I've yet to read the article (in case of spoilers since I stopped myself from reading after 'free a certain someone from a cell'), but I'd like to comment how amazing dark souls is. I've never played demons souls, but I love the combat, the animations, and how almost every enemy you encounter never seems like fodder enemies given how much damage they could do and how good their ai is and how intimidating they usually are.

18 hours in so far and loving it. The game takes a bit to get going, but once you figure out where you should be heading, its a lot better.
 
As a note though, because of the way they changed the magic system to limited casts, its essentially impossible to be a pure mage, until very late game (Which can't be reached being a pure mage, of course). So that's a bit of a bummer, but I always preferred building hybrid anyways. The early game was very rough though.
 
Also, coop is completely busted, and that really really sucks. They broke the game servers up into many smaller ones, so its very likely you aren't on the same server as your friend and thus will never see each other's symbols. I really hope they can patch in something to fix this, because a lot of people, myself included, want to play through with a friend at some point and right now its nearly impossible.

Really appreciate all the time you guys have given this game so far. The videos and articles have been awesome, and that Quick Look totally sold me on the game.

It's already one of the most satisfying and intriguing games I've played this year. With so much else coming out this Fall/Winter, this game's going to be a hard one to beat for the stories I have to tell and the way the game makes you feel (usually scared of dying). The sheer amount of "Holy Shit!" moments are staggering.

I'm also finding this WAY more playable than Demon's Souls. I already feel like I've made more progress than I have in Demon's, and the difficulty is just brutal, not unfair (so far).

Great write-up!

You still kill enemies and collect their souls, which are used both as currency and as a means to increase your level; you still lose all the souls you’ve gained if you die and are forced to march through a horde of resurrected enemies to reach your corpse, and if you fail to make it back, all the currency you’ve earned, sometimes representing hours of grinding, is permanently destroyed. Two strikes, and you’re out, in essence.

Losing hours of grinding? I guess that's when you get a really high level because I have never lost more than 10 or 20 minutes of souls. Until now I have been fine by hitting a nearby bonfire or merchant after a dangerous encounter and just spend those souls on levels or arrows/firebombs/..

I'm glad they're giving Dark Souls more attention than Demon's Souls, which they only touched on when Vinny came back to it fairly recently. It's made for some very interesting conversations the last couple of weeks.

Also, Rorie is awesome.

Im confused about the title, is this article about Steve Jobs?

When I was fighting the second boss on the bridge (the lion thing?), I screamed in joy when I saw it backstep down and fall to its death

Oh my gawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwd.... I would love to play this game, if only they would bring it to the PC. I'm not holding my breath though :(

@Rorie: Great write-up Rorie thanks

How many puppies does that translate into?

@kingzetta said:

@jozzy said:

Great write-up!

You still kill enemies and collect their souls, which are used both as currency and as a means to increase your level; you still lose all the souls you’ve gained if you die and are forced to march through a horde of resurrected enemies to reach your corpse, and if you fail to make it back, all the currency you’ve earned, sometimes representing hours of grinding, is permanently destroyed. Two strikes, and you’re out, in essence.

Losing hours of grinding? I guess that's when you get a really high level because I have never lost more than 10 or 20 minutes of souls. Until now I have been fine by hitting a nearby bonfire or merchant after a dangerous encounter and just spend those souls on levels or arrows/firebombs/..

yeah it's more when it takes 30,000 souls to level up. I'm level 20 and it only takes like 2400 souls.

Indeed, I am around lvl 20 too (bit higher I think). I can see it taking a lot of levels before you'll need 30k.

@Xeiphyer said:

18 hours in so far and loving it. The game takes a bit to get going, but once you figure out where you should be heading, its a lot better. As a note though, because of the way they changed the magic system to limited casts, its essentially impossible to be a pure mage, until very late game (Which can't be reached being a pure mage, of course)

Not true at all. My character is 100% magic spec'd (all my points have gone into intelligence or attunement, I don't even carry a weapon besides the catalyst) and I'm doing fine so far. I just rang the second bell and I haven't come across any major problems. I mean, with six spell slots I haven't gotten close to any situations where I lacked enough magic to proceed.

@kingzetta said:

@jozzy said:

Great write-up!

You still kill enemies and collect their souls, which are used both as currency and as a means to increase your level; you still lose all the souls you’ve gained if you die and are forced to march through a horde of resurrected enemies to reach your corpse, and if you fail to make it back, all the currency you’ve earned, sometimes representing hours of grinding, is permanently destroyed. Two strikes, and you’re out, in essence.

Losing hours of grinding? I guess that's when you get a really high level because I have never lost more than 10 or 20 minutes of souls. Until now I have been fine by hitting a nearby bonfire or merchant after a dangerous encounter and just spend those souls on levels or arrows/firebombs/..

yeah it's more when it takes 30,000 souls to level up. I'm level 20 and it only takes like 2400 souls.

Indeed, I am around lvl 20 too (bit higher I think). I can see it taking a lot of levels before you'll need 30k.

Fantastic write up, thank you

Would love another Real-Talk or video, you found the underground passage to my heart and used the master key to horde my large nameless skeleton soldier soul.

-bacon

@Rorie: Only you would quote Rilke when speaking of video games. You're the best.

@ptys said:

The game sounds great but the thing that gets me is stuff like Gamespot saying "Game Of The Year 2009" and giving this recent version an almost perfect score? How does this as a stand alone product potentially compete with franchises like Mass Effect, Bio Shock and Elder Scrolls if all I'm hearing is that it's really hard, really slow and really rewarding. I'm not criticising, I'm just curious? I can crank the difficulty in ME2 up to Hardcore, play extremely methodically and have a really rewarding experience as a well. Perhaps it's more about how people rush through video games nowadays, not taking in the full experience and so in a game like this they are forced to play like alot of us already do?

Mass Effect 2 is still pretty easy even on insanity, at least that's what I thought, all it does is give the enemies more health, shields and damage. A lot of the encounters are pretty trivial on that game, Dark Souls is definitely on another level of difficulty, there's the risk/reward factor to consider too. Mass Effect is just die > reload game try again. I don't really get frustrated when dying on it, where as on Mass Effect it felt like all of my deaths were from getting knocked out of cover or stuck somehow.

Online is so messed up. The way servers are set up it's tough to play with others. They need to rid this multi-server shit or at least up the 10 levels difference. If this had been set up like Demon's Souls you'd be seeing a shit load more bloodstains than this. I mean, think about how many times you die and where alone. There would be a lot more summon signs and ghosts running around. Even the way factions are set up it revolves around people being able to connect to each other. Hell one faction is based entirely on hunting down players that have been put up on a hit list. So many other game mechanics ruined because of this. I don't think they knew how to publish this set up in a larger region than Japan.

Outside of that major issue, I really am enjoying the crawl through Dark Souls. Everyone should try and get the wolf ring, it's awesome. It gives +Poise letting you bypass most stun animations, including guard breaks.

Oh if you don't know what I'm talking about. Blah

As a note though, because of the way they changed the magic system to limited casts, its essentially impossible to be a pure mage, until very late game (Which can't be reached being a pure mage, of course). So that's a bit of a bummer

I respected Demon's Souls but gave up on it early on, just hit a wall I did not want to climb. Dark Souls went from a zero interest game to something I had to try again, more honestly this time, and sure enough I've been falling under it's spell. It's fucking brutal and wonderful stuff. This was a really good read that gives a glimpse into what makes the series so compellingly bleak and unique.

Don't wanna sound weird or anything, but he kinda just spoke to my soul ( Please, no pun intended). That is really what I enjoy from Dark Souls the most. The exploration, the scarce information, and the discovery, and eventually conquering of it all that truly makes this one of my most favorite game. Even though I have died countless times.

I love Nas.

It's one of the few games that I HAVE to force myself over the "you're doing it wrong" feeling. So many other games (like long ass JRPGs in general) that have multiple approaches or ways to play nurture my feeling of looking things up.

I am trying to stay away from that as little as possible. Make the game more of "This was my Dark Souls experience..." discussion point instead of going for the Min/Max character.

I'm running "Geralt", a white haired swordsman with high str/dex and works a bit on End/Vit. Thought about going for some spells, but I dunno. Might be too hard to branch out that many different directions. My bow = my spells :P

I gave several bosses and large minions sweet doses of murder tonight. Was fun!

awesome rorie doing some writing here! And this game intrigues my like no other, and it is refreshing in the modern game world.

I love this game Im only 2 hours in and have only dies twice. I hope I can keep my deaths to a minimum.

I yelled fuck a lot today.

Matthew Rorie you are a cool dude.

Just picked this up, cannot wait to run into players and die.

Excellent summation, rorie!

@xobballox said:

I love Nas.

One love.

A couple times where I beat some little bosses, I actually shouted. Just because I've died so many times at their hand prior to the killings. Such a great game.

I missed out on Demon's Souls for various reasons, but I'm really glad I got the chance to play Dark Souls. This game really is quite amazing, particularly its online implementation.

I love how Matt's name to the article is simply just 'Rorie' :D

I am still working on Demon's Souls before I even so much as dip a finger into this one.

Giant Bomb convinced me to get this game. Fromsoftware owes you something.

Enjoyable read.

@Chop said:

@Xeiphyer said:

18 hours in so far and loving it. The game takes a bit to get going, but once you figure out where you should be heading, its a lot better. As a note though, because of the way they changed the magic system to limited casts, its essentially impossible to be a pure mage, until very late game (Which can't be reached being a pure mage, of course)

Not true at all. My character is 100% magic spec'd (all my points have gone into intelligence or attunement, I don't even carry a weapon besides the catalyst) and I'm doing fine so far. I just rang the second bell and I haven't come across any major problems. I mean, with six spell slots I haven't gotten close to any situations where I lacked enough magic to proceed.

Same Here, I'm early in the game still but I'm going pure magic an I see no problems on the horizon. Zapping dudes with magic arrow. And this is my first time playing this game ! I don't own a PS3 so Dark Souls is my first souls game, still no problems.

You could totally kick in Demon's Souls, Rorie (and some weapons have different stuff mapped to the up+attack, like the scimitar). The jump attack is new though.

That's why we puff lye?

Awesome Read! Enjoying the game so far. It was never so fun to Die!

Good article. I agree with the part about the constant autosave. Too many games allow you to make really hard decisions, see the outcome, then load up the save again and make a different choice.

@Aishan said:

Good write up Rorie. I'm equally eagerly awaiting and dreading the arrival of my copy in the mail tomorrow. As a 360 player I never had a chance to play Demon's Souls, but I am more than aware of it's reputation through both the original Giant Bomb Quick Look and some "Let's Play" footage I watched some months back.

The Quick Look you did for Dark Souls last week really piqued my interest, and that little chat with you had with Kessler confirmed my decision. I'm in the mood for something challenging right now, and although I don't really agree with some of the design decisions, mainly the obfuscation of game mechanics, it definitely seems like a game worth my time.

At least until Skyrim gets here.

This, exactly this,

i just picked this up on the 360. i must say, at first i was extremely frustrated with the game, dying every few minutes by swarms of enemies. but once i started grinding, and figured out what area is best for me to explore at my level, things became more satisfying.

i think this game has great potential, and is definitely very challenging. it may teach me more patience, for future games i play :)

Great read Matt, this game fascinates me even though I know I'll probably hate it in the end. Have to give it a chance though. The combat seems like a blast and I can see why it's beloved.

Would love to see another Quick Look with the online features in mind, first QL was a blast.

@Chop said:

@Xeiphyer said:

18 hours in so far and loving it. The game takes a bit to get going, but once you figure out where you should be heading, its a lot better. As a note though, because of the way they changed the magic system to limited casts, its essentially impossible to be a pure mage, until very late game (Which can't be reached being a pure mage, of course)

Not true at all. My character is 100% magic spec'd (all my points have gone into intelligence or attunement, I don't even carry a weapon besides the catalyst) and I'm doing fine so far. I just rang the second bell and I haven't come across any major problems. I mean, with six spell slots I haven't gotten close to any situations where I lacked enough magic to proceed.

Same Here, I'm early in the game still but I'm going pure magic an I see no problems on the horizon. Zapping dudes with magic arrow. And this is my first time playing this game ! I don't own a PS3 so Dark Souls is my first souls game, still no problems.

@RobertOrri said:

I am still working on Demon's Souls before I even so much as dip a finger into this one.

Same. Had Demon's Souls for 5 months already and have barely even scratched the surface on it. Very far from even touching this new one..

@Cessate said:

@Aishan said:

Good write up Rorie. I'm equally eagerly awaiting and dreading the arrival of my copy in the mail tomorrow. As a 360 player I never had a chance to play Demon's Souls, but I am more than aware of it's reputation through both the original Giant Bomb Quick Look and some "Let's Play" footage I watched some months back.

The Quick Look you did for Dark Souls last week really piqued my interest, and that little chat with you had with Kessler confirmed my decision. I'm in the mood for something challenging right now, and although I don't really agree with some of the design decisions, mainly the obfuscation of game mechanics, it definitely seems like a game worth my time.

At least until Skyrim gets here.

This, exactly this,

Skyrim can go to hell.. This game is GOTY quality if you can get over the fact you will die every few minutes till you learn what your doing.

I wonder if Jeff & Ryan will continue to ignore this masterpiece. They never even gave Demons Souls a chance.

Thank god we have Rorie around to do it justice.

For whatever reasons, that headline is the funniest one I've ever read (video game related).

Good article and really looking forward to playing this. Demon's Souls was one of my GOTY last year.

So, so Rorie.