How Long to Beat Dark Souls? A Detailed Guide

How Long to Beat Dark Souls? A Detailed Guide – Dark Souls, developed by FromSoftware, is one of the most iconic and challenging games in modern gaming history. Known for its unforgiving difficulty, deep lore, and intricate gameplay, the question often arises: how long does it take to beat Dark Souls? The answer depends on various factors, including your playstyle, experience, and how much of the game you want to complete.

This guide explores the average completion times, factors that influence playthrough durations, and tips for optimizing your experience in Dark Souls. Whether you’re a first-time player or revisiting Lordran, this article provides everything you need to know.

Average Time to Beat Dark Souls

The time it takes to beat Dark Souls can vary widely based on your approach to the game. Below are estimates for different playstyles:

1. Main Story Only

If you focus solely on the main story and avoid optional areas or side quests, you can expect to complete the game in approximately 40–50 hours. This estimate assumes:

Moderate familiarity with action RPG mechanics.
A willingness to learn and adapt to the game’s challenges.
Minimal time spent exploring or grinding.

2. Main Story + Some Side Content

Adding in optional areas like the Painted World of Ariamis or some of the covenants, your playtime will likely increase to 50–70 hours. These areas are rich in lore and offer unique rewards but aren’t required to finish the game.

3. Completionist Playthrough

For those aiming to see everything Dark Souls has to offer—finding all items, defeating every boss, completing every covenant, and exploring every area—the game can take upwards of 80–120 hours. Completionist runs are often significantly longer due to:

Revisiting areas to find hidden secrets.
Grinding for rare items like covenant rewards.
Exploring all dialogue options and NPC questlines.

4. New Players

If this is your first time playing Dark Souls, expect the playtime to skew longer. First-time players may take 60–80 hours to finish the main story as they learn enemy patterns, explore the interconnected world, and adapt to the punishing difficulty.

Factors Affecting Completion Time

Several factors can influence how long it takes to beat Dark Souls:

1. Experience with Soulsborne Games

If you’ve played other FromSoftware titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, or other games in the Souls series, you’ll have an easier time understanding the mechanics. Experienced players can often complete the game faster than newcomers.

2. Playstyle

Aggressive players may rush through areas and bosses but risk dying more frequently.
Cautious players may take longer to progress as they explore thoroughly and strategize for each encounter.

3. Exploration

Dark Souls rewards exploration with valuable items, shortcuts, and lore. However, spending extra time scouring every corner of Lordran will extend your playtime.

4. Boss Difficulty

Some bosses, like Ornstein and Smough or Artorias the Abysswalker, can be significant roadblocks. How quickly you adapt to their patterns and mechanics will directly impact your playtime.

5. Use of Guides or Help

Using walkthroughs or summoning other players for assistance can drastically reduce your playtime. Conversely, going in blind and avoiding help can increase the time it takes to beat the game.

Breakdown of Key Areas and Time Estimates

The world of Dark Souls is vast, with interconnected zones that offer different levels of challenge. Below is an estimate of how much time you might spend in each major area:

1. Undead Asylum

Time Estimate: 30–60 minutes
The game’s tutorial area introduces you to the basic mechanics and prepares you for the challenges ahead.

2. Undead Burg and Undead Parish

Time Estimate: 3–5 hours
These early-game areas test your combat skills and introduce some of the first major challenges, like the Bell Gargoyles boss fight.

3. Depths

Time Estimate: 2–4 hours
A darker, labyrinthine area with dangerous enemies like the Basilisks. This zone leads to Blighttown.

4. Blighttown

Time Estimate: 3–6 hours
Infamous for its difficulty and frame-rate issues on older systems, Blighttown is a significant hurdle for many players.

5. Sen’s Fortress

Time Estimate: 2–5 hours
A trap-filled fortress that tests your patience and timing.

6. Anor Londo

Time Estimate: 5–8 hours
One of the game’s most iconic locations, featuring the challenging Ornstein and Smough boss fight.

7. Optional Areas

Time Estimate: 5–15 hours (combined)
Areas like the Painted World of Ariamis and Ash Lake are optional but offer unique rewards and lore.

8. The DLC: Artorias of the Abyss

Time Estimate: 6–10 hours
This expansion adds new areas, bosses, and lore, extending your playtime significantly.

Tips to Beat Dark Souls Faster

If you’re looking to optimize your playthrough and reduce completion time, here are some helpful tips:

1. Plan Your Build

Decide on a character build early in the game. Whether you prefer a melee-focused warrior, a magic-wielding sorcerer, or a hybrid build, sticking to a plan helps streamline your progression.

2. Master Parrying and Dodging

Learning to parry and dodge effectively can save you countless hours by reducing deaths and boss retries.

3. Use Bonfires Strategically

Activate and upgrade bonfires in key locations to reduce backtracking. Rest at bonfires near difficult bosses or challenging areas to minimize the time spent returning after a death.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Summon Help

Summoning other players or NPCs for tough boss fights can make a significant difference, especially for challenging encounters like Ornstein and Smough.

5. Use Shortcuts

Dark Souls is full of shortcuts that can save time. Be on the lookout for levers, hidden paths, and ladders that connect areas.

6. Upgrade Your Weapons and Gear

Invest in weapon upgrades early. Stronger weapons can make fights much quicker and reduce the time spent chipping away at enemies.

Is It Worth Spending Extra Time on Side Content?

Dark Souls is rich in optional content, from covenants to hidden bosses and lore-filled areas. While not necessary to complete the main story, side content enhances your understanding of the game’s world and provides valuable rewards.

Here are a few highlights:

Covenants: Joining a covenant can grant unique abilities, items, and multiplayer opportunities.
Hidden Bosses: Optional bosses like the Stray Demon or Gwyndolin offer additional challenges and loot.
Lore Exploration: Delving into the game’s hidden lore adds depth to your experience.

Conclusion

How long it takes to beat Dark Souls depends on your playstyle, experience, and goals. Whether you aim to finish the main story, delve into side content, or achieve 100% completion, Dark Souls offers a rewarding journey through its challenging and intricately designed world. Take your time, embrace the difficulty, and enjoy the adventure that has captivated millions of players worldwide.