Pretty much all of the weapons in Dark Souls are used like they are in real life.
Maces for breaking shields and crushing bones with hard-hitting movesets, daggers and rapiers have bonus to crit because they can penetrate the enemies armor better etc.
And the movesets supports this. Which makes all the weapons (or 80% of them at least) unique in playstyle. Which is why you take the one that suits you the best
I've always, in fantasy universes, loved the sword and board. Or just the longsword, and even the bastard sword. My favorite historical warriors are the scots because of the Claymore, for an example
And then the romans because of the Gladius.