Recent reviews by oro

Since many have already spoken about what this game is and does.. I'd just like to briefly mention why I love it so much and would wholeheartedly recommend it to any fan of deep RPGs:

-Obsidian have really set out to create not only a single terrific game.. but in a bigger sense a new world/IP that they can continue to build on with subsequent games. The lore, from the quests down to the lengthy and whimsical item descriptions, all give you a sense that the world of Eora is a real place full of many mysteries to be uncovered. I was so enthralled with this aspect that I even purchased the Pillars of Eternity Guidebook Volume One (a hardcover lore book that goes into further detail about the world and its inhabitants) to immerse myself even further into the game.

The high quality of writing and voice acting are the cherry on top in terms of delivering this well thought out content to you. I loved the various companion characters that can tag along with you and how they interact with you and each other to make you feel like you are really on a grand adventure with trusted companions. Additionally I was very much pleasantly surprised at how while some aspects of the story may be conventional fantasy fair, conversely there are elements to the story that are unconventional and break with the norm seen in so many games before it. The intrigue of the story and world's lore kept me wholly invested until the very end.

-The artwork and music is magnificent. The environmental art comes to life with a painterly asthetic that made me feel like I was ordering my characters around a series of beautiful paintings.. a really unique experience as someone who had not played a CRPG before. Additionally the hand-drawn art used during certain dialogue and encounter scenes, and for soulbound weapons, adds a terrific visual representation of the scenes/items to get your imagination firing on all cylinders while you read the lore that accompanies it. On top of all of that the soundtrack by Justin Bell sets all of the right moods, providing ambiance and energy in a way akin to Jeremy Soule of Elder Scrolls fame.

-The RPG and combat systems are extremely rewarding. For those of you that love complex RPG characters full of skills and stats, you might just find yourself in roleplaying heaven as I found myself. I loved the tactical challenge that each battle presented to me, and that the game required me to use my whits and do my proper research before adventuring forth. It was a true joy to look over all of my character's strengths and weaknesses, experiment with different gear and buffs, and attempt new approaches when I was getting schooled by the latest army of badass minions.

-Lastly there is a ton of content available to you for your money. If you include the terrific DLCs, there is well over 200hrs of stellar awesomeness to experience if you like to explore thoroughly and take in all of what is offered. There is also enough depth in the character creation and the many moments where the story can be altered by your decisions for you to easily replay the game a number of times. Of particular note is the fantastic way Obsidian presents the player with choices, and rewards and recognizes those decisions made at various points in the game. There are a number of moments that I can still vividly remember succeeding or failing at that really stuck with me, and I'd love to see if I could forge a different path in a subsequent playthrough.

In closing.. if you've read this far you can surely tell that I adored this game for myriad reasons, and can confidently recommend it to anyone who finds that my aforementioned praise resonates with their ideal of a great RPG. This game is a modern masterpiece, and my hat is off to the team at Obsidian for what they've accomplished.

This is one of the best games I've ever played.. and I've played a @%^& load of games in my life haha. Below are the standout aspects of Dark Souls, and my summary of the experience:

-Gameplay is very challenging, but the combat, character progression, and balance of enemies makes every challenge an extremely rewarding obstacle to overcome. The difficulty to balance ratio is absolutely masterful. You'll get annihilated time and time again but will learn from each (or at least almost each ;) death and will experience a certain elation through progression that is unparalleled in modern gaming.

-The level design and art direction is some of the best I've ever seen. The entire game is a very thoroughly thought out, interconnected world, with shortcuts and paths opening up to you as you progress. NPCs come and go, showing up at the least expected places or times. The world is full of interesting and varied locals that all feel time-worn and alive (or dead). This makes you feel part of a huge living world that is always a thrill to explore.

-The game is extremely deep, allowing for many many hours of fun (and or hellish torment :P). My first run was about 100 hours, and there are many different ways to build your character, many mysteries that I didn't even get around to solving, and even alternate story paths if you decide to play through it again.

In summary: If you're looking for a deep, challenging RPG experience, Dark Souls is a masterpiece that should not be overlooked. It'll murder you, it'll confound you, but if you have the patience to see it through it'll be a rare gaming experience that you'll surely never forget.

A quote from PC Gamer UK pretty much sums it up: "While everyone else is faffing around with how to control and restrict the player, Bethesda just put a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ country in a box. It's the best open world game I've ever played, the most liberating RPG I've ever played, and one of my favourite places in this or any other world."

2016 The “Just 5 More Minutes” Steam Awards Update: Where am I? Whiterun of course! 2016? But it's the Fourth Era.. the end of the Septim Dynasty.. no.. get away from me! I'LL SHOW YOU WHO NEEDS SOME HELP