For anyone who has played Dark Souls, you don't need me to tell you how difficult it is. But for people who haven't yet picked up the action role-playing game, they aren't kidding when they say "Prepare to Die". That's just the nature of the beast for the game developed by From Software. For many gamers, that's exactly why the game is so appealing.
Its difficulty, which is Dark Souls' biggest source of frustration, is also its biggest catch. Having to fight a boss dozens of times before defeating it is one of the most frustrating, yet satisfying experiences one can have as a gamer. But what about those who don't enjoy the constant dying?
Right now they are kind of left in limbo, but game director Hidetaka Miyazaki is considering adding an easier difficulty. Speaking to Metro, Miyazaki said he'd rather have his games "described as satisfying rather than difficult."
"As a matter of fact, I am aiming at giving players sense of accomplishment in the use of difficulty," he explained. "Having said that, however, it is true that Dark Souls is rather difficult and a number of people may hesitate to play."
"This fact is really sad to me and I am thinking about whether I should prepare another difficulty that everyone can complete or carefully send all gamers the messages behind our difficult games," he added.
Miyazaki went on to explain that he's aware that gamers do not "prefer easy games", but rather want something that is "interesting and worthwhile.
"I think it is natural that hindrance or stress that does not attribute to such interesting and worthwhile elements will be removed in the end," he concluded.
So that begs to question: Will Dark Souls, if given an easier mode, deliver the same experience as now? If you remove the extremely difficult gameplay, do you lose that sense of accomplishment when you finally defeat a boss?
