FromSoftware was founded in 1986 in Japan and started out as a developer of productivity software before moving into the video game industry. 1)
The first Dark Souls game was released in 2011 as a spiritual successor to the 2009 game Demon's Souls. 2)
The series is known for its challenging difficulty, intricate world-building, and dark fantasy atmosphere. 3)
The game's creator, Hidetaka Miyazaki, was inspired by Western fantasy novels and mythology, as well as the works of H.P. Lovecraft. 4)
Miyazaki has cited the 1997 game King's Field, which was also developed by FromSoftware, as a major influence on the design of Dark Souls. 5)
The game's central mechanic, the bonfire, serves as both a checkpoint and a way to respawn enemies and is meant to symbolize the player character's struggle against the inevitability of death. 6)
The game's world is connected through a complex web of interlocking areas and shortcuts, which encourages exploration and rewards players who are able to navigate its labyrinthine paths. 7)
The game's online multiplayer system allows players to leave messages for each other, summon allies to help with difficult bosses, or invade other players' worlds and engage in PvP combat. 8)
The game's lore is conveyed primarily through item descriptions and environmental details, encouraging players to piece together the story themselves. 9)
The game's “Prepare to Die” edition, which was released for PC in 2012, was criticized for its poor port quality but has since been patched and improved by the community. 10)
The series has inspired a dedicated fanbase who create lore theories, cosplay, and even musical covers of the game's iconic boss themes. 11)
The game's difficulty has been both praised for its challenge and criticized for its potential to alienate players who are not prepared for it. 12)
The series has since spawned two direct sequels, Dark Souls II and III, as well as numerous spiritual successors and spin-offs such as Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. 13)
The game's iconic “Praise the Sun” gesture was popularized by the character Solaire of Astora, who became a fan favorite due to his cheerful demeanor and helpful role in the game. 14)
The game's success has cemented FromSoftware's reputation as a developer of challenging and atmospheric games that prioritize player agency and exploration. 15)