210°

Dark Souls is more Zelda than Zelda, more Metroid than Metroid

Zelda's and Metroid's embrace of open exploration and tantalizing discovery continues on in From Software's Dark Souls. But From Software may understand what makes Zelda and Metroid such revered classics more than Nintendo does itself.

We love these titles because they let us investigate alien worlds and discover hidden treasure with only our wits to aid us. The seductive embrace of open exploration drives our hearts to push further, dig deeper, and look closer. From Software reminds us how a game can titillate our imagination in ways that other mediums cannot.

NagaSotuva4582d ago

I actually like backtracking in games like Metroid and Arkham Asylum. Do previously explored areas in Dark Souls get locked out as you progress through the game? I heard you can miss out on many items if you're not thorough in your exploration.

illegalyouth4582d ago

No areas ever become locked out at all, but you could miss some items that are based on drop rates. The minibosses and and bosses don't come back until the next playthrough.

christheredhead4582d ago

illegalyouth is correct. the open world is open at all times. certain areas are locked at the beginning of the game if that's what you mean. yet once you open a door, gate, area, etc. you are free to go back to said area whenever you want.

Gungnir4582d ago

I'm constantly amazed how interconnected the world of Dark Souls is when I find a new shortcut.

FunAndGun4582d ago

for real! I want to know how they designed the levels. It all fits together like it's a real place.

Nevers4582d ago

I couldn't agree more. And that scenario happens alot. I'll get really far and then take an eleavator, staircase, or ladder only to find out that I'm right back where I was fretting about getting back to... when I opened the door in Darkroot Basin and found that armored dude with the club just on the other side I might have pooped myself... again. I'm pretty sure I at least sharted just a little. I think I've only now found my first true "dead-end" area with Ash Lake. I still have tons more of the game to traverse. (spoiler?)I haven't even ventured beyond the locked gate that was opened after ringing the 2nd bell.

I seriously love this game. I am very seriously thinking of postponing my purchase of SKYRIM because I'm so in love with playing Dark Souls. Don't get me wrong... I'll still get SKYRIM eventually... but people have really gotten me thinking more about the GoY edition.. Also proly doing that with Batman Arkham Asylum as well. I really want to play both but don't have the time while still working slowly through Gears 3 + possible DLC, Ico/SotC, Dark Souls and my go-to guilty addiction to FFxi.

My wallet and my freetime are just getting stomped by this huge season of awesome games I really want to play...

Captain Qwark 94582d ago

well then prepare for another shart, turn left from where you fight the hydra toward the waterfall and on the right of the waterfall you will find a ladder, now ash lake isnt a dead end either ;)

DARK SOULS FTW!!!!!! ( but fyi i still think skyrim will be the greatest RPG ever, DS is def up there though )

Nevers4582d ago

Nah... not the Hydra in Darkroot Basin. I already found/killed that one. I'm talking about the one at the bottom of the Great Hollow in Ash Lake. As far as I can find the only way out is back up the tree. Correct me if I'm missing something though.

(Spoiler)
I'm too weak to kill the Hydra or the killer clams down in Ash Lake... but the clams drop Twinkling upgrade stones I want for upgrading my Astora's Longsword and other armor. I found that I can get the Hydra to kill them for me when it switches sides of the sandbar to get to you. I've left messages regarding the best placement to get this to happen. Have fun.

Sadie21004582d ago

"From Software may understand what makes Zelda and Metroid such revered classics more than Nintendo does itself."

Youch!

SybaRat4582d ago

Funny, I tend to associate Dark Souls with something more along the lines of Wire Mother.

THR1LLHOUSE4582d ago

Why does comparing Dark Souls to the colorful fun of Nintendo remind me of the Sirens from Greek mythology?

Probably something about the impending death...

Show all comments (20)
80°

How Many More Victims, Like Garry's Mod, Will Nintendo's Hurtful Crusade Create?

Hanzala from eXputer: "As Nintendo takes out 20 years' worth of stuff from Garry's Mod, I watch in shock, thinking why it continues to hurt and discourage its fans."

RiseNShine3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

The irony that some of the most disgusting business practices come from companies like Disney or Nintendo, i can't even begin to understand what terrible damage was Garrys Mod making to Nintendo bottom line, imho they're getting pretty nervous about where they're heading in the future, handhelds are no longer something exclusive to Nintendo, from Steam Deck to many others, now you can play the latest games and pay a fraction of the price on Steam sales, so it's up to their exclusives, which just on their own would make hard to justify purchasing a closed overpriced hardware with outrageous price policies (Super Mario Odyssey is still 60 euro 6 years later!), and as a home console they're always underperforming compared to Sony or Xbox.

gold_drake3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

i cam guarantee you, that their exclusives alone is what drives switch sales. they sell in the 10s of millions of copies.

nintendo created their franchises to be sort of nostalgia driven, exclusive only on nintendo.

people will always buy the pkmn games as they always bring in new younger fans amd is family friendly

mario kart, the same thing, mario games in general.

zelda games are system sellers. animal crossing for the casual gamers.

nintendo doesnt need third vame devs essentially. they made sure with the switch and the limitations that they looked more to pc ps and xbox.

its sad, but nintendo is more than fine with what they're doing. they positioned themselves to appeal to the more casual gamers.

but to your point, im not sure why they're doing this rly.

Inverno3d ago

Look at how they handled Nintendo games being streamed or uploaded on YouTube in the past. They killed Yuzu and Citra even when they had nothing to do with ToTK being leaked, not to mention it was basically unplayable on emulation the week it was leaked. Smash Bros tournament, that was fairly recent. They shut down their online services without any care for purchases made. I bought a switch after skipping their last 2 consoles and handhelds but I don't plan on buying anything Nintendo in the future. They take things to the extremes, they legitimately hate their fans. They're honestly right up there with the likes of Acti, EA, and Ubi, only difference is that they disguise themselves as being family friendly all the while being shady.

80°

I’m Glad Atlus & SE Changed Dates To Avoid Competing With Shadow Of The Erdtree

Saad from eXputer: "I'm glad I don't have to choose between Square Enix, Atlus, and FromSoftware due to bad release windows and Shadow of the Erdtree."

H913d ago

More intelligent than guerilla games

raWfodog12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

Atlus is releasing their game one week before Erdtree, SE is releasing theirs one week after.

HZD released four days before Zelda, HFW released one week before Elden Ring.

It seems to me like they are still releasing their games too close to Erdtree.

VincentVanBro11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

What a word vomit, rambling, turd of an article that simply states the obvious. Classic exputer.

80°

Nintendo's Massacre Of The 3DS And Wii U Is Finally Complete, Regrettably

Hanzala from eXputer: "The cruel hammer of Nintendo has fallen. Farewell, 3DS and Wii U, you surely brightened my life and many others; you won't be forgotten."