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DARK SOULS III

Dark Souls 3's incredible world and awe-inspiring weapon arts make it the fiercest installment yet.
DARK SOULS III Game Cover
90%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story
Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, optimization
94% User Score Based on 161,869 reviews
Critic Score 86%Based on 45 reviews

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DARK SOULS III Game Cover

About DARK SOULS III

DARK SOULS III is a single player and multiplayer open world role playing game with fantasy, historical and dark fantasy themes. It was developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and was released on April 10, 2016. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Dark Souls continues to push the boundaries with the latest, ambitious chapter in the critically-acclaimed and genre-defining series. Prepare yourself and embrace the darkness!

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DARK SOULS III screenshot
DARK SOULS III screenshot
DARK SOULS III screenshot
DARK SOULS III screenshot
DARK SOULS III screenshot
DARK SOULS III screenshot
DARK SOULS III screenshot
DARK SOULS III screenshot
DARK SOULS III screenshot
DARK SOULS III screenshot
DARK SOULS III screenshot
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Reviews

94%Audience ScoreBased on 161,869 reviews
gameplay3.8k positive mentions
grinding1k negative mentions
  • The graphics are stunning, with intricate level design and a dark gothic aesthetic that enhances the immersive experience.
  • The music is phenomenal, with orchestral compositions that elevate the emotional weight of boss battles and enhance the game's atmosphere.
  • The gameplay is refined and challenging, offering a rewarding experience that balances difficulty and accessibility, making it highly replayable.
  • The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent freezes, crashes, and various bugs that hinder gameplay.
  • The storytelling is cryptic and can be frustrating for newcomers, with minimal character development and sparse dialogue.
  • Some players find the grinding for covenant items tedious and frustrating, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

  • gameplay

    9,990 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    38% positive mentions, 58% neutral mentions, 4% negative mentions

    The gameplay of "Dark Souls III" is widely praised for its refined mechanics, fluid combat, and challenging yet rewarding encounters, making it a standout entry in the series. Players appreciate the balance between difficulty and accessibility, with many noting the game's ability to teach through trial and error, enhancing the overall experience. While some critiques focus on the linearity of level design and certain mechanics, the majority agree that the game successfully combines elements from its predecessors, offering a rich and engaging gameplay experience that keeps players coming back for more.

    • “From the art design to the gameplay, everything felt absolutely captivating.”
    • “Fair but difficult gameplay makes for such a rich and memorable experience.”
    • “The addictive gameplay loop of the souls series streamlined with the edge of Bloodborne and a new coat of paint, Dark Souls 3 is a near-perfect experience.”
    • “You're expected to put in time reading item descriptions and figuring out what some of the mechanics are on your own.”
    • “It delivers on that mechanically in many ways, but a handful of very bizarre design decisions prevent me from getting behind it - seriously, what the hell is going on with poise in this game?”
    • “The gameplay isn't anything special, yet I still find myself so mesmerized by it.”

  • story

    8,773 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    32% positive mentions, 63% neutral mentions, 5% negative mentions

    The story in "Dark Souls III" is characterized by its cryptic and indirect storytelling, primarily conveyed through environmental details, item descriptions, and sparse NPC dialogue. While many players appreciate the depth and complexity of the lore, newcomers often find it challenging to piece together the narrative without external resources, such as lore videos. Overall, the game is praised for its atmospheric world and emotional themes, but its storytelling approach can be frustrating for those seeking a more straightforward narrative experience.

    • “The story is truly compelling, and interacting with the various NPCs or reading the item descriptions really immerses one into the story.”
    • “The story is dark and very in-depth despite not being very in your face.”
    • “The environmental storytelling, the combat system, the level design, everything blends together to create an immersive experience.”
    • “The story is cryptic to the point of irritation, the NPCs are either depressing or unhelpful, and even the so-called 'safe' areas feel like they’re daring me to let my guard down.”
    • “I got so lost when it came to puzzles, but it wasn't just about the puzzles; the story was confusing. I still don't know what's the point. Beating it felt really good, but yeah, I feel like it wasn't what I expected.”
    • “The story is not good.”

  • graphics

    5,259 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    52% positive mentions, 45% neutral mentions, 3% negative mentions

    The graphics of Dark Souls III have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and atmospheric design, often described as the best in the series. Players appreciate the intricate level design, detailed environments, and the dark gothic aesthetic that enhances the game's immersive experience. While some critiques mention a lack of color variety and occasional graphical glitches, the overall consensus is that the game's graphics significantly elevate its storytelling and gameplay, making it a visually captivating experience even years after its release.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the combat is fluid and satisfying, and the world design is breathtakingly immersive.”
    • “The graphics are objectively the best in the series by far, but I do prefer Dark Souls II's look a lot more.”
    • “Dark Souls III is visually stunning, with a dark, gothic aesthetic that perfectly captures the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are bad, the art style/colors are brown and boring (generic gothic sucks), the armor/weapon designs are terrible, the bosses/boss battles suck, the level designs suck, and the story/characters suck.”
    • “The graphics are quite outdated and elements of the movements can be a bit janky, for those that have fallen in love with FromSoftware....this is a great game.”
    • “The graphics in the game are truly something to behold, not only because of the incredible job they did with lighting, shading, etc... but because of the absolutely breathtaking level design they have accomplished.”

  • music

    4,200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    58% positive mentions, 41% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions

    The music in Dark Souls III is widely praised as one of the best aspects of the game, with many reviewers highlighting its orchestral compositions that enhance the emotional weight of boss battles. Tracks like those for the Abyss Watchers, Soul of Cinder, and other bosses are noted for their ability to elevate the intensity of encounters, making each fight feel epic and memorable. Overall, the soundtrack is described as a masterpiece that complements the game's dark atmosphere and intricate lore, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.

    • “The music is absolutely phenomenal, arguably the best in the entire series. It makes even mediocre bosses feel like epic experiences.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing as always; the main theme, Abyss Watchers, Soul of Cinder, and Slave Knight Gael are just a few examples of the incredible orchestral scores.”
    • “The music in this game is breathtaking, with each boss having its own unique theme that enhances the intensity and emotion of the fight.”
    • “The atmosphere and music disgust me too much now.”
    • “The music in boss fights tries to make me cry for no reason.”
    • “I highly recommend listening to music, a podcast, or watching something on the side while doing it, because otherwise it will test your sanity more than any boss in the game.”

  • atmosphere

    2,198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    60% positive mentions, 38% neutral mentions, 2% negative mentions

    The atmosphere in Dark Souls III is widely praised for its breathtaking and immersive qualities, effectively blending dark, gothic aesthetics with haunting soundscapes that enhance the game's sense of dread and melancholy. Players appreciate the intricate world design, which is rich in lore and detail, creating a captivating environment that draws them into the narrative. While some feel it lacks the oppressive atmosphere of its predecessors, many agree that it successfully captures the essence of the series, offering a unique and atmospheric experience that keeps players engaged throughout their journey.

    • “The atmosphere is bleak yet beautiful, every area dripping with lore and danger.”
    • “The world design is tighter, the pacing cleaner, and the atmosphere thick with themes of fading fire, forgotten heroes, and cycles long overdue to end.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and beautiful, and the soundtrack is one of my favorites ever.”
    • “The atmosphere is oppressive, suffocating, and dreary.”
    • “The atmosphere created by the visuals, audio, and story for you as the main character are unique to the souls-like genre.”
    • “The atmosphere feels like it has no identity, just basic gray mountainside or basic gray castle and basic trash mob that looks too similar to a bloodborne foe.”

  • replayability

    1,519 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    47% positive mentions, 50% neutral mentions, 3% negative mentions

    The replayability of Dark Souls III is widely praised, with many players highlighting its extensive character build options, new game plus mode, and multiple endings as key factors that enhance replay value. While some reviews note a linear structure that may limit exploration and variety in subsequent playthroughs, the game's challenging combat and rich lore keep players engaged, making it one of the most replayable entries in the series. Overall, the game is considered to offer immense replayability, appealing to both newcomers and veterans of the franchise.

    • “Between new game plus, multiple endings, DLC expansions, and diverse builds, the replay value is extremely high.”
    • “The variety in enemy move sets and the depth of weapon mechanics, including the new weapon art system, add a lot of replayability.”
    • “This game has insane replayability value allowing you to play infinite new game cycles to create an insane character or just try other builds as the game gets even harder than before.”
    • “This is one of the least replayable games I've ever played, even more so than Elden Ring.”
    • “The linearity of the game heavily damages its replayability, especially combined with the nerf to many alternative playstyles, often feeling like you are punished for playing anything other than a fast rolling R1 spamming straight sword character.”
    • “After several updates, the game is much more playable, but still not in a recommendable state.”

  • grinding

    1,210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    1% positive mentions, 15% neutral mentions, 84% negative mentions

    The grinding aspect in Dark Souls III has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the game's balance that allows for sufficient soul and upgrade material acquisition through normal play without excessive farming, others find the covenant item grinding to be tedious and frustrating, often requiring hours of repetitive gameplay for minimal rewards. Overall, players suggest that while grinding can enhance the experience for some, it can also detract from enjoyment, especially for those aiming for 100% completion.

    • “It's not bragging (my reflexes are not great) but a testament to the game's beautiful pacing and balance to say I was able to complete the whole game with no grinding, no guides, no getting stuck, and almost no bosses taking more than 3 tries (6 at most).”
    • “Game isn't grindy at all, I've never once stopped to wait and grind for souls.”
    • “The difficulty is rewarding, not tedious.”
    • “Spent the last 18 hours grinding a covenant weapon because it looks cool. 10/10 would not do again.”
    • “Farming for covenant items is bottom 5 souls experiences of all time.”
    • “The only negative is the covenant item farming.”

  • optimization

    1,171 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    21% positive mentions, 48% neutral mentions, 31% negative mentions

    The optimization of Dark Souls III has received mixed reviews from players, with many citing significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, particularly on high-end systems. While some users report smooth gameplay and good performance on lower settings, others find the game borderline unplayable due to these technical flaws. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be inconsistent, with many players recommending caution, especially for those using AMD hardware or lower-end PCs.

    • “On PC, the game is well-optimized and runs smoothly on a wide range of hardware, offering solid 60fps performance without the major technical flaws seen in some other series entries at launch.”
    • “The game runs smoothly and the few minor glitches don’t detract from the overall experience.”
    • “I think the one thing I love about a game like Dark Souls (or really any of the releases by FromSoftware in general) is just how well optimized they make their games.”
    • “I absolutely love this game and would be recommending it any other time, but going back to play it recently the performance is suddenly significantly worse than it's ever been before, borderline unplayable.”
    • “This game is really good but the only bad thing about it is the performance; for 80% of the game it was stuttering like hell.”
    • “Great game but I am leaving a negative review because there is no excuse for the game being this poorly optimized years later.”

  • humor

    703 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    98% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 2% negative mentions

    The humor in Dark Souls III is often described as dark and absurd, with players finding amusement in the game's challenging mechanics, quirky NPC interactions, and the unexpected hilarity of dying in ridiculous ways. Many reviews highlight the community's contributions, such as funny player messages and chaotic PvP encounters, which add a layer of levity to the otherwise grim atmosphere. Overall, the game balances its serious tone with moments of humor, making it a memorable experience for players who appreciate both challenge and comedy.

    • “It's the funny meme game that people like to compare other games to.”
    • “The humor is extremely subtle, and without a solid grasp of theoretical physics most of the jokes will go over a typical viewer's head.”
    • “The online presence is hilarious most times, and if not that, charming.”
    • “A game with a fandom toxic, horny, and unfunny.”
    • “It's not funny and ruins a big part of the experience.”
    • “It's not funny, in any way, and only serves to anger the good people that paid with their hard-earned money for a game that penalizes the victim rather than the villain.”

  • emotional

    636 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Dark Souls III" is profoundly impactful, with many players expressing that the game evokes a wide range of feelings, from joy and satisfaction to deep sadness and frustration. The intricate storytelling, haunting soundtrack, and character arcs resonate strongly, often leading players to tears, especially during pivotal moments and boss fights. Overall, the game is described as an emotional rollercoaster that not only challenges players mechanically but also engages them on a deeply personal level, making it a memorable conclusion to the beloved series.

    • “Dark Souls III is FromSoftware at the absolute peak of its craft—a stunning, emotional, and relentlessly thrilling conclusion to one of the most influential trilogies in gaming history.”
    • “This game made me feel all the emotions I thought I never had.”
    • “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack complements the dark tone perfectly, elevating the tension and adding emotional weight to key moments, particularly during boss fights.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters is lacking, making it hard to connect with their struggles.”
    • “I felt no attachment to the story; it failed to evoke any real emotions.”
    • “The game tries to be emotional, but the execution falls flat, leaving me feeling indifferent.”

  • stability

    622 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    9% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 91% negative mentions

    The stability of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and various bugs that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players experience severe lag and stuttering, particularly during intense moments or when loading new areas, making the game nearly unplayable for some. While a few users noted minor glitches that did not detract from their overall experience, the consensus is that the game suffers from a lack of polish and stability, particularly on PC.

    • “No complaints and no glitches/bugs.”
    • “I've heard from people it has technical issues but I didn't experience any, no glitches, no frame drops, didn't crash once.”
    • “The performance of the game is great overall, no fps drops and runs great on a 144hz monitor.”
    • “I've gotten numerous game-overs because I load into a portion of the map that freezes the game, and demons or goblins are attacking and killing my character on the sound, but it's not even catching up visually.”
    • “Came back for another playthrough only to realize it stutters and freezes to such a degree that the game is literally unplayable.”
    • “Game freezes every 5 seconds on a 4070 ti; how does this even happen?”

  • character development

    119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    39% positive mentions, 57% neutral mentions, 4% negative mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many praising the depth and customization options available for player characters, allowing for diverse playstyles and builds. However, some reviewers noted a lack of meaningful character development in NPCs and storylines, with minimal dialogue and sparse quest lines that can leave players feeling disconnected from the narrative. Overall, while the character design and visual aesthetics are highly regarded, the depth of character development varies significantly, with some players feeling it falls short of expectations.

    • “The character development not only defines how difficult or easy the game is for you, but also gives you an enormous repertoire of paths to pursue as you find your own personal build that will carry you to victory.”
    • “Character development and outfitting options create good depth to the gameplay.”
    • “The game looks beautiful; the environments look incredible; character designs look awesome, for enemies, NPCs, and for the many different sets of armor and weapons you can use on your character.”
    • “Character development, dialogue, and quest lines are noticeably sparse.”
    • “This game has absolutely none of the things that make a good RPG: no character development, no intriguing story, no quests, no maps; it is a subpar RPG made for people who lack the intelligence to do anything other than kill enemies.”
    • “Motivations are left in the dark, character development is nonexistent, and characterization is incredibly poor.”

  • monetization

    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    5% positive mentions, 28% neutral mentions, 67% negative mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" that disrespects both long-time fans and newcomers. While some praise the absence of microtransactions and the focus on single-player content, others express frustration over perceived rushed development and poor porting, suggesting that the game prioritizes profit over quality. Overall, the sentiment reflects a mixed response, with a notable divide between those who appreciate the game's design and those who feel exploited by its monetization strategies.

    • “No microtransactions at all, great game overall.”
    • “All three games are masterpieces when you include their DLC content... by the way... no pay-to-win... no microtransactions. From Software created a whole new genre with these gems, and you won't regret playing.”
    • “No microtransactions, no money grab (hello Creative Assembly).”
    • “It feels like a blatant cash grab and I find it disrespectful to both long-time fans and newcomers.”
    • “Sad to see so many people loving this cash grab.”
    • “This game is amazing until you realize it's just a cash grab.”
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Critic Reviews

86%Critics’ scoreBased on 45 critic reviews
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Play Times

84h Median play time
207h Average play time
32h Main story
98h Completionist
20-270h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 638 analyzed playthroughs
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Happy 10th anniversary Dark Souls 3, the second best Souls game after Dark Souls 2 (until I change my mind again)

March 24 on eurogamer.net
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DARK SOULS III is a open world role playing game with fantasy, historical and dark fantasy themes. Common tags for DARK SOULS III include trading, exploration, third person, soundtrack, souls-like and others.

DARK SOULS III is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Phone, PlayStation 4 and others.

The main story can be completed in around 32 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 98 hours to finish. On average players spend around 207 hours playing DARK SOULS III.

DARK SOULS III was released on April 10, 2016.

DARK SOULS III was developed by FromSoftware, Inc..

DARK SOULS III has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked DARK SOULS III for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

DARK SOULS III is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.