to enjoy a game is purely shortsighted. And frankly ... stupid.… Expand
  89. IanHeres
    Dec 2, 2012
    1
    So-so idea ruined by awful controls. All the onscreen prompts are for an xbox controller, so if you have something else you're out of luck. Mouse+Keyboard is unplayable, and other gamepads have their keys mapped wrong. Even if you get going with a gamepad, the controls are terrible. You can't back up without turning around, you have to lock on to targets for spells but can't do that from far away, and so on.

    The actual game isn't bad, but isn't great. You'll be forced to repeat content many many times, and that gets frustrating. You can also grind out xp for better stats, which I guess some people like but I think that's bad design. Also the spell system is spells-per-day, which has stunk since D&D introduced it.    … Expand
  90. Khornez
    Nov 25, 2012
    2
    Im extremely disappointed to see this horrible port made with no effort that they hope we will somehow love because the original game was awesome. Crappy res, untranslated keys, horrible key mapping... but the worst is a shaky camera even when mouse sensitivity is at 1 that simply makes it unplayable without having a headache, not to mention that if you use window mode, the mouse isn't immediately locked, meaning you can move it out from the window by mistake and click outside, forcing you to make weird moves with that shaky camera just to keep it in the center, as if it was made in flash or something.

    To all those who say "buy the xbox pad": if i wanted to do that, i'd buy an Xbox and forget about PC.    … Expand
  91. ChrisPD
    Nov 25, 2012
    0
    Reading the critical reviews of this game you're led to believe that you're in for a challenging and rewarding game experience. However the only real challenge in this title comes from resisting the urge to turn it off when you're forced to repeat the journey to the 'Bosses' for the 20th time, wading through constantly respawning enemies that just stand there until being activated. That's the challenge. Not the ingenious game design or the (non existent) AI. Avoiding mistakes because you've repetitively completed this very journey 20 times before. Killing the exact same enemy exactly the same way for an hour.

    I could ignore the terrible repetitive gameplay if it there was a semblance of storyline propelling you through the game. Which is where we come to the second part of the 'appeal' of the game, how rewarding it is. Rewarding is seeing a story develop, overcoming a challenge and being rewarded with more exposition, more areas to explore and a change in challenge. The first 4 bosses require you to cycle around the same general area over and over killing the same enemies over and over, and the reward? Getting to do it again for the next boss, as everytime you save, all the enemies re spawn. Great idea, shall we spend time on story, enemy AI, environment design? Nah just respawn them all in the same place and get 'em to do it again. And again. And again, after all we've got their money right?

    Also the port is unplayable without an xbox controller.    … Expand
  92. KaZAamM
    Nov 21, 2012
    10
    Since I own both the PC and the PS3 versions of Dark Souls, I can say right off that the PC game is a bad port. The good news is that the game is easily modded to the point that the PC version is light years ahead of the console version. Its far clearer, richer and better to play on. There is even a mouse mod that allows you to control the mouse aspects to your specifications. In other words, the mouse and keyboard system is perfect with the mod. Do a search for Dark Souls Nexus to find it.

    The other issue is of its difficulty. Its brutal. Enough said. Its meant to be difficult. Way difficult. But there is no game I know of that gives me more rage and elation than this game. When you die, you loose everything... everything is a gamble, every move has its risks, and the risk is high... This is RPG in its purest form. It requires you to plan, observe battle movements of enemies, choose areas that pose the least amount of risk and collect souls to level up. Retreat means survival and strengthening. Die, and you loose everything you worked for. Its rage inducing, but in the end, I died because I was at fault, not the game. When the risks are high, the exhilaration while being in a battle is beyond any game I have ever played. This game is not for the light hearted. Everywhere you go, there is a sense of dread. You know you can die so easily, but in order to survive, you must play smart. If you love a challenge, then this game is for you. I'm glad I bought the PC version of DS. With the mods, this game is now fixed for the PC and it looks fantastic! I have over 600 games on Steam and this is by far the best game I own. Just remember, when the game beats you down to a pulp, its all your fault. Not the game's. Learn from your mistakes and plan your attacks. This game deserves to be hailed as the best Action based RPG ever made.    … Expand
  93. SohailACE
    Nov 21, 2012
    0
    Worst port of the year, worst graphics, gameplay sucks, biggest flop of the year 2012.................................................................
  94. Paco73
    Nov 20, 2012
    0
    ..........................................................................................................................................................................Crappy port. Not even worth a $2.99 bargain bin purchase.
  95. Gwydiian
    Nov 20, 2012
    8
    This game is not for everyone. It's incredibly frustrating at times, it's difficult, it punishes mistakes with dire consequences and it's full of players who are willing to put hours of work into making your game experience miserable. All that being said, I freaking love this game.

    The game isn't difficult because it has a high learning curve or requires lightning reflexes as much as     it demands patience and learning. Every enemy has his weakness, whether it be to a particular tactic or a particular weapon. Your job is to die enough to learn those weaknesses, while also learning which weapons and play-styles fit you. You see, what makes this game so much fun to play is how much it makes you perfect a playstyle you enjoy. It doesn't hold your hand or pidgeon-hole you into a class role. It gives you a vast amount of choices and lets you experiment with them until you find what you like best. The setting for the story is grand and cryptic, the visuals haunting and beautiful, the characters mysterious and memorable, and the boss fights nothing short of terrifying.

    Overall, this game is a gem that will never be delved into very deeply by many players because of it's frustrating difficulty, but don't let that stop you from trying it out. After a few dozen deaths you'll find that enemies that used to stop you in your tracks become routine. It's true that half the fun of this game is watching your own progress as you master the combat.    … Expand
  96. Veniathan
    Nov 19, 2012
    9
    The people that complain about this game must be some serious casuals. The developers ported the game and it WAS NOT PERFECT, the community made a 1080P fix and getting 60FPS is impossible if you want to play online as it's a problem in the game engine. This game is definately enjoyable and there is nothing weird with using an Xbox 360 or PS3 controler to play a console game. The game has very satisfying gameplay and that is what matters… Expand
  97. Barney99
    Nov 18, 2012
    10
    Great game, bad port. Issues can be mostly fixed with a community patch, and if you're willing to play with an Xbox or PS3 controller. Get it on sale if you're skeptical.
  98. TheMitherer
    Nov 15, 2012
    8
    Pretty good game but with some glaring faults. First of all, this is NOT a terrible port, just vaguely bad. I've played through to NG++ without ANY mods or controllers at all and not had any problems whatsoever. People need to learn how to 1) Use a computer, 2) RTFM , 3) Not pretend to have high standards and 4 ) Stop using the word 'clunky' just for the hell of it. Clunky clunky clunky - get a new word for God's sake. I venture to suggest that it is you who are clunky. OK ,character creation is minimalistic and uninspiring. Character classes are pointless since you can turn one class into any other after at most 8 levels. Starting gift is a no brainer. Dark Souls does not play fair - try watching the path of an enemy arrow as you move away from it. Apparently random conversation options which serve no purpose (YES or NO). If you do a bit of grinding in NG there's not much left to do in NG+ onward (weapon and armour wise) and it gets repetitive. Minimalistic NPC storylines (if you can call them that). PvP can be fun but suffers from a surfeit of backstabbers. Too many invasions when you are human. Some weapons are obviously much better than others and one in particular is almost a game breaker. Suicide runs are very appealing which is just bad design. Game could do with more music in some parts. Magic is mediocre with only a few spells being useful. Archery is only a bit player. On the plus side, an excellent variety of locations, items, enemies, weapons and armour. Combat is good, battles rewarding. Weapon and armour upgrades can be confusing at first but are ultimately satisfying. Gameplay overall is excellent, but quite a few enemies can still be 'cheesed'. Overall a good experience, immersive, varied, and definitely worth a try if you haven't already.… Expand
  99. hwarming
    Nov 10, 2012
    2
    I thought the Sonic Generations port was bad, but wow. I shouldn't have to buy a controller for a PC game, come on man. And if you're going to map the controls to the keyboard, don't tell me on the tool tips the xbox controls, that's just lazy. I don't even care about the resolution stuff, I think this game looks pretty good, but the controls are just broken, why would I press "end" for a menu? What sense does that make? And the cursor shows up in game, outside of the menu, that's just unacceptable in 2012. I wanted to like this game, I really did, I love RPGs with this style, and with some difficulty, but at least put an ounce of effort into the port, don't just take it directly from the Xbox and put it on the PC. Skyrim did it pretty well, even though the UI was clearly designed for the 360, but it followed logical gaming conventions.… Expand
  100. p360assassin
    Nov 4, 2012
    9
    Now before you read this, I must say that this game is a HORRENDOUS port. Of course, every single problem can be fixed, every single one, except it won't show the keyboard and mouse controls. The only game that is a worse port is RE4.

    If you want to play this game, downloading the fan made patch is required, but its like 5kb, if your too lazy to DL it, then you won't like the pace of Da    rk Souls anyhow. And NO, the keyboard and mouse controls are entirely playable if you rebind the menu button to esc (which you can do ingame) and activate the mouse fix that fixs the inverted mouse acceleration. There, game is fixed for PC, if you don't like the textures, theres a fix for that too. Now onto the game review. This game is magnificant. The game has amazingly good level design. Weapons are amazingly balanced and the only thing that is useless is ranged, (cept magic) but if ranged was powerful, it would likely make the game worse anyway (no way it could be fun in dark souls).

    The game is very rarely cheap, the only part of the game I would call cheap would be the two **** knight archers in Anor Londo. The game is extremely skill based BUT it also requires you to pay attention. Every single trap is predictable before hand (except the one in the tutorial level, that does very low damage and is designed to show you this game has enviromental traps). Even the infamous dragon on the bridge. The bridge is charred, there was a dragon earlier, and there is burned corpes all over the bridge, IT DOES WARN YOU.

    The game does not have great graphics, but its art style is amazing, every level looks different and unique. And is designed in very different ways. Blighttown is a small town built on the side of a giant underground cave, with a poisoness bog at the bottom. Anor Londo is a bright but empty (as in lonely, it has packed areas as well) city. Sens Fortress is a Indiana Jones style fort of deadly traps. The games framerate is bareable, if you can handle 30fps. Using my crappy gtx 240, I get only a few frame drops, with constant drops in Blighttown (which it is infamous for) and the rickety bridge into New Londo Ruins (which is covered in smoke effects, which explains the lag, theres no enemies here anyway, so it aint game breaking). The difficulty is perfect, relying on skill and tactics more then brute force. Yes, memory helps, but you can figure out what enemies attacks are before they even do it by what their tell (all enemies have tells) is on the attack, which often reveals it. The game also isn't unfairly hard at points, always challenging, but never dickish. Music is amazing, however often not playing. Only the main bonfire at firelink shrine and boss fights have music, but every boss fight has a unique song you will never here anyway else, and the final bosses song is so fantastic. It contrasts all other boss fight's music and is fantasticly well done. Voice acting is great, surprisingly since there is multiple grammar mistakes, but never in dialogue and never at an unreadable level. All characters are unique and have a purpose, and all seem slightly insane. (always with the laughing)

    PVP is a disappointment, not because of the system it uses, but because I'm Australian, its very hard to enter a session. After 25 hours of being human total, I got invaded once, and that was a hotspot I was in for many hours. Controls are precise, although the delay for sprinting is annoying. PC controls are entirely playable if you spend 5 minutes fine tuning it and downloading the mouse patch. 360 controls are reccomended however, even if the controls are entirely playable with KB&M (If you want proof they are playable, look at Rainicorn's old twitch series, where she beat the entire game and half at SL1 (which is VERY hard and requires lots of precision) all using mouse and keyboard with auto lock on broken (yeah, don't use it without gamepad).

    People say there is no story. DO NOT LISTEN TO THEM. The game has a massive amount of lore, but its hidden, 99% of it is in item descriptions. But it is very very confusing and difficult to piece together. I wouldn't reccomend trying to figure out everything.

    All round the best action RPG I have ever played, blowing skyrim out of the water. And one of the best games I have ever played as well.    … Expand
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 42
  3. Negative: 1 out of 42
  1. PC Master (Greece)
    Feb 6, 2013
    72
    The irony is that the PC version could have been much better than the PS3/360 ones, with higher resolutions to make the textures look better, a cornucopia of mods and/or an active (in theory at least) community. But FROM ruined it all (with the assistance of Games for Windows Live). It’s a shame really, if we at least had just a decent port (or a better infrastructure for a less appalling multiplayer mode), Dark Souls could have been one of the best RPG for the PC. [November 2012]
  2. GameFocus
    Nov 19, 2012
    80
    Not often do you see a game that is equally rewarding as it is frustrating; and it's not because the game is unfair.
    Read full review
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Oct 29, 2012
    80
    Dark Souls returns the hardcore elements back to action RPGs – heavy focus on uncompromising fight mechanics and absolute freedom in hero profiling. The price of this game is not for everyone. [Oct 2012]
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