7.8
rating
Ludopedia
6.4
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS
If you enjoy a brutal challenge and love the Dark Souls universe, this board game is for you! Prepare to die and learn in a cooperative exploration and combat game with miniatures that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Highlights
- Intense cooperative challenge
- Immersive miniatures and theme
- Replayability with varied enemies
- Strategic resource management
Keep in mind
- Difficulty can be frustrating
- Requires good communication
- Setup can be lengthy
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready to see your health bar hit zero MANY times! Dark Souls: The Board Game is the kind of game that challenges you at every turn, perfect for those who enjoy a good challenge and aren't afraid to die (in the game, of course!). It's a cooperative exploration and combat game with miniatures, where you and up to three friends will dive into a dark and dangerous universe. We really enjoy how it throws you straight into the action with a quick setup, but the map and danger reveal happens as you progress. Every corner discovered might hide a hungry monster or an unexpected peril, and the sense of tension is constant. Combat is strategic, requiring 'stamina' management that forces you to think carefully before each attack or dodge. And don't think you can just attack anyone: enemies have a behavior system that changes with each encounter, which is brilliant for providing immense replayability! Facing iconic bosses like Ornstein and Smough is a true test for any group. If you're a fan of the video game series or simply love a difficult, thematic cooperative game with incredible miniatures, this one's for you. Just don't say we didn't warn you about the difficulty!
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
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Dark Souls the Board Game Tutorial
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House Rules to Make Dark Souls more like the Video Game!
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Dark Souls Board Game Re-Boxing
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How To Play - Dark Souls
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How to Play Dark Souls
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How to Play Dark Souls - Bored Online? Board Offline! #238
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Learn to Play: Dark Souls the board game
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Mini Boss Behavior Guide
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Dark Souls Setup and Rules - Ready Steady Play
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How to Play: Dark Souls - The Board Game
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Painted by Jocinetu
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How to Paint Wooden Barrels
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
BEST
3
REC
4
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Steamforged Games Ltd., Ulisses Spiele
Designer
Alex Hall, David Carl, Mat Hart, Richard Loxam
Artist
Thomas Lishman
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What is the average playtime?
A game of Dark Souls: The Board Game can take between 90 and 120 minutes, depending on the group's experience and the chosen campaign.
How many players can participate?
The game is for 1 to 4 players, working well both in solo mode and as a group.
Is the game very difficult?
Yes, difficulty is a hallmark, just like in the video game. Be prepared to fail a few times before you can progress. It's a game for those who enjoy challenges!
Do I need to know the rules by heart to play?
The game has relatively short text on cards and components, considered easy to memorize after a few plays. The complexity lies more in strategic decisions than in reading rules.
Is it necessary to have played the video game to understand the board game?
Not necessarily! Although fans of the series will recognize characters, locations, and the atmosphere, the board game is designed to be understandable and playable on its own.
What's in the box?
The box is packed! Expect to find many high-quality miniatures, modular tiles to build the board, dice, enemy cards, equipment, and much more.
Is this a game for tactical combat lovers?
Absolutely! Combat is the heart of the game, requiring planning, stamina management, and knowledge of enemy attack patterns.
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