10 Unmissable Single Player Gaming Experiences

The PS3 exclusive Demon Souls was the first release in what has since become know as the “SoulsBorne” series, but it was the follow up Dark Souls that really captured gamers' imaginations. Despite its infamous difficulty (You will die a lot) FromSoftware’s title has gone on to enjoy mainstream success, and the reason for that is the exemplary game design.

The game opens with a short tutorial section, which introduces the fantastic combat system, before throwing players straight in at the deep end. Finding themselves in a semi-open world, that remains unparalleled in the intricacy of its design, players are free to explore in any direction they choose.

Never quite knowing what is around the next corner, fearing that just one lapse in concentration will likely result in death, is a truly exhilarating experience that no other game has even come close to matching. Reaching a bonfire (the game's equivalent of checkpoints) always provides a huge sense of relief but every death, rather than proving frustrating, feels like a learning experience encouraging you to hone your skills and push on through.

This may all sound impossible, but help is fortunately available from the unique online system. Using items found early in the game players have the ability to leave helpful in game messages, or even team up for short periods, to tackle a particularly troublesome boss. Importantly this never intrudes on the core experience making for the perfect marriage of single player and online gaming, and with any luck, setting a template for other games to follow.