So theoretically I could install the game without installing any GFWL at all if I only want single player? I thought GFWL managed save games even in offline mode...

I do like Action RPGs. I have especially fond memories of playing Ocarina of Time back in university. (It's funny that I discovered N64 games when the upcoming PS3 was all over the news, but we never did have N64s in this country.)

I'm in! Dark Souls looks like a brilliant game, and I've heard so much praise for it. Thank you, Lou.

Action RPG's. Do you like them - Do you hate them - Do they make you write bad checks?

Action RPGs are great, they often include "all" my favourite features from different genres.
While I'm a fan of real RPGs, they often lack something in my opinion. Often the story is great, and you've deep character development, both attribute and story/bio wise. But that's about it. The combat is often sub par compared to other genres, and even if the story is great, the game play is often quite dull.

Action/Adventure games on the other hand often have fun and engaging combat system, and sometimes a lot of skills is required. (well at least it used to be)
The story can often be fun and interesting, but it's never as deep as some of the RPG titles. So this genre is also lacking.

Action RPG's often mix these two and create a wonderful game of engaging action, and deep story.
Now the DS franchise (Demon's Souls and Dark Souls) is my favourite, I even rate Demon's Souls as the best game I've ever played. The combat system is brilliant, and with a mix of free-aim and target-lock, combined with a stamina system, evade mechanic and parry's, From Software has literally created a system that can truly say: "It's Easy to learn, but hard to master".
While 2 Attack buttons, 2 defence buttons as well as a utility button is easy to understand and figure out, actually being able to combine these, mix free-aim attacks and target-lock attacks, will make you as a player stand out from the rest, and whatever you'll win or loose against another person is not about who have the most unlocks, rather the skill in you as a player.

However, DS is not all about combat, there is some really rich lore in them as well, especially Dark souls.
Now this might not be presented to the player, and for the average gamer, nothing special at all.
But once you start to really listen to what the NPCs got to say, you read the descriptions of items, and you start to really think about the universe it self (as in the universe/world DS is set in) you start to discover a really deep lore behind it all.

DS is to me a Prime example of how you can mix engaging combat from a action/adventure game, with a rich lore and story of a RPG game. And that is why Action RPGs are my favourite genre.

Thanks for the giveaway Lou. I'm in. Really curious to see if the game is really as hard as they say.
Every fan of Diablo 2 who's disappointed with the third game should give Path of Exile a try - it's what Diablo 3 should have been + PoE is free to play.

Dark souls is difficult compared to today's game, but really it's not that difficult as long as you don't just rambo, rather, think about what you're doing, and learn from you failures, you'll be fine.

Really depends on the game, I have really enjoyed some action rpgs or action games with rpg elements like I would classify Dark Souls. I like the gameplay just wish it would have manual saves (anywhere) rather than just at the checkpoint locations.

Other action rpgs like Deus Ex are just great fun to play, always liked how I could complete objectives multiple ways and even though it took more time if I figured out multiple ways to do something in one playthrough depending on abilities and available items you get extra XP for completing them again (like infiltrating a building with multiple ways in).

I used to think action RPGs were only Diablo and the horde of other similar games that it's popularity spawned, but with the genre blending that seems to be much more common these days I think it really can apply to many more games that are action oriented with RPG elements.

Another recent one I've really enjoyed is Dust:An Elesyian Tale, again different sub-genre but very enjoyable mix in my opinion.

There were a lot of Diablo clones that I found boring and dull, but, it's been some time since I ran into one I didn't like (though I typically only try games that have good reviews from friends/reviewers I trust or that have enough 'let's play' style videos to convince me that I would enjoy playing it).

On the topic of the giveaway though, once again thank you for your generosity Lou and please count me in for Adambiser.

I love them, as long as the focus is on the story. Mass Effect brought me into the gaming world, if I may say so.

As for Dark Souls, it would be too challenging for me. So I'm not in, but thanks :)

Wow, smashing good offering this week Lou, thanks! I'd love to try the game (like everyone else, I've heard the praises), but the need doesn't feel quite pressing enough, and it's such a rare opportunity to enter for JMich I just had to take it ;) Sorry to all the other fabulous folk who also came out of the woodwork for this :(

On the subject of ARPGs, I have to say I generally prefer them to the regular RPG variety. Not that story and interactions are bad, mind you, just that they very often hinder the pace of a game and can make one fatigued. That's what makes the really good RPGs great. With ARPGs, good clean fun can easily be had, even if it's accompanied by infuriating difficulty.

Lastly, thanks again for yet another great offering, gramps! How has grandfatherhood been treating you?

Sigh, it's obviously not on GOG, so I'm not in :'(

Grand-Fatherhood is treating me very well - Three Grand-Daughters makes it very enjoyable - they are so sweet.

But I digress:

The Winner this week is: innerring. So congratz and also to all those who played see you again in a few days as we start wrapping up this 50 Week Giveaway Extravaganza!!

It's a phase :P

Oh, and congratulations to the winner! Hope you enjoy your new death-simulator ;)

Oh, well, maybe it will be for another time. Congrats to the winner!

Grats to innerring and thanks Lou for the giveaway!

This.

Thanks as usual, Lou! +1

I'm in; and yes, I do like Action-RPG games. :)