Dark Souls III Critic Reviews

It is one of the most fascinating games you’ll play this year, or any other, a high-profile game that still dares to go against the grain despite its ever growing popularity.

The pervasive visual theme of death is as heavy in this game as it was in Bloodborne and the boss designs are as creative as anything found in the original Dark Souls. It’s remarkable that Dark Souls III manages to showcase these influences while still being able to stand out with an identity of its own.

As the final game in the series, Dark Souls III delivers a fantastic, no holds barred, 30-hour experience that will satisfy longtime fans. Dark Souls III polishes its gameplay mechanics to a shine, and delivers the lore in droves to those who hunger for it – the perfect mix for an action RPG. Praise the Sun.

Dark Souls III is Hidetaka Miyazaki's final Masterpiece. It evolves the basics and mechanics of the Souls saga until it reaches pure perfection and offers brilliant level design, more variety of enemies, deep character customization, and some of the most epic boss battles we've seen in the last 7 years of the Souls saga.

In truth, Dark Souls is un-replicable precisely because of its individuality. Yes, many of its best moments have been felt in other games through the years: the joyful surprise of opening an unlikely shortcut, the rush of dopamine at defeating a long-standing boss, the thrill of upgrading a character and evening the odds, the sense of aesthetic wonder at a piece of grand architecture. But no game has combined them in such an alluring and memorable way, or with such adherence to cohesive vision.

It is an achievement in game design and probably the best Souls game ever created by the masterminds of FromSoftware.

As a gamer, you really owe it to yourself to play this one through, whether you are new to the series or you've been around since Demon's Souls came out and shocked the world.

If Dark Souls 3 truly is the last in the series as we know it, then it’s a worthy send-off. Weapon arts allow stylish and versatile new moves without tarnishing the purity of the combat system. Lothric’s awe-inspiring locations provide visually stunning arenas for rigorous exploration and fierce face-offs with hosts of deadly enemies and even deadlier bosses. While not all the risky changes land as neatly as others, Dark Souls 3 is a powerful journey and the sequel the series truly deserves.

Dark Souls III is the same old Dark Souls perfected in every way. Challenging, rewarding and, most of all, astounding even when it leans over well-known shoulders. Praise be, Miyazaki-san!

Long, complex and full of secrets. Dark Souls 3 is everything we were asking for with very few problems to solve.

From Software delivers its best work so far, a game that makes the Souls series better than ever. It's no longer surprising, but it's still an experience you don't want to miss.

Dark Souls III is the latest effort in a formula refined to the maximum extent possible. One of the most elaborate and important games so far this year, which will mark a before and after in the history of this kind of games.

If Dark Souls III is the final visit to this series, then it is the apex the series deserves and certainly one of the most worthwhile adventures we’ve embarked on in a long time.

Dark Souls III is the perfect ending to the saga and offers a whole new experience and visual beauty that's greater than Bloodborne's, even with some technical issues. The multiplayer experience, especially the PvP competitive, is a true wonder. Hopefully Miyazaki and From Software will not leave this unique genre that we all love.

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.

The best Dark Souls game to pick up right now, and a fitting finale for the series.

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.

Dark Souls III successfully replicates the winning formula of the Souls series, a wondrous combination of majestic boss battles, incredible layered environments full of secrets, and precise combat that can make other action RPGs difficult to play once you’ve mastered the art. If you’ve never played the series, this is a great place to begin, offering a bit more direction in the early game before opening up. If you’ve already played the series, you can feel confident that From Software hasn’t lost its touch.

Dark Souls III is one of the best episodes in the series and one of the best soulslikes ever. Wonderful boss design, amazing level design and a great progression system put it at the top of the genre.

Miyazaki did it again. With nothing new but using its successful formula, Dark Souls III becomes the best entry in the franchise and a serious contender for Game of the Year. If you're a fan of the franchise or have played any of its entries once, you will love this game more than you could imagine. From Software has created a true homage to its players.