"the FIRST Souls game" - King's Field... 25 years later

Thank you Raycon for sponsoring! Go to buyraycon.com/ironpineapple for 15% off your order!
King's Field is often called "the first Souls game" by many people in the Souls community, so I decided to play it to see how it holds up 25 years later as well as to explore how it compares to Fromsoft's later Dark Souls games.
twitter: / ironpineapple_
twitch: / iron_pineapple
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 intro
1:02 first impressions
1:51 graphics
2:38 first person controls
3:50 combat
4:57 metroidvania?
6:25 fake walls
7:15 story presentation
8:04 old school freedom
8:47 a couple neat ideas
10:02 inspiration for dark souls
10:47 final boss
11:59 secrets you can miss
13:07 final thoughts
13:44 sponsor/outro
HUGE thank you to kevin's computer for the very cool animated intro and knight renders throughout the video: / kevins_computer
thank you to Grapfic for help with the thumbnail/portal effect: / grapfic
thank you to Onua for rendering the SFM poses for use in the intro/thumbnail: / odynom

[@IronPineapple]

Real talk, I put a good bit of effort into this, so let me know if this sort of thing was interesting/entertaining! There are a lot of games I'd love to cover in a similar way.

[@CeraphineLuna]

This game gives me MediEvil vibes (and The Thing for some reason,) me like

[@BindingOfMe]

Is this game a Dark Souls reference?

[@NotASpyPootis]

cum how

[@peckish1587]

30 seconds in, already pretty entertained ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@shroomzys]

that wormhole surfing animated sequence is fucking amazing

[@brotmeister9559]

Turns out Dark Souls was a kingsfieldlike all along.

[@TheFrankDK]

Turns out Souls-likes are just Doom-like-like-likes!

[@doncoria9505]

It always has been

[@GramoChopin]

Like... You know .

[@scarletbard6511]

@Justus Bowman I'm pretty sure they were making a joke, seeing as how King's Field was compared to Doom.

[@theguy3851]

Woah. We are reaching inception levels of game genres.

[@Shrap]

I remember back in 2014 I was playing dark souls 1 on my 360 in my room when my dad came in to watch me during my fight with seath. He asked me why his name was so familiar and I told him I dont know what he meant or where it was from. He asked me who made dark souls and when I told him fromsoft he immediately went to his game storage and pulled out his copy of kings field with the case, instructions and all he ended up giving to me and I was able to play it backwards compatible on my gen 1 ps3. Needless to say it was one of the coolest experiences I've had in my years of gaming! Thank you so much for also checking it out pineapple :)

[@cheetoschrist5685]

Did you show him the Moonlight Sword? Lol

[@Quandry1]

There is a reason why us old timers occasionally say that Dark Souls Games aren't all that unique for what they do and the cheese that they use at times. Because we had games like Kingsfield and the like to play from a much earlier time when some of the jank was unavoidable or even considered an improvement from what came before it.

[@DonnyKirkMusic]

@@Quandry1 I actually remember old forum posts about Demon's Souls saying "I tried attacking enemies in the back, and sure enough, it still is the most-effective way to defeat them!"

[@Quandry1]

@@DonnyKirkMusic I'd believe it. If you go through some of the reviews and forums and stuff about old games that made improvements on some of the jank and clipping and such you'll notice that such stuff was so common that we praise games for being some of the first ones not to do it or make other improvements. But Dark Souls just shoved a lot of that stuff back in on purpose for artificial difficulty.

[@ElElefante]

That's a fantastic story and it even made me nostalgic for something I haven't experienced. Thank you :)

[@Retro_WrathX13B]

Seathe is in King’s Field 2 and, ironically, the moonlight great sword is his weakness

[@gustavovm491]

The MLG was related to his rival Guyra in that storyline

[@KateHikes83TJD]

saethee

[@theapexsurvivor9538]

Maybe getting reincarnated with that in his tail is why he ended up scaleless. Shame that the original mlgs will never be officially available to use outside of Japan.

[@JFinns]

Waiting for the sequel - Dark Borne 3 The Elden King

[@user-lx8gk2lu2x]

I just came. @@JFinns

[@Daxuna]

This was my first PS1 game back in 1996. It was so creepy and mysterious. I'd play it everyday after school. Eventually my younger brother overwrote my save on the memory card and I had a meltdown... so much time lost.

[@carcerharlson9767]

Almost literally me though my little brother couldn't get into the game, even after my mother told me to show him how to play.

[@MetaITurtle]

I'd say go back and beat the game to have peace

[@DaRoachDoggJrr]

My brother deleted my lego saves like three times. He just couldn’t learn the difference between load and new game

[@m0-m0597]

I wouldve killed for a ps1 in 96 but I was only a child lol

[@systemabc3989]

my brother put the CD between the door and crushed it

[@alzeheimersgaming]

The little mini pineapple dude is a great touch, looking forward to seeing more of that guy going forward

[@kevinscomputer]

Ay thank you, I made those animations! And hopefully there will be more I agree

[@zaid_alhelu]

Where? Didn't notice

[@Righteous153]

@@kevinscomputer they're very neat, they have a very obvious charm. Keep making them!

[@TiroDvD]

@@kevinscomputer Totally nailed the late 90s early Internet look. "information Super Highway". "Surfing the Web".

[@homemdopenisenorme6512]

The best part of the video is exactly when he appears

[@ScootsMcPoot]

"Just attack, move back, attack, move back". So it is just like dark souls.

[@ItsRetroPlanet]

And every dungeon crawler. Seriously.

[@globox123456789]

Morrowind be like

[@PhoenixPalmer88]

iFrame gang has entered the chat

[@Cheese-Crust]

Same concept, different execution

[@cirkleobserver3217]

Daggerfall

[@brycestrife5605]

My pops owned this game, I grew up in the 90s and back then this was mind-blowing tech. All the RPG mechanics and the vast world on a console was pretty amazing. Thanks for the look at it. It's been a long time.

[@TheRemicity]

Wild to think that I would have been about 5 years old when this came out, and now we have Elden Ring from the same devs. Mind-blowing that tech has advanced so much to be honest

[@machineofadream]

I was a teenager when this came out, and wasn't impressed by it at all. What's legendary about FromSoft games isn't the technical achievements of any of their games, but the design philosophies that the industry as a whole has moved away from over time. Things like allowing the player to miss things and mess up their game world permanently. Making the player suffer real losses when they die. A vast world and RPG mechanics are good, but not unique, even in 1994.

[@latinaparfait]

@@machineofadream okay boomer.

[@brycestrife5605]

@@machineofadream complete b*******, there was nothing else like this on home console at the time. Go ahead and name some examples baby boy. It was technically impressive, it's world building was impressive. Your opinion doesn't change the industry at large. Give me some examples if you want to argue with me about it. Games on home console that had worlds like this. Let's hear it buddy

[@schnek8927]

@@latinaparfait Okay zoomer.

[@The_Foreman]

When I started getting into game development, I ended up finding out about a local game someone was making. I knew enough about general programming to probably get by, so when offered I accepted to help. I figured it'd probably be unity or unreal... but no, the Sword of Moonlight engine. The engine for Kings Field. I couldn't even load up a custom game let alone the level editor without digging into early windows virtual machines. After 2 months of fighting just to put a small scene together, I had to break off from the project.

[@ivayloivanov4735]

Damn... That's insane

[@lefthandedscout9923]

7:12 wait a second. Is that an illusory wall that just attacks you and then hides itself again? Dark Souls modders, take notes.

[@bransbites6675]

Sekiro modders, take even bigger notes Imagine using one of the shinobi panels thinking you’re gonna get a new and convenient shortcut but then you just get munched

[@3therspark63]

im still waiting for a mimic bonfire

[@lordmuhehe4605]

@@bransbites6675 Yeah, take notes Sekiro modders, all 5 of you.

[@skelskeleton]

@@3therspark63 pretty sure ive seen some ds1 mods that have a few troll explosive bonfires (the one bonfire i remember was immediately when you entered tomb of the giants after pinwheel, forgot the modname)

[@leifleoden5464]

Yes, yes it is.

[@prosaic.7944]

8:29 Npc: Eats his meal Player: Hits the Npc Npc: *Eats aggressively*

[@rickydo6572]

The man has his priorities straight allright

[@YouSoSpice]

Let's eat aggressively _!_

[@masonjones7777]

@@rickydo6572 "if I'm gonna die, it's gonna be after I finish lunch!"

[@TheJatonEffect]

Listen, it's a byproduct of the poison of the island. He can't help it.

[@h347h]

Moonlight is also in Armored Core games and you can use the exact same button presses to get the moonlight to shoot a beam in the original 3 PS1 Armored Core games.

[@killertrip10]

So I'mma let you in on a little secret, if you decide to play "2" (3, whatever): You can bind an item, like maybe a healing herb or potion, to the select button in your equipment menu. So that way you don't have to open the menu every time.

[@ksuvikhor3364]

Exactly what I was thinking! Towards the end my brother and I always had gold potion flasks mapped to Select so we could quickly heal and restore our mana on the fly.

[@user-lx8gk2lu2x]

@@ksuvikhor3364 You can do the same in KF 1(US). I dont think the creator got the memo.

[@Archedgar]

KF2 sucks. It is said that if you use the starting sword enough it will be the strongest sword in the game but it wasn't and I just ended up wasting my time with that crap.

[@kevinscomputer]

Thanks again for bringing me on to do the animations for this! It was a lot of fun and the video turned out great :-}

[@Walamonga1313]

Great work man

[@firstlast9710]

The Oscar doll getting smashed into a wall during the fake walls section really got me

[@mattheusfinco7050]

you did amazing work, i loved it , its so charming and charismatic , hope you work in future pinneapple' videos

[@jasdanvm3845]

It's amazing! I truly loved them.

[@RedOfFlames]

Ya did good

[@yep9620]

Can’t wait for someone to do the no-hit King’s SoulsBorne Die Twice speedrun

[@Mephis93]

Don't forget shadow tower 1 & 2, and eternal ring

[@alexanderholzer7392]

No dodging, blindfolded, no bonfires or leveling, no sprinting, camera aimed backwards, broken sword hilt only, no criticals, all NPC lines must be recited perfectly from memory

[@quanahriddle3065]

@@alexanderholzer7392 that last one might be the hardest.

[@kingdomkey2262]

@@quanahriddle3065 dont all souls npcs just laugh creepily?

[@GeekSHO]

Should probably include all the Armored Core games too, since they're basically Dark Souls with mechs. They even have the Moonlight blade too.

[@holyarchon9564]

This was one of my first PS1 games as a kid!! I can’t believe the two series are linked and now Elden Ring.

[@BeHeaven616]

"The real first souls game is from softs kingsfield... is it tho?" Thats answered easily: does it contain the moonlight sword? Is it the first appearence of the moonlight sword? Then yes

[@procow2274]

It was either this or armored core to first have it

[@lorddoomferret4120]

If you watch the part where he talks about the Menu at 4:35, pause on his equipment and you can see he is equipped with Seath's Shield, Helm, Armor, and Bracelet. Seath the Scaleless, being the obvious Seath I can think of. So yes, this would be in the DS universe, specifically after some point where Seath had manufactured armor for humanoids or some armor he wore because of his scaleless body was repurposed for a humanoid when he no longer needed to go into battle. In my opinion the name of that armor is the nail in the coffin for this being the first Souls game. Unless the game explains Seath as a smith or something else entirely, but then again, who says it isnt just the dragon having fun with a humanoid stand-in? I will also say, I could be entirely wrong and just ignorant of the deep lore of Kings Field and DS.

[@arcticdino1650]

@@lorddoomferret4120 There is a dragon in King's Field who is called Seath. The dark souls version is not the same character, however he is clearly based on him. Either that or he can travel between many worlds after repeatedly getting killed.

[@EVPointMaster]

So 3D Dot Game Heroes is a Souls game, and Sekiro isn't. Got it.

[@FalcusDead]

@@procow2274 Technically neither... kinda. The first game to have it was King's Field 1 from 1994 (the one shown in the video is the second game) But yes, the moonlight sword was first introduced in Fromsoft's first ever game which was King's Field which was never released outside of Japan, which is why King's Field 2/3 is titled King's Field 1/2 in the west.

[@FlameHidden]

You should mention how, even on the PS1, Fromsoftware was making games WITHOUT loading screens. King's Field has "loading corridors", but unlike 90% of the games at the time, it never actually stops your game to load an asset, just like Dark Souls 1, making the game world feel very united and solidified. I never played Kingsfield 2, just 3 and 4, but in those the amount of shortcuts is also AMAZING.

[@TheMetalOverlord]

Legacy Of Kain Soul Reaver did the same, with much better graphic and even two world coexisting one on top of the other, it even was a true 3D metroidvania, unlike Dark Souls and King's Field.

[@FlameHidden]

@@TheMetalOverlord never touched that game, have to try it sometime!

[@TheMetalOverlord]

@@FlameHidden Abosolutely try it, it's almost a masterpiece with a level design that was far ahead of it's time. The only bad thing is that the controls are a bit clunky for today standards, but nothing close to unplayable at all. Also the Pc version is a trash port sadly, the ebst way to paly it is to emulate the Dreamcast version of the game.

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

@@TheMetalOverlord I have vague memories of that game. I remember renting but pretty sure I never beat it. I also probably wouldn't have appreciated any Metroidvania designs back then.

[@afinoxi]

Not only that but it keeps a solid FPS throughout the game as well. They're really good at that.

[@Spoon80085]

I’m actually kind of digging the 3D model. Usually when a KZbinr adds a character I don’t like it, but yours gives it more personality

[@retroicdescent]

Reminds me of a customized sack boy from Little Big Planet

[@clairelili873]

he uses it well.

[@tarkuscameback1621]

RetroicDescent holy shit you said exactly what I was thinking.

[@Walamonga1313]

I didn't like It'sAGundam's

[@ZenoDovahkiin]

"Noooooo you can't call these games Metroidvania!" Classic Roguelike players: "First time?"

[@dodgyhodgyo4]

Damn I wish you had covered the 1st Kingsfield game instead of the first one. It has a very strong classical horror vibe to it.

[@Aelvir114]

I love that this is both correct and confusing at the same time

[@plugshirt1762]

Yeah the second king’s field game is great and introduces the type of exploration seen in souls games but the first one was just a lot more fun to me as an atmospheric dungeon crawler

[@frds_skce]

What. I hope you're saying about the first Japanese From Software King's Field game.

[@MsRenardeau]

"you need to mash X on every single wall in every single room" DS2 : hold my beer

[@pudie8952]

DS2 has a fuckton of random illusory walls, all located in a few spots, while the rest of the game is fkin empty. But at least all those illusiond aren't impactful at all. Most of them are just random items.

[@seaman_de_man]

@@pudie8952 also its pretty easy to tell what is an illusionary wall and what isn't

[@pudie8952]

@@seaman_de_man Sometimes... There's a bunch of walls I've come across MANY times and never knew they even existed. Mostly, hidden bonfires. The one at Aldia's Keep, the other one at Drangleic's Castle, or the one at that DLC, forgot the name of it, with the Drakekeepers... But yeah, praise the messages lmfao!

[@demomanchaos]

@@pudie8952 Like how the Ruin Sentinel's room has a half dozen or so, which is more than most entire zones. Also fun to know that at least 2 rather helpful bonfires are hidden behind fake walls, and that some fake walls are break open instead (Like No Man's Wharf which has a break wall in a hut next to a hut with a push wall). While DS2 has a lot of stuff I like, they really phoned it in on a lot of other bits.

[@jynxed66six54]

@@demomanchaos tbf, the ruined sentinel room has so many because each one is pared with another, bar the chest one

[@baddogkelevra1]

11:40 Seath’s Sword Moonlight Sword I see you, King’s Field.

[@SirSirington]

There's also some Seath's armor pieces.

[@RobertMalachowski]

Vaati... what’s the lore on this?

[@aendranireho6038]

@@RobertMalachowski King's Field lore while waiting for DeS remake ?

[@gaelalejandroreyesmartinez7104]

Dark slayer

[@derpi3438]

4:35 too

[@Squintis]

“Soulsbourne” is actually just “Metroidzelda” The combat is actually like OoT with z targeting.

[@steamedyam]

Shh people don’t want to hear that

[@steamedyam]

In the end it’s just Zelda since Metroid was designed to be a side scrolling Zelda

[@ositorga]

i've been saying it since day one of playing my first souls game, that the combat is basically OoT, and it's why i gelled with it so easily

[@fink7968]

@@ositorga Did OOT have I-frame rolling?

[@thyomnipotentgalacticpickl2188]

@@fink7968 sort of

[@pogtuber5146]

This brings back so many memories. The dark corridors, the extremely slow and sluggish movement that we somehow ignored because the combat was actually kinda fun, the awesome music...

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

Rubbing your face against every wall? Yup thats Doom *"ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh"*

[@whirligig_saw]

UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF, BONGH "A SECRET HAS REVEALED" UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF,UNF "ok guess were done with this room"

[@TheBearJew1309]

Alternatively: "UNF, AGH, WHERE IS IT?"

[@voided_reality6863]

That's actually Wolfenstein 3D years before Doom.

[@whirligig_saw]

@@voided_reality6863 indeed

[@ZeroAbsolution]

that's literally Dark Souls 2

[@blakej6416]

I really enjoyed King's Field back in the PS1 era. Glad to see the FS went on to such success.

[@bolson42]

3:28 Lmao, this is honestly really funny cuz nowadays I hear people saying “Doom Eternal is the Dark Souls of FPS games” for some reason lmao

[@cubixman9676]

Who tf even says that

[@gabrielkisner2947]

?

[@xAssassin24]

Maybe the "Field" is the friends you've made along the way

[@avvie8838]

r/eldenring flashbakcs

[@jakubmakalowski6428]

No, that was the king

[@gaelalejandroreyesmartinez7104]

Yes that's right

[@matthewbraith0411]

@@avvie8838 Your not on reddit now.

[@avvie8838]

@@matthewbraith0411 thank god

[@wind2536]

4:35 You do NOT need to pause the game to heal, you can map the healing spell/herb/golden piss estus flask to the select button and heal that way.

[@name_redunded]

Thank you! I figured it out when I was a kid

[@wind2536]

@@name_redunded Yeah it really shows that from soft evolved from game to game. Shadow Tower has actual blocking and the dpad quick item selection from dark souls. Though it uses different buttons cause PS1.

[@bloodlustshiva1]

Yep, burned through all of my best healing items on the final boss, ended up with the weakest one set to the hot key and spamming it with my attacks at the same time. Took me a long time to realize that From Software was the same company that had made this game that I had played so long ago.

[@fbiguy5269]

@@bloodlustshiva1 Would you recommend this game? Because I'm looking for a retro game to play.

[@bloodlustshiva1]

@@fbiguy5269 I mean... if you go into knowing it's ugly as hell and controls badly, it can be worth it for the exploration. Also, cheese any fight you can, there is no fairness in the combat, esp. early on.

[@HPRshredder]

the intro surfboard thing was so awesome, wow... did not expect that level of quality

[@augustuslxiii]

This was the video I was hoping to find on this subject. Thanks!

[@vitormbertani]

King’s Field 4 - Dark Reality Incredible ost Every souls player should listen

[@DRida64]

Oh, that's a spicy song. Would be great background music for a D&D combat.

[@mohamedbelbaali659]

quick link for anyone wondering like me: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHfVaHSviZZqqas

[@3Stuart]

thank you for sharing dis with me. f0king love it, already added to my playlist

[@perrytran9504]

@@mohamedbelbaali659 Heard this in a fan DS3 video before, had no idea where it was from.

[@THExRISER]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@Pontificate]

Imagine playing Kingsfield in the nineties and your fat friend Stanley shows you the button input for a magic sword attack. That would be an amazing gaming memory.

[@expendableindigo9639]

Reminds me of the secret attacks in Super Metroid.

[@zaneplusplus]

@@expendableindigo9639 the what now

[@expendableindigo9639]

swamps kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqrdZXamgbygjJo

[@420Ruger]

Damn why u hate stanley so much?

[@Quandry1]

I'm not sure if that one specifically was. But attacks like that were often in the manuals that came with the games back then that we don't get because so many cried they didn't want manuals to learn games. They just wanted to play. Which is why so many damned annoying tutorial levels are in games these days. The Manuals often had a fair bit of important lore in them as well. Not just items to look out for or special attacks that could be done.

[@tassoskarras]

If you play King's Field on the original Ps1, the secret walls are less anoying because you can usually see some kind of screen jittering right a the foot of the fake wall. So you do have a hint (it's not a bug, it's a feature!) ;)

[@airistal]

And the floor in front of them are off color at a distance.

[@frog-girl-68000]

for those without access to a copy and/or ps1 or ps2, software rendering in an emulator like duckstation or XEBRA is accurate enough to also produce this effect.

[@elzar5987]

4:03 Bathesda: WRITE THAT DOWN! WRITE THAT DOWN!!!

[@norntneithernt3919]

Theory: Elden Ring is Kings Fields remake.

[@OlegEgorov]

I think this is a continuation of the eternal ring (king's field spinnof from ps2)

[@someorclad9738]

That's actually possible, and pretty cool if you ask me. From and Miyazaki just basically redeeming their own games to the god like vision that they aspire to. I like that.

[@Deadwolfthedark66]

Don't put that level of hope in me

[@idraigirtm]

No. To be a Remake of Kings Field it needs to exist.

[@norntneithernt3919]

@@idraigirtm ...True. [REDACTED] does not exist.

[@SpaceMissile]

11:21 - "...and naturally, I was pumped as hell." _literally becomes Luigi_

[@oddhate]

Sounded a bit like Tigger's laugh.

[@lucasmacedo7145]

dude love the intro, its so good

[@kirkheisterkamp6988]

The way you edited and presented this actually makes me want to play Kingsfield now. Congrats haha

[@NucleaRaptor]

Maybe the real Dark Souls was all the kings we've fielded along the way.

[@JackoWillMakeLives-loveu]

Dude you da real MVP for the timestamps

[@faze-toaster-_-551]

I've been looking at this dude videos non stop and all i can say is thanks for reviewing souls like games. You defiantly got me into them.

[@PaulGuzmanPD]

Great review. I loved playing Kings Field. Glad to see it recontextuaized.

[@nackskott12]

Play Kings Field: The Ancient City. Bad controls aside, it improves a lot on the original, the level design is some of the best I've seen and the amount of hidden secrets is just... insane. On the “fake wall” thing, Kings Field is very much a game where you should read the manual before playing it, because it's mentioned there. I even think the fisherman NPC in the first area has a line of dialogue mentioning them. The first fake wall in the game (and I think all the mandatory ones) have a different texture to the walls around them.

[@kittiusmaximus6447]

I was going to suggest this exact same thing. Ancient City improves on a TON of things. If you in anyway enjoyed the first game, you'll love the ancient city. Graphics alone it's much prettier.

[@DanielS-gv5nj]

I'd like to add that 25 years ago reading the manual WAS the tutorial.

[@Medrin]

Yeah, I've gotten a lot of people to play king's field and every time I always just say "Play 4". I really hope to see him cover it

[@nackskott12]

@@Medrin Yeah, I've talked about it with a number of people and I've talked about it a decent amount online. I shelled out for a physical copy blindly, cos I loved Dark Souls and Armored Core and was looking more through their back catalogue. It was easily worth the money, since it revitalized my love for games the same way that completing Dark Souls for the first time did. It definitely has its flaws but I'm kind of sad no other developers have tried to do a new take on what KF4 was going for. If you made a game today with the same core, but you ironed out the problems with all the lessons we've learned with Fromsofts newer games, it has the potential to be pretty popular.

[@SpecShadow]

This. KF4 was amazing, it's weird how it went under the radar and didn't gained much popularity. Also - it was the only game with music playing all the time, comparing it to desolate and silent games from DS and KF - it was something else.

[@CheaseDragon]

I was sat here thinking 'huh this looks weirdly similar to Eternal Ring' So I dug my copy out and sure enough... From Software is credited on the back.

[@Ecco_The_Dolphin]

You didnt know this?

[@petkofuchalski9809]

@@Ecco_The_Dolphin was he supposed to?

[@goonished]

Eternal ring? Elden ring? OoOoOoOoOoOhHhHhHhH Eternal riiiiiiing

[@lacifodros5639]

If it is eternal then it must be pretty old. You could say... An elden ring. This must not be a coincidence. ELDEN RING WAS RELEASED ALL ALONG

[@MrVapourGFX]

@@Ecco_The_Dolphin kzbin.info/www/bejne/narRc6CVa9Rolc0

[@TheNickofTime]

12:09 Hey, those slime creatures come back in Dark Souls!

[@BlueSapphire_BS]

Can’t wait to check it out!!

[@Fossil87]

"The combat is pretty rough and absurdly clunky" This is basically the combat system that Elder Scrolls is still using

[@mintyfresh7867]

At least it’s fun

[@norntneithernt3919]

Agreed. Dont get me wrong, I love TES, but its combat is not the reason of that love.

[@sirfijoe450]

@@mintyfresh7867 its really not

[@oliverholm3973]

@@norntneithernt3919 Gonna go out on a big fat controversial note here and say I actually love it, but only specifically because it's TES. It wouldn't work anywhere else, imo, but because there's such a dedicated modding community, it's actually perfect, as it allows you to customize the combat to fit basically any preference

[@Nassifeh]

"Hit thing with sword" is basically the same concept, I guess, but trying to learn how to play King's Field exclusively from the instruction booklet was absolutely miserable. (I'm amused watching this because I never saw most of this stuff in the game; I just died a lot and gave it up after a couple days.) The older Elder Scrolls games were harder than, say, Skyrim, but still not in the same way of just struggling to internalize what button does what. Dark Souls is very similar, but the control scheme being less terrible makes the process of learning it satisfying.

[@peppermayonnaise7943]

As a crazed fan of King's Field this video intrigued and scared me. I'm always surprised when someone checks out King's Field for the first time and can actually get into it at all. Even if people can get past the ancient graphics and such, I always fear the controls would be too much. It's really cool though to see new people check out those games though. I would now like to share (ramble at length; sorry) a couple of thoughts: you mention Metroidvania, but the "vania" in that term, and really that term as a whole, became a thing after Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, specifically. That game released 2 years after this King's Field. So this game weirdly enough, predates the term/concept of "Metroidvania" - maybe it should've been called Metroidfield instead, but that'd require people to have heard of this game back then, and also to know what the "field" in King's Field refers to (I don't either) I noticed you didn't have anything equipped to your item shortcut. That can help with the tedium of healing. You only get one (1) whole item shortcut, but if you make it a heal, you can just mash it to heal without pausing. Also, later King's Fieldses sorta address the fake wall thing a bit, each has an item you can find (though one of them is fairly hidden) that when equipped, at some cost will reveal hidden walls. Sort of like a permanent version of the Phantom Rods in this King's Field which are consumables that reveal them. If you could enjoy this King's Field, you might be able to enjoy the next two that released. I think the textures for environments are overall worse in the next King's Field but it also has some nice things going for it too, and then the PS2 King's Field will certainly look nicer, and you'll see more things that may have influenced Souls. But also, I often found myself discovering secret walls due to reasons similar to Great Hollow (this can't be all that's here...) or hearing enemies. Like in Bloodborne, enemies have ambient sounds that can clue you in to places you haven't been. There's also...are you ready for this? King's Fieldlikes that From made! Shadow Tower and Eternal Ring. Shadow Tower Abyss which never made it out of Japan. Shadow Tower is like King's Field if it had voice acting, was (much) harder, and basically halfway to being thematically Demon's Souls (and almost like it was planned to be a roguelike at one point but that was binned), and a lot of load screens sadly. Eternal Ring is like if King's Field was easier, trying to be more traditional high fantasy, had voice acting that will cause you physical pain from cringing so much, more simplified in some ways but with a heavy magic focus with a (I think) pretty cool/interesting magic system I've never seen before, marred by the needles in haystacks you have to find to actually craft the spells on new rings of magic. By the way did you know King's Field has invisible items you can pick up? In the area past Necron but before Guyra's Dimension there is in fact an invisible helm with a wholly unique mechanic attached to it that can kill you when equipped if you're not prepared for it. They just put a whole special piece of equipment tucked away, invisible, in a deadend near the end of the game, the absolute mad lads. Lightning Helm is the name. Fun times. Its secret mechanic can be really *shocking*. I'm now being escorted away by the Pun Police I have to end this comment.

[@gabrielcoutinho4027]

that is soo cool

[@luneattic111]

If you don't die in the first 5 seconds of a kingsfield game, you're playing it wrong. Death was a mechanic

[@davidmiller9485]

ahh kingsfield... the watermelon monsters are just fun. Plus every wall could be a secret... fun times!

[@bushisback112]

"A couple of thoughts" he said

[@Warbandit100]

Lol sorry, didn't see your comment, I also reccomended king's field for PS2

[@kdjdjsj3645]

your channel is awesome and that 3d mascot you have (ik this is a lil old) is seriously one of the most beautifully rendered models ive ever seen. its refreshing to see a lot of uniqueness in a sea of annoying rants and video essays that plague this type of content. also you have a calm charisma.

[@stevenburton7725]

If you want to try the whole progression that leads to the souls series, you have to check out Shadow Tower. There’s obvious steps forward from King’s Field, and the shield needing to be up in order to block shows the beginning of that mechanic

[@TheMadAfrican1]

"Mash X on every single wall in every single room." You definitely didn't grow up playing 90s FPS games. We were taught this by Wolfenstein 3D. Wall humping for secrets is part of the experience

[@termusicdiscontinued9726]

Doom

[@diablokidfan6983]

@@termusicdiscontinued9726 Wolfenstein 3d released before doom and they were both developed by the same id software

[@slayersloaded5365]

@@diablokidfan6983 he knows, just most of us experienced it in doom

[@leifleoden5464]

@@diablokidfan6983 And every single FPS from 1995 to 2000 included some form of wall humping.

[@HistorysMysterys]

To be honest you really don't have to do that all the time in wolf and doom, duke nukem maybe.

[@Michael-lm7ug]

Next up, Eternal Ring, the TRUE Elden Ring prequel.

[@Jsobone]

I loved that game growing up, grabbed it when they put it on PS4.

[@Orakwan]

The game handled horribly but the story was interesting, with the Solcian people, the baby trying to scape his seal, people losing memory and turning into monsters, the dragon stuck under the frozen lake and all

[@StillNight77]

@@Orakwan I don't recall any of that, but I certainly beat that game... huh.

[@williamstrider3197]

god I hope so

[@Walamonga1313]

What about Dark Ring? The Dark Souls of Ring games

[@Kinsley_XD]

11:40 "Seaths sword" being right above that seems fitting

[@juchecatgirl]

Ahhh that opening cinematic! It really takes me back to the 90s when I played tons of Sierra games.

[@palkinator]

6:48 Having to rub your face against every room to find secret walls. Sounds familiar. A bit... 2 familiar.

[@scarletbard6511]

Hah!

[@makoto5851]

Sounds like doom

[@hadiyasir8933]

YOOOOOOOO THE ANIMATION OF HIM SURFING IS SO LIT

[@huskycruxes7232]

Two videos in a row with that absolutely amazing wormhole teleport animation. It's been a good day

[@DustinBarlow8P]

King's Field II was my first experience. Only because my mom picked a game at random for my christmas present and this is what I got. Damn I love her for that! The game was so damn creepy playing at 10 years old. It gives you the chills playing through with that droning organ in the background. Also your love interest (elf girl you grew up with that sells potions) dies, and you can't stop it. Talk about giving the player a left hook.

[@user-lx8gk2lu2x]

I dont recall the elf girl shit.

[@mecrac]

From your video I now realize that from software's armored core games shared the same control as kings field. Yea learning to pilot fast paced mechs with that control scheme was something alright.

[@TheBlackAshTree]

Any time I find another Core fan it makes me smile and reminds me that I'm not the only one. Here pretty soon I'll be rounding out my collection of the games. Still hoping for a throwback game to the older arcade style ones, but it's looking pretty bleak. I'd even take a good chromehounds clone. Complete with wacky weapon placement of course.

[@depthshade837]

Armored core last raven and silent line was my jam on psp when i was a kid lol

[@novaflareq4788]

Armored Core is love. Armored Core is life.

[@DWFTW]

Honestly man, that control scheme actually made it feel like you're figuring out the controls to a mech or some shit. It was great for the genre.

[@mecrac]

@@DWFTW I agree. It was pretty sick. made you feel like a badass when you could do it.

[@tinchosabala]

"Oh, a locked door" "Sick, i have a key now to open it!" this makes sense "Oh, here's a bow" "Now i can fight that bug" this one's a bit weirder but not too bizarre i guess "I have a flute" "Now I can summon a bridge to let me go through this gap" i'm sorry what

[@Skona99]

Castlevania 2.avi

[@henrypaleveda7760]

sounds like Legends of Zelda two

[@AristoWan]

Shadowgate eat your heart out

[@Szanth]

Harvine is the King of Wind, so it's at least thematically relevant.

[@dingusdangus1790]

I mean the game does explicitly tell you what it's for.

[@patrickholt8782]

I’ve played kings field start to finish. What I love about the game the most is it’s world and passion. You get this whole island to explore and you really get the feeling that you’re in deep. And I can just tell that this game was a passion project. It oozes indie game vibes even from then

[@-Unguardian-]

Things to note regarding Kings field (aka kf2 Japan). For its time, the game rarely has any load times and instead is supplemented with slow door opening mechanics. The game play gives a sense of chaos and gloom feeling. The music tracks and sound effects are memorable aka your first skeleton encounter. The controls are unique as the developer adapted to the limitations of the console. I personally wish FS would re release the series for a modern ps4/ps5 with updated graphics and audio. I personally feel this could be an easy cash cow for those who grew up with the company, before being known for DS. For anyone truly looking for a depth with challenge should give this series a try. I personally own the physical copies of Kings field, KF 2, and Kings field : The ancient city (ultimate favorite version of the series - queen waddas track is pure disarray and death gloom).

[@LautrecOfCarim]

Accurate, I totally am the guy who always brings up Demon's Souls. Yurt pays me to do that, actually. Heh.

[@dustinsterling3248]

*KICKS OFF THE LEDGE* oh sweet, time to FAP

[@ufohawk1110]

Tell Pruld to make part 3

[@hhm4480]

glad to see lautrec is still kicking around

[@tonyjames3541]

Mr. Lautrec! I'm from Anor Londo News. Is it true that you and Darkmoon Knightess are dating?

[@LautrecOfCarim]

@@tonyjames3541 Patches must have been spreading rumors again... I'm still enjoying the many benefits of my engagement to Fina, and as I have stated before, the fact that she is non corporeal has not impacted my enjoyment of this relationship in the slightest. Not at all... Heh...

[@lostjack157]

Me: “Wait. They were always metroidvania games?” Iron: “Always were.” Me: Backstabbed

[@phillidaadamus4349]

Tbh thats not really a new observation I've hear it from a lot of people.

[@Devieus]

The definition of a Metroidvania is very blurry, just like the definition of a Souls-like is starting to break down every other month to the point you can probably say Titan Quest is a souls-like. At some point Megaman is going to be considered a Metroidvania (not counting the ZX games, since they're Metroidvanias already) and we'd just be okay with that.

[@gtabro1337]

I fully visualised you and Iron with a sword talking behind you, thank you.

[@LookADistarction]

At what point do we say that all adventure games are metroidvanias?

[@rjamador9934]

I’m new to your channel but I absolutely love this kind of content on older foundational games that most people wouldn’t know about

[@t_rawls]

You don't need to use the menu to heal. There is a quick item button. I think it's select and I think triangle was magic. I love Kings Field. Made me buy a game called Eternal Rings which was like a Kings Field clone.

[@palerite7526]

I think you mean kingsfieldlike

[@Skin_walker_]

Eternal Rings is made by Fromsoft so I don't really think you can call it a Kings field clone per say

[@t_rawls]

Shoot I couldn't remember man. It's been so long ago. There's a Kings Field 2 and 3, I think, and I never got a chance to play them 🥲

[@madbrosheo1514]

So you're saying that DOOM is the original "Souls like?"

[@satyabramasta5391]

always has been

[@zachariz1490]

Always will be

[@Masterblaze0]

"Doomlikes" was the term for first-person shooters back in the day, actually. That's how important it was.

[@joellemarron3452]

No, that means every "souls-like" was actually a doomlike all along

[@hyde5213]

No, it means that Wolfendooms were the original Soulsbornes, which are a variation of Metroidvania as argued in this video.

[@hotelmarioenjoyer3752]

the dude you killed with like a million arrows, I realized on my playthrough the hardware acceleration setting on emu makes him like a million times harder because his attacks come out like x10 faster than intended

[@sheldonhiebert49]

My local resale game store has this bad boy waiting for me, this weekend will be the first time I ever get to play it.

[@MrGoZ]

Thx for making this video ✌🏽

[@lilacrain3283]

That observation about King’s Field being compared to DOOM and every modern game getting compared to Dark Souls is a really good one

[@IronPineapple]

lowkey proud of myself for that one, thank you

[@galil5386]

Iron Pineapple I’m proud of you inedible pineapple

[@ajazman7]

"pressing your body up against every wall looking for doors" so that's where Dark Souls 2 got their illusory design from 1/10 of the doors were obvious and the rest were absolutely random

[@joolsstoo3085]

In some ways the hidden doors in kings field are even easier to find than dark souls 2. Polygon clipping meant quite a few of the doors would stand out if looked at from the right angle, and the phantom rod makes every hidden door transparent for a few minutes. In kings field 2 there's even an item to make all hidden doors permanently transparent.

[@alfalldoot6715]

Just use the Guidance miracle you casul

[@Rakshael]

The one in the Brighstone Chapel and the one in Sinner's Rise are masterclass ones, though

[@ButterscotchPenguin]

@@Rakshael I didn’t find the one before lost sinner until like 3k hours in

[@Rakshael]

@@ButterscotchPenguin yeah i got suspicious because of a weird texture and that's the only reason I found it

[@xeno6784]

This was almost a year ago yet I still can't stop re-watching this time and time again. (Personal note for "Iron Pineapple" but others can read this as well if you want) #1 Reviewing old games relating it to recent games today by FromSoftware #2 Good comedy found by both the video creator and content you have. (It always gives me good laugh or chuckle no matter which video it is) #3 The sponsorship ads are always entertaining to watch and if I had a choice I would use your sponsorships to support both you and the company #4 Giving proper reviews and checking how much content each game can offer really made me like your content and yourself as a reviewer "Iron Pineappple". Thank you for this content man, I love it so much and can't wait for you to review Elden Ring = D

[@MrNoName931]

love ur formsoftware vids man, it felt like i beat the game already by hearing this recap. thanks!

[@Ares_Sol]

I remember spending so many hours when I was younger playing King's Field 2 and I loved it. Finally went back recently and played it again earlier this year and finally beat it. Was super fun.

[@scarletbard6511]

I did the same, and died over 100 times before I could find a weapon that wasn't garbage. I don't see how the hell I managed to beat the damn game as a kid.

[@LeoHeart272]

"The control scheme is kinda weird" *Armored core fans laughing*

[@TheBlackAshTree]

Shame we're the unwanted fans in FromSofts eyes. It's always looking more and more like there will never be a new Core game. Especially not one like the older more arcady games.

[@123eldest]

@@TheBlackAshTree yeh it's sad, just give me AC5 on PC that doesn't run at 20 fps ffs

[@BlackStoneDiamond]

@@123eldest Hell. Give me any AC on PC. I mean, emulating is a thing too, but for someone without a controller, aiming with a mouse feels very janky, albeit possible

[@retroicdescent]

@@123eldest Or/And have AC4:For Answer. Loved the customization in that game.

[@Nine-Ball]

When he showed the button layout, I just had the biggest smirk on my face dude

[@jonimmink5592]

So I just stumbled across this video, I gotta say it was really well done! I also found it funny that we had the same opinion on the old school from soft logo thing lmao either way, awesome job on this video! Very entertaining and it was neat to hear your theories and explanations. Keep up the good work!

[@EricZobelMusic]

nice video! thanks!

[@Max2ds]

“Figure of Seath” Is it scaleless?

[@Dante3214]

I thought the same thing!!

[@capperbuns]

Seath's shield is something that i need rn

[@jeremyabbott4537]

Well Seath is the white dragon from the first game that helps create the Moonlight Greatsword you use. Seath and the black dragon from this game are 2 dragons created by a big god and are at war with each other IIRC (I believe this is all explained in the 3rd game, I never played any of them, just watched a retrospective on each game a few months ago)

[@Tone_E_Tone2181]

@@jeremyabbott4537 you got it right, plus seath was the final boss in part 2 (part 3)

[@GeorgeNoiseless]

"It's actually a Metroidvania", funny thing -- that's exactly what Ol' Internet Scrooge Yahtzee Croshaw said when he finally understood and was consumed by Dark Souls, on his second try.

[@danoconnor5138]

Love those videos haha

[@lehelisbored]

I think it was actually Gabe who called it "the best 3D Metroidvania ever made" and Yahtzee agreed. It was on their Hexen video. I just happen to know that off the top of my head because I've watched all the LDOs too many times.

[@sdsdfdu4437]

Although really only the first DS is a metroidvania, the sequels don't have the interconnected world design.

[@TheGraveKnight]

@@sdsdfdu4437 2 is more split off into several different roads that end after a certain point while 3 is a big straight line with only 2 or 3 brief diversions

[@PinkFoxzzz]

Dark Sousl - "But Im actually metroidvania" "No you d...." Wait what

[@matthiewg12]

This was randomly recommended to me but the animation for this channels intro was dope af

[@bestboy897]

excellent review i subbed

[@UnlikeRelic]

Just for the record the moonlight sword isnt a "souls" thing it's a from software thing it's even in Armorcore

[@Yomachaser]

I remember finding it in a hidden spot in Armored Core 2 and chopping up EVERYTHING after that!

[@The_SinisterMister]

Yep, it's in Enchanted Arms too. AFAIK this is the first game it appeared in, though.

[@4cqker]

It's not in Lost Kingdoms/Rune series though afaik :(((

[@masonjones7777]

@@Yomachaser it's also nineball seraph's go-to melee weapon, that thing hits like a bazooka on steroids

[@nathand265]

Miyazaki was inspired by this game before he worked at From. Then he made them a household name. Truly inspiring.

[@galil5386]

I’d say dark souls isn’t that much of a household name it’s huge and especially sekiro which really got it into the main stream but I’d ask any zoomer and I doubt they know the souls games

[@plugshirt1762]

@@galil5386 lol what kind of brain dead take is this literally everybody knows the souls games

[@galil5386]

@@plugshirt1762 Calm down bro that was 2 years ago Elden Ring got it in the mainstream, hell maybe it was a household name two years ago too but it really aint that deep lol

[@heart3460]

What an amazing video, I think you did the game a lot of justice.

[@levifields296]

I’ll never get over the monotone “hyah” as he slides into the portal

[@SirRounded]

This game feels like the old Runescape Tim and Crunchie wallpaper looks

[@gunnwalder3242]

12:01 me watching this late at night with no lights on: Guess I'll just be blind forever then.

[@IronPineapple]

haha I’m sorry

[@cloudy8597]

I love the going back in time animation

[@maxsowerby-findlay8838]

Nothing relaxes me more than this playlist and the souls-like playlist.

[@ksm_ngr]

Armored Core fans are frothing at their mouths when Iron talks about "weird FPS control" and "Moonlight Sword like in every Souls game."

[@masonjones7777]

hehe, let's not forget the both patches and ornstein were in AC first, and I think one or two pilot emblems became shield art, but don't quote me on that last bit. also the way the two pursuers in DS2 show up in the throne room is reminiscent of the "nine-ball seraph duo" in AC

[@Helskorn]

I sorely wish for a new Armored Core game. Maybe they'll even release one for PC this time... 🤣😂😅🙂🙁☹️😥

[@ksm_ngr]

@@Helskorn ☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️ Same. I am thoroughly disappointed by Daemon x Machina, it makes my AC withdrawal even worse. I actually found a game where the mecha combat feels closer to (my favorite, at least) AC game (AC V): Anthem. I played the demo, and really liked the heft of the javelins. But it doesn't have the schizophrenic customization Armored Core has. And it's, you know, Anthem.

[@luneattic111]

@@Helskorn Someday. With current online, Armored Core would be a hoot. Arena runs ftw.

[@MineSlimeTV]

@@ksm_ngr ANthem was unfortunatetly DIsbanded and cancelled I also tried it, For a few hours but..I think it was pay to win or at least for buying just any other mech you had to do that... It did not worked and..I feel a bit troubled for what happened but they were people who tried to work on a way to bring the game back I did felt bad for what happened But it did looked nice Especially Armored Core which I do not own any console Other than the Wii And It does look interesting to how it is playe

[@SNOWSOS]

Your content has come a long way, I really appreciate all the time and effort that went into making this video.

[@SNOWSOS]

@fucku weebsnfurries you're cringe

[@flawlessgaming3787]

@@SNOWSOS says the weeb

[@Yikeo]

@@flawlessgaming3787 Says the guy named "Flawless gaming" with an anonymous KZbin banner 🤡😂

[@Yikeo]

@@flawlessgaming3787 and don't get me started on your saved playlists lmao

[@notgiorno8832]

@@flawlessgaming3787" says the weeb" 🤓🤓🤓🤡🤡

[@xdude228]

"Dark Souls is a metroidvania" - interconnected world - * looks at Dark Souls 3 * * laughs *

[@PeterParker-yg6fc]

one reason i dont get why its considered so much better than 2

[@loganroberts1582]

@@PeterParker-yg6fc ds2’s “interconnectivity” isn’t exactly something brag about about either…

[@kilik5713]

@@PeterParker-yg6fc 3 is more polished with less bullshit imo

[@evanseifert8858]

Demon's Souls, Dark Souls 2 and Sekiro are all just hubs with spokes that don't connect with each other at all. Dark Souls 3 is just a hallway. I'd say "interconnected" is a strong word for most games in the series.

[@xdude228]

@@evanseifert8858 Then its quite convenient i didn't mention any of those games, isn't it

[@agadoin]

I remember King’s Field so clearly. It was such a strange and new kind of game for me. I remember killing the final boss really easily so not sure if I was overpowered or if it was just an easy boss.

[@lalobenimadho7301]

Idk if you hear this a lot, but holy crap your editing and video quality is amazing. I feel like that goes unnoticed by a lot of people

[@DaveControlLive]

Well, I was about to comment on the lack of buttplay in your initial mention of the combat, but then you mentioned it! Great video! Glad you gave King's Field a chance and overall seemed to enjoy it. Also, if you thought this one was janky, NEVER play the original Japanese one that didn't come to the states. I'm a huge KF fan having grown up with it, but man.... that one did not age well. King's Field: The Ancient City, though, well worth a playthrough!

[@mistersomaru]

Ancient City is a glorious game. It took me a while to get through, and I still love it

[@swosho]

I'm glad I started the series with the OG 1994 King's Field, since it would've been hard to savour it after playing the later games in the series. I mean, the game has a strong charm to it IMO but sheesh, level-design-wise it is the labyrinthiest among all of the FromSoftware's action-RPGs ever.

[@KageMinowara]

Oh hey Dave you're already here! I just finished recommending your channel in the comment section, then I scrolled down and here you are. I wish you would do more Let's Plays. I like your style.

[@Dante3214]

"lack of buttplay" wut

[@KageMinowara]

@@Dante3214 The Way of Buttplay is the name of the most powerful form of martial arts in the world of Soulsborne. DaveControl is a wise and revered sensei of these ancient and mystical techniques. Which is why he mentioned them. An old teacher correcting the form of a new student.

[@TheGrooseIsLoose]

This is the first time I’ve seen what King’s Field looks like at all, but it seemed so familiar watching this video. I realized I had seen a video of someone playing the demo for Fiend’s Isle on the 2021 Haunted PS1 demo disc, and if the title doesn’t make it clear enough, it’s meant to be a twist on King’s Field. Definitely shows that the guy who made that game did a good job of recreating the atmosphere of King’s Field that seeing King’s Field for the first time brought back memories of his indie game.

[@RiverBird003]

Amazing to see how far they have come!

[@kageakiminato8536]

theyve regressed, souls sucks