Games

Dark Souls

FromSoftware

2011•RPG•PEGI 16•About 50 hours

Taste attributes: actionadventurefantasyanimalshistoricalmonster/alien/supernaturalfastfresh & originalunsavouryimaginarylinearglossybig & variedemotionally undemandingall consuming questfighting evilhuman spirit/resilience/survivalself destruction/implosionsocial commentary

See which match your taste

Boxlist takeA fantastical RPG that is expansive, low-key and dark. Best if you like the extraordinary over the everyday.

Pace: balanced · Originality: fresh · Tone: dark · Weight: balanced · Realism: imaginary world · Story: balanced · Structure: very linear · Look: glossy · Scale: big and varied · Emotional punch: undemandingHow we score

IGDB rating

89 / 100

1,747 ratings

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Based on your film and TV taste: games are matched on the same ten characteristics, with your own match bands.

About This Game

Dark Souls is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released in September 2011 as a spiritual sequel to Demon's Souls, it is set in a dark, medieval fantasy world. It is renowned for its challenging gameplay, intricate level design, and deep lore. Players control a customizable character known as the Chosen Undead, embarking on a perilous journey to uncover the secrets of the cursed land of Lordran. Dark Souls is known for its punishing difficulty, requiring players to carefully manage combat, stamina, and resources while navigating hostile environments filled with dangerous enemies and formidable bosses. The game features a unique multiplayer component, allowing players to leave messages for others, summon allies for cooperative play, or invade other players' worlds for PvP combat. The original release of Dark Souls received...

Summary: IGDB

Story

Dark Souls takes place in the dark, decaying kingdom of Lordran, a world in decline where gods, humans, and other mystical beings struggle with the inevitability of age, fire, and darkness. The player assumes the role of an Undead, a cursed being who is fated to resurrect repeatedly after death. The Undead is prophesied to either link the fire and prolong the Age of Fire or let it fade, ushering in the Age of Dark. The game begins with the player imprisoned in the Northern Undead Asylum. Escaping sets the stage for a journey across Lordran, from crumbling castles and ancient ruins to twisted...

Characteristics

Where this game sits on each taste spectrum

SlowPACEFast

FamiliarORIGINALITYOriginal

DarkTONEWholesome

LightWEIGHTINESSHeavy

FantasyREALISMRealistic

SimpleINTRICACYIntricate

Non-LinearLINEARITYLinear

UnderstatedSTYLEStylised

IntimateSCALEEpic

RestrainedEMOTIONIntense

Genres and themes

ActionAdventureFantasyAnimalsHistoricalMonster/alien/supernaturalAll consuming questFighting evilHuman spirit/resilience/survivalSelf destruction/implosionSocial commentary

Keywords

GhostsExplorationMonstersKnightsViolenceWizardsMedievalBrutal

Where to play

Xbox / Microsoft Store

Details

Developer: FromSoftware
Publishers: Bandai Namco Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games, Bandai
Released: 22 September 2011
Series: Dark Souls
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Perspective: Third person
Time to beat: 37h rushed, 50h normally, 114h complete
Age rating: PEGI 16
Taste scores: How we score
Source: IGDB

How game matches work

Games are scored on the same ten characteristics as films and matched with the same formula and your own match bands, from your film and TV taste. Game scores are estimates, made by fixed rules from IGDB genres, themes, keywords and descriptions.