Dark Souls Collector's Edition -Xbox 360 Reviews

Customer Ratings:

When I was younger I remember games that took dedication and countless deaths. Anybody remember the Contra Code? Those extra lives made the game feel like "normal mode" more than a cheat. Gone have been the days of 100+ hour dedication to an RPG or even most Main Stream RPGs in general, which for the fans of us out there is a real let down. Then came Demon's Souls. Demon's souls was brutally uncaring about your little "easy mode" common place playstyle that has made gaming a subplot to cinematography. I remember how frustrating it was dying over and over elarning how to fight every enemy I encountered and what playstle worked best for me.

That feeling is back. The sequel is everything the first game was and takes that a step further. Granted, there's not as much outright surprise since we know it's a direct sequel but by making the world one open expanse it has upped the feeling of dessolation 3 fold. Instead of going onto a new section and feeling like I "beat an area" I just go further into the realm they've built and feel my nerves fry. My wife watches me looking like a little nervous kid and gets quite a kick out of just what this is able to do. In 3 words; I am Impressed.

This game is not for the faint through. Its difficulty surpasses almost anything thats come out within the last decade and if you are one of the folks who just loses it when you die then perhaps you should go back to Elderscrolls on Easy Mode. Provided you are willing to laugh at the ruthless unfliching combat and tricky set ups of traps or sneaky shots by a boss this just might remind you of what got you started into "punching buttons" in the first place.

Graphically it is beautiful with minimum issues and the occasional hit detection with surfaces (sometimes a wall shouldnt let a sword go through it) but there isnt much else to complain about. Its as grim as it is pretty and the visuals will make you feel uncomfortable with every step.

In closing, if youre willing to watch your character be mangled, destroyed, maimed and can laugh about it you will find a visceral emotional connection with Dark Souls you wont find in many games to date, but it will require your patience, intelligence, skill, and temperment to be as honed as the game itself or you wont make it out alive.

4.9/5

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For the sake of brevity I will only discuss the extras that make this the Collector's Edition.

This limited edition which I received probably because I ordered the 'standard' version the day it became available at Amazon adds the following:

IN THE BOX

The regular, shrink-wrapped game comes inside a nice tin box. I say 'nice' because... a tin is tin box. Good graphics on the outside.

You will also find an art book. The actual art is beyond gorgeous. Leaf through the pages and you'll be dreaming even more about the game you're playing. However, I wish the all-color pages were put together in a spiral binding or anything that would make possible opening the book at an angle larger than 90 degrees without cracking the spine.

There is also a card with a code you use to download the extra content. More about that later. The code didn't work but, after my son emailed Bandai, they sent us a download link that did work and allow us three days to get the content.

DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT SUMMARY

The files are large but I'm glad we were able to get the extra content. This is what's available.

* Mini Strategy Guide in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian 23 MB each.

* Bonus Map 1 MB

* Behind the Scenes Video Pt. 1 229 MB

* Behind the Scenes Video Pt. 2 286 MB

* Behind the Scenes Video Pt. 3 257 MB

* Dark Souls Official Soundtrack, Pt. 1 207 MB

MINI STRATEGY GUIDE

A 45-page (PDF) sample of the full 400-page guide. The idea is that if you like what you see, and I do, then you order the full guide. After browsing through the PDF I decided to order a full copy.

THE MAP

A small .pdf. It doesn't have a lot of detail and it would be impossible given the multi-level structures plus underground but it will help you understand approximately where you are in reference to everything else at any given time during your game. Worth printing.

BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO

Actually titled 'Behind the Game', it's a set of 3 QuickTime 720p videos, 4-6 minutes each where producer Nei Hirono gets as acquainted with the father/author of Dark Souls and Demon's Souls, Hidetaka Miuzaki and the game's major themes. We learn that Hidetaka dreamed Dark Souls ever since his childhood, having been inspired by such books as 'Sorcery'.

The game's three major themes are:

High fantasy (Kings and Knights)

Death and Darkness (we knew that)

Purgatory and Flames (we are aware of this)

Overall, good clips, worth watching.

SOUND TRACK

This is a full album. 23 tracks of hauntingly beautiful, incredibly depressing music. Not for everyone but... beautiful.

Prologue 1

Shrine

Demon

Gargoyle

Dragon

M06_Pinwheel

Quelaag

Chaos

Golem

Priscilla

Sif

Dragon

Discharge

Smough

Sunlight

Gwyndolin

Kings

Demon

Chaos

Nito

Scaleless

Cinder

Nameless Song 1

IS IT WORTH IT?

Speaking for myself, I would probably pay a little (but not a lot) more for the art book and the music. The tin box could be a collector item for anyone collecting these things. The videos are nice but shorter than I expected. The map or something like it should become available online soon if it's not there already. I am pleased with my copy. My experience with other collector's editions is that the prices drop, eventually but you never know.

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>> Brush your teeth, it's the law!