These new options add another layer to the combat scenarios, facilitated by the introduction of focus points.įocus points operate similarly to magic points in other RPGs, and in fact they're also used for casting spells now. Most notably, each weapon in Dark Souls 3 features a 'weapon skill,' a new special move that can take the form of an ultra-powerful attack with a long windup, or a unique buff to your strength, or even a spell, like tossing a fireball. Even the most difficult enemies follow recognizable patterns, however memorizing and overcoming these incredibly difficult opponents left me exhausted and weary but smiling.įromSoftware has also added some new tools to deal with the increasing challenge. The game's final pair of boss fights, in particular, had me tearing my hair out. Several of the game's bosses are far and away the hardest I've ever faced, encounters that I found intimidating and mechanically demanding.

And when it does settle for human-shaped enemies, they're smarter and more demanding in combat than they've ever been.ĭark Souls is a series known for its challenge, and Dark Souls 3's combat easily tops the series in that regard. The third game in the series is full of the most unusual and inhuman opponents in its history. For the latter point, FromSoftware clearly took criticisms of Dark Souls 2's relatively mundane enemy lineup to heart. It's a familiar setup, but it gets you to what really matters in the Souls formula: exploring a giant, interesting world and fighting really challenging enemies within it.

The world is on the verge of an apocalyptic, unending darkness, and the only hope is to 'link the fire' by hunting down and killing all the heroes who have linked the fire previously. As with the previous Souls games, Dark Souls 3 tells an intriguing - if submerged - story: You take on the role of one of several 'Unkindled,' an undead hero cursed to wander the land of Lothric.

Dark souls iii