Bandai Namco is readying Dark Souls for it’s makeover that is set to launch on May 25 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC. There have already been videos showcasing the sense of what is being changed, including a new visual touchup to make things feel at home on the current generation.
I’ve been following the game’s release path since being revealed and have been anticipating some changes to the original, being it is now seven years old. IGN has published a comprehensive list of changes and tweaks that will appear in the remaster, which I have included below as well as linked above.
These changes stood out to me:
- The maximum number of players online has increased from 4 to 6.
- Password Matchmaking is now available, similar to Dark Souls 3. When a player is summoned in Password Matchmaking the player level will be synced.
- Healing items will not be available during PvP with the exception of Estus Flasks. To prevent long and drawn out battles, the number of Estus Flasks is halved for phantoms.
- 3v3 and 6-player deathmatch have been added.
- Arena battles can also use Password Matching.
- Respawn points will be random.
- Covenants can be switched at Bonfires.
- Button configuration is available.
- Items will not automatically be registered into an item slot when picked up.
- When the up or down directional pad button is held down, the first item equipped will be selected.
- The online network has been changed from P2P to dedicated servers.
I’m finding the changes will make a vast quality of life improvement to the overall game. The original version was fantastic and kept me busy for a long time, I spent more than enough time playing PvP then, and find myself eager to jump back in to see how these changes shift the gameplay.
