Difficulty:

Hard

Time Spent:

100 or More Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Masterpiece"

I don't want to write some very long review but this game cannot be explained with a few words.

First of all Dark Souls has its own unique features. Hard but great game-play with various combat tactics and really useful skill system. If you read reviews most people complain about controls but I don't understand why? You have to reassign keys according to your play style and almost there is nothing wrong with controls. I have changed almost all keys and with a normal mouse I can play it normally. (If anyone ask my key assignment I can share.) By the way if you use target lock while at combat it is easier to play else you need a lot of training to hit and block.

Maybe another thing that people generally complain about is the hard game-play and so much tries to advance in game. You die a lot and lose your collected souls many times. But this is why this game is different than others. If you play this game like other RPGs, you have not many options except dieing. Just don't hurry, use possible combat tactics and take enemies one by one. Always keep your backpack full of useful items (arrows, fire bombs, heal items and spels, toxic&poison cures, etc). After maybe 30+ hours of game-play, "Dark Souls" will become easier for you.

Pros
-Various combat system. I liked stamina based game-play. All of your actions (except walking) drains your stamina. Different attack styles has it own advantages and disadvantages. For example, if you use shield and one handed weapon you make an average hit and block both uses your stamina but you don't get damage. But If you prefer to use your weapon with both hands you should hit really harder but you also should get some damage from enemy and more stamina drain. Range weapons keep your distance from enemy and keeps you at safe but most range attacks make really small amount of damage. Second attack hits better but slower and uses more stamina, etc...
Also different type of enemies needed different combat tactics to fight, especially bosses.

-Different defence tactics. As a part of combat system defending is really cool at this game. You cannot easily run away from enemy. You should block, parry, shield bash, turn around enemy while blocking, etc

-Same requirements for both trading and skill purchasing. You have unlimited resource for these. Because each time you rest at a bonfire all enemies (not bosses) re-spawn. So you have to farm enemies to increase your stats and buy items.

-Really different environments and enemies (bosses). Each environment is different from other one. That encourages you to explore every place. Enemy types are also different but they combat like each other at some basis. As they also use combat tactics that does not disturb you.

-Various and useful items.

-Unique "invade and messaging" system.LOL this is really funny and helpful.

-Graphics are fine but shadows makes the game atmosphere very exciting.

-Great game-play as a result

Cons
-Big FPS drops, especially at some places.It is really annoying and the most negative part of the game.

-There is not a story at all. Besides there is not any quest system. This gives you the freedom to explore but generally you don't know what to do. All you have to do is to search web for some game-play videos which will help you a lot for your next movement.

-No map. Because there is not story and quest system, the game has no maps. If you are used to check your location on map and your way to go this game gives you nothing about it.

-Buggy enemy AI and animations. Enemies hit really hard but they stick behind obstacles. Also sometimes it is difficult to understand how you get hit while you are doing every possible defensive movements.

-Buggy target lock system. While you lock an enemy and press attack, this buggy lock system turns your hit to some other creature near there. Even it is further this bug occurs. That hit generally results with a miss and stamina loss. In addition to this you take damage form enemy hits. Moreover you may stick among enemies and die fast.

-Bad camera angles and view loss. Especially at some narrow places near a wall, camera angle cannot be adjusted properly. That generally blocks your view. You see just the head or behind of your hero.

There are more about this game to write. I assure you, this game is hard but not impossible to play. First adjust proper keys assignments for you, then search game-play videos and no hurry to advance in game. I advice to reach level 30+ before going some deeper tunnels. Farm same enemies a bit more to reach that level. Not only combat tactics are important but also general game tactics are. If some main bugs are fixed in game, this game should get a complete 10 points.