Dark Souls III Image
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 69 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 5076 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Developed by Japanese developer FromSoftware, DARK SOULS III is the latest chapter in the DARK SOULS series with its trademark sword and sorcery combat and rewarding action RPG gameplay. Players travel across a wide variety of locations in an interconnected world of unrelenting challenge andDeveloped by Japanese developer FromSoftware, DARK SOULS III is the latest chapter in the DARK SOULS series with its trademark sword and sorcery combat and rewarding action RPG gameplay. Players travel across a wide variety of locations in an interconnected world of unrelenting challenge and deep RPG gameplay as they search for a way to survive the coming apocalypse. Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Trailer

Play Sound
Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
Dark Souls III - Accursed Trailer
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 69
  2. Negative: 0 out of 69
  1. Apr 14, 2016
    100
    It is an achievement in game design and probably the best Souls game ever created by the masterminds of FromSoftware.
  2. Apr 20, 2016
    95
    Despite its minor shortcomings, I have not played through such a satisfying and complete experience in a long time. Dark Souls III not only is the best in the series, it is also the best action RPG to come out in recent years.
  3. 94
    We couldn't have hoped for a better conclusion to the Dark Souls trilogy. Miyazaki-san was able to give the fans the most gorgeous souls-like experience ever, despite some frame rate issues that affect the console versions.
  4. Apr 4, 2016
    90
    With a faster combat mechanic than ever, better visuals and the same challenging gameplay as before, Dark Souls 3 delivers an adventure that will hook you up for many, many hours. It might not be as good as Bloodborne, mainly because some technical flaws, and a little less appealing world – but it’s close enough.
  5. Apr 12, 2016
    90
    While it’s still impossible on a personal level for me to admit that any of Dark Souls’ siblings could better it, when taken as a whole, complete experience, Dark Souls III may be the best chapter of the Souls series that From Software has crafted. A fitting way to end, if that will indeed be the fate of the franchise.
  6. Apr 6, 2016
    90
    Even with minor issues with linearity, framerate, and the originality of level design, Dark Souls III is an outstanding send-off for a seminal trilogy that has influenced and legitimized difficulty in games with unapologetic force.
  7. Apr 4, 2016
    70
    In so many important ways — its world design, its pacing, the technology powering it — Dark Souls 3 falls short of the mark. Do you play for the joy and stress of exploring dangerous, intricately crafted places full of hidden elements and endless side paths? Then I suspect you'll join me in being a little let down with the direction this sequel has gone in.

See all 70 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 59 out of 679
  1. Apr 12, 2016
    10
    Just started playing this last night, already clocked 9 hours, the graphics are stunning, combat is fluid and the music and voice acting ISJust started playing this last night, already clocked 9 hours, the graphics are stunning, combat is fluid and the music and voice acting IS PHENOMENAL. I love dark souls so much and if this truly is the final dark souls game, itll be a sad day for us all. But bittersweet, because we're sent off with a final stunning entry in this amazing series. Thank you FromSoftware. Expand
  2. Oct 9, 2021
    10
    If you kill the woman that gives you the banner, across Vordt of the Borreal Valley a new boss will spawn called Dancer of the Boreall Valley.If you kill the woman that gives you the banner, across Vordt of the Borreal Valley a new boss will spawn called Dancer of the Boreall Valley. I highly reccomend u do this.
    Also the final boss is Lord of Cinder. Unkindled are failed Lords of Cinder, succeeding in linking the flame, but too weak to survive the burst of fire.
    Lords of Cinder cannot Link the Flame on their own, and all five are needed.
    The Lords of cinder have linked the fire long ago, but it still fades and it was deemed "not enough". The new order was to have all 5 of them link it again, this time together for a stronger sacrifice.
    Only Ludleth of Courland was willing to make the sacrifice. He had his legs removed should his will waver, as the first time he linked the fire must had been traumatic. No one else wants to link the flame. It might be that they barely survived the first time or it hurts like hell.
    The champion of ash, along with many other unkindled are awoken from death, possibly by the fire's call, to bring all mighty Lords back, dead or alive.
    Despite having served as the fuel for the First Flame for this long of a time the Lords of Cinder still retain a good amount of the fire within their body. This aspect in itself is somehow standing against the purpose of “sacrificing oneself to prolong the inevitable” as it implies that this power is taken from the already dying First Flame and thereby weakening it even further.
    This in fact could be the very reason the Player Character has to find the Lords of Cinder, slay them and thereby retake their souls to then feed them to the First Flame again by Linking it.
    The young prince Lothric is being called a Lord of Cinder, even though he is implied to have never actually linked the First Flame. He is also not shown to have any of the fire powers the other lords use in their second boss phase. All the fire attacks used are stemming from his older brothers sword (which got its effect from Demon fire)
    Expand
  3. Mar 7, 2017
    10
    I never thought I would play a game as good as the original Dark Souls again, but with Dark Souls III I am proven wrong. Unlike withI never thought I would play a game as good as the original Dark Souls again, but with Dark Souls III I am proven wrong. Unlike with Bloodborne, there are memorable bosses and a deep variety of ways to play that keeps the game fresh for multiple play throughs. It's the total package with improvements in graphics and even grander level designs. Dark souls III is my favourite souls game. Period. Expand
  4. Jun 13, 2020
    9
    One of my favourite games. Not at the level of Bloodborne, but almost as good, pure From Software.

    The DLCs are very solid and a good
    One of my favourite games. Not at the level of Bloodborne, but almost as good, pure From Software.

    The DLCs are very solid and a good complement to the game.
    Expand
  5. Feb 6, 2018
    9
    Just another masterpiece from From Software. It's enemy designs, armor and weapon variety, gameplay strategy, different combos with differentJust another masterpiece from From Software. It's enemy designs, armor and weapon variety, gameplay strategy, different combos with different weapons and styles everything is so so satisfying. Every enemy, armor, weapon and class is unique. Game's combat mechanics are still the same but more improved and still very good. The only things i will complain are the graphics could be better and still it's story can't be understand if you don't try hard to understand. Highly Recommended! Expand
  6. Aug 9, 2016
    8
    After finishing the game, (around 38 hours; including all the boss fights) I have to say I enjoyed this game a lot. The characters and vagueAfter finishing the game, (around 38 hours; including all the boss fights) I have to say I enjoyed this game a lot. The characters and vague lore intrigue me and the design is impeccable. Classes are very different and appeal to every type of play-style. Combat is thankfully not hard due to high HP & DMG opponents, but because of their moves. This allows people to actually get better at the game, but without merely getting better "weapons and armor" (Ex. Destiny) Game was good length as well. Soundtrack was extremely well produced and adds a lot of intensity to boss fights. Only negative things I found was that a lot of the locations look the same (have the grey pallet) and can get boring. There are a few exceptions, but the majority are boring and dull, due to the same color pallet, which consists of mostly shades. Secondly, NG+ and on gets boring as there is nothing new added to the game except for higher stats on enemies and the same items, but 1+, 2+, 3+, etc. Expand
  7. Dec 2, 2019
    0
    Sorry to say that, I never attack the reviews for any single souls type games before but today I like to rate 0 for this game of games becauseSorry to say that, I never attack the reviews for any single souls type games before but today I like to rate 0 for this game of games because Dark Souls 3 was a very difficult game to play. The worst game in the world because this game is too difficult to fight. Just one hit from the boss then I died. What is the purpose to make a game such like I hit a boss that it will dodge my attack. Then when it attack me and I just one hit die? I really so angry and want to throw the controller. Come on, a game is makes people to play for fun but not for play for angry. Expand

See all 679 User Reviews

Trailers

Related Articles

  1. The 20 Best PlayStation 4 Games of 2016

    The 20 Best PlayStation 4 Games of 2016 Image
    Published: December 20, 2016
    We rank the highest-scoring PlayStation 4 games released during 2016.
  2. Best of April 2016: Top Albums, Games, Movies & TV

    Best of April 2016: Top Albums, Games, Movies & TV Image
    Published: April 30, 2016
    Browse our handy guide to the best entertainment of the past month, with lists of the highest-scoring video games, TV shows, albums, and films released during April.
  3. Most Anticipated Video Games of 2016, Part 1: Sequels, Remakes and Adaptations

    Most Anticipated Video Games of 2016, Part 1: Sequels, Remakes and Adaptations Image
    Published: January 19, 2016
    Preview 25 notable videogame franchises returning with new titles in 2016, including Uncharted, Mass Effect, Dark Souls, Legend of Zelda, and more.