Info about DARK SOULS™ III:

Official game description:
  
Get the DARK SOULS™ III Season Pass now and challenge yourself with all the available content!  
Winner of gamescom award 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!

Release date: Apr 11, 2016

Categories: Soulslike Combat, Action RPG, Exploration, Boss Fights, Character Progression, Weapon Customization, Character Customization, Multiple Endings, Cooperative Multiplayer, PvP


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Iconic and rewarding boss fights (weight 0.99): Boss fights are frequently praised as the highlight of the game, with players emphasizing their challenging yet fair design, memorable mechanics, and emotional impact. Many consider them the best in the series, with unique phases, lore integration, and satisfying victories.
- High replayability and build variety (weight 0.95): The game offers extensive replayability through diverse weapons, armor sets, spells, and multiple endings. Players enjoy experimenting with different builds and playstyles, with NG+ mode and secrets adding to the longevity of the experience.
- Challenging but fair difficulty (weight 0.94): The game’s difficulty is balanced, offering a satisfying challenge that rewards patience, strategy, and skill. Players appreciate the well-paced progression and the sense of accomplishment from overcoming tough but fair obstacles.
- Epic and immersive soundtrack (weight 0.85): The game’s music is frequently praised for its emotional impact, especially during boss fights and key moments. The soundtrack enhances the atmosphere, with memorable themes that become iconic and deeply tied to the game’s lore.
- Fluid and satisfying combat system (weight 0.43): The combat is described as fast, fluid, and responsive, blending the best mechanics from previous games. Players appreciate its precision, variety of weapons/builds, and the rewarding sense of mastery it provides, making it a standout feature of the game.
- Deep and immersive lore (weight 0.37): The game’s storytelling is subtle yet rich, with lore hidden in item descriptions, environmental details, and NPC interactions. Players find it engaging and emotionally resonant, encouraging exploration and personal interpretation of the world’s tragic beauty.
- Stunning world and level design (weight 0.29): The game’s environments are praised for their intricate, interconnected design, atmospheric beauty, and immersive details. Locations like Lothric and Irithyll are highlighted for their gothic aesthetics, hidden paths, and emotional resonance, making exploration rewarding.
- High-quality DLC expansions (weight 0.23): The DLCs (Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City) are highly regarded for their challenging bosses, intricate level design, and lore-rich storytelling. They are considered essential additions that elevate the base game’s experience.
- Encourages learning and perseverance (weight 0.22): The game fosters a sense of personal growth by rewarding patience, strategic planning, and persistence. Players describe it as a metaphor for real-life challenges, with failure serving as a tool for improvement and self-discovery.
- Strong connection to Dark Souls 1 (weight 0.22): The game is celebrated for its deep ties to the first Dark Souls, featuring references to NPCs, bosses, and areas (e.g., Anor Londo). Fans appreciate the nostalgic callbacks and the way the story builds upon the lore of the original game.
- Rewarding exploration and secrets (weight 0.21): Exploration is a core part of the experience, with interconnected areas, hidden paths, and meaningful rewards (e.g., souls, armor, lore). Players enjoy the sense of discovery and the thoughtful placement of secrets and interactions.
- Ideal entry point for Souls series (weight 0.18): The game is often recommended as the best starting point for newcomers due to its refined mechanics, accessible difficulty curve, and classic Souls-like experience. It retains the series’ core while offering improvements in pacing and design.

Common complaints:
- Inconsistent and unfair hitboxes (weight 0.58): Players highlight issues with hitbox design, including attacks that visually miss but still register damage, and enemies with overly large or unpredictable hitboxes. This creates frustration in both PvE and PvP combat.
- Poor enemy and trap design (weight 0.51): Enemies and traps are often described as overly aggressive, unfair, or poorly placed. Examples include ambushes, hidden pitfalls, and enemies with infinite poise during attacks.
- Artificial difficulty through stats (weight 0.43): The game’s difficulty is often perceived as artificially inflated through high enemy health pools and damage output, rather than requiring skillful play. This is especially noted in DLC content and late-game areas.
- Linear and repetitive level design (weight 0.28): Compared to earlier entries in the series, *Dark Souls III* is criticized for its linear and corridor-like level design, which reduces exploration and replayability. Some areas feel rushed or underdeveloped.
- Unbalanced and tedious PvP (weight 0.28): PvP is described as unbalanced, with issues like latency, unfair invasions, and a lack of meaningful engagement. The community is also noted as unwelcoming to newcomers.
- Steep learning curve for newcomers (weight 0.24): New players struggle with the game’s lack of tutorials, unclear mechanics, and punishing difficulty. Many report feeling overwhelmed during their first playthrough, leading to frustration.
- Weak storytelling and lore (weight 0.18): The story and lore are often described as convoluted, cryptic, or unimportant without external research. Players feel the narrative lacks depth and clarity compared to earlier games in the series.
- Poor camera and technical issues (weight 0.18): Camera problems, such as clipping through walls, obstructed views during boss fights, and poor lock-on mechanics, are frequently mentioned. Performance issues like stuttering and frame drops also detract from the experience.
- Lack of cloud saves and save corruption (weight 0.12): The absence of cloud saves and local-only save files has led to lost progress for many players. Save corruption issues, particularly on PC, are also a recurring complaint.
- Frustrating NPC quests and mechanics (weight 0.1): NPC questlines are often cryptic, easy to break, or conflicting with other quests. Players report frustration with ambiguous objectives and the lack of in-game guidance.
- Grindy achievements and covenants (weight 0.06): Achievements, particularly those tied to covenants, are criticized for requiring tedious grinding, low drop rates, and excessive time investment. This detracts from the overall experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Boss fights define core experience (weight 0.4): Boss battles are a major focus, featuring unique mechanics, multi-phase encounters, and high difficulty. Players praise their thematic depth, narrative weight, and the sense of accomplishment upon victory.
- Fragmented environmental storytelling (weight 0.2): Lore is delivered indirectly through item descriptions, NPC quests, and environmental details. Players must piece together narratives, which deepens immersion.
- Co-op and PvP multiplayer integration (weight 0.18): Seamless co-op (summoning allies) and PvP (invasions, fight clubs) are core mechanics. Multiplayer interactions, like covenants, add depth but require farming or ember consumption.
- Aggressive enemy AI and ambushes (weight 0.13): Enemies use predictable patterns (e.g., long combos) but counter player actions aggressively. Ambushes and high-density encounters demand constant vigilance.
- Linear progression with hidden paths (weight 0.12): The game follows a mostly linear structure with tight balance, though hidden paths and optional areas encourage exploration. Progression is tied to skill upgrades and equipment.
- Estus Flask management critical (weight 0.06): Limited healing resources (Estus Flasks for HP, Ashen Estus for FP) force strategic use. Effective management is vital for progression and boss fights.
- Covenant system requires farming (weight 0.06): Covenants offer multiplayer rewards (e.g., spells, items) but demand significant farming or RNG. Some players find the system grindy or inconsistent.
- Bonfire placement impacts pacing (weight 0.06): Bonfires serve as checkpoints and fast-travel points. Their placement can feel inconsistent, affecting difficulty and exploration flow (e.g., short distances between some bonfires).

Performance notes:
- Severe performance stuttering (weight 0.16): Frequent stuttering, frame drops, and freezing are reported across a wide range of hardware, including high-end PCs (e.g., RTX 4090, i9 13900). Issues persist even after patches and hardware adjustments, indicating poor optimization.
- Inconsistent system requirements (weight 0.1): Reviews describe system requirements as both 'low' (runnable on 'potato' PCs) and 'demanding' (requiring high-end hardware). This inconsistency suggests optimization problems across different hardware configurations.
- FPS and input limitations (weight 0.07): Low FPS (12-16) and a 60 FPS cap hinder gameplay, particularly in combat. Input delay and lack of performance customization (e.g., borderless mode) exacerbate responsiveness issues.
- Combat hitbox and netcode issues (weight 0.06): Players report unfair hitboxes, enemies attacking through walls, and netcode problems in PvP. Collision detection issues further disrupt combat fluidity and fairness.
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.05): Random crashes occur during gameplay, online play, and autosaves, leading to frustration and potential data loss.
- Graphics and texture glitches (weight 0.04): Lighting issues, texture flickering, and failed texture loads are frequently reported, detracting from visual quality and immersion.
- Missing PC features (weight 0.04): Key features like cloud saves, key rebinding, and save transfer functionality (e.g., for Steam Deck) are absent, limiting usability and accessibility.
- Camera and UI problems (weight 0.04): Camera issues in boss fights, multi-monitor cursor bugs, and clunky UI disrupt gameplay and user experience.
- Patch-related performance fixes (weight 0.04): Downgrading to version 1.15.0.1 resolves performance issues, suggesting regressions in later updates. Some users report adequate performance after patches.
- Hardware bottlenecks (weight 0.02): CPU limitations prevent performance improvements even with GPU upgrades, indicating poor optimization for modern hardware configurations.

Recommendations:
- Must-play for Souls fans (weight 0.43): Dark Souls III is widely regarded as a fitting conclusion to the Dark Souls trilogy, offering refined gameplay and memorable boss fights. It is strongly recommended for fans of the series and those who enjoy challenging action RPGs.
- High difficulty rewards perseverance (weight 0.24): The game is praised for its challenging but fair difficulty, which rewards players who persist through its mechanics. It is not recommended for casual players or those who prefer guided experiences.
- Best played in trilogy order (weight 0.17): While Dark Souls III is accessible to newcomers, playing the trilogy in order (Dark Souls I → III) is recommended for full narrative and emotional impact. It builds upon the lore and mechanics of its predecessors.
- Not for casual or impatient players (weight 0.09): The game is explicitly not recommended for players who prefer fast-paced, hack-and-slash gameplay or those easily frustrated by high difficulty. It demands patience and skill.
- High replay value (weight 0.09): The game offers extensive replayability through New Game+ modes, varied playstyles, and exploration. Players report hundreds of hours of enjoyment and discovery.
- DLCs enhance experience (weight 0.08): The game's DLCs, particularly *The Ringed City*, are highly recommended for adding significant value, challenge, and replayability. The Deluxe Edition is suggested for a complete experience.
- Unique blend of frustration and satisfaction (weight 0.05): The game is celebrated for its ability to balance frustration with deep satisfaction, creating a memorable and rewarding experience. It is often described as 'gaming at its finest.'
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.05): Due to its age and pricing, many reviewers suggest waiting for a sale to purchase the game, especially for newcomers or those unsure about its difficulty.
- Online features enrich experience (weight 0.02): Playing with online features enabled (e.g., co-op, invasions) is recommended for a richer and more immersive experience, particularly on console versions with updated online play.
- Second half improves significantly (weight 0.02): The latter half of the game, including its DLCs, is noted for addressing early issues and delivering a more polished and enjoyable experience, comparable to the first Dark Souls.

Other player notes:
- Gameplay remains responsive despite age (weight 0.01): Despite being nearly a decade old, the game’s mechanics and controls still feel polished and responsive, maintaining its appeal to both new and returning players.
- Optimized farming strategies for achievements (weight 0.01): Players share specific tips, such as using the Mimic Head and Silver Serpent Ring, to efficiently farm for achievements and enhance item discovery, indicating a dedicated and strategic player base.
- Expansions best experienced together (weight 0.01): Feedback suggests that the game’s expansions are designed to be played sequentially, with their combined narrative providing the intended full experience for players.
- Nostalgia for returning characters (weight 0.01): Players express strong emotional connections to returning characters, emphasizing the game’s ability to evoke nostalgia and deepen the overall experience.
- Targeted at teens and adults (weight 0.01): The game’s themes and content are noted as being particularly suited for older teens and adults, aligning with its mature narrative and gameplay complexity.
- Comparisons to other FromSoftware games (weight 0.01): Players often draw comparisons between this game and other titles from FromSoftware, reflecting its place within the broader context of the studio’s portfolio.
- Miyazaki’s development influence (weight 0.01): The game’s development history and the involvement of Hidetaka Miyazaki are frequently mentioned, underscoring his impact on its design and legacy.
- Game intended as series finale (weight 0.01): Some players reference the game’s original role as a planned finale for its series, adding context to its narrative and thematic weight.
- Manageable game size (weight 0.01): The game’s scope is described as workable, suggesting a balance between content depth and accessibility for players.
- Game gifted by others (weight 0.01): A few players mention receiving the game as a gift, indicating its appeal as a recommended or shared experience among friends or colleagues.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.25): Players experience frustration primarily due to the game's punishing difficulty, unfair mechanics, and technical issues. Key causes include aggressive boss fights (e.g., Pontiff, Nameless King), poor hitboxes, camera problems, and performance issues like stuttering or save data loss. Additional grievances involve tedious grinding, lack of build diversity, and unresponsive controls, which exacerbate the game's already steep learning curve.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.12): Satisfaction stems from overcoming the game's challenges, such as defeating tough bosses (e.g., Midir, Gael) or mastering combat mechanics. Players appreciate the balanced changes in combat, fluid gameplay, and the sense of accomplishment from persistent effort. The game's depth, exploration, and rewarding boss fights also contribute to this positive emotion, especially during replayability or co-op experiences.
- Excitement (weight 0.07): Excitement is driven by the game's intense boss fights, fast-paced combat, and immersive exploration. Players highlight the adrenaline rush from discovering hidden areas, engaging in challenging battles, and experiencing the game's lore and world design. The DLCs, dragon bosses, and unique mechanics (e.g., magic system) further amplify this emotion, making the game feel dynamic and rewarding.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): Disappointment arises from the game failing to meet expectations, particularly in optimization, narrative delivery, and boss design. Players criticize the linearity, lack of build variety, and repetitive level design. Technical issues like save corruption, poor PC port performance, and underwhelming endings (e.g., DLC final boss) also contribute to this sentiment, making the game feel inferior to its predecessors or Elden Ring.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.06): Nostalgia is evoked by revisiting familiar locations, lore, and mechanics from earlier *Dark Souls* games. Players reflect on their journey with the series, comparing past experiences (e.g., Anor Londo, Earthen Peak) and recalling personal growth tied to the game. The callbacks to *Dark Souls 1* and shared memories with friends or childhood gaming experiences deepen this emotional connection.
- Admiration (weight 0.06): Admiration is directed toward the game's design, storytelling, and atmospheric depth. Players praise the challenging yet fair combat, intricate boss designs, and the game's ability to teach life lessons through its mechanics. The dark fantasy aesthetic, soundtrack, and lore are frequently highlighted as masterful elements that elevate the game to a classic status.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's world-building, emotional depth, and strategic combat. The refined gameplay, diverse build options, and atmospheric design are often cited as strengths. The game's conclusion to the trilogy, along with its visual and auditory presentation, is also celebrated for its polish and thoughtfulness in player psychology.
- Awe (weight 0.04): Awe is inspired by the game's grand world design, haunting beauty, and immersive atmosphere. The tragic yet visually stunning environments, epic boss fights, and soundtrack create a sense of immersion. Players describe the game as a 'masterpiece' due to its thematic depth, architectural detail, and the way it evokes a dying realm's melancholic grandeur.
- Joy (weight 0.03): Joy comes from overcoming challenges, discovering secrets, and engaging in fun combat mechanics. Players enjoy replaying the game with different builds, uncovering hidden paths, and experiencing co-op with friends. The satisfaction of defeating tough bosses (e.g., Dancer of the Boreal Valley) and the game's beautiful world design contribute to this positive emotion.
- Determination (weight 0.02): Determination is fueled by the game's requirement for perseverance and skill improvement. Players push through repeated failures, learning from deaths to master combat mechanics or achieve goals like the platinum trophy. The psychological struggle to progress, despite the game's punishing difficulty, fosters a strong sense of resolve.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement arises from the game's humorous or absurd elements, such as memes in the PvP community, creative storylines (e.g., stabbing a character to marry them), and sarcastic takes on the game's difficulty. Players also enjoy fashion choices, multiplayer interactions, and the informal tone some reviewers use to describe their experiences.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is driven by the game's refined combat, magic systems, and online interactions. Players strongly recommend the game for its depth, improvements over previous titles, and memorable boss fights. The sense of discovery, learning from other players, and the game's overall polish contribute to this energetic appreciation.
- Melancholy (weight 0.01): Melancholy stems from the game's themes of decay, sacrifice, and finality. The narrative's focus on cycles of failure and the inevitability of endings resonates with players, evoking a sense of sadness. The conclusion of the 'fire' era and the lack of a *Dark Souls 4* announcement further amplify this reflective, bittersweet emotion.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love is expressed for the game's challenge, atmosphere, and emotional depth. Players develop a strong attachment to its universe, art direction, and soundtrack, often describing it as a masterpiece. The shared experiences with loved ones and the game's ability to evoke deep emotions contribute to this profound affection.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is directed toward co-op partners, developers, or the game itself for its positive impact. Players appreciate the assistance from others in overcoming challenges, the emotional support the game provided during tough times, and the developers' work in creating a meaningful experience. The game's design and personal growth through gameplay are also sources of thankfulness.
- Triumph (weight 0.01): Triumph is felt after overcoming the game's most challenging obstacles, such as defeating bosses after numerous attempts. The sense of achievement from mastering difficult mechanics or completing the game's toughest content (e.g., DLC bosses) creates a powerful emotional high for players.
- Accomplishment (weight 0.01): Accomplishment arises from defeating challenging bosses, completing the game, or achieving milestones like the platinum trophy. Players feel rewarded for their persistence, growth, and mastery of the game's mechanics. The sense of overcoming adversity and the journey of improvement contribute to this fulfilling emotion.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.01): Enjoyment is derived from the game's fun combat, exploration, and community interactions. Players appreciate the freshness of testing different builds, the storytelling despite flaws, and the helpfulness of the community. The overall pleasant gameplay experience, even with minor frustrations, contributes to this general sense of pleasure.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is triggered by toxic community behavior, unfair bans, or technical issues like save corruption. Players express frustration with the 'skill issue' crowd, intrusive online mechanics, and historical exploits that mar the experience. Poorly designed bosses and camera issues also provoke this strong negative reaction.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance stems from minor but persistent issues like camera problems in tight spaces, overwhelming enemy encounters, or unfun DLC boss mechanics. Bugs, keyboard controls, and the game's occasional lack of polish contribute to this mild but consistent frustration.}