Last updated on March 26th, 2018

An article in Nintendo’s official site has some answers to fan questions regarding possible changes to Dark Souls with the Dark Souls Remastered edition.

Dark Souls Remastered Level Design Unchanged

今回のリマスター版では、オリジナル版の手に汗握るレベルデザインはそのままに、いくつかの変更が加わっています。オンラインマルチプレイの機能拡張や、グラフィックの最適化などにより、アクションRPGの金字塔を、Nintendo Switchで快適にお楽しみいただけます。

Translation:

In this remastered version, the original’s “make your hands sweat” level design is left unchanged, but some changes come bundled in. Enhancements to online multiplayer and graphics optimizations allow Nintendo Switch players to comfortably enjoy this pillar of Action-RPGs.

Now, this seems to confirm level design is unaffected, but does not necessarily discard re-inclusion of cut assets, changes to enemy placements, or tweaking of covenants in general. Nintendo also confirms password matchmaking available on its platform.

Graphics Tailored for Nintendo Switch

The following paragraph may actually raise eyebrows, as it could confirm the rumor that parts of development were done by a separate company (The same company who worked on the Dragon’s Dogma remaster, as per sources that have talked to Kotaku UK among several other outlets), and may shed some light into why there was a desire to distance from associations with Dark Souls 3’s graphics engine. Official statements have not made mention of any such arrangement, however.

リマスター版では、発見の喜びに満ちた探索と、手に汗握る戦闘を、Nintendo Switch向けに調整されたグラフィックでお楽しみいただけます

Translation:

In this remastered version, you may experience the joy of discovery, sweaty-palm combat, and Graphics that have been tailored for the Nintendo Switch.

This is an obvious but still somewhat surprising statement, as in a vacuum of information and following Namco’s retraction of engine and HDR claims, it makes it sound as if the game is focused on the Switch. We think it is just marketing talk, since it’s coming from the Nintendo site, but it could explain why some information is trickling down rather than being fully expanded.

There are still many questions unanswered about the Dark Souls Remaster, including whether an extensive list of bugs, glitches and combat exploits have been fixed (we submitted a really long list!). We have reached out to Namco to get some more information, and will report back to everyone soon!

In the meantime, feel free to continue to drool over the beautifully expensive Dark Souls Trilogy Edition.