DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED

Developer: QLOC
Release: May 23rd 2018
Platforms:
Action
Addictive
Challenging
Atmospheric
Runbacks
Hackers
DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED Poster

" Intricately designed action game with immersive exploration and challenging combat but tedious runbacks "

DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED Review

DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED is widely regarded as a challenging and atmospheric action RPG that has left a lasting impact on players over the years. Players praise its intricate level design, haunting world, and rewarding combat mechanics that encourage patience and mastery. The remaster improves visuals and performance, notably offering 60fps gameplay and fixing issues like Blighttown lag. The game’s lore and environmental storytelling, though minimalistic and sometimes cryptic, add depth to the experience. Many players describe it as a life-changing journey, with a strong sense of accomplishment after overcoming tough bosses.

However, the game is not without flaws. Critics highlight frustrating aspects such as excessive runbacks, clunky controls, uneven difficulty spikes, and some unfinished or poorly designed areas (notably Lost Izalith). The online component is marred by hackers who can permanently disrupt player progress, and the NPC questlines are easily missed, which some find detracts from the narrative experience. Despite these issues, the game remains a beloved classic and a must-play for fans of the genre.

Highlights

Players consistently praise the game's masterful level design and interconnected world, which create a believable and immersive environment. The combat system is challenging yet fair, rewarding methodical play and timing. The atmospheric art direction and soundtrack enhance the haunting and mysterious tone. Boss fights are memorable and provide a strong sense of achievement. The remaster’s improved graphics and stable 60fps performance, especially in notoriously problematic areas like Blighttown, are widely appreciated. The lore, though subtle, is rich and invites exploration, making the game stand out as a unique narrative experience in gaming.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the game's punishing difficulty often stemming from long runbacks after death rather than pure combat challenge. Controls and movement are described as clunky or janky by some players, impacting fluidity. Certain areas, particularly Lost Izalith, feel unfinished or rushed. The online multiplayer suffers from hacker invasions that can irreversibly kill NPCs and break progress, which is a major deterrent. NPC questlines are poorly communicated and easy to miss, leading to frustration. Additionally, some players find the RPG systems overly complex or poorly explained, and the story presentation minimalistic to a fault.

Pros

  • Intricately designed interconnected world provides immersive exploration and discovery.
  • Challenging but fair combat rewards patience and skillful timing.
  • Atmospheric art direction and haunting soundtrack enhance the experience.
  • Memorable boss fights offer a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
  • Remaster improves performance with smooth 60fps gameplay.
  • Rich, subtle lore encourages player investigation and engagement.
  • Variety of builds and weapons allow diverse playstyles.

Cons

  • Long runbacks after death can feel tedious and frustrating.
  • Clunky controls and movement affect gameplay fluidity.
  • Some areas, like Lost Izalith, feel unfinished or poorly designed.
  • Online multiplayer plagued by hackers ruining player progress.
  • NPC questlines are confusing and often missed without guides.
  • Minimal story presentation can leave players disconnected.
  • Complex RPG systems lack clear explanations for new players.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Then, there was fire. Re-experience the critically acclaimed, genre-defining game that started it all. Beautifully remastered, return to Lordran in stunning high-definition detail running at 60fps.

Release Date May 23rd 2018
Publisher FromSoftware, Inc., Bandai Namco Entertainment
Developer QLOC, FromSoftware, Inc.
Required Age 17+
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (41,978)
92% Positive 8% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
84