The feedback surrounding Dark Souls has taken a dramatic turn. Early complaints about the game's punishing difficulty have given way to a growing appreciation among players.
Since its launch, the first batch of players who persevered through the initial challenges has entirely changed their perception of Dark Souls. These veterans have become pioneers, guiding newcomers through the intricacies of the game.
For instance, when faced with the crystalline lizards in the Ashes Cemetery, many new players, after an initial failed attempt, quickly learn through online searches or guides that defeating them is not mandatory. Enthusiastic veterans also leave advice scattered throughout the game, reducing the struggles for newcomers.
Take the treasure chest monster beneath the attic as an example. The fate of being eaten by it often boils down to two scenarios:
A player insists on maintaining an authentic experience by avoiding guides, analysis, or even the advice left by others.
A player's overconfidence leads them to test the treasure chest monster's strength. After falling victim once, they quickly learn to tread carefully in its presence.
As players grow accustomed to Dark Souls' difficulty, the conversations shift. Instead of lamenting the challenges, they focus on strategies, hidden map items, shortcuts, and optimal ways to approach bosses and mobs. Discussions about which character build to prioritize—whether to increase health first or pursue another route—dominate forums.
Meanwhile, the earlier online debates criticizing the game have gradually begun to lose momentum.
What caught many players by surprise, however, was a direct response from Chen Xu himself. Previously, players in heat tagged Chen Xu on social media, hoping to see him struggle through the game on a live stream. Nobody truly expected a reply; it was more for humor than anything else.
But Chen Xu exceeded all expectations.
An official message appeared on his blog, which Neon Games' account also shared:
"Many players want to watch me suffer, but I'll pass on live streaming. Doing so might inadvertently spoil some of the game's content. Dark Souls is a journey worth savoring. Instead, I've recorded a video showing my progression from the Ash Graveyard to the Lothric High Wall. This can serve as a reference for newcomers who are still struggling."
After this news was released, many players following Chen Xu and Neon's official blog became excited. Although it wasn't the live stream they had hoped for, a video was still something to look forward to.
The Lothric Wall is familiar to players who first entered Dark Souls. However, the key highlight is that this video was played by Chen Xu personally. Naturally, players were curious—how did Chen Xu approach the game? Was this the producer's official guide, meant to assist struggling newcomers?
With questions in mind, players clicked on the video one after another.
The video, about ten minutes long—not too brief but not overly drawn out—immediately grabbed attention. At the beginning, many recognized the setting.
It showed the room opposite the location of the boss nicknamed Ice Dog. Normally, after defeating Ice Dog, players reach a cliff where they need a specific key item to progress. This item is obtained by speaking to an old woman in the room opposite the boss.
However, if the old woman is attacked and killed, she drops a pot instead. When this pot is taken to a sculpture against the wall in the same room, it triggers a boss battle against the dancer.
The floor of the room is stained with blood, marking the countless players who were mercilessly defeated here. Those unaware of the consequences of this trigger often met their demise after accidentally slashing the old woman during dialogue. This situation led many players to switch from using a mouse to a keyboard for talking, to avoid accidents.
The dancer, as a result, has become an infamous opponent, often referred to as the second boss of Dark Souls. Players who rushed into this battle without preparation were taught harsh lessons, with the encounter becoming a rite of passage.
The video then cuts to the moment of truth. A line of subtitles appears on the screen:
"Dancer One shot!"
Shockwaves rippled through the viewers.
"Damn it! The dancer kills with a one knife? So brutal!"
"Isn't this supposed to be beginner-friendly content?"
The character on the screen was startling: a hollowed figure with no ember effects, no armor, and wielding nothing but chicken legs in both hands. Players couldn't help but wonder if there was some hidden strategy or secret technique.
According to online guides, Dancer is a late-game boss. Early-stage weapons lack the strength to deal substantial damage, making the fight nearly impossible without exceptional skill. While a flawless, hitless strategy could technically work, the challenge was staggering.
The video then skips the setup and dives into the battle with the dancer. As the fight begins, the phantom-like boss swiftly approaches, slashing the character in one fluid motion. The health bar depletes instantly.
The viewers were stunned.
"Are you kidding me? All that preparation, and this happens?"
"I want to complain, but the title is just too accurate!"
"So... this is the infamous one-knife kill tutorial?"
"Great, anyone can do this, right?"
The barrage of comments on the video reflected both amusement and shared frustration. Many recalled their own experiences of meeting similar fates, dying repeatedly in battles like these.
The mood lightened as the video continued. It transitioned to the Ash Graveyard, where the player switched to a knight character. Among existing online guides, the knight is considered the most beginner-friendly class for exploring the wastelands. Equipped with a shield, sword, and armor, this class offers greater survivability and margin for error.
For battling Ash Guda, however, a spellcaster—who can execute faster casts with shorter animations—might prove to be a better choice.
Beside Lothric's high walls, the knight feels far more comfortable.
In the video, the knight pulls out the spiral sword lodged in Ash Guda's chest and officially enters the battle. When Guda attacks, the player raises the shield to resist a strike. Although the energy bar depletes significantly, the health bar remains intact.
The player then uses Guda's attack interval to roll backward, creating distance and allowing the energy bar to restore. Taking advantage of the recovery time, the player strikes once before immediately retreating behind the shield.
As the video progresses, the pace picks up, and the strategy becomes apparent. The player focuses entirely on managing the energy bar, carefully avoiding overextension. After Gouda's attacks subside, the player sneaks in a strike and resumes raising the shield.
The audience is both shocked and amused. The strategy is simple and methodical—turning real-time combat into something resembling turn-based gameplay.
Most players typically use shields sparingly for emergency situations or counters. However, in this case, the player stays behind the shield throughout, which is unusual. While unconventional, it proves effective.
In Guda's second phase, the funerary black flame pot proves invaluable, making it easy to proceed to the Firelink Shrine and, from there, to the Lothric High Wall.
When the knight of Lothric appears, many players anticipate seeing a similar strategy. After all, this enemy is known for its shield-piercing attacks. However, the player in the video draws the knight's attention, rolls out of danger, and bypasses the encounter entirely.
This approach continues. In the ice dog's chamber, the player uses the same cautious method. During the first phase, they attack the vulnerable areas, and in the second phase, they raise the shield to guard against halitosis and rolling attacks, slowly chipping away at the enemy.
The entire process can be summed up in one word: stable. Watching this methodical strategy surprises viewers. The game suddenly appears much simpler than its reputation suggests. There's no need for split-second reflexes or exceptional skill, patience and caution suffice.
For many novice players, this revelation is game-changing. The video inspires them, showing that even difficult battles can be approached with a pragmatic, defensive mindset.
Following this strategy, new players assign points to stamina and durability. They equip heavy armor, as long as it allows for rolling, and focus on carrying a reliable shield. When facing monsters, they remain disciplined, resisting the urge to attack recklessly, instead waiting for the right opportunity.
The video reinvigorates interest in Dark Souls. Players who once gave up return to the game. Some reinstall it after previously uninstalling it in frustration. Those who were hesitant to buy it finally take the plunge, purchasing the game and diving into its unforgiving world.
The cautious shield-heavy approach quickly proves effective. Ash Gouda and the enemies on the Lothric High Wall pose little threat. Even when certain monsters can't be defeated, they are avoided entirely. Though this strategy might seem cowardly, each small victory brings a sense of achievement.
For a while, Dark Souls experiences a surge of renewed appreciation. The forums buzz with excitement as players celebrate this newfound accessibility. Even in the face of the game's infamous difficulty, a solution emerges for beginners.
[The Neon Game Platform]
During the post-work downtime, a group of workers gathers for a session of Dark Souls.
"This shield strategy makes it so much easier to progress!" Ruan Ningxue laughs, watching as another boss falls.
"It really does," Yang Xin agrees. "But it feels like it takes away some of the challenge."
"Challenge? You're overthinking it!" Chen Xu, who's been analyzing player data, responds with a knowing smile. Qin Yi, sitting nearby, listens intently.
"The reason players are finding Ash Guda and the High Wall manageable is simple," Chen Xu explains. "They're benefiting from the groundwork laid by others. Guda and the High Wall's monsters are familiar territory now. My video gave them a clear reference, and the map's design is relatively straightforward."
"But once they reach unfamiliar maps, new monsters, and more challenging bosses…" Chen Xu trails off with a sly smile.
The room falls silent. Everyone feels a chill, especially Qin Yi, who recalls the grueling designs of later levels. The thought of the tougher monsters and intricate maps ahead makes him swallow nervously.