(just a note: This is my review from Metacritic, expanded and slightly tweaked. I mention that people have rated the game down for various reasons and respond to those reasons. Do not be confused by this. I left them in, however, because the points I raise are still valid for the general community)
A lot of people have been giving this game grief, which is a sad thing. I will clarify some rumours before I get into the review properly:
Yes, the frame rate is locked at 30fps. Yes, the resolution is locked internally (adjusting the game window size does not change this). Yes, the controls aren't as good as they could (or should) be, nor are the pop ups changed for computer controls. No, you do not have to be online every time you play (but you miss out on quite a lot of content (PVP, assistance from other players in boss fights, etc.) So far, logging in has NOT been an issue, and when there are problems, it is always an issue on my end.
While I do agree that the issue with controls and pop ups is a valid one, the rest are mostly superficial, and rating a game down for them is just insane. Dark Souls is a game made to slaughter you, not hold your hand through beautiful scenery. I have progressed a large distance through the game (roughly 50%) using the keyboard and mouse, and even though it isn't the easiest way to play it, it is very playable without any real issues. Instead of relying on the pop ups to tell you what to do every single time, memorize the controls, like you would with any other game (there are people who say you have to button mash to get the right button. Those same people shouldn't even play games, if you ask me).
Recently I bought an xbox controller to use, and I found that difficulty of the game practically halved, and I was no longer experiencing the difficulty that the game had promised. So if you want my honest opinion: Controller if you either need your hand held or wish to get through the game faster and with less stress, Mouse+Keyboard if you want the brutal challenge that was promised.
Furthermore, the game is MEANT to be difficult. I have seen people complaining that the game is too hard. What a joke. The game is not labled “Prepare to Die Edition” for no reason.
Graphics-wise, the game is beautiful in its own twisted way, despite the lower resolution of the game. It gets the job done, and looks nice while doing so. Gaming isn't exclusively about graphics, as some people are so blatantly unable to realize. The graphics are good enough to make the game enjoyable for the eyes, and that's what matters. I will acknowledge that the graphics can be quite muddy in some sections of the game, but as a whole, the graphics more than cover it. Many people have also complained about the locked internal resolution, which does not bother me personally. If it bothers you too much, there is a mod made that allows you to toggle the resolution and disable the mouse cursor.
Anyone who knows about this game would know that the story is not shoved in your face as it is with most other RPG games, which can be considered a good thing by some, and bad by others. I personally dont mind the lack of apparent story, as I generally pay a lot of attention to dialog and other sources of story, and the lore for Dark Souls is actually quite interesting for those willing to dig it out. So, with this game, don't expect a highly story driven game with cutscenes every mission. Speaking of which, there aren't really “Missions” in this game. It is one long continuous quest with optional objects you can deal with or leave alone.
The RPG elements in this game (Leveling, stats, equipment and so on) are relatively well balanced. There are no truly game breaking stats or items, minus a certain sword that you can get that makes the early portion of the game far easier. Leveling is fast in the early levels, but can take hours of work after level 40, and the growth of required XP is nice and at a managable rate. Stats all effect something practical, as well, so there are no wrong stats you can level in the long run. And also, you are not restricted to any class. The starting classes you are offered only give you a different preset set of stats and items at the start to the game, and do not define your overall style of play, allowing you to flexibly change classes over the course of the game. You also choose which stats to level up, and it is possible to max every stat at the end (this takes dedication or cheating. It is no easy thing to do). Overall, the system has a nice balance: The player is not too powerful, nor are they too weak (assuming the player is of sufficient skill).
The sounds of the game are nothing too special, as with almost all games. They do the job right, sound in place, and are generally unremarkable. The music however, is nicely written and suits the game very much. There are many areas where there is no music at all, as well, which can add a nice contrast to many RPG games where the music is constantly going. With other RPGs the music can very easily mix together and becoming an unremarkable string of sound, with no clear definition between songs. That is not the case here. The lack of music in areas adds large contrast to when the music starts, and each song on the soundtrack has a nice unique sound to it, further adding to the contrast and uniqueness.
Overall, I think the game is very good, considering. We knew for over a month that this wouldn't be a perfect, flawless port. And even though it ISN'T a flawless gem of a game like the console versions supposedly are, it is definitely better than many people give it credit for.
- Gameplay: 10/10 – The gameplay is brutal and unforgiving for those who make mistakes or who plan ahead poorly.
- Controls: 6/10 – The controls are clunky but playable with a keyboard and mouse, and it adds a nice brutal bonus to the difficulty for those seeking it. The main reasons I have rated this lower than normal is due to the fact that the mouse is insanely sensitive, which makes locking on an issue in fights with groups, and for people who wish to skip the PC controls, they must pay extra.
- Story: --/10 – it is an arguable point. I would give it high marks for having good lore that is not forced on the player, but others would likely rate it low for not having enough obvious story driving it.
- RPG elements: 10/10 – well balanced, not too complex, not too watered down. Nothing else to it.
- Sounds: 10/10 – The sounds in the game are what is expected, and the soundtrack is great.
OVERALL: 9/10 – Great game. Not perfect, but definitely high up my list.