Here are the best reasons to play Dark Souls in 2024. Despite its steep learning curve, the first entry in the trilogy is still worth it.
Diving into Dark Souls in 2024 might not sound like a great idea. Because it would be especially difficult after a game like Elden Ring dominated the industry. Many great souls-like games can offer a punishing yet rewarding experience.
Still, there are several quite compelling reasons to play Dark Souls right now. Here’s why you should dive into FromSoftware’s dark fantasy epic more than a decade after its release.
5. The World of Dark Souls Is Disturbingly Soothing
One of the best reasons to play Dark Souls is its disturbing yet somehow soothing atmosphere. Unlike most other souls-like games like Lords of the Fallen, the world of Dark Souls is quite alluring despite its harrowing perils.
Its dark, condensed, and intertwined world offers an unmatched level of exploration. Even though we’ve already witnessed and fallen in love with The Lands Between in Elden Ring, there is beauty in Dark Souls’s depiction of Lordran.
4. Dark Souls Is a Timeless Classic
Perhaps you’ve tried beating Dark Souls many times. Maybe you haven’t even tried playing it due to its steep learning curve. Regardless of the reason, Dark Souls remains to be a classic title that every fantasy-action RPG fan should play.
That’s because this brilliant game features some of the most memorable characters in the world of gaming, like Gwynevere, the Princess of Sunlight.
Despite their brief appearance, every character in Dark Souls complements the game’s wonderful world-building. All these factors make up the best reasons to play Dark Souls in 2024.
3. The Combat Gets Really Satisfying
One of the core tenets of Dark Souls, and the games that draw inspiration from it, is high-risk combat. That’s also why most players steer clear of soul-like games.
The combat mechanics of Dark Souls is much different than your average fantasy action game. It requires preparation, risk-taking, and strategic thinking. That’s why it might not be easy to get into it first. But when you get the hang of it, Dark Souls allows you to dive into a full power trip with your character. Once you master the ways of its combat, you have one of the best reasons to play Dark Souls in 2024.
2. Boss Encounters of Dark Souls Are Unforgettable
Of course, the game’s boss encounters are some of the most compelling aspects of the game. From Kalameet to Artorias of the Abyss, every boss has a grotesque yet mesmerizing design that leaves you in awe.
Of course, they also come with background stories that its developer masterfully weaved into the game’s dark texture. All these make Dark Souls one of the best FromSoftware games ever.
1. A Dark and Harrowing Approach to Hero’s Journey
One of the best reasons to play Dark Souls is its approach to the hero’s journey. This brilliant game from the celebrated Japanese game studio shows the true potential of sheer will and constant struggle. That’s because it has you start as a prisoner who doesn’t have the power to use his broken blade. But, after days of grinding and fighting, you slowly transform into a living legend, carrying the fate of the land on their hands.
The whole concept of slowly transforming into a boss is what souls-games are about. Your journey in these games transforms your character into a hero or a villain from a mere weakling. This whole process is one of the best reasons to play Dark Souls more than a decade after its debut.
Final Thoughts
The original Dark Souls is an unmatched game despite some of its frustrating levels and steep learning curve. Still, it is one of the best RPG games out there. If you are looking for a game that will both challenge and reward you, Dark Souls is a game you shouldn’t miss.
Playing Dark Souls also showcases an earlier know-how of FromSoftware‘s game design. It’s a great feeling to see how the mechanics and design choices played out in the studio’s recent games, like Elden Ring and Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon.
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