PS3
Xbox 360
Dark Souls
Dark Souls is a 2011 action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Namco Bandai Games. It is the first game in the Dark Souls series and a spiritual successor to FromSoftware's Demon's Souls.
Role-playing (RPG)Adventure
- Trophies
- 41
- Platinum possible
- Yes
- Time to beat
- about 49.6 hours
Overview
Dark Souls is a 2011 action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Namco Bandai Games. It is the first game in the Dark Souls series and a spiritual successor to FromSoftware's Demon's Souls. Set in the kingdom of Lordran, the game follows the Chosen Undead, who escapes from the Northern Undead Asylum and travels through Lordran to discover the fate of the undead. Gameplay centres on exploration, deliberate combat, character customisation, and online interactions including messages, cooperative play, and invasions.
After its original release for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, a Windows port featuring additional content, titled the Prepare to Die Edition, was released in August 2012. That additional content was released separately for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions as the downloadable content pack Artorias of the Abyss in October 2012. A remastered version was released for PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch in 2018.
Dark Souls has been cited as one of the greatest video games ever made. Critics praised the depth of its combat, intricate level design, and use of flavour text, while responses to its high level of difficulty were divided. The original Windows version was less well received, with criticism directed at technical issues. By April 2013, the game had sold 2.37 million copies worldwide. Its success led to two sequels, Dark Souls II (2014) and Dark Souls III (2016).
Official trailer
E3 2011 Official Trailer. Watch on YouTube
Screenshots
Game details
- Genres
- Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
- Developer
- FromSoftware
- Publisher
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games
- Series
- Dark Souls
- Platforms
- PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One
- Age rating
- ESRB M
- Modes
- Single player
- Yes
- Local multiplayer
- No
- Online multiplayer
- Yes
- Co op
- Yes
- Age ratings
- CLASS IND
- 14
- GRAC
- 19+
- CERO
- D
- PEGI
- 16
- USK
- 16
- ACB
- MA 15+
- ESRB
- M
Release dates
| Platform | Region | Date |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 3 | Japan | 2011-09-22 |
| PlayStation 3 | North America | 2011-10-04 |
| PlayStation 3 | Australia | 2011-10-06 |
| PlayStation 3 | Europe / PAL | 2011-10-07 |
Editions
Collector's Edition
Collector'sUS$59.99 at launch
In the box
- Metal tin case with plastic slipcover
- Hardcover art book
In the game
- Original soundtrack (download code)
- Behind-the-scenes video (download code)
- Mini strategy guide (download code)
Sold as the Collector's Edition in North America; PriceCharting lists it as the Limited Edition. The database first listed the soundtrack, video and guide as physical items, but later comments say the US box carried them as download codes.
Limited Edition
Limited or specialIn the box
- Hardcover art book
- Soundtrack
- Making-of video
European counterpart of the Collector's Edition. Contents as reported in retailer listings and collector database coverage; a game guide is also mentioned by one listing. Not checked against a box.
Prepare to Die Edition
In the game
- Artorias of the Abyss expansion content
Disc re-release that includes the Artorias of the Abyss content. Launched on PS3 and Xbox 360 in late October 2012.
Prepare to Die SteelBook Edition
SteelbookIn the box
- Steelbook case
- Dark Souls soundtrack CD
Limited to 3,000 units. Released 19 July 2013 at GBP 21.99.
Artorias of the Abyss Edition
In the box
- Special map
- Original soundtrack CD
- Strategy guide booklet
- Outer sleeve or art box
In the game
- Artorias of the Abyss expansion content
Released 25 October 2012 at 4,800 yen. Sources disagree on the guide: one calls it a 70-page strategy guide, another a 'Complete Guide Prologue'.
Budget re-releases
Re-release- Prepare to Die Essentials (PAL)
- Platinum (PAL)
- Greatest Hits (NA)
Trophies
Trophies41
Platinum possibleYes
- Platinum
- 1
- Gold
- 2
- Silver
- 20
- Bronze
- 18
- Total
- 41
- Points
- 1350
- Playthroughs for platinum
- 3
- Platinum without online
- Yes
- Online note
- Fextralife says online play is not required; it can optionally help with the weapon trophies.
Missable trophies
- Covenant trophies can be missed on a first run; Darkwraith needs the Four Kings beaten before placing the Lordvessel through Frampt
- Optional bosses Dark Sun Gwyndolin and Crossbreed Priscilla
- Knight's Honor needs tail cuts from the Bridge Wyvern, Gaping Dragon, Seath, Priscilla and the Everlasting Dragon
- Wisdom of a Sage needs one sorcerer rescued and his dialogue exhausted
Grind
- Knight's Honor: every rare weapon
- Wisdom of a Sage, Prayer of a Maiden and Bond of a Pyromancer: every sorcery, miracle and pyromancy
- Best-weapon trophies for each reinforcement path
- The Dark Soul
- To Link the Fire
- Dark Lord
- Knight's Honor
- Wisdom of a Sage
- Bond of a Pyromancer
- Prayer of a Maiden
- Covenant: Way of White Discover Way of White covenant.
- Covenant: Princess's Guard
- Covenant: Blade of the Darkmoon
- Covenant: Warrior of Sunlight
- Covenant: Forest Hunter
- Covenant: Darkwraith
- Covenant: Path of the Dragon
- Covenant: Gravelord Servant
- Covenant: Chaos Servant
- Strongest Weapon Acquire best wpn through standard reinfrc.
- Crystal Weapon Acquire best wpn through crystal reinfrc.
- Lightning Weapon Acquire best wpn through lightning reinfrc.
- Raw Weapon Acquire best wpn through raw reinfrc.
- Magic Weapon Acquire best wpn through magic reinfrc.
- Enchanted Weapon Acquire best wpn through enchanted reinfrc.
- Divine Weapon Acquire best wpn through divine reinfrc.
- Occult Weapon
- Fire Weapon Acquire best wpn through fire reinfrc.
- Chaos Weapon Acquire best wpn through chaos reinfrc.
- Enkindle Light bonfire flame.
- Estus Flask Acquire Estus Flask.
- Reach Lordran Arrive in Lordran.
- Ring the Bell (Undead Church) Ring Bell of Awakening at Undead Church.
- Ring the Bell (Quelaag's Domain) Ring Bell of Awakening in Quelaag's domain.
- Rite of Kindling Acquire the Rite of Kindling.
- Art of Abysswalking Acquire the Art of Abysswalking.
- Reach Anor Londo
- Lordvessel
- Defeat Gravelord Nito
- Defeat Bed of Chaos
- Defeat the Four Kings
- Defeat Seath the Scaleless
- Defeat the Dark Sun Gwyndolin
- Defeat Crossbreed Priscilla
Playable today
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Has online features | Yes |
Credits
- Publisher
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games
- Developer
- FromSoftware
- Released
- 2011-10-04
- Age rating
- ESRB M
- Region
- US
- Time to beat
- about 49.6 hours
Spotted something that's wrong? Tell me and I'll check it.