I imagine a large, imposing brick wall. Upon closer inspection I notice that, while the wall is solid, it's not impenetrable. Upon even closer inspection, I detect the faintest whiff of something delicious. Resolute to claim whatever lay on the other side, I set about smashing into the wall. After hours of chipping away, the wall tumbles down. On the other side, a perfect stack of mouth-wateringly fluffy pancakes. Immediately beyond the pancakes, another brick wall and, again, an intoxicating aroma emanating from within.

The cycle of Dark Souls is essentially the same: Hours of diligent, often frustrating work followed by a surprising, often spectacular payoff. I just hope you really love pancakes.