10 Most Brutally Hard Levels In Dark Souls History
2. Archdragon Peak
Optional, hidden areas are always the best part of any video game. Even given Dark Souls' reputation as having an unforgiving but fair difficulty, From Software still has to rein in the difficulty to some degree in order to ensure progression goes somewhat smoothly.
No such thing needs to be taken into account for areas not integral to completion, and Archdragon Peak perfectly exemplifies From Software's changing of gears from acceptable to 'You want hard? We'll give you impossible!' mode.
A bunch of Man-Serpents have migrated from Sen's Fortress to the lofty heights of Archdragon Peak, see, but it seems the air up here is much healthier for the reptilians' lungs than their usual haunt - they've grown in size, number and strength and, because that's not enough, can now spew limitless fireballs out of their gobs.
Chuck a dozen of those together and put them in a position where its impossible to fight each individually and voila! Your arse now belongs to them.