Dark Souls Remastered

Visiting the dark, twisted world of Lordran on the go must have been out of the question a few years ago, yet it finally materializes on the Nintendo Switch. While torturing our character and our mentality anytime and anywhere seems sadistic to say the least, there is no doubt that the Nintendo Switch finally got one of the must-play titles out there. Minor setbacks in visuals and controls pale in comparison to what Dark Souls really is and to the amount of experience the player gets from it.

Dark Souls Remastered doesn’t add a lot to the Dark Souls formula, but then again it doesn’t need to. Its graphical updates are subtle, and sometimes dubious, and the tweaks it makes to the game will only be noticeable to the already converted. But a refreshed pool of players means more opportunities for jolly cooperation, and the Switch makes it more convenient than ever to play the sometimes unapproachable classic. For better or worse, Dark Souls Remastered is essentially the Dark Souls you already know on a new platform.

The Switch release of Dark Souls: Remastered is sublime, offering a daunting, rewarding experience that you can carry anywhere with no losses. That you can play it in such an intimate way only enhances its themes and its best points, becoming, to me, the definitive way to experience Dark Souls.

Dark Souls Remastered is a technically better version of an already-exceptional game. While the Switch version may lack some of the higher-end features available on other platforms, it still presents a more pristine version of the original, and importantly adds the exciting and absorbing dimension to explore Lordran on a portable device.

To me, it’s the perfect afternoon.

Dark Souls: Remastered is the improved version of one of the most influential and unforgettable games ever made. It delivers a mysterious and expansive world to be explored, which will reward with many wonders those who brave enough to face its dangers.

Technically surprisingly sound now you can dive into the beautifully disturbing world of Dark Souls on Switch without second thoughts - but do yourself a favor and use the Gamepad.

Dark Souls remains a magnificently designed title with a strong visual and narrative sense of self. There was no reason to fix what wasn't broken, and Dark Souls Remastered on Switch understands that perfectly.

If you’re a longtime Dark Souls fan looking to pick it up on yet another platform, I can say that the Switch version genuinely surprised me. Not only does it work, but it works well. And having the ability to take Dark Souls with me wherever I go is honestly a dream come true.

Dark Souls Remastered has built a reputation for its sadistic design. This can certainly be the case for anyone that dares to dive headfirst into danger without a second thought. What I took from the experience was a simulated life lesson in paying attention and thinking for yourself to work out how to smartly move forward to achieve small ambitious goals. Sure, the difficulty curve can seem daunting, but there is an answer to everything as long as you’re willing to experiment. With all that said, there’s a reason why Dark Souls has become such a massive influence in the games industry.

Playing one of the decade’s most influential video games on a handheld proves a welcome novelty, as the Switch version of Dark Souls makes the most of the existing remaster.

Dark Souls on Switch was another chance for me to fall in love with the world of Lordran once more. It's an experience that's a perfect fit on a handheld, and it's one of the most compelling apps Nintendo's burgeoning platform currently has to offer.

Not everyone is going to find the soul-crushing difficulty as therapeutic, but amidst the rollercoaster of rage, frustration and depression, I learned the importance of perseverance and patience, and just how good it feels to accomplish something that you once thought impossible.

While we’ve had to wait a little longer than those playing on PS4 and Xbox One, the wait has been more than worth it. Dark Souls: Remastered is a faithful remaster of a touchstone in video game design that improves overall performance while preserving all of the character traits that made the original such a memorable experience. While it’s no less forgiving - and its menus are a little fiddly - this slick Nintendo Switch iteration offers the only way to experience Lordran’s ultra-challenging odyssey in true handheld form. Praise the Sun, indeed.

Dark Souls Remastered on the Switch is yet another fantastic way to enjoy what is possibly of the best and most rewarding experiences in gaming.

"Portable Souls" should be reason enough to convince anyone to not miss this game, and the Switch version of Dark Souls Remastered is exactly that, no more, no less. Performance is great (30fps great), the visual identity of the original game has been restored and, in the end, is as enjoyable as any other version of the game.

I spent a few days hunting for undead, Lords and great knights. I visited Oolacile again from the comfort of my bed, I lost thousands of souls in Anor Londo from the terrace of my house, and I banged my fists on the desk while slipping in a ravine trying to take a shortcut. Although it is a pity that the frame rate isn’t perfectly stable, the chance to play whenever and wherever I want has its own charm.

If you've never played Dark Souls before and you have a Nintendo Switch now, you should definitely give that game a chance.

A slight downgrade in some visual effects and audio quality do little to hold back what is otherwise a great and smooth port of Dark Souls.

It is also a great pleasure to be able to play the game anytime, anywhere.

A fantastic video game and an interesting port for Nintendo Switch. It features some of the best combat around, memorable boss battles, difficult gameplay, and wonderful set pieces.

There are technical limitations inherent with the Switch version of Dark Souls, but if you're from a time where you can fight through it, you should be OK. [Issue #37 – January/February 2019, p. 73]

Dark Souls Remastered on the Nintendo Switch brings a new kind of revelry to the moment-to-moment victories like finding a bonfire or killing a boss.

Quotation forthcoming.

A well aged fantasy/horror action RPG, that even those who have never played before should definitely give a chance. Don't be scared off by the stories of how difficult it is. (Though also know, those stories are true.)

The game has extras and technical improvements, but graphically it is similar to the first version, the sound is bad and the additional contents are scarce. However, it brings a unique experience thanks to a great playable system and a wonderful world that rewards you with the sweetest death.

Is the Switch version the best way to experience Dark Souls? Probably not, and I can’t imagine new players coming to the game for the first time trying to learn Dark Souls in the handheld mode. My advice for Switch owners who have never played From’s masterpiece: play it docked and on the big screen first. For those Souls veterans who just can’t get enough of their favorite game, be prepared to retrain your muscles, play in a dark room, and be a little amazed that you’re holding the game at all.

All in all, Dark Souls: Remastered on the Switch is a solid port that presents a modern classic to a new audience. While this version is an overall good showing, it falls short in sound quality and lacks any significant improvements over the original. Most will get this for the sake of playing Dark Souls in the restroom, and there is no valid argument I can bring against that.

Yes, there are still performance issues occasionally – but it’s nothing compared to how bad the original release was. For Dark Souls first outing on Switch, this Remaster should appeal to fans and newcomers alike – just don’t expect perfection.

As a remastered it is not perfect, with some hiccups when playing docked, but it is quite solid, and being able to play Dark Souls anywhere with this quality is just a dream come true.

While Dark Souls Remastered on Switch possesses some odd quirks and isn't as technically impressive as its current-gen counterparts, it still retains the heart of what the original game is all about.

Dark Souls remastered on Nintendo Switch is still a fantastic game. And with good technical and visual performances, that version has one killer feature that other versions doesn't: portability.

Despite the Nintendo Switch’s technical limitations, Dark Soul Remastered does a great job so the player can enjoy one of the most iconic game of the last generation of consoles, in a very different way.

Dark Souls Remastered for Nintendo Switch keeps the essence of the series intact and also adds the portability element that, however, sustains several problems that negatively affect the overall experience, especially with the TV mode on.

The world design is second to none, and the game’s intertwining stories come together in a way that From Software—and its imitators—have failed to match. I continue to experience and find new things hidden away in Lordran’s darkest corners, and the Switch version lets me do that on the bus.

If you’re searching for a real challenge on Switch and haven’t played the original before, look no further than Dark Souls: Remastered. It’s going to be a daunting yet thrilling ride filled with frustrations along the way, but satisfying nonetheless in the end. Just be extremely patient, learn from your mistakes and you’ll eventually feel right at home.

Seven years out from its first release, people already know what Dark Souls is all about and probably know whether that type of brutal gameplay is for them. Love it or hate it, it is what it is. The Switch version doesn’t change that experience. It does run extremely well on the system, and it looks pretty darn good. The failure to adhere to Nintendo button conventions isn’t exactly exclusive to Dark Souls: Remastered either, but it doesn’t make it any less of an annoyance. Other than that, there isn’t much else going wrong.

Dark Souls Remastered arrives on Nintendo Switch with an imperfect edition. It's portable Dark Souls, sure, but apart from that all the other remastered versions are preferable for home gaming.

A good remaster but not a perfect one due Switch's poor hardware. At least the gameplay experience is still flawless, while adding a portable element to the mix, making this version a sure hit.

With Dark Souls Remastered you should know exactly what you are getting; a full fat port of a revered and classic game with all of the extra bells and whistles the little console can afford. You may have already picked this remaster up on another platform, and if you have then you may want to side step this release. But if you missed it, or if taking Lordran with you in your bag is too appealing to turn down, then follow the flame and praise the sun.

While it isn’t without some notable and completely unnecessary problems, the Switch version of Dark Souls Remastered is still a great way to experience one of the best games ever released. The ability to play the game wherever and whenever is wonderful, and it’s nice to have this improvement on the original PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 release to contrast the more drastic overhaul the other platforms received.