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 a place of rest and form of in-game checkpoint for the player character in the Dark Souls series of action role-playing games created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and Japanese developers FromSoftware. Making its debut in the 2011 video game Dark Souls and reappearing in its sequels, Dark Souls II and Dark Souls III, bonfires take the appearance of a pile of ash and bones pierced by a coiled sword and emitting an orange flame. Bonfires, which are scattered across many areas, serve as both a means to save in-game progress and as a utility area for leveling up, repairing gear, and replenishing a player's health, magic, and healing items, or "Estus Flasks". Resting at a bonfire will respawn most enemies, and, upon their death, players will return to the last one they previously used. 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 reception by critics, who noted that it effectively served as a center of warmth and safety that players could grow attached to. It is considered one of the most iconic features of the Dark Souls series, and influenced the checkpoint mechanics of many other video games, as well as being placed as Easter eggs in games that may otherwise not use them.