Designers in the online game industry have discovered a very strange phenomenon: the popularity of Dark Souls is skyrocketing.
Discussions are dominating player forums, videos flood various platforms, and live broadcast covers increasingly feature the infamous phrase, "You Are Dead."
New players entering the world of Dark Souls now share the same mixed emotions as veteran players. Even those who watched Chen Xu's strategy videos were not spared from the torment.
Initially, many approached the game with skepticism after watching his guides. Yet, once they tried it for themselves, their reactions were unanimous:
"Goodness! This shield-flow strategy is a bit cowardly, but it works!"
However, the relief didn't last long. After conquering the Ash Graveyard, Fire link Shrine, and the High Wall of Lothric—areas familiar from Chen Xu's videos—they ventured into uncharted territory: the Undead Settlement and the Road of Sacrifices.
Here, everything changed.
In Lothric, densely packed monsters appear only in specific areas, like beneath the Fire Dragon Bridge. But leading the creatures to the bridge often resulted in the ancient dragon incinerating friend and foe alike with its fiery breath. Even the Lothric Knights near the ice dog chamber could be lured one by one. The rest were mostly manageable undead.
The Undead Settlement, though, played by a completely different set of rules.
The new enemies were smarter and deadlier. Though most encounters involved just one or two at a time, their proximity left little room for error. Attempting to run blindly through the village quickly revealed the villagers' enthusiasm.
The area was riddled with traps, enough to make any player's scalp tingle.
Spotting a white glow indicating collectible items, players eagerly rushed forward. But before they could grab the treasure, a massive water tank came crashing down from above, smashing their screen into black.
Those three dreaded words appeared again:
"You Are Dead."
Other dangers loomed in the shadows. A dagger-wielding ambushes perched silently on a rooftop beam. In a dimly lit corner, an enemy armed with throwing knives waited to attack.
Even seemingly lifeless iron fences holding corpses could spring to life, catching players off guard.
And then there was the passionate Fat Auntie—a grotesque, towering woman armed with a hefty weapon. She relentlessly pursued those who dared to slack off, leaving an impression impossible to forget.
Various factors caused players who had not struggled much at the Lothric High Wall to start complaining.
This treatment felt completely different!
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"I'm losing it—this map design is so malicious! Just like those treasure chest monsters earlier, there's an ambush here too!"
"What the heck is this woman? Go away! I'm still young and have battles to fight!"
"Tank Brother, let's talk this through. Put the water tank down first, alright? ... Wait, what? Where did that massive saw come from?!"
"And these mice in the sewer—am I playing Escape or Dark Souls? Where are all these skeletons even coming from?"
"Go away, roll over, little skeleton brother! I'm not scared at all... Wait, what?! Where did that javelin come from? It's like some kind of guided missile!"
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Players who had conquered the Lothric High Wall with nothing more than a shield-raising technique suddenly found themselves thrown into the chaos of the Undead Settlement. They were unprepared for the unique attack methods of the monsters and the devious traps littered throughout.
Once again, cruel deaths awaited them.
Relying on the tried-and-true tactics of raising a shield and dodging under enemies, many had defeated Ashes Guda and the Icy beast. However, after receiving the token from the old woman and entering the Undead Settlement, the brutal reality hit hard.
Here, no mercy was given. A colossal metal hammer—one scorched by flames—served as their rude awakening.
Despite the challenges, there was one small comfort -players were no longer alone in this harsh environment.
For the first time, camaraderie emerged as they fought side by side.
A chubby knight clad in onion-shaped armor brought much-needed relief. By solving the elevator puzzle, it became possible to speak with the charming Onion Knight. With his help, even the terrifying fire demon became a manageable foe.
Thanks to the Onion Knight distracting the enemy, this battle became one of the easiest victories many players experienced. However, there was one small regret—despite its daunting appearance, the fire demon turned out to be just an elite monster, not a true boss.
After the fight, the Onion Knight shared his name and offered a toast with a hearty laugh, "To the sun!"
Players received a drink and learned a new celebratory gesture, making the encounter all the more memorable.
But it doesn't stop there.
The Onion Knight continued sleeping on the spot, leaving the player to suffer alone. As the map unfolded, its malice became increasingly apparent.
The road of sacrifices was littered with puddles filled with giant crabs. A black knight waited ominously under the ruins of a temple, ready to crush any hope of progress. These encounters left countless players feeling trapped and helpless.
Many assumed this was the peak of cruelty. However, pushing through the road of sacrifices revealed an even deeper despair: the infamous Farron Keep. This fortress became the bane of countless players, breaking their spirits entirely.
How can one even begin to describe it? Farron Keep is a map that scars memories like no other. A cesspool of poisonous swamps slows movement to a crawl, forcing players to roll just to make progress. Strange and grotesque monsters lurk everywhere.
There are towering giants wielding massive clubs, ready to crush anyone underfoot like an unwanted pest. Curse frogs with bulging eyes spread insanity with a single gaze, draining all semblance of sanity. And then there's the infamous Shampoo Brother, a monster that leaps onto your head as though giving you an aggressive shampoo, only to overwhelm you with sheer brute force.
The most grueling part? Players must extinguish the fires scattered throughout this wretched swamp before gaining access to the Abyss Watchers, Farron Keep's ultimate guardians.
Many managed to survive the horrors of Ash graveyard, The Walls of Lothric, and The Undead settlement. But Farron Keep became their breaking point, its relentless malice defeating even the most determined.
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"No way, someone help! I'm about to collapse!"
"+1, can someone send me a map of this cesspool? I've circled the area twice and still can't find the last fire. Save me!"
"Ah, I'm dying here. This swamp is disgusting, and the enemies are so strong!"
"Shampoo Brother is too much! He keeps washing my head, and I can't take it anymore!"
"Don't get me started. The giant monsters swinging clubs treat me like dung. I cry every time they stomp me into the ground!"
"Those curse frogs… They're not even strong, but their design is so nauseating it's unbearable!"
"Haha, take your time! I've got one last fire to extinguish, and then I'm heading to fight the Abyss Watchers. Almost out of this cesspool!"
"Breaking news! I've made it to the Abyss Watchers, the undead squad from the promotional trailer. Their fiery great swords are so stylish and cool! Honestly, I've been mesmerized by their moves. I might hang around here just to enjoy their combat style!"
"Stop sugarcoating it! If you can't beat them, just say it outright!"
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