We love Souls games in this house, but it's not as if FromSoftware is entirely devoid of sin. There was a lot of hype for the release of Dark Souls Remastered back in 2018, but the final product left a lot to be desired. Even though it didn't introduce new problems, it just didn't offer much in terms of graphical improvements. In fact, the remastered version looks so similar to the original Prepare To Die release that I trust this is the first time you're reminded you haven't been playing the OG Dark Souls PC since you paid for the remaster.

Are you sick of waiting for Elden Ring Shadow Of The Erdtree, but don't want to go through another playthrough of the base game? Then it's a good time to revisit the series' roots, as modder fromsoftserve just released Dark Souls Re-Remastered, a mod that offers many of the graphical improvements that should've been present on the official remaster. It looks so good that you almost wonder if you're looking at an Elden Ring mod that uses the maps from Dark Souls.

Dark Souls Re-Remastered features:

fromsofts??erve mentions Dynamic shadows, HD shadows, Higher Polygon distant meshes, more grass, better water reflections, b??etter ambient occlusion, parallax occlusion mapping, better normal maps, altered specular maps, better armor/weapon textures, 4K boss textures, and fixes for bugs present in the original game.

They also included many side-by-side comparisons, and it's prett??y much night and day.

Here are a few more screenshot??s just because this is a thing of true beauty.

Dark Souls Re-Remastered receives high praise from the community

Community reactions have been very positive, with players complimenting the mod for looking great and running very well. The sole exc?eption so far is this Twitter user saying that everything looks awesome except for Blighttown, which looks too dark in their game.

fromsofts??erve explains that the glitch i??s easily fixable by just restarting the game. Great stuff and, in all honesty, I'd have been ok with them just replying "forget it, Oliver. It's Blighttown".

You can now download Dark Souls Re-Remastered 1.01 here, or just wait until the release of Elden Ring Shadow Of The Erdtree on June 21.

The post Dark Souls Re-Remastered is out and is everything the original remaster should’ve been appeared first on Destructoid.

The lost souls of Lordran

To play Dark Souls is to seek victory in a land defined by fai?lure. Lordran, the game's fictional kingdom, is dying. The once-great gods have abandoned their bastions, fleeing a world in desperate need of a savior. Every crumbling city stands as a sad reminder of what could have been; echoes of progress all but forgotten. A plague of undeath curses those who remain, reducing their existence to a cycle of death, rebirth, and slowly hollowing souls. Everyone who travels to Lordran is doomed to meet a cruel fate, but that doesn't stop people from trying.

Dark Souls has a surprisingly deep cast. They're a sad lot. Each character players encounter is dying, broken, or in the midst of a crisis. But despite the dire circumstances of their existence, these wayward adventurers are brimming with personality. They are warriors, healers, and scholars -- people who would be destined for greatness in any other kingdom. In Lordran, however, they're doomed. Through a combination of oblique storytelling and nihilistic inevitability, Dark Souls??' characters are among the most interesting NPCs in recent memory.

It's high time someone ranked them.

61. Petrus of Thorolund: 

Petrus ruins what is otherwise one of the most memorable moments in Dark Souls. After escaping the Undead Asylum and arriving at Firelink Shrine in the claws of a giant crow, the Chosen Undead's first steps on Lordran soil are tentative and filled with mystery. This is a land of unknowns, a place that the gods have forgotten. Bu??t all that magic and momentum is ruined when players inevitably bump into Petrus of Thorolund, a dopey cleric with what is quite possibly the most punchable face in video game history. Anything seems possible in Lordran, but Petrus’ pagebo?y haircut is too awful to believe. 

60. Kingseeker Frampt:

This serpentine noodle is critical to Dark Souls' story. He's also an abomination. Destructoid's Co-Editor-in??-Chief Jordan Devore summed up Frampt's existence eloquently: 

Some monstrosities are better left sno?ring for all eternity.

59. Pinwheel:

Pinwheel functions more as a cautionary tale than anything else. Pinwheel is arguably the easiest boss in Dark Souls, best seen as a hollowed husk more interested in researching necromancy than ??combat. The masks that adorn its face -- a Father, Mother, and Child -- imply a cruel fate comes to those who seek power. 

58. Vince of Thorolund: 

Another cl?eric, another ugly mug. It’s safe to assume that there are no ??decent barbers in Thorolund. 

57. Nico of Thorolund: 

Nico's only redeeming quality is that his helmet obscures what's undoubtedly an??other atrocious hairdo. He and Vince seem to be close; maybe they found love in Lordran. 

56. Rhea of Thorolund: 

There&??rsquo;s tragedy at the heart of Rhea’s story, but her greatest crime is associating with the Thorolund goof troop.

55. Rickert of Vinheim:

Most of Lordran's blacksmiths are great. Rickert, however, sucks. He’s content to be locked up for an eternity, and t??hat’s fine because he's utterly useless.

54. Griggs of Vinheim: 

Griggs is boring. He’s outclassed by his m??entor in every imaginable way, from spell selection to hat size.

53. Paladin Leeroy:

This guy is so close to greatness. His massive hammer, Grant, is an intimidating weapon? and his Sanctus shield looks rad. But the fact that he’s a walking Leeroy Jenkins reference kills his placement on the list.

52. Darkstalker Kaathe:

Darkstalker Kaathe is the inverse of Kingsee??ker Frampt, which is e?xcellent. But the fact that Kaathe and Frampt are likely two serpents sharing the same body means this slippery dude kind of sucks too. 

51. Eingyi:

Eingyi is an egg-bearing chump who is happy to serve one of Dark Souls' most beloved characters. He'd place hi?gher if he weren't so gross loo?king.

50. Prince Ricard:

There are a handful of Dark Souls character?s defined exclusively by their mediocrity. Ricard is one of them, an undead noble whose deft rapier stabs are u?ltimately forgettable.

49. Seath the Scaleless:

Controversial opini?on: Seath sucks, looks dumb, and is a complete and utter nerd.

48. The Four Kings:

The Four Kings have a twisted, vaguely metallic look and th??ey hang out in the unending darkness of Th?e Abyss. That's cool. But it's hard to ignore the fact that more than four kings spawn during their boss fight. What's with that? 

47. Dusk of Oolacile:

Dusk’s presence in Lordran signals the start of Dark Souls’ excellent Artorias of the Abyss expan??sion. Past that, she’s a confused time traveler who is relatively bland compared to ?most characters. 

46. Knight Kirk: 

Kirk, Knight of Thorns, is like a middle school bully. He co?mes out of now?here and assaults you with apparent glee. And like dealing with a bully, the only thing worse than potentially getting your ass kicked is knowing that underneath his prickly exterior is a sad kid who just wants attention.

45. Maneater Mildred:

There’s something to be said about a person who’s willing to strip off their ??clothes, put a bag on their head, and run through a poisonous swamp just to hack people apart with a machete. Mildred scares me, but I'm impressed with her commitment.

44. Elizabeth the Mushroom: 

Elizabeth gets points for being a giant talking mushroom, but she pales in comparison to the adorable -- and ??surprisingly deadly -- fun guys in Darkroot Garden. 

43. Quelana of Izalith:

As far as pyromancers go, Quelana’s a pro. In fact, she&r??squo;s considered the mother of the fiery art. Despite her impressive resume, Quelana is the black sheep of her family. It’s not because she’s into starting fires, though. Quelana’s an outcast specifically because she’s the only member of her clan that isn’t fucked up in some horrible way. Way to kill the curve, firestarter.

42. Undead Poison Merchant:

??Here’s some lore speculation: This poison-slinging merchant is crushing on her male counterpart big time, but he’s in love with someone else. And so, s??he waits for an eternity, selling knives and sewer moss as a clever way of keeping an eye on her unrequited love without seeming too obvious.

41. Undead Burg Merchant: 

This dude’s a nutter. He has some weapons to sell, sure, but his singular obsession with Yulia -- who or whatever that actually is -- dominates his thoughts. Maybe it's his uchigatana. Perhaps i??t's his favorite bucket. Or ??maybe, just maybe, it's the long-forgotten name of a beautiful lady from nearby he once knew…

40. Princess Gwynevere:

Gwynevere isn't really in the game. The larger-than-life woman players encounter is actually an illusion. But even still, Gwynevere's remembered by players as one of Dark Souls' biggest, uh, assets.

39. Blacksmith Vamos:

After trudging through the Catacombs, it's nice to meet a skeleton that isn't hell-bent on murdering you?. Vamos is a collection of bones who knows his way around a forge. His defining trait is his skeletal beard, which looks as though it's assembled from finger bones. That's as impressive as it is macabre. 

38. Sieglinde of Catarina:

One of the hardest parts of growing up is watching your parents start to lose a step or two. Sieglinde spends all of her time in Lordran chasing down her father in an effort to get him to just, like, slow down for a minute. She's a great ??daughter, but an otherwise one-note character.

37. Witch Beatrice:

Although she gets little screen time, Witch Bea??trice is rad as hell. She fully commits to her namesake, wearing a haunting dress awash in deep purples with a gnarled wooden catalyst in hand. Beatrice is a sum?monable character who can hurl spells at the Moonlight Butterfly and Four Kings bosses, and while her presence is welcome, it also leaves you wanting more.

36. Ceaseless Discharge:

Ceaseless Discharge places this high specifically because his name is one of the grossest possible combinations of words in the Englis??h language.

35. King Jeremiah:

At a certain point, Dark Souls players realize fashion is more important than form. Jeremiah understands this, and his bulbous crown works as both an homage to Demon’s Souls? a?nd an absurd look that’d fit in at the Met Gala.

34. Alvina:

A fat cat wi??th the gift of gab. What’s not to lo??ve?

33. Anastacia of Astora:

Anastacia is mai?med, tongueless, and trapped. Her existence is a cruel reminder that keeping the age of fire going comes at a very steep cost. Despite never ??uttering a single word, her presence is sorely missed should players allow certain events to transpire.

32. Knight Lautrec of Carim:

Lautrec is a dick. An absolute madman. A terror in gold-plated armor. But for as annoying as his actions over the course of Dark Souls are, it’s hard? to completely despise him because he looks so damn cool. 

31. Marvelous Chester:

This guy is a grinning hunter ripped from another world. He's basically a Bloodborne cosplayer, and because Bloodborne ?is so good, Chester places h??igher than he has any real right to. 

30. Patches:

I hate Patches. I hate him so goddamn much. But I’m also ??terrified of him. Spending countless hours in his signature squatting pose must have toned h??is body to Adonis-like proportions. 

29. Crestfallen Merchant: 

Look at this stoic moth??erfucker. Just look at him and tell me you’re not impressed.

28. Crossbreed Priscilla: 

As her name implies, Priscilla the offspring of a dragon and a god. She's another character with an unfortunate backstory. Gwyn feared her power so much that he locked her inside of a painting to keep his realm safe from Priscilla's destructive pote??ntial. Priscilla, however, isn't outwardly hostile. In fact, she's rather sweet. She's trapped, but utterly pleasant, content to be left alone with the other castaways in the Painted World. 

27. Ingward:

Ingward's spooky as hell, and while not a specter himself, he spends all of hi??s time with ghosts. He's notable not only for his wraith-like mask and striking red robes but also for his role in flooding New Londo. Flooding an entire city is dangerous work, but what's ev??en more impressive is how quickly Ingward gives away the key to the floodgates he spent untold years watching if you ask him nicely. 

26. Lord’s Blade Ciaran: 

Ciaran's a skilled assassin with an eye for fashion. She appears in Oolacile to pay respects at her former companion's final resting place and is so upset at losing a partner that she's willing to leave her weapons behind in exchange for a fleeting memory. Ciaran's one of many Dark Souls characters who deserve m??ore direct attention; she's a mysterious w??oman who lets her blades do the talking when push comes to stab.

25. Chaos Witch Quelaag: 

Another child of Izalith, Quelaag’s current form is that of a bare-chested woman growing out of a horrifying spider’s sternum. She's imposing, fast, and probably responsible for awakening a new kink among Dark Souls players.

24. Dark Sun Gwyndolin:

Gywndolin is the leader of the Darkmoon Blades and the last remaining god in Anor Londo. He’s the youngest child of Gwyn and spends his? time lording over his father’s ceremonial tomb. Although his kin's association with light and fire is well documented, Gwyndolin's penchant for magic and moon-based powers make him one of the game's most complex and memorable characters.

23. Quelaan:

This daughter of Izalith is the saddest member of a cursed family. The Fair Lady, or Quelaan as many prefer to call her, is part spider, just like Quelaag. But unlike her sister, who seems to thrive in her newfound form, Quelaan is in a state of constant suffering. When the Chosen Undead first encounters this Fire Keeper, she's dying a slow and painful death, blind and immobile. Players can speak with her by wearing a special ring and aid h??er recovery by sacrificing hard-earned humanity. It’s worth it?? mostly for the satisfaction of knowing that you helped save one of the game’s purest souls. 

22. Oswald of Carim:

Oswald looks like he only smokes clov??e cigarettes. He’s a grown-up goth who pref?ers to keep track of Lordran’s sinners from a dark corner of the Undead Parish’s bell tower while listening to Siouxsie and the Banshees.

21. Giant Blacksmith:

This towering tradesman spends all of his time hammer??ing away at equipment he could never hope to use. His pleasant personality and mellow demeanor are a welcome salve to? the cruelties of life in Lordran.

20. Shiva of the East:

Shiva could get by on style alone. His armor echoes his Eastern origins, equal parts practical and elegant. When push comes to shove, Shiva’s no slouch ?with a blade either. As the leader of the Forest Hu??nters, Shiva prides himself on his ability to topple intruders with precise strikes and deadly efficiency.

19. Gravelord Nito: 

Out of all of Dark Souls' bosses, no?? one conveys the game's "prepare to die" mantra better than Nito. The lord of the dead is a massive, moving collection of skeletal remain??s that have combined as the personification of Death itself. Nito’s capable of causing death and illness from his cozy sarcophagus in the Tomb of the Giants, which is a true testament to his power.

18. Laurentius of the Great Swamp: 

Of all the characters that c?ome to inhabit Firelink Shrine, Laurentius is easily the most endearing. Sure, he dresses like a hobo and considers a nasty swamp his ideal environment, but unlike Shrek, Laurentius is the kind of person you’d want to get a beer with. 

17. Crestfallen Warrior:

The Crestfallen Wa?rrior is the first person the Chosen Undead encounters after fleeing from the Undead Asylum. He’s melodramatic and dour but still manages to share information about the?? world with some dark, witty humor.  

16. Darkmoon Knightess: 

Throughout the Dark Souls games, Fire Keepers tend to be broken, often-disfigured characters. While the Darkmoon Knightess is no different, she's more proactive than her peers. Covered in brass armor to hide her "ghastly" form, the Knightess watches over Anor Londo’s main bonfire with a blade at her si??de.

15. Executioner Smough: 

This impossibly-large man once served as Anor Londo’s heavy-hitting executioner. He’s massive, imposing, and known for his yucky little tendency to cannibalize his victims. Smough is one-half of Dark Souls&rs?quo; dream team, and while he plays second fiddle to Gwyn’s knights, defeating his companion before tackling the executioner gives Smough an opportunity for a twisted bit of revenge.

14. Dragon Slayer Ornstein:

If Smough's hulking figure is his defining trait, Ornstein's high-energy acrobatics are a necessary counterweight. He zips around Anor Londo like a gymnast with undiagnosed ADHD, thrusting his lightning-infused spear with shocking precision. The other half of the Dark Souls' dynamic duo,?? Ornstein is what happens when your hyperactive friend starts weapons training. 

13. Gwyn, Lord of Cinder:

Gwyn's legacy is a world permanently marred by tragedy. His tireless pursuit of a continued age of fire is the direct cause of so much pain. By the time players reach him at the Kiln?? of the First Flame, the Lord of Cinder stands over a smoldering flame, the result of his life’s work literally dying before his eyes. The fight against Gwyn is a poignant culmination to the Chosen Undead’s journey. It lacks the bombast of other boss fights, instead reveling in a haunting melancholy that’s made all the more memorable by the game’s best piece of music.

*Author’s Note: I can’t listen to his theme without instantly tearing up.

12. Hawkeye Gough:

Hawkeye Gough can't see. At some point, a thick resin coated the archer's helmet, which leads the giant to think that he's blind. Gough's a retired knight who chooses to spend his remaining days whittling wood carvings infused with his booming voice. While that's extremely chill in its own right, Gough’s legacy is elevated to new heights by his ability to shoot a dragon out of the sky without even se??eing it in fl?ight. That’s legendary.

11. Andre of Astora:

This strapping chap is the number one reason millennials are choosing to enroll in trade schools rather than formal education. He’s a barrel-chested blacksmith with a bitchi?n&?rsquo; ponytail who is as even-tempered as the products he produces.

10. Sif, the Great Grey Wolf:

Sif is loyal to a fault. She's an old wolf who has survived countless battles and played a part in some of the most critical moments in Lordran's history. Despite all that she's seen?? and done, Sif remains loyal to her former master and spends every waking moment guarding over his gravesite. Sif doesn't want to fight?? the Chosen Undead. She only wants to make sure her master's final resting place is left in peace. Squaring off against her is utterly heartbreaking.

9. Big Hat Logan:

Big Hat Logan is the patron saint of social anxiety. He’s a powerful sorcerer so consumed by a thirst for arcane knowledge that he, Logan, chose to wear a big ole' hat to avoid ??the lingering stares of random passersby. Like so many brilliant minds, Logan seems to lack common sense, as evidenced by his uncanny ability to be captured multiple times.

8. Domhnall of Zema:

In a world where everyone is cursed, dying, and going insane, Domhnall remains chipper. He’s a merchant who always manages to get his hands on exotic armors without trying too hard. His signature greeting, “Aye, siwmae,&??rdquo; is as iconic as his eclectic getup, and Lordran’s a better place with him in it.

7. Oscar of Astora: 

Although Oscar makes it all of three minutes into Dark Souls before he meets his end, he’s arguably the most helpful character in the entire game. The noble knight manages to free the Chosen Undead, inform the player’s journey, and pass on his Estus Flask before taking h??is final breath. Oscar does so much with so little scree?n time that fighting his hollowed husk later in the game almost feels like a crime. 

6. Knight Artorias: 

The myth of Artorias is just as impressive as Artorias the video game boss, and that's saying something. Artorias is the kind of warrior that's spoken about in hushed, reverent tones. The Abyss's call addles Artorias's mind, and a recent bat?tle has shattered his arm by the time players encounter him in Oolacile. But despite h??is condition, he's still prepared to fight the Chosen Undead with his nondominant hand, a touch that’s effective for conveying his combat prowess and hammering home just how much his faithful companion, Sif, means to him. That’s the sign of an excellent pet owner.

5. Havel the Rock: 

Havel's an undeniable badass. His armor is made from giant pieces of rock, and his preferred weapon is a tooth ripped from the maw of a dragon. While Havel is best known as Lordran's most accomplished -- and deadly -- doorman, uncovering his gear in Anor Londo reveals his more secretive side. Along with his armor, weapon, and greatshield, Havel also once possessed a wooden club infused with Occult p?ower, an element capable of harming even the gods. Havel was so confident that he was prepared to kill Lordran’s gods with a wooden stick. Respect.

4. Siegmeyer of Catarina:

The big boy. The absentminded adventurer. The Onion Knight. Siegmeyer is the Dark Souls’ beating heart. Upon first meeting Siegmeyer, he's perched outside of Sen's Fortress, defeated by its locked gate. He comes across like a plump version of Eeyore at first but following him through Lordran reveals a warrior driven by a reckless streak. Quick to t??hrow himself into danger and pleasant to have a chat with, Seigmeyer is like a cool uncle that shows up every few months when his wife "accidentally" changes the locks again. 

3. Solaire of Astora: 

No video game has a more entertaining mascot character than Solaire. He’s the Billy Hatcher of Dark Souls, a plucky hero who is as charming as he is efficient. Everything out of Solaire’s mouth is pure gold; his persistent desire to help, his “Praise the Sun” catchphrase, and his sincere wish to be as “grossly incandescent” ??as the sun are bright moments in a gloomy game. He’s a glorious bastard who understands the importance of helping a friend in need. We could all learn a lesson from Solaire. 

2. Iron Knight Tarkus:

Tarkus is the definition of an Absolute Unit. He’s bulk personified, an indomitable mass of black steel and grit. Tarkus can be summoned exactly once in Dark Souls, but he understands a strong first impression is all that you need. If summoned, it’s entirely po??ssible Iron Knight Tarkus will take on the boss of Sen’s Fortress solo. He's a tank. A fixer. The kind of guy you can count on to get shit done. Just don't ask him to clean your rafter??s, he's kind of clumsy.

1. The Chill Hollow in New Londo:

This Hollow is the single best part of Dark Souls. He’s undead and absolutely loving it. He’s content to spend an eternity laying languidly above the ruins of New Londo, blissfully unaware of the chaos that surrounds him. He doesn't fight. He doesn't even acknowledge your presence. Instead, he just stares of??f into the distance, dreamily pondering anything and nothing all at once.

The post Dark Souls characters, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Testing will be conducted later this week

Dark Souls Remastered was set to go live in May on PC, PS4, Xbox ?One, and Switch, but th?e latter platform was bumped at the last minute along with its highly anticipated (and sold out) Solaire amiibo.

Five months later on October 19 it'll get its chance to shine, but first we all get to see how it operates on Switch: both visually (as a reminder the Switch is the only platform that doesn't support 60FPS) and from a network perspective. Let?'s hope all that extra development time paid off.

As of right now you can log onto the Nintendo eShop and download the Dark Souls Remastered network test, which will be ??a hollow shell of an app until the test actually goes live. That's happening from Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at specific times each day -- 8PM ET - 12:00AM ET. The actual network test app will only run you 888MB.

Nintendo of Europe [Twitter]

The post You can downloa?d the Dark Souls Remastered Switch network test right now before it goes live appeared first on Destructoid.

'Most Nintendo Switch Games' do

When we first got details about Nintendo's upcoming "Switch Online" service, one of the promises was cloud saving for "most Nintendo Switch games". While it may have been naive to assume that Nintendo was just being ??cheeky, I honestly didn't think the company would put limitations on which games users could backup data for. Turns out I'm just an idiot, though, as Nintendo has now finally confirmed that not every game will allow for cloud saves.

Earlier this morning, a user on ResetEra noticed that the official website for Splatoon 2's Starter Edition noted, "This game does not support Save Data Cloud backup". Going further, Ars Technica did a search for that exact phrasing wit??h a limit to Nintendo.com and pulled up a number of other games wi??th the same description.

According to that search?, the following games will not support cloud save backup:

• Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu
• Pokemon Let's Go Eevee
• Dark Souls Remastered
• FIFA 19

After running the story earlier today, Nintendo of America issued a statement to Ars Technica. In that statement, Nintendo explained, "In certain games, this feature would make it possible to, for example, regain items that had been traded to other players, or revert to a higher online multiplayer ranking that had been lost." With specific regards to Splatoon 2, Nintendo said the feature is abse?nt, "to ensure that Save Data Cloud backups cannot be used to unfairly affect online multip??layer rankings."

What makes this truly ridiculous is that the original Wii gave users the ability to back-up their data. You could copy most everything to an SD Card in case of needing to do a system format. While ??some games didn't natively allow it, the Wii was cracked open so fast that even those weren't immune. With Switch hacking b??eing so prevalent, Nintendo putting odd restrictions on its paid service is just going to push people to jailbreak their consoles.

I know we won't be able to reverse the decision, but I'm just in awe of how narrow sig?hted this really is. If it wasn't enough that Nintendo's online infrastructure is still lacking, now we have to deal wit??h yet another limitation. There better be something really special in store for Switch's online service, because it sounds just a bit worse now.

Nintendo's promised cloud saves on Switch won't work for ??every game [Updated] [Ars Technica]

The post Turns out not every game ?will support cloud saves on Switch appeared first on Destructoid.

I can't justify getting Remastered at launch

Despite owning three versions of Dark Souls, it feels inevitable that I'll pick up the Nintendo Switch port at some point. It's one of those rare games I can always return to and learn something new about. Had Dark Souls Remastered made it to Switch as originally intended, I would've already gotten it by now. But with the new October 19 launch for the late-to?-the-party Switch version, I'm hesitant.

For starters, I couldn't hold out; I bought Remastered on PlayStation 4. I don't regret that decision in the slightest -- it's a treat to play with a lively community and hear the bells toll -- but I've kiiind of had my fill for the foreseeable future. Barring some silly character build experimentation and PvP shenanigans, I'm well on my way to wrapping up the game (again). It's just a matter of slowly but surely obtaining all of those unique weapons and a few pyromancies I foolishly missed. The en??d is in sight.

More importantly, October is crammed. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a backlog killer in and of itself, but along with that, we're getting: Mega Man 11, Forza Horizon 4, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Battlefield V, and Soulcalibur VI. I will only play a small fraction of these games in October, and I don't know where a meaty game like Dark Souls could possibly fit in that schedule.

Maybe I'll change my tune after trying the network test, but right now, I doubt I will get around to Dark Souls Remastered on Switch until winter ?break. What about you?? Have you changed your plans?

The post In light of its October lau??nch, are you still getting Dark Souls on Switch? appeared first on Destructoid.

Solaire returns

Dark Souls: Remastered was supposed to see a simultaneous worldwide release o??n May 2??4 on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch.

It would have been a monumental feat especially since the announcement of the Switch version came out of nowhere initially, but unfortunately it just wasn't meant to be, and Bandai ?Namco delayed the Switch edition until an undetermined date. Well it'??s been determined: October 19. It'll arrive on the system with the also delayed Solaire amiibo, which has been particularly hard to get in some regions, with some stores even canceling pre-orders en masse.

Something tells me they're actually ready this time, because while fans asked every week "when's Souls," they didn't announce it by way of a special occasion or a event, but on a random Tuesday. A network test will happen at some poi?nt before release, so we can see their progress for ourselves at that point.

As a recap, Bandai Namco reconfirmed to Destructoid in a statement that the Switch version will sport 1080p visuals in TV mode, 720p in portable mode, and 30FPS for both. It'll still support the same six player count for other Remastered editions and will have dedicated servers.

Bandai Namco UK [Twitter]

The post Af??ter a delay, Dark Souls ??Remastered will be launching in October on Switch alongside of its amiibo appeared first on Destructoid.

Humanity not included

If you've played Dark Souls, there's a solid chance Firelink Shrine is burned into your memories. It's enchanting, a singular hub that offers respite for weary adventurers in an ?otherwise hostile world. 

With the recent release of Dark Souls Remastered, there's never been a better time to revisit Firelink Shrine. It looks great with a fresh coat of current-gen paint. Its cozy nooks and kooky inhabitants go a long way towards making Dark Souls s??uch a magical game. But if you're eager to see the iconic setting from another perspec??tive, Reddit user MythicMarty's spin on Firelink is well worth a look.

MythicMarty remade Firelink Shrine in Lego Worlds.? N??o brick is left unturned. It's damn near perfect.

MythicMarty's video is both a testament to Lego Worlds open-ended building tools and Firelink's instantly recognizable layout. Everything's there: the ruined arches, those annoying skeletons in the graveyard, and even item pick-ups. Doubly impressive is the fact that MythicMarty was able to translate Dark Souls' combat mechanics so accurately. The spear att?acks and rolling animations match up pretty? well, all things considered.

According to a Reddit post, MythicMarty built the Lego version of Firelink Shrine in a month. The accompanyi??ng video footage -- including HUD elements and NPC voice lines added using Adobe After Effects -- took three days to compile. And the rest, it seems, is destined to be viral history. I hope we'll have a chance to see the Chosen Undead Minifigure make it to Anor Londo some day.

LEGO Dark Souls - the other dark soul?s remaster you didn't know you wanted! [Reddit]

The post Dark Souls’ Firelink Shrine looks snappy in Lego Worlds remake appeared first on Destructoid.

Like you need them

Meet Dark Souls Remastered, same as the old Dark Souls. Well?, in terms of mechanics and level design. It does have a new coat of paint and an improved framerate, the latter of which is pretty darn useful ?in Blighttown.

I originally?? blogged these tips years ago, but since the game is fundamentally ?the same, they still apply. I'm sure you have your own spin on them at this point so feel free to share them!

Basic Tips:

•  Your starting class doesn’t necessarily matter, unless you want the Thief’s Master Key without using a gift to acquire it, or you want to start as a Pyromancer to allocate as many stats as possible at an early level. After the first 6-8 hours all classes start to blend, and everyone can use anything they have the stats for.

• If you beat the first tutorial boss without running through the door to the left, you’ll earn the Demon's Great Hammer.

• The first merchant is right near the start of the Undead Burg – go up two flights of stairs – then look right – see the two lance skeletons? Break those boxes on the left and head through the outside door there. You can buy firebombs and arrows, which will help with the next two boss encounters.

• If you want to cheap-out Tauros [the first real boss], grab around 10 Firebombs and just chuck them at him at a safe range – he’ll go down easy. You can also get him to jump off the area, or you can climb the ladder and do a falling strike, a technique that will be useful in upcoming battles.

• Once you make it to the Red Dragon, grab a bow and ~100 arrows (you may only need 40 or so, but just in case you miss) – head to the bridge below him and aim for his tail – keep shooting – after some time, you’ll earn the Drake Sword – one of the best starting weapons in the entire game. Note that it doesn’t scale with your strength/dexterity statistics, so you will want a plan B long term.

• Your first order of business is to ring the two bells of awakening. One is in the Undead Parish, in the church past the iron boar mini-boss gate. The other is in Blighttown – a really hard area that you should tackle second – you can get into Blighttown from the Sewers, or the cave in the Valley of Drakes.

• If you get cursed, head to the top of the belltower at the Undead Parish after you defeat the Gargoyles – the NPC there will sell a cure for 3,000 souls each. It's the easiest way to purge it.

• Save your humanity pickups for special occasions. What I do is accumulate them, and when I’m at a bonfire with a boss fight I know I can beat, but need more Estus Flasks for, I use two humanity at the fire to kindle it and get that little extra capacity boost.

• Press Circle (PS4) or B (Xbox One) to slide down ladders.

Advanced Tips (late-game spoilers):

• Need to grind more souls for endgame? First you need to purchase the forest key from the blacksmith below the Undead Parish for 20,000 souls (it’s a good idea to buy this after a boss fight). Then, head to the forest using the entrance next to him; keep going straight until you pass 4 tree monsters, and get to the magically sealed door.

  Open it, and note the very small pathway near the cliff. Run over to the left and gather the four enemies (the sorcerer, the Templar, the thief, and the warrior) – corral those enemies back to the entrance, and head to the utmost point of that path near the cliff – all the enemies will run up the ledge, and dive over you to their doom. You may need to bait them a bit, but it works.

• After you ring the two bells, if you’re lost, keep reading: head over to Sen’s Fortress – it’s the place where the Onion Knight was sitting at, near the Undead Parish blacksmith. Complete the fortress and kill the Iron Golem. That will lead you to Anor Londo – the next area.

• Once you’re in Anor Londo, head to the middle area, and take the first beam on the bottom floor into the cracked window. Make your way around the building catwalks to the main castle, and enter in from the right side.

• After completing Anor Londo’s main castle, you will obtain the Soul Vessel – this is a story item that will allow you to complete the game by stealing four Lord souls, which unlocks the final boss fight (for the standard ending). The location of the four Lords (unnamed, to prevent major spoilers if you still haven't played Dark Souls) are as follows:

• One is on the side path of Anor Londo – go straight as soon as you head into the area by way of the gargoyles, and head all the way down.

• One is in the Tomb of Giants – past the Catacombs (near Firelink Shrine), after Pinwheel.

• One is in the Old Londo Ruins (near Firelink Shrine), after you drain the water (you need the Covenant of Artorias ring from the Wolf Sif in the forest to fight this boss).

• One is past the Demon Ruins, after Queelag in Blighttown – beat the Ceasless Discharge and two more bosses, then fight it.

• Another special enemy is in the painting, in the Anor Londo building with the white ninjas – to enter the painting you need the peculiar doll – obtain the doll by re-visiting the tutorial area using the crow’s nest in Firelink Shrine.

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Yeah, I'm prepared to die again

The gaming landscape has changed a lot since I first plopped into a pre-release version of Demon's Souls and soloed my way through its campaign. What was once a niche dungeon crawler in the same vein as King's Field became an inescapable worldwide phenomenon by the time Dark Souls wrapped, and you probably haven't been to a convention where at le?ast one person wasn't wearing a "Praise th?e Sun" shirt.

It's worked out rather well for both publisher Namco Bandai and developer From Software, so much so that they're now mining into their seven-year history together with a remaster of the original Dark Souls, the start of their partnership. Coincidentally, it's also one of the best places to start if you'??ve never tinkered with the series.

Dark Souls Remastered (PC, PS4 [reviewed], Switch, Xbox One)
Developer: From Software
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Released: May 25, 2018 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) / TBA (Switch)
MSRP: $19.99 (PC upgrade) / $39.99

It's really tough to talk about Dark Souls in 2018, but I'll damn well try. While Souls fans are still espousing the good news of Demon's and Bloodborne, not content with their status in the upper echelon of action RPGs, it's generally agreed upon that Dark Souls proper is a classic. It birthed the whole "[x] is the Souls of [x genre]" silliness, as well as the "Praise the Sun," meme, which even Bandai Namco is acknowledging with an upcoming amiibo. Nearly everything that could be said about the first Dark Souls has been said already.

Still, it manages to surprise me. Waking up in a dungeon cell with nothing but a sword hilt, knowing everything I know now, feels less like a handicap and more like a challenge (bust out your Rock Band drum kit and go for a no-damage run). From minute one I felt like both?? a master and an acolyte, as I made my way through various bits and pieces of Lo??rdran and battled my memory of it. The labyrinthine yet centralized scale is still hard to believe, even for someone with a near photographic memory.

While Souls players (myself included) generally wax poetic about the bosses, the bulk of my enjoyment comes from the environments. From Software, and by extension director Miyazaki, really drew from every fantasy playbook when they crafted this worl?d. I found myself staring at the spires of Anor Londo yet again for a time, and even small, typically throwaway zones like Darkroot Basin are?? still etched in my mind.

One thing that hasn't been overly analyzed is the wonderful Artorias of the Abyss DLC, the sole add-on for Dark Souls that a lot of people skipped over the first time. Don't do that. Artorias manages to hit a lot of highs, with lore-heavy bosses that rank a??mong some of the strongest in the series, and it never overstays its welcome. To this day I still bring it up as a way to do DLC rig??ht.

With the Remastered edition you're getting some aesthetic and practicality bells and whistles. For starters it looks better on more advanced screens than it did seven years ago, but most importantly in this frame-perfect action game -- the framerate is vastly improved. I'm not just talking about Blighttown, the infamous zone from the original console releases, but everywhere. There's nary a drop when moving from place to plac??e, even with gigantic bosses and myriad foes on-screen. It's refreshing to say the least, as even the previous PC build had technical issues on high-end machines -- and that's with fixes and mods.

Another big upgrade is the addition of dedicated servers. Dark Souls is Bandai Namco's baby, so the odds of them leaving them up for a long while is pretty high. That should delight hardcore PVPers who are still looking to tinker with the game's tech, as Remastered may have a long life ahead of? it on several very stable platforms without the worry of peer-to-peer shenanigans. We did not have direct access to test out said servers, and as such it didn't factor ?into this review, but it's something to be aware of and we'll be covering it as the game launches.

Dark Souls Remastered speaks for itself just in terms of the raw mysteries it offers beyond its new coat of paint. The feeling of zoning into Firelink Shrine is just as special the 100th time as it is the first, and the open-ended nature of the world is just as fresh. Sometimes needlessly so, From Software has packed so much into Dark Souls that I'm finding new item??s or experimenting with strategies I've never seen before -- a testament to the longevit??y of this particular entry, and a more than justified remaster.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher. Online servers were not tested, coverage will arrive after launch for that component.]}

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Until May 8 at 11:59PM PT

So the Dark Souls Remastered network test is coming soon, and there's at least one big proviso attached to it. Okay two, as Bandai Namco confirmed that the Switch edition is not going to launch with the others, so there's that. Anyway that proviso -- you only have a specific window to download the test b?efore it actually goes away.

The test program is live now on PS4 and Xbox One, and will be until May 8, ??11:59PM PT. At that time the client will be gone, and you'll have to wait a few more days to actually try the game out.? The test truly begins on May 11-12 from 6:00PM PT until 11:59 PM PT.

You don't have to make a whole lot of room, as the test clocks in at under 4GB. Just go to the storefront of your choice, search for Dark Souls Remastered, ??and locate the client in the DLC/a?dd-on section. See you in Lordran next weekend!

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Can pre-pre-load load the beta now

[Update: The western network te?st will run from May 11-12 from 6:00 PM PT until 11:59 PM PT on PS4 and Xbox One. You can download the test clie?nt from today until May 8 at 11:59 PM PT.]

The Dark Souls Remastered network test that was teased during Nintendo's direct will soon be launching for PS4 and Xbox One. On May 11 and 12, you'll be able to experience the updated version of FromSoftware's classic title as well as check out how the mu?ltiplayer has been expanded beyond the original title. If you live in Japan, you can also pre-load the beta from your digital storefront of choice right now. The US version (if it is occurring on the same date) has not gone live yet.

I'm assuming the delay for Nintendo's console is why the Switch won't currently be hosti??ng this test. Either way, the little I saw of it at PAX was reassuring, so I wouldn't have any fears that the Switch port will be great.

FROMSOFTWARE [Twitter]

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PRAISE THE SUN!

When Dark Souls Remastered was announced for PC, a lot of players were a bit annoyed at the lack of a discount for existing owners. Dark Souls 2 had offered a similar pricing structure when Scholar of the First Sin released, so why were PC players being asked to pay full price for a new version that did the exact same thing as the DSFix mod? Bandai Namco has fin??ally cleared up that issue and announced that a "loyalty" discount will be available on release.

The bigger piece of news is that the currently available "Prepare to Die Edition" will be removed from Steam once Remastered comes out. While previous owners will still be able to install that version, any newcomers will be limited to this newer port. I don't have an issue with that, though I am a bit worried that some of the changes in this remastered port might ruin the original a??rt design.

FromSoftware [Twitter]

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Until ::extremely Olaf voice:: 'summer'

Bad news, everyone -- Bandai Namco has just announced that Dark Souls Remastered on Switch has been pushed back from Ma?y 25 until summer.

Everything else (PC, PS4, Xbox One) is still on target for May 25, it's just Switch that's been moved back. That delay also applies to the Solaire amiibo, Bandai Namco explains. No ??reason was given for the delay but? we've reached out for specifics.

Well...Nintendo-only owners who aren't interested in picking up other versions have waited nearly seven?? years at this point -- what's another few months? If the delay was for quality assurance rather than ??marketing reasons the move is appreciated.

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At least it has 60 FPS on lock

This week, Bandai Namco gave some outlets a look at the upcoming Dark Souls Remastered. While never touted to be a complete remake of the original, the results from these preview builds are looking a little less than stellar. The biggest thing in this remas??ter's favor is that the framerate does look to be a locked 60 FPS on PS4 Pro, so the game will undoubtedly feel better to play. The rest is where some issues start to come in.

Digital Foundry has a solid breakdown on a lot of the graphical changes that have been given to Lordran, but my own eye is noticing a huge change in art direction. The big difference is that the new lighting model is goi??ng for a more realistic approach, making a lot of the textures look flat. I'm also noticing a tremendous amount of color change going on. It seems like the game has been given a gray filter, which ends up making the experience look pretty drab. A lot of the textures are also missing specular layers, which ends up robbing the beginning prison scene of its depth.

That being said, I cannot overstate how wonderful the ??increase in resolution looks. I prefer my games to be very clean and free of jagged edges and this looks perfect in that regard. It doesn't seem like a modern, 2018 game, but the $40 at least represents that this isn't a full priced re-release.

A lot of this could change before the remaster launches, but why no??t take a look and see if any of these changes are just nitpicks or genuine issues. I'm sure a lot of purist??s will be upset, but I can take subtle art changes for a dramatically more playable version of the game.

Dark Souls Remastered: Early PS4 P?ro vs Xbox 360 Graphics Comparison? + Frame-Rate test! [Digital Foundry]

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Password matchmaking, easy covenant switching, and more

Bandai Namco has been showing off Dark Souls: Remastered ahead of its May 25 release on Nintendo Switch, PC, and PlayStation 4. Along with side-by-side comparison videos to get a better sense? of how the game has been touched up visually, new details have come about gameplay changes.

IGN has rounded up a big list of new features and tweaks in Remastered and it's worth a look for anyone planning on? returning to Lordran. Here's some of the stuff that particularly stood out to me:

• The maximum number of players online has increased from four to six.
• Password Matchmaking is now available, similar to Dark Souls III. When a player is summoned in Password Matchmaking the player level will be synced.
• Healing items will not be available during PvP with the exception of Estus Flasks. To prevent long and drawn out battles, the number of Estus Flasks is halved for phantoms.
• Players can no longer summon ally phantoms consecutively when in combat with enemy phantoms.
• Players can select the number of usable items, such as consumable souls or covenant items, to use instead of one at a time as in the original game.
• A Bonfire has been added next to Vamos the Blacksmith.
• Covenants can be switched at Bonfires.
• Button configuration is available.
• Items will not automatically be registered into an item slot when picked up.
• The online network has been changed from P2P to dedicated servers.

I think there's going to be some give and take with this remaster's differences (including the visuals), but I'm liking most of ??the changes. I hope and expect to delve further into PvP this time around.

Here Are A??ll the Differences Between Dark Souls and Dark Souls Remastered [IGN]

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PS4 and Xbox One too

Last week Nintendo told us by way of a Direct presentation that Dark Souls would be getting a network test on Switch, which begge??d the question -- is it coming elsewhere?

Well, after what seems like a token few days of announcement exclusivity Bandai Namco spilled the beans, explaining over Twitter tha??t PS4, Xbox One, and Switch would all get their own network tests. Right now the dates and details are unknown, but will be doled out "as soon as ??possible." As a reminder the game will run at 4K60FPS on enhanced consoles and 1080p30 on Switch in TV mode. It's also coming to PC.

I don't think I need a network t??est for this -- I'll just be there day one. I've lost count of my playthroughs at this point!

Dark Souls [Twitter]

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The amiibo experience regresses again

We've had quite a few horrible amiibo experiences, but for the most part, the last few years have been smooth sailing. As of yesterday though the Solaire amiibo has slid right in to complicate things again.

Remember when exclusive amiibo deals were basically the only way the figures were released? That era when retailers at the corporate level had no clue how to actually roll out this highly in-demand items, and would often drop a five-minut??e window pre-order session at 2AM Eastern with no warning? That's sort of how Solaire is playing out right now.

As a newly minted Dark Souls amiibo, Solaire was highly sought out by some fans, which were rudely awakened when they found out that he was a GameStop exclusive. For amiibo collectors it's one of the worst places you can get figures at these days, as Best Buy offers Gamers Club Unlocked discounts, Amazon offers prime shipping, and GameStop...forces you to pay shipping and $16 for this particular amiibo, $3 h?igher than the average MSRP. Oh, and it sold o??ut almost immediately.

I'm getting Wave 4 flashes all over again.

Solaire of Astora [GameStop]

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