Dark Souls
Overview -
Like its predecessor, Demon's Souls, Dark Souls is as beautiful as it is dangerous. It's the type of game that will lure you in like a Siren with its massive, seamless world only to punish you again and again should you make even the smallest mistake. With that said, it's also one of the most rewarding gaming experiences you're likely to have, so if you're willing to endure its unforgiving nature, Dark Souls can be an amazing, unforgettable experience.
Video Review
For a game this gorgeous you would expect a bunch of loading screens or freezing while the game tries to load the next area, so it's a good thing Dark Souls has neither. The entire world can be explored, you can even go for the final boss from the beginning though you're not likely to get very far. The character animations, and the combat in particular, are more fluid then they were in Demon's Souls, where everything was a little more stiff. Now the character you control responds more quickly and looks good while executing an enemy, assuming you're you're lucky or quick enough to get behind one of them to unleash the deadly move. The other characters in the game look and act a little less realistically with their dead eyes, unmoving faces, and the unnerving way they talk to you without moving their lips. I guarantee you'll forget all about those minor issues the first time you encounter one of the game's many colossal boss fights, and for me even though a lot was going on on-screen it never slowed down.
Audio Review
From the sounds of crisp grass crunching under your feet to the satisfying wet sound your sword makes as it bisects an ugly creature from stem to stern, Dark Souls is always an aurally pleasurable game. Everything sounds great, and with little music in the game other than an ambient backtrack to make sure things never sound dull, there's little to distract you from your goal, and that's to survive.
If you want an intensely rewarding game with a meaty campaign, unique multiplayer, massive seamless world, and plenty of challenges to test your skills, then look no further than Dark Souls. Just make sure you know what you're getting yourself into first, lest this game chew you up and spit you out.
