Dark Souls Remastered 1.04 -

Just spent a few hours with the 1.04 update and wanted to share some quick impressions and tips for anyone jumping back in:

Tips after the patch:

Your experience may vary by platform — what did everyone else notice? Any changes I missed or boss fights that felt different post-1.04?

The Dark Souls Remastered 1.04 Regulation (often paired with App Version 1.03) was a significant post-launch update released on July 11, 2018, primarily focused on critical bug fixes and stability improvements across all platforms.

While it did not introduce major gameplay rebalances, it addressed several "game-breaking" issues that had persisted since the remaster's launch in May 2018. Key Bug Fixes in Version 1.04

This update was vital for the PC community and console players alike, resolving technical glitches that interfered with core progression and multiplayer:

Four Kings Boss Glitch: Fixed a notorious bug where the Four Kings would not display properly or become invisible in The Abyss, making the late-game fight significantly more difficult than intended.

Boss Clear Data Errors: Resolved an issue where a player's save data could become erroneous if the application was closed under specific conditions immediately after defeating Gwyn, Lord of Cinder.

Online Multiplayer Stability: Fixed a bug where session matching would stop if a player failed to join a session containing blocked players. It also addressed a visual glitch where players could become invisible during online multiplayer.

Ending Trigger Fix: Fixed a rare exploit/bug where the game's ending would trigger in the Kiln of the First Flame without the boss being defeated, specifically when performing certain moves before the boss fog.

Security and Cheating: Improved anti-cheat security measures for online play to protect the community from malicious tampering. Update Logistics Release Date: July 11, 2018.

Offline Play Availability: Unlike previous updates, players remained able to play the game in offline mode during the server maintenance window (3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. CST).

Platform Coverage: The patch was rolled out simultaneously for PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Context: Remaster vs. Original Patch Numbers dark souls remastered 1.04

It is important to distinguish this from the original 2011 release's 1.04 Patch, which was much more transformative for gameplay balance. The original 1.04 (and 1.05) introduced massive changes including: Halving the Sunbro Faith requirement to 25. Significant nerfs to Tranquil Walk of Peace and Iron Flesh. Drastic buffs to item discovery and Humanity drop rates.

Vendor inventory expansions (e.g., blacksmiths selling more shards).

In contrast, the Remastered 1.04 was a maintenance-focused update designed to ensure the modern port functioned as intended for the long term.

Dark Souls Remastered 1.04 Review

Overview

The remastered version of Dark Souls, a game that needs no introduction, has finally arrived. With a native 4K resolution at 60 FPS on PC, PlayStation 4 Pro, Xbox One X, and Nintendo Switch, this updated classic promises to deliver a smoother and more visually stunning experience. But does it live up to the hype?

Gameplay and Mechanics

For those who are unfamiliar, Dark Souls is an action RPG that tests the player's skill, patience, and perseverance. The gameplay revolves around exploration, combat, and character customization. The world of Lordran is dark, mysterious, and interconnected, with a rich lore that unfolds through item descriptions and subtle storytelling.

The gameplay mechanics remain unchanged, which is a good thing. The controls are still precise, the combat still challenging, and the atmosphere still eerily unsettling. For veterans, the game feels like a trip down memory lane, while new players will find themselves immersed in a world that's both beautiful and brutal.

Visuals and Performance

The 1.04 patch brings significant visual upgrades, including:

On PC, I tested the game with a high-end rig and was impressed by the crisp, detailed graphics. The character models, environments, and effects all look stunning. The 4K resolution and 60 FPS frame rate make the game feel more responsive and immersive. Just spent a few hours with the 1

On consoles, the performance is equally impressive. The PS4 Pro and Xbox One X deliver a seamless experience, with minimal frame drops and crisp visuals. The Nintendo Switch, surprisingly, holds up well considering its hardware limitations, with a slightly lower resolution (1080p docked, 720p handheld) and occasional frame drops.

Sound and Music

The sound design and music in Dark Souls Remastered are still top-notch. The eerie atmosphere is complemented by an haunting soundtrack that perfectly captures the mood of the game. The sound effects, from the clang of swords to the screams of enemies, are satisfying and immersive.

New Features and Changes

The 1.04 patch includes some minor changes:

Verdict

Dark Souls Remastered 1.04 is a phenomenal package that delivers a visually stunning and smooth experience. For veterans, it's a chance to relive a classic game with improved performance and graphics. For new players, it's an opportunity to experience a timeless masterpiece with a more gentle learning curve.

If you're a fan of the series or a newcomer to the world of Lordran, Dark Souls Remastered 1.04 is an essential purchase.

Rating: 9.5/10

Recommendation:

System Requirements (PC):

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4 Pro, Xbox One X, Nintendo Switch Tips after the patch:

Price: $29.99 (digital) / $39.99 (physical)

The bell of Awakening had tolled, but for the Knight in the tattered Elite Knight set, the world of Lordran felt subtly… different. He stood before the gates of Sen's Fortress, his Zweihänder resting heavy on his shoulder. This was the era of Version 1.04, a time when the gods themselves seemed to be rearranging the furniture of reality.

Only weeks ago, the Knight had struggled to find a single soul to aid him. Now, the ground was a vibrant tapestry of gold and white summon signs. The matchmaking barriers had thinned; the level ranges had expanded. He touched a sign, and a sun-soaked warrior appeared instantly, their connection held firm by a newly stabilized network.

As they ascended the fortress, the Knight noticed the traps were no less deadly, but his own movements felt more fluid. The "remastered" polish of 1.04 had smoothed the jagged edges of the world's frame rate. Even in the depths of Blighttown, where the air was once thick with a stuttering lag that claimed more lives than the poison, the transition was now like silk.

But the greatest change lay in the shadows. He checked his inventory, finding the "Dried Finger" now rested in a slot that allowed for more chaotic encounters. The world was louder now—up to six souls could occupy the same space, turning a simple trek into a grand war of Phantoms and Invaders.

The Knight reached the roof and looked toward Anor Londo. The sun was brighter, the textures of the stone more defined, and the ghosts of other players flickered by with a newfound clarity. He wasn't just fighting to link the fire anymore; he was part of a more stable, more populated cycle.

He stepped into the light, knowing that in this version of the curse, he would never truly have to walk alone.

Dark Souls: Remastered Regulation 1.04, paired with App Version 1.03, aimed to stabilize online connectivity and balance gameplay, particularly addressing issues with high-latency PvP. Key changes included adjusted item drop rates, specifically for humanity, and tweaks to weapon scaling and status-altering spells. For further details on these changes, visit FextraLife

Dark Souls: Remastered Regulation 1.04 focuses on balancing gameplay by tweaking magic, improving item drop rates, and adjusting weapon scaling. Key updates include reduced durations for "Pursuit" spells and Tranquil Walk of Peace, increased drop rates for covenant items, and expanded merchant inventories. For a detailed list of changes, visit Fextralife Patch Notes

Version 1.04 retains the geometry that allows for famous skips.

In the current meta, certain weapons reign supreme due to their moveset stability in the Remastered engine:

Patch 1.04 for Dark Souls Remastered is a notable update focused on fixing multiplayer matchmaking, stability, and miscellaneous gameplay bugs introduced in earlier remasters/ports. This guide covers what changed, why it matters to players, how it affects online play and single-player experience, and how to troubleshoot or verify the patch on your platform.

To understand the importance of the 1.04 patch, one must first remember the chaos of the launch version (1.01 on consoles, equivalent to 1.03 on PC).

Patch 1.04 was positioned as "the stability and fairness update." And it delivered.