The height of the FromSoft rule: The bad parts are there, but the good parts are so good that you can ignore the bad parts. Sure, the formula for bosses has only improved with time and has reached new heights with Bloodborne and Dark Souls III. Sure, the build variety in Dark Souls II and Elden Ring is a lot more diverse and open. Sure, this game plays much, much slower than what came after it, to the point of it being considered one of the easiest entries in the series solely for how easy its combat can be. I'll even acquiesce to the public opinion and say that maybe the second half isn't as good as the first half, both in terms of level design and bosses. By all technical accounts, this game is pretty much outmoded and surpassed by its peers, except for one detail: the heart. At the end of the day, I really don't care how this plays in comparison to the other games, because it just feels so good, so warm, so full of love and care for the world and the player. Thematically rich, stylistically breathtaking, intricately built, very clearly made by special people who wanted to make something beautiful. If I had to choose only one game to play for the rest of my life, it'd be this without a doubt. Next time I replay it, I'll probably have even more to say on it. It's the well that never runs dry.