Only for the battle hardened. Chumps need not apply
Here's a list of Pros and Cons that i've come up with.
PROS:
- The game world is something like being stuck in Purgatory, so there are all sorts of awesome enemies to fight including demons the size of buildings.
- The graphics are very nice and the colour palate suits the dreary world.
- The sound is also spot-on, with the eerie sounds keeping you on the edge of your seat.
- Every enemy can be extremely hard to kill or extremely easy; it all comes down to your strategy. If you want to button bash, go play Fable or Kingdom of Amalur.
- Controls are responsive and realistic.
- As usual, upgrading your hero and equipment is great fun.
- Discovering areas to farm certain items makes the game easier.
- Once you begin, that's it, your glued until you complete it. Took me about 80hrs. (was a bit hungry by the end)
- Second playthrough is much easier and can be done in half the time.
CONS:
- Jumping is a bit dodgy, it requires a double tap of B, in the meantime the A button is sitting there with it's thumb up it's derriere doing nothing.
- As with every game ever made, the controls should be customisable.
- Also sometimes you might bash the roll button to avoid an attack, but your too late and get hit. After you get up again you then roll!. This unexpected move usually gets you hit again.
- Some areas are darker than they need to be.
- SPOILER ALERT: The ending sucks, unless I did something wrong, there is about a 30 second scene, then you warp back to the start of the game and start again...
- Checkpoints (bonfires) are never near bosses, so when they kill you (and they will) you have to slog it all the the way back to fight them again. GRRRR!
- Frustration levels can sky rocket!
- Ever heard of easy mode? This game is super hard, like Contra 4.
- No Pause! You have to go find a safe area to hide if you need to stop playing for a minute. Very strange.
- Kicking is pathetically annoying and always happens at the worst times.
- Until your endurance reaches high levels, the stamina bar is frustrating. ( about 3 swings of your sword and you have to stop and wait for it to refill)
- Most large enemies weapon go through wall (not breaking them, just as if they were not there)
- Friendly AI is a bit lame.
- The only projectile weapon that can aim is the bow, the crossbow and throwing knives are a waste of time.
- But the biggest issue with this game is that there is almost no explanation about anything. Everything is trial and error. If it wasn't for Dark Souls Wiki for hints and tips, there is no way I would have completed the game.
Don't get me wrong, the game is amazing. I guess it's been a while since i've had to man up for a game.
If they can iron out most of the kinks for the sequel, I don't see why i wouldn't score it a 10.
Seasoned RPG and Action-Adventure gamers should give this a go, everyone else is wasting their time.