Souls Porpoise: How Dark Souls Presents the Hero's Journey

**Reupload with fixed audio is here: • (Reupload) Souls Porpo... **
Dark Souls is notorious for its difficulty. In fact, some might know it from its alternate title: Masochism Simulator. But it's not just difficult without good reason. There's something it's tapping into in our psychology, and it pairs wonderfully with the Hero's Journey. Find out how!
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[@gjdakin]

It immensely infuriates me that a video of this high production quality and a very well thought trough message almost gets no recognition. Great work, keep it up!

[@xSinisterSixx]

agreed

[@Ka0lle3n]

the deeper you dive into a subject the more people you lose that's just how it is. This is also why pop music is so successful. Not because everybody totally loves it, but most of the people are okay with it.

[@dogquin1001]

gjdakin ii

[@SkarrGaming]

And yet PewDiePie spends a whole 10 minute video shouting and screaming and get over 5 millions views. People are stupid.

[@zorn9902]

The only reason people like shit is because they've never been exposed to anything of high quality.

[@Gurtington]

it's not about the destination it's about the journey... thank you for opening my eyes.

[@Robert399]

If you're going to take life lessons from this, considering whether a cause is just probably is a good idea in the real world...

[@TerrariaGolem]

@@Robert399 yes, the goal always seems good to the beholder... The true route to bigger thinking is would the path make overlooked concequences? Happens all the time in the Center vs Right culture wars, the goal is noble but from my veryyyyy far american left view, both are creating consequence to achieve goals that are inherently selfish.

[@TheSlammurai]

Well the journey is pissing me off and I'm not even sure if I want to reach the destination at this point.

[@VidyaAntics]

Watched this when it was first uploaded. Watching it again now while I procrastinate and ignore my dissertation. I'm talking about Dark Souls and epic poetry. It's videos like this that make me feel justified in treating a game as a serious text to analyse. Thanks for all the work you put into this.

[@EquiNoctum]

11:45 It ASSesses 11:51 A key ASSpect I like what you did there :)))

[@attilathenun]

Marius Parlog Sir you win!

[@boss_chonk]

I love your choices of music. Especially the Wild Arms theme, that one's always been fantastic.

[@johnshifflet]

ah, I love the Wild Arms theme song! great video. Star Wars is a great example of the heroes journey :)

[@TheMEGANON]

"Minutes in character creation" hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

[@Elmithian]

TheMEGANON more like hours :P

[@MrThedorkknight]

For the quality of videos you make you deserve way more views and subs.

[@SolePorpoise]

+MrThedorkknight Working on it! :D

[@rokhammer94]

This is hands down one of the best videos I have seen on you tube, great work.

[@xANTHQNY]

At 0:20 you misunderstood Quora's format, the guy who sleeps next to a wolf was providing the answer to the question, which was "It's not a good idea"

[@yaboissy449]

14:53 Dark Souls 3 shows that if an undead fails to link the flame they turn into champions of ash. Holy shit

[@AetherHill]

Incredibly well-researched and high quality video, dude! Instant sub!

[@alexanderwinzer9677]

By 10 minutes now and I can just say you have a new subscriber.

[@thelpcritic]

Just discovered your channel, mate. This is exactly the sort of deeper level analysis I've been looking for! Please keep up the great work :)

[@SolePorpoise]

Awesome to hear! Thanks for that! :D

[@themimsyborogov42]

YAY!! love seeing your new vids

[@SolePorpoise]

+themimsyborogove42 I love seeing you here to comment on them! :D

[@puglosipher1666]

+themimsyborogove42 I agree!

[@cxcarmic]

You should do a detailed analysis of SOMA, a survival horror game by Frictional Games. Really good game that will make you rethink humanity.

[@aghadmtl]

Please make more videos, I can't get enough

[@lvx969]

Wow, you should definitely upload more. This is great stuff. Subscribed.

[@whatsanime822]

This is by far the most interesting analysis of Dark Souls I've seen!

[@movelea]

Mate, try matthewmatosis some time. I think you'd like him.

[@Level_Eleven]

@@movelea Just watched all his 3D Zelda reviews aaand yeah pretty good stuff. Wish he’d review the FromSoftware games though

[@GodzEvar66]

Whoa, just whoa. Great video, I went straight to this one after watching your video on Bloodborne (which is equally amazing, if not more, it blew my mind). Just wondering however, what is the name of music that started playing around 12:35 ? That aside, you've got yourself another sub!

[@LordSephleon]

Blogman66 It's the opening theme to the old PS1 game "Wild Arms". I don't know this particular version though, just the original source. Hope it at least gives you a starting point. If I happen to find the name of that remix, I'll post here again.

[@SolePorpoise]

Hey there. So sorry for the late reply but I just came across this comment after responding to another comment. Here's the song you requested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nabJl5Khacdpmas

[@GodzEvar66]

Thank you!!

[@kylekrupa8461]

Hey man, just subbed. Loving your stuff and was wondering about the music as well. Any chance you could put a list of the songs you used either here or in the video description? There were quite a few tracks besides this one that I was really digging. Keep up the great work :)

[@majorandy107]

I love The soundtrack to wild arms so much, it's cool you liked it enough to take notice without even having nistolaga influencing you.

[@alexandrerousseau5294]

Thanks for your work Sole

[@SolePorpoise]

+Alexandre Rousseau You got it! :D

[@basedSHARK]

Underrated video, I keep coming back to it!

[@maxwelljosephchase]

I never thought I would watch another video on Dark Souls that would teach me something new. I'll be damned.

[@Saint-8]

*sees bad parry* *braces for "OMG UR SO BAD JESUS CHRIST M8 FUCKIN GIT GUD CASUAL OMFG" comments*

[@julianarriola]

Wonderful closing remarks!

[@GoldyEU]

Great video, looking forward to more stuff.

[@henriquebrites5186]

glad youre back!

[@SolePorpoise]

+Henrique Brites :D sorry for the delay!

[@henriquebrites5186]

Not to worry at all, in fact quality over everything! loved the video, soulseries is by far my favourite game so, even better!

[@Gnurklesquimp]

All of the situations and characters you meet really add to this central experience, I think. With the amount of detail you could easily do an entire series about this stuff where each episode looks at one npc questline, area or aspect of the game

[@SirVyre]

Props not only for great analysis, but also for the choice of Wild Arms 1 soundtrack usage :O

[@ryandewerff]

This is one of my favorite video essays. Well done!

[@toomuchstarbucks6787]

I'm glad to be able to find this video again. I hope something can be done to restore the commentary after 11:28 though I know copyright is a strict system.

[@Ryoni93]

Just gotta say I love your videos and MY GOD your music choices ARE AMAZING!

[@AssassinEmbers]

.... and people say that video games are mere things about mindless killing and that they cause violence in the world and yet they never played a video game in their lives i have seen that video games have carried meaning too like assassin's creed is testament that video games can make you cry laugh and many other things like feeling the protagonists pain as well as relate to the people in game i too have cried laughed and loved the game storylines i have played over the years they have taught me about fighting for the right reasons and to be the hero who refuses to kill innocents but to protect and help them.

[@justcurious3653]

I really appreciate your videos and I think you are one of the best analyst and youtuber. In my opinion your best videos are about ´The last of us´ and ´To the moon´ but every video from you is artifical. Keep up your work you have got a big talent.

[@SolePorpoise]

Thanks so much! :D

[@justcurious3653]

+SolePorpoise You are welcome. :D

[@unhelpful-harry]

Dark souls has a lot of significance in my life. Thank you so much for this video and those on bloodborne, I feel that you've helped me better understand the spiritual connection I have to these games. Keep up the good work bro

[@supersleepy6295]

I've never seen your channel before, but this video was spectacular. You've earned this like.

[@cantbearpuns7439]

That was a great video, holy shit. Also love that Wild Arms ost. Thanks for all the hard work you put!

[@MrFlac00]

Great video! I never really thought of the Hero's Journey being a part of dark souls, but now that you brought it up it really makes a lot of sense. I don't imagine Miyazaki planned on making it that way, but hell, maybe he did. What I do wonder is if there are any games (or media in general) that eschew the Hero's Journey? Such as a story that contains a hero who resists the call and then the story follows from there?

[@sterd1149]

I mean, you can always play the SIMS and make a shut in lol

[@jhairccorimanya1806]

Damn! how is that a channel like this is so overlooked. Nice work.

[@danielm.4696]

Really enjoyed this video. Good job :)

[@nbr6116]

Videos Like this are why I LOVE the Dark Souls Community! Great Work!

[@movelea]

I never refused the call, I just picked the black firebombs. More thematically though, the great thing about Dark Souls is that even though there is a great prophecy you can follow, you don't have to follow it. If you want you can just hang out in firelink with all the budies you free, or if you're not up to it at all, you can go hollow and stop playing.

[@vincentninja68]

Im using this to study for a writing exam. Thank you for this.

[@daaknait]

Awesome video, man.

[@bruoche]

"Just think what this do to our motivation, we spent several minutes in the character creation..." Me that spend litteral hours in this kind of things : 👁️👄👁️

[@LaneCarter]

^Harry Potter spoilers

[@urvermin2682]

Lane Carter who gives a fuck

[@Negolash]

6:20 unless you created full-plate knight and have no idea

[@DrFungus1990]

This vid really helped me look at things differently. Thanks.

[@petermozuraitis5219]

Another great video !

[@SolePorpoise]

+Peter Mozuraitis thanks, man!

[@TurboStrawberryKat]

13:35 man that grab was unfortunate

[@heyguysinternet]

I think it's way more viable to read Dark Souls as a critique, intentional or not (it doesn't really matter), of the hero's journey. Interpreting it as a more or less 1:1 model of that mold only seems to play into the Pro-Gamer narrative that what is interesting about these games is the sense of empowerment they give. Dark Souls pretty easily subverts this through things like making you aware that you are really only the "chosen undead" inasmuch as you ignore the million other player ghosts doing the same things you are (and also the arbitrariness of that mantel thrust upon you by Oscar, desperate to have it actualized), and also by not bothering to provide any tidy, glorious ending to the journey. Linking the fire is a futile act, delaying the inevitable, and deciding to ally yourself with the serpents only throws your morality -- as it stands in respect to humanity -- into further question.

[@mjKlaim]

This video is cool and all, but I'm a bit unhappy that it does not also talk about the whole scenario of the game saying "the hero's journey is a LIE, it's a device to guide you to do something for another one's good". It's important because it's basically the whole game that is like that, designed by the ennemy (if you consider the gods as ennemies of course).

[@Elmithian]

Klaim I know about enemies but I have never heard about ennemies. Are those like, the evolved form of enemies?

[@807D14M0ND5]

We made the heroes journey. Our character was deceived.

[@josenadal9470]

Your videos are amazing dude, keep it up, i really wish you had a lot more views and subs, definetly deserve it, i'm spreading the word already :)

[@SolePorpoise]

Thanks man! Stuff like that is extremely helpful!

[@bakuya99]

meeting with the goddess............ i cant... i just... cant....

[@ghines38133]

dang that dragon roost island

[@thisguy4106]

Well now I know why I love to start a new game in DS1... Great video. ^^

[@jordanthomas6255]

I remember getting demons souls and hit kicked my ass so hard i gave up and the same happened with dark souls. But eventually I went back and beat dark souls 1 and 2 with the dlc, now Im just waiting for what the third games new dlc is going to throw at me next.

[@TerrariaGolem]

Elden Ring Hype?

[@tentailsjack]

Loved this

[@NikaDeus]

I loved this video!

[@PlsDontReadThis123]

I appreciated this. Thank you

[@1337hardstylez]

I always get happy when I see you've uploaded new content and this video perfectly shows why. The commentary was flawless but in the future I would appreciate it if you would either lower the volume of the background music or stick to instrumental songs as it was a bit hard to follow what you were saying at certain points due to the vocals in the background. Thank you for creating such great content! Already looking forward to your next video!

[@SolePorpoise]

+Detkostarpengar Matsduvet sorry! I got complaints in the other direction so I guess I went too hard on increasing the volume! Thanks for the feedback and for the kind words! I'm thrilled you enjoyed it!

[@SolePorpoise]

+Detkostarpengar Matsduvet sorry! I got complaints in the other direction so I guess I went too hard on increasing the volume! Thanks for the feedback and for the kind words! I'm thrilled you enjoyed it!

[@alabanghills]

Beautiful, deep, insightful look at this game's core mechanics. I am now conscious of the subconscious behaviour i've experienced with the Game's estus flask. Masterful work on a masterful game.

[@Azu_303]

Such a great work! Keep it up, man, you just got +1 subscriber

[@JJShurte]

Welcome back! :D

[@SolePorpoise]

Thanks! Sorry for the delay. This one took a lot more time than expected! :D

[@JJShurte]

It's souls, it requires a lot of time. Great work though, loved it and now I'm trying to see if my own work fits into the Hero's Journey. Cheers!

[@blightknight437]

very intresting video hope you make more

[@antediluvianspy5371]

Incredible video. New subscriber.

[@bryarclemons89]

This blew my fucking mind

[@femaleasura5877]

In dark souls its just a quest to die. (Because the main character cant rest until the flame is fed, and then he can rest)

[@nerdothn892]

the audio randomly cuts out at 11:25 for me all the way up to 12:30

[@deathsigh]

That sole in the background tho

[@jamesbruckner3391]

whats that pan flutey song playing in the first few minutes? I've heard it so many times but its slipping my mind

[@bryantr.9824]

I'm pretty sure that's the song of the dessert area in Mario & Luigi: Super Star Saga

[@bryantr.9824]

The Teehee Valley, I believe it is called

[@wilseibel556]

It's Dragon Roost Island, from Wind Waker.

[@jordenechapuis7322]

I really liked the video. 🧡

[@bradleymaroney]

love the ecco the dolphin backdrop. represent.

[@Ismael-kc3ry]

Seems like a bit much to say that DS presents the Hero’s Journey better than any game before it, much less any story in general.

[@marktan127]

Amazing!

[@littledramaboy]

I came here from Joseph Anderson's channel, what an amazing recommendation to watch yours! Very insightful, cheers!

[@successfulfailure7563]

I like this guy but I'm not too much a fan of Joseph Anderson. He likes to review games and tack the word "critique" onto his videos to make them seem as though he has some unseen insight on the game. I saw his Ashen "review and critique". I wasn't impressed. He commented on his gripes but never offered any real way to rectify the issues. I do not mean to trample over a youtuber you like, I just really don't like that he was a recommendation in this video. Maybe this can spark a discussion?

[@Kenspiracy664]

The Path of the Initiate

[@ozanozkirmizi47]

Smart presentation... Thank you.

[@asherstirrup5500]

Literally perfect

[@Er404ChannelNotFound]

Also interesting how Aldia in Dark Souls 2 is described as a "Scholar" of the "First Sin", in which, he's a Scholar because like Willem and Scientists in our world, he doubts the myths and of our need to worship and/or have faith in God/Great Ones/The First Flame and Gwyn. Its particularly interesting that "The First SIn" is a direct parallel to The First Sin in Christian mythology, which is when Eve ate from the fruit offered by a Serpent, just like how Frampt advises us to Link the Flame. The first cycle of the first Age of Fire was part of the course of Nature since the First Flame itself can be regarded as divine and so it's allowed to split the duality of Fire and Dark, but Gwyn on the other hand, whom I believe linked the Flame under the pretense of being a God, was not allowed to view things in duality, was not allowed to prefer Fire over Dark, yet he did when he linked the Flame, which is essentially The First Sin that lead to humans being rejected as beings from the Dark. Also, I find it kinda funny that Licia shows a clear lack of understanding on what the First Flame is despite having strong faith in it as she uses miracles from the Way of White, which isn't uncommon among people who are infatuated by the Hero's journey and are willing to accept the Myth of it all without questioning. EDIT: Also cool is the fact that the true ending of Dark Souls 2 has our character reject the usual ending of the myth, to not take the torch from those before him the way the cycle has continued to work, but to rather put themselves in accord to this dual nature of the world.

[@itsaUSBline]

Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that frampt or kaathe are the mentor? Sure, oscar sends you off on *a* quest, but you really have no clue what you're doing or why until you meet the serpent. You even get the lordvessel from frampt.

[@DarkDrai]

I would argue that meeting frampt/kaathe is closer to the meeting of the father, since they're old, powerful serpents deeply connected to the backstory/main plot, and are basically confronting you with your ultimate task. The lordvessel is really more of a macguffin than anything, whereas Oscar gives you an actual item you can use that grants you the ability to complete Frampt's quest in the first place. Frampt is a powerful being within the special world, while Oscar is the guy who brings you to the special world in the first place (giving you the key to your cell), while also giving you the tools you need to survive and overcome it.

[@TGPLUG]

dark souls 1 is definitely one of the best games I've ever played, i remember going through the game slowly the first time 1 being shit and getting destroyed by bosses but i really wanted to understand the story, i remember seeing all the amazing areas and finding them for the first time it was like wow, then seeing ash lake after going through nearly all the areas and being like , holy shit, first time play through on this game was so good i will remember it always

[@luna8neko]

Subbed and faved, well said good sir, well said.

[@FurnaxIkki]

Was it just coincidence that so many of your film examples have James Earl Jones in them?

[@insertopinion5967]

Dude I love the Michal Menert track you have in the background. Tho you should've credited him yourself

[@grantsamson2384]

Huh, I kinda figured that you were gonna go into how the hero's journey was actually a lie and you wind up with nothing in the end.

[@jacksonlasley6621]

I love how Bloodborne is the exact opposite, and says that your life is futile and pointless, and that the only way to ever actually be anything is to abandon what you are

[@justnoob8141]

Jackson Lasley you mean pure person come to this town and turn into genocidal hunter in order to get healing potion kind of thing right?

[@kitetricking]

what is the song at 7:03 ?

[@SolePorpoise]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zEZpWdfdN7r8km :D Enjoy!

[@Xerxyz86]

anyone else experience a section of audio that just isn't there? from 11:24 to 12:30

[@gabrielperez9757]

Yea happen with me as well

[@matspijning3339]

The audio cuts off from 11:25 until 12:30. Sad

[@rattmane]

when i first went into dark souls i had a lot of firebombs i killed that damn demon

[@TheAnimaAnimal]

Excellent as always ^^ Will definitely pick up on reading about this cycle. The main attractiveness is indeed the possibility of overcoming hinders and rise above. To be able to choose change and how exciting it is to see how. Whether good or bad, true or false, right or wrong. Really looking forward to more Dark Souls videos that delves deeper into this hero's journey to explore those dichotomies. Though I have to speak up about this: what is up with the music? I'm afraid it does not really reflect the subject and heavily disturbs the mood of topic. I really felt confused and a bit distracted x)

[@SolePorpoise]

+TheAnimaAnimal Haha really? Any time stamps in particular? It'd be nice to know what didn't work.

[@TheAnimaAnimal]

+SolePorpoise Well during the Solid Snake clip and onwards (02:33) when suddenly a little cheery flute chimmed in. Here's a guy firing bullets and the music reflects that of Harvest Moon. Thought the talk of heroes and Dark Souls would feature a bit more epic music since it is all about overcoming obstacles. Though I suppose it does fit in the message that it is about a hero and not the quintessential hero. That a hero can come anywhere from and not necessarily destined for greatness. Hm, maybe this will be like with all your videos; that they get better every time I see and listen to them.

[@SolePorpoise]

+TheAnimaAnimal got ya. Thanks for the feedback! That song is from Windwaker which I thought was pretty well recognized as a game that depicted the hero's journey. Out of context like that, I can totally see your point.

[@TheAnimaAnimal]

+SolePorpoise You're welcome! Though I have always loved your format of presenting your analyses. The coordination of the visual and the audio is transparently very well thoughtout always. But like I said, gets better every time. Depending on how many videos you'll make based on Dark Souls, maybe you can have some sort of audible continuity. In this first video it is somewhat calm music but with every video the tension rises. Kinda as a whole musically reflecting the hero's journey from beginning to end. Just an idea that popped into my head, no need to take it seriously. Details/trivia like that I've always thought are very cool and neat ^^ Looking very much forward to the future video.

[@SolePorpoise]

+TheAnimaAnimal great suggestion. Thanks for that!

[@Gorton]

Great video. You should get royalties for Joseph Anderson!

[@gamermanh]

I want *SO BADLY* to like this video for the Dark Souls stuff, but the comment about owning a wolf with children just kills it Like They're fine to own around them, as long as you are a good owner and parent and just Ugh, focusing on the wrong point, I know.

[@Tobskin]

I like this

[@awd3n]

11:51 a key ass-pect.

[@Arrcu99]

Dont think you can just sneak in Wild Arms music in at the end

[@Dr_Pickle]

5:25 to skip all the fluff

[@Strongman_Sutton]

Do you have the name of the Track you used right around 7:00? Absolutely loved the video btw.

[@SolePorpoise]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zEZpWdfdN7r8km and thanks!

[@BasedRoots]

Will you do a video on death stranding?

[@SquidwardAF]

and has Dark Souls III's story any meaning or is it just a copy of DS1?