How long does it take to 100 percent Dark Souls 1?

To 100% complete Dark Souls 1, it typically requires 2 complete playthroughs and about half of the third, amounting to around 105 hours of gameplay, assuming the player strives to see all aspects of the game. The time can vary significantly depending on the player’s skill level, familiarity with the game, and the level of dedication to exploring every nook and cranny of the Dark Souls universe.

Understanding the Complexity of Dark Souls 1

Completing Dark Souls 1 to 100% is not just about finishing the main storyline; it involves exploring the vast world, defeating all bosses, collecting every unique weapon, and uncovering the lore that makes the Dark Souls series so beloved. This process can be tedious and requires a significant amount of time and patience.

Delving into the Details

For those eager to dive deeper into the world of Lordran and understand the intricacies of achieving 100% completion, here are some key points to consider:

1. Playthrough Requirements: To achieve 100% completion, players must complete two full playthroughs and half of a third playthrough, all on the same character, denoted as NG++. This is due to certain rare weapons that can only be crafted using multiple copies of the same boss soul, which are limited to one per playthrough.

2. Time Commitment: The game’s length varies significantly between a 42-hour main objective-focused playthrough and a 105-hour completionist run.

3. Difficulty Level: While Dark Souls 1 is considered one of the hardest games in the series, with challenging enemies and bosses, the difficulty is often described as more methodical and cerebral rather than purely based on aggression or speed, which is a characteristic more prevalent in Bloodborne or Dark Souls 3.

4. Comparison to Other Souls Games: In terms of difficulty and length, Dark Souls 1 falls somewhere in the middle of the Soulsborne games, with Elden Ring offering a similarly challenging experience but with a much larger open world to explore.

5. Achieving 100% Completion: The process involves not just completing the game multiple times but also farming for specific items, defeating every boss multiple times, and exploring every area of the game to ensure no secret is left undiscovered.

6. Stat Maximization: Players can max out their stats to 99, but it’s generally advised not to level up a stat past 40 due to diminished returns, making the game more about strategy than pure leveling.

7. Easiest Class to Start With: For new players, the Pyromancer class is often recommended due to its versatility, coming with a hand axe, round shield, and pyromancy flame.

8. Hardest Boss: The Black Dragon Kalameet is often considered the hardest boss in the game, found in the DLC area, due to its aggressive attacks and high health pool.

9. Endings: There are two endings in Dark Souls 1, with the distinction between them being somewhat ambiguous, leaving interpretation to the player.

10. Comparison to Skyrim: Dark Souls is significantly harder than Skyrim, with a focus on challenge and exploration rather than open-world freedom.

11. Is Elden Ring a Souls Game?: Yes, Elden Ring is considered part of the Souls series, offering a similar challenge and exploration experience but on a much larger scale.

12. Scaling with Level: Enemies in Dark Souls 1 do not scale with the player’s soul level, but their difficulty can increase with each New Game+ cycle.

13. Platinum Difficulty: Achieving a platinum in Dark Souls 1 is considered one of the easier tasks in the series, compared to Dark Souls 2 and 3, making it a good starting point for those looking to 100% a Souls game.

14. Story and Lore: Dark Souls 1 has a deep and complex lore, with much of it hidden in item descriptions and environmental clues, making exploration and interpretation key to understanding the game’s story.

15. Why Dark Souls 1 is Considered the Best: For many, Dark Souls 1 remains the pinnacle of the series due to its interconnected world design, weighty combat, and the way it balances challenge and exploration, creating an experience that has aged exceptionally well over time.

In conclusion, achieving 100% completion in Dark Souls 1 is a significant undertaking that requires dedication, patience, and a deep love for the game and its intricacies. Whether you’re a seasoned Souls veteran or a newcomer to the series, the journey to 100% is filled with challenge, discovery, and a sense of accomplishment that few games can match.