The general sentiment towards Dark Souls III is predominantly positive, with players expressing appreciation for its challenging boss fights and immersive world-building. Many reviews highlight the game's atmospheric qualities and the sense of accomplishment that comes with persevering through its challenges. However, players have noted performance issues and critique the game's accessibility for new players, citing difficulties with controls and optimization issues on PC as frustrating. The game's story, while praised for its depth, can be seen as confusing to some. Despite these challenges, the sense of progression and rich lore captivates a majority of the audience, establishing Dark Souls III as a celebrated part of the franchise.
Positive Points
The boss fights are a highlight, with many reviews praising the epic and challenging nature of these encounters, especially those in the DLC.The game offers significant improvements in game design and visual level design choices compared to its predecessors.Players appreciate the variety of weapons and armors, which contribute to diverse playstyles.Dark Souls III's atmosphere, world-building, and interconnected environments are frequently mentioned as standout aspects, creating an immersive and hauntingly beautiful experience.Many players felt a sense of accomplishment and growth after overcoming the game's challenges, associating the game with personal life lessons and resilience.Negative Points
There are complaints about the difficulty level and the lack of balance, especially for new players, with some players feeling the game is not friendly to beginners.Game performance issues on PC, such as freezing, lack of proper keybinds, and a general lack of optimization, were highlighted as major drawbacks.Some bosses are viewed as too easy or unoriginal, leading to mixed feelings about the overall challenge they present.Mixed Points
The story and lore are intricately designed, but some players find it too cryptic and difficult to connect with through gameplay alone.While many appreciate the linearity for its focused nature, others miss the interconnectedness and open-ended approach of previous games.Common Themes
Among common themes, the difficulty of the game is both a major draw and a point of contention, with 'challenging yet fair' often used to describe the combat.Boss fights are another recurring theme, with mentions of specific memorable encounters and the satisfaction derived from overcoming them.The haunting and impressive visual design of the world and levels also repeatedly stood out to players, evoking strong emotional responses.Updated 5/10/2025, 12:00:57 AM UTC
