Although Dark Souls 2 broke down the walls slightly when playing online by allowing actual communication between players, anyone who is a true Dark Souler forgoes this form of communication for the traditions established in the original game. It is an unwritten law amongst the Dark Souls community that one must always use the bow gesture to a person you summon for help in your game. There's no punishment for not doing so, but it just feels inherently wrong to not do it. In some online circles, it is also common to see the bow performed when another player invades your game with the aim of killing you. Just before they make this attempt your invader might bow to you, perhaps being humble and apologising for their actions, but much more likely to be trolling you and daring you to come closer. Nevertheless, the rules must be followed. Deviants shall be invaded by Black Phantoms and cut down.
12. That Feeling
It's pretty much impossible to put the way you feel when playing Dark Souls down into words. You know what you're playing is extremely good, but you also hate it at the same time and are constantly fearful of death. In many ways it is similar to survival horror in that respect, but even that feeling isn't the same as the one you get from playing Dark Souls. The first time you enter a new area the feeling sets in; you're extremely alert to everything that happens around you and your brief moments of respite after killing the last areas' boss fade away into nothing as you cautiously advanced forwards, your sweating finger clamped down securely on the block button. It's this experience that makes the sense of exploring Dark Souls so rewarding. Every victory, regardless of whether its against a massive dragon or against a slimy thing, feels great. Discovering items and a hidden bonfire gives you tingly feelings inside. This is why people love Dark Souls so much; it's difficult not to get fully immersed in the experience and feel the hostility and expansiveness of the world around you.
Dan Curtis is approximately one-half videogame knowledge, and the other half inexplicable Geordie accent. He's also one quarter of the Factory Sealed Retro Gaming podcast.
