Don't You Dare Go Hollow
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
- "Hollowing" in Dark Souls goes beyond being just a simple game mechanic. Let's talk about it.
Big thank you to @VZedshows for his help getting this script off the ground.
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#DarkSouls - Hry
I almost hollowed my first pyromancer play through. Left him finished the game as a knight. Now I’ve returned to my pyromancer and I will not let him go hollow.
Keep up the good work, fellow pyromancer. Don't you dare go hollow! Seriously, though, pyro builds are my favorite. Flame in one hand, Halberd in the other lol
@@HillsideVids I used flame in left hand and sword infused with fire gem in right hand
@@rahulverma8774 I'm running through NG+ with a high level (currently SL 130ish) Pyro and Falchion Dex/Quality build, and I am loving it. By the time I got to Gwyn on my first complete playthrough I was at about SL 90, and I spanked him so hard and so quickly with the Gold Tracer and Great Chaos Fire Orb that I immediately started NG+ so that I could experience the full drama of the boss fight (and also not accidentally choose the snake ending by thinking I could put off the choice like in DS3 lol). I went through most of NG with Quelaag's Furysword to stay on the fire theme I chose to lean into this time through.
@@HillsideVids My first playthrough I was a halberd-wielding pyromancer, but I didn't use the fire until the second half of the game because I couldn't figure out how to deal more than 50 dmg with it lmao
about 6 of my character have gone hollow because I have abandoned them but the first time I seriously played through the game I was very immersed in the concept of if I don't beat the game with this character I will be abandoning him to be like other undead and that concept lead me to sink in 100 something hours and I loved every moment of it.
This game tells you "this is your destiny. You cannot escape it, you cannot fight it." and then turns around and says "but try to anyway!"
"Be safe, friend. Don't you dare go hollow".
Laurentius of the Great Swamp after finding such a magnificent flame:
People think that Dark Souls gives you depression.
But the reality is that Dark Souls saves you from depression.
Every time I finish a playthrough I make sure to leave a certain item by a corpse and I like to imagine that my next playthrough, the item I left is from the character in my last playthrough
I love this!👌
Is it a frikkin pendant? 😆
This video is disturbingly underrated. It's amazing and you should be proud.
That's really kind of you to say, thank you!
Several times in my life I could feel myself going hollow, one time the hollowness I felt almost cost me my existence, and yet, as correctly pointed out by friends (which are good to have) I'm still here. Every time I feel the agony build up in me, every time my heart breaks or my mind begins to slip, I think of them, they wouldn't want me to go hollow, and so I fight on, no matter what, been playing souls games for 11 years or more (I think) and they are great teachers of patience and determination. I'll never go hollow, not until I have absolutely nothing left to lose and even then, I'll probably still fight on. Be safe my friend, dont you dare go hollow.
I'm very happy that you're still here, and that your friends were there for you. No one should ever have to struggle alone.
This is a great video! I myself don't play games often, but this..
This game sticks to people forever.
I'm sorry about the people who havent played this game. Its better than a game. Better than a book. Better than a legend. Its the fight all people live with. You can fight yourself alone, or you can call a friend.
To all the good people out there:
don't you dare go hollow.
@@kadennickolas6253 hehe.
Ultimate game of all time
It's an epic to be sure
it's the thing Miyazaki translated so well from Berserk. the themes. struggle, existentialism, nihilism, depression, and despair sprinkled with moments of hope are what makes these pieces of media so special on a personal level
underrated video right here man, wish you the best, and don’t you dare go hollow.
I never played Dark Souls, and a little scared to (I don't like horror games. "Yes, I said horror, just look at the creatures.") But keeping up with my college grades, losing a week of pay due to my sister's false-positive test... hearing someone say; "Don't you dare go hollow" it's comforting.
Thank you, and "Don't you dare go hollow too, my friend."
**Update: 2022, February 2**
First, my sister was and still, fine. She had no symptoms. That job (my dream job of being a librarian), with the missing week of pay... I lost the job at the end of last August. She "let me go" without warning, said I wasn't doing enough then the standard, but said nothing before. Said that I was not "outgoing enough," or "clicked with the others," but they were not that outgoing. I begged her to tell me what I could do to fix it, what jobs around there that need done. She wouldn't help. And was more concerned about phone calls she was putting off, because she was cutting me loose.
The rest of that semester I went on a self-pity roller-coaster, listing to music, watching the 70's Hulk online. Then I started looking for a job. The only reason I'm good right now is because I live with my folks to save money on school (2 more years, almost there.)
*First job I applied to was a door screener. Interviewed. Never heard back, and that was before Thanksgiving. Had to hear from my mom that two others were hired there.
*First of December anther interview. (Activities at a retirement home) Silence for 3 weeks even if I called her at least once or twice a week. Not a peep till right after an interview with my sister's boss that works in the kitchen. She had her own stuff going on, but I've seen enough bad omens for that position.
*Had an interview with my sister's boss who she really likes and has been good to her. Got the job, more or less, drug and background check in the works but I'm cleaner than a whistle. It's not a library job like my last one, I'll be in the kitchen and dining room of a retirement home. But it'll be better than Interning at a daycare, and it pays better than the library; $14 an hour.
*As for the game: I'll try it out sometime. I know Dad will get himself killed and worked up about it more than once! His approach is run and slash till all are dead! 😁If the Whitcher is scarier than this, I can take it.
If you have a bad spell on you: ride out the storm. Let it go. Keep dreaming. Find that spark and keep going. You can slow down to cry and be angry. But count the coast of your anger, because you do pay for your anger. But above all else:
"Don't you dare go hollow, my friend."
I think you should play dark souls, it really helped me with my life and also it isn't a horror game really
To be able to say “I won and survived or I died and keep losing because of myself alone” is very freeing! All the fights and surviving is because I personally learned and improved! The numbers got higher but because I kept fighting through, I can have those bigger strengths!
horror game?
The tag says horror but in reality it doesn't give you fear, it gives you rage.
lots and Lots of rage...
Horror game???
I’ve had a weird experience with Dark Souls over my life.
When I was younger, I think early high school to late middle school, I found a copy of Dark Souls at my local video store for 5 dollars. I thought, “how can I pass this up?” Needless to say, I was annihilated by the first boss, and gave up the game really quickly.
Then, years and years later, during the first quarantine, my friends older brother got me to try the game again, and I made this small pact with myself that I would finish this game at all costs.
And I did.
It took forever, but I almost gained a new sense of drive after playing that game. I haven’t stayed in touch with that friend really (or his brother for that matter), but I’d just like to say,
Thanks.
My first Souls game was Bloodborne. I literally couldn’t get past the starting area so I quit. About a year later, I went back and committed myself to beating it. It was incredibly tough, but I eventually got through it and the feeling was so rewarding and it’s my favorite game now. This year, I finally committed to completing the DLC and, after around 100 attempts across multiple characters, I finally beat Laurence.
I’m currently working on DS3. I’d gone through most of it before, but it was with a friend so I felt like I cheated. So I stopped playing for a few years to give me time to forget things. I’m going through it solo now and just completed the catacombs. That area was a nightmare, but damn it feels great to be out.
I’m going through a very tough time in life right now and I find it interesting that I only wanna play DS3. I do think it’s helping me get through the real life hardship though.
Stay strong, friend!
Don’t give up, skeleton!
i’m currently playing and just recently beat the pontiff, he was so aids and i literally beat him with one health😂 right now i’m at the dancer and she isn’t that bad but the game is going really well right now. also hope everything goes well for you and you’re able to pull through bro 💪🏽
@@its_justnav2674 As someone who loves the sorcerer playstyle, I feel your pain. I stopped playing with that character for about five months to memory _solely_ because of the Pontiff. Eventually I beat the game with other characters and builds, and learned that the Caestus has the best parry frames bar none. That's how I fight him now, even when I play a Tarkus build, but that one sorcerer build...
After I came back to her, I realised I must have sold the Caestus for a quick level ages before that, and never levelled her Vigor out of stubbornness, so she was really squishy; in the end, I had to summon a kind stranger knight and take potshots at Sulyvhan while wearing the Dusk Crown. The stranger applauded me afterwards - made me feel good that I'd been able to stunlock the Pontiff just right with spells, but I never summoned again. I beat Aldrich handily, though! Pestilent Mist is stupidly good if you know how to use it.
absolutely, it's the hardship inside our own heads that's the toughest to beat, and when you decide to push through in DS and give it your best, even if it takes you dozens of attempts, you are actually fighting against your own mental barriers. We know we can do this, it's just hard to try and try and try. That's life too. And that's why I love DS.
In short, it’s about drive, it’s about power.
we stay hungry, we devour.
@@HillsideVids put in the work, put in the hours
@@Marcos-jr6ky and take what's ours 💪
I’ve struggled with Dark Souls for years. Not because the game is overwhelmingly hard. I know I could beat it if I seriously commit to doing so. I just haven’t found the time. I’ve started and abandoned probably 6 playthroughs of the game. I’m now at The Depths in a new play through. Hopefully I don’t Hollow in this one.
Have u gone hallow?
What's your report? Beat the game or got beaten 😂?
it's kind of tedious game to learn, I don't blame you
if you’re on pc i could help out with any souls game
@@nonakaharu9200 multiplayer on pc is shut down. he's on his own.
In my first play through, I didn’t know there was a bonfire in sens fortress, there for i sped ran the fort from undead burg, about 40 failed attempts and I only killed the iron Golem with help from my friend. Probably the stupidest thing I've done in any game I’ve ever played
Dark souls actually pulled me from depression. It has a very special place in my heart so I’m happy see videos still being made about the franchise
Thank you for this essay. With each day of 2022, this idea gets more and more relatable
"Don't You Dare Go Hollow"
this was very comforting and beautiful to hear as a fellow souls player that shares the same feelings and appreciation for these games as you do.
Such a great insight. This was awesome to watch
I never raged quit Dark Souls but man do these trophy requirements make me wanna go hollow
My experience with dark souls was similar. I first sat down with DSR early last year, at a point when I was struggling mentally and having something to escape to for hours really did help me. I grew to love the characters; I felt less hollow. It's a phrase that stuck out to me too
one of my best friends taught me these two latin phrases:
Semper ad meliora
and
Per aspera ad astra
They mean “Always towards better things,” “and Through hardships, to the stars.”
Those phrases are something to live by, and a mindset that Dark Souls teaches the player. Thanks for the video, and don’t you dare go hollow!
Bro wtf i thought you had a mil subs, great vid you earned a sub
lol not quite there yet, maybe someday. Thanks!
This video rly hits close to home, i always told my friends dark souls is a good representation of life and how through effort and hardship you can overcome whatever problem you are facing.
Crazy how we share the story of finishing dark souls 3 in bad times. It helped a lot and its cool to know im not alone on that
I remember the first time I played a Dark Souls, I was a pre teen. My father would some times come with a bag full of second hand games from the local game store for us to try during our free time together and one day Dark Souls 2 arrived in one of those boxes.
I put in in my PS3, watched a bunch of cutscenes I didnt fully understand, then started walking around a grass field in a cavern, but left the intended path and got mauled by dog, goblin things. [Achievement Unlocked: This is Dark Souls] "Oh, is one of THOSE games" I said "I´ll come back to it some day, but not right now I want to try the others..." I said. And thats how my first character evern in a Dark Souls game hollowed.
Years later, a friend convinced me Dark Souls 3 was the easiest of the franchise and a good starter point, it looked awesome so I gave it a try.
A foolish, untrained knight got told by a beautifull lady to go get some guys on their thrones and my journey began. I got close to hollowing to the first real boss, Vordt, but I persevered, grew stronger and better, Got Gud and kicked its oversize frosty ass, from them on I understood, no enemy was too great, no challenge too hard.
I fought, died and tried again through the whole game. I got close to hollowing a couple times, and I cannot say I defeated the DLC bosses, Gael, Midir and Friede were more than I could take, but at the end of the day, my knight sat in front of the fire and I watched the credits roll.
And now, I´m back at it again. I bought the Remaster to finish what I started with my free copy of Dark Souls one back in the XBOX One (it came with my copy of 3 and my 1st character also hollowed, not for any particular reason, I just wanted to play other games and never came back) and when I´m done linking this fire, the Scholar of the First Sin will be waiting for me.
And when that matter is settled, I will get back to 3 once again, to get the ending I actually wanted and finish the bosses I never beated.
👍 you’re doing good
Update: Finally beated all of the Dark Souls games a couple weeks ago.
Beated Gael first try, I've never felt so proud of myself in my life. I'm ready for Elden Ring.
@@axios4702 good work brother praise your achievements and the new game \O/
"Wait you can actually be unhollowed "
This message is brought to you by the *death* screen gang
I finished my first ds1 playthrough last week and I have to say it is one of my favourite games that I've ever played. There were so many points where I nearly gave up and I even stopped playing a couple of times because I couldn't figure out where to go but when I eventually got to four kings and beat them I kept going and started playing every day, fighting my way through tomb of the giants, struggling through lost izalith and getting cursed in the dukes archives. Once I got into the rhythm of things I didn't want to give up. Dark souls not only was very fun but it also helped me become better friends with someone who previously I didn't like that much who also didn't like me, he helped me through the game by giving me advice as he'd beaten it several times before and now we don't hate eachother.
I bought DS3 in 2019, barely beat the first boss, and put it on the shelf after just starting the high wall of Lothric. 2 weeks ago in December 2021 I finally decided to play it again and beat it in 5 days. I think some times people are just not in the right space to play Dark Souls, but once they are it is a magical experience
Completely underrated channel. Deserves more love.
"It starts where all great games do, the Northern Undead Asylum.." Lost all my shit there lmao
It's a beautiful saying. Hopeful, layered meanings.
All manner of "Don't give up!" rolled into one, said in so many ways that it will subconsciously be effective.
It took forever to beat my first DS1 run, and it was the remaster. I accidentally skipped the AOTA DLC and now I'm planning on doing it on NG+ 1. It's helping with some dangerous thoughts. I'll not hollow any time soon.
When you started speaking about how dark souls helps people going thro rough times and you started talking about when u were playing it, i got goose bumps, I'm going thro a tough time right now, I been thinking about killing myself here and there, and i been playing dark souls on switch and elden ring on PlayStation and it's been helping me keep it together you know. Fuck you for almost making me cry but thanks for making me realize what was going on in my brain these past months.
Dude, seriously, you explained everything I feel about the game. Dark Souls is about learning and hope! I find it amazing how surprised you are when you go through an area for the first time and find it extremely difficult, and shortly thereafter you pass through this same area, only this time you are stronger and more prepared. had the necessary learning to face the challenge and didn't give up because he had hope of going through it. Dark Souls changed my life and my whole perspective on it. I could not hope for a bravior companion than you, and don't you dare go hollow!
Bruh your commentary is spot on. Definitely one of the highly underrated channels. Keep up the good work dude. This is coming from a dark souls veteran, one of very few people who have beaten all 3 ascended mods.
Thank you! That's really nice to hear. Glad you enjoyed it!
People on their first playthrough will see Dark Souls and its world as a bleak, overbearing, and hopeless experience, which it is in many aspects, but the message behind it and how vividly it delivers it is more uplifting than I think anyone would expect
Wow, excellent video man.
I struggled for a real long time with depression and really bad anxiety for a large part of my life. It still comes back every now and then when things get hard and I can feel myself starting to slip. But throughout it all I’ve come back to dark souls 1,2 and 3 more times than I can count. It’s a game that’s always been there for me and reminded me that even if shit gets hard and it feels like you try your hardest just to get knocked down again that so long as you don’t give up you’ll make it in the end. I still struggle with feeling like I’m wasting my time or like I’m stuck at a job I hate just trying to scrape by but I know that so long as I just keep pushing someday it’ll get better. I finally got “Don’t You Dare Go Hollow” tattooed on me at the start of the year to match a Solaire piece I’ve got on my arm to serve as a constant reminder that I need to keep pushing. I’m sure everyone out there is struggling with something and I promise your not alone. I hope you all keep doing your best and never give up. You can do so much more than you realize and have more people cheering you on than you’ll ever know.
I'm glad this was suggested. I've been watching a lot of lore vids lately and am currently running all 3 games at the same time, trying to beat each in a different, but new to me, way. And I've found some very deep parallels to how Dark Souls can be seen as an analogy or metaphor of a lot of struggles people go through in their lives. I love that you touched that subject, even if just briefly, but you made the connection nonetheless and anyone who watches this and never considered it might now take that seed and let it grow. Look at the struggle they experience in their life like a boss fight, knowing it can be overcome if they find the courage and the patience to discover the way. That itself is one of the greatest gifts I believe every recent game by From Software gives its audience: the reminder that demons can be beaten if we persevere through the hardship of growing and rising to the task necessary. I think Celeste also does a wonderful job of this but that's a different game and different story.
Anyways, you got a new sub for sure. I'll share this on the discord group I'm part of where we're all bounded by our love of Dark Souls and even though we all do our own things, it was playing DS that introduced us to each other. It's not much I can offer to help, but it's what I got and I hope it does help grow your channel.
Keep at it man. Don't you ever go hollow on us. We'll be looking forward to more videos from you for sure. Till the next one, stay awesome. Now I'm gonna go watch your other vids and see what else you got. Cheers mate.
Three of my characters have gone hollow but the fourth learned from their failures and preserved
Edit: just as you described in the video dark souls helped a lot of people with mental health problems and I'm included it helped me with myself doubt and my procrastination and a whole bunch of other things that kept me knowing at me that I needed to beat this game I needed to show I was strong enough and that helped me organize my own life and put to use some of the measures that I used in game in my work life
ugh...maybe its time to finally give dark souos the chance it deserves. i adore ds3 bloodborne and sekiro but ds1 never really grabbed me even tho i know plenty about the game. idk, this video kinda shed a light on how special ds1 really is.
At the start of covid I convinced my best friend to buy and play ds3 with the promise of playing through it with him. Needless to say he loved the game and before I knew it we played through the whole souls series together. It ended up being one of the greatest times I've ever had playing video games if not the best.
That's awesome! That's so cool that you both got to share that.
I'm stuck on reaching Northern Undead Asylum to get Oscar's shield but your words truly motivated me
I went hollow in my first run at capra demon. So I played all of Dark souls 3 before creating a new character in Ds1 and stomping the game. Still, I struggled more against Capra than vs all of the other bosses. I've done less tries against Ornstein and Smough than the Capra demon, and vs Artorias and Kalameet and Manus and much more. Now I'm happy that I finished this game, I absolutely loved it.
The secret is learning their moves and weaknesses
@@Chilpa666 exacta
You sound like a really cool guy. Great video. I too have been kicked down to the depths of the human mind. But I have to keep going. My uncle just passed last week and it's been really hard lately in life in general. Depression and PTSD are a bitch. But we all need to take those 5 words to heart. I got the dark sign inked on my whole hand. Stay with us fellow unkindled, and don't you dare go hollow.
Sorry for your loss. Keep your head up!
@@HillsideVids appreciate it. Happy holidays
Yell heah dude. I was literally JUST thinking about picking back up some Dark Souls goodness. Great video Hillside!
It's always a good time for Dark Souls!
the pain and anguish of getting your ass handed to you by some weak enemy after just getting through a group of strong ones, the AMAZING opposite feeling of victory is what ultimately gave me the will to keep going over and over, this franchise is awesome and for a game with so many builds, im surprised to know there are minimum "elitists"
oh yeah i forgot to mention the game is a good time killer and depression cure somehow lmao
The dark souls community is actually filled with elitists and toxic people who tell you to “get good” etc. The steam forums are filled with them.
@@rampageblizzard well, if that's how you feel, maybe you should git gud scrub
@@theapexsurvivor9538 way to prove their point
@@JayStryerTheDeadWizard way to miss mine.
@@theapexsurvivor9538 if that was sarcasm sorry. i was tired and couldn't tell
being hollow in hollow knight: 😀
being hollow in dark souls: 💀
The crazy thing is that when we stop playing Dark Souls for the rest of our lives, our characters turn hollow. It makes the world feel more real than any other game I’ve ever played.
FANTASTIC video. The editing, the commentary. That was great. 10/10 would watch someone play through this game
What is love about darksoul is the feeling of accomplishment. The ability to overcome challenges just by trying your best enough time. And the game just doesn't hand you power you actually have to aquire it yourself.
Yeah! I'll never go hollow! *Takes the fifth dark sigil from Yoel*
I havent been thinking about it much since ive neen marathoning the entire franchise b4 elden ring, but im starting to get some vietnam flashbacks.
Whether it's gascoigne from bloodborne, the gargoyles in ds1, (ds2 is easy), Gundyr in ds3, or even Genichiro is Sekiro. Ive gotten experienced enough to know that pushing through is the way to go, but I had completely forgotten about that time I refunded ds3, let ds1 dissapear into the dust on my shelf, left bloodborne with severe trauma, or even the time I threw my controller on the floor in Sekiro before refunding it as well.
All those moments are tough, but its definitely possible to get through them, thank you for this video! it really brought back some memories i had forgotten about.
"You have a heart of gold dont let them take it from you."
I do not remember who said this but an incredible quote from a video i heard was "anyone can tell you don't give up. But dark souls teaches you to not give up."
"it sound like a prophecy, and it's ,a self fulfilling one,tell every one that they are chosen and they will either sacrifice themself to the flame or die trying"
very clever
glad i didnt give up and finally beated the game with my level 98 katana wielding wanderer...
What a great video! This is super underrated and I hope more people find your content!
I’m currently finishing my first run of Dark Souls. I’ve played DS3, BLOODBORNE and SEKIRO. For being ten years old, it’s a lot of fun and addicting. I’m blown away by it.
I am playing Dark Souls 3 for the first time now. Right now I am at the Nameless King and enjoying every death so far.
I am really struggling with Ornstein and Smaugh, but this video.... filled me with determination
It'll be cool if the Crestfallen warrior is the old character we left behind to start a new save file, after losing hope on that save file and start a new one later on, the face of our past mistakes will be the one welcome us in the Firelink and later on, hollowing in the last area they were, and after hollowing that character, you cant go back to that save file, is gone, you killed them
I always tell people thinking about getting into the game that at it's core the soulsborne games are about overcoming challenges, be it preparing and having the right tools, hitting the wall over and over until it breaks or just dumb luck at the end of it all its your accomplishment.
Just don't go hollow.
Bloodborne was my first Souls game and it is actually my favorite game of all time. It took me 5h to beat Laurence alone. Though it was by far the boss I struggled with the most, it was also the most rewarding and definitely the most memorable fight of the whole game for me. I not only learned patience and perseverance, but also the importance to manage and accept your emotions. The more frustrated I was, the worst were my attempts and the further I was from success. It's more than keeping a positive attitude, it's accepting the emotions and keep going despite them.
After completing both Bloodborne and DS3 with their excellent DLCs, I started playing DSR when it launched but stopped playing 1/3th of the way through, in Blighttown, feeling kinda exhausted from the Souls formula. Three years later without having touched anything Souls related, I'm stuck at home, alone on Christmas with covid, a college burnout, a shitty job I don't like and an eroding passion for photography. Yesterday evening, I decided to pick up my controller and booted the game. After 4½h of continuous playing, I felt a drive I hadn't felt in at least a year, back when I started photography. Today, I have stumbled upon your video, and I can say that it made it clear to me that I had went hollow irl as well. I don't know exactly how I'm gonna get back on track, but I know I'm going to give myself a second chance at that game. Dark Souls might not always be the solution to your problems, but it will always be there waiting for you, with hope.
Thanks for the amazing video and y'all take care! ❤
your take on the crestfallen knight couldn’t have been said better. a lot of great thought provoking points being made here and in less than 10 min. great video, excited to see this channel grow
Five years ago, a friend of mine ended his life. He was just so infatuated with Dark Souls. I remember the night I visited his house, and all sirens and lights. He didn't have any family; just a nice italian man that he paid rent to.
Even if me, and that Italian man, were footnotes in his mind when he was pulling the trigger, we'll never know. But as I was going through his stuff; old games, books, movies, poems... everything he owned, his internet search history stuck out to me. The last video he ever watched was the ending where they lit the fire and sort of just... existed. All alone, a small fire flickering in a darkened world.
Something about it still really sticks with me, prods me with questions without warning. Questions I never really want to answer; at least not in the same way he answered them. I know how fucked up this is going to sound, but cherish their suicide note. I never got one, so I'm still left reeling all these years later.
I can’t really explain why, but this was a great video. So, thanks for making it.
With The Infernoplus mod, it's really fun
I haven't tried that. I'll have to look into it.
@@HillsideVids check out his video, if you have time
My first build in dark souls 3 was a “even build”, it had around 40 strength and 30 sec and I loved swords like the Astora great sword and surprisingly the Abyss watchers great sword, I loved this character and liked to use the Astora set/any knight looking armor, I did almost all the NPC quest lines and I had a lot of fun, Until I met the ashes of ariandel DLC, even at this level (around 88-99) this was hard for me, I barely got to the church, when I did, I gave up and abandoned that character, a few months later I replayed the game, but in a different way, instead of checking the game out and doing what I tried to be a balanced build, I did a strength build for the first time, it was very fun and I loved the big damage play style with patience and you could win, after doing a few builds of strength builds over a few characters, I remembered my Astora build, I decided to check out the character again and I finally got through the DLC, this character was my favorite and I could never do it again since whenever I do a strength build, it’s usually just wait and punish or spam them dead with great sword, on a balanced build between dex and strength, I always did the very CHEESY black knight great sword and I got so good at the game at that point (or good in a sense I never really died and I knew what I was doing) I could get the sword to plus 3 at pontiff destroying the boss and making the game less fun, I’ve never found much fun in miracle builds and Magic/Pyromancies and faith(poor faith builds),I’m now trying to fulfill my first ever characters legacy by trying to recreate the character, In short I almost went hollow, But thanks to some inspiration and courage I finally succeeded.
Sorry for the Essay, in short Dark souls made me take a break, have a breather for a few months and get back to the game and take off the rust and prevent my hollowing
I remember playing this game for the first time. I was a very angry child with an overabundance of existential dread. I remember hearing how they used the term hollow in this game to refer to people who were a shell of who they once were, people who for lack of better terms had totally given up. I remember resonating with this term, still not being well versed on what it meant to be depressed and started to describe myself as hollow. That was until I started to pay closer attention to the game, and I picked up on the fact that the characters I really liked were striving to not be hollow, they wanted to live, to continue to be themselves even if it meant their demise. This began to change the way I thought about being hollow, it made me think that maybe just maybe I didn't need to give up, that there was still something out there for me. This culminated in me developing in a fondness for Laurentis as in my first playthrough I decided to be a Pyro. It was that one simple sentence that forced me to stop playing and ball for hours. "Be safe friend, don't you dare go hollow". It floored me. It was like he understood that beyond the game I really was struggling with trying not to just give up, trying to find purpose in my own life, it was as if he was speaking to me and not just my character. I think that for a lot of people who love this series as much as I do they hold a similar experience. This game is my comfort game, this overly brutal and unforgiving game that is supposed to frustrate you, supposed to make you angry is what calms me. The narrative this game is given from the outside perspective is a flawed one, sure dark souls is hard, but more than that I'd say dark souls is painful. It forces you to confront the darker side of life that you fear, the part of you that wonders if life would be any different if you were gone. It forces you to come to terms with the fact that even if you are gonna go hollow someday, even if someday you'll just completely give up, that right now you're here. You're alive, and trying and for the most part that's all we can ask of you. We live in a cruel world, one that makes a lot of what we do seem pointless, but that's the beauty of it. So what if it's pointless, this is it, this life is very much only what we make it to be, and so we should grab it by the balls and never let go. I'll leave you with the 2 quotes that keep me moving, that keep me from going hollow, in fact I'll just combine it all into one nice little quote. Keep moving forward and be safe friend, don't you dare go hollow.
that “don’t you dare go hollow” at the end with the firelink shrine theme gave me chills
Bloodhorne Old Hunter Dlc, Orphan of Kos was the largest roadblock for me. Took me 9 weeks to beat that boss 2 hours each day.
Ds2 SotFS was my first souls game. I find it interesting that ds2 seems to directly mirror this by giving you every incentive to quit, yet continuously rewards you with power the more you put yourself through. First time player beating the last giant? Infinite lifegems. Get to Ornifex in Brightstone Cove after freeing him using a valuable resource that you never know whether it will be required later on? Boss weapons which in Ds2 really are at least A tier or higher depending on scenario. Aldia calls you " conqueror of fear" after you get all the great souls. Then, beat all three dlcs and get Vendrick's crown at the Shrine of Amana for Vendrick's blessing. A blessing that when you wear a king's crown makes you immune to hollowing. As if you're now such an invested veteran that death now no longer weakens the will of your character and means only the annoyance of collecting your souls. Aldia then calls you "conqueror of adversity" at the end of the game and after a final test which is naught but formality, asks what you truly desire. As you are the king now, the one who has defeated every challenge in their way, and your reward is being in control over your own fate, exponentially growing power, and virtual immortality. In Ds1 you go on your journey at the behest of the one who doomed you and all your kind with a curse. Such was Gwyn's power to do so when he saw his moment to gain power by seizing what would be known as "his" lord soul and take the world from the dragons. Whereas in Ds2 your character sees their opportunity to seize power and control and must go through a gauntlet of adversity without their will breaking in order to achieve their goal. Then at the end, you make the choice only a lord can make, follow Gwyn's footsteps anyway, or choose your own path. Your own status quo. Or perhaps as Aldia alludes to at the end, perhaps you're more creating your own path rather than choosing one set for you by your predecessors.
I was initially hesitant to play dark souls. I played it on xbox one with 360 back combat. I got stuck because of the silver knight archers and i stopped playing for months. I then pick the game up on the switch. I beat it 3 times. I try not to play the game anymore. Not because its not enjoyable but because i don’t want to lose the magic of the game by playing it too much. I doubt that is possible but i want to play this game with my kids whenever i have them. I am forever grateful to experience the world of dark souls. Do not go hollow my friends.
Me who killed that turtle guy on the bridge in DS3 first time playing, my body says no to Hollowing
Excellent video 👏
I find Dark Souls to be a very warm game... as odd as that sounds. It brings me a lot of comfort & it's like visiting an old, dear friend 💖
I'm relatively new to FromSoft games & this year got my Platinums for Dark Souls & Bloodborne all by myself, so am really proud 💪
Dark Souls means so much to me, has also helped me through many dark times, & am thinking of getting a tattoo as a little personal thank you to this wonderful game!
I’m a new player to dark souls. I decided to start with the first game and I’m playing through it rn. Im enjoying it a lot (and by enjoying it I mean I’m stuck next to Andre with only 5 estus questioning my life choices). So this was nice to hear.
Edit: good news! I’m in NG+ 4 now! This game is absolutely my favorite of all time and it’s consumed my life for these past few months
My godmother just passed about 4 hours ago and I needed this video. I refuse to go hollow no matter how hard or bleak life gets
Yeah, and one thing is true Dark souls is gonna make you never give up no matter how hard are challenges you across. That’s why i love this game so much. It simply made me a better person.
“Smokin weed in the basement sorta thinking” ok subbed
If you think about it, one of the mechanics of this game is that the only way to receive any support from any NPC is that you must not be Hollow.
Based on all the great information that you mentioned on this video I start wondering if this have a meaning related to interact with other people in the most complicated scenarios of your life.
If you are Hollow you won't be able to motivate others to follow your journey or even to receive any support from them. Great video!!!
This channel mad underated
Funnily enough, the only dark souls that tells you that you’re going to die a lot of times and laughs at you for it instead of giving you encouragement is dark souls 2, considered as the worst dark souls.
As a new Soulsborne player that just recently played Demons Souls remake for the first time ever couple months back , along with beating Dark souls 1 and 2 remastered and Bloodborne and did a pretty good chunk of Dark soul's 3 so far, this was amazing. Certain topics I never usually think this deep about the different sides of the story as much , but when I do in moments like these , really shows the true art of these games for what they really are . Awesome vid.
I don't like Dark Souls, but this made me wanna try it for the half dozenth time to see if I can stick with it
So once you break through the barrier it’s a lot of fun. But right up to the end you will be bitch slapped right up to the end. Also armor is overrated. Dodge over armor is super important
@@jedediahhopkins6051 DS3 definetly. Poise is pretty good in DS1 tho.
Once you break through the wall of fear and frustration, it becomes something addicting that you can stop playing even dying a hundred times. Besides, if you be careful enough, you’re gonna die a lot less.
The game is great but it’s not for everyone
Beautifully said. Great Video
Scythe is my favorite dex weapon. Sweep out 3 foes, break shields, etc
"The only places that are clean and well-put-together are a lie..." Great callout
dark souls is such a great game, I got don't go hollow actually tattooed on me
Dude I’m gonna get it as a tattoo also
I spent more than 2 weeks to get from the undead burg to the Andrew bonefire not realizing there is a shortcut and my weapon broke and thought all my weapons broke and restarted just to get stuck again and finally getting there and getting stuck at moonlight butterfly and died one hit away and gave up.
Then watched a walkthrough for half the game just to know what to do until I got to O&S and won in my 15th try feeling confident and leaving the walkthrough to finish the game myself, it was prepare to die edition
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who spent an insane amount of time in the burg...
@@patrickjasonbongales5080 I feel your pain
Good video, very insightful and interesting. I just wish I had found it back when it came out.
You have a heart of gold dont let them take it from you
O&S literally took me over a month irl to beat 💀
That was an awesome video! Don't you dare go hollow.
My first souls game was dark souls 2, id gotten hard stuck on the belfry gargoyles, i dropped the game for nearly a year. when i came back id go on to beat the game with a +2 great club and base level armor, id simply forgotten the black Smith being all but 2 steps away.
That's taking not going hollow to another level.
In my experience a quote by Winston Churchill sums up war, depression, and the soulsborne games "when you're going through hell; keep going." And to me that doesn't mean push through by your grit and sheer force of will, it means that every fight worth fighting it going to be tough but the pay off at the end is worth it, it means there's always a light in the dark and a better tomorrow waiting for you, and all you have to do is wake up.... Sorry for rambling
Funny thing is. I played dark souls 3 first and before that monster hunter 4 ultimate (mostly rewards skill inspired dark souls similar mechanics)
Dark souls 1 i played after that and i didn't find it as difficult as my playthrough of 3.
I third tried ornstein and smough my first run of ds1.
Dark souls rewards skill and it carries between games.. and some of that skill carries over into other game series especially monster hunter and king's field. Cuz mhw fatalis was much easier than i thought he'd be. I killed over 50 risen shagaru in rise. I solo'd midir, and fatalis(world). needless to say the experience is timeless.
I got introduced to the series via a friend and now i'm enjoying king's field. It's basically the other half to dark souls. Themes, poison areas, a dark gritty rpg made by fromsoft. whilst the other half is monster hunter rolling, healing items taking a bit to use, a lot of unique weapons to tinker around with beating the crap out of things with a massive blunt weapon.
Great video man
Good video 👍
I guess I went hollow in Bloodborne, when I faced Orphan of Kos.
In Dark Souls 3, went hollow facing Prince Lothric.
Since then, I've come back & beat Dark Souls 1,2,3 multiple times & even got the PLATINUMS 🏆🏆🏆
Nailed the Bloodborne PLATINUM 🏆 as well.
I recently got a PS5 & have been playing a lot of Demon's Souls, it's great.
However, I can breeze through these games now, I'm so skilled, bosses hardly ever faze me anymore. 😑
In fact, I miss the days when I would die 30+ times to the same boss. 😔
Cool video, short sweet and to the point, hope to see others like it from you :)