Are you satisfied playing within your comfort zone? Inefficiency will bring you nowhere in Dark Souls as it heads to PC.

User Rating: 10 | Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition PC
Since we've begun to know the gropes of gaming, motivation remains the fuel for pushing on. The longevity of a game depends on whether or not we enjoy playing it even more despite the increasing familiarity. It could be additional loot, heart-pounding action, or just the subtle touches engraved beneath the game's superficial surface. Blasting orchestral scores, captivating visuals and tight controls are almost sure to pull you in into whatever virtual space you are currently getting your hands on. While some may opt for a single strand of let's say; action, other titles are just lucky to find alternatives with non-traditional ones. Dark Souls is an example of which. In fact, I'd consider it a one in a millionth offering in which we are truly blessed of it existing in our current time and space. Dark Souls excels in a surprising amount of ways which leaves you wondering on how to approach it objectively and pinpoint that specific area in which it differs from other titles of its kind. If you're ever wondering if it lives up to the unanimous scores then yes, it definitely does and I'd advise you to stop reading on and go grab a copy and start the journey right away. You'll definitely falter behind.

Dark Souls on the surface is an RPG. You build stats, level up, fight bosses and gain access to a lot of items. These are traditional mechanics which paved way to the modernized elements and somewhat straightforward accessibility found normally in today's generation. Yes, Dark Souls is an old school RPG. If that makes it sound bad, it does not. In fact, the release of such a non-conventional game amidst mainstream titles makes it stand out, showing the jutted parts in which it makes itself different and superior.

You start off as your own created character, in a class of you own choice. Sounds pretty generic, doesn't it? Well, just after a few moments you'll begin to see the major differences it exhibits. Attacking costs stamina, sprinting does too. A balancing act. Well, could be managed. Again, reading messages tapered on the ground; a subtle take on the tutorial mechanic, leads you to a new revelation. The game does not care about you. It throws you back, regularly. This becomes apparent during the tutorial boss encounter. With tiny little strokes you bash away at a huge, enormous mass of flesh about 30 feet tall having an extra large club which deals damage more than half of your health bar. Continue on and you'll begin to learn yet another trademark, the soul currency. Every form of transaction, from leveling up to buying weapons and upgrades, are dealt with souls. Souls that are garnered from killing enemies and are sometimes present as usable items upon pillaging. These unique system gives thought to the always exploited experience mechanic where one could just mindlessly farm for hours and hours without being careful of one's current status. In here you've got pilling souls upon souls, spending them away for status upgrades and buying items. There's a catch however, getting killed would mean dropping all your souls behind. Retrieve the once lost pile of souls in the place of death and you'll get it back. Get killed again, and bid goodbye to them. It is a simple yet challenging balance to get used to. Would you bet what you currently have for more? Or are you content with your currency and settle down a bit? In here, greed could become you worst enemy.

Being safe is never felt here. A constant feeling of dread saps through you continually in your journey. A journey filled with fear, excitement, satisfaction and mostly, death. Environments are incredibly atmospheric from the Firelink Shrine where you could claim it as a calm haven of sorts to the downright creepy catacombs where danger is brought not only by enemies themselves but by the level design as well. The well crafted world of Dark Souls is by far, one of the best. Never has seamless cohesion seem so apparent in such a claustrophobic environment. Sewers lead to castles and forests branch into pathways so diverse you'll start to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scope of it. From the outset you'll never think of it as an open world game yet, it is. This is a pure sandbox game which demands a lot from you.

Every encounter is precious and unpredictable. What used to be cannon fodder when given the chance could, and would surely chip away your health bar to null. With an intricate character design, every enemy looks absolutely fierce, strange and just creepy. Blocking is your only friend in here and so are bonfires. These are the only true safe spots you've got in this game. Every rest restores your health and status but again, a catch. All killed enemies respawn. Yes, they all do respawn. Given the strict and rigid standards of the game, every aspect of it also stands true. Combat for example is a literal dance of death. You strafe around in circles with enemies in an attempt to grab that slim advantage where one might be open for an attack or, a finishing counterattack. The precise nature of swordplay is well implemented as it never feels cheap and unfair. You die because of you and not because of developers hiding something away from you. Every strike has weight and seeing your stamina bar diminish after blocking a strong attack, brings fear to your heart.

Not everything is fed to you in Dark Souls. The game treats you like a man, big enough to piece up the story bits all together. The narrative of the game is cryptic from the get-go. You are an undead given the chance to escape and that's about it, everything's under your own experience. Would you choose to go under that way? Or rather continue straight on and inside that scary old dungeon? All is entirely up to you.

With a stirring soundtrack that lights up the drama, a gorgeous art where goth meets vibrant colors and greenery, and a damn good refreshing experience of survival, Dark Souls is easily the best RPG to grace today's generation. The rare, uncompromising challenge normally not found in its peers makes its way here and lets its presence known. Casual gamers may surrender at first but only the strong-willed and the brave remain. Dark Souls could be the best horror game this generation has ever seen and it is not even one. These are just etched markings of a true gaming masterpiece waiting to be found and lived in.