The real problem with DLC, quite apart from the fact it costs money, is that most developers don't give it enough TLC. Instead of feeling like extra content, it can feel like superfluous content. Dark Souls has always followed its own path. And with its new content, which comes as part of the PC's Prepare To Die Edition and will be available to buy on consoles soon, it shows just what DLC should be like - almost.
You can find IGN's full review of the Prepare to Die edition here but here we’re just concentrating on the new stuff. There are two sides to it, the first being a large single-player area, Oolacile, which is split into roughly four smaller sections (the environments flow into one another very easily, so dividing them up is a little arbitrary). The second is a multiplayer arena, something the playerbase has wanted since Demon's Souls, which theoretically should lead to easier matchmaking.
A set of carvings can be found that let you communicate in multiplayer. Drop one and the odd, distorted voices utter a phrase like 'Very Good!', 'Hello!', or 'I'm Sorry'.
If you're a Dark Souls nut and don't want minor spoilers about the content, such as character names, best to skip to the final paragraph now and know this: you will absolutely lap it up. The best thing about this new content is that it slots beautifully into Dark Souls' world, like it had always been there, and shines much light on certain unexplained aspects of the original. Dark Souls, superb as it is, has the unmistakeable signs that it was rushed to make its original release date, and this feels like it was meant to be there all along.
This new content is that it slots beautifully into Dark Souls' world, like it had always been there
Finding it is the first tricky task, and you won't be able to enter Oolacile until a significant way into the game - basically, you need access to the Duke's Archives and the Darkroot Basin. There's a little in-joke with the fans, based around a broken pendant and a somewhat obscure character in the world, but that's about as friendly as Dark Souls ever gets. From here it's one big stretch of deadly environments, and one hell of a boss line-up.
Things start off with the Sanctuary Guardian, which managed to kill me about ten times as a welcome present, a lion and serpent combination that's vicious, poisonous, and shocking. After this comes the only minor disappointment with the single-player portion of the DLC, an expansive wooded environment that is basically a mirrored version of the Forest area from the original. It's a different beast, with a visual overhaul turning it into a spooky netherworld dotted with fake lights, but the familiar geography blunts a little of the impact. As with everything to do with Dark Souls, the lore justifies it, but I'm still not happy.
The setups for each boss are amazing and actually finding the hardest enemy in the DLC is a challenge in itself.
This place takes ages to explore safely, thanks to the ridiculously hard-hitting tree-men that are dotted everywhere and can be all-too-easily aggro'd in groups, though shortcuts can eventually be opened up and there's a very interesting merchant character waiting to be found. I was around soul level 45 when first attempting this section, and got a good kicking quite a few times.
The boss awaiting at the end of this is a killer. Knight Artorias is one of the great legendary figures in Dark Souls' world, a presence often hinted at but never seen - and here he is, a corrupted beast swallowed by the Abyss. Putting him away solo is a massive challenge, worthy of comparison with anything in the original, and I could only do it in the end thanks to Summoning in some wonderful help. The fight is so good though, with more than an echo of Ornstein and Smough, that you want to go straight back and do it again.
From here things go down - deep down. A stretching walk over the remains of a town take you into its guts, preparation for what's to come with ranks of bloated-head warriors and their deadly dark mage backup. As you press further and further in, you eventually find the very bottom. Barely lit, filled with enemies in corners, haunted at pockets by the unblinking eyes of ghosts that then begin to move slowly, steadily towards you. Unaffected by your shield, and simply wanting to touch you and drain sweet life, they're a dangerous and unsettling addition to the Dark Souls bestiary.
If you kill enough former inhabitants of Oolacile you might get one of their pustule-ridden heads to wear. Hats FTW!
The final boss lies in wait beyond this - and then, in best Dark Souls tradition, there is actually a final, hidden boss back along the path that's even tougher. Both are terrifying opponents to face, capable of destroying ill-prepared teams and turning what looks like a possible victory into a crushing defeat. Both match up to the very best Dark Souls has to offer, and ensure this new content slots neatly in alongside the wonderful original.
What is not such an easy fit, though it can also be great on occasion, is the PvP.
What is not such an easy fit, though it can also be great on occasion, is the PvP. The arena is unlocked after defeating Artorias, and is snuggled away in an antechamber almost like From Software is somehow embarrassed. Six pedestals represent three different PvP modes over two maps - duels (one versus one), team battles (two versus two) and four-player FFA matches. If you ever want to actually play a game of Dark Souls PvP, then go for a Duel at the Ruins.
That mode and map is your only real chance of action. I've spent hours – and I mean hours – standing on the trapdoors for the other modes and maps, waiting patiently as the little glowing red circles supposed to indicate other players blink in and out of existence. Dark Souls' online has always been less-than-perfect, but the game is so good you tend to muddle through and be grateful when it does work.
The red circles are supposed to show other players waiting for matches, but they didn't impact anything for me.
But this is a dedicated matchmaking system that gives its players no feedback - it may well break the lore, but the fact you can't have something as crass as a player count or an estimated wait time begins to really grate after a few hours. So basically, the PvP modes are largely unplayable at the moment. Perhaps things will improve as more and more players discover the arena, and there's a wider spread of levels, but going on From Software's past form don't count on it.
That said, the one mode that does work semi-regularly, a Duel at the Ruins, shows what we're missing. I've fought crazy dark wizards that are half-Saruman half-Zorro, giant hulks in unbreakable armour heaving clubs and knocking you around like a tennis ball, and assassins that turn invisible when you respawn, and strike with a backstab while you're looking.
People don't talk much about Dark Souls' customisation options, but it's a game where you can make your avatar look unique, and there are some awesomely silly hats and armour sets lying around - as well as unbelievably cool weapons. The duels are so good because you see all of this, and come across tactics you'd never have imagined. Just like the single-player, thinking on your feet is the only way to victory, and so it breaks my heart there isn't a better structure for it.
There was no-one else around to fight with – so we decided to strip naked and do this queensbury-style.
The Prepare to Die content adds much to Dark Souls, and not a bit of it feels out of place, or like filler. The single-player is recommended without any caveats, though it is important to emphasise it's designed for experienced players rather than newcomers and thus you won't see it for a good while. As for the PvP... well, it's the same old story. The concept is great, and when it infrequently works it is great. But it just doesn't work most of the time. While I love Dark Souls more than anything, sitting in front of your PC for hours waiting for something to happen is just a waste of time. The matchmaking needed to be much, much better than this.
To find out how Dark Souls: Prepare to Die edition scored, check out IGN’s review.
Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com
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