5) Dark Souls III
After the barnstorming success of FromSoftware’s own PlayStation exclusive Bloodborne, fans were eagerly awaiting the third and final instalment of the much beloved Souls games. The dark fantasy RPG series has always been reputed for its brutal difficulty, and has been cherished by a substantial community for its emphasis on raw unforgiving gameplay.
Dark Souls III carries on that baton; it’s a game that demands strategy, patience and mastery of its controls in order to beat. It will frustrate and tear you down to the point of exhaustion, but in equal measure it rewards with an exhilarating sense of achievement. These peaks and troughs are the basis of a gameplay formula that is hugely appealing to some gamers and an utter turn off to others.
Darks Souls III sticks fairly closely to the tried and tested gameplay that has worked for the series over the years, but there have also been some clever new gameplay mechanics that have added a polish to its combat system. Weapon arts is one such new feature, adding a variety of styling new moves that are both visually stunning and pleasing to perform. The locale of Lothric is another notable aspect element to the game, and it impressive size is not only packed with a rich lore, but is also ghoulishly beautiful. Indeed, Lothric’s aesthetic drips with an ambience that feels so classically Dark Souls.
If we don’t ever get another Souls game, Dark Souls III is certainly a worthy final instalment. The game isn’t without its share of flaws, but they aren’t enough to spoil this superb entry in the series that easily rivals Bloodborne as the king of dark fantasy RPGs.
For our full thoughts on the game, read our in-depth review.
Published: Jun 6, 2016 07:22 pm