Summary
The Soulslike genre has come a long way sinceDark Soulsessentially pioneered it back in 2011. From smallerIndie games likeDead CellsandHollow Knightthat put roguelike and Metroidvania twists on the genre, to larger-scale experiences likeStar Wars Jedi: Survivorthat attached huge IP to the genre, Soulslikes now come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, and each new addition often improves upon or adds its own unique set of features to the pile.
Generally speaking, the Soulslike genre is inherently better than it was whenDark Soulsreleased all the way back in 2011, and whileDark Soulsstill stands the test of time in many ways, there’s simply no denying the sheer number of quality-of-life improvements that have been made to the genre in the years since its release. That being said,Dark Soulsremains one of the most beloved and iconic FromSoftware games out there, with one feature in particular that remains a gold standard of the Soulslike genre.
Dark Souls' Bonfire Is Still the Most Iconic Soulslike Checkpoint
Few Soulslikes Have Truly Memorable Checkpoints
Checkpoints have been a staple of video games since the very beginning, denoting a place of rest and safety, where the player can take a quick breather among the chaos of the rest of the game. Nowhere has this been more true than withDark Soulsand its now-iconic bonfires. In a game where death can come so easily and is actively waiting around nearly every corner, a checkpoint holds a lot of emotional weight for the player, andDark Souls' placement of bonfiresis just another piece of masterful work on the developer’s part, always coming at the perfect time to rescue players at the very last minute.
The joy of seeing a bonfire - a temporary haven in a world that’s otherwise out to kill the player - is only heightened by the game’s excellent presentation and the checkpoint’s functionality. As players light a bonfire for the first time, they’ll hear the sudden rush of flames, followed by the comforting crackle of the wood at its base. The orange glow ofDark Souls' bonfiresis also warm and inviting, marking a stark contrast between this safe space and the rest of the game’s dark and dingy areas.Dark Souls' bonfires don’t just save the player’s progress through the world, either, as they allow players to equip spells, level up, and replenish their precious healing items.
While it’s far from the first checkpoint in video games,Dark Souls' bonfire has become one of the most iconic examples in recent history, and that iconicity has made it a staple of the wider Soulslike genre. However, while countless Soulslikes have tried to implement their own bonfire, none have ever managed to eclipse FromSoft’s original trendsetter. EvenBloodborne’s Lamps andElden Ring’s Sites of Gracearen’t quite as recognizable asDark Souls' bonfires.
Dark Souls' Bonfire Has Been Immortalized in Pop-Culture
Something that’s keptDark Souls' bonfires so memorable over the years is the frequency at which they’ve been referenced in other video games. Over the last decade and a bit, countless games have featuredDark SoulsEaster eggs, and more often than not, those Easter eggs include some kind of nod to the game’s bonfires.Borderlands 2,Just Cause 3,The Witcher 3,Fallout 4, and evenOverwatchall have overt references toDark Souls' iconic checkpointing system.
Dark Souls
WHERE TO PLAY
Re-experience the critically acclaimed, genre-defining game that started it all. Beautifully remastered, return to Lordran in stunning detail. DARK SOULS: REMASTERED includes the main game plus the Artorias of the Abyss DLC. This marks the franchise’s debut on a Nintendo platform, and for the first time ever can be played on-the-go with Nintendo Switch™.Deep and Dark Universe— Delve into an epic dark fantasy universe stricken by the Curse. Explore its intricate world design, full of hidden passages, dungeons and secrets.Each End is a New Beginning— Each playthrough surprises you with new challenges and discoveries.Gameplay Richness and Possibilities— Use hundreds of unique weapon, armor, magic, and crafting combinations to create your own playstyle and gaming experience.The Way of the Multiplayer (up to 6 players)— Whatever your motivations are to play online – collaboration or confrontation, support or betrayal – you’ll find your true home among the nine covenants.
