In Defense of Dark Souls

[cjacks]

Lately I have noticed a lot of post and topics on the forum criticizing Dark Souls. The tend to come in one of two flavors:

-Dark Souls is not good because it isn't what it claims to be (difficult).

-Dark Souls isn't good because it has no story or context.

I have only two points to make then I will stop defending Dark Souls, because really I shouldn't have to in the first place.

First of all, The difficulty of Dark Souls has been debated over and over, and I have never really seen anyone who sees the difficulty of the game the way I do. In my opinion the difficulty of the game comes from the lack of options. I hear a lot of people say that games like Witcher and Skyrim are harder than Dark Souls, and they might be right except that these games always offer another option.

In Dark Souls you have a relatively linear path to follow for the story, so besides grinding away at lower level mobs the only thing you can do when the boss battle leave you stuck is fight harder. In other RPGs the problem can usually be solved by a change of armor or a new weapon or spell. This is why I like Dark Souls, because it doesn't cop out when things get tough. If you fail over and over gain the game just looks at you and say, "OK, try again, and maybe don't suck so bad this time."

As far as story is concerned, Dark Souls has a very rich one. Say what you want but it just does. You are a silent protagonist left mostly alone in a strange world, and the NPCs seem to know about as little as you do, but there a lots of clues left in the world for those willing to search for them.

If you don't believe me on this count then try a little test real quick. Besides the opening cut scene of Dark Souls, tell me how its story is told any differently than the story of Half Life. It really isn't, and Half Life has a great story.

So what do you think? I am done talking about Dark Souls for now, so please everyone argue to your hearts content.

P.S. If you don't think Half Life has a good story, then please just go away. If that's your opinion then I don't think we will agree on anything.

 

[Dansen]

Its not a lot of topics its just one really old one that keeps on getting necroed for no reason.

 

[Shadowstar38]

There is no reason a person should feel the need to defend something they like. Enjoy Dark Souls all you want and ignore that dont like it. As for your points

1) I've seen this rated anywhere from "A series of cheap deaths" to "Not as bad as everyone makes it out to be". I think this comes down to the one playing it.

2) How good Half Life's story actually is is a debate for another time. But the last line of the PM sounded like someone who cant stand a difference of opinion. If you just want someone to sit and nod then why are you on a forum?

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

Most people seem to really enjoy Dark Souls, those who didn't appear to be in the minority but their concerns are still valid. That's how they perceived the game and no amount of "defence" will change their mind because they already played it and didn't like it.

Personally, I love the game so far. I have the PC version and I haven't even needed to mod it to enjoy myself.

 

[The Wykydtron]

Ehhh it's ok. I still break it out from time to time just to lvl 5 invade with basic gear in Undead Burg. That's pretty fun actually.

I still don't blame anyone for dropping the game before ringing the two bells because you have literally no motivation to speak of. Go through all this random hard shit including FPS Hell Blighttown and why? I 'unno some bells are gonna ring and they'll do... Something. Oh shit I really want to see how the story progresses now!

I'm going to use the example of Persona 4 when I speak motivation through difficulty. Persona 4 is difficult but in a totally different way. I really wanted to beat this bullshit boss because I want to see how the mystery pans out and stick with the interesting characters. Your motivation to beat the first few bosses in DS? I honestly can't name one, discounting the unreasonable "this shit will not beat me" mental state being your only reason.

Seriously I dropped the game for about 6 months due to this one very important reason.

There are a few unavoidable deaths and anyone who says every death is fair bar none is wrong. Mostly it's ok if you have awareness and constantly pussy around with your shield up in case some jerk jumps you from across the room.

Fun story: in my first playthrough of DS every NPC talked cryptic nonsense as far as I was concerned and once that one shopkeeper dropped that sweet katana when I got annoyed at his crappy wares and killed him I decided that every single NPC must die since their loot would make me live longer.

Yes, even Sunbro.

For all its faults it's still a good game with some great enemy designs, a good soundtrack (even though they have no music at all until a boss shows up complete with an orchestral score) the locations look cool and it's fun to play.

I still don't agree with having to read through the wiki or watch some guy's analysis to understand more than the very basic story concepts. DS' story does seem interesting but it's like headbutting a giant brick wall made of obtuse overly subtle bullshit to get into it.

Oh one specific thing. You know that guy who saves you at the start then says something about a "saying in his family" then proceeds to lay out everything you need to do? It's rather lengthy, specific and frankly not personal enough for a simple family motto is it not? It just annoys me. I'm fine with him setting out basic goals but why would they use the excuse of a family saying?

 

[Fr]anc[is]

Who the fuck thinks Skyrim is harder than Dark Souls?

 

[aguspal]

anc[is]Who the fuck thinks Skyrim is harder than Dark Souls?

Well, those who thinks that Dark Souls uses cheap deaths might refert it as such. Skyrim, as easy as it is, dosnt have anything that resembles "cheap deaths" so maybe thats why.


the comment its kind of hilarious at first sigh, thougt.

Also, I never played Dark souls (nor I wanna do, ever. I love challenging games, but I dont like the setting, presentation, theres too much fantasty bullshit that I dont like at all. If it was something like Skyrim but without the retarded difficulty I would like it more. Oh yeah, also, pc port of demon soulds = FAIL. And I dont like mods either so those arent allowed).so no idea.

 

[Soopy]

anc[is]Who the fuck thinks Skyrim is harder than Dark Souls?

People with serious mental disabilities?

Skyrim doesn't have difficulty increases, simply increases in tedium.

 

[drummond13]

I have bad news for you, there are forums all over the internet right now saying how literally every movie, game, or song that you like is, in fact, horrible.

Best to just ignore them.

 

[Dansen]

anc[is]Who the fuck thinks Skyrim is harder than Dark Souls?

Well, those who thinks that Dark Souls uses cheap deaths might refert it as such. Skyrim, as easy as it is, dosnt have anything that resembles "cheap deaths" so maybe thats why.


the comment its kind of hilarious at first sigh, thougt.

Also, I never played Dark souls (nor I wanna do, ever. I love challenging games, but I dont like the setting, presentation, theres too much fantasty bullshit that I dont like at all. If it was something like Skyrim but without the retarded difficulty I would like it more. Oh yeah, also, pc port of demon soulds = FAIL. And I dont like mods either so those arent allowed).so no idea.

Skyrim has way more fantasy bullshit than Dark souls, trust me. I can understand if you don't like the depressing setting though, it can weigh down on you after a while.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Why the hell does Dark Souls need defense? It is a great game, and nearly everyone thinks so. It is like saying that Half Life 2 or Persona 4 need defense. :\

Anyway, point 1 is really a matter of opinion. Both Demon's and Dark Souls tend to be fairly easy if you take it slowly and carefully, really hard if not. Whichever one perceives them to be depends on how they play the game.

Point 2 is kinda correct? There was very little "story" per se, but there was a hell of a lot of lore if one paid attention to all the little details. Really, whether or not someone perceives this to be the case seems to depend on how they played the game; either paying attention to all the little details about the world or just rushing through the game.