Dark Souls Remastered Review (PS4)
Introduction
This is the remastered version of Dark Souls, originally released back in 2011. This version has better graphical performance, as well as including the expansion Artorias of the Abyss in the disc.
This is an action RPG game, where you will control your character, fight monsters, and talk to NPCs in real-time.
Story
This game takes place in the land of Lordran. You are the Chosen Undead, who is tasked to collect four great Souls from four powerful beings and decide the future of the Undead people. As you progress in the game, you will find many different Undead people who have different personalities, and you will fight against many tough monsters.
The Artorias of the Abyss expansion adds a sub-plot of a creature named Manus, who brought the Chosen Undead into the past. The Chosen Undead must stop Manus from spreading the Abyss, but not without trials.
Like other Souls games, this game uses minimalist storytelling. This game has effective and interesting lore, which can be discovered by talking to NPCs and inspect items' descriptions. It has more interesting story compared to Demon's Souls and the Dark Souls sequels. The expansion added a sub-plot that is tied very closely to Dark Souls II as well.
Characters are interesting and likable too, such as Big Hat Logan, Oswald of Carim, Frampt, and other NPCS. However, not many of them offer detailed lore on the world, so check out on items' descriptions if you are interested with the game's lore.
Gameplay
1) Exploration and Progression Section
Unlike Demon's Souls, this game has slightly different story progression structure. After the prologue level, you need to ring two bells at two different locations. However, the areas in this game are interconnected, where you can bypass certain areas to reach the key areas, or take the long routes to get to those key areas. As you progress, you will encounter different enemies, traps, and bosses.
As you explore the game, you may also unlock bonfires. Bonfires serve as a checkpoint, where your HP will be restored and other resources such as magic will be replenished. However, most enemies will respawn if you touch the bonfire, and you will return to this bonfire upon dying. Shortcuts to bonfires may also be unlocked, such as secret ladders and doors.
The death mechanic in this game is the same as Demon's Souls and other Dark Souls games. Upon dying, you will lose all of your Souls, but you can retrieve it by touching the bloodstain at the last place you have died. If you die again before touching it, the Souls are permanently lost. Souls acts as a currency in this game, for leveling and trading purposes.
2) Leveling and Customisation Section
Before you start the game, you will need to choose a Class for your character. The Class determines the starting stats and equipment for your character. As you defeat enemies, you will gain Souls. You can use Souls to increase your stats, buy new items, buy new weapons, as well as buy new magic scrolls.
As you level your character's stats, your character's level will increase too. However, as your character grows, you will need to spend more Souls to increase a stat. Choose wisely on which stat that you want to increase in order to have better chances in beating the game.
Items can be found by looting defeated enemies, corpses, and treasure chests. You may different kind of items, such as weapons, armour sets, etc. It is highly suggested to look around for resources to survive in this game.
As you find enough materials, you may also choose to upgrade your weapons and armour pieces. Upgrading them allows you to defeat enemies faster, as well as tanking one or two more hits. You may also choose your weapon with different type of reinforcements, if you talk with the correct blacksmith and if you have the necessary materials.
3) Combat Section
The combat system is the same as other Souls games. You may attack enemies with your equipped weapon, use magic if you have the catalyst and necessary magic stat, run, and do other actions.
Some enemies in this game have weak points, which you should take advantage to defeat them faster. For example, some slime enemies are weak against fire, so Firebombs or Pyromancy spells are effective against them.
There are many types of weapons in this game, such as straight swords, spears, greatswords and many more. Each weapon may have different movesets and stats, so try them out before settling to one or two main weapons. Please remember that you may need certain stats before you can wield a weapon effectively.
Boss fights are tougher than regular enemies, as you will fight bosses with varying sizes and abilities. Each may have different attacks, resistances, appearances, and capabilities. You have to anticipate their attacks, plan your attacks, dodge reliably, and attack them when they are open.
Like other Souls games, this game has has considerably high difficulty, where first time players may have difficulties in completing the game due to high damage output from enemies and traps.
4) Expansion Section
The expansion, Artorias of the Abyss two to three hours of additional playtime. This expansion expands the background lore of the character Artorias, as well as introduces new enemies, weapons, and bosses to players.
This is a decent expansion. Lots of tough boss fights, new magic, and additional lore. This expansion specifically, ties this game with Dark Souls II's lore. It is worth playing this expansion if you haven't.
5) Online Section
Like other Souls games, you may choose to invade an online player's session and defeat them for Souls and Humanity. You may also choose to do co-op with them, to clear certain areas and defat the boss of that area. Please keep in mind that you need PS Plus subscription to use this game's online features.
6) Gameplay Conclusion
The gameplay is excellent. Challenging difficulty, great combat system, good exploration in interconnected areas, great character progression system, good variety of weapons, decent NPC storylines, interesting character builds, and good boss fights.
The only issues I have with the gameplay are the weak final levels' designs and one poorly designed boss fight. Other than those two issues, the gameplay remains excellent.
Graphics
This game has excellent graphics. Impressive looking character models, great looking bosses, and nice designs of environments. The framerate is also highly improved in this game, especially in Blighttown.
Sound
The voice acting is pretty good. Better than Demon's Souls voice acting performances, but there are no standout performances. The soundtrack is sparse, where music is only played when you are in the Firelink Shrine, boss fights, intro scene, and the credits. However, the themes are really good and fitting. Like other Souls games, the lack of music during exploration is to enhance the dark ambience of the game. The sound effects are also good, such as monster roars, spells, etc.
Replay Value
This game has high replay value. You may play again with the same character in New Game Plus mode after completing the game, where enemies are tougher and have more health. You may also play a new game and choose different character builds. You may also attempt to collect all items, fight online battles, and etc.
Conclusion
This is an excellent game. Great player immersion, interesting lore, great gameplay, and excellent graphics. Personally, I think this is the best Dark Souls game compared to Dark Souls II and Dark Souls III, due to better established lore and interconnected areas. Dark Souls II and Dark Souls III are no slouch either, as they are very good games too.
If you have not played this game on previous generation consoles, try this game on PS4. The improved graphics and expansion inclusion made this game a worthy purchase for both new and returning players/ Highly recommended.
Score
Story: 8/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Final Score: 9.0/10
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Deep gameplay system.
- Challenging difficulty.
- Excellent combat system.
- Intriguing mythology.
- Very challenging for all players.
- Well-designed boss fights.
- Creatively designed enemies, NPCs, and bosses.
- Amazing graphics. Detailed looking environments, monsters, etc.
- Improved graphics compared to the PS3 version.
- Awesome and epic dark game design.
Cons
- Extremely hard difficulty for those who are not used to difficult RPG games.
- Vague game objectives that might cause you to get stuck and lost.
- Your playable character is silent.
- Simple storyline.
- Possible repetitiveness in grinding Souls and materials.
**Screenshots are from official Bandai Namco EU site and official Dark Souls Remastered Japanese site.
This is the remastered version of Dark Souls, originally released back in 2011. This version has better graphical performance, as well as including the expansion Artorias of the Abyss in the disc.
This is an action RPG game, where you will control your character, fight monsters, and talk to NPCs in real-time.
Story
Explore the land of Lordran, and choose the destiny of the Undead.
The Artorias of the Abyss expansion adds a sub-plot of a creature named Manus, who brought the Chosen Undead into the past. The Chosen Undead must stop Manus from spreading the Abyss, but not without trials.
Like other Souls games, this game uses minimalist storytelling. This game has effective and interesting lore, which can be discovered by talking to NPCs and inspect items' descriptions. It has more interesting story compared to Demon's Souls and the Dark Souls sequels. The expansion added a sub-plot that is tied very closely to Dark Souls II as well.
Characters are interesting and likable too, such as Big Hat Logan, Oswald of Carim, Frampt, and other NPCS. However, not many of them offer detailed lore on the world, so check out on items' descriptions if you are interested with the game's lore.
Gameplay
1) Exploration and Progression Section
Explore dangerous areas.
As you explore the game, you may also unlock bonfires. Bonfires serve as a checkpoint, where your HP will be restored and other resources such as magic will be replenished. However, most enemies will respawn if you touch the bonfire, and you will return to this bonfire upon dying. Shortcuts to bonfires may also be unlocked, such as secret ladders and doors.
The death mechanic in this game is the same as Demon's Souls and other Dark Souls games. Upon dying, you will lose all of your Souls, but you can retrieve it by touching the bloodstain at the last place you have died. If you die again before touching it, the Souls are permanently lost. Souls acts as a currency in this game, for leveling and trading purposes.
2) Leveling and Customisation Section
Choose your character build.
As you level your character's stats, your character's level will increase too. However, as your character grows, you will need to spend more Souls to increase a stat. Choose wisely on which stat that you want to increase in order to have better chances in beating the game.
Items can be found by looting defeated enemies, corpses, and treasure chests. You may different kind of items, such as weapons, armour sets, etc. It is highly suggested to look around for resources to survive in this game.
As you find enough materials, you may also choose to upgrade your weapons and armour pieces. Upgrading them allows you to defeat enemies faster, as well as tanking one or two more hits. You may also choose your weapon with different type of reinforcements, if you talk with the correct blacksmith and if you have the necessary materials.
3) Combat Section
Fight off against many monsters.
Some enemies in this game have weak points, which you should take advantage to defeat them faster. For example, some slime enemies are weak against fire, so Firebombs or Pyromancy spells are effective against them.
There are many types of weapons in this game, such as straight swords, spears, greatswords and many more. Each weapon may have different movesets and stats, so try them out before settling to one or two main weapons. Please remember that you may need certain stats before you can wield a weapon effectively.
Boss fights are tougher than regular enemies, as you will fight bosses with varying sizes and abilities. Each may have different attacks, resistances, appearances, and capabilities. You have to anticipate their attacks, plan your attacks, dodge reliably, and attack them when they are open.
Like other Souls games, this game has has considerably high difficulty, where first time players may have difficulties in completing the game due to high damage output from enemies and traps.
4) Expansion Section
Uncover a secret from the Artorias of the Abyss expansion.
The expansion, Artorias of the Abyss two to three hours of additional playtime. This expansion expands the background lore of the character Artorias, as well as introduces new enemies, weapons, and bosses to players.
This is a decent expansion. Lots of tough boss fights, new magic, and additional lore. This expansion specifically, ties this game with Dark Souls II's lore. It is worth playing this expansion if you haven't.
5) Online Section
Cooperate with other players or fight against them.
6) Gameplay Conclusion
Great gameplay.
The only issues I have with the gameplay are the weak final levels' designs and one poorly designed boss fight. Other than those two issues, the gameplay remains excellent.
Graphics
Excellent graphics.
Sound
Good voice acting, sound effects and soundtrack.
High replay value.
Conclusion
An excellent game.
If you have not played this game on previous generation consoles, try this game on PS4. The improved graphics and expansion inclusion made this game a worthy purchase for both new and returning players/ Highly recommended.
Score
Story: 8/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Final Score: 9.0/10
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Deep gameplay system.
- Challenging difficulty.
- Excellent combat system.
- Intriguing mythology.
- Very challenging for all players.
- Well-designed boss fights.
- Creatively designed enemies, NPCs, and bosses.
- Amazing graphics. Detailed looking environments, monsters, etc.
- Improved graphics compared to the PS3 version.
- Awesome and epic dark game design.
Cons
- Extremely hard difficulty for those who are not used to difficult RPG games.
- Vague game objectives that might cause you to get stuck and lost.
- Your playable character is silent.
- Simple storyline.
- Possible repetitiveness in grinding Souls and materials.
**Screenshots are from official Bandai Namco EU site and official Dark Souls Remastered Japanese site.
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