This was the same for almost everyone . I spent 12 hours trying to get through undead burgh . I was determined for some reason . I want to understand why this game was so beloved . And then it clicked a short while after that and the series never really gave me trouble again . I still die a lot , but who cares ? It isn ' t a problem . I can progress as far as I want now . In most games , progress is measured in how many levels you make it through , or how much of the story you make it through . Dark souls measures progress by how much you learn the gameplay . Those 8 hours you have spent in the same place . I am sure you have progressed a bunch , you just can ' t see it yet . When you do finally see it , it will all make sense . Or , perhaps the game just isn ' t for you . That ' s fine too . No sense playing a game you truly aren ' t enjoying .