I, like many people anticipated this game for a long while. It seems to me that it is a big step forward for the franchise and it made huge improvements from its predecessor. Now, I’m not saying that Dark Souls I was a bad game. In fact, it is one of my favorite games of all time. Anyone who doesn’t know anything about these games going into it for the first time will have a really grueling and frustrating experience. As the franchise has made a name for itself for being the most difficult, challenging, but rewarding games in the "Modern Era" of gaming. Its tricky though beautiful environments, the variety of enemies, and the unforgettable boss fights, is what separates it from other games in the RPG genre and gives the player a run for their money.

Now Ashen One, here are my Reasons "Dark Souls III" is an improvement on "Dark Souls I."

Presentation

Let’s get one thing out of the way, "Dark Souls III" looks amazing and I’m not exaggerating here. The world the game drops you into as soon as you start will make your jaw drop in awe as you look on from the distance and see The Kingdom Of Lothric. Now, I know as much as anyone else who’ve played these games does. The Dark Souls series as a whole have severe frame rate issues when fighting a giant monster or crawling your way through a difficult area with lots of enemies. That seems like a problem that is hard to avoid, but that's excused by how epic the scale of the game is. No matter if you’re in a Poison Swamp, A Deep Catacomb, A Undead Forest, or A Giant Ice Kingdom, you’re sure to be mesmerized by the rich environments, Overwhelming views, and Aggressive dark shades that make the game look so apocalyptic but beautiful at the same time. Sometimes when you’ve finished slicing, or casting, your way through all the foes around you. You stop and look at the detail that was put into by the developers and realize how eye-catching everything really is.

Soundtrack

What else can I say other than pure brilliance? The way the sounds move with the world you’re fighting in the music always lets you feel as though what you’re doing in the game makes a difference. Whether it’s the soft sounds of harmonic voices when you’re safe and sound at your bonfire, or the screeches and death assuring tones when facing a horrific enemy. Compare the music from "Dark Souls I" and "Dark Souls III" you can tell that the world has changed since the first game. "Dark Souls III" gives you the feeling that death is really upon the entire world and the world will become one without fire. Visiting a place called Anor Londo in Dark Souls I the place is beautiful, the sun shining brightly over the orange clouds and the music is hopeful and royal. Revisiting Anor Londo in "Dark Souls III" the kingdom is dark, very dark, the once gleaming gold steps are now black and fossilized, and the music and quiet and low-toned, giving you a chill down your spine. Another great example of how the music really sets the tone of the game is when you face to face with one of the Major Bosses; The Lords Of Cinder. The music isn’t epic and exciting like you’d think it be no. It’s surprisingly sad, like you’re fighting an equal and really who is the evil one here?

Gameplay

"Dark Souls III" is a third person perspective action RPG (Role Playing Game). Which takes place in a Medieval type of environment that has you go through rigorous battles and obstacles to gain souls from the creatures you’ve fallen to make yourself stronger and more prepared for the next battle.

That’s one way to describe "Dark Souls" without telling all of the ways you can individually have a different game experience then someone else playing a different way. I say this because when you start the game you are instantly taken to a character customization screen, where you can create your own “Ashen One” There are different “Classes: of a warrior you can choose from. From, A Standard Knight, To A Pyromancer, A Sorcerer, Or even if you want to make the game harder for yourself and “Deprived” character stripped from any armor or special attributes that every other character has. Of course, each class has something unique about them whether it’s the ability to carry heavy weapons like a Greatsword, or be able to cast magical spells, or grant miracles to heal yourself and your friends. Aside from that Dark Souls III improves on this by making each class, give or take, worth the choice rather than every class except the knight appear lackluster.

"Dark Souls III" also improved on the multiplayer and online aspect a lot compared to the previous titles. It is easier to summon real life players to help fight aside you, or invade another player's world to try and kill them. This makes it easier to get things like “Pale Tongues” to deepen one of the covenants in the game.

Lastly, the variety of the weapons gives everyone a chance to play their own way and gives the game a different feel every play-through. From a straight sword, to a dagger, a staff, a butcher's knife or even a scythe, there’s is always a different weapon you can use to spice up the combat a little bit.

Boss Fights

The epic, immersive, exciting, joy releasing boss fights. One of the things many fans of the "Dark Souls" series love about it. "Dark souls I" & "II" gave great additions to these battles giving players memories they’ll look back on and make them want to pick up the game again. Each one of these fights has something different, challenging, and equally rewarding about them. "Dark Souls III" doesn’t hold back at all on giving us amazing additions to the long list of bosses. In fact, I’ve had a lot more fun and challenge with these bosses. The first 15 minutes or so into the game you are immediately smacked in the face with a boss fight, Nothing too difficult for experienced players but could prove a challenge if you’re caught off guard. "Dark Souls" has a tendency to make these bosses a lot more difficult than you’d expect, making you make split second decisions all the time; however if you make the wrong decision, you’re dead and have to walk all the way to the boss's room only to start the fight over again. This new addition to the series grants you more than just a tough fight but a memorable one that is sure to have a lasting effect on you as you play on making you feel much, much stronger as you progress.

One of my favorite bosses had to one by the name of “Pontiff Sulyvahn,” shown above, for the fact that he’s not a huge monster or a dragon but he is a sword wielding individual like yourself, which makes you feel almost equal to him and in that case make his rather difficult, none the less if and when you defeat him

The rush of victory will run through you. These bosses are so rewarding and so different that you will want to put yourself to the test and defeat every last one of them.

The Experience

You will fall, You will be frustrated, and you will be defeated countless over countless times but you will have a good time. People that do not like the "Dark Souls" series are the people that gave up far too soon for it is a game where giving ultimately leads to no progress and no reward. "Dark Souls III" put something new on the table this April and that was the feeling of adventure and triumph. Whether it’s playing with your friends or by yourself the feeling is all the same and as you consistently progress through the game the feeling will grow and grow and have you begging for more. Playing this game will give you a great sense of accomplishment for it is one of the harder games in the whole market. You will start to grow attached to some of the characters and enemies and for that I tip my hat to "Dark Souls III" for putting a great addition to the series as a whole and giving another game people will pick up and play for years to come.