Dark Souls III
Release Date: March 24, 2016
RPG, TPP, fantasy, co-op, action RPG, soulslike, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
OpenCritic
Steam
Another installment in the series of dark action RPGs, initiated and developed by Japanese studio From Software. The title is set in the same fantasy universe, in terms of content however, it offers a completely new story in which we visit 12 previously inaccessible locations. At the same time, the game features a more extensive plot, and the gameplay itself is accompanied by over an hour of cutscenes.
Officially, the Dark Souls franchise was born in 2011, when the first game under that title came out, however, it is Demon’s Souls, released back in 2009 on PlayStation 3, that is regarded as the first installment in the series. The franchise is traditionally developed by From Software, Inc., a company founded back in 1986. Their track record includes many different titles, including multiple Armored Core games, but it was the Souls franchise, that got them into the first league. Dark Souls III for PC, PS4 and XONE is their latest project, overseen by Hidetaka Miyazaki - the father of Demon’s Souls, the first Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. Isamu Okano, the man behind Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor will be the game’s creative director.
Gameplay
Dark Souls III follows the usual setup. Once again, the players are invited into a dark fantasy world, where dangers loom behind every corner. In terms of gameplay the game takes after its predecessors and features a challenging action-RPG adventure, prompting you to explore different locations and learn its story piece by piece. Except the story is never placed before you on a silver platter – in order to get to know the setting you’ll have to read item descriptions, talk to the characters, or even study texts written by fans. The game includes roughly an hour’s worth of cut-scenes, which is a lot for this series.
You begin with the creation of your hero. The developers have prepared 12 default character classes, which are basically all the same because, in the course of a plathrough, you can develop your character any way you want. After your character is ready, you can proceed to the game’s main course, which includes mostly exploration (in contrast to the second Dark Souls, this time the way the locations are interconnected bears some resemblance to the first installment) and combat that requires patience and a cool head. There are 45 new kinds of enemies, and each of them can pose a challenge. From time to time you’ll face one of the bosses, which are a dozen or so in total. The combat system is familiar to anybody who’s played any of the previous chapters, albeit with some new additions, including the “ready” stance, which can be used to deliver exceptionally powerful strikes.
In a true RPG manner, in time, you will gain new gear, which can then be improved to enhance its offensive and defensive capabilities. Of course, you will also find lots of items (over 200 different types) with unique properties (healing potions, antidotes, weapon enchantments, and many more.).
Technology
Since Dark Souls III was designed for PC, PS4 and XONE it features high quality visuals, besting any of the previous games in the series up to date. The developers have approached the design process with a noteworthy attention to details, as reflected by the appearances of both locations and enemies, and employed cutting-edge visual effects.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
Last Update: May 17, 2016
Dark Souls III Game Guide & Walkthrough
This guide for Dark Souls 3 provides you with everything you need to complete the demanding and vast game. It contains a full walkthrough of the game, explanation of all the key mechanics, description of every boss fight and locations of all the secrets.
Videos and Screens
[1:55] Dark Souls III The Fire Fades Edition (PL)
[1:53] Dark Souls III Kingdom Fall
OpenCritic Rating
Game is Recomended by 99% of Critics. There are 165 Critic Reviews.
Game Informer: 9.3 / 10 by Daniel Tack
An excellent entry in the fantasy series featuring unique environments, bosses, and a massive wealth of secrets and surprises
Giant Bomb: 4 / 5 by Austin Walker
Though a handful of major bugs hold back the PC release a bit, Dark Souls III is a satisfying finale to the monumental series.
Eurogamer: by Rich Stanton
Dark Souls 3 sees the return of the king in a spectacular conclusion to From Software's trilogy.
The main pros of the game
- Emotional and Engaging Experience: Many players described the game as emotionally impactful, with feelings of happiness, sadness, and accomplishment throughout their journey. The game provides a strong sense of nostalgia and connection, especially for those who play with friends.
- Challenging Yet Fair Combat: The combat system is praised for being strategic, rewarding skill and patience. Players often feel that victories are well-earned, contributing to a sense of satisfaction.
- Incredible Boss Design: The bosses are frequently highlighted as some of the best in the series, with unique mechanics and memorable encounters. The music accompanying these battles enhances the overall experience.
- Beautiful World Design: Players appreciate the immersive atmosphere, stunning visuals, and intricate level design, which encourages exploration and discovery of lore and secrets.
- Replayability and Character Builds: The game offers a variety of playstyles, weapons, and character builds, allowing players to experiment and replay the game in different ways.
The main cons of the game
- Technical Issues: Some players reported problems such as poor optimization for PC, high mouse sensitivity, and issues with controller prompts not being adapted for keyboard/mouse users.
- Linear Level Design: While some appreciated the streamlined progression, others felt that the game lacked the interconnectedness and exploration depth found in earlier titles like Dark Souls I.
- Frustrations with Certain Mechanics: Players expressed annoyance with aspects like the runbacks to bosses, certain enemy designs, and the occasional unfairness in combat mechanics, such as input reading and collision detection.
- Difficulty Perception: Some players found the game to be easier than expected, especially when compared to Elden Ring, leading to mixed feelings about the challenge level.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- More Boss Variety: Some players wished for additional bosses, particularly in the DLCs, feeling that certain encounters were underwhelming.
- Improved Multiplayer Experience: Issues with the co-op and PvP systems were noted, with some players finding them frustrating and detracting from the enjoyment of playing with friends.
- More Interconnected World Design: A desire for a more intricate world layout similar to Dark Souls I was expressed, as the linearity of Dark Souls III made it feel less immersive for some players.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Suggestions included better mouse and keyboard support, clearer indicators for questlines, and more diverse quest options.
Summary
- Overall, Dark Souls III is viewed as a significant and polished entry in the series, offering a blend of challenging gameplay, emotional depth, and beautiful design, despite some technical and design criticisms.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 3319 votes. 770 players anticipated the game.
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8
GAMES
in Souls Game Series
Game Series
Souls Series
A series of action RPGs, enjoying a cult status among many players. Japanese studio FromSoftware is responsible for its creation, and the entire series is inextricably linked with Hidetaka Miyazaki, who served as production director for most installments.
8 video games
Dark Souls III Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Dark Souls III System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-2500 3.3 GHz/AMD FX-6300 3.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 750/Radeon HD 6870 or better, 20 GB HDD, Windows 7(SP1)/8.1/10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i7-2600 3.4 GHz/AMD FX-8350 4.0 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB RAM GeForce GTX 970 or better, 20 GB HDD, Windows 7(SP1)/8.1/10 64-bit
PlayStation 4
Supports: PlayStation Network
Xbox One
Supports: Xbox Live
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