After the launch of Dark Souls: Age of First Fire, countless players eagerly stepped in, yearning for the grandeur of the First Fire Era firsthand.
Before entering the game, many players envisioned themselves as valiant warriors. Armed with swords and shields, they were determined to take on the ancient kings—Gwyn the Sun King, Nito the Tomb King, and the Witch of Izalith.
Gods? Merely another obstacle to overcome!
Yet, as soon as they entered the game, harsh reality struck with the thunder which kissed the nameless king halberd.
First, the Demon of the Undead prison greeted them with a humiliating defeat. Next, those who arrived at the Fire link Shrine often wandered into the graveyard or the ruins. Some even ventured too far, lighting a bonfire in the depths of the graveyard, only to discover they couldn't make their way back!
Others who ventured to the Undead Berg fared no better. The Black Knights, Tauron, the Rock, and the infamous Dragon Bridge wasted no time in teaching them the true meaning of being undead.
In no time, forums worldwide—both domestic and international—overflowed with the frustrated complaints of countless players.
Although the languages and phrasing varied, the sentiment was universal:
"This prequel is ridiculously difficult!"
Many had mentally prepared for the challenge, yet upon starting, they realized what it truly meant to face mountains beyond mountains and skies beyond skies.
The difficulty surpassed even the original Dark Souls!
Aspiring heroes who entered Lordran full of ambition quickly came to understand the essence of a sequel. Familiar visuals? Familiar story? Familiar combat system? Yet Also the Familiar words.
[You are dead]
A grave misconception! Only by experiencing it firsthand could players grasp the emotional resonance in their souls. And without a doubt, Dark Souls: Age of First Fire is a worthy successor.
The grueling gameplay stirs up all too familiar feelings of defeat and despair. It revives the pain of being repeatedly bested, a hallmark of the series.
This shared suffering has created the climates of infinite sorrows and despair, Every location is painted with player demise and bloody sweat.
One player who wandered into the Valley of Drakes found himself hopelessly lost. Stumbling upon a massive, decayed dragon, he momentarily felt relief.
Near the dragon's head, two glowing items lay in plain sight. Cautiously, he surveyed the area, ensuring no traps lurked above or around.
The player smiled happily. "I wonder what good things I'll get this time!"
With joy brimming, he ran toward the props. Just as he approached, the corpse of the giant dragon moved. The dragon shook its head, flinging the player away. It opened its decaying mouth and spat a mouthful of foul phlegm, sending the player back to the bonfire.
"What the hell?! The body is already rotten, but this guy's still alive?"
Looking at the familiar words, You are dead, flashing on the screen, the player's mentality crumbled.
Back in the lower level of Undead Town, the player who had previously defeated the gargoyle demon with Sun knight help was full of excitement. Clad in mighty neat knight armor, they pushed through the white fog door.
An intense BOSS battle awaited them.
In the dilapidated ruins, the BOSS appeared—an intimidating goat-headed demon.
"Come on, let's see if your goat head is stronger than the tauren I fought earlier!"
The player's fighting spirit surged as they stared down on the goat-headed BOSS.
Suddenly, a fierce howl echoed.
"Wow wow wow!"
Two scarlet dogs leaped into the fray alongside the goat demon.
"What the hell? You brought backup? Two dogs?"
"Why are these dogs so damn strong?!"
"Sheep's head, selling dog meat!"
The screen flashed You are dead, leaving the player utterly stunned.
"Isn't this BOSS supposed to be a goat monster? Why are the dogs the real threat here? Are the dogs the actual bosses?"
Dark Souls is full of such maddening moments.
Take the infamous Village, for instance, praised by countless players as equally, if not more, brutal than the Dark soul Fortress. The village itself is a nightmare.
Visibility is severely limited. Without the proper props, like sun bugs, progressing is nearly impossible.
Every monster in the area is poisonous, and the mosquitoes are so tiny that they're nearly impossible to hit. Poisoning feels like being stabbed in an artery—the health drains alarmingly fast unless one have a spider-pattern shield or antidote.
Navigating through Sick Village is nothing short of foolish in early stage.
In the lower area, ferocious dogs swarm the player, while needle blowers on the upper floors mercilessly attack from a distance. The experience is unforgiving.
The game features numerous disgusting monsters—creatures that use the dead as weapons, fat maggots, swarms of mosquitoes, and mad dogs. The entire map scene is depressing. Yet, the sick village is just beginning.
Above the beams and pillars of Anor Lundo lies a precarious road, similar to a single-plank bridge. As you navigate this path, two guards armed with bows and arrows take aim from the eaves of distant tall buildings. Though referred to as bows and arrows, what they shoot are
▬▬ι═══════> swords.
The challenge lies not just in evading their attacks, but also in maintaining balance on the high beams of the royal city. A single shot can send you plummeting into the abyss. Even wearing black iron leg armor doesn't guarantee survival, as the attacks are devastatingly powerful.
The ancient city of Saints presents its own set of deadly challenges, such as giant axe pendulums on narrow bridges, a treacherous killing elevator, and the one-punch mushroom men lurking in the big tree hole. Then there's the boss battle in the chaotic hotbed, where the boss sweeps the terrain clean with its massive hands. Yet, the most difficult aspect isn't necessarily the bosses themselves; it's the treacherous terrain that can lead to instant death. Cracks in the ground, slippery ledges, and other hazards mean one misstep can be fatal.
The player's journey begins in Undead Town, where the malice is palpable. A black knight blocks the way, and the infamous Dragon Bridge looms ominously ahead. Reaching the church area introduces even greater challenges. Groups of corpse swordsmen swarm the hall, buffing each other's strength and turning every corner into a nightmare.
The corner of the church stairs becomes a moment of despair for many. Facing countless corpse swordsmen is overwhelming, but the inability to teleport between bonfires until acquiring the king's weapon pushes many players to their breaking point.
Even though the game includes numerous shortcuts, accessing them requires immense skill and perseverance. The short journey from the sick village back to the fire sacrificial ground is as bitter as raw grapes.