An absolute instant classic. A dark, surreal, engrossing experience that drew out my curiosity on a level I haven't experienced since Dark Souls 1. Every beautiful new area brings with it intricately unique enemy design, body horror elements, and slowly ramping challenges at just the right (high) difficulty levels.

Bosses are appropriately impossible until you've died to them several times, requiring much of the same pattern studying that was necessary in DS1, and bringing that fist-pumping exhilaration of success with each one. The more of the map I unlocked and explored, the more of it I needed to see.

The bizarre world is filled with characters yearning for some sense of normalcy in a world screaming with the Old Pain, and each area reveals a little more about the mysterious surroundings you gleefully devour one pitiful monster at a time. The story leaves bits to interpretation, but fills in just enough of it's beautiful mystery to keep me craving more at each stage of the journey.

All in all, one of the best games I have played in a long time, and one that I will be remembering dearly for years to come. With rapid-fire useful updates being delivered in response to actual users on Reddit, the developer has showed a love for the game that will surely get even better with time. I've already spent 22 hours exploring this horrific world, and can't wait to do it in New Game Plus.

A must buy!

An absolute instant classic. A dark, surreal, engrossing experience that drew out my curiosity on a level I haven't experienced since Dark Souls 1. Every beautiful new area brings with it intricately unique enemy design, body horror elements, and slowly ramping challenges at just the right (high) difficulty levels. Bosses are appropriately impossible until you've died to them several times, requiring much of the same pattern studying that was necessary in DS1, and bringing that fist-pumping exhilaration of success with each one. The more of the map I unlocked and explored, the more of it I needed to see. The bizarre world is filled with characters yearning for some sense of normalcy in a world screaming with the Old Pain, and each area reveals a little more about the mysterious surroundings you gleefully devour one pitiful monster at a time. The story leaves bits to interpretation, but fills in just enough of it's beautiful mystery to keep me craving more at each stage of the journey. All in all, one of the best games I have played in a long time, and one that I will be remembering dearly for years to come. With rapid-fire useful updates being delivered in response to actual users on Reddit, the developer has showed a love for the game that will surely get even better with time. I've already spent 22 hours exploring this horrific world, and can't wait to do it in New Game Plus. A must buy!