It doesn't have a lot of storyline. There are no series of quests or side quests. I believe the creators wanted you to feel like your exploring, so-to-speak, and to learn as you play.

I find it funny that I used to prefer storyline in games and had forgotten my early love for the pacing of games like Super Metroid. I would like more storyline in DkS but NEVER missed it as it otherwise held my full attention. If Skyrim or DD didn't have storyline, they would probably fail because they're that kind of game.

The lengthy traveling through DD made me ache a little. Dks keeps me on my toes all the time even though I've traveled the same area several times.

It has one of the best control/combat systems I've played because of its required precision. Although I greatly enjoyed DD's control system, I think DkS's is better.

Accidentally striking walls in close corridors diminishes the power of the strike. Being deflected by an opponent's shield can make you very vulnerable. Switching to spears or thrusting moves has to be a calculated decision rather than a button-mashing fest of the typical action game and if you're not careful enough, "Se fini" for you.

I love the difficulty. Dying so many times by the Anor Londo archers made defeating them feel SO GREAT! And don't let anyone fool you into believing it's an unbearable game. Yes, you will die a lot, but defeating this game is doable, fun, and extremely rewarding.

Multiplayer is interesting. Read more from reviews to find out its details. It's only available if someone else "happens"(as I call it) to be in your area and are within a certain range of your character's level. Multiplayer isn't a given.

I used to dislike the inability to choose co-op friends at-will, but now rather enjoy the unfamiliarity. I wish "finding" that help was easier but I don't consider that a loss. I enjoy what it gives me when it gives it to me.

Imagine you're fighting for your life and are told reinforcements are coming. You change your tactics. Then you find out the reinforcements were sacked. You change your tactics again and hope for the best, GREAT GAME! That's how it can feel when you try to "summon" help. Sometimes they're available, sometimes they're not. Sometimes they come when called, sometimes they fail to come.

The level design is the best I've ever played although DD and the latest Tomb Raider come in as a close second for the console rpg's I've played. I still unintentionally tighten my stomach ever time I end up fighting near a cliff or become overly casual and am surprised by some enemy coming at me from a dark corner.

The pacing of the game is also what makes it great. It "feels" like a story unfolding before you even if the characters don't talk a lot, unlike this post. Haha!