Reviews// Dark Souls III

It's actually pretty incredible when you consider how much is in Dark Souls III and how it manages to be so far ahead of any game that has the misfortune of being compared to it.

The online side of things is still something that blows my mind in its unique approach with every game mode and menu hidden within in-game items. If you activate your ember you leave yourself open to invasion where someone can break into your game and take you out for shits and giggles.

That's interesting enough, but when you consider that some players will have joined a covenant that tries to protect the invaded players, it gets even better. Join the Blue Sentinels and you'll be summoned when someone's invaded to protect the host player from griefing bellends.

I've not put much time into this area of the game as of yet. It's more of an end game aside. But that's just an indication of how deep it all is and is something that I can't wait to get into once I'm confident enough that I'll be able to fulfil my role of either being a hero or a dick to a random stranger on the internet.

Then, and finally, we are brought to the lore of Dark Souls III. This is an area of Souls games that is more important than anything else for some people and it's almost impossible to review at this point. There's so much hidden away that it'll take months to piece together.

You can tell it's there, lurking behind every backdrop, item description and enemy, but if I'm being honest with you at this point in time it's all over my head. It'll take hours of reading and replaying before I'll have a handle on what the world is about and why everything is placed where it is.

What is clear though is that I'm already interested. Making mental notes of things I've noticed that might not have been mentioned by the crowds of Souls fans gathered around pockets of the internet exchanging information and, when I'm ready to unlock the hidden story, I'll spend a week or so joining them and trying to understand.

For now though all I can do is focus on what is in front of me and it's clear that what I'm playing is special. The challenge, the satisfaction and the huge amount of imagination that goes into Dark Souls III shines through and makes for another bright star on top of the From Software CV.

It seems almost stupid to try to place where it is on the Souls ladder compared to the other games in the series. These games are in a league of their own and although I could tell you that it falls a little short of the wonder that is the original Dark Souls or that I prefer its setting, combat and mechanics over Bloodborne, it doesn't change the overall score at the bottom of this review.

One thing I have noticed is that everyone's favourite Souls game is their first. Start with Bloodborne and nothing will feel as good. Those who jumped in at the start will argue that Demon's Souls is still the best and I have no doubt that if the series has passed you by and you're starting here, then you'll wonder how anyone could say the original is better than this.

Dark Souls III manages to clear the bar that the series has set. Some may argue that it hasn't raised it, but it manages to clear it with ease, doing a somersault, pointing to the camera and giving a wink as it lands on the crash mat.

It's worthy of its name, and when it would have been so easy to roll out a cash-in effort it instead maintains the high standard that fans have come to expect.

Another classic. From Software has delivered another classic.

Pros:
+ Maintains the high standard that Souls games offer
+ Refines everything the series has achieved
+ Continues to set president over every game in the genre.

Cons:
- Lacks the open world and winding paths of the original
- That's it.

SPOnG Score: 10/10