Why Is Dark Souls 1 A Masterpiece?!

Dark Souls is a game we've heard no end of from game journalists across the globe. For better or worse, the game has redefined video game difficulty in the mainstream's view. But is there more to Dark Souls than meets the eye? Lets find out...
SUPPORT the Channel ► / theactman
Twitch ➤ / theactingmale
___TIME STAMPS___
Intro - 0:00
A Morbid Curiosity - 2:16
The Depths of Dark Souls - 5:52
Purpose & Theme - 10:11
Jolly Cooperation & Gameplay - 17:08
Boss Battles - 26:24
Level Design - 29:49
Characters & Tone - 38:07
Conclusion - 44:14
___LINKS AND STUFF I USED IN THIS VIDEO___
I used clips from several of Vaati Vidya's videos because they are too good and I don't know how to do those fancy camera angles: / vaatividya
(Shesez) - Dark Souls Boundary Break: • -OLD VERSION- Off Came...
(Inferno Plus) Dark Souls Remastered Is Trash: • Dark Souls Remastered ...
Gwyn Theme Remix: • Video
Firelink Shrine Theme Remix: • Video
✪ CONNECT WITH ME ✪
Subscribe ↪ kzbin.info?s...
Twitter ➤ / theactman_yt
Act Man TV ➤ bit.ly/2kPXk7f
Discord ➤ / discord
Instagram ➤ / theactman_yt
Xbox Live Gamertag ➤ The Act Man
Special Thanks to these Patreon Supporters: Matthew Nugent, ATR-42, Chance Towery, ONI, John, Commander Cartman, Maurizio12, Cameron Kinsella, Warren Deyl, Alex Moretti, Corey Nurse, Grizzly Gamer, Nupkid, Plebbu, ak47yourface, KMille, Epsilon (Spenny), Last man standing 1234, Paulo, Addison Gillespie, TGRadioman, LUKAS, Christian Stanley, Zachary Gavito, Ryan J. Reader, Brayden (Gravemind)
NuckinFutz197, Sean Lim, Christopher Commins, OverThrower1399, Coconut, Zai, Tanner Holmes, Toni Inumuta, Christopher Gorsky, Dominic Scotch, Daniel Nardone, Dylan Crone,
ImperialLegion0, Kenezevic, Ryder, ULTRAMANZX, Thibault, Jeffrey Strickland, Enthios, Lucas Haynes, AeldariLamborghini, Per Andersson, Mark Spille, OUCHIE, Kevin Murphy, Peter Gundelach, Chris, ARCDisrupter, Seathe Linden, Hugh Jasshol, UaN, Victor Viveros, Counterscore, Sam Weingart, KarmaKat, VmAnTV, Daniel Halnan, James Smith, RyanSeee, AdrianDaKilla, Edward DeYoung, Javier, Josh Goodes, Chase, Kathryn Donegan, Austin Reusser, Ethan Pitts, PlaidMoose, Alex Mendoza,
Isaac, Phoenix Garcia, MarbleTler117, Scion of the Emperor, Jaime Naperi, Government Fish, MishiganerE, Jacob Lowe, Christian Caballero, Omar Hindi, C.Funk99, Karl William von Pless, Javier Rangel, SPD Cadet, Scott Nystrom, Narvin Chee-Wood, Don Johnson, Julian Powers, Steven Cates, Tristan Delaney, Thaddeus Hamlet

[@TheActMan]

In my family there is an ancient saying: "Thou who Act art Chosen. In thine editing, maketh video of the game of Ancient Lords. When thou posteth the video of Dark Souls, the fate of the channel thou shalt know." Also, TIME STAMPS! Intro - 0:00 A Morbid Curiosity - 2:16 The Depths of Dark Souls - 5:52 Purpose & Theme - 10:11 Jolly Cooperation & Gameplay - 17:08 Boss Battles - 26:24 Level Design - 29:49 Characters & Tone - 38:07 Conclusion - 44:14

[@parzival7204]

ACTMAN 👌

[@ayylmaotv]

The Act Man lol

[@BrokenorderGames]

Demon's souls was just as much a masterpiece. And *ahem* it's now able to be emulated.

[@oranneeson2577]

The Act Man please do a Star Wars Jedi academy video since you talked about it in a few videos like your video on why halo 3 is so awesome and why EA battlefront 2 is so bad so please consider making a video on Jedi academy or at least Halo wars 1 since it’s the only proper halo game apart from spartan assault and strike you haven’t reviewed

[@whybecause.5723]

The Act Man you can't properly understand Dark Souls with understanding one of its biggest influences, Berserk.

[@lockjaw563]

"What about the people who didn't beat the game? They are the ones that became hollow..." Dude.

[@zyvan3179]

Ive always thought that in my headcanon as all the other players are canon all at the same time. so if one gives up then they just go hollow

[@bigbay1159]

@@zyvan3179 It fits into the games lore considering other player characters are referenced and we know time and worlds are wonky for this to work. I find that concept fucking cool, the best example is the people who become cursed and they become stone creatures you can see in your world. I always loved knowing it was some person who got caught in the curse mist

[@zyvan3179]

@@bigbay1159 it is just another reason this game is so fucking awesome and honestly anyone that thinks otherwise has shit taste.

[@Frostyman452]

Forgive me my friends, for I have gone hollow.

[@zyvan3179]

@@Frostyman452 honestly I dont understand why people dont finish it. its not that hard. unless life gets in the way. but if people quit because its too hard I dont understand cause its not really hard at all

[@jordanneal576]

Dark Souls: kill a bunch of gods, then listen to VaatiVidya to find out why you did it.

[@vicentediez452]

Pretty much 🤣🤣🤣

[@sirwaylonthe1st239]

I accidentally did it the other way around, and that is how I got the game

[@jordanneal576]

@@sirwaylonthe1st239 no wrong way, if the end product is a love of Dark Souls.

[@sirwaylonthe1st239]

@@jordanneal576 yeah

[@js100serch]

Stop treating VaatiVidya like a fucking preacher. What Vaati says on his videos is "HIS" interpretation of the fragments of story Fromsoft put on the game. You can come up with your own conclusions, Vaati didn't discover the hidden story of dark souls, there's no story to discover, there's nothing there, is what you want it to be.

[@joshclark9774]

"Sif wants to protect you from the abyss and you killed him for it". I was already sad about this fight but the way you worded it makes it way more sad 😔

[@John_Notmylastname]

Same goes for German and our character in Bloodborne. He’s fighting to save us from the nightmare except when we defeat him he is released from his nightmare.

[@draaavennoxus668]

For real? Why didnt he tell me then and instead starter cutting me with a big sword. This game makes no sense

[@draaavennoxus668]

@@darkstar3116 how about telling me that somehow so at least i know why i am killing him. Or how about moving to the side so i can take that ring. Or how aboout taking the ring and running away with it. And yeah the problem is unsolveable if it dosnt make sense. Also how do you figure out that you need to give 30 humanity to the spider thing to be able to kill that bug to save Solair. Also why do the flying demons which serve Gwyn carry me from Sens fortress to Anor londo then attack me when i see them if Gwyn wants to continue the age of fire. And i have a ton more questions and the more i think about it the less it makes sense. Also why are the developer so obsessed with tails that every boss has one i can get a weapon out of it?

[@botmushin8878]

@@draaavennoxus668 .. the cat warns you about it. A daughter of chaos would have a "hidden" way in and out for her followers would she not? You are also hinted at this within her chambers as there is a sealed door there. Don't be racist, just because certain gargoyles are tasked with bringing the chosen one back and forth doesn't mean they're all similar.

[@death2boredom338]

​@@draaavennoxus668 I mean, everyone is losing their minds in that world including you. Fact is, unless you install a mod to skip it all you're going to do what it takes to see the end of the game. As a player you want to get to the end of the storyline of the "Chosen Undead" everyone is telling you about because it's just sounds like a main character thing to be, "Chosen". So regardless of what anyone else in the game says or does, you're going to go through what you need to in order to get the ending you seek. We always have the option to just play around simply using the co-play options and there's the option to be that person that tries to stop anyone from continuing on the path of the "chosen" both by joining certain Covenants and simply just of your own volition for the fun of challenging yourself against something beyond an NPC. Of course, even the people that mainly want to co-op of pk will need to progress through the game in order to complete the builds they prefer. Playing a video game is just an inherently selfish action and the npc's suffer lol

[@TheNickofTime]

I knew about Dark Souls for a few years before getting around to playing, but if I had to credit one thing for sparking my decision to finally buy the game, it would be this video.

[@cult_of_odin]

Ive played FromSoft games since Kings Field. Even imported the Shadow Tower that wasnt released in the US. Demon Souls was the most amazing game id ever played until Dark Souls.

[@noandno1568]

yo mamma

[@kuryy4391]

Same

[@slavplaysgames]

loser

[@JoeyBK_86]

Mine would be Elden ring which got me to try blood borne which made me wanna try the other FromSoftware games. Elden ring is one of my fav games ever which is weird because I wasn’t into the DS games whatsoever so when I purchased it and started I was like agh man wtf why did I buy this game…as I gave it a go and continued…8hrs later I was like damn this game is f***in amazing. 😁

[@mildlyangryguy6292]

Dark Souls is one of those games you wish you could forget everything about so you could re-live it again

[@m0zzar353]

This^

[@RezaTorabian92]

Well said!

[@lidge1994]

Completely agree, and I haven't even killed the stray demon yet! Or the prowling demon, or the hellkite!

[@rougedragonwhiteflame3990]

@@SCHIERKE481 i tired playing it on my cousin console, I could not get past the second skeleton. but when I played dark soul 3 I felt such satisfaction when I beat that first boss

[@originlights3050]

If we could we would...sadly...our puny human race can not do that

[@Nightweaver1]

Still one of the coolest meta concepts in all of gaming is the idea that those who quit playing because it was too hard are those who became the hollows in the world.

[@salt5537]

Hi

[@user-it6qf1uy4t]

Mightweaver20xx or that your charcter truly dies (becomes true mindless hollow) when you decide to stop play this game

[@tyfhd480]

Τόλις Γραμματόπουλος You become hollow at some point of your deaths. I feel like once you’ve accepted your death is that when it happens so this theory wouldn’t be so bad either.

[@Buddhamama-on_tour_2022]

If you didn’t get the lord vessel, because you couldn’t be beat the boss. You were never the chosen undead. Just a random lucky undead.

[@ardantop132na6]

Hollowing is the best meta concepts (for me personally) as it given the meaning of giving up. And it's make me easy to differentiate passions among people. *stare disappointly at "passionate" game urnalists and feminazis*

[@TransgenderMess]

16:20, this part hits hard, had a friend who clinically died due to a suicide attempt but was resuscitated, she later played bloodborne and claimed it saved her live because taking on a horrible challenge head on and beating it made her feel amazing, shes doing better now.

[@Xander_P.G.K]

That's good to hear! Neat to see something least expected- like a Souls game- help someone. I wish you two the best. Don't you dare go hollow.

[@sithspitdanikan4725]

I know exactly what she means. Tell her, Dan says "hello, there". Haha, And i really very much hope she stays amazing. Bloodborne is my favorite game of all time

[@Viroh]

@@Xander_P.G.K Dark Souls helped me through hard depression

[@Xander_P.G.K]

@@Viroh That's good to hear! I also hope you don't go hollow. Stay strong 💪

[@Viroh]

@@Xander_P.G.K Thank you and same to you, friend.

[@theharbringer3900]

I just started this game. I figured I should in prep for elden ring. I have been gaming for a long time and I have not this feeling about a game in YEARS. You explained precisely what I have not been able to put my finger on with games over the years. When I play this I get the same feeling I used to get when I Played something like Alice or Link to the past. It has all the markers of classic games along with mentaly satisfying challenges. It is not like skyrim where you can run through easily then mess about. You have to fight for every amount of ground gained. It is incredibly frustraiting and satisfying all at the same time.

[@christopherregan1654]

Dark Souls has completely changed the way that I thought about and approached video games. This game is intentionally designed to psychologically mess with you in every possible way, and make you question everything you thought you knew before. When the official tagline says "Prepare To Die," it's being completely serious.

[@bassblowbackrecords8932]

I tryed Dark souls remastered and got stuck at the Taurus demon quit for a couple weeks picked it back up got to the moonlight butterfly Elden ring came out put DS down and beat Elden ring then started DS3 O am about to beat and then will pick up DS again

[@TheRodriguezFilms]

What is "Alice"? Have played ALttP but am unaware of Alice.

[@HaohmaruHL]

It's been 3 months. Did you finish it?

[@theharbringer3900]

@@HaohmaruHL No I had to quit for the spring summer time too much work to be done. I am going to revisit in the fall/winter.

[@TheNopyu]

A 47 minute video validating my opinion? sign me up

[@haffahorse1538]

Why do so many weebs like looking at traps with big dicks just go play dark souls.

[@saintpoli6800]

haffa horse Self projecting I see

[@TylerMcVeigh1]

No no no. You mean the right opinion!

[@Faggydoo]

yesssss

[@SaintVakos]

@@haffahorse1538 Why not?

[@kylestewart4444]

“Is your game difficult?” Yeah, it’s pretty hard. “Oh, I see. So it’s like Dark Souls.. got it.” Not really.. it’s a racing ga.. “DARK SOULS.”

[@dramalexi]

After playing Ninja Gaiden I must say. Dark Souls is a piece of cake in comparison. Only Kalameet was able to mascre me.

[@goggins1275]

AraragiTheXIV try 2

[@dramalexi]

@@goggins1275 if Ninja Gaiden 2 would be a good game I surely would have played it longer. Unfortunately it is one of the hugest disappointments I have ever had as a gamer.

[@goggins1275]

AraragiTheXIV dark souls 2?

[@dramalexi]

@@goggins1275 You mean Dark Souls 2 is harder than 1? I remember most of the bosses were pretty easy but there were also really hard bosses especially if you don't make use of a shield. Although I didn't play the DLC yet which I really should do.

[@vide0gameCaster]

Just finished Elden Ring! Went back to Dark Souls 1 and yeah... it's just not nostalgia! The game is truly a masterpiece!

[@kagemara277]

Did you like DS1 more than Elden ring? How about Bloodborne?

[@lewanbroski504]

@Kage Mara I know your question is for OP but I prefer ds1 and bloodborne over elden ring

[@firetitan1978]

@@lewanbroski504 yeah same

[@VEwRaAve]

@@lewanbroski504 Agreed, DS1 and Bloodborne are truly pinnacle From games. That's not to say I didn't enjoy Elden Ring because I definitely did (I mean I have close to 400 hours played hah). But the world of DS1 and the atmosphere of Bloodborne are unmatched by any other game I have ever played, and believe me that is a lot of games across many consoles.

[@lewanbroski504]

@Suncrusher01 I wish ds1 continued its awesomeness after Ornstein and Smough, the games not bad after but its not as great as it was before, if it continued that caliber of gaming it would've easily been my favourite game ever not just my favourite souls game. Because it doesn't bloodbornes my favourite souls games, if I was any good at Sekiro that would also be close to the top of my list of souls games, I am getting better but not by much.

[@PurpleSun8933]

I remember first time beating the game and after the fight with Gwyn I realised that this bonfire is the end. I thought maybe I can fire it up later and I walked outside the arena (which starts the dark ending) without knowing what would happen. I think it was brilliant idea - if player hesitates to link the last fire then the dark ending is his path. Hesitating to sacrifice your soul leads to desire to usurp the power - everything makes sense.

[@nathanielthompson3339]

thats a cool thought

[@foolishstrudel2689]

For me, I lit the flame (I was expecting an end cutscene when I killed Gwyn) and thought there was more. To be fair, I had little to no idea what was going on story wise in the game.

[@adamszkudlarek3557]

Bro i did the exact same thing and was like “wtf?” Great interpretation btw

[@DManDuck007]

It says something about me that when I read the "40+ hours later" I was like "Ah, he made it past the undead burg"

[@juggerswood]

You need jesus

[@koinzellascheriit4282]

@Glorious Antichrist okay Elitesoldier, but definitely not on your FIRST Playthrough.

[@johnmcswag5980]

Unironically my first week playing dark souls was exploring the marvels of such an intricately crafted first level. It then took me about 3 morw months to get the lordsouls because it was just too filled with content to wonder and explore

[@iHaveTheDocuments]

@Glorious Antichrist And then everyone stands up and claps when you do?

[@journeyman1218]

I've just finished my first day playing. Died like 100 times. Only got as far as beating the gargoyles.

[@brandona9326]

False. 40+ hours, still customizing character.

[@telponox1174]

B C only to be hollow for 90% of the game

[@brandona9326]

@@telponox1174 😂

[@MertOguz]

and used knight set without any space of skin in whole gameplay, right?

[@OhSoTiredMan]

Making the perfect Waifu

[@OhSoTiredMan]

@@telponox1174 Why do you think the darkwraith covenant is a thing?

[@b3rz3rk3r9]

FUN FACT: Hidetaka Miyazaki-san was actually a huge fan of Gothic architecture, Fantasy, and especially Berserk. which definitely explains why Frampt looks like a Hagfish with a human face and skin mustache. And why a lot of the monsters are something of a nightmare in of themselves. Miyazaki apparently has great taste in Manga, since Sekiro was based off of Lone Wolf and Cub. Dude's got good taste. I do recommend checking out both Berserk and LW&C; they are Masterpieces.

[@El-Gato69]

WOW, YOU MEANN DARK SOULS WAS INSPIRED BY BERSERK? You mean the obvious fun fact that every dark souls fan knows? You really know something no one else does.

[@JTJ-wm4cm]

Yes. Berserk is great. Just got book 41. Sad that we will never know the end. 41 was the last. It was short. And ended on a cliff hanger. Very depressing. But hey. Glad to see another fan

[@b3rz3rk3r9]

@@JTJ-wm4cm Dude, Berserk's still going. Koji Mouri, Miura's best friend and very close colleague, is pretty much just writing down what Miura told him before his untimely passing.

[@Nshield0]

Sekiro is more based on blade of the immortal

[@b3rz3rk3r9]

@@Nshield0 OH, I didn't think of BOTM at the time.

[@my_dogsname_isgunnerfftst4474]

Act man I am sad because my parents don’t allow darks souls anymore, they think it’s demonic, and they got rid of all my discs for it. But I bought dark souls two online and I secretly play it at night when my parents go to bed. That’s how much I love these games because I am willing to get in trouble just to play it. My parents are like certain npc”s who try to tell you that your journey is pointless and that you’ll never make it, but I will not go hollow I will keep playing it rather what anyone thinks about it. I love your videos act man and recently I have been a little uninterested about gaming but you inspire me to play again and again. I hope by some way that you are immortal and that you will never leave us this world needs you. Your smart, funny af, and you dissect games from the core to help us all understand the concept of gaming and maybe what we missed in the game. Love u so much merry Christmas.

[@danktoast8004]

Parents are temporary, Dark souls is forever

[@DrNateSIMP]

@@danktoast8004 spittin facts

[@johnnysaurus04]

Don't you go hollow, my friend.

[@rpgcinema7916]

pretty funny

[@SawedOffLad]

your parents are just filthy casuls

[@BooBerry938]

"The difficulty is not bullshit"... "for the most part" *shows Capra* Actually spat out my drink laughing

[@oformakelvin3568]

Like why exactly is it like that

[@oformakelvin3568]

I eventually went to youtube and found out the magic shield trick

[@Divinemakyr]

I smacked Capra Demon on first try, but I was overlevelled with a Black Knight glaive.

[@yukimabi5225]

@@oformakelvin3568 Boss is actually pretty damn easy if you use the arches and the stairs to your advantage. It can also be killed by toxin or firebombs without actually fighting it. Made a system to kill him very efficiently by throwing dung pies till he gets toxin and start blasting him with firebombs till he dies for every character i run for pvp builds.

[@christopherregan1654]

The Capra Demon was actually really easy once I killed the stupid rabid dogs. All you have to do is lure it to the archway, then drop down on it from the ledge and do a two-handed aerial stab. Repeat a few times and it's dead.

[@samisuhonen9815]

The fact that almost anywhere on the map, you have vague idea of where you are. Without there being a map. It's not just "levels" with a start and finish. It's one massive world that feels natural and immersive.

[@zZapStrapZz]

Yeah that’s the one thing Jedi fallen order failed at. Great game but they should have made the maps naturally lead back to the mantis rather than constantly back tracking. I mean a lot of the time there shortcuts so you don’t have to do quite as much journeying but you still have to back track whereas with dark souls eventually you’ll always just end up back at Firelink somehow

[@MeTaLISaWeSoMe95]

@@zZapStrapZz not always. The bottom of The Tomb of Giants doesn't lead back out, nor does Seathes realm.

[@Gurrla]

And seamless... if it didn’t tell you where you were, you might not feel like you’re moving through different levels

[@lightinstinct707]

@@Gurrla the inter connectivity of dark souls 1 was amazing, I’ll never forget going from the undead parish to firelink through the elevator for the first time, discovering ash lake below the world and through the tomb of the giants and my favorite distant view: The Demon Ruins from the Tomb of the Giant

[@huskytzu7709]

@Ludimeel Sorbo’s backup it is open tho? Each individual worlds are open. They just don’t loop back.

[@restinginn9906]

Playing Elden Ring made me want to try out other souls games. I had to go where it all began and I'm so glad I did. The level design in Dark Souls 1 is out of this world. So many areas are connected to each other, and only through exploration provide shortcuts. Then they also throw in one of the coolest moments I've seen in a videogame - they let you return to the starting area after you might have assumed there is no way back there. I thought that area was just a tutorial (it was, but it's so much more!). To explain, you have to climb up the firelink shrine and literally sit in the crow's nest for 15 seconds and this will trigger a cut scene where the crow picks your character up and flies you back to the beginning of the game except now there are harder enemies and an extra boss. NOT only that but there is an item you can pick up (the peculiar doll) that will allow you to enter an ENTIRE new zone (Painted World of Ariamis) via Anor Londo. All of this is optional, but SO cool and rewarding to do. I can only imagine how exciting it must have been to be the first person to discover this. I'm sad and happy at the same time now because for so long I put off playing souls like games for whatever reason. But now that I finally caved when Elden Ring came out, an entire new world of games are open to me - Dark Souls 1-3, Bloodborne, Sekiro, and more.

[@t29hotrod75]

I did the same thing

[@zattiyaa]

get ready for bloodborne cause that shit is fire 🙌

[@scottybuenites]

Lots of people don't like Sekiro friend. It's a great game but approach it with an open mind, the combat is alot different to darksouls and if you try to play it the same way you'll have an awful time. I don't have many friends who have stuck with it because they've gotten frustrated trying to play it like ds1

[@rugie6247]

Why everyone always leave out demon souls 🤣 I love that game! They are all great!

[@hspd8607]

@@scottybuenites Luckily I started with Sekiro, I really liked it (after 200 deaths 😋).

[@mzdrhffgh]

Nah because I was ready to quit this game half way through, then I watched this video. Hearing that people who quit become hollow and aren't the chosen undead, made me go back and beat the game. I've now beaten the game multiple times, one of the best games ever.

[@RAIN_2001]

chad

[@mopheaded728]

Jokes on you, people that have enough time to complete it are hollows

[@danielchen1047]

Me too!

[@Kostadin_Arolski]

"use you surroundings" *hides behind pillar *get slapped trough it

[@lemon___1344]

"for 7 yrs i got education and wife."

[@maierd6080]

Smoughs Hammer in a nutshell

[@OXY187]

Black knight sword +5 with 20STR 20DEX makes them a joke. I punked them both out.

[@Descro382]

*edit* flawed masterpiece lol

[@wefhenx6732]

@Joshua Canaday What kinds of games do you play then?

[@lazerpickle]

"Sorry Demon Souls" at least he paid his respects

[@captianstego6435]

F

[@sylvadob1229]

F

[@insertedgynamehere___969]

*F*

[@nikallport6609]

The FATTEST F

[@Thepenarmy01]

That's an F right there homie.

[@MobiusRosa]

I think the best thing about the “dark lord” trope here is that it’s kinda reversed in a way. While the dark lord ending still is the “self serving” ending, it’s not just serving yourself, you’re serving your species. Humanity is essentially trapped as slaves to gods with the age of fire, so in a way the “dark lord” ending is actually the good ending.

[@AsiwaritXR]

but then they go back to nothing. They were only really thriving during the age of fire. But at some level, it is akin to ripping off a bandaid. The age of fire would come to an end no matter what, and prolonging it could do more harm then good. But on the other hand, perseverance is what gives life meaning. The need to continue and fight onto another day is displayed throughout the game, and if you choose the lord of darkness ending, then you have gone back on everything so far.

[@MobiusRosa]

@@AsiwaritXR big chungus pfp, opinion invalidated

[@AsiwaritXR]

@@MobiusRosa 💀 he got the mario hat too, for one thing. And at least mine isnt a 20p androgynous cartoon character

[@MobiusRosa]

@@AsiwaritXR my friend drew it for me so I use it as my pfp Salty much?

[@bubonicrat2375]

@@AsiwaritXR hear me out you both got horrible pfp's ez win for me L bozos.

[@Future_Doggo]

Still my favorite Act Man video after all these years. #Justiceforactman

[@AsiwaritXR]

#Justiceforactman

[@slider903]

What happened to him.

[@burntpato9760]

One thing in Dark Souls that I don't think people talk about enough is the Firelink Shrine music. At first, It feels homely and comforting. But near the end of the game, when almost all of the characters are dead, the music is depressing, and makes you feel lonely.

[@youthemasterofunlocking2156]

I think that's the point

[@100kambing5]

I felt that

[@Synthetic-Rabbit]

@@youthemasterofunlocking2156 Obviously lol

[@andreaslion5877]

honestly to me the music never felt comforting, it always sounded super depressing and lonely imo

[@reckermatouvc]

on the beginning, it felt extremely lonely but kinda warm, the fact that you're safe and this is probably the last safe place on a destroyed world. kinda like The Nexus from Demon's Souls. But the warmth gets colder and colder, after Anastacia dies and even the "dangerous places" are now only a minor trouble to your now overpowered character. So it's not the only safe haven and at the same time, the comfort disappears after everyone kinda dies.

[@Cronando]

Take in mind this: "Dark Souls was a rushed game"

[@dylangillespie6793]

What do you mean? Like the development of dark souls was rushed? I didn't follow the development of this game so I wouldn't know.

[@Cronando]

@@dylangillespie6793 If I'm correct, they had a deadline until releasing the game, they managed to finish on time, but with slight bug supervision. On release day there quite some bugs and some game breaking ones, but patched afterwards, and to actually finish the game, they added the last update/dlc the AOTA, fixing and doing some polishing. But there's so much cut content, and maybe some thing we're still left to be added.

[@user-it6qf1uy4t]

@@Cronando I have also heard aout the deleted content, for example oscar of astora would not die in the asylum but instead he would play the role of your rival where in the end you would face him after the gwyn boss fight and he wold actually serve the opposite primordial serpent of your choosing so if you were with Kaathe he would serve Fraampt!

[@Cronando]

@@user-it6qf1uy4t I would've loved that, too bad it didn't made it. Plus, I think Shiva had a Chaos Blade sub quest, where you have to get the Chaos blade and give it to him.

[@user-it6qf1uy4t]

@RayneMoonfire well luis reza is right and he has also no intense of attacking the game he just mentioned a fun fact and also i don't think i have ever heard that ds2 was rushed before despite the fact that the huge fans of the first one did not like it

[@zlr9022]

definitely have to credit this video for making me play dark souls. Almost a year since beating ds1 and now Ive beat ds3, sekiro, elden ring, and bloodborne now starting ds2. This video does so much justice for this game, it really shows how amazing the game really is and im glad its putting people on to this masterpiece like it did for me. If I ever want to convince a friend to play dark souls, I will send them this video

[@themightymcb7310]

Near the end of my first playthrough of Dark Souls right now. I've just got three bosses left-Black Dragon Kalameet, Manus, Father of the Abyss, and Gwyn, Lord of Cinder. They're going down.

[@themightymcb7310]

@@ianlopez2058 It took me hours to learn the fight. Finally beat him with my STR character and then when I got to him on my DEX character, only took me a couple tries to do it again. So far, Manus is my favorite bossfight in the series. I'm halfway through Dark Souls 2 now.

[@apophisstr6719]

I'll never get tired of listening to people talking about Souls, just so good

[@depresseddude12]

Same here. I can't stop reading and listening critiques, analysis, reviews... There's something cool about people experiencing and describing their Souls experience...

[@apophisstr6719]

The most memorable moments I had in Dark Souls 1 was the Undead Parish to Firelink Shrine elevator, and the first time stepping off the stairs and reached the Kiln. oh dear...it was so long ago already

[@muss2055]

i will never forget how i finished this game. it is such a beatiful game and i would give really much to forget the game, so i could play it again as a first experience.

[@lablunt6190]

Ikr

[@zerochaotics1135]

Well it also isn't often a game is awarded as the best of the generation twice. Seriously the souls series is amazing with the first dark souls my favorite. It's a loveable game and it taught me more about persistance and overcoming obsticals more then anything else. I rewatch this video often, sometimes while I play dark souls 1 or 2

[@ShadeFighter741]

"Estus is Bottled Fire" Me, a Dark Souls vet doing a research thesis on the story who just learned about this: "Oh yea, its all coming together."

[@jordanscott4543]

Glorious Antichrist I imagine like a honey lemon flavored tea

[@ultinakeley1420]

Can we read it?

[@solidarity9371]

I always thought they're juice.

[@unironicdoomer614]

Estus is a soup ain’t it?

[@djrocksgaming6255]

ShadowFighter741 Are you making an actual academic thesis on Dark Souls? That's fucking awesome.

[@sweatysam6264]

I watched this review over 10 times now and I still get the feels every time.

[@pigsterplays4721]

When he started Capra demon I just got happy because I beat him first try first playthrough literally the day that I'm watching this video

[@holysparkbatman]

No you fuckin didn’t you don’t have to lie we all know this isn’t the first time you played dark souls and you didn’t beat Capra first try god dammit I want to fucking kiss you right now.

[@nadnel2740]

Same, i did beat him my first try without getting hit, and on top of that probably the same day as you, because i just finished the game

[@SaltedPlacenta]

The Capra Demon was my play through killer my first couple of tries. To this day, time I play through the game I feel dread when I have to fight him 😂

[@AcademyCambridge]

@@nadnel2740 … 5 hours of trying by katana. Trying killing him by rotten pie via non coming into boss room with pixel hunting. Finally I killed him fair. My first souls game and I happy that I started from truly first ds game , with base story line. Like are 3-5 years ago.

[@Kenos347]

To this day i feel shivers when i need to fight him

[@riso-1919]

Im rewatching this video for like the 10th time lol

[@adammasterx5854]

Me too

[@marcelo71235]

Same

[@commenter8121]

Yup😂

[@Ibrahim-wr5fs]

I always rewatch this video

[@kalfu5194]

F#king same, this video is gold

[@NeverduskX]

"Estus is bottled fire people!" *MY HEAD IS EXPLODING*

[@ANIKyeet]

After a thousand hours in the saga I realized that... Gwyn, I am slow.

[@grapeboi9256]

I've played all 3 games and I never new that

[@RoyBelmont]

Raven Smalls then what the hell is estus soup?

[@RoyBelmont]

Is it just lava?

[@goodorasberry4827]

@@RoyBelmont liquid fire?

[@maximus7474]

seeing as the act mans channel might be terminated i will be downloading this vid i truly loved it and got me into one of the greatest video game franchises of all time. thank you @the act man

[@metheuscane719]

Termination ? Why ?... Sorry im new to this channel

[@GreatRaijin]

@@metheuscane719 its not going to be terminated, it was some youtube drama, then youtube fucking actman over at the end, his channel is momentarily demonitized, but he's not going to get terminated, the drama for the most part has blown over

[@maximus7474]

@@metheuscane719 yeah it’s all good now. But for a hot sec things could of gone very bad. And it still did for the act man and his channel but at least most of the videos are still here

[@yoriyuky7017]

Literally shed tears watching this, because DS made me feel emotions no other game out there will ever deliver. The soulsborne games truly have to be felt and not just played. Thank you for describing this experience so well. Definitly gained a sub

[@xlixer7641]

I already knew Dark Souls is a masterpiece, but I still watched

[@iraqifoodcart8447]

I was going to correct your grammar from *is* to *was,* but then I realized something. *Dark Souls will ALWAYS be a masterpiece*

[@Soldrick]

It's my favorite game series of all time. I love it

[@snubabubba2745]

Same. But i watched because i love hearing other people that love it for the reasons i do and i love to hear what other people love about it that i haven't realized. Makes me go back and look at the game again in a new light. This game doesn't stop giving, ever.

[@zeromailss]

"Don't give up skeleton!" ah, Dark Souls in a nutshell

[@masterpip8840]

Lol

[@Dante-zc6sc]

@@supergamer88188 same lmao

[@namelessking8914]

Skellie and he's wheelie.XD

[@1893Mauser]

In dark souls 3 I was the first person to put that message there and I still can't pvp with that character because the message gets rated so often I get healed every ten seconds

[@kylersmashnbash]

@greenismycolor yeah you do get healed when someone likes your message.

[@weedywehden9780]

This is the best game review ever made. I’ve watched it 5 or so times over the years. The opening is so nostalgic because when I finished dark souls for the first time I was 13 and I felt the exact same. The immense feeling of accomplishment followed by the confusion of what I’d just done. Amazing through and through just like your review 👍

[@quipsilvervr]

This was an amazing video. I learned a lot of things I didn't realise during my time in Dark Souls. Thanks for making this! I remember how much fear I had dealing with the 4 Kings, they slaughtered me countless times.

[@eddiehackim6534]

"Resistance is the best skill to level, I max it first." You said it so sincerely you're gonna fool a lot of people with that :)

[@BongSwansong]

It fooled me. I actually started dumping my first few levels into resist and hp. Feels bad man. 😰

[@dalgusmaximus4557]

What's the best?

[@wesleyscott1633]

Dalgus Maximus as someone who powered through with brute strength and Smough armor, vitality and endurance are the best and nothing else

[@stompingpeak2043]

@@dalgusmaximus4557 health, stamina, and strength or dex (strength for big slow weapon dex for fast medium weapon). Or health, attunement, int, and faith for magic builds.

[@CallanElliott]

It's something I'd recommend putting several points into, even if it just to deal with Blighttown.

[@Sphm-sl6wx]

I've played all the soulsborne games, watched hours of Vaatividya and Ashen hollow, read pages of lore.and I'm just finding out estus is bottled fire. I love this game

[@lupin2589]

Yup, that's why it looks all weird and swirly in the base dark souls 1. It's not just a flame, it's THE flame, the first flame specifically. Also why you get more flasks when you "kindle" because it makes more flame lol

[@user-of8hb2uz7i]

a bottle of lit git gud juice

[@wesleyscott1633]

Lone Wolf how do you know it’s the first flame? Isn’t the chosen one just harnessing it from the fjre

[@lupin2589]

@@wesleyscott1633 I can't remember which item description it is but one of them talks about how the bonfires are "direct links to the first flame". Also the actual fire coming off the bonfire in ds1 (not the remaster) is all weird and swirly, theoretically because it's not just a flame but the first flame specifically. Bonfires are also created by making piles of human bones (see the homeward bone description) and the Humanity within humans longs for the fire of the first flame so it's implied that the desire of the residual Humanity is what creates the bonfire/link to the first flame. It's also worth noting that in the description of the homeward miracle it says that the miracle is supposed to bring you to your Homeland, but when used by an undead brings you to the bonfire. This seems to imply that the bonfire is their home and it makes much more sense that it's their home because it's the closest connection to the First Flame that their Humanity longs for rather than just a random fire. It's not an explicit lore fact, but I'd argue it's implied pretty heavily

[@joshuakim5240]

Fun fact: Estus is based off of the ancient greek mythos of the 5 River Styxes, one of which was the Phlegethon which was a river of literal fire that could be drunk by gods and demigods to heal themselves.

[@stitchedbyiron]

16:30 remember this quote

[@Ras_al_Gore]

I just finished a full playthrough after not touching it for years. I think the biggest thing was the sense of wonder from entering a new area, all of which managed to be distinct from one another. Of course, I knew the progression, but tried to go in with fresh eyes and think about what the area was showing me. Sen’s Fortress, Izalith, Anor Londo, the progression down from the Burg into the Depths and Blighttown, all of these areas are incredibly memorable. The challenges are all unique, like the traps in Sen’s or the light mechanics in Tomb of the Giants. Certain areas were still terrifying (Tomb of the Giants), and I found myself dreading having to go to them. Being forced to face those challenges is such an integral part of the experience, that the other two titles never really replicated for me. 2 and 3 never made me *think* like 1 did, planning out my progression and build to face different challenges, they were pretty much just straight-through affairs with a defined linear progression. DkS1 allowed that freedom of choice, while reminding you that, eventually, you would have to face that area or boss that you were dreading having to do.

[@austinwood2470]

“You didn’t learn from your first mistake and did it again” not exactly the best time to show bed of chaos footage

[@maxburrill6192]

BoC is the most bullshit thing in an otherwise great game.

[@Cosmic_Draugr]

@@maxburrill6192 I beat it third try on my first playthrough and I didn’t understand the whole freak out over the boc until I watched KZbin videos and found that I was just lucky

[@sakutaazusagawa9406]

i dont understand. I beat it on my first try. what happens to the rest of yall

[@maxburrill6192]

@@sakutaazusagawa9406 uh huh, I'm sure you did.

[@sakutaazusagawa9406]

@@maxburrill6192 everything before it was horrible. i died so many times getting to BoC. but when i got to it i was so disappointed. luckily i got vaatividya to explain why BoC was important.

[@Legoman775]

when i first walked into the Capra demons room i was like "wait this is a boss?" then i died lol

[@philhillier7496]

Legoman775 🤘😂✌️

[@theBROWNbanditP]

I could be remembering wrong, but I'm pretty sure I beat Capra Demon first try because I started with a key that got me into Blightown and I didn't discover his boss room until I was way leveled up and I had the Black Knight Greataxe. Just what I seem to remember, not for sure though, it's been many moons since my first run-through of DS1. I just know that I was super confused when people said he was a hard boss. I was like, "But I beat him first try." Had no idea how "out of order" I went through the game.

[@ernestochang1744]

@@theBROWNbanditP The zweihander is pretty handy cuz if you 2 hand the weapon it will be able to stun all enemies in the game it doesnt care if its a boss or a normal fat guy it will stun any enemy with 2 handed heavy attacks if you have a armor set that has high ammount of poise and a shield with good stability you can hit effectively with this ultimate greatsword that only weights 10 pounds and knock back you renemies so you can get a bit of a headstart

[@rey_azteca_009]

🤣🤣

[@mauldin128]

Am i the only person ever to cheese this fight by running up the steps walking onto the ledge and dive attacking a few times?

[@CarolinaViceVideo]

I know this is one of your older videos but I'm a huge fan of your deep dives into video game master pieces. Solid content Act Man!

[@WOLigma]

This is my favorite game of all time, I’ve beaten every souls game 2-3 times but this one I have beaten 12 times, which is pretty low compared to a lot of people lmao but regardless. I have successfully convinced 5 of my friends to start a huge co-op playthrough starting next week, I’m am beyond excited, will be playing a mage for the first time main goal being brandishing my guiding moonlight :)

[@Pebbeyt]

Ah… you were by my side all along… 🐎🐎🐎🐎

[@BoundaryBreak]

Thanks for the shout out and link good sir!

[@dbkwk9]

Shesez! Hello there!

[@TheActMan]

Mighty boundary breaker, you deserveth it

[@kk.3850]

helloo

[@lunarreality5839]

Tell act man to do why is undertale a masterpiece

[@Nightbanekaizer]

He might make a video stating why Undertale is Trash.

[@nexilitas7030]

My favourite Dark Souls 1 character arc has to be Big Hat Logan's. After having no more knowledge to spread and learn he goes out to Anor Londo and the Duke's Archives, where he starts looking for forbidden and forgotten sorceries. He never goes hollow. He went insane. An undead goes hollow if they lose their drive and purpose to move on, but Logan never lost his, he had so much choice in literature he tried to possess the knowledge of Seath the Scaleless, which drove him mad.

[@asneakylawngnome5792]

I want to agree with this, but if you look at there before and after models they're different. He's normal at Firelink but when you're in the Duke's Archives his skin is blue and hollowed. His face is hard to see but if I remember right I'm pretty sure his face is hollowed too

[@nexilitas7030]

@@asneakylawngnome5792 The wiki claims that he didn't go hollow and in-game he just looks blue due to the lighting of the room. His skin is also the same as a non-hollowed undead's, like when the player reverses their hollowing

[@halogeorge1]

@@asneakylawngnome5792 In game he still very clearly has a Human Model It seems like the same knowledge that drove seath batshit insane, Also drove Logan to batshit insamity

[@ryanp6049]

still tryna find out why he's called big hat logan...

[@halogeorge1]

@@ryanp6049 im not sure either, Mystery we will take to the grave

[@landsbetweendiary1476]

This video got me into Fromsoftware games and it has helped me trough some tough times. Sometimes you beat games so many times you need a game to beat you and I want to thank you Act Man for this video.

[@Dokodot]

I just finished this game last week and holy crap, it’s one of the best games I’ve played

[@MatthewNope]

"Sif was trying to save you from the Abyss... and you killed him for it" - Ouch, man. Why would you do that?

[@spliff0289]

Fact, that shit felt like a personal attack

[@broly7784]

Cause unlike that weak Artorias you can do something about it

[@Brian2k2]

@@broly7784 never disrespect artorias again, he gave his life to save his pup ;_;

[@broly7784]

@@Brian2k2 The simple fact that he considered that the life of sif was more important than stopping the Abyss makes him the most useless Knight of Gwyn. I bet even Smough could have done better.

[@deadlyframe7794]

@@broly7784 Don't even think Artorias is weak, have you fought him the game? That's while he's crazy and using his off hand with his other arm broken. If he was using his main arm and his shield, we wouldn't have won(lore wise). I personally believe Artorias is the best fighter out of all of them, but was more distant from Gwen and his goals, which is why he wasn't the captain. Manus is a enemy we can only beat through being undead and able to revive. Artorias wasn't undead and thus, fell to the abyss. Of course Sif would want to stop us from not only defiling her masters grave but also to stop us from engaging the abyss. Artoias is like the 3rd best character in the game.

[@kelikl]

there is an easy mode, it's called Black Knight Halberd.

[@jesufrito9617]

Pretty much any Black Knight weapon and the Zwheïhander

[@arrax8241]

Nah, It's called summoning phantoms first

[@lezanji1884]

Yay what about dark bead hehe op

[@lachlanh7911]

@@lezanji1884 Dark bead is broken but you get it so late in the game. Saying that mage is a pretty easy playthrough.

[@trivit9558]

goin straight for gravelord greatsword is anotha one.

[@urdaughtersbf]

I can still feel the goosebumps I got entering the final boss room and hearing the plin plon start…

[@fentontuck9998]

This video got me to play Dark Souls. Still haven't beat it, but it really makes me wish i would have played it years ago

[@saintcd775]

I accidentally killed Oscar after thinking "The game won't let me kill a friendly, let's get a little practice for the controls." And now I have to carry that burden throughout my whole playthrough.

[@cryofreezie3943]

I killed Solaire... I accidentally hit him and he chased me onto the dragon bridge. He got toasted

[@Garoukls]

@@cryofreezie3943 that so sad

[@spardasquadspqr3535]

Good luck with ornstein and smaug then. Not many summon there lately....

[@YT_theterriblegaming]

@Raffaele Tammaro wait wait wait...Solaire goes hollow? :’(

[@YT_theterriblegaming]

@Raffaele Tammaro I think I did hear about that

[@isaac2990]

"Luck favors the prepared" is probably one of my favorite quotes now

[@Mashukoria]

Lmao right? "lucky I changed my oil and brought a spare tire for my roadtrip"

[@droptozro]

It's been said before by many as "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" - Seneca

[@waterdoggo4998]

*starts creating a luck build*

[@Uviryth]

That quote makes zero sense. When you're prepared it's not luck anymore

[@1eyeddevil929]

@@Uvirythit makes sense. When you have fucked your wife, yes you are prepared for a baby but will that baby suffer from a birth defect, a medical condition or die? What of your wife? She could die from child birth. Okay something less tragic, you studied for a examination. You are prepared but there's a possibility that you may fail

[@BHM_Productions]

Wow. There is just something about this game. It was my first souls game, I got it for the ps3 back in 2016 I think. It was the hardest game I had ever played at the time. The Asylum Demon just blew me away! Hell, I even remember being on vacation and talking to my friend about how I just wanted to play more Dark Souls because I was having a great time stuck in Undead Burg, trying to level up enough to beat the Taurus Demon. So. Many. Amazing souls learning moments in that first playthrough. I've played every souls game since, including 4 playthroughs of Elden Ring, and I think this is still my favorite. Starting this video up flooded me with wildly good nostalgia. I need to replay Dark Souls again very soon (even though I just replayed it twice in 2021). Thanks for this great video, lots of entertainment to be had!

[@videopostrrr]

love that you went through all the faff to save solaire to use him as your punching bag

[@tomiteus]

Just wanted to say that this video made me try dark souls. Yesterday after month and a half later i finished the trilogy plus dlc's. What an epic journey, thank you.

[@shadowofthehitokiri5787]

Glad you enjoyed​ it!

[@RecklessRusty]

I'm about to embark

[@philhillier7496]

Welcome too our gloriously deadly but beautiful world 💀😄

[@Letzas]

Now its vatti vidya time....

[@utisti4976]

On to Bloodborne and Sekiro then? :D

[@abnerdourado4524]

First time a played Dark Souls, when i found the entrance to the abyss, I was like WTF, why there is this sort of Well that the only purpose is to kill my self? Then a few hours later i encounter The Good Boy Sif and it droped the Ring, i read its discription and though to my self "WAIT A MINUTE, that hole of blackness that I fell in a few hours ago, could this be some kind of item that I need to dont die?" and them I plunge to certain Dead and fucking survive, that was the moment I knew this game was a Masterpiece.

[@thesnatcher3616]

Then you got jumped by the four kings.

[@sircumference9691]

@@thesnatcher3616 Facts😂😂😂

[@qbbas22]

Dude I tought you were going to say "that was the moment I knew this game is bullshit" after everything that you said about "dying in abbys multiple times because of a ring". Anyway I think Dark Souls 1 was the most bullshit, brilliant and epic game at the same time. It's a masterpiece.

[@Gurrla]

Lol I actually jumped the first time and died. Then I went to other places eventually getting the ring and upon reading, it says it helps with walking on the abyss... so I figured I had died in the abyss. But I was still afraid to jump again 😂

[@programed8962]

Wait you guys didn’t kill Sif before getting to the well area?

[@joelociraptorgaming80]

Coming back to this video in 2022 while playing Elden Ring, always enjoy listening to your take on this game Act Man. Never go hollow!

[@randychristensen1028]

The one thing about Dark Souls 1 that kept me wanting to play more and more was the world design. I love how all of the different areas loop around and interconnect with each other in a way I haven’t seen any game do before besides metroidvania’s

[@zachattackl1769]

God I love this video. My best friend passed away recently and me and him have played threw the entire game countless times. Its something ill hold with me for the rest of my life. Playing it iant just a game to me now. Its a way to feel close to him.

[@micahfoley9572]

It's a testament to both your homie and dark souls that such a cruel thing did not take the game away from you. In the way a bad break up can steal your favorite song. You should write the devs a letter. Seriously. I bet they'd really like to hear your story. I'm just a musician, which a different type of creation, but I love hearing how something I made helped someone though something hard. Artistic success can feel trivial on a bad day in a dark world, but hearing people's stories really helps me see the earth under my feet. I'm sure they'd feel the same way.

[@HighFunctioningMedium]

More power. May your friend rest in peace

[@randyrichmondiii3415]

👊

[@msdn_1315]

May he rest in peace

[@LuisZap16]

Wait a minute Zach do you play brawl stars

[@WolfHreda]

"Literally Zeus but cooler" is still one of my favorite descriptors of anything ever.

[@menorahmajora]

Right? Zeus is pretty fucking cool, so

[@maierd6080]

Gwyn vs Zeus from GoW

[@mosesrodriguez3966]

Gwyn basically is zeus but on fire

[@princessc.j.6192]

Love ur content , i always come back to my fave vid which is this one, love dark souls love wht u do, keep at it even if youtube is being unfair about how ur monetized considering the views on ur vids r so high

[@illyay1337]

After many many years of failing at this game I finally beat it, and I can finally watch this video without worrying about spoilers. People talking about how awesome Elden Ring is made me want to finally try to beat this game again. It definitely helped to watch some 40 minute explanation videos to clear up a lot of the confusing game mechanics. Not something you should have to do but I still think it was worth it so I could actually enjoy the game properly. This is one of the craziest and most brutal metroidvania games I've played. I love metroidvanias and this definitely had that same mechanic of exploring and being blocked off from certain areas initially. Getting the lava protection ring is kindof like getting the varia suit in metroid and being able to explore Brinstar. The crazy thing is, as I watch this video I keep seeing cutscenes and characters I didn't see. My mind is blown by all the things I somehow missed. Oh and I realize I messed up and forgot to go to the DLC place right before beating the game. I knew I forgot something...

[@yankeedoodle1194]

2:39 no shit I actually made a fiction essay in English class once that was almost word for word Dark Souls. got a 93 on it too

[@grypharmy7256]

Yankee doodle I actually did too I had to write a story so I basically took it from dark souls and people thought it was really good

[@300kyuubi]

I actually would like to read that essay

[@noslensolrem1039]

Can I have a copy???

[@bigbear5767]

HOLY SHIT WHAT A FUCKING COINCIDENCE I just finished writing a story for a test where I used gwynn as the main character and rip off ds.

[@Cund]

Shit, about to take a screenshot of this and take it with me to high school and college.

[@dragonwings206]

"a duel for the ages" a duel summons solaire

[@vutalol]

I feel like the more more-significant fights feel much better solo. Feels like your tuning into the spirit of the monster and really duking it out

[@gorkemaykut5230]

@Joseph Waters when i was playing ds1 i was trying to save humanity for later all game (you know the gamer psychology "keeping items for dire situations") therefor i didnt know i can summon solaire for the smough and ornstein boss battle it took me 5-6 try to kill them both with my crosbow that i didnt upgrade i just fired couple hundred arrows to them while dodging it was a very long battle

[@anthonyboelk5302]

I think I’ve seen this video at least five time. Every time I watch it makes me want to experience the vast world of dark souls one more time truly a masterpiece. Thank you act man this amazing video is what inspired me to give this game a chance an it’s changed my life.

[@sirTANKhunter]

Damn, this was a insanely well put together video!! Great work man

[@Felix-mk6wu]

The worst feelings in the game -Protecting Onion bro, only to make him go hollow as a result -Sif, limping. -Not saving Solaire -Realizing Anor Londo is a masquerade, is actually in darkness -Realizing the queen was trying to save her sister Best bittersweet feelings in the game -Seeing how Artorias protected Sif -Hearing Onion Bros last charge, ultimately killing him, but sparing him going hollow/his daughter not having to kill him -Seeing solaire become the sun The whole game is a "Biggest top 10 anime feels" I swear to God.

[@KenoxProductions]

My personal favorite is the Sif cutscene that plays if you rescue him in the DLC before the boss fight.

[@poopikins]

What's the Queen saving her sister story?

[@KenoxProductions]

@@poopikins I believe Izalith story. Quelaag protecting her sister.

[@tsaescieokralho9841]

"Realizing the queen was trying to save her sister"atleast you still can give Humanity to the Fair Lady =)

[@stompingpeak2043]

Spoiler alert.

[@shawn.f96]

Damn an almost hour long Act Man video? Christmas came early this year.

[@RockBottom7626]

Shawn Farrington And every subcribers birthday.

[@rh8306]

Shawn Farrington Oh damn, hey Shawn! Can’t believe you’re here. Keep up the good work, dude.

[@KarlRock]

I’m trying to get into this game currently. It sure does not hold your hand like all other games 😅

[@Jeebus-un6zz]

DS1 is basically the second coming of Ocarina of Time. The one thing that sucks is that you don't get to play Dark Souls the way it was in the 2010s, because a part of the game's design included the cultural environment is was released into. You just can't simulate watching VaatiVidya's earliest Prepare to Cry videos as it was in the 2010s when the community was still trying to piece together the lore without any of the context of Dark Souls 3. And the game was so unique back then too, because most RPGs were still using Assassins Creed and Diablo as their main reference point at that time. It's still a good game, but I regret that getting into it now you're kinda missing some of the best things about being a fan during that period.

[@jirden]

This is such a good video. You found a lot of meaning that I never even considered. Very good job.

[@Nhirvash]

I lost it when he says "theres no gear that can counter that frame rate" LMAO

[@Mashukoria]

The only counter is to play on PC or the remaster now

[@rezhanugraha5549]

22:27

[@somerandomguy___]

Cynn Valentine well I mean, he’s right

[@jthymesthree602]

“Gravity has killed me more times than any boss in this game” Oh, how true this is.

[@juantsu2000]

And the camera...

[@user-lx9nk7vf8c]

When you feel yourself the most powerful creature in the game, this reminds you that you are not. Ruined a lot of no death run attempts. When I was 80 lvl and 2 bosses left, taurus demon threw me off a cliff at demon ruins.

[@jthymesthree602]

Лёха Бодунов Damn man. That’s rough

[@zerochaotics1135]

Gravity is the one true boss of the souls serious You can't kill it, but it can kill you. There is no where safe from gravity either. That an elevators.

[@Hopeful_Husker]

My very first time fighting the Gaping Dragon in the Depths, I came within a couple of hits of beating him. Then the acid vomit forced me off the edge, and I fell to my death 🤦🏻‍♂️😂

[@itatreeneetee]

Nice commentary bro. And to think I have had this in my recommendation for years and just got to watching it.

[@vigirousgrub420]

i can trace my addiction to soulsbourn games all the way back to this video. im so glad i watched it. this series has really changed my way of learning and thinking

[@shiftshaper1]

What I liked about the Dark Ending is that it's not apathy. It's about breaking the vicious never-ending cycle of nothingness.

[@vicentediez452]

Except you don't break the cycle... You are simply letting it flow... Light, dark, light, dark.... The dark ending is following the cycle, not breaking it

[@briancooley8777]

I actually pretty sure that the dark ending IS the never-ending nothingness. Basically the fire brought disparity and with it LIFE. Whereas before there was only death and boringness. The cycle isn’t to be honored. I don’t like in ds3 that they basically retconned the power of the first flame. Before I could see the continual relinking in dark souls as a quasi- eternal life administering process. Maybe not the way it’s supposed to be but the way it CAN be and SHOULD be. It’s true that the natural state of matter is dead. Life is an anomaly. It’s precious and rare. Now that we have it we shouldn’t want to let it go. There is much to be enjoyed still!

[@briancooley8777]

Basically the cycle is not progress. Going back to the natural state is exactly that. Going backwards. Life and Order must keep moving forward. Afterall it’s breaking the cycle that leads to Nirvana right? Heaven is when the perpetual trap of life and death, good and evil, the ouroboros, is killed and all beings are allowed to have JUST life. JUST good. No more death. No more tears. Achieve completion. Peace 😌

[@mrtyphoon8923]

@@briancooley8777 But it can be interpreted . The Age of Ancients "before the Flame" wasn't dark, precisely because there was no Flame to create disparity between light and dark. There was no death, because archdragons and archtrees were immortal, but at the same time not exactly alive. Also, we don't exactly know what Age of Dark would look like -- Untended Graves in DS3 is hypothesized to be a vision (?) of a world without Flame, but there is not enough information to be sure. There is a hypothesis, if you believe Kaathe, that tha Darksign and the Curse of the Undeath is not a sign of the Flame fading, but a curse bestowed by the Gods, maybe accidentally when Gwyn linked the Flame, or by design. Basically, in this interpretation the Prophecy, actions of Frampt and Gwyndolin, the illusion of Gwynevere etc. are a ruse intended to manipulate humans into linking the Flame, prolonging the Age of Fire and allowing Gods to keep the little power they still had. In the end, it's the question whether you believe that linking the Flame would save humans from going hollow, or is it just being a God's loyal dog.

[@jooot_6850]

@@briancooley8777 I think Ds3-- more specifically, the Ringed City-- did it well. The doesn't just fade, the world passes away into nothing. Which is, probably, what's going to happen to all of us. The Earth will be consumed by the Sun, the Sun will die out, and after billions, or even trillions of years, the universe will reach a total state of order and sameness. The new painted world gave an out to this inevitability, creating something entirely new instead of remaking the old. Dark Souls is over and done with. Now we wait for the next in line

[@adamcomerford8502]

"Can we just take a moment to appreciate the coolest area in all of video games? Ash Lake." I can't tell you how happy hearing that sentiment made me.

[@christopherregan1654]

The Dragon Greatsword can be acquired there by cutting the tail off the Dragon.

[@maximwannabepro3021]

Sliding down that stupid cliff (yall know the one) sure was fun

[@Wyllowisp]

Yes you can.

[@PetterNe]

Same here! I haven’t reached that part in the video yet, so your comment is what makes me happy!

[@Machu_Platu]

kzbin.info/door/ScVx33NEL55Vczx71Uw3AA

[@xafundifornio3055]

I can't thank you enough for posting this video, thanks to you i discovered my favorite game series of all time

[@brutalblam3909]

got this game a few days ago and I love every second of it

[@j-sun19]

Dark souls got me through my depression and it’s honestly made me a better person and taught me valuable lessons. Greatest game I ever will play.

[@Gurrla]

Interestingly, I was also going through a rough time. Video games help a lot to distract you from shitty realities :)

[@j-sun19]

gurrl you’ve said it all my friend

[@judeleese7783]

hmm...perhaps I need this game 😐

[@j-sun19]

@@judeleese7783 yes you do my friend. I highly recommend it to EVERYONE

[@TheDark12944]

Good to hear, always remember, don't you dare go hollow

[@irvinp688]

If only in real life you can restart from beginning with all the knowledge you acquire from endless mistake living as a dumbass before.

[@hoonter3293]

I wish that were the case lol 😂

[@nomattr]

It is called cycles and you experience as day and night, years and so on.

[@drivernephi7494]

That would be aweosme if you could relive the same life with all you're knowledge from you're past life but life don't work like that sadly😭

[@megapet777]

@@drivernephi7494 haha right we need NG+

[@cynicalgold9992]

Life really needs an easy mode

[@zadamany9255]

I’ll be honest, I blasted through the game without taking enough time in all the sections. I almost got to the end of Logan’s quest, Seigmeyer ran into the squids, I never met Solaire, didn’t know patches went to the bonfire, etc. I now know I need to play through this masterpiece again, and I’m more than happy to do so.

[@scottybuenites]

To be fair to you, without a guide the quests are extremely difficult to follow and if you fail to keep on track with them before killing certain bosses then they're fucked basically. I always need a guide 😆

[@Maxwell-237]

Act man I LOVE that you use references that I actually know! When was the last time someone mentioned Dodgeball? That film was hilarious

[@hericbss]

Do you know what a Masterpiece is? This video. This 40 minute long video was such a joy to see and feel. Few games can express and resonate so many thoughts to their players. Games like Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Shadow of the Colossus are few examples that make me forget what I've played, just to experience it again. And you, my Jolly friend, have the skills to make fellow undeads like me, don't want to go hollow. May you find your own sun. And thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. "Drops VERY GOOD carving"

[@enternamehere142]

Well said brother

[@somanyweirdos2949]

Lmao at drops very good carving

[@WSADKO]

how to i unhear that HELLO

[@jeremythompson6895]

Well said...

[@pexo553]

Lol I think that Shadow of the Colossus is boring af.

[@Favourites669]

Dark Souls and Bloodborne ruined all other games for me, the bar is waaaaayyy too high now, unreachable even.

[@pranaviyer8178]

Try hollow knight, it'll meet/surpass your expectations.

[@pranaviyer8178]

I've played through Ds1, Ds3 and sekiro, and although they all have their moments of shining, I have yet to see a game as consistent as hollow knight in terms of level design, music, and sound design. Fromsoftware's games have some killer OSTs like Gwyn, Artorias, OnS, Soul of Cinder and Divine Dragon, but every single soundtrack in hollow knight is masterfully made and leaves an impact on the player. Also asides from DS1 none of fromsoftware's games have interconnected world design, and even in DS1 it was only for the first half of the game. The point im trying to make is that Hollow knight is probably the only game in the market, alongside Hades and Nioh that can fill the crater that's left after playing souls games.

[@Karlach_]

Try Ratchet and Clank. Those games are superior to Dark Souls in every way possible.

[@pranaviyer8178]

@@Karlach_ didn't expect to see trolls on this channel..

[@Karlach_]

@@pranaviyer8178 I'm only half trolling. While Dark Souls is a good game, I will always choose to play a good Ratchet and Clank game instead. It's just a lot more arcadey bright and fast paced fun, unlike Dark Souls.

[@margitthefellomen172]

This is one of those videos where I will always return after some time to watch again and again. It’s such a great video

[@megapeebs2631]

can confirm for my first playthrough I had no idea that valley of drake's existed and I was hard stuck In depths only after I beat blighttown I found it out and I was so mad

[@65kid54]

I’m on my first play through of Dark Souls Remastered and I’m just realizing that I will never know the true pain of Blighttown because I have no FPS drops

[@jesufrito9617]

God damn blighttown was fucking cancer in the vanilla version

[@chironthecuddley6144]

I loved the PS3 version, but the Switch version is my go to now because of the tolerable framerate in Blight Town and being able to play it anywhere. One day I want to just go camping just to play Dark Souls next to a bonfire.

[@yrgmustard3635]

U dont want to know the true terror i cried for a week and have ptsd

[@gunnarhassing5875]

Enjoy it. You’ll have a better experience than I first did

[@fiercephiltv5314]

I stopped playing in 15 (at best) FPS town and didn't touch it again until couple of weeks ago. I first stopped playing it in 2013...

[@vigil2150]

Dark Souls truly is a masterpiece. But if you ask me Act Man.. this video is YOUR masterpiece.

[@iceerush1549]

@@zesterzap3831 yes

[@NoahDaArk]

Is Dark Souls 1 a better place to start instead of Dark Souls 3?

[@its420everydayhere]

@@NoahDaArk It depends entirely on you. DS3 has superior combat, but DS1 has a more complete world in every sense. It really is lightning in a bottle. Play both, don't worry about which one you start on.

[@ASmartNameForMe]

@@NoahDaArk well I personally would play DS1 first because it'll explain a lot of things for DS3 and also have you appreciate the deeper moments of DS3

[@wesleyscott1633]

Noah Da. Ark Dark Souls 3 has so much fan service to 1 it’d be ridiculous to play it first

[@romantrb]

This is one of the best videos on KZbin, and I keep coming back to it. Thanks Act Man for giving me the motivation to dive for the first time into this masterpiece and the work of FromSoft. Two years later and (almost) all FromSoft games played and I still get goosebumps watching this :)

[@ironic4910]

i come back to watch this video once every few months its just soo well made

[@Heavyraindrake]

No more “Sorry Demons Souls” it’s back baby!

[@HartlyLion]

Lol when he said that I laughed in Soul Form.

[@DEEKPro]

@@HartlyLion Soul form*

[@HartlyLion]

@@DEEKPro Thanks

[@custodianvrael6471]

269th like

[@PraisedLink]

Back for real this time🤘🤘

[@magnusdarkslayer3012]

"Literally Zeus but cooler." I love that.

[@downsjmmyjones101]

*Zeus did not like that*

[@xdvoltic3075]

Ive come back to this video too many times to remember. This is a favorite. I watched it when it came out and im still watching it. Even 5 years ago he knew what he was doing.