Thousands of years back, if we were to trace everyone’s ancestry we would eventually reach the first human to develop some semblance of art. Maybe this first piece of ‘art’ is simply a smear of red paste in a forgotten cave or blades of grass woven together; no matter your opinion, many can agree art is evolving and ever-changing. As technology advanced throughout our history, new mediums emerged. Tools for carving in stone and slate. Paper for images to be drawn on. And in the age of computers, we have graphics. This new age gives access to a new medium for an interactive art: Video Games.

This medium has to honestly be my favorite thing to do with my access to the internet and that’s why when receiving a particular English assignment, I immediately drifted towards including it in my project. Video games are something that I’ve identified for a while. Now you’re probably “How can a video game describe a person?” Well, I’m glad you asked you inquisitive reader, you. Let’s first look at a quick clip. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                        

Wow! Great clip, right? That clip was from the critically acclaimed video game series, Dark Souls. Maybe to some readers that scenario seemed uninteresting. Did you have the volume on, when you were watching it? Well if you went ahead and checked the comments to that video you’d find many gamers describing the emotional roller coaster that they went through when playing this particular part of the game. 

So what gives? Well, context is incredibly important. And in my opinion, that isn’t just for understanding the emotions of random Youtube commenters, but for understanding the emotions of all people. But we’ll get to that later.

This particular wolf’s name is Sif. And he was the companion of Artorias. Artorias suffered an unfortunate fate and was swallowed by the Abyss. Artorias left behind his great shield to protect Sif because he knew that he couldn’t any longer. Sif guards his comrade’s grave and his ring: not only to prevent grave robbers but to prevent people to repeat his fallen friend’s mistakes. Artorias’ grave holds his ring, which when worn allows the player to travel through the Abyss. In other words, the player needs it to progress on their journey and the game forces your hand to enter a duel of fates with the wolf.

This particular clip pertains to me for multiple reasons. Reason number one is that it may be misinterpreted without proper context. And that’s something I live by on a personal level. Ever heard of the idiom “Don’t judge a book by its cover?”  I believe the same for people. When was the last time you looked down on a person, criticized someone, or thought bad of another person? Did you consider the context that may have been happening in their life? Don’t worry! You’re still free to criticize people, but did you think of what they were going through? Did you consider all the possibilities?

Another reason why I identify with this particular clip is how much emotion and artistry is put into it. The music, a powerful choir of mournful voices, further embodies the emotional theme of this fight. Mourning, determination, and the will to fight gives the battle with Sif meaning. This emotional power, this burning essence, and the conviction to stand with someone and against another is enough to have Sif fight the player. This artistry, the creators of the Dark Souls produced, portrays that of a warrior. Sif is that warrior. He overcomes the dilemma. Sif knows what he has to do. Not just to honor his comrade but defend the player from harming themselves.

Dark Souls is artistic genius. It encapsulates a series of emotional conflict that I very much enjoy. To define emotions. To unravel a story. These are things I like to do. Very often I find myself imagining battles of wills. I imagine struggles because I know they’re ever-present. I imagine pain because I know it exists. And I imagine triumph because nothing is more satisfying in life than overcoming pain and struggles. And just imagining that I could do that. Just imagining that I could prevent the pain and struggles of others makes me elated. Hell yeah, right? No Struggles.

Many harsher critics will point out with all art. “It’s not reality.” This statement is true but doesn’t devoid meaning from art. Art stems from intent, and the artists’ intent is real. Intent stems from emotion, and the artists’ emotions are real. Art is a reflection of our reality, and we can change that reflection with action.

Emotions fuel our actions and all above is what I believe and what I believe is reflected in the deep analysis that can be brought to Dark Souls and Why I identify with it.