This year will mark 13 years since the release of Dark Souls 1. At that time, a large community gathered around this title, as well as games called soulslikes, who loved the specific level of difficulty and the sparse approach to presenting the plot. So what makes Lordran still worth visiting after such a long time, and with many newer games created in a similar style to choose from? The answer is elements that don't get old – depth of gameplay and narrative.
Let's be clear – Dark Souls 1 is simply ugly today. Even the Remastered version from a few years ago doesn't help, and it's hard to get impressed. In 2024, having an alternative in the form of the artistically outstanding Elden Ring, the first part of the trilogy may seem unattractive. However, the greatest strength of this title is not in the graphics – beneath the medium-quality textures we find a well-thought-out combat system, memorable locations and the history of a world dying before our eyes. These three pillars used by FromSoftware offer an adventure worth experiencing even now.
Challenging but simple combat system
Compared to younger representatives of the genre, the mechanics of Dark Souls 1 are less complex. The formula developed by the Japanese for many years makes that each subsequent title released by the studio contains echoes of its predecessors. It's natural – veterans of the series expect new challenges, sometimes even a redefinition of the approach to gameplay, the best examples of which are Bloodborne and Sekiro. The first one focuses on dynamic attacks and dodges, while the second one focuses on parrying blows and breaking guards.
The combat is not as varied, but this does not take away from the sense of challenge
However, the simplicity of the first part is not a disadvantage. The combat system allows you to slowly learn the relationships behind statistics, modifiers, load capacity and armor, and discover the differences between the schools of magic available in the game. Dark Souls 1 will therefore be a great introduction to the entire soullike genre, at the same time posing a challenge to both novices and players who decided to skip this title due to the clumsy animation or outdated graphics.
Unique level design
Beautiful landscapes and memorable locations are the studio's hallmark, but Dark Souls 1 had something more. The extraordinary sense of travel it guaranteed level design is still considered one of the best designed in the history of video games. Alien and complicated areas were surprising in their complexity when, after opening the door, we discovered a shortcut to the fire that we had lit a few hours earlier. The longer we stayed in Lordran, the more the puzzle seemed to form a logical whole – from Anor Londo bathed in light, to the Ashen Lake hidden in the depths.
Seen for hours, the walls hide a breathtaking view
Seeing inaccessible walls in the distance, we could be sure that the labyrinths of corridors we visited would sooner or later lead us to the place they protected. It also works the other way around – once we reach our destination, the locations left behind will make us feel proud of the path we have traveled. The world created in this way also becomes more authentic – we will visit canals under the city and forest areas outside its walls. Fast travel, limited to a few bonfires, will only be unlocked halfway through the adventure, so the sense of adventure will remain with us until the end of the game.
Scattered narrative
The last of the pillars of Dark Souls 1 I mentioned is the narrative, so characteristic of all FromSoftware titles. In the case of the first one, this rudimentary approach to conveying the story is intensified by the omnipresent hopelessness and almost tangible emptiness. The characters met throughout the journey cling to their humanity, searching for their own purpose in order to survive in a world suspended somewhere at the end of its history.
Firelink Shrine. The only safe place in Lordran
In no other soulslike have I felt so much synergy between the narrative, gameplay mechanics and social elements. An example is the first task that the player has to perform – killing two bells. By stretching Lordran's remaining time until the end of the Age of Fire to its limit, the sound from the tower only reaches our ears when another player rings the bell in their world. And this is just one of the signs of the constant interpenetration of worlds.
We can find similar relationships in Dark Souls 1 at every step, if we decide to look for them. Tribute goes to the community that continues to theorize about Lordran and its inhabitants to this day. The plot leaves a lot of room for your own interpretations, which only heat up discussions about the game. For me, this element is the greatest advantage of the entire genre. The game does not force you to study the lore – a large part of the community focuses solely on improving their skills while still having great fun.
Stand alongside the knight Solaire of Astora. This is the final argument to play Dark Souls 1
Dark Souls 1 is not a perfect game and many of its problems have been solved by subsequent FromSoftware games. However, despite many years in the making, the first installment of Dark Souls in the Remastered version is still worth recommending. Moreover, due to its lower complexity compared to newer parts, it is a great place to start your adventure with the entire soulslike genre. My journey with From Software games started in 2022, with this part. Even after learning about the studio's entire portfolio, I wouldn't choose otherwise.