Disclaimer: Review copy provided by publisher
Platforms: Xbox One (reviewed on Xbox One X), PlayStation 4, PC, and Nintendo Switch (coming later this year)
Publishers: Bandai Namco
Developers: FromSoftware
MSRP: $39.99
Introduction:
Nearly a decade ago, we were all introduced to the ultra hard RPG series known as Dark Souls. The lore heavy game came out and made an impression on millions of people with its dark yet intriguing world filled with secrets, immensely difficult and tactical combat, and iconic bosses. Now in 2018, we’re allowed to go back and revisit the game with a new coat of paint.
With Dark Souls Remastered, you’ll find just about everything you love about the first game with less of the annoyances, technical bugs, and jank. For those with the upgraded hardware, you can play the game in 4K, 60 FPS or 1080p, 60FPS if you have the standard consoles. Everything is silky smooth in this remaster, no more framerate drops in areas like Blighttown, no stuttering that will cause an enemy to hit and kill you because you couldn’t react. It’s a much more enjoyable experience that feels polished and less cheap in comparison to the original Xbox 360/PS3 versions.
Revisiting a timeless classic:
You already likely know what Dark Souls is so we won’t spend too much time reviewing the game itself but for those who aren’t in the loop, we’ll give you the basic rundown. Dark Souls is an insanely difficult RPG in which the player suffers from an undead curse, you must wander a land filled with dangerous creatures big and small and fight your way to the Bells of the Awakening in order to fulfill a prophecy that could make the world worth living in.
It’s a very unforgiving experience where if you die, you lose all of your currency and mortality that you had and usually spawn pretty far from where you died, all enemies respawn and you have to try and get back there without dying to reclaim your souls (the currency). If you die again, they’re gone forever.
The combat itself can be a bit slow as it revolves around you protecting yourself by using your shield, dodging, and waiting for the right moment to strike. It’s a game that requires some patience and skill, you won’t be able to hack and slash your way through every enemy, there are times where you may just have to book it and cut your losses. It’s a game that takes aspects of other popular third-person RPGs and works backward by asking “What makes this good? Can we make it better by actually cutting this mechanic down into something much less effective?” It’s an interesting design choice that magically works by the fact every system and mechanics blends together in a way that is both effective and enjoyable.
Those who can’t stand getting stuck on bosses and prefer games that move rather quickly will likely hate this game but that’s ok, it’s not meant for everyone. It’s meant to offer a major challenge that will push you and likely torment you but when you succeed, it offers an unparalleled feeling of satisfaction. Many games have tried to copy this formula but have typically failed to reach these heights simply because it’s not quite the same as Dark Souls.
Some clones try to give players options of difficulty, make things a bit too easy, or are too forgiving in an attempt to appeal to more people but ultimately, that ruins what makes the game so good. Dark Souls is about hard work and being rewarded for it, yes, sometimes it likes to make a fool out of you and totally crush you but when things work out, it’s euphoric.
Some changes are minor but consistent with the style of Dark Souls:
Circling back to the remaster, Dark Souls Remastered isn’t as much of a looker still. It features enhanced textures, better lighting, and more but it’s still fairly ugly. The changes aren’t massive graphically but they’re somewhat noticeable, it’s definitely an improvement but don’t expect a massive overhaul that makes the game super pretty now. It’s hard to expect a game like Dark Souls to be visually breathtaking given the tone and style of the game so some may find that to be a good thing as it’s visually consistent with the game itself.
If you’re looking for carryovers from Dark Souls 2 or 3 in this remaster, you’re out of luck. Dark Souls Remastered is the same game at its core, keeping almost everything down to the HUD borderline identical to the original. There are some small improvements that hardcore fans will notice such as the ability to change Covenants at bonfires but other than that, it’s mostly kept the same down to a tee in the core game.
Changes to the game’s multiplayer now include 3v3 PVP and 6 player deathmatches with healing items taking massive nerfs. The only healing items available now are Estus Flasks which have been halved for phantoms, players who defeat a phantom will have their personal Estus Flasks restored. Matchmaking is also improved to allow friends to connect with each other more easily.
The Verdict:
Dark Souls Remastered is truly the definitive way to play the game. Thanks to tons of polish and technical improvements, the infamous RPG now feels much more competent and coherent, giving players little excuse to blame the game itself when they die. FPS chugging is next to non-existent, creating one of the smoothest Dark Souls experiences to date.
