Dark souls is an amazing game. Occasionally.
The gameplay is raw and the targeting remains horrible.
I get it, some opponents are easier to floor then others. But these flaws, while engaged with (several) opponent(s) along witheir clunky animations just keep popping up.
Clinging on to this whole difficulty like a gimmick, instead of just allowing it to be an intricate part of the game.
So what is amazing? All of the above. When it works.
Because when it does, you are being overwhelmed by an adventure of epic grandeur, filled to the brim with expanding areas.
Running, slashing your way past amazing looking enemies and bosses. Hanging on for your dear life and souls, while dodging killer blows.
So this is, just as demon souls, a mediocre game.
Because just like demons souls, it does incredible things you'd like to see in every other game, and incredible things you'd like to see out of every other game as well.
ps: The introduction of the bonfires provides great momentum, but comes with a trade-off in that unique demons souls atmosphere, once again.