Dark Souls 1
From Software’s Dark Souls is easily one of the most important games of the last couple of generations. At a time when games were hellbent on catering to the largest possible audience with ghost train rides and watered-down difficulty options, Dark Souls dared to be different – crafting an uncompromising experience no matter the cost. The first half is a masterclass in interconnected world design and bosses that test your mettle to the fullest, and the road to Anor Londo is as blissful of an experience as it is dreadful.
But once you get past that point, the game kind of devolves into a shadow of that former glory. Interconnected world design is thrown out the window in favor of a poorly developed fast-travel, and later levels like Lost Izalith and New Londo Ruins have weird gimmicks for challenges. The game generally takes a nosedive in terms of quality which is pretty disheartening considering the otherwise fantastic experience of the first half.
