practical office software. And for the first couple of years, that's exactly what they

實用的辦公室軟件。他們在最初的那幾年的確是這麼做。

did. However, by the early 1990s the focus of the company slowly shifted towards video

但在90年代初，公司的方針慢慢地轉向開發電子遊戲。

game development. In late December of 1994, the company released their first title known

在1994年的十二月尾，他們發行了第一款遊戲

as King's Field. It was released exclusively in Japan on the Playstation only 13 days after

【King's Field】。這款遊戲只在日本發行，而且是在

the console itself had been released. Just like most titles developed by From Software

Playstation 遊戲機開放後的十三天。就像 現在大多數 From Software 開發的遊戲，

today, the gameplay of King's Field was extremely difficult and unforgiving. Due to how well

King's Field 是超級難玩和無情的。因為這款遊戲在日本

the game was received in Japan, the company released a sequel in 1995 to an international

受到喜愛，這公司在1995年向全球發行了續集。

audience. The game was yet again met with overall positive reviews. From Software would go on to build an

這款遊戲再次受到好評。 From Software 繼續開發

immense catalog with many different types of titles with varying success and with the release of

一整系列的遊戲，並各有各的成功，隨著

Armored Core in 1997, they delved into the massive-robots-smashing-other-massive-robots

【Armored Core】在1997年發行，他們專注於大型機器人打其他大型機器人

genre that is oh so popular in Japan. Also known as mecha. It wasn't until 2009 that

的類型，也是當時在日本很夯。這類型也叫【Mecha】(機甲)。直到2009年

From Software truly returned to their roots and released Demon's Souls. In many ways,

From Software 真正地回到了一開始的類型並發行了【Demon's Souls】。在許多方面

Demon's Souls is the spiritual successor to King's Field with the most obvious difference

Demon's Souls 是 King's Field 的精神上的接班，而最明顯的差別

being the new third-person perspective. Upon release, the game was well received by critics

就是擁有第三者角度。發行時，這遊戲受到了評論家的好評

and was praised for its tense and ruthless gameplay as well as the unique integration

並讚揚它的緊張殘酷的遊戲體驗和

of its online multiplayer mechanics. In 2011, the company released Dark Souls. Some believed

獨特的多人在線機制。在2011年，他們發行了【Dark Souls】。有些人認為

the game to be a direct sequel to Demon's Souls but as game director Hidetaka Miyazaki

這款遊戲是 Demon's Souls 的直接接班，但遊戲總監宮崎英高

later explained, this is not the case. Just like Demon's Souls is the spiritual successor

過後解釋，情況不是這樣的。就像 Demon 's Souls 是 King's Field

to King's Field, Dark Souls is the spiritual successor to Demon's Souls. Dark Souls was

的精神接班，Dark Souls 是 Demon's Souls 的精神接班。Dark Souls 是

a huge success and was again praised for its brutal difficulty. In 2014 it spawned a sequel

個大成功而它的超高難度又受到讚揚。在2014年它出了續集

in the form of Dark Souls II and on the 12th of April, 2016, the world was introduced to Dark Souls III.

叫 Dark Soul II 並在2016年4月12日，Dark Souls III 向全世界發行了。

In the first Dark Souls most players will encounter a blacksmith known as Andre of Astora.

在第一集的 Dark Souls 多數玩家會遇見一位鐵匠叫 Andre of Astora。

He is a fairly unremarkable and minor character and while he was absent from Dark Souls II

他算是不起眼的配角，當他在 Dark Souls II 缺席時

he does make a return in the third installment. But there is one thing that makes him quite unique.

他在第三集回來了。但有一點使他變特別。

He is one of the very few human characters in the entire franchise to actually move their mouth while they speak.

他是唯一在那麼多集裡極少人類角色中說話時真正動嘴巴的人。

So first of all, what's with the phobia for animated lips?

所以首先，有動畫的嘴唇是在怕什麼？

Well, like most things in the Souls franchise, no one truly knows. Despite creative

ㄜ，就像在每一集 Souls 裡的東西，沒有人真正的知道。就算有創意

fan theories like undead telepathy, the lack of operational face-cavities is most likely

的粉絲理論像是不死靈的感應，缺乏可用性的臉腔可能是

a very deliberate decision made by From Software to save time and resources. Okay, but what

一個 From Software 特意的決定為了省時間和資源。OK, 但什麼

makes Andre so special then? Well, what we do know is that he initially served a far

使 Andre 特別呢？ㄜ，我們知道的是他本來是用在

more important role in the story of the first game. He was supposed to be a descendant of

一個在第一集裡很重要的角色。他本來應該是

Gwyn, possibly his son, whose task it was to protect a passage hidden behind the goddess

Gwyn 的繼承人，可能是他的兒子，工作是保衛在 Firelink Shrine 裡

statue in Firelink Shrine. The cutscene for the statue being moved is still hidden within

女神雕像後面的秘密通道。雕像被移動的圖畫還是被收藏

the game files. But as development progressed he was eventually downgraded to a simple blacksmith.

在遊戲檔案裡。但隨著發展他被貶為普通的鐵匠。

The various blacksmith statues dispersed across the game world are actually the surviving

散播在遊戲世界裡的不同的鐵匠雕像其實是

remnants of this alternate storyline. So it's possible that, much like the statues, Andre's

殘存的故事情節。所以可能是，就像那些雕像，Andre

vocalized activity is merely a vestige of a tale that was never told.

的有發聲的動作只是一個沒被訴說的故事的痕跡。

In an interview with a Japanese gaming website, game director Hidetake Miyazaki explained

在日本遊戲的一個訪談裡，遊戲總監宮崎英高解釋說

that their initial intention was to make a direct sequel to Demon's Souls simply called

他們的最初目的是要做一款直接是 Demon's Souls 的續集，簡稱

Demon's Soul's II but that "various things" prevented that from happening. So they decided

Demon's Souls II 但「很多東西」阻止了發展。所以他們決定

to name the new game Dark Race. However, two days prior to the unveiling at the Tokyo Games Show in 2010,

名那款新遊戲 Dark Race (陰暗種族)。但是，在2010年的 Tokyo Game Show 的前兩天，

they realized that the name could have certain racial connotations.

他們發現那個名字可能擁有ㄧ些種族銘感的意思。

So the game was publicly revealed as Project Dark. The next idea was to name it Dark Lord

所以那遊戲公開揭曉為 Project Dark (陰暗計劃)。下一個點子要名它為 Dark Lord (陰暗魔王)

but trademarking proved to be an issue so they settled for Dark Ring instead. No trademarking issues,

但註冊商標變成了另一個問題所以他們定名為 Dark Ring (陰暗戒指)。沒有註冊商標問題，

no racial connotations, everything seemed to be in order. But then someone discovered that in the UK

沒有種族銘感的意思，全部看起來都依照計劃。但又有人發現在英國

dark ring is also slang for anus. So they eventually ended up naming the game Dark Souls.

Dark Ring 是肛門的俚語。所以他們到最後名那款遊細為 Dark Souls。

In Dark Souls II there's a character known as Laddersmith Gilligan. As his name

在 Dark Souls II 裡有個角色名叫 Laddersmith (梯匠) Gilligan。就如他的名字

would suggest, he is a character that specializes in building and selling ladders. Now he does

所說，他是一個擅長做賣梯子的角色。現在他的確

make a return in Dark Souls III but, this time around, he is a lot more dead.

回來 Dark Souls III，但這次，他比較「死」。

And to truly solidify the connection, his body is also surrounded by a large amount of broken ladders.

和為了更表達關係，很多壞掉的梯子圍繞著他的遺體。

The Giant Blacksmith from the first game also makes a return.

那個第一集裡的巨人鐵匠也回來的。

He can be found in the exact same location in Dark Souls III.

他可以在 Dark Souls III 裡在同樣的位置找到。

But just like Laddersmith, he is now long gone.

但就像梯匠，他早已不在了。

Rest in piece old friend. Rest in piece.

安息吧，老朋友。安息吧。

Soon after the release of Dark Souls III it was discovered that there's an unusual

在 Dark Souls III 發行以後，發現有不尋常大量的，

amount of, what appears to be, completely finished and functional content

看裡來像是，完全好了有功能的內容

that is for whatever reason not available in the final game.

但不知什麼原因不在最後的遊戲裡。

Entire armor sets with finalized menu icons, descriptions, stats, and everything

*已完成的功能* 無形的腿

are completely unused. Some examples are the armor set worn by Yhorm the Giant,

整個裝備套裝都有圖標，描述和屬性，然而全部

the mask worn by the Fire Keeper, the armor set worn by the Man-Serpent Summoner,

都簡直沒被用。列如 Yhorm the Giant 的裝備套裝

a white dress worn by the Company Captain Yorshka, a plow used by the scarecrows in the first game

Fire Keeper 戴的面具，Man-Serpent Summoner 穿的裝備套裝

and a lot more. It's possible that these items where cut due to balancing issues or

Company Captain Yorshka 穿的白色連身裙，第一集稻草人用的犁

perhaps they plan to activate them in an upcoming DLC.

和其他。可能是這些東西被拿掉的原因是平衡問題

Before the release of Dark Souls, From Software announced a "Shield Design Contest" which

或他們計劃在將來的追加下载内容裡開放。

allowed fans to submit their very own shield designs to be featured in the game. The company

在 Dark Souls 還沒有開放之前， From Software 公布了一個「設計盾牌比賽」

received thousands of submission but only four were included in the final release.

給粉絲投他們所設計並將會用在遊戲裡的盾牌。

The Effigy Shield, the Sanctus, the Bloodshield, and the Black Iron Greatshield.

那公司收到了上千的投寄但只有四個被納入最後的遊戲裡。

The same type of contest was announced before the release of Dark Souls II with the six winning designs

The Effigy Shield， The Sanctus， The Bloodshield, 和 The Black Iron Greatshield。

being the Phoenix Parma, the Sunlight Parma, the Watchdragon Parma, the Wicked Eye Greatshield,

同樣的比賽也在 Dark Souls II 開放前被公布並有六個設計贏了

the Rebel's Greatshield, and the Blossom Kite Shield.

分別是 The Phoenix Parma，The Sunlight Parma，The Watchdragon Parma，The Wicked Eye Greatshield，

The Dark Souls franchise is set in a sort of midevial fantasy universe so you would

The Rebel's Greatshield 和 The Blossom Kite Shield。

never expect to see any modern items in these games. However soon after the release of Dark Souls II

Dark Souls 系列是在夢幻中世紀時空裡所以你絕對

observant players discovered a quite severe anachronism. In the Grave of Saints

不會在遊戲裡看見現代的東西。但在 Dark Souls II 發行以後

you can find this puddle of what is supposed to look like toxic waste. But if we zoom in,

眼細的玩家發現了一些嚴重的非當代物品。在 Grave of Saints 裡

it's actually just a texture of a pile of recycled cans with one particular Heineken

你可以在這灘應該看起來像是有毒的廢料。但如果我們放大，

beer can clearly visible. Good luck fitting that into the lore. It's obviously a mistake

它其實是一堆再循環鋁罐的花紋，當中一個海尼根

though and it was later corrected in the updated version known as Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin.

啤酒罐可以被看得很清楚。祝你好運將它融入在故事裡。當然它是個很明顯的錯誤

There's another texture applied to the pillars in The Gutter which seems to

隨後它在 Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin 更新版本裡改掉了。

contain a modern day rubber tire. However, upon closer inspection of the texture itself,

還有另一個花紋在 The Gutter 的柱子上，看起來

it appears to be part of some sort of larger metal structure hidden underneath the surrounding

是現代的橡皮輪胎。但仔細觀察那個花紋發現，

rubble so it's likely nothing strange at all. Nevertheless, this texture was later corrected as well.

它其實是一部分大型的金屬結構，隱藏在四周的瓦礫中

In the DLC Crown of the Old Iron King for Dark Souls II it's possible to encounter a

所以也沒什麼出奇。但話雖如此，這花紋稍後也被改掉了。

boss known as Sir Alonne. His appearance takes inspiration from the traditional armor worn

在追加下载内容 Dark Souls II 的 Crown of the Old Iron King，你可以找到叫

by Japanese samurai and he's wielding an excessively large katana. What's interesting about this

Sir Alonne 的 Boss。它的裝扮靈感來自日本武士

is that if you manage to defeat him without taking any damage a unique death animation

穿的傳統裝備和拿著超大的日本刀。有趣的是

will be initiated which is very much in line with his samurai inspired appearance.

如果你打敗他而沒受過任何傷害，一個獨特的死亡動作

By driving his sword into his abdomen he committed a ritual form of suicide known as seppuku.

就會被展示，符合了他的武士裝扮。

It was originally used by samurai to avoid being captured by enemies, as punishment for

當他把刀插進他的腹部時，他完成了一種自殺儀式叫 seppuku (切腹)。

committing a serious offense, or because they had brought shame upon themselves. In other

切腹源自於武士，為了不被敵人抓住、做為嚴重罪惡

words, after being defeated so effortlessly, Sir Alonne must have felt so ashamed that

的刑罰、或他們給自己帶來的恥辱。

to restore his honor he had to commit suicide.

換句話說，當他那麼容易地被打敗時，Sir Alonne 一定是感到羞恥而

In all the Dark Souls games there's a stat known as Poise. The stat determines the character's

自殺來維護他的尊嚴。

ability to withstand enemy attacks without staggering. Being staggered in this case means

在全部的 Dark Souls 遊戲裡面有一個屬性叫 Poise (強韌度)。這屬性掌握了角色

that you're momentarily defenseless after taking a hit. In the first game it was very simple.

當被敵人攻擊時的不搖擺性。搖擺在這裡的意思是

The higher the Poise the less you would stagger. In the second game the function

當受到攻擊時你會暫時失去抵抗。在第一集很簡單

of Poise was slightly altered. It functions normally while performing an action

越高的強韌度就越少的搖擺。在第二集強韌度的功能

like dodging or attacking. But if you take a hit while standing still or moving around you

就被改變了一點點。當一些動作被使出時它操作正常

would get sort of semi-staggered in that your movement speed would be reduced while still

像是躲避或是攻擊。但如果你站著或走著時被攻擊

being able to perform any usual action. There are so many other related aspects like

你會有些半搖擺並且被減速，

Hyper Armor Frames, Poise Damage, Regeneration, Breakpoints, etc. but in the interest of time

但還能使出一些動作。有很多其他相關的例如

this is the essential difference. There's been an ongoing debate over which system is

Hyper Armor Frames、 Poise Damage、 Regeneration、 Breakpoints、等等，但時間的關係

better and what system should be used in the third installment. So now that Dark Souls III

這些只是重要的差別。現在為止還有些爭議在於哪個系統

has been released, how does the Poise system work? Well, it is certainty not

比較好，哪個系統應該用在第三集。所以現在 Dark Souls III

the same system used in the first game but as many players have reported, it's almost

已發行了，強韌度如何操作呢？ㄜ，那當然和

as if the Poise stat has no effect at all. Some are even claiming that they have found

第一集的不一樣但有許多玩家反應說，很像

a specific value in the game files that seem to suggest that the Poise system is indeed

強韌度根本沒有效。有些還聲稱他們

deactivated. When this value is toggled from 0 to 1 a Poise system, similar to that of

在遊戲檔案裡找到一個比值，像是在證明強韌度系統是

the first game, is supposedly reactivated. But as the specific files and values has yet

被關閉了。當這比值從0調到1時，強韌度系統，和第一集

to be revealed, and thus nothing can be confirmed, these claims should at least be taken with

一樣，應該被啟動的。但這些檔案和比值到現在還是

grain of salt. Nevertheless, Poise has definitely been toned down as evident by just playing

沒被公開，所以什麼也不能確定，這些都不能全信。

the game for yourself. I mean, in previous games, one of the major benefits of heavy armor sets

話雖如此，強韌度還是被調下來，你可以在遊戲裡

was the increase in Poise. But in the latest game you seem to get staggered regardless.

感受到。我的意思是，在前集的遊戲裡，穿重甲的其中一個大好處

Who knows maybe Poise is the new pendant?

是提升強韌度。但在最新的遊戲裡不管怎麼樣你還是會搖擺。

We can only hope that From Software themselves comes out with an official explanation.

誰知，可能強韌度只是來裝飾而已？

Dark Souls is mostly known for it's brutal and unforgiving gameplay. It's also known

我們只能希望他們 From Software 給個官方解釋。

for its hopelessly vague and cryptic lore. There's no real narrative but instead everything is

Dark Souls 多數以它殘酷無情的遊戲體驗出名。它也以

ambiguously revealed through cinematic cutscenes, in-game messages, and character dialog.

絕望模糊又神祕的故事出名。這些故事不但沒被述說而且

These tidbits of information are then puzzled together by loyal fans to create the most comprehensive

只是隱約透露在過場動畫，遊戲裡的訊息和角色對話。

interpretations possible. But even so, there's so much we do not and can not know.

這些零碎的資料就被忠實粉絲們串在一起盡量組成個最

Miyazaki had this to say in an interview: "There are a huge number of things that while present

完整的解說。但雖如此，還有很多我們不知和不可能知道的。

in the game, we make no attempt to explain to the player, and many more that they simply

宮崎英高曾在一個訪談裡表示：「有很多東西在遊戲裡

have no way of finding out." But I guess that's part of Dark Souls charm. Much like real world

我們沒嘗試要向玩家解釋，還有更多是玩家

historians can never truly know what happened in the distant past, players can never truly

不可能知道的。」但我想這就是 Dark Souls 吸引處之一吧。就像現實生活中

know the complete story of the Dark Souls universe. As everything is passed down through

歷史學家永遠不會真正知道很久以前發生什麼事情，玩家也永遠不會真正

legends and tales, it only makes sense for the mythology to be this fragmented. In preparation

知道 Dark Souls 時空裡的完整故事。就像全部東西都以

for the release of Dark Souls III, publisher Bandai Namco announced a contest in which

傳說和故事傳下去，這麼零散的神話是說得通的。在準備

you had to make a video explaining the story of the first two games. The contest was aimed

發行 Dark Souls III 時，出版社 Bandai Namco 公布了一項比賽

at players who had no prior experience with the Souls franchise and the winner received $10,000.

要你製作影片解釋前兩集的故事。這比賽是設給

You know a story is hard to follow when people are awarded money just to explain it.

沒有前兩集經驗的玩家們而優勝者獲得一萬元美金。

If you do want to gain a better understanding of the lore I highly recommend that you check

當其他人被付錢來解釋一個故事時，你已知道這故事是多麼得難追。

out a channel called VaaiVidya. He is somewhat of an expert on the Souls franchise and has

如果你想知道更多關於這個故事，我強力推薦你查看

an extensive catalog of videos uncovering the many mysteries and secrets of the Dark Souls universe.

其他台叫 VaaiVidya。他算是 Souls 系列的專家和擁有

Did you also know that Firelink Shrine was initially going to be a water temple and that

一大系列的影片解釋著大量 Dark Souls 時空裡的神秘秘密。

the iconic "Praise the Sun" gesture almost didn't make it into the game? For even more

你可知道 Firelink Shirne 原本是個水神廟和

facts about Dark Souls you should head over to DidYouKnowGaming by clicking the annotation

著名的「Praise the Sun」動作幾乎不被納入遊戲裡。更多關於

on the screen right now or the link in the description.

Dark Souls 的真相你應該點擊瀏覽螢幕上的 DidYouKnowGaming