10 Video Game Mods That Restored Essential Features

Dark Souls 2 has a somewhat troubled history within the Soulsborne fan community. The drastic departures the game made from the aesthetics, tone and gameplay feel of the first game was seen as sacrilegious to some. Not only that, but when the game released, it looked startlingly different to what marketing campaigns had shown gamers.

Although some hold Dark Souls 2's fairy-tale, painterly quality in high regard, the contrast between how light plays off surfaces in 2013 demonstrations against the game's actual release is quite stark. Throughout the game, there are spots that you can light specific torches, but the effect this has is minimal in the released game. This has led many to speculate about a removed darkness mechanic in the game, as where light was placed seemed to be really important in the game's marketing.

Lighting modder Stayd is currently developing the "Flames of Old" mod for Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin. In this mod they aim to totally revamp the game's lighting system, restoring some of the lost darkness to the game.

This also involves restoring functionality to the torch item, which you are given early on in the game. The placement of items in the Soulsborne series - famous for its environmental storytelling - is never accidental, so Stayd is bringing back what looked to be a really important mechanic in the game with this lighting overhaul mod.