If Elden Ring didn't exist I would've told you this is the best game FromSoft has made. The greatest combat system I've ever played in a game to this day because of the amount of sword techniques + shinobi prosthetics you can mix and match together to make combat extremely engaging outside of the usually dodge and wait for an opening gameplay that we are used to seeing. This game demands that you learn the basic mechanics down to a subconscious level similar to breathing. You will be VIOLENTLY skill checked throughout various points in the game. The final boss is the most perfect culmination of every single mechanic and skill you've learned and you had better hope you've mastered them to even stand a chance against Glock Saint Isshin. This game is simultaneously the easiest and the hardest FromSoft game I've played.

Along with the Ringed City DLC, probably the greatest conclusion to a game series I've ever played. It's got the best boss design, weapons, and DLC in the entire trilogy with some callbacks from the previous two games lumped in. Even the poison swamp level in this game is surprisingly enjoyable.

The only criticism I have with this game was how bad the first 1/4 of this game was. You weren't really challenged as a player until maybe Abyss Watchers but even then if you were a veteran of the Souls series, it didn't take you more than five tries. I also think 100% achievements for this game is awful because of covenant grinding lol I do not recommend 100%ing this game.

This game holds a special place in my heart that not a lot of games do. Although it does feel aged, playing it again makes me realize that this does in fact hold up to a lot of games today. Interconnected levels, good boss design (obligatory Bed of Chaos hate), and just the overall feeling of exploration makes this game stand out to its contemporaries. Between the three Dark Souls games in the series, this one stands out the most in how differently it plays. Amazing game that started it all for me.

Overall just a very good souls-like that stands toe to toe with some of the stuff FromSoft makes. It has a familiar feel to Souls games made by FromSoft but retains its own identity with some new mechanics mixed in to keep it interesting. Incredible level design, soundtrack, and boss designs are the biggest things that stand out to me. The combination of dodging, parrying, mechanical arms, fable arts, and fatal attacks make the combat very engaging and almost free flowing because you have so many options to approach a fight. The story narrative is also much more clear cut and easier to follow than it’s predecessors, which I think works extremely well for the game.

The criticisms I have are few and far in between. Boss run backs, albeit minimal, are still run backs and are frustrating if you have to run an unnecessarily long distance and maybe kill an enemy or two along the way, especially for the harder two phase boss fights. Some of the level designs choices just hurt my brain, like the parts where you have to fight enemies on rafters and if you get staggered and fall off, you either insta die or have to make the climb all the way back up. And they did this like 3 times. And finally, the game is very linear, which is not necessarily a bad thing (and I would argue it works well for this game), but I would’ve liked to see more out branching optional areas with optional bosses.

It gets a solid 9/10. Definitely a must play if you are a fan of the genre. Tiers above something like Mortal Shell, Lords of the Fallen and Thymesia.