If you're interested have a look at FromSoftware's actual Dark Souls (spiritual) predecessors. In particular King's Field. The setting is very similar; although the gameplay is very primitive, it has the same feeling of exploration and similar difficulty. Also it's 1st person (quite innovative for the time).

That game had _the best_ weapon play ever. I truly feel it never got the recognition it deserved. Unfortunately it came out in close proximity to Rune, which had a much more arcadey feel, and, I think, may have stolen much of the audience.