Name: Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch (releases later this summer)
Reviewed on: PlayStation 4
Initial Release Date: 25.05.2018
Acquired: A copy of this game was provided from publisher for review purpose.
A fan favorite among many, Dark Souls has gotten a remaster with updated textures and better lighting, but otherwise the same experience as when the original game launched. Never have I’ve been so interested in dying (again and again).
Then, there was fire. Dark Souls Remastered allows players to return to Lordran, this time in 60 FPS. The remaster includes the main game plus the Artorias of the Abyss DLC. As usual with Soulsborne games players are encouraged to play through the story several times, in order to get the different endings.
The Good
Firstly I want to bring the best news – the remaster has kept the same “Dark Souls-y” gameplay. It feels as rewarding when you finally kill a difficult boss as it was in the original game. By all means, the game is still really difficult but it very rarely felt unfair. It’s also worth keeping in mind that the difficulty is one of the key features of the Dark Souls-series.
The graphics have gotten an upgrade as well, with new textures, but (to my surprise) more importantly the lighting system has been improved massively. This means that areas like Blight Town which earlier looked dark, but a bit flat, now has more depth in its darkness. This made it a lot easier for me to empathize with my character on her journey through these godforsaken places.
The Bad
When it comes to the “downsides” of the remake, I have to mention that the controls are the same as in the original version. I do think it’s sort of cool that it is still the same system though. It does feel a bit dated, unresponsive and sluggish. I’d prefer you could choose either a modern control system, for example from Dark Souls 3, or a classic version with the same controls as the original.
Another “issue” I had with the game is the weird physics, enemies kept lunging at me, only to change direction mid-air. The enemies can also turn around impossibly quick at times, and I kept finding it difficult to predict when that would happen.
While I complain about these things, I do know this is, in fact, a remaster and not a remake and it are, therefore, not a surprise, nor a huge problem with this new version.
Remaster Score: 9/10
Amazing – “If you like a challenge you have no reason not to get this game!”
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Remaster Score 9
9/10
Verdict
Most of my time in Lordran was a lot of fun, with the occasional rage when I died for the 100th time in the exact same place. I truly enjoy this remaster, and I will definitely play it more times when I feel like getting a fair challenge. As mentioned above, what I do miss the most is a more modern and responsive control system. Despite this, it never felt wrong with the controls being taken straight from its original version. I can surely say the game is still a masterpiece, and that you won’t be disappointed when you give it a go!
Overall
9/10
