Summary
Given all of FromSoftware’s recent success with titles such asElden Ring,Armored Core 6, andSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, it’s fairly easy to overlookDark Souls 3. With regular praise also heaped on other titles, namelyBloodborneand the originalDark Souls, newcomers to Hidetaka Miyazaki and his team’s collection of games may choose to deprioritize the final game in theDark Soulstrilogy entirely. However, this would be a huge mistake, and the game’s level design, boss fights, and solid gameplay mechanics hold up well today. A new, complete edition ofDark Souls 3for current-gen consoles, maybe even with some new content, could give the game the spotlight it deserves.
WhileElden Ringis seen as FromSoftware’s magnum opus, elements ofDark Souls 3are held in the same high regard by fans of the genre. The level and boss designs, in particular, deserve standout praise. Epic battles against foes such as the Nameless King and Slave Knight Gael have arguably still not been topped even after eight years and several other games from the developer.
A New Edition of Dark Souls 3 Could Have Several Benefits
Despite sharing many of its siblings' gameplay stylizations and mechanics,Dark Souls 2is generally regarded as the weakest of the three. Released in 2014, it’s the only one of the series that Hidetaka Miyazaki did not personally direct, instead acting in a supervisory capacity, leaving direction to Tomohiro Shibuya and Yui Tanimura. After the originalDark Soulsreceived so much praise for its level of challenge, the sequel attempted to double down on the difficulty, adding lots more enemies for the player to contend with. This was not well-received by some fans though, with the game’s difficulty feeling far less organic as a result.
Over a year later, a remastered, enhanced version of the game was released, complete with all DLC.Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sinhad a far more positive reception on the whole. Better visuals, revised enemy and item placement, and even a new boss fight were included in the package. WhileDark Souls 3and its two critically acclaimed DLCs, Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City, have never really had any negative reception, a remastered version made for current-gen consoles would be a worthy investment, especially if there are also changes to enemies, items and perhaps even bosses. FromSoftware has a growing fan base, andwithElden Ring’s DLC already out, many are hungry for moreSoulscontent.
Dark Souls 3’s level design, boss fights, and solid gameplay mechanics hold up well today.
New Dark Souls 3 Content Could Be a Great Answer to Elden Ring
In 2017,Dark Souls 3: The Fire Fadeswas released, packaging the base game with its two DLCs. While this was great for those wanting a complete edition, it did not make any other enhancements to the game or visuals. A new version could rectify this, but it’s likely that better visuals alone wouldn’t really make it that much of an appealing prospect for the many players who have already put dozens of hours into the game. If, however, FromSoftware was to remix some of the content, modifying enemy placement, item rarity, and even boss fights, this would be an enticing prospect even forDark Soulsveterans.
Since we’re on the subject, it might be worth discussing a potentialBloodborne Remasterfor the PS5 as well.
Right now, it’s unclear as to what FromSoftware’s next project will be. There’s a strong possibility it may be working on several new projects, but whether these includeDark Souls 4,Bloodborne 2, or something else entirelyis anyone’s guess. If one of these new projects turned out to be a revamped, complete edition ofDark Souls 3, it would be a welcome surprise, allowing fans to remember exactly how special the climax of theDark Soulstrilogy was.
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!
