Recent reviews by ArtiamL

Absolutely incredible! I can't stop playing! Combines all the best parts from the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne and Sekiro. The open world alloys for a change of play unlike the previous FromSoft games. Stuck on a boss? Just go exploring! Find a dungeon, defeat some easier bosses and enemies and head back when you're ready. Most game mechanics are explained in a clear and meaningful manner, and tutorials can be viewed at any point. The new map is great when you get lost, and the fast travel system is vastly improved from the previous games. Multiplayer is slightly different but still fairly simple nonetheless. NPCs can be summoned in certain areas for a little help. Gorgeous vistas are plentiful and still awe inspiring and the new traversal system works surprisingly well.

Combat feels incredible! Amazingly tight controls, accurate hitboxes, slick animations and the visceral heft of backstabs & critical hits are just the tip of the iceberg. Every weapon I've used has a great feel to it and parries are still as challenging and rewarding as ever.


PC specs for context:

• AMD Ryzen 7 5800x
  
• Nvidia Geforce RTX 3080 (10GB vram)
  
• 16GB DDR4 4000mhz RAM
  
• Samsung 860 EVO 2TB
  
• Graphics settings are maxed, with Motion Blur off and grass and shadow details on high, and game is running at 4k60fps

There are definitely some performance issues, frame drops as the world is loading in as well as when weather & particle effects are abundant. Luckily I've not had any noticeable frame drops during boss fights, although this is likely due to most taking place in closed-off areas.


While the open world is incredible, its certainly a change from the well-known inter-connectivity of levels in previous FromSoft games. However, the dungeons have translated extremely well from Bloodborne and there are the Legacy Dungeons which, while relatively large, are tight compact levels bringing the classic feel of FromSoft. Traps, Ladders, elevators, shortcuts and a whole bunch of surprises and hidden areas!

Excellent strategy game and definitely worthy of 'One more Turn'