Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition Image
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews What's this?

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7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2494 Ratings

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  • Summary: With tense dungeon crawling and fearsome enemy encounters, the seamlessly intertwined world of Dark Souls is full of extreme battles, rewarding challenges, nuanced weaponry and magic, and the flexibility to customize each character to suit any desired play style. The innovative onlineWith tense dungeon crawling and fearsome enemy encounters, the seamlessly intertwined world of Dark Souls is full of extreme battles, rewarding challenges, nuanced weaponry and magic, and the flexibility to customize each character to suit any desired play style. The innovative online component allows gamers to draw from the collective experience of the Dark Souls community as they either help or sabotage each other on the journey through the world of Lordran to save the land from darkness. With a massive, seamless open world design, Dark Souls encourages deep exploration and an adaptable gameplay experience. Expand

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TGS 2011: Dark Souls - Prologue Part 4 Trailer
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 42
  2. Negative: 1 out of 42
  1. Aug 28, 2012
    100
    A bare-bones port can't sully one of the outstanding titles of this generation.
  2. Sep 17, 2012
    91
    If you're not prepared to implement the tweaks and fixes mentioned in this review, then you should stay away from the game or hunt it down on its native consoles instead. If the previously mentioned 360 Review doesn't describe the sort of game you enjoy, then stay away altogether – not even bug fixes and gameplay tweaks will make this a game you like. But if you're willing to implement a couple fan-made patches and you crave a game that's beautiful, dark, cryptic, challenging and just plain unique in so many ways, grab this game and give it a go.
  3. Sep 20, 2012
    90
    Underneath the port inadequacies is a masterful piece of design; intricate and drenched in woe. Dark Souls is infuriating, but well worth the investment in time and shattered patience.
  4. Aug 29, 2012
    88
    This Prepare to Die Edition is far from what the game should have been on the PC, but it still is a masterpiece, a game designed for hardcore players.
  5. 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.
  6. Aug 28, 2012
    80
    If you're a hardcore Dark Souls fan, or if you're confident in your ability to wring every last cent of value out of the game, the Prepare to Die Edition is the way to go.
  7. Game Over Online
    Sep 21, 2012
    40
    This Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition is not only the worst console port I've ever played (and I play most of them), it's also one of the worst designed. I mean literally, this game is one step above my character having "lives" and when I run out of those, I'm told to jam quarters into my PC to continue playing. If this is what constitutes a "good console RPG", then I'll sleep soundly at night with the knowledge that I'm not missing a damn thing by not owning a PlayStation 3. I guess I'm alone in understanding this, but supposed difficulty is not a substitute for intelligent design. Dark Souls proves that.

See all 42 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Sep 23, 2019
    10
    all dark souls games dark souls 2 and dark souls 3 shows this gane far better and have complex map design others dont have es dark souls 2all dark souls games dark souls 2 and dark souls 3 shows this gane far better and have complex map design others dont have es dark souls 2 lineer like game and start to end like game dark souls 3. pc score is not shows enough it was better than anything else execpt skyrim maybe. for many better than skyrim bcosue its more deep and you can be chracter you want. pc port was issues but with easy mod it was better than consoles. Expand
  2. Aug 31, 2012
    10
    This is a bad port but the game is amazing, immersive and challenger, a great experience that must be prove, plug you xbox 360 controller andThis is a bad port but the game is amazing, immersive and challenger, a great experience that must be prove, plug you xbox 360 controller and play this game. Expand
  3. Aug 24, 2012
    10
    Bad Pc port and hard controls but still i really enjoy of this game
  4. May 6, 2019
    9
    This game is pure phantasy at its best (66h first walkthrough).

    On the first look this game looks like garbage, it is unplayable with
    This game is pure phantasy at its best (66h first walkthrough).

    On the first look this game looks like garbage, it is unplayable with keyboard and mice, and it is hardcore difficult.
    However, when you haven’t given up after 2-60 min and have switched to a Xbox 360 controller then this game begins to look completely different.

    Positive:
    - atmosphere is really good (sometimes dangerous, sometimes lonely; did I mention bonefires?)
    - one of the best level designs (nonlinear, world is interconnected)
    - mostly not unfair, you need to be careful or you die
    - complex world, story, and class system
    - very good combat experience
    - you need to think outside of the box
    - very rewardfull when you solve a difficult challenge or puzzle
    - you are not rewarded every 30 seconds (the opposite still may be the case for stupidity/overestimation)
    - 4k resolution compatible, fog looks ok

    Negative:
    - 30 FPS
    - outdated graphics, do we have year 2000 again? (hmm, it was a good year)
    - some decisions can not be understood or known without a guide
    Expand
  5. Feb 11, 2018
    8
    While it isn't as difficult as people like to make it out to be, Dark Souls is tough but fair. When a meaty challenge is overcome, the feelingWhile it isn't as difficult as people like to make it out to be, Dark Souls is tough but fair. When a meaty challenge is overcome, the feeling of accomplishment makes it all the better. The story is intriguing and mysterious, even if it's pretty convoluted and hard to find(you have to read many of the in-game descriptions of items in your inventory, plus there's a bit of guesswork involved to patch the bigger picture together). The DLC is okay, but not nearly as good as the base game. It also doesn't really add much, and the Artorias fight in particular was boring(even though many love it for the "anime" elements it has, though those don't add anything to the fight itself). Definitely recommended, regardless of my nitpicks. Expand
  6. Mar 15, 2015
    5
    5/10
    I am so dissapointed by this game. I thought it would be one of the best console game, maybe it is, but is this great?
    1st: I am not
    5/10
    I am so dissapointed by this game. I thought it would be one of the best console game, maybe it is, but is this great?
    1st: I am not complaining about the ridiculous port from console to PC: with some mods this is technically not bad. Ok, there are some things, that is normal and great in PC games: free saving for example: I dont want to go through all the same enemies all over again, because I am killed by a boss, what is normal until you know the strategie.
    Now the game itself: Storytelling is so bad, I needed to search in internet to understand, that the story is... this never happened to me before. Gameplay...Hack n slay can be fun, but not here: you re doing the same little things million of time just to be perfect and not be killed... so often. Graphic + Sound: perfect. After about 15 hours I had enough and installed a PC game from 1997, that is better in my eyes: Fallout 1.
    Expand
  7. Aug 16, 2020
    0
    very very very terrible port to PC and very disappointing... you must download DSfix if u wish to play the game... FPS is capped and no inputvery very very terrible port to PC and very disappointing... you must download DSfix if u wish to play the game... FPS is capped and no input mapping you must download mod for it... overall awful unplayable port and poorly optimized if it was even optimized at all

    after playing dark souls 3 I wanted to play the 2nd one it didn't work at all so I tried the first one and its even worse port...its just sad
    Expand

See all 647 User Reviews

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