Dark Souls

Dark Souls (2011) redefined gaming difficulty with its punishing yet fair combat system, creating a new genre of "souls-like" games. Set in a beautifully bleak fantasy world, this action RPG demands precision, patience, and strategic thinking from players. Its interconnected world design, deep lore, and rewarding progression system set new standards for game craftsmanship. The game's infamous difficulty curve became its trademark, cultivating a dedicated fanbase who relish its challenging boss fights and intricate level design. Dark Souls' influence reshaped modern game design, proving that uncompromising difficulty could coexist with critical and commercial success when paired with exceptional world-building.