Dark Souls is unlike most games on the market, besides Demon's Souls which it feels like a carbon copy of.
I agree with a lot of what Gamespot said in their review, the uniqueness, the challenge, the world which draws you in. But I also disagree with a few major points which will form the basis of my review.
It is indeed hard, but it's also very, very cheap at times. The Bed of Chaos boss for example, where you will surely fall to your death the first time you fight him since the ground suddenly gives way beneath you. Not challenging, just cheap. The second time you're there, you know what to look out for. I don't know how anyone can say that's not cheap, it's got nothing to do with skill, purely trial and error. There are several other points in the game where you will die the first time then never again as you will know what to look out for. Maybe it's just me, but I don't find trial and error fun in video games.
Secondly, the controls. I don't know how Gamespot can say they are good. They are some of the most poorly laid out, unresponsive controls I've ever had to deal with. There were upwards of 20 times where I pushed the quick attack button, only to have to wait about 1 second before my character pulled off the move. This was with a full stamina bar, not after having input any other moves. There were also several times where I pressed a button but my character did not react at all. Also, having the parry button as LT is way too long of a throw for such a reflex move. And what is with games not allowing us to remap the controls? What year is this again?
As you can see, there are a few things that really annoy me about this game but the overall package is amazing. The world itself is just unforgettable. The feeling of being on an epic journey is nailed here better than anything else I've ever experienced. I really wasn't sure if I liked this game at first but something just kept me coming back until I fell in love with it.
I love you Dark Souls. You took me to hell. And I love you.