We at Fantasy-Faction are pretty big fans of Dark Souls, despite having gone through about six controllers playing it (they keep accidentally hitting the wall). So, when we heard that the developers were working on a new game that looked to include more traditional fantasy elements into it (such as a relatively deep story and a quest for redemption) we thought it was well worth a look.
We got in touch with CI Games and here is the extent of what they can tell us about the story line:
In an unforgiving world where no sin is ever forgotten, Harkyn, a convicted criminal, is given a chance for redemption. Just when rulers of the world get close to finding a way to banish all evil from humans, an army of the long-ago defeated god attacks the human realm. Released from prison, Harkyn and his mentor, Kaslo, set out on a mission to stop the war.In his journey, Harkyn will forge strong alliances and face even stronger enemies. He will learn the true power of the Rhogar Lords – commanders of god’s army. He will even bring the battle to the Rhogar, travelling to the heart of the demonic dimension.Will the god manage to enslave humans again? Is mankind really able to banish evil? Will Harkyn’s sins ever be forgiven?
Those lucky enough to have played the game confirm that this is another game that sits nicely in the ‘unforgiving RPG’ genre. Basically, this is a hack and slash style game that requires you to learn from your mistakes by inevitably dying. Over time you learn the enemies attack patterns and come up with a strategy to defeat it. This is different to a hack and slash style game such as Diablo 3, for example, where it is pretty difficult to die so long as you keep your potions well stocked and don’t get backed into a corner.
So, should you buy it? Well, firstly you need a PS4 or XBOX1, so that’ll put a few of us out. Also, how many of you have complete Demon Souls, Dark Souls or Dark Souls 2? If you are anything like me, you loved the game but got stuck at a big that was very, very difficult, promised yourself you would go back to it ‘eventually’ and never did. That could well put you off. Indeed, my biggest complaint about the games in this franchise was that they had no real story. This meant that I had no real need to return to the game… I didn’t care about the character – I just wanted to prove to myself I could kill stuff. The blurb above seems to place a lot of emphasis on a story-line and it actually sounds pretty cool. The graphics have been updated, the combat is apparently much more responsive and the array of weapons impressive too. It remains to be seen whether this latest game’s story is as engrossing as it sounds, but if it is this could well be the best game by the developers yet. Here’s the trailer to make your own mind up:
By the way, does anyone else think the character on the cover below has been taking warding lessons from Peter V. Brett’s Arlen?
Jennie Ivins
Overlord, I am disappointed in you. Dark souls has no story? Perhaps for those who do not care to look. Dig a bit deeper, look at the world around you, the weapons you wield, the beasts you conquer, and perhaps you’ll notice a magnificent tapestry unfold.
Oh, also, the whole Souls series is developed by From Software. There next game is ‘Bloodborne’, which is like it’s predecessors, but in a Victorian era.
Yeah… different distributers, but same development team. I can’t remember the exact stats, but over half the team was the same. The only reason Dark Souls was not Demon Souls 2 was because of Sony messing up and thinking the game wouldn’t appeal to a Western audience. By the time they had released it over here one of the guys they felt they needed to make a straight sequel had moved on so they went with a new title and world (from what I’ve heard), but labelled it as ‘a spiritual successor’.
I don’t think it has a story really, no. They sacrificed the story for game play and pace, which is OK. But I wanted a bit more. The game play you mention about isn’t a story as such – it isn’t a narrative pulling me through the game. I don’t care about the character too much, I care more about getting through the game. Compared this to Fantasy-Faction 9 where I genuinely wanted to find out what happened next 🙂
Except he seems to have left the demonfangs out of his wards, which means he’s going to be in serious trouble when a demon actually attacks him. 😉
Very nice article about this game and awesome trailer:) I hope Lords of the Fallen will be as good as they promises because I have big expectation about it. I’m very interesting how they show Harkyn story in the game. Now I very like it and wait for more information.