Dark Souls

Dark Souls is the brutally challenging action RPG that sparked a renaissance in punishingly difficult gameplay. Developed by the sadists at FromSoftware, it drops you into the bleak, decaying world of Lordran with little guidance beyond the ominous phrase “Prepare to Die.”

From the moment you face off against the game’s first boss, the Asylum Demon, it’s clear Dark Souls pulls no punches. Combat is unforgiving, requiring precise timing and mastery of your character’s move set to survive the relentless onslaught of undead horrors. One missed dodge or mistimed attack can spell a grisly demise.

But that’s also what makes victory so immensely satisfying. Dark Souls is all about studying your opponents, learning from your failures, and persevering through sheer skill and determination. Every hard-won battle fuels your sense of accomplishment as you unravel the secrets of Lordran’s intricate, interconnected world.

With its minimalist storytelling, rich multiplayer components like co-op adventuring and invading other players’ worlds, and an indescribable air of bleak atmosphere, Dark Souls created a new standard for action RPGs. Love it or hate it, you’ll never forget the first time you went hollow in Lordran.