A dark masterpiece!

A dark masterpiece!

Dark Souls - Prepare to Die Edition - [PlayStation 3] (Video Game)

Customer Review

"And so I woke up again at the heat of the blazing beacon, the only stop in this dark world. I could feel the life force returned to my body, felt in my limbs slowly could move. I knew exactly where I was, I was here many times on warming fire, the rock in this sea of ​​darkness and despair. With one hand I cupped my sword, with the other I took my plate lying on the ground again in the hand.

I still knew exactly what had happened before I died, every move had memorized in my mind, every step, every beat. And so I ran off, back down into the depths of "New Londor". Like every time I felt an oppressive feeling when I looked at the grim scene of the sunken city from the elevator out. Was it because of the darkness below, the spirits, the death? I did not know it. When the elevator arrived on the ground, I made my way across the old planks, past ruined ruins stone under this sky. I saw from the corner of his eye, like the ghostly swords and hands to Austr-stretched to me, her cold and empty eyes hungered for the rest of life blazing in my womb. But it was not my first encounter with them, I knew their movements, and by the power of my "traveling curse" I could defeat them individually well. But they were not the goal of my trip, this was later further in the darkness, it was the ancient kings, which I had to overcome at last. But how does this thought chiseled in my head I was careless. One false step, incorrect sound and I knew I had made a serious mistake. The fist-sized stone at my feet a lot down in the depths of the canyon until it loud sound hit the water.

Beads of sweat formed on my forehead. I knew they had heard it. And when I saw the ground, I knew I was right. There they appeared, cold, pale, lifeless schemes of hands and faces, the spirits had my track found. I knew I could not stay here on this bridge I'd be an easy target. I started running, I knew the way, only go straight, then turn right, right again and up the stairs. But when I got up already appeared in front of me, another spirit. I could not completely escape his cursed sword, the steel stabbed through my thin arms and into the meat. I did not cry but killed the spirit with a specific spot of my sword. But apparently I was not a victory granted: I felt the pain in the wound throbbed, a deep purple went from the intersection from which the spirit landed on my ribs. I could do it, I just had to persevere and turned around, ready to move on

... But when I looked even in the cold, lifeless eyes of another mind. While I only just realized what was happening, he drilled his sword deep into my chest. I slumped. The pain was getting stronger, pulsing was the over went to a quake and a deep droning in my head and made me forget my goal. My vision was fading fast, until she finally became a deep black. I could still feel how my body slumped slowly and once again returned to the circulation of this cursed place "

Oh great, even not paying attention and over again. Regardless, the next time I pack already!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Dark Souls" is the sequel to the surprise hit "Demons Souls", which appeared in 2009 is exclusively for the PS3. It was relentless, bock difficult, offered no assistance and required extensive training, but at the same time captivated by an incredibly motivating and rewarding experience with epic battles and bosses. Both in the press, and among critics, the game could skim maximum ratings and win oodles prices. But the heavy burden of its predecessor is "Dark Souls" justice? To this I would like to address some points again.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

History
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As info to the beginning: From the pure play her own offers "Dark Souls" a rather "minimalist" plot. Nevertheless, I shake my head when I read or hear "Dark Souls has no story, because there is no real background story", it behaves here like in "Demon's Souls": most of the backgrounds, the characters, the relationships and the events you have to piece together themselves and interpret on the basis of some clues. Perhaps it is this factor that makes the story anyway so awesome?

The intro of Dark Souls is simply impressive. It tells the story of how at the beginning of time huge dragons have ruled over a dark realm, a world that was covered by mist and still unformed. Then came the fire, with his light and darkness, life and death and the souls of the gods. These gods began to rebel against the dragon and try to cast them. There were "Gwyn" the lord of sunlight and his army of brave knights, the "Witch of Izalith" and her daughters of chaos with her Pyromancy, "Nito", the tomb prince and his undead and last "Seath the scaleless", a Dragon of his way betrayed and helped them wipe. They could ultimately destroy all the dragons and only remained dark. This darkness branded some people, those cursed carry the "sinister character" and live in this world as the undead. They were sent to the North into exile and brought into a giant prison to spend their lives. And here our hero begins the story

Already in the about 2:30 minutes long intro is not all clear and you can spin many theories. So it is in the game, on the most only fragmentary information is available and there are only hinted. What really happened? Where has he / she / it disappeared and why? There are many such questions that can arise in the course of the game, because everywhere waiting household names and notes, well-known armor, weapons and fragments of text and you can put together the fragments differently. For me it's what makes the story of "Dark Souls": Everyone experiences them in his own way, interprets them in his own way and that's why it is different for each. I think such a story is much more appealing than a 1: 1 vorgeskriptete and illuminated every detail story in which everything is perfectly recognizable. It is the magic of ignorance that makes the magic of the story of "Dark Souls". Interpretation and own feelings are the key words here.

For those who want to see a few of these interpretations, I write the following section. I have him marked for people who really want to let anything spoil from the story, they can simply move to the next category About "The world of Dark Souls".

[Caution story technical Spoiler]

Already in the intro, the "Witch of Izalith" and her daughters of Chaos are called, for example, that the "Pyromancy" Fire Magic, created and carried out in the world. But what has happened to them? That's the fascinating. you can meet them deep underground in the forgotten and abandoned areas. If you travel down the course of history in the depths you meet soon to "Schandstadt" and living there Pyromantin, "Quelana". If you look at their clothes and talking to her, it turns out that it is really one of the daughters of chaos. But what about the others? Walking down the characteristic Schandstadt further you meet a huge Spinnenbau and there probably one of the most imposing opponents in "Dark Souls": "Queelag" a monster that is half spider half woman and fighting with a flaming sword and lava. Once you have mastered it and further explored the ruins one can find a secret door. If one walks through this, you will encounter a strange scene: a little creature, overgrown with giant mushrooms kneeling on the floor in front of another, this time white, "Spider Woman" which apparently no longer able to move, is blind and lives there for centuries. She has no name but is called by her servant only "the lovely young lady." It represents the leader of the "Servant of Chaos" faction and seems to be in complete agony shortly before death. Does the player a special ring she considers him her sister, Queelag. Struggling now to continue before it applies not only to a "Tausendfüßlerdämon" that dominates the lava, but it also comes to the ruins of the former "Izalith". At the end one expects a strange creature, the "Bed of Chaos". A huge flaming creature that seems to be tied up, is one of the most powerful bosses and owns one of the tetrarch souls. All these are the information that can be collected as normal throughout the game. But how can you interpret that? Where did the "Bed of Chaos" a prince soul that only "Seath", "Nito", the "Witch of Izalith" and the "Four Kings" possessed? Then I would like to again in the next section.

After the dragons were defeated tried the "Witch of Izalith" the mother of all Pyromancy, the first flame, which was now extinguished, to recreate again. But the attempt went awry and the distorted "Bed of Chaos" was born, a creature of pure fire and chaos. This was also the source of all demons and began to eat. The "Witch of Izalith", together with its powerful ruler soul, the bed of the chaos completely fell victim and the inhabitants of "Izalith" were transformed into monsters. Three of her daughters were able to escape, but only "Quelana" escaped unscathed. "Queelag" and her other sister were partially consumed by the bed and the lower body were disfigured to monstrous, spidery creatures. The only son of Izalith fell the curse entirely to victims and transformed into the harrowing "Tausendfüßlerdämon", guarding the body of one of his other sisters. And that's the story of the "Witch of Izalith" and her curse she pursues to this day. Because "Quelana", the only daughter encountered still alive and in his right mind, asks the hero about to redeem them and to destroy the "bed of chaos" because maybe your family can be reunited in death.

Of course this was only a small part. There are tons of such situations in "Dark Souls", whether the motives of "Solaire" or "Lautrec", the story of "victory Meier", "Artorias", "Ornstein" and "Smug" "Four Kings" or what happened to "Seath the scaleless", "Gwyn" and his family. There are many approaches in the game and everyone can make its interpretation to

[Story Spoiler technical end]
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The world of Dark Souls
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Our hero begins his journey in the far north in "Untotenasyl". A cold, gloomy ruins full of people who have lost their minds and their guards. But of course that is only the beginning of the adventure, it performs a. Through dungeons and fortresses, through deserted ruins and castles, dark forests and lakes, but also by magnificent empires such as "Anor Londo," the former holy capital Although she is still bathed in light most residents have lost their humanity here and have degenerated into demons and monsters. Each piece is unique, each area complex and different. Unlike "Demons Souls" there are no individual parts, to play in an open world that you gradually explored. One key turns freely and secret paths, shortcuts and hiding places, there is always something to discover. Distributed throughout the world, there are "beacon" in which our hero can engage and thus restores his life. But this also has a disadvantage: Because all defeated opponents are then revived

The world teems with scattered details, hidden secrets and also of individual NPCs scattered. Their motives are mostly in the dark, but also often tell us fragments of their adventure with and meet us often on our trip. So you are not alone, but you can be sure that they are on your side or they will turn away from us? Again, as with the story, often given much interpretation clearance. What happened in this world? Where did the gods, what she has eaten? Why a dungeon was built there? As mentioned above, it is your imagination that writes the links and much of the story.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Graphic
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Graphically, the world of "Dark Souls" offers great variety: Dark vaults and dungeons, large, formerly magnificent forts, snowy ruins, huge crisscrossed by Lava shrines beneath the earth, the separate parts of the world are really beautifully done alternately and great. Particularly positive with the graphics of Dark Souls, the great character and enemy models, the countless armor and weapons that include small details and the buttery animations. The overall picture is simply extremely consistent, even though many textures are simply means to an end and represent a large pile of mud on closer inspection. The spell effects are impressive, just like the great sun lighting effects and "solar radiation". In itself, therefore no graphic flyer but it brings the gloomy atmosphere and destroyed the world over perfectly. Especially the fighting act thanks to the great animation and the brilliant control really menacing and magnificent.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sound
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Clanking swords and the crackling of metal on metal, paired with the cries and sounds of undead animals and monsters. The fighting sound realistic, as well as the sounds of woods or other areas. If you listen to distant steps, but still sees no opponent you will automatically tense and watching you do not want to be surprised, yes. Although there are few NPCs in the world and our character the entire game remains silent over the existing voice acting is awesome. Complex and different are the key words here. The music in the game is simply outstanding, gloomy, threatening, engaging in battles. Especially the boss fights are lined with great themes that capture the atmosphere very good fight. Here you can not complain really.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Battle System
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I think that the combat system is one of the points that make the Dark Souls to the experience that it is: Although the basic principle is simple and there are just a few moves and commands, it is important to master this. The direct system of its predecessor "Demons Souls" was expanded discreetly, for example, attacks from the fall of high damage or short jumps. The central system in the fight is in addition to the points still life endurance is, without it, we are virtually defenseless. Thus, it is often necessary to insert "Verschnaufspausen" and try distance between the opponents and to kill himself. Every movement, every attack, every block that is consumed at this bar and this is all going short once nothing more. There are also the obligatory natural health bar, which we using "Estus-bottles" (potions) or healing spells to restore. The well-known from the predecessor magic bar was removed and changed the magic system. In addition to the new school of magic "Pyromancy" which is not based on intelligence, now each spell has a certain number of charges. These indicate how many times you can use a spell and regenerate only in Rest on a campfire. So it is often considered: Should I now use my last fireball for the opponents or take my ax and save the magic?

The general struggle divides again in close combat with swords, axes, etc., ranged with bow and crossbow and magic. This actually play pretty different and give an incentive to try multiple characters. There is time to find a lot more different weapons and armor, the amount of spells and miracles was screwed up. But more on that in the next point. The "sighting" of opponents comes after a short time simply by hand and you can selectively pick opponents from the crowd.
After a very short period of familiarization it really turns into flesh and blood. The control is a not here in the way it supports, it is simple and straightforward and fits perfectly in the system.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Equipment
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Looking back at the predecessor "Demon's Souls" has, apart from the game world, "equipment" well done in the area the most. Because one is honest in "Demons Souls" there was an RPG rather little armor / weapons to find. A total of 19 armor sets (including 7 sets beginning of each class) and some weapons in each category. Although these were all different and great, "designed", but I would have liked some more anyway. That has now changed to "Dark Souls" because the number of different armor / weapon sets and has grown rapidly, there are now truly find oodles. Reference should be made that many of the weapons and armor are well hidden and they can be obtained only after some effort. Beautiful is also: Even if an armor has a higher value, it does not disturb the game balance, you will never "immortal" and it is always very demanding. The rule is: Skill> Equipment.

When equipping everything has remained the same otherwise: The hero must separately his left and equip his right hand and switch means Shortcuts there between two weapons / shields. As armor parking "helmet", "Harnisch / body", "gloves" and "Footwear" to choose from, you can choose from the many different objects. This must be added two "Ring Slots". The number of rings has been enormously increased by the way. Finally, there is the magic shortcuts and Item 5 shortcuts to which you can put eg healing potions, antidotes or herbs.

Another major innovation in the field of equipment should probably be the "special attacks". Remember back: In "Demon's Souls" could in the last section of the "Shrine of Storms" (world 4, Section 3) use the true power of the "storm rulers" -Schwertes and literally split the sky. Here could see what power really resides in such an old and legendary artifacts you really. This feature has now been further expanded: In "Dark Souls" there are a multitude of legendary weapons with special powers and they also have special attacks which are, wherever you are, can use. Mostly thus decreases although the durability of the article but the special attacks such as thunderbolts, earthquakes, etc. are just great and make some weapons more interesting.

In the end is to equip to say: There are a number of great items where everyone should find something for themselves, whether they are strong barbarians, mages, archers or armored knights. Of course, some items are better than others, although the balance in the PVE area is perfect. In PVP, there are of course some very effective parts.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Online mode
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The online mode is actually quite similar to that of "Demon's Souls" was only using certain "fractions" tries to revise some online PVP system. But I'm getting to.

Each player can leave notes in Dark Souls, read and evaluate. So players can other of traps and obstacles but at the same time warn entice other people in traps and deceive. Positive rated notes have for the "whistleblower" has the advantage that his life bar is fully charged.

Moreover, it is possible to enter into games of other people, be it as white / blue phantom when one or similar in Bossen Want help or if you can enter the world of another player to defeat as Red Phantom around him and steal his collected souls. Here it should be mentioned that the summoning works only with not too large level intervals so that you can can not simply be turned by someone Starkem.

That is so far just as in "Demons Souls". New are different "factions" that provide various bonuses, online fighting capabilities and loot. So there are both advantages for the normal games, as special spells, but also eg orders that other people targeted hunt to capture around collecting objects from you or the Order collaborate specifically and so often can summon each other. For example, there are the "forest hunters" who destroy any intruders in the dark forest, eliminate the "Finster tanking" the sinner from another world or the "servant of the prince grave". These fractions are partly well hidden and it is not always easy to become a member.

Of course, it is often the case that you will be attacked if and when you may not need it and the attack then cursed, but that's another nice thrill. And if you fight back an attacker after a hard fight and receives his souls that really is a great feeling.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Difficulty
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Either you hate the difficulty, or you love him, nothing in between. "Dark Souls" is grim, it forgives a nothing and every little undead can be fatal. However, each opponent has a pattern can also see through that one and use to his advantage. The game has a very steep learning curve, who is not better is just not on, end of the story. So it all depends also sometimes mean that you need 20 attempts for a boss and just before disengagement. Then bring to him but once case the feeling is indescribable, you have to have really defeated a strong opponent feel. And that's exactly why I love Dark Souls. Nevertheless, there are one or two sections that are really annoying (eg, as a pure melee the archer in "Anor Londo"), at the same time I find the game for the most part but easier than its predecessor, especially as beacons usually fairly close to the bosses are and the opponents simply can not so overpowering are like some "Black Phantoms" in "Demons Souls" (eg the Black Phantom in the world 5-2 ... incredibly strong and through the swamp had been major disadvantages when moving, which was no longer beautiful!). As of former "Demons Souls" veteran the game is certainly never unpleasantly heavy, of course, vary from person to person!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DLC: "Artorias of the Abyss"
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Even in the regular game appeared repeatedly on the name of the knight "Artorias". Witnessed several objects of his existence and his actions and one even visited his grave to find one of these powerful objects. Thus one also applies to "Sif", the Wolf, which protects the grave of his former master with his life. About "Artorias", his travels, his struggles and his are many theories have been proposed, and also a lot of speculation. The DLC "Artorias of the Abyss" these issues are resolved.

"Artorias" was one of the greatest knights of his time, with an iron will and great talent in dealing with the sword. As members of the powerful "Four knights of Gwyn" he went along with the Wolf "Sif" from order to destroy the darkness. So he signed a contract with the creatures of the abyss to enter to this and wipe out the darkness. This he got the legendary nickname "Artorias the abyss Schreiter". But the story: "Artorias of the Abyss" leads you back to the past, when the now almost forgotten empire of "Oolacile" fell, overwhelmed by the sheer darkness which had its origin in the heart of the city. Once you have a mysterious medallion and found the only survivor was able to save from "Oolacile" in the present, you will be kidnapped by a sinister beings in another world, a world in the past centuries. Even this world needs a savior, a savior of sending back the darkness of the abyss, a mission in itself "Artorias" failed

So much for history and "Artorias". The history of the DLCs, although again much interpretation and speculation here is just great MMN and fits perfectly into the Dark Souls universe. The corrupt kingdom of "Oolacile", the former royal forest, the gloomy abyss, there are many new areas which are all nicely varied and again trumps as in the main game with lots of turns and secrets. Graphically everything remains the same: Great characters, armor details and Monster, good overall picture but sometimes muddy textures.

In addition, one meets in the DLC finally on the remaining members of the "Four knights of Gwyn" and they have been even experience the opportunity to learn about their federal and. At the same time there are some new armor and weapons and sinister spells. Especially the new armor and weapons are just great and look great.

But we come to the most important: How are the new enemy? Some new enemies have been added and several new raid bosses (3 duty 1 Optional) horse to beat there. These are designed not only look great but also incredibly powerful and as in the original game to get without waiting, tactics and strategy no 2 meters.

In the end I think "Artorias of the Abyss" for a great extension that can score especially in story and characters. At last we know more about the 4 Knights, about the legendary "Artorias" and also what happened to "Oolacile". In addition, there are a lot of new armor and weapons that blend perfectly into the game and also some new challenges crisp. Nevertheless, everything remains the same and no experiments were dared. But maybe that's just as well.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Dark Souls" is an experience in itself and you have to have played himself in order to form a judgment. Frustration Resistant players expected a gloomy adventure in a big world with countless enemies, weapons and armor and a brilliant combat system. Through a large scale and the "New Game" mode, in which just the story begins again and almost all objects (eg not key) reserves (the strength of the enemy, of course, also takes a lot to), it is also maintain very long , Many bosses do countless starts and will carry the player often with two or three hits to the afterlife. Also in the combat system one must first find pure and verklickt one once one is usually already dead before you can say Ups. There are places that are just annoying, there are opponents who excite a just and there are bosses, as you want because developers just torture if one is stamped after the 80-umpteenth defeat in the ground and the controller against the wall pepper. But it is back on, it returns, you're trying to memorize patterns and to win with tactics and strategy. And drops the boss after hours of defeats, then the neighbors will hear Creates a relief cry and the player himself has to feel defeated a powerful enemy. (Mostly) Not because his armor has improved or his weapon. But because of the player has improved.