Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition (steam) Completely unplayable?

[Sylvain Roux]

Hey guys!

So I just got this game, (I used to play another version on a friend's console).
After getting it, I realized that this is actually a port.
I bought it for a lot of money on steam (which they refuse to refund me).

Basically here is the deal;

- I cannot run it on high/decent graphics.
(The game won't allow me past 1200~ * 900~ rez when I have a 5000$ custom gaming comp)

- The keybinds are ridiculous (attacking is on H) and I can't set it to mouse1...

- The camera goes insane at the slightest movement

- The character movements seem completely bugged out

And much, much more..


Does anyone know what I can do to solve all of this? Should I just call steam and scream at some poor old representative?
I really feel like I got cheated on this one. Friends told me the game was hard, but I seriously did not expect 'you won't even be able to move your character' hard.

Has anyone found a way to do something about this?
Does anyone feel cheated that steam would sell them a half assed product?

 

[BloatedGuppy]

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/11/09/dark-souls-mods/

1. Find and download DSFix.
2. Follow all the instructions. That should fix your resolution/visual issues.
3. Play with a game pad. I was able to get my Logitech pad working after much fussing, but a basic XBOX 360 pad is probably best. While the game technically CAN be played with keyboard and mouse, it is NOT recommended. That will fix your camera/movement issues.

There is not a game in recent memory that was as much a pain in the ass to get running properly on my PC as Dark Souls. Is it worth all the aggravation? I'd argue yes, although the game itself can be quite aggravating in its own right. As you've already spent the money, I recommend taking the time to jump through the hoops.

 

[Smooth Operator]

http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Dark_Souls
There are a bucket load of fixes for it and I would not ever recommend playing Dark Souls this without them.

And yes it is one of the worst ports PC has seen in recent history, but then again everyone already said so since the moment it released, hell even the devs said it before release.

 

[Sylvain Roux]

Urgh, I don't have a controller :/
I feel like wasting any more money on this game would be ridiculous at this point (-.-)
You'd think they would have big warnings before buying the game on steam :/

 

[Windcaler]

A $5,000 gaming PC? Did you get the computer off of the Enterprise or something? I mean the highest and best user reviewed equipment I can think of all adds up to just over $3,000. I really have a hard time thinking what a $5,000 machine would even have in it

Anyway, on topic. The port is not very good. This was fromsofts first attempt to port a game to PC. Dark souls 2 will be their first time to make a PC game and port it to consoles. That said, yes a controller is pretty much a necessity. You can get a normal Xbox one that plugs into a USB port. Controllers are pretty much essential hardware for PC gaming and they can be used with other games too so Im unsure why you think another $30-$50 is wasting more money (especially considering the price of your PC)

 

[Boris Goodenough]

As the others have suggested DSfix is your salvation to your resolution woes, however you were not cheated/misinformed:

 

[NeutralDrow]

It's not...completely unplayable. Like others said, DSifix is absolutely necessary.

The keyboard/mouse controls are godawful, though, and I don't know how to fix that. I used an Xbox 360 controller.

 

[SlaveNumber23]

I found the PC version to be completely fine and playable without DSfix after plugging in a controller. I actually played the game right through to New Game + before I installed DSfix and didn't note any problems. DSfix made the game look a lot better but before installing it I wasn't experiencing any problems whatsoever. Its a crappy port but I wouldn't call it unplayable by any means.

In my opinion the majority of your problems will be fixed by using a controller, I honestly don't think its possible to make the game play well on a keyboard and mouse setup, at least for my tastes. There isn't really a reason not to install DSfix either, as it is free and is quick and easy to install.

 

[Ickorus]

I found the PC version to be completely fine and playable without DSfix after plugging in a controller. I actually played the game right through to New Game + before I installed DSfix and didn't note any problems. DSfix made the game look a lot better but before installing it I wasn't experiencing any problems whatsoever. Its a crappy port but I wouldn't call it unplayable by any means.

In my opinion the majority of your problems will be fixed by using a controller, I honestly don't think its possible to make the game play well on a keyboard and mouse setup, at least for my tastes. There isn't really a reason not to install DSfix either, as it is free and is quick and easy to install.

It was the same for me but a friend of mine with similar specs reported frequent framerate drops after more than 5 minutes playing.

OT: As others have said, DSfix and a controller will solve the problem.

A controller is good to have anyway, I've found I've used it a lot since getting it as some games are simply better with it, it's a nice thing to have available.

 

[Soopy]

A $5,000 gaming PC? Did you get the computer off of the Enterprise or something? I mean the highest and best user reviewed equipment I can think of all adds up to just over $3,000. I really have a hard time thinking what a $5,000 machine would even have in it

Really depends on where you're from. I am currently putting together a gaming PC and could easily blow $5000 on parts. I mean, two GTX Titans would blow away $2400 on their own.

 

[Boris Goodenough]

Personally I don't use it and am fine with 720P at 30 FPS.

Also a fair warning changing the FPS limit from 30 can make you go extinct from GFWL, so change it at your own peril.

 

[Toxic Sniper]

This was fromsofts first attempt to port a game to PC.

Second, actually. Ninja Blade was even worse.

Best thing I can offer is to grab a cheap Xbox controller; the game's a lot of fun, but it just doesn't work very well with keyboard controls.

 

[Doom-Slayer]

-snip-

I have this game and my advice is as follows. Dont use a mouse. Now your mind will probably explode when you think about this(as mine did), but it is actually a billion times easier to use keyboard only on this game.

Camera controls are like wasd but like..ijkl I think? And you move with wasd, which sounds odd, but tis very very easy to get the hang of. Its SURPRISINGLY easy.

This is based on you not wanting a controller, and even though I hate controllers utterly, its easier even further with one.

I cant comment on the graphics problems because it works perfectly on my $1k rig.

 

[Clive Howlitzer]

Once you install all the fan made mods and fixes, the game is fine on PC with keyboard and mouse. I'd argue it even controls better than a controller but I am crazy like that.

 

[idarkphoenixi]

At the very least I'd say you need a gamepad, preferably an Xbox controller. If you don't have one well...yeah, it sucks but the game is very much unplayable with a keyboard. DS fix can let you play on higher resolution and higher framerates amongst other fixes.

With that all said, Dark Souls is still an amazing fucking game to play.

 

[VincentX3]

Personally I don't use it and am fine with 720P at 30 FPS.

Also a fair warning changing the FPS limit from 30 can make you go extinct from GFWL, so change it at your own peril.

Actually that's pretty much a lie or just a rumor.

I've completed the game twice already at 60FPS with no problem or connectivity problems between me and my helpers\invaders.
But yea, this game needs a controller if you want to play it, tell your friend to lend you a spare Xbox360 controller I guess?

 

[Lovely Mixture]

Can you tell us your specs? I can't think of a gaming computer these days that would cost that much.

Any modern controller will work, just use XboxCE
http://code.google.com/p/x360ce/

 

[MeChaNiZ3D]

To be snarky prick, obviously it isn't completely unplayable, as people play it.

To be somewhat helpful, get DSFix and play with a controller.