THE BUZZ: While most fans of Namco Bandai’s Dark Souls are undoubtedly knee-deep in preparation for the thousands of deaths that await them when the game drops on October 4, the spiritual successor to From Software’s notably difficult dungeon crawler Demon’s Souls arrived at the EGM offices this week. So, we thought we’d takes some time to show you guys the goods.

We were lucky enough to snag a copy of the special edition, which includes a handful of extras that soul-swallowing swashbucklers are sure to enjoy. Priced at $90 in Japan, the Special Edition will be free while supplies last for fans who pre-order the title!

Here’s a look at the set itself:

Included in the bundle:

• The controller breaking, breath-taking Dark Souls for PS3 or Xbox 360
• A cool Dark Souls commemorative tin
• A Dark Souls art book with over 55 pieces of sick concept art
• A download card that includes the original soundtrack, behind-the-scene video, and a mini-strategy guide

EGM’S TAKE: Dark Souls is clearly a labor of love for the folks at From Software, and it’s good to see Namco Bandai pulling out all the stops for this game’s Stateside debut. Considering the fact that most special editions also carry a hefty price tag, a pre-order is a small price to pay for everything we see here.

Will this pre-order bonus be enough to draw people into the depths of Dark Souls, or will the daunting difficulty be too much for the average gamer? Let’s hear it folks!