Bonfire (Dark Souls)

Bonfire
Dark Souls franchise element
A bonfire as it appears in Dark Souls
Publisher	FromSoftware
First appearance	Dark Souls
Created by	Hidetaka Miyazaki
In-universe information
Function	Checkpoint

The bonfire is an object that serves as an in-game checkpoint and place of rest for the player character in the soulslike Dark Souls video game series, created by Hidetaka Miyazaki under the Japanese game development company FromSoftware. Making its debut in the 2011 video game Dark Souls and reappearing in the sequels Dark Souls II and Dark Souls III, the bonfire takes the appearance of an orange flame composed of ash and bones with a coiled sword inside. Bonfires are scattered across many areas in the three games, serving as both checkpoints for saving in-game progress and utility areas for leveling up, repairing gear, and replenishing health points, magic points, and healing items called "Estus Flasks". Upon usage, the bonfire will respawn most enemies, and players will respawn to the last one that they used prior to their death. According to Miyazaki, it was meant not only to serve utilitarian purposes but also be an area to relax in an otherwise harsh fantasy world.

Since its debut, the bonfire has been the subject of positive receptions by critics, who noted that it effectively served as centers of warmth and safety that players could grow attached to. It has been considered one of the most iconic features of the Dark Souls series and likely influenced the checkpoint mechanics of many other video games, which largely serve similar utilitarian purposes. Bonfires have gone on to appear as Easter eggs for several other video games.