Post by Friendly Person :) on Feb 25, 2016 21:50:35 GMT -5
With the advent of Dark Souls 3, I thought I'd go back and play the original Dark Souls. As somebody who owned Dark Souls 2 pretty early on, I've never thought of it as a bad game - just an infinitely inferior product when put next to Dark Souls or Demon's Souls. I picked up Bloodborne after a price drop and found it to be a pretty fun experience, and at the time considered it almost better than Dark Souls (oh how wrong I was). Now with Dark Souls 3 on the horizon, hype is high and everyone is talking about the same thing: mechanics. I myself frequently complain of Dark Souls 2's mechanics. Even with Bloodborne, the big focus was on the new, faster pace fighting.
Mechanics, mechanics, mechanics.
Then I replayed Dark Souls 1.
Now, don't get me wrong - mechanics are hugely important to a game. They can add a ton of longevity, and a game with bad mechanics is an unplayable game. But replaying Dark Souls 1 has made me realise that Dark Souls 2, nor Bloodborne, nor inevitably Dark Souls 3 will ever reach the height of the original Dark Souls, because what made Dark Souls such a great game is more than just the mechanics.
It was moments like fighting Sif, knowing that he bore you no malice, yet being forced to kill him anyway. As the fight progresses his movements get slower, his tail drops, he limps - and if you rescued him first in Oolacile and got the alternative opening scene...
Of course, fighting Sif is so out of the way that you might not ever have reason to do so, save for the fact that you cannot fight the Four Kings without the Covenant of Artorias. (in other words, not every fight was "walk into boss chamber, fight boss", but had some nifty world building to it)
Awesome details like killing Gwynevere to make Anor Londo go dark, or the first time you discover Ash Lake.
It's a world that feels depressing and hopeless, yet still has locations that are varied, vibrant and colourful. (Seriously, Firelink Shrine has more green alone than the entirety of the areas shown for Dark Souls 3) A world full of interesting characters whose stories progress as the quest continues.
I'm not sure what you'd call all these things. Minor details? The little things? I dunno, but they go so far in creating something that draws you in. In artsy (read: empty) words, it's what gives the game soul. Dark Souls 2 and Bloodborne are games, where Dark Souls 1 feels like an experience. I'm not knocking Dark Souls 2 or Bloodborne - I stand by both as being quality games well worth your money (though Bloodborne far more so than Dark Souls 2). But I feel like both are lacking that 'heart' that elevates games beyond simply 'good' or 'great'.
Agree or disagree with me about Souls, I do believe that we get far too hung up on mechanics. Frankly I think what's lacking between Dark Souls and its sequels is the same thing that has been lacking in Tales post-Graces. I think that Xillia or Zestiria could have the most solid mechanics on earth, but like Dark Souls 2 or Bloodborne, that wouldn't instantly put them on the same level as their predecessors.
In closing, please don't take this as a 'things were better in my day' or 'everything that's new is bad'. I'm open to being surprised. I just wanted to share my views with you guys, because in playing Dark Souls 1 again I feel like I'm rediscovering a game that I've already put 150 hours into, and it's a fantastic feeling. I might recommend going back to a game you love and giving it another go, looking at all the non-mechanical aspects that make you love it.
Mechanics, mechanics, mechanics.
Then I replayed Dark Souls 1.
Now, don't get me wrong - mechanics are hugely important to a game. They can add a ton of longevity, and a game with bad mechanics is an unplayable game. But replaying Dark Souls 1 has made me realise that Dark Souls 2, nor Bloodborne, nor inevitably Dark Souls 3 will ever reach the height of the original Dark Souls, because what made Dark Souls such a great game is more than just the mechanics.
It was moments like fighting Sif, knowing that he bore you no malice, yet being forced to kill him anyway. As the fight progresses his movements get slower, his tail drops, he limps - and if you rescued him first in Oolacile and got the alternative opening scene...
Of course, fighting Sif is so out of the way that you might not ever have reason to do so, save for the fact that you cannot fight the Four Kings without the Covenant of Artorias. (in other words, not every fight was "walk into boss chamber, fight boss", but had some nifty world building to it)
Awesome details like killing Gwynevere to make Anor Londo go dark, or the first time you discover Ash Lake.
It's a world that feels depressing and hopeless, yet still has locations that are varied, vibrant and colourful. (Seriously, Firelink Shrine has more green alone than the entirety of the areas shown for Dark Souls 3) A world full of interesting characters whose stories progress as the quest continues.
I'm not sure what you'd call all these things. Minor details? The little things? I dunno, but they go so far in creating something that draws you in. In artsy (read: empty) words, it's what gives the game soul. Dark Souls 2 and Bloodborne are games, where Dark Souls 1 feels like an experience. I'm not knocking Dark Souls 2 or Bloodborne - I stand by both as being quality games well worth your money (though Bloodborne far more so than Dark Souls 2). But I feel like both are lacking that 'heart' that elevates games beyond simply 'good' or 'great'.
Agree or disagree with me about Souls, I do believe that we get far too hung up on mechanics. Frankly I think what's lacking between Dark Souls and its sequels is the same thing that has been lacking in Tales post-Graces. I think that Xillia or Zestiria could have the most solid mechanics on earth, but like Dark Souls 2 or Bloodborne, that wouldn't instantly put them on the same level as their predecessors.
In closing, please don't take this as a 'things were better in my day' or 'everything that's new is bad'. I'm open to being surprised. I just wanted to share my views with you guys, because in playing Dark Souls 1 again I feel like I'm rediscovering a game that I've already put 150 hours into, and it's a fantastic feeling. I might recommend going back to a game you love and giving it another go, looking at all the non-mechanical aspects that make you love it.