Like many, my relationship with Dark Souls started a bit rough. I wasn't quite sure I wanted to continue on with such an abusive relationship. But then, all of a sudden, there was a brief serenity and calmness in all the death and stun-locking that taught me the value of the experience. If you work hard enough, you'll reap the ultimate reward: experiencing that majesty that is Dark Souls. It was at that point that my liking became an obsession. To this day, if I pick up the game I have to know that it will be a while before I put it down again, just for a breather and perhaps a swig of estus.
In fact, my obsession was so real that I had the original Japanese Dark Souls: Design Works imported from Japan less than a year ago. I knew that I had no chance in deciphering the vast text in the interview section but, for me, the art alone was worth the premium. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we North Americans would be intentionally treated to such a great work of art. Then, the wonderful people at Udon Entertainment made a dream come true with their announcement of an English translation of Dark Souls: Design Works.
After the long and eager wait that comes with pre-ordering an item months ahead of its release, it finally arrived at my doorstep. I was immediately greeted by the grandiose facade, very fitting for Dark Souls, that is its cover. The slipcover is a matte metallic silver stock with a sandpaper texture. The black title plate planted atop it is contrastingly glossy and smooth. On that back is a deeply implanted silver sword silhouette. But the real beauty comes when you remove the luxurious slipcover and reveal the ash black hardcover with text and ornaments as orange as a raging bonfire.
As if the presentation was not enough to warrant five stars, inside this tome you will find nothing but the most stunning content.
Chapter 1: Concept Art
The first 30 pages feature no words - solely massive, sprawling concept art on every page, all featured on glossy black stock. I spent a good minute at least on each page, just admiring the beauty and quality of each work.
Chapter 2: Design Materials
The following 80 pages are broken up into sections, each visually describing the design process of various elements and showing insight into the design of World Materials, NPC Materials, Boss Monster Materials, Monster Materials, Player Equipment Materials, Weapon Materials, Unused Materials (very interesting!), and a brief look at the First Edition Purchase Bonus Poster Materials from the collector's edition release of the game.
Chapter 3: Interviews
This section is undoubtedly what I looked forward to most. Having held onto the Japanese edition for so long with no hopes of gaining insight into the thought process of the masterminds who crafted the masochistic symphony that is Dark Souls, I couldn't help but skip first to the twelve-page interview with Hidetaka Miyazaki, Daisuke Satake, Hiroshi Nakamura, Masamori Waragai, and Mai Hastuyama. It was everything I could have hoped for. Their insight is breathtaking and inspiring and truly something I don't wish to spoil to any readers, but these twelve pages alone were worth the $30 purchase price.
I really cannot say enough to try and convince onlookers to purchase this, but please do it. Not only will you treat yourself to something truly unique and amazing, but you will be convincing Udon Entertainment to continue their great practice of bringing English translations of beautiful Japanese books to the west.
Dark Souls: Design Works Hardcover – Illustrated, 21 January 2014
by
From Software
(Author)
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Product details
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 128 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1926778898
- ISBN-13 : 978-1926778891
- Reading age : 13 - 16 years
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Best Sellers Rank:
701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 4 in Art History
- 4 in Other Art Media & Techniques
- 9 in Graphic Design Books
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Most helpful customer reviews on Amazon.com
Amazon.com:
4.6 out of 5 stars
148 reviews

Nick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing treasure ahead!
18 January 2014 -
Published on Amazon.comVerified Purchase

5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing treasure ahead!
Reviewed in the United States on 18 January 2014
Like many, my relationship with Dark Souls started a bit rough. I wasn't quite sure I wanted to continue on with such an abusive relationship. But then, all of a sudden, there was a brief serenity and calmness in all the death and stun-locking that taught me the value of the experience. If you work hard enough, you'll reap the ultimate reward: experiencing that majesty that is Dark Souls. It was at that point that my liking became an obsession. To this day, if I pick up the game I have to know that it will be a while before I put it down again, just for a breather and perhaps a swig of estus.Reviewed in the United States on 18 January 2014
In fact, my obsession was so real that I had the original Japanese Dark Souls: Design Works imported from Japan less than a year ago. I knew that I had no chance in deciphering the vast text in the interview section but, for me, the art alone was worth the premium. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we North Americans would be intentionally treated to such a great work of art. Then, the wonderful people at Udon Entertainment made a dream come true with their announcement of an English translation of Dark Souls: Design Works.
After the long and eager wait that comes with pre-ordering an item months ahead of its release, it finally arrived at my doorstep. I was immediately greeted by the grandiose facade, very fitting for Dark Souls, that is its cover. The slipcover is a matte metallic silver stock with a sandpaper texture. The black title plate planted atop it is contrastingly glossy and smooth. On that back is a deeply implanted silver sword silhouette. But the real beauty comes when you remove the luxurious slipcover and reveal the ash black hardcover with text and ornaments as orange as a raging bonfire.
As if the presentation was not enough to warrant five stars, inside this tome you will find nothing but the most stunning content.
Chapter 1: Concept Art
The first 30 pages feature no words - solely massive, sprawling concept art on every page, all featured on glossy black stock. I spent a good minute at least on each page, just admiring the beauty and quality of each work.
Chapter 2: Design Materials
The following 80 pages are broken up into sections, each visually describing the design process of various elements and showing insight into the design of World Materials, NPC Materials, Boss Monster Materials, Monster Materials, Player Equipment Materials, Weapon Materials, Unused Materials (very interesting!), and a brief look at the First Edition Purchase Bonus Poster Materials from the collector's edition release of the game.
Chapter 3: Interviews
This section is undoubtedly what I looked forward to most. Having held onto the Japanese edition for so long with no hopes of gaining insight into the thought process of the masterminds who crafted the masochistic symphony that is Dark Souls, I couldn't help but skip first to the twelve-page interview with Hidetaka Miyazaki, Daisuke Satake, Hiroshi Nakamura, Masamori Waragai, and Mai Hastuyama. It was everything I could have hoped for. Their insight is breathtaking and inspiring and truly something I don't wish to spoil to any readers, but these twelve pages alone were worth the $30 purchase price.
I really cannot say enough to try and convince onlookers to purchase this, but please do it. Not only will you treat yourself to something truly unique and amazing, but you will be convincing Udon Entertainment to continue their great practice of bringing English translations of beautiful Japanese books to the west.
Images in this review







121 people found this helpful

Parka
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good but could have more art
21 January 2014 -
Published on Amazon.comVerified Purchase
The book's still hardcover, 128 pages. The cover is nicer. I like the sandy texture and the cover design is somehow printed over it in high gloss.
Since I've already reviewed the Japanese artbook. The review that follows is roughly similar with minor changes.
This artbook collects the concept art for characters, enemies, background, weapons and items.
There are two chapters, one on concept art and the other on early designs. The chapters are not necessary because they are all concept art. In fact, the organization of content is a bit chaotic. Take the weapons section for example. They are not strictly grouped by type. There are axes together with broad swords, spears with shields, etc. Same thing with the characters and enemies.
The concept art featured are nice but with a slightly rough art style. I would have preferred a more finished look especially for the environment art. They are printed quite small because they don't have enough detail to go big, or too unfinished. The designs are great but somehow they don't have the same forbidding feeling you get when playing the game. The Dark Souls world is quite big and I'm surprised they didn't include more environment art.
I love the character designs for this game. The enemies are incredibly scary. There are lots of enemies featured. It's good that some have included many design variations, but many also come with just one design by itself. There aren't any 3D renders.
The weapon designs are interesting, but I felt that not all weapons are included. I've the game guide and there are a lot of weapons not included here.
The last few pages are interviews with the designers of the game. The book makes more sense to me now that I can understand the captions. One of the highlights would of course be the interviews with the creators Hidetaka Miyazaki, Daisuke Satake, Hiroshi Nakamura, Masanori Waragai and Mai Hastuyama.
This book is a bit underwhelming for me. Maybe it's because of the rough style of art (but hey, it's concept art), or because there aren't as much environment art which I was really looking forward to.
Anyway, it's still a very fine video game art book, especially if you're into the mythical-knight-armor-castles-monsters fantasy art.
(See more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)
76 people found this helpful

Malon
3.0 out of 5 stars
If you REALLY like dark souls it's nice
20 November 2019 -
Published on Amazon.comVerified Purchase
It looks like it's really nice until you unwrap it and realize the shiny cover material smudges easily and looks extremely cheap in person--this is definitely not a book you would proudly display on a shelf. The content contains some nice artwork and an interview with the mastermind behind the series but if I'm honest, I regret the purchase. Unlike other artbooks there are very few creation notes by the enemy designs. It's just a book of pictures to flip through, and many of these pictures can be seen online.
While it's overall nice, it costs way too much for what it is. I thought there would be more commentary from the devs like in other artbooks and there just isn't.
While it's overall nice, it costs way too much for what it is. I thought there would be more commentary from the devs like in other artbooks and there just isn't.
3 people found this helpful

Stephanie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended for fans of the Dark Souls Franchise!
24 July 2018 -
Published on Amazon.comVerified Purchase
A really wonderful addition to any Dark Souls collection. I purchased this book a few years ago in Japanese, and it is nice to have an English copy as well. Nicely printed, glossy cover (although, I do think the Japanese edition is a tad nicer). Overall, a great book with nice illustrations, interviews with members of the development team (From Software). If you enjoy Dark Souls, you will enjoy this book.
One person found this helpful

DM Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Collection
29 June 2020 -
Published on Amazon.comVerified Purchase
I absolutely love Dark Souls and the artwork is breathtaking. This is the first book from Design Works for Dark Souls 1 and it features lovely imagery from the game on high quality paper. Everything from locations, boss and enemy types, to weapons and armor. Highly recommended for fans of Dark Souls and Fromsoft.

5.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Collection
Reviewed in the United States on 29 June 2020
I absolutely love Dark Souls and the artwork is breathtaking. This is the first book from Design Works for Dark Souls 1 and it features lovely imagery from the game on high quality paper. Everything from locations, boss and enemy types, to weapons and armor. Highly recommended for fans of Dark Souls and Fromsoft.
Reviewed in the United States on 29 June 2020
Images in this review





One person found this helpful
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