Dark Souls™: Remastered

Any road up

Once you arrive at Firelink Shrine, your journey through Lordran begins, and the only limit to your progress is your prowess in battle! Climb upwards to the Undead Burg, delve into the eerie Catacombs, or head down into the sunken ruins of New Londo. This world is full of hidden passageways and secret areas, so keep a sharp eye out for shortcuts that could lead you back to safety – or to a new challenge.

Hollow or human?

During your journey, you can take on two different forms: Hollow or human. As a human, you can summon other adventurers to help you, at the risk of being invaded by hostile players or NPCs. While Hollow, you are spared the strain of invasion, but cannot call for aid from other worlds.

Reversing the Hollowing process requires Humanity: a special resource that you gain by consuming certain items, or by defeating bosses and Phantoms. Falling in battle as a human will revert you back to a Hollow, requiring you to sacrifice one point of Humanity at a bonfire to regain your old form.

Sit by the fire

Acting as beacons of hope in this unforgiving land, bonfires are places of calm where you can rest your weary bones, return to human form, level up and refill your Estus Flasks – healing potions fuelled by the bonfire’s flame. Enjoy your rest while you can, though, as sitting at a bonfire respawns any enemies you vanquished in the immediate area.

Meet your end and you’ll revive at the last bonfire you visited without your cherished hoard of Souls, so make sure to take frequent breaks!

Find your soulmate

Lordran may be the home of gargantuan monsters and untold horrors, but there are some friendly faces that can assist you on your journey. From roving knights to unlucky magicians, help these folk out of a bind and they may become a staunch ally, either appearing later on in your quest or moving to Firelink Shrine. Come back often to see who has taken up residence and if they have any useful items to exchange for Souls.

Messages across time

Time flows strangely in Lordran, with the ghosts of past adventurers phasing in and out of existence. Inspect mysterious bloodstains that appear on the ground and one of these spectres will appear, showing you how someone bit the dust.

Online players can also leave messages for one another, in the form of ethereal orange writings. Obtain the Orange Guidance Soapstone and you can not only rate existing messages, but leave new ones for other players. Will you warn someone about the dangers up ahead, or will you trick passers-by into a devious trap?

Ready your blade for the trials ahead

Good for the soul

From levelling up your character to upgrading your favourite sword, Souls make the world go round. Slay enemies to gain this precious resource, or obtain it by using certain consumable items.

Hoarding Souls is a dangerous game, as you drop all your currently-held Souls and Humanity when you expire. Return to your last resting place without issue, and you can reclaim your lost supply. Perish on the way back, and those hard-earned riches will be lost to the mists of time.

Choose your weapon

From giant two-handed swords, to elegant rapiers and even spiked whips, you’ll find an armament to suit you somewhere in Lordran. Each weapon has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so experiment to see which one is the best for you.

Upgrade your weapons through various tiers, refining their stats or adding special enchantments like fire, magic or lightning damage. Shields and armour can be improved as well, increasing your defences so you can last that little bit longer against the toughest of foes.

Parry and riposte!

If you parry at just the right moment, you can effortlessly deflect certain enemy attacks, leaving them wide open for a counter. Strike within this window and you’ll perform a riposte, dealing massive damage.

With the right timing, you can even repel attacks from bosses! Master this technique and you’ll be a real force to be reckoned with.

Stop, drop and roll

Should shields fail you, there’s always the dodge roll. Time it correctly and you can evade enemy attacks unscathed. But be wary when selecting your gear – while heavier equipment may grant greater protection, it’ll slow your movement speed and leave you vulnerable to quick attacks. Find the right balance of weight versus defence, and you’ll be dodging blows left, right and centre!

Offer a helping hand or terrorise fellow adventurers

Pick a side

There are nine covenants throughout Lordran – special factions that players can join up with. Swear fealty to one of these groups and you’ll gain access to unique trinkets that change how you interact with other players. Use these objects, complete special tasks and rise up in the covenant, unlocking exclusive items and even spells.

You can abandon a covenant or join another one at any time, but be careful! Betraying your previous faction will raise your notoriety and may result in other players hunting you down for your transgressions…

Jolly co-operation!

Stuck against a particular boss? Summon another player to help you out or offer your aid through the use of the White Sign Soapstone. By placing down your Summon Sign, you can enter the world of another player as a Phantom and assist them on their quest. Your act of kindness will not go unrewarded, as you’ll gain Souls for each enemy defeated while in another player’s game.

Enemy at the gates

Those with a mischievous streak have plenty to look forward to, thanks to the invasion system. While in human form and through the use of specific items, infiltrate the games of other players as a Red Phantom and cause all sorts of havoc. Hunting down your prey will earn you Souls and Humanity, but puts you at greater risk of being invaded yourself.