Game designers across the online gaming industry noticed a strange phenomenon.
Dark Souls was becoming more and more popular.
Player forum discussions, videos on video platforms, and more and more livestream thumbnails were now just the three words "You Died."
Countless new players entering the world of Dark Souls were going through the same emotions as the veterans.
Even players who had watched Lucas's guide videos still got their fair share of punishment.
At first, they went into the game with a half-skeptical attitude after watching Lucas's videos.
But once they tried it out, they thought, "Wow!"
This shield-focused style might look a bit cowardly, but it's actually really useful!
However, after they cleared the Cemetery of Ash, Firelink Shrine, and Lothric High Wall shown in the video, and stepped into the unfamiliar Undead Settlement and Road of the Sacrifices, they quickly realized… this was a whole different experience.
In Lothric, the only really crowded monster spot was that section under the bridge with the fire-breathing dragon.
But if you lured the monsters up onto the bridge, the ancient dragon would happily roast everything in sight, friend or foe.
The Lothric Knights before the ice dog's room could also be pulled one by one and taken out.
Most of the rest were just ordinary undead.
But things were completely different in the Undead Settlement.
New kinds of monsters appeared. While you usually only had to fight one or two at a time, they were packed so closely together that if you ran around recklessly, you'd quickly find out just how "warm" the villagers' welcome could be.
On top of that, the Settlement was full of hair-raising traps.
When players spotted a white-glowing collectible item ahead…
They happily rushed over, ready to pick it up.
But little did they know, a monster holding a huge jar had been lying in wait on a nearby ledge for a long time.
Just as the player reached the item, the monster dropped the jar straight down, blacking out the entire screen.
And as a bonus, it gave them a nice refresher on how to read those three words: "You Died."
A dagger-wielding ambusher could be hiding up on the rafters, while in dark corners, enemies with throwing knives would attack from range.
Even iron cages that looked like they were just holding corpses could turn out to be living monsters.
And of course, there was the overly friendly fat auntie, ready to leave a lasting impression on any player who didn't feel like fighting.
All of this left players—who barely suffered in Lothric High Wall—crying out in frustration.
This was a totally different kind of treatment!
"Damn, this map design is so evil—just like those mimic chests, but now there's someone ambushing you too!"
"What the hell is this? Fat auntie, get out of the way! I'm still young, I need to keep fighting!"
"Jar guy, let's talk this out, put the jar down—okay, okay… Wait, where the hell did you pull that giant saw from?!"
"What's with the rats in this sewer? Am I playing Outlast or Dark Souls? And where are all these skeletons coming from?!"
"Dodge, roll, little bro! I'm not panicking at all—wait, what the hell? Where did that spear come from? It's like a damn missile!"
Countless players who relied on their trusty shield to clear the Lothric High Wall entered the Undead Settlement… only to feel like a whole new world had just opened up.
Not knowing the monsters' attack patterns in the Settlement, and not knowing where the traps were, they quickly got a fresh taste of cruel death.
Countless players had beaten Iudex Gundyr and taken down the ice dog with their two ultimate skills: shielding and staying under the boss's legs.
But after they took the keepsake from the old lady and were led to the Undead Settlement, cold, hard reality smacked them in the face—
With a huge hammer made of metal, covered in spikes, and scorched by fire.
The only thing that gave them some comfort was that in the Settlement, they were finally not alone.
Here, for the first time, they got to enjoy the fun of fighting side by side.
A knight in a round, bulky suit of armor, looking just like an onion.
After solving the elevator puzzle, you can meet this cute Onion Knight halfway up the lift. With his help, you defeat a scary-looking fire demon.
With the Onion Knight drawing the enemy's attention, many players find this fight to be one of the easiest in the whole game.
The only shame is that, judging from its health bar, it's just an elite enemy, not a boss.
After the victory, you learn the Onion Knight's name and receive a drink from him. Together, you share a toast with the shout, "Praise the Sun," and unlock a new gesture.
But that's as far as it goes.
The Onion Knight stays behind to nap, while the player continues forward into more suffering.
As players explore further, they realize the map gets more and more vicious.
There are giant crabs in the swamp of the Road of Sacrifices, and a Black Knight lurking under the ruined temple.
Many players end up with headaches from all this.
Just when you think things can't get worse, passing through the Road of Sacrifices brings you to the deepest pit of malice.
That's the infamous Farron Keep, and it completely breaks countless players.
How can you even describe it?
Let's just say it's one of the most unforgettable maps for any player.
A poison swamp as disgusting as a sewer, slowing your movement so much you're forced to roll just to move faster.
All kinds of creepy monsters roam here: giant club-wielding brutes, "Shampoo Brothers" who jump on your head like they're washing your hair, and curse frogs whose bulging eyes make your sanity drop fast. It's like the game tried to make this place as nasty as possible.
Worst of all, you have to extinguish fires here to progress to the fight with the Lords of Cinder.
Many have pushed past Iudex Gundyr, survived the High Wall of Lothric, endured the Undead Settlement, and crossed the Road of Sacrifices…
Only to finally collapse under the cruelty of Farron Keep.
"I can't take it anymore! Can some pro please help me? I'm about to break!"
"+1 Can anyone share a map of this cursed swamp? I've gone in circles twice and I'm still missing one fire! Please save me!"
"Ugh! I'm done! This disgusting poison swamp is bad enough, but even the small enemies here are strong."
"+1 Shampoo Brother is too OP—he just keeps washing my head!"
"Don't even get me started! The giant root-wielding monsters by the wall pin me down like I'm a pile of manure—I'm crying!"
"And those curse frogs… they're not strong, but their design is way too gross!"
Countless players complain nonstop, though some can't resist rubbing it in.
"Haha, you guys enjoy your misery! I've got just one fire left. Once I put it out, I'm heading to fight the Lords of Cinder and leaving this swamp for good!"
"Breaking news for all you Unkindled: I've finally met Farron Keep's Lords of Cinder—those Abyss Watchers from the trailers. Their greatswords spark with fire, and their moves look like they're breakdancing. They're so cool I've decided to hang out with them a while longer."
"Damn, if you can't beat them, just say so! No need to sugarcoat it!"
(End of The Chapter)
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