The story in most FromSoftware games is notoriously difficult for fans to wrap their heads around. While an introductory and ending cutscene bookends eachFromSoftware action-RPG, that’s about all the direct storytelling that’s present. To find out anything substantial about the game’s characters, world, or overarching narrative, players need to scour item descriptions, dialogue, and environmental details to piece together a FromSoftware story. This is especially true for theDark Soulstrilogy.
WhileElden RingandBloodborneare self-contained adventures, theDark Soulstrilogy has an extra layer of obtuseness, with all of its entries technically being connected. It’s taken fans years to try and find concrete links betweenDark Souls 1,2, and3’s stories. That being said, some connections are a bit more obvious than others, such asDark Souls 3’s self-referential locations.
Anor Londo Is a Direct Recreation in Dark Souls 3
By far the most obvious reference to the first game in the trilogy isDark Souls 3’s Anor Londo. Unlike some of the other locations inDark Souls 3that seem to pay homage to the series' first entry, Anor Londo is almost an exact replica of its original version, and even bears the same name. While the approach to the castle is slightly different inDark Souls 3, the castle itself is almost identical, with its long stairway and intimidating visage looming over the player. Rather than beloved duo boss Smough and Ornstein,Dark Souls 3’s castle halls are home to Aldrich, Devourer of Gods, who has seemingly consumedDark Souls 1’s Dark Sun Gwyndolin.
Other Dark Souls 3 Locations That Seem to Reference DS1
Firelink Shrine
WhileDark Souls 3has its own version of Firelink Shrine, the first game’s iteration can be found inDS3’s Ringed City DLC. After dropping down the hole to face off against the Demon Prince, players will be able to notice a familiar stone structure behind them next to the bonfire. This stone doorway and wall are meant to imitate the passageway that leads to Frampt in the first game’s version of Firelink Shrine. After defeating the Demon Prince, players will be able to spot more similarities, such as a circular centerpiece, some surrounding stone walls, and a well.
Painted World of Ariandel
Another clear reference to the firstDark Soulscan be found inDark Souls 3’s Ashes of Ariandel DLC. In this DLC, players head to the Painted World of Ariandel, which is a pretty overt reference toDS1’s Painted World of Ariamis, an optional area that can be found in Anor Londo. Though the layouts of the Painted Worlds are quite different, they both feature a similar long wooden bridge, and Crossbreed Priscilla’s boss arena can be found inDS3’s Painted World of Ariandel.
Smouldering Lake
Getting a bit more into speculation-territory,Dark Souls 3’s Smouldering Lake is believed to be a reference toDark Souls 1’s Lost Izalith. Some of the clearest references appear in Smoudlering Lake’s Demon Ruins area, where petrified Capra and Taurus Demons can be found littering the ground. A petrified spider can also be found alongside Quelana’s pyromancy tome, implying that this deceased spider is her.
Kiln of the First Flame
The final location inDark Souls 3bears the same name as the final location in the trilogy’s first entry. Though the locations look quite different from one another, their in-game purpose and the lore behind them are the same, with players needing to defeat a powerful boss to either keep the Age of Fire going or let it die.
Dark Souls 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Winner of Gamescom 2015 ‘Best RPG” and over 35 E3 2015 Awards and Nominations, DARK SOULS™ III continues to push the boundaries with the latest, ambitious chapter in the critically-acclaimed and genre-defining series.As fires fade and the world falls into ruin, journey into a universe filled with more colossal enemies and environments. Players will be immersed into a world of epic atmosphere and darkness through faster gameplay and amplified combat intensity. Fans and newcomers alike will get lost in the game hallmark rewarding gameplay and immersive graphics.Now only embers remain… Prepare yourself once more and Embrace The Darkness!
