This review contains spoilers
It took me a long time to truly appreciate Dark Souls III.
Admittedly, it is not nearly as good as Dark Souls I, but that's saying a lot since I am still giving it a 10/10 score. On the other side of the coin, it isn't nearly as divisive and unique as Dark Souls II was. III is a rethread/combo of Dark Souls and Bloodborne, in that it references and incorporates multiple aspects from DS1 with an aesthetic reminiscent of what you would see in Bloodborne. In no way am I saying it isn't unique in some aspects, but the influence of the success of those games is definitely felt all throughout.
The gameplay is not much different from past games. The 30fps restriction on most consoles adds to a bit of jankiness, but overall the menuing and navigation feel the best they've ever been. When it comes to challenge, I feel like Dark Souls III stumbles in some aspects. I do see how the game might be easy for players of the past games, as the combat we have mastered has not changed much, but there is room to criticize the over-abundance of checkpoint bonfires. Some bonfires are so unecessary that they could be taken out and the game would be better off without them. Overall, the gameplay is more of the same but with more room for customization and experimentation, which I welcome albeit not at the cost of challenge.
Dark Souls III almost feels like the peak of the series, and not necessarily in quality but in ambition and themes. Although I vastly prefer DS1, I have to admit it does outshine its predecessors in themes, narrative and imagery. The world of Dark Souls III is one of sickness and fire, with disgusting monstrosities at every corner, some unwilling to fight in a world where nothing is worth it anymore. You are the only hope for this world to thrive, and if you are as thematically involved with these games as I am you will slowly realize that you are merely perpetuating the cycle that has led the world to so-called "peace" that permeates the world with sickness and death. All of the bosses represent this sick and painful world, with some not even fighting you at first and others bestowing upon you the weapon required to slay them.
It's all topped off with the best DLC in the series, that only adds to the already beautiful and vast land of Lothric. The atmosphere and world design feel like a blend of Bloodborne and Dark Souls I with not much interconnectedness and a lot of linearity but with beautiful landscapes and excellently designed enemy encounters. The music and art just add to the beauty, with some of my favorite areas being Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, The Painted World of Ariandel and the Ringed City.
This is a section of the review with spoilers as it details the final boss of the main game of Dark Souls III.
Your entire journey through this sick and terrible world reaches its climax with a battle against the Soul of Cinder. Your final obstacle is no dragon, monstrosity or giant, but a duel with a knight. You recognize he fights in a way very similar to you, and performs moves that other classes possess. The music swells up as you seem to defeat him only for him to raise his blade a final time and challenging you, as the boss theme for Gwyn from DS1 plays. Albeit, not subtle, it is made clear that Soul of Cinder is an amalgamation of everyone who linked the First Flame. In other words, everyone that throughout the Dark Souls series completed the ultimate challenge. You are fighting the Chosen Undeads, you are fighting all of the players, you are fighting... yourself. The true ending comes as you finally defeat the Soul of Cinder, and considering the state of the world perpetuated by this cycle you decide to let the flame die out. Humans reject change and some are even terrified of it, but sometimes we have to let go of the past, accept change and move on.
The fire fades... and an age of ash begins...
Admittedly, it is not nearly as good as Dark Souls I, but that's saying a lot since I am still giving it a 10/10 score. On the other side of the coin, it isn't nearly as divisive and unique as Dark Souls II was. III is a rethread/combo of Dark Souls and Bloodborne, in that it references and incorporates multiple aspects from DS1 with an aesthetic reminiscent of what you would see in Bloodborne. In no way am I saying it isn't unique in some aspects, but the influence of the success of those games is definitely felt all throughout.
The gameplay is not much different from past games. The 30fps restriction on most consoles adds to a bit of jankiness, but overall the menuing and navigation feel the best they've ever been. When it comes to challenge, I feel like Dark Souls III stumbles in some aspects. I do see how the game might be easy for players of the past games, as the combat we have mastered has not changed much, but there is room to criticize the over-abundance of checkpoint bonfires. Some bonfires are so unecessary that they could be taken out and the game would be better off without them. Overall, the gameplay is more of the same but with more room for customization and experimentation, which I welcome albeit not at the cost of challenge.
Dark Souls III almost feels like the peak of the series, and not necessarily in quality but in ambition and themes. Although I vastly prefer DS1, I have to admit it does outshine its predecessors in themes, narrative and imagery. The world of Dark Souls III is one of sickness and fire, with disgusting monstrosities at every corner, some unwilling to fight in a world where nothing is worth it anymore. You are the only hope for this world to thrive, and if you are as thematically involved with these games as I am you will slowly realize that you are merely perpetuating the cycle that has led the world to so-called "peace" that permeates the world with sickness and death. All of the bosses represent this sick and painful world, with some not even fighting you at first and others bestowing upon you the weapon required to slay them.
It's all topped off with the best DLC in the series, that only adds to the already beautiful and vast land of Lothric. The atmosphere and world design feel like a blend of Bloodborne and Dark Souls I with not much interconnectedness and a lot of linearity but with beautiful landscapes and excellently designed enemy encounters. The music and art just add to the beauty, with some of my favorite areas being Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, The Painted World of Ariandel and the Ringed City.
This is a section of the review with spoilers as it details the final boss of the main game of Dark Souls III.
Your entire journey through this sick and terrible world reaches its climax with a battle against the Soul of Cinder. Your final obstacle is no dragon, monstrosity or giant, but a duel with a knight. You recognize he fights in a way very similar to you, and performs moves that other classes possess. The music swells up as you seem to defeat him only for him to raise his blade a final time and challenging you, as the boss theme for Gwyn from DS1 plays. Albeit, not subtle, it is made clear that Soul of Cinder is an amalgamation of everyone who linked the First Flame. In other words, everyone that throughout the Dark Souls series completed the ultimate challenge. You are fighting the Chosen Undeads, you are fighting all of the players, you are fighting... yourself. The true ending comes as you finally defeat the Soul of Cinder, and considering the state of the world perpetuated by this cycle you decide to let the flame die out. Humans reject change and some are even terrified of it, but sometimes we have to let go of the past, accept change and move on.
The fire fades... and an age of ash begins...