Few games can spark discussion as quickly asDark Souls. Most know it from its constantly referenced difficulty and lack of hand-holding. While these aspects are unique compared to most modern titles, it misses the point of the series.
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Dark Soulsisn’t about dying. It’s about perseverance. Each game handles this differently. The first game relies more on environmental storytelling and tone than the final game’s reliance on mechanical mastery. They each provide different experiences that should be experienced, but many compare the first and third entries while arguing what’s best. Here are 5 reasons why bothDark SoulsRemasteredandDark Souls 3are the best in the series.
10Dark Souls Remastered: Perfect First Act
DarkSoulsis a polarizing game in arguably a polarizing series for fans. The first game has the highest peaks and the deepest troughs out of any third-person action game someone will ever play.
Before obtaining the Lordvessel,Dark Soulshas perfect pacing and a satisfying difficulty curve. The Asylum players start their adventure at is a perfect microcosm of the game. It is somewhat unfair but encourages players to keep their eyes peeled. Few games make users feel so uncomfortable yet inspired asDark Soulscan, and the first half of this game nails this aspect.
9Dark Souls 3: Multiplayer
Multiplayer in theSoulsseries is peculiar, to say the least. Players must interact with signs other users carve into the ground to summon allies or foes. That doesn’t mean this is the only way you’ll face players.
Devious players can invade others at nearly any time to furthertheir Covenant progressionor to simply be rude.Dark Souls 3takes this further than any game in the series. Custom arenas can be entered at Firelink Shrine for matchmade PvP. Levels inDark Souls 3overall feel better to fight other players in than the firstDark Souls.
8Dark Souls Remastered: Methodical Combat
Methodical is the best way to describe the firstDark Souls’combat. Every swing must be timed in between enemy recovery animations or players risk being hit themselves.
Animations are slow anddamage is dished out in large quantities, forcing players to master the art of dodging or parrying. Enemies are slow in return to give obvious indicators of when they should be struck. It’s a simple system when compared to most action titles but nothing fitsDark Soulsbetter than its slow-paced action.
7Dark Souls 3: Reactionary Combat
TakeDark Soulsand combine it withBloodborne’scombat, and the end result isDark Souls 3.This game is dramatically faster than the previous entries while maintaining the series' punishing gameplay loop.
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Some fans were alienated by this change, but those who adapted were in for a treat.Dark Souls 3dramatically speeds up the attack animations of enemies and the playable character to make reaction times much more important in this installment. The removal of traditional poise from players and most enemies reinforces this aggressive behaviorFrom Softwareis trying to encourage. This rhythm provides a different adrenaline rush that is just as satisfying as the first game’s combat loop.
6Dark Souls Remastered: World Design
Most players have heard ofDark Souls’masterful world design. Fans rave about its interconnectedness but few mention the brilliant transitions between these zones as well.
Most gamers that have playedDark Soulsremember the first time entering the Undead Parish and feeling so far from Firelink Shrine. Players fight through the horde of Hollows and make their way to an elevator that leads them right back to Firelink. The fear of the unknown was replaced with relief and a sense of safety that is seldom felt in this genre. Players went from an abandoned church to the hub town in one elevator without the world feeling disjointed!Dark Souls 2and even3have struggled to replicate these seamless transitions without suffering from incongruent environment changes as withDark Souls 2orDark Souls 3’sobsession with locked doors.
5Dark Souls 3: Level Design
With that said, the individual levels in the firstDark Soulsaren’t as solid as the ones inDark Souls 3. The world design is impeccable, but each level isn’t as solid asDS 3.
Dark Souls 3has a great mix of fodder enemies and tougher foes to chunk players down. Threats are usually clear before entering an arena, somethingDark Soulsstruggled to do, with the Capra Demon and first Seath encounter being examples of this.Dark Souls 3levels use a great mix of verticality and winding corridors to keep players on their toes. Each level also makes great use of naturally leading the player back to a shortcut next to a Bonfire.
4Dark Souls Remastered: Nails Metroidvania Design
DescribingDark Soulsto someone who hasn’t played it can be difficult. Its clunky and obscure mechanics can make it difficult to get into, but the best genre to lump theSoulsseries into is Metroidvania.
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Metroidvanias focus on interconnected worlds with areas that are only accessible once the player is powerful enough or has certain items. This is exactly whatDark Soulsdoes. Its interconnected levels can be explored through hidden passages, keys, or stranger methods like being flown back to Undead Asylum. No other game in the series, or any game by From Software, has captured the spirit of this genre as well as the firstDark Souls.
3Dark Souls 3: Consistency
EveryDark Soulsgame is fantastic in its own way, but the first two games had serious issues with consistent quality.Dark Soulshas a heartbreakingly rushed second half whileDark Souls 2ranges between a boring main campaign to phenomenal DLC areas.
Thankfully, the final game in the series doesn’t have this issue. Every zone inDark Souls 3is well crafted with mostly fair enemy encounters and afair share of secrets. It takes the best ofDark Souls1and2, sometimes literally, and combines it into a memorable experience.Dark Souls 3is, for lack of a better phrase, a greatest hits album of the series in the best way possible.
2Dark Souls Remastered: Tone
Few games use their challenge to accentuate a setting as well asDark Souls. Players aren’t a power-hungry god that slays everything with ease. Nobody cares about the playable character.
The first NPC in Firelink Shrine laughs at the players and calls them foolish. Enemies continue their shambling patrols after killing you.Dark Souls’apathy towards the player is the game’s greatest strength. It encompasses the decaying state of the world and is easy to relate to. Yet,Dark Soulsteaches players to brush off your mistakes and keep trying no matter the task. Its applicability to dealing with loss or depression proves video games are just as much an art form as other forms of media.
1Dark Souls 3: Boss Fights
Taking inspiration fromBloodborne,Dark Souls 3has a large variety of bosses with quick and punishing attacks that require mechanic mastery to overcome. NoDark Soulsgame has the same quality of boss fights asDS 3.
Bosses inDark Soulswere either too easy like the Gaping Dragon or more experiments than proper bosses — The Bed of Chaos and Moonlight Butterfly being the best examples of this.Dark Souls 3gives purpose to every boss, teaching or reinforcing mechanics. Irregular telegraphs from the likes of Dancer or Gael make for some nail-biting fights for veterans and newcomers alike. The scale of these fights has considerably increased as well, ranging from giant trees that destroy terrain to fighting a skilled knight during the end of the world.
