So this week, you'll get 3 daily chapters. And remember, for every 200 Power Stones we get this week, we'll add another extra chapter to the daily total for next week.
If you want to read ahead and help us reach these goals even faster, you can find over 150 advanced chapters on my Patreon right now.
patreon.com/iLikeeMikee
Thanks for your support!
- - - - -
Chapter 125: Reversal of Reputation
On the day of and the day after the launch of Dark Souls, players who had access to the game focused their discussions on how ridiculously difficult it was and how malicious the settings were. These players also protested on Alex's official blog and on the official game platform.
While some players spoke out in defense of the game, the majority were negative. Consequently, the ratings plummeted.
But now, two days later, while many new players who had joined during that period were still discouraged and joined the online discussion to protest and criticize, more and more players are defending Dark Souls, a fact that is more evident in the game's ratings.
The player rating, which initially dropped to 8.3, has now risen back to 8.5. While game ratings usually fall from high to low, Dark Souls has bucked this trend and has experienced an upward trend. This suggests only one thing: players who previously gave negative reviews have begun to change their tune.
Meanwhile, on the game's official forums, many players, who have been playing since day one, have written their own reviews of Dark Souls. An extensive review has received more than a thousand responses, becoming a popular thread.
In it, the player recounted his personal experience in Dark Souls. "Like most new players, at first I was met with a brutal attack from the Crystal Lizards and was discouraged by Gundyr, the Judge of Cinder."
"I was so enraged that I immediately gave it a 1 out of 10. Now I have changed it back to a 9. I don't know if I will change it again, but based on my experience with Dark Souls so far, I think it's worth it."
"As Alex said before, this is a unique ARPG. What is the essence of an ARPG? Character stat upgrades and better equipment."
"Dark Souls also has this setting, but this game is unique because the attributes and equipment are just complementary; the true essence lies in us, the players."
"When I first faced Gundyr, I was constantly beaten. I couldn't even unleash his second form. At that moment, I thought: how could I defeat this monster? But after two or three attempts, I suddenly noticed that Gundyr's health was decreasing more and more with each defeat. When I finally defeated him, an insurmountable sense of accomplishment instantly washed over me. I never imagined that defeating a starting area boss would be so satisfying."
"Looking back, I realized that this so-called Gundyr was just that, while my stats and equipment remained the same. I had become stronger. This strength did not refer to my character's stats, but to me as a player!"
"It was a feeling I had never experienced in any ARPG."
"And then there's the minimap. At first I was confused by its absence, especially after arriving at the Lothric Wall and encountering the treacherous traps."
"But after so much running and dying, I found myself memorizing every corner of the Lothric Wall. The entire map was interconnected with shortcuts, which allowed me to quickly reach new areas as I advanced. This made me appreciate the ingenuity of the game's maps. Imagine how many previous ARPG maps we could remember so clearly."
"Defeating yourself, overcoming yourself: that is the charm I find in Dark Souls."
"And if you think about it, the map and level design of Dark Souls is not infinitely malicious. There are bonfires all over the map where you can save the game. You just have to use your limited amount of healing talismans to reach a new bonfire and then slowly advance to the boss room. Persevering to the next bonfire, defeating the seemingly invincible boss, and breaking through the siege of monsters: that is what I find deeply fascinating."
"There is nothing more rewarding in this world than to surpass oneself, and Dark Souls achieves that!"
"This may not be a game that satisfies everyone, but it is definitely not the trash everyone says it is! Finally, I hope all players can relax and enjoy this excellent game!"
Following the arrival of the first group at the Lothric Wall, and after some players with a talent for action games almost completely understood the scenarios of Dark Souls, these players, who had completely awakened certain attributes, were unstoppable.
Players who have died countless times in Dark Souls, and continue to die, post warnings. These posts are becoming more common in forums and official blogs. They are incredibly detailed, and everyone unanimously praises Dark Souls. More and more people comment on what attracts them to Dark Souls and its strengths, which causes many players to reconsider the game.
After all, herd mentality is common. It's not that just because others say a game is fun, it necessarily means it is. But at least it allows players to understand the game objectively and express their own opinions.
This has also convinced some players who were about to give up to persevere. And after defeating Gundyr, the Judge of Cinder, they fully experience the charm of Dark Souls.
Dark Souls is a truly unique game, that intuitively instills a sense of gradual growth. One of the fundamental principles of Dark Souls is its level progression. The attacks of bosses and the hidden traps in the map have predictable patterns.
Monsters like the Judge of Cinder and the Sword Master, for example, raise their hands to react to attacks. This applies to all monsters in Dark Souls, which leads some to consider it a rhythm combat game.
Unlike pure action and fighting games, Dark Souls is not based on player reaction and improvisation. It is more about familiarizing yourself with and understanding the boss's attack mechanics.
Once players master them, defeating him becomes a piece of cake. This allows players to experience a palpable sense of progress throughout the game.
Initially, you encounter a monster and die repeatedly instantly, without being able to even touch it. But upon dying, you discover that you have finally defeated it. This is one of the main joys of Dark Souls.
After overcoming the trials of the Judge of Cinder and crossing the Lothric Wall, the vast world of Dark Souls gradually unfolds before players. The surviving dragon on the Wyvern Bridge, the Fire Keeper who makes countless players call their wives, and the legendary Lord of Cinder: all these factors continue to attract players.