As a long-time fan of Dark Souls and tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), I was both intrigued and skeptical when I heard about Dark Souls: The Roleplaying Game. Having spent countless hours exploring the grim, intricately designed worlds of FromSoftware’s masterpieces, I couldn’t help but wonder if this new offering would capture the essence of the video games while providing an engaging TTRPG experience.
After more than a decade since the launch of Dark Souls and Demons’ Souls on PlayStation 3, it is rare to encounter casual gamers who haven’t heard of this legendary franchise. Known for its soul-crushing difficulty influenced by Kentaro Miura’s manga, Berserk, and the idea that determination eventually triumphs, From Software’s Dark Souls series has left an indelible mark on gaming. With complex lore, formidable bosses, and crumbling grandeur, games like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring are renowned for challenging and puzzling players. Given the immense popularity of these games, it seems a no-brainer that a tabletop roleplaying game set in this universe would be an instant success. However, Dark Souls: The Roleplaying Game by Steamforged Games faces some daunting challenges of its own, including a few particularly formidable foes.
An obstacle I ran into right away when playing Dark Souls: The RPG was its use of the 5th Edition D&D ruleset, which is geared towards adventuring groups. While you can certainly play with others and call for aid during specific sections or battles, the core of Dark Souls for me has always been a solitary journey. The game’s campaign scenarios, presented in its attractive hardcover, often seem designed for multiple players. Additionally, while the challenge is well-translated, it doesn’t adapt easily to a lone adventurer.
As a longtime fan of the Dark Souls series, I’ve played through each game multiple times and have grown fond of the intricacies and challenges they present. Amongst all the entries, Dark Souls 3 stands out to me for its rich content and striking similarities to my favorite, Dark Souls 1.
The primary obstacle preventing Dark Souls: The RPG from reaching its full potential is its bleak, intricately difficult environment clashing with the typical maturity level of a D&D party. While it’s feasible to maintain a serious and grim tone, the essence of D&D lies in spontaneous, outrageous ideas that alter the course of the game for hours at a time. These moments, though present in Dark Souls RPG, seem less encouraged. The game is engaging with its challenges and immersive world, especially when guided by a malevolent DM. However, the creativity often falls short as players are largely bound by Lothric’s dismal rules, leaving room for unexpected actions but within more limited constraints.
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As a longtime fan of both Dark Souls and Dungeons & Dragons, I can’t help but be thrilled at the prospect of creating my very own character in this upcoming game. With ten classes to choose from, each with its unique flavor, and for the dedicated fans, even the Deprived is an option. The four Origins – Brute, Caster, Fencer, and Jack of All Trades – add another layer of depth to the character creation process.
Translating the intricate combat system of Dark Souls into natural and easy-to-read language: Combat in Dark Souls is a complex dance that goes beyond mere button mashing. Success in this game relies on patience, precision, and flair, as well as a dose of luck. Each enemy, from the lowly mob to the towering grotesque, has the potential to bring about your demise. Translating this intense experience into standard D&D dice rolls doesn’t capture the depth and nuance of Dark Souls combat. Although Ability Scores and Advantage modifiers are present in the game, there is an additional mechanic called Position that plays a significant role. This mechanism aims to incorporate health and stamina management into the gameplay, which is essential not only for Dark Souls but also for the entire Soulslike genre.
Position replaces HP, presenting an amalgamation of not only a character’s health and stamina but also their Constitution modifier, and various stats pulled from their class and origin. This allows characters to “level up” in meaningful ways that affect survivability, but also provides each player with a risk/reward mechanic whereby they can expend Position to represent their character giving it their all, so to speak. For players of the Dark Souls video games, this is best described as making that last desperate attack when your health and the boss’s health are hanging on by a single hit, or using all your mana in one huge spell that will certainly spell death if you whiff it, or perhaps performing a perfectly timed parry that turns the balance of a battle. In Dark Souls: The Roleplaying Game, Position allows you to add further modifiers to attacks and actions that reduce your immediate survivability but afford a clutch victory right when you need it.
The Dark Souls: The RPG rulebook holds great personal appeal for me beyond the game itself. This large, elegant hardcover is adorned with rules and intriguing lore, but it’s also brimming with stunning Dark Souls artwork. From fearsome creatures to various classes, armor, weapons, and breathtaking locations, this book is a feast for the eyes. For devoted fans of the franchise, it serves as an essential collector’s item, offering more than just another game.
For Dungeon Masters (DMs), there’s a specialized area filled with scenarios, including the Firelink Shrine, Cathedral of the Deep, and Irithyll of the Boreal Valley. Each location offers a collection of random events such as enemy encounters, bosses, NPC interactions, and hidden treasures for adventurous players willing to take risks. The bosses are formidable adversaries, armed with unique abilities and attacks that can easily overwhelm the unprepared. However, luck, teamwork, and creativity can help conquer any obstacle. I’ve conducted several short campaigns where experienced players faced some of these bosses, and while it may not capture the full adrenaline rush of the video games, each session provided an exhilarating experience. For extended adventures, the possibilities for exploration and innovation are endless.
In the end, Dark Souls: The Roleplaying Game is primarily designed for dedicated fans of FromSoftware’s series. Although D&D enthusiasts may enjoy the game’s ominous atmosphere and challenging combat, this product is more geared towards video game aficionados than traditional tabletop RPG players. While the book is visually impressive and a valuable addition to any collector’s library, it might not be the most effective or harmonious application of the 5e ruleset.
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2024-07-26 19:16