Dark Souls 1 vs. Remastered: Which Version Should You Choose?

So, you’re looking to delve into the unforgiving yet rewarding world of Lordran, eh? Excellent choice, but you’re faced with a classic dilemma: Should you embrace the original Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition (PTDE) or opt for the spruced-up Dark Souls: Remastered? The answer, as with many things in the Souls universe, isn’t entirely straightforward, but let’s cut through the fog and illuminate the path for you.

The Short Answer: Dark Souls Remastered is generally the better choice for most players, especially newcomers. It offers a smoother, more accessible experience with improved performance, updated graphics, and some quality-of-life enhancements. However, the original PTDE still holds a certain charm and is worth considering under specific circumstances. Let’s dive into a more detailed comparison.

Diving Deeper: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Visuals and Performance

• Remastered: A significant step up in visual fidelity. Textures are sharper, lighting is improved, and the overall presentation is cleaner. More importantly, the framerate is unlocked, aiming for a stable 60fps, a massive improvement over the original’s 30fps cap. This is a huge boon, especially in areas like Blighttown, infamously plagued by performance issues in the original.
• Original (PTDE): The visuals are dated by today’s standards, and the performance can be downright atrocious in certain areas, especially Blighttown. However, some players might appreciate the original’s grittier, more atmospheric look.

Gameplay and Content

• Remastered: The core gameplay remains largely untouched, preserving the challenging combat and intricate level design that made Dark Souls a legend. Key differences include:
  • Multiplayer enhancements: Improved matchmaking and dedicated servers make online play more stable and reliable.
  • Minor tweaks: The placement of the Dried Finger has changed, a new bonfire has been added near Blacksmith Vamos, and you can now swap Covenants at bonfires.
• Original (PTDE): Offers the same core gameplay experience but lacks the online improvements and minor tweaks found in the Remastered version. Notably, it does have an active modding community that can enhance the graphics and fix bugs, if you’re willing to put in the effort.

Accessibility and Controls

• Remastered: Offers better native controller support and improved keyboard and mouse controls. While the original is playable with a keyboard and mouse, it requires significant tweaking and modding to achieve a comfortable experience.
• Original (PTDE): Controller support is functional but less refined, and keyboard and mouse controls are notoriously clunky without mods like DSFix.

Price and Availability

• Remastered: Readily available on modern platforms like Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
• Original (PTDE): No longer officially sold on Steam. Keys can be found through third-party retailers, but availability and pricing can be unpredictable.

Who Should Choose the Original (PTDE)?

• Modders: If you’re a dedicated PC gamer who enjoys tweaking and customizing your games, the original PTDE’s vibrant modding community offers unparalleled opportunities to enhance the visuals, gameplay, and even add entirely new content.
• Nostalgia seekers: Some players simply prefer the original’s aesthetics and quirks, even with its performance issues.
• Price-conscious gamers: If you can find a cheap key for the original, it might be a worthwhile option, especially if you’re willing to invest time in modding.

Who Should Choose Dark Souls Remastered?

• New players: The improved performance, enhanced visuals, and better controls make Remastered the most accessible and enjoyable way to experience Dark Souls for the first time.
• Console players: Remastered is the only option available on modern consoles.
• Multiplayer enthusiasts: The improved matchmaking and dedicated servers make online play a much smoother and more enjoyable experience.
• Those seeking a hassle-free experience: Remastered offers a polished and refined experience out of the box, without the need for extensive modding or tweaking.

In Conclusion

While the original Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition holds a certain historical significance and appeals to a niche audience, Dark Souls Remastered is the definitive version for most players. Its improved performance, enhanced visuals, and accessibility make it the best way to experience this legendary game. So, embrace the challenge, prepare to die, and embark on your journey through Lordran!

Remember, learning and adapting are key to overcoming the challenges in Dark Souls. Understanding how games teach and how players learn through game mechanics is a fascinating area of study, explored by organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Dark Souls 1 the same as Remastered?

No. While the core gameplay and level design are identical, Dark Souls Remastered features improved graphics, a smoother framerate (targeting 60fps), updated online multiplayer, and some minor quality-of-life improvements.

2. Is Dark Souls Remastered shorter than Dark Souls 1?

No, the actual game length of Dark Souls Remastered is roughly the same as the original. Discrepancies in playtime estimates on websites like HowLongToBeat are likely due to different playstyles, completion goals, and data collection methods. A completionist run in either version will take around 60-80 hours.

3. Which Dark Souls version is better?

Dark Souls Remastered is generally considered the better version, especially for new players, due to its improved performance, graphics, and online multiplayer.

4. Should I start with Dark Souls Remastered?

Yes, absolutely! Dark Souls Remastered is a great starting point for the series due to its accessibility and improved performance. Just be prepared for a challenging but rewarding experience.

5. Why is Dark Souls 1 so hard?

Dark Souls 1 is difficult due to its unforgiving combat, intricate level design, and lack of hand-holding. It requires players to learn enemy attack patterns, manage resources carefully, and explore thoroughly. But this difficulty is designed to be fair and rewarding.

6. Is Dark Souls: Remastered the hardest game?

Dark Souls: Remastered is challenging, but not necessarily the “hardest game” ever made. Difficulty is subjective, and many other games offer similar or even greater challenges.

7. Which Dark Souls is the hardest?

Opinions vary, but Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin is often cited as the most difficult Dark Souls game by many players.

8. Which Dark Souls is the easiest?

Again, it’s subjective, but Dark Souls 3 is often considered the easiest Dark Souls game due to its faster-paced combat and more forgiving mechanics. Elden Ring is also a good choice for beginners in the series, since it is the most newcomer friendly among its siblings.

9. Is DS1 Remastered easier?

Dark Souls Remastered doesn’t fundamentally change the difficulty, but the improved performance and controls can make the game slightly more accessible for some players.

10. Which version of Dark Souls should I buy?

Unless you have a specific reason to choose the original PTDE (modding, nostalgia), Dark Souls Remastered is the recommended choice.

11. Which Dark Souls is best for beginners?

Dark Souls Remastered is a solid starting point. Dark Souls II is also an option, but it’s important to note that many players consider the first Dark Souls to be the best. Elden Ring is also a good choice for beginners in the series, since it is the most newcomer friendly among its siblings.

12. Is Dark Souls one or two harder?

Opinions differ, but Dark Souls 2 is often considered more difficult due to its enemy placement, ganking encounters, and more punishing mechanics.

13. How long is Dark Souls 1 Remastered?

A standard playthrough of Dark Souls: Remastered takes around 30-40 hours, while a completionist run can take upwards of 60-80 hours.

14. Is Dark Souls: Remastered with all 3 games?

No, Dark Souls: Remastered is a standalone game. There are collections that include all three Dark Souls games (and all DLC), but Remastered itself only contains the original Dark Souls and its Artorias of the Abyss DLC.

15. Is Dark Souls 1 supposed to be hard?

Yes, Dark Souls 1 is intentionally designed to be challenging. The difficulty is a core part of the game’s identity and is intended to create a sense of accomplishment and reward for overcoming obstacles.