Dark Souls III wraps up the trilogy with vague answers and many more questions, something fans should expect after moving through each esoteric chapter in the series. With some of the optional bosses offering a difficulty level higher than anything in the previous games and the early game offering newer players (or those coming into the series from Bloodborne) a chance to breathe before taking on some of the more unforgiving fights. It’s far from a casual game, but it does give you time to find your footing before doing what the series does best: knocking you down over and over, so that when you get up, the victory is thrilling and memorable.
Dark Souls III adds weapon skills to the mix, allowing players to execute special moves with weapons that range from the mundane to the magical. Boss weapons often have the coolest move sets, with the arsenal of basic swords, gloves, shields, axes, spears, and halberds offering stock maneuvers that will get you through hordes of undead and giant monsters. These abilities cost mana, so even if you’re not playing a “caster” style character, you’ll have to keep your eye on your blue bar, especially during one gimmick fight against a particularly large opponent in the second half of the game.
The tension, layered upon the game’s unwavering atmosphere, is signature FromSoftware stuff, and while it’s not as overtly horror as Bloodborne, there are plenty of things that go bump in the night that will leave you uncomfortable long after you complete one of the game’s multiple endings. They’re easy to miss if you’re not looking for them, several of the game’s coolest locations are completely hidden away, and you won’t find all the bosses and secrets to Dark Souls III unless you’re a curious sort (or you check out the inevitable landslide of internet guides and videos that will be available next week).
Perhaps the only flaw, if any, in this third title is that it’s so much like its predecessors without really bringing anything innovative to the table. Dark Souls fans will absolutely love the recurring characters and themes the game provides, but outside of weapon arts, it’s almost like you could interchange some of the environments and encounters with any Dark Souls game and no one would really be able to tell the difference. One could argue that this is a testimony to the consistency of the series, but some of the glimmer is starting to wear off from the carefully crafted castles, swamps, and catacombs.
Despite these small flaws, Dark Souls III still manages to deliver a twisted world full of surprises and unrelenting challenges that any diehard horror fan can appreciate. If you have been anxiously waiting to climb further into the dark pits of the coming apocalypse then look no further with Dark Souls III. To learn more, visit the official Dark Souls III website.
Game Features:
- Atmospheric Visual: Dynamic lighting and particle effects immerse players into a dark fantasy world of ruin.
- Interconnected World: Expertly crafted world encourages players to explore vast and breathtaking landscapes.
- Sword Action: Diversifies combat action allowing players to craft their own unique play style.
- Unique Online System: Evolution of trademark online multiplayer functionality that seamlessly integrates online interactions into single player story.
Reviewed for PS4