Dark Souls III: 'Masterful' game presents 'punishing' challenge
Reviews praise 'brutally hard' final instalment of the FromSoftware series
Dark Souls III is the final chapter of the popular FromSoftware series – and many critics believe it is also the best.
Metro says the game is "exceptionally well crafted and supremely entertaining", with its "exquisitely detailed" graphics "the best yet seen", while The Daily Telegraph says it "ties all the iconic conventions that the series is known for in grand fashion".
Several reviewers wrote admiringly of the difficulty of Dark Souls III, with Game Informer finding it "masterful and challenging" and Wired[4] calling it "brutally hard", the reviewer saying his "hands shook" and "breath stopped" when he eventually won.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
At Gamespot Mike Mahardy says players will experience "periods of doubt, followed by great reward" and concludes: "The journey may be rocky, but there's a throne waiting at the end."
Putting Dark Souls III into context, PlayStation Lifestyle enjoys how "punishingly hard" it is in an "era of hand-holding that masochists will appreciate".
The game "sports a wonderful environment full of colour, suffering, death, and a small amount of hope", it adds, but this is no quick thrill and fans can "expect to sink several dozen, if not hundreds, of hours" into it.
Push Square's Damien McFerran points out that Dark Souls II disappointed many, only heightening the pressure on its successor. But with its "more fluid" movement and "moments of wonder" including "gorgeous vistas", this is a "triumph of the imagination.
It is a view shared by Erik Kain of Forbes, who says he "felt none of the pangs of doubt and disappointment I felt playing the previous game in the franchise".
Dark Souls III is set to be the final chapter in the saga and Destructoid says it is, fittingly, "just as much of a love letter to fans as it is a culmination of the series".
It will be released on 12 April for PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
6 scenic white water rafting destinations to get your heart racing
The Week Recommends Have a rip-roaring time on the water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Dangerous substances in Lunchables are raising concerns over children's health
In the Spotlight High levels of lead and sodium were recently found in the snack packages
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Fired art
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Fallout: one of the 'most faithful – and best – video game adaptations'
The Week Recommends This 'genre-bending' new Amazon series is set in a post-apocalyptic wilderness where survivors shelter below ground
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published