4.5/5 ★ – moonscented's review of Dark Souls: Remastered.

Fromsoft games always seem to find me when I’m facing a hardship or big change in life, and they seem to impact me even more so because of that. The themes and aesthetics of these games are fucking dark and depressing, and the game itself will punch you down further and further but makes those moments of success so much more elevating. It’s a sincere commitment, but the game will give back in every way. Boss design, level design, and music in DS 1 are some of the best in all of From’s catalogue, everything loops back to Firelink in impressive and satisfying ways. Bosses like Quelaag, Artorias, GAPING DRAGON, have such striking and vivid designs, I loved discovering these bosses for the first time and watching them animate while they kicked my ass. I’ve replayed boss themes just to listen to them, which I haven’t done with any other From game aside from Bloodborne. Along with the boss themes, the credits music struck such a chord with me. Lighting that last fire after an intense fight, a slow, relaxed cutscene takes place, the screen fades to black, and a gentle, sweet song starts playing as the credits roll, combined with this swelling sense of accomplishment and achievement. This ending is one I will always cherish. Also suffers from a lot of flaws that From has changed or fixed in later titles, a big one being awful bonfire spawns when facing bosses. The frustration from the fights were fine, it’s part of the experience, what’s awful is a five minute walk, only to get squashed in seconds after entering the arena. But I’m glad I’ve finally toppled this behemoth, it’s been so helpful and cathartic, that at the end of these long days, with the feelings I’ve been having, I just wanted to keep coming back here. I wanted to go kill the next boss. I wanted to find the next area, upgrade the next weapon. These are the games that make me feel beyond fortunate to have video games as close to me as I do, and my time with these games always end up being my most memorable. I’m very ready for Elden Ring.