Back in 2016, I played the video game Dark Souls III. It awakened something within me. At the time, the idea of writing just didn’t enter my mind, but this game was the catalyst to a series of events that led to me writing dark-fantasy and horror novels.
When I finished the game, I wrote a review. I spent time crafting the words and weirdly enjoyed it. Reading it now is a little spooky because it captured so much of what I wanted my opening novel to be—a gothic underworld masterpiece full of myth, mysteries, awe and dread.
While I have revealed little about my debut novel as yet, this review shows what you can expect given the inspiration I drew from it. After this game I played the game, Bloodborne, and that was the point of no return. I had to create my own dark-fantasy world and go exploring.
Dark Soul III review (posted on Metacritic 7th December 2016):
This is not only my game of 2016, but the best game I’ve played for a long time!
I bought the game rather tentatively, having never played a Souls game, the challenging nature tempted me but I perceived the game as a medieval fantasy which would not normally interest me. Having now completed the game, I am so glad I tried it, it was incredible all the way through! I would not define the game as a medieval fantasy but instead as a Gothic Underworld masterpiece.
The Gothic atmosphere and setting is one of the greatest and lasting aspects of the game. I no longer look at a cathedral or church in the same way, I am expecting there to be skeleton dogs and undead creatures around every corner.
The tension in the game is immense, when you get past a tough enemy and enter a new area low on estus with lots of souls you tread very carefully in search of that next glorious bonfire. I loved that tension!
The boss fights are to be feared and embraced! Most of the bosses and incredibly cool and well designed, the battles really reward a patient and calm playstyle, to get past many of the bosses you must first understand the boss before you can pass. Whilst bosses can certainly be frustrating, the reward for defeating them is euphoria!
It is worth saying that the story and the lore of DS3 is never clear. This is far from a negative strangely but one of its strongest aspects of the game! The description with each new item, weapon or boss soul contains an extra piece of the jigsaw into the plot, the history and the myth! The jigsaw feels huge and every piece unravels just a little more, it becomes more of a search to unlock the mysteries of this land!
I found myself enjoying this game in unique ways, it is the only game I have ever supplemented with watching a Let’s Play on YouTube. When you defeat a tough boss or area, there is nothing more satisfying to re-live it by watching somebody else struggle. I also have watched videos detailing the lore behind the game and still there is so much mystery you can lose yourself in it.
What makes this game so great is the depth behind the lore, the bosses, the items and the setting. It has created one of the coolest and richest worlds full of myths, mysteries, awe and dread.
From Software. My Thanks!
N. P.
