DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 37,250 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED Game Cover
The Switch release of Dark Souls: Remastered is sublime, offering a daunting, rewarding experience that you can carry anywhere.
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Dark Souls: Remastered is an action RPG that takes place in a grim, interconnected world. Players battle threatening enemies and bosses while leveling up and customizing their character. The game is known for its difficulty and intricate, interconnected world design, encouraging exploration and learning from past mistakes.

  • Nintendo Switch
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 37,250 reviews
gameplay596 positive mentions
stability399 negative mentions
  • gameplay2,119 mentions

    The gameplay of Dark Souls is characterized by its challenging yet rewarding mechanics, requiring players to learn through trial and error. While the core combat system remains largely unchanged from the original, many players find the mechanics to be clunky and outdated compared to newer titles in the series, such as Dark Souls III and Elden Ring. Despite its steep learning curve and occasional frustrations, the game offers a deeply immersive experience with intricate level design and a rich atmosphere that keeps players engaged.

    • “At its core, Dark Souls remains a paragon of challenging gameplay.”
    • “The refined mechanics and responsive controls ensure that every encounter feels fair yet punishing.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly rewarding, as you learn the mechanics and improve your skills through each encounter.”
    • “The mechanics of the game are not explained.”
    • “The gameplay is nothing short of a dreadful slog through absolutely broken gameplay 0/10.”
    • “The combat mechanics, although simple to understand, never feel simple or easy to execute, because the world in which you have to use this is unforgiving; one wrong move, and you will be squashed like a mosquito by bosses 10 feet higher than you.”
  • graphics1,716 mentions

    The graphics of "Dark Souls: Remastered" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while there are some improvements in texture quality and lighting effects, the overall upgrade is minimal compared to the original game. Some players feel that the remaster does not significantly enhance the visual experience, often comparing it unfavorably to community mods like DSFix, which had already provided substantial graphical improvements. Despite these criticisms, the remaster is praised for its smoother performance at 60fps and improved online functionality, making it a more accessible option for newcomers to the series.

    • “Dark Souls: Remastered is a breathtaking revival of one of gaming’s most influential titles, bringing the legendary experience of its original release into the modern era with stunning visuals and improved performance.”
    • “The updated visuals and smooth performance make revisiting Lordran a treat for both veterans and newcomers.”
    • “The graphics are significantly improved, making the world of Lordran even more impressive and detailed with updated textures and lighting.”
    • “They could have made the graphics better; they could have made improvements in the actual graphic options, but instead it basically is a $40 slightly better dsfix mod.”
    • “Although it’s a 2018 remaster, the visuals are vastly inferior to those of other titles from that year, or even from the previous year.”
    • “The graphics aren't nearly upgraded enough to be a 'remaster'; all of the big flaws with Dark Souls 1 before it was remastered are pretty much all there.”
  • story1,625 mentions

    The story of Dark Souls is often described as rich and layered, conveyed primarily through environmental storytelling, item descriptions, and cryptic NPC interactions, rather than traditional cutscenes or dialogue. Players appreciate the depth of lore and the challenge of piecing together the narrative, which reflects themes of despair, perseverance, and the cyclical nature of life and death. However, the storytelling approach can be polarizing, as many find it vague and requiring significant effort to fully understand, often leading to reliance on external resources like lore videos for clarity.

    • “The lore is rich and layered, unfolding through environmental storytelling and cryptic NPC interactions.”
    • “Rather than spoon-feeding the plot, it encourages players to piece together the story themselves, which made it resonate with me on a much deeper level.”
    • “The story is subtle but compelling.”
    • “The story is practically non-existent, and while the lore shows some promise, it doesn’t come close to the depth of something like Tomb Raider or even Mario DS.”
    • “To sum up my whole feeling, it's just boring - none of the story is explained, main story things happen that are only maybe referenced vaguely in an item description, are hidden behind fake walls that you require a game guide to find.”
    • “The story is weak.”
  • music570 mentions

    The music in Dark Souls is widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric quality, with standout tracks often reserved for boss fights and key locations like Firelink Shrine. While many players appreciate the sparse use of music, which enhances the sense of isolation and immersion, some express a desire for more ambient tracks during exploration. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant aspect of the game's emotional impact, with memorable compositions that complement the narrative and gameplay experience.

    • “The story is so well written and the soundtrack is fabulous.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic.”
    • “The music perfectly complements the desolate and foreboding world, further immersing players in the harrowing journey and adding emotional weight to every encounter.”
    • “The game does not have any ambient music, which will seem strange at first, but once you realize that music is only used for boss fights and some bonfires, you will appreciate it.”
    • “The music is non-existent while exploring, it gives a real feeling of vulnerability since you are startled by the smallest environmental noise.”
    • “For some reason there is also barely any music in the game to create an atmosphere, only during some of the boss fights.”
  • atmosphere534 mentions

    The atmosphere of Dark Souls is widely praised for its immersive, dark, and haunting qualities, effectively drawing players into a richly detailed world filled with lore and interconnected environments. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings of dread and melancholy, enhanced by its minimalistic soundtrack and sound design that contribute to a sense of isolation and exploration. However, some criticisms arise regarding the remastered version's altered lighting and textures, which some feel detract from the original's atmospheric depth. Overall, the game's atmosphere remains a defining feature, celebrated for its unique blend of challenge and emotional engagement.

    • “The atmosphere is dark, mysterious, and immersive, pulling me further into its world with every step.”
    • “The atmosphere is rich and haunting, immersing you in a dark fantasy that feels both oppressive and intriguing.”
    • “From the echoing clang of weapons to the ominous ambiance of darkened areas, the audio design plays a crucial role in creating the oppressive atmosphere that Dark Souls is known for.”
    • “The remastered edition introduces a lot of new bugs and has many places where the atmosphere of the game gets completely destroyed by extremely unfitting textures or even some missing ones.”
    • “A massive part of this game is its dark and grim atmosphere, and the remaster ruins this by completely changing the lighting system which results in many areas of the game looking far brighter than intended, which highlights the now aged 3D environment and textures.”
    • “Gone are the extreme contrasts and grittiness of the original, which were integral parts of the game's aesthetics and atmosphere.”
  • stability454 mentions

    The stability of Dark Souls Remastered has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the improved framerate and overall performance, numerous reports highlight persistent bugs and glitches that were not fully addressed in the remaster, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. Some players note that while certain issues from the original game have been fixed, many others remain, making the game feel as buggy as its predecessor.

    • “Stable framerate (though, only 60 fps), with no freezes or stutters.”
    • “The pc port is excellent with no glitches or frame rate issues to speak of, controls are correct.”
    • “The game runs great on my laptop now - not only with the constant 60fps, but I haven't experienced a single crash like with Prepare to Die + DSFix.”
    • “The entire game freezes after the cutscene ends and even after trying out multiple solutions from Reddit and other sites, nothing has worked to fix it.”
    • “This game is unplayable, many bugs and glitches, Steam won't help you, they'll just tell you to go contact the game developer, so with that said, Steam will just take your money and run.”
    • “Despite a few lag spikes and glitches here and there, seeing my favourite game from a stunning new perspective is amazing!”
  • optimization450 mentions

    The optimization of "Dark Souls: Remastered" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements over the original "Prepare to Die Edition," particularly in terms of stability and frame rate, achieving a consistent 60 FPS in most areas. However, some users still report issues such as stuttering and frame drops, especially in demanding locations like Blighttown, leading to frustration among those expecting a flawless experience. Overall, while the remaster offers better performance and quality of life enhancements, it does not completely eliminate the optimization problems that plagued the original version.

    • “The game runs smoothly and looks nice.”
    • “The remaster does have improvements, mainly quality of life and performance stuff.”
    • “Performance is vastly improved with 60 fps stable in every location of the game even on budget rigs, which is the biggest improvement in my opinion.”
    • “This game is impressively bad and poorly optimized.”
    • “Game isn't really hard at all, it's just a really unoptimized remaster that relies on bullshit instead of requiring actual skill to make the game hard.”
    • “Terribly optimized and overpriced.”
  • grinding306 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, with many players expressing frustration over the repetitive nature of farming souls and materials, as well as the long runbacks to bosses after dying. While some players find satisfaction in overcoming challenges through grinding, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, making the experience feel more like a chore than a rewarding journey. Overall, the consensus is that while grinding is a core part of the game, it often leads to a frustrating and monotonous gameplay experience.

    • “This means that you're not grinding for arbitrary levels or drops (although you still can do that if that's your thing), but instead each attempt pushes the game forward.”
    • “I can tell you right now it is one of the first RPGs I've felt isn't too grindy or repetitive to legitimately enjoy.”
    • “Sorry, but I'm not grinding for 20 hours just so I can reasonably survive a new section - the hallmark of a bad RPG is one that forces you to mind-numbingly grind the same BS over and over anyway.”
    • “The game is tedious and you will get frustrated.”
    • “It's a boring, tedious grind of farming souls, learning moves/enemies and thinking what the author had in mind as there's no explanations anywhere.”
    • “The only downside is no pvp servers, but it doesn't impact the game too much apart from making the grinding of certain items a bit more time consuming.”
  • replayability212 mentions

    The replayability of Dark Souls Remastered is widely praised, with many players highlighting its near-infinite potential due to diverse character builds, challenging gameplay, and the engaging New Game+ feature. The game's intricate world design and various playstyles encourage repeated playthroughs, making it a favorite among fans for its depth and variety. Despite some criticisms regarding certain gameplay mechanics, the overall consensus is that Dark Souls offers exceptional replay value, often described as one of the most replayable games available.

    • “This is the most replayable game I've ever owned, right up there with Path of Exile, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, TESV: Skyrim, Diablo II, Minecraft, and Factorio.”
    • “Dark Souls is a fantastic game with immense replay value.”
    • “The replayability in the game is insane, with different builds, different NPC storylines, New Game+ and many other things.”
    • “This game has so many issues that constantly and consistently make runs unbearable, making it almost entirely unreplayable. NG+ is just so boring because bosses are still too easy and the architecture is a confusing maze.”
    • “The game essentially breaks after a certain point where you can kill any boss within a minute, making the actual fights trivial and not fun. My hours on 'Prepare to Die' don't show up here, but it's really sad to see how little replay value there is after you get Havel's armor.”
    • “A lot of replay value for different builds, but at times the game does feel tedious as it becomes a repeat of 'run through this area dodging enemies to get to the boss' and by the end of the game you really feel that formula.”
  • humor182 mentions

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a key aspect of the experience, with players enjoying the absurdity of their deaths, the quirky NPC dialogues, and the amusing glitches that arise during gameplay. Many find the dark humor of the characters and the ridiculous situations they encounter—such as dying in comical ways or the exaggerated ragdoll physics—contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere, making the game both challenging and entertaining. Overall, players appreciate the blend of humor and difficulty, often laughing at their own misfortunes and the game's quirky design choices.

    • “It's not a big deal to me, I just think it's funny that someone thought doing rolly-pollies was a badass way to avoid a claymore to the face.”
    • “The amount of deaths I incurred because of the dodging just made me laugh.”
    • “While Dark Souls has given me many rage-inducing screams of frustration and agony, it has also given me many shouts of victory and laughing fits over the stupid ways I've died or watched enemies fall off cliffs.”
    • “You're not funny!”
    • “Insignificant or contains humorous glitches.”
  • monetization157 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the remaster has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the lack of significant improvements compared to the original game. Players feel that the remaster offers minimal upgrades while charging a high price, and some lament the removal of the original version from sale, forcing new players to purchase this version. Despite the game's inherent quality, the overwhelming sentiment is that the remaster is a low-effort attempt to profit from nostalgia rather than a genuine enhancement of the original experience.

    • “Besides the controversy caused by the removal of the original and charging almost full price for a slightly improved version of the same, we are still talking about a masterpiece made by a company that doesn't sell you DLCs at release, nor unfinished games filled with microtransactions. For me, the price is more than worth the value I got out of the game.”
    • “No microtransactions, no cut content DLCs, clean of toxic industry standards to this day.”
    • “Microtransactions don't exist.”
    • “This is a blatant cash grab and I am incredibly disheartened by it.”
    • “This remaster was clearly just a cash grab, as few improvements were made and therefore doesn't really qualify as a remaster.”
    • “It's a low-effort cash grab, which is a real surprise since that's not what we've come to expect from these guys.”
  • emotional134 mentions

    Players express a profound emotional connection to Dark Souls, often describing it as a deeply moving experience that evokes a wide range of feelings, from joy and satisfaction to heartbreak and despair. The game's intricate lore, character stories, and atmospheric design contribute to a sense of immersion that resonates with players, leading many to reflect on their personal struggles and triumphs. Overall, Dark Souls is celebrated for its ability to elicit genuine emotional responses, making it a memorable and impactful gaming experience.

    • “This game has made me feel all kinds of emotions while playing.”
    • “The music perfectly complements the desolate and foreboding world, further immersing players in the harrowing journey and adding emotional weight to every encounter.”
    • “This game made me feel something I haven't felt in a long time.”
  • character development24 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while many players praise the unique and creative character designs, as well as the rich lore that enhances the storytelling, others feel that the actual character development is lacking. The game's atmosphere and world-building are often highlighted as strengths, but some reviews indicate that the depth of character arcs and narrative progression could be improved. Overall, the character design is celebrated, yet the development aspect may not meet the expectations of all players.

    • “I especially loved the character development of the titular protagonist, John Dark Soul.”
    • “If it weren't for the fantastic lore, character development, and story... this game would be getting a zero.”
    • “The character development is also interesting, with lots of valid ways to play, though some play styles can be poorly suited to specific encounters, so it pays not to be too stubborn to try different things if you get stuck.”
    • “While some zone designs players have become nostalgic about, character development is sorely lacking.”
    • “There isn't a lot of storyline or character development, but it isn't a series of arenas either.”
    • “What Dark Souls lacks in polished cut scenes and character development, it makes up for with its incredible gameplay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

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Play time

39hMedian play time
222hAverage play time
11-200hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 94 analyzed playthroughs

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