Dark Souls

Dark Souls (PS3/Xbox 360/PC, 2011) is the definitive hardcore RPG, forging a legacy of brutal-but-fair combat, labyrinthine world design, and cryptic storytelling. Traverse the cursed land of Lordran, where every death teaches a lesson—mastering parries, dodges, and stamina management is key to surviving its iconic bosses (Ornstein & Smough, Artorias). Its interconnected world (no loading screens between zones) and multiplayer invasions created a genre, though its clunky menus and framerate dips (especially in Blighttown) test patience. A masterpiece that birthed the “Soulslike” genre.