This is a remastered edition of a seminal action role-playing game, originally released in 2011. Launched in 2018, this updated version brings the challenging and atmospheric experience to modern platforms, including PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. It preserves the core gameplay and intricate world design of the original while enhancing its presentation.

Visual and Technical Enhancements

The remaster introduces significant graphical improvements over the original release. Players can expect updated textures, improved lighting effects, and higher resolution support, bringing the grim and detailed world of Lordran to life with greater clarity. The frame rate has also been stabilized, offering a smoother gameplay experience, particularly on newer hardware. Audio elements have been refined to match the visual upgrades, contributing to a more immersive atmosphere.

Core Gameplay and World Design

At its heart, this game is an action RPG defined by its demanding combat and intricate level design. Players navigate a sprawling, interconnected world filled with formidable enemies and hidden secrets. The combat system emphasizes deliberate attacks, careful stamina management, and precise timing, requiring players to learn enemy patterns and exploit their weaknesses. The world itself is a key character, with its lore and history revealed through environmental storytelling, item descriptions, and cryptic dialogue.

What makes this game unique?

A defining characteristic is its approach to difficulty and player progression. The game does not hold the player's hand, instead encouraging exploration, learning from failure, and strategic character development. Success is often achieved through perseverance and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics. The interconnectedness of the world design is also a notable feature, with shortcuts and hidden paths that reward thorough exploration.

Online Features

The remastered version expands upon the original's online multiplayer capabilities. It supports more players in online sessions, allowing for cooperative play to tackle challenging areas or competitive player-versus-player encounters. The messaging system, which allows players to leave hints or warnings for others, is also integrated, fostering a sense of shared experience within the game's challenging world.

Included Content

This release includes the entirety of the original game's content, plus the "Artorias of the Abyss" downloadable content. This expansion adds a significant new area to explore, new bosses to overcome, and further delves into the game's rich lore, offering a substantial amount of additional gameplay for players to experience.

Preservation of the Original Experience

The developers have focused on a faithful rendition of the original game. While visual and technical aspects have been modernized, the core gameplay mechanics, level layouts, enemy placements, and narrative elements remain true to the 2011 release. This remaster is designed to be a definitive version of the original experience, rather than a reimagining or a departure from its established design.