Dark Souls III is almost here, and the buzz is building. With its global release just around the corner, reviews have started pouring in, though some of the embargo rules have made things a bit confusing. We’re joining the conversation with our first impressions of the game after spending 15 hours exploring its world.
While our review isn’t complete yet, we’ve made good progress: defeating over six bosses, tackling one of the four main adversaries, and, of course, dying repeatedly along the way.
As a casual fan of the series (I played through Demon’s Souls but didn’t dive too deeply into the other titles), I find Dark Souls III both punishing and deeply rewarding.
The Classic Souls Experience
If you’ve played a Souls game before, you know the drill. Every step forward feels earned, every mistake punished. The learning curve is steep, but it makes every victory—be it a boss fight or finding a new bonfire—feel like a triumph.
For newcomers, this is a great place to start, offering the same mix of challenge and satisfaction that defines the series. However, if the punishing difficulty of previous games didn’t sit well with you, this one won’t change your mind.
Gameplay Enhancements
Dark Souls III introduces some new mechanics while staying true to its roots. One notable addition is weapon skills. Every item, from swords to shields, has a unique ability that can turn the tide of a fight. Whether it’s a war axe’s attack buff or a spear’s charge ability, these skills add depth to combat strategies.
However, using these abilities consumes stamina and focus (similar to a mana bar), requiring players to manage their resources wisely.
The game also lets you customize your Estus Flask, splitting its uses between health and focus recovery. This flexibility lets you adapt to different challenges, adding another layer of strategy to how you approach each area.
Checkpoints and Exploration
The iconic bonfires are back, serving as checkpoints and fast travel spots. They feel slightly more generous this time, with shorter distances between them in most areas. That said, the game doesn’t hold back on difficulty, and some sections remain as grueling as ever. The levels themselves are sprawling, with hidden paths and shortcuts that make exploration rewarding.
The overall progression leans more linear than in previous games, with a few branching paths that eventually lead to dead ends. While this can occasionally frustrate, the sense of discovery and accomplishment remains strong.
Visuals and Atmosphere
Dark Souls III captures the grim beauty the series is known for. The medieval-style environments are heavy on greys and browns, but the occasional stunning vista or surreal location adds variety. Fans of Demon’s Souls and Bloodborne will notice subtle nods to those games in some of the design choices.
On PC, the game runs beautifully. With a high-end setup, I experienced flawless performance at 60FPS on max settings. Even on a mid-tier machine, the game held up well, maintaining steady performance in the early levels.
Verdict
Though I haven’t reached the end, Dark Souls III has already impressed me with its blend of challenge, atmosphere, and rewarding gameplay. Whether you’re a diehard fan or new to the series, this game is shaping up to be a fantastic experience.
Stay tuned for a full review closer to the release date, but for now, Dark Souls III has my strong recommendation.
