The Gutter

This is now only the second area where a torch has been a necessity (I had nearly 2 hours worth of torches starting The Gutter!) and it definitely changes the dynamic. Unfortunately the enemies aren't particularly challenging between weak hollows and the slow mutant quadrupeds and I didn't really miss my shield as much as I would've thought.

The area see's you descend down endless ladders, some of which drop you to your death, trying to find the correct combination that will see you escape. It never even glimpses the heights of confusion and despair I experienced when getting lost in Blighttown and apart from the poison-spewing statues that are everywhere it doesn't prove to be as hostile as you would expect. Theres even a handy bonfire half-way through which feels totally unnecessary. Maybe if you play it earlier in the game it's more of a challenge?

I made it to the bottom which lead me to a cave entrance. I didn't find a boss, well there was a large insect (similar to the one in DS1 that guards the Power Within spell) but he wouldn't even qualify as a mini-boss.