Dark Souls 3

Dave · November 9, 2015

So the trailer for Dark Souls 3 has been out for a while, and we've seen a good chunk of gameplay footage from the tech demos and network test. And with a release date aiming for sometime in 2016, it feels that time is ripe to get to talking about it some more, since there's certainly a lot to discuss.

The sword arts are looking to be the biggest gameplay turnaround. I'm mostly curious to see if they stick to just doing it for the different weapon categories, like the heavy blades, light blades, polearms, etc., or if there's going to be even more unique ones within the weapon classes. Regardless, I can see this being a very big influence on the character builds people are going to do (I dread PvP already), and it will certainly lend itself to replay value if nothing else.

Also worth talking about the MP meter replacing the traditional spell uses. I kind of like it, since it feels like you're going to have to plot out your spell usage more (since it looks like the heavy duty spells will probably cut into how many times you can use projectile spells), and it might also edge Attunement out of the things I have to worry about when I level up, so it's a good kind of give and take. We'll see. I'd be curious to know if Miracles tapped into MP, since they're not really magic, but that's something we'll have to look forward to.

Lorewise, it looks like this is happening long after Dark Souls 2, as one might expect, with the whole linking-the-flame thing looking like it's starting to take its toll. I'm glad the Flame looks like its going to be kind of the focus, since there's still a lot to talk about and learn about how that all works, and it's kind of cool that there's confirmation to what was hinted at during Dark Souls 2: the Flame has been linked on multiple occasions, and doesn't look like it's going out any time soon.

Dying to know what the stone dragons are doing still kicking around. I know that Gwynn didn't get all of them (Syn = best boss fight in Dark Souls 2!), but to see them kind of flying about in the open, especially near a populated area, is something we haven't really seen before. Looking forward to getting some clarity on that.

A neat thing that was revealed during the network test was getting to read the gravestones to get some more info about the enemies that you encounter and defeat along the way. One of the things I've always loved about Dark Souls is how everything you run into seems to have a story of its own, and this is a good way of adding more depth to the world for people to enjoy.

Col.Random · November 9, 2015

I hope they add the "Well, what is it" gesture. Any attempt at recreating the Giant Dad build doesn't feel the same without it.Also, i think DS3 takes place after the alternate ending instead of the Throne ending, i wonder if they'll even reveal what happened to the monarch in DS2 since he technically does become immortal.The MP thing is taken from Demon's souls so I'm guessing miracles and pyromancies will also require the use of MPI want it already ;-;

joku760 · November 9, 2015

Sword arts seem like a great new addition to the gameplay and I hope there are tons of different weapons with different sword arts. I'm kinda sad that the ability to parry with a weapon is lost, but I guess I'll just have to use those parrying shields now. And about parrying, I heard that it is similar to Dark Souls 1 as in instant parry frames, unlike Dark Souls 2 where there was a startup before the actual parry frames, that isn't really what I wanted but I guess I'll have to just deal with it.

As someone who has played Demon's Souls, mana bar is a familiar thing and I'm glad they're using it again. And yes, miracles use mana, that is shown in some gameplay. Miracles and sorceries are both magic, just different kinds of magic.

(Syn = best boss fight in Dark Souls 2!)

I guess you mean Sinh since you're talking about dragons? If so, I have to disagree with you. Sinh flies around too much. I like bosses like Darklurker and Sir Alonne more.

Then for one of the most important things of them all, PvP! DS1 PvP was pretty fun, but when DS2 was released I completely abandoned DS1 PvP and moved onto DS2. Everything was so much better. DeS didn't have enough players when I played it so I didn't get to PvP much and Bloodborne PvP was ruined with healing, stupidly powerful bloodgems, lowered health as invader and invasions pretty much always being against 2-3 players. I'm hoping that DS3 PvP will be something I can do for hundreds of hours like in DS2. What I've seen/read so far is that in the network test you could only invade people who were co-opping, but some people said that it might be stress test only thing, putting the servers to their limits. I hope so. Invaders also got half of their remaining estus with them, which I don't really like (even though I did invade a lot in both DS1 and DS2 and fought hosts who healed). Invader is the one who is prepared for PvP and has the element of surprise, the host has estus to balance it out. That worked well, I don't like invaders having estus. And as for invading, I've read that you start with the red eye orb so you can invade as much as you want even from the start, that will be awesome. Backstabs are combination of DS1 and DS2 so it's not instant lock into an animation but you will still damage your opponent if you don't catch him in a backstab. Feels like it will be at least almost as good as DS2 PvP, but I guess we have to wait so we can find out.

Kingdom Hearts is the only series I love more than the Souls series and I can't wait to get my hands on Dark Souls 3!

Psychic_Ketchup · November 9, 2015

MP I can take or leave. I liked it in Demon's Souls and I think it's a better system than the DS spell usages, but I tend to stay away from most forms of magic anyway.

The weapon arts on the other hand are going to be awesome (or at least I hope they will). One thing I love about the Souls series is that every weapon is different, and basically none of them are inherently bad (save for stuff like sword hilts and broken weapons, but come on). Weapon arts will give every weapon even more flexibility, and I'm just really happy about that.

Lorewise, I'm also interested what the dragons have been doing, and why everything kinda looks like the grey Age of Ancients (or at least why the hollows are white and ashen).

Now, PvP. I play the Souls mostly for the atmosphere/lore, the PvE combat and the RPG elements. I used to dread the times I would be invaded and absolutely wrecked by someone who min-maxed like hell. But, 300 hours in DS1, 200 in DS2, and about 80 in both Bloodborne and Demon's Souls have trained me to the point where I can sometimes win. That said, I'm hesitantly looking forward to DS3 PvP. The fact that groups against groups are relatively common, combined with the flexibility of weapon arts, leads me to think that I can maybe hold my own or even surprise invaders in some way.

I'm still a little worried about Dark Souls turning into an annual franchise, but DS3 is looking amazing and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Dave · November 9, 2015

I guess you mean Sinh since you're talking about dragons? If so, I have to disagree with you. Sinh flies around too much. I like bosses like Darklurker and Sir Alonne more.

He's who I meant, yes (bad typo on my part. >_<).

Dave · November 14, 2015

Video from Vaatividya talking about what we know about the lore so far going into Dark Souls 3.

The Transcendent Key · November 16, 2015

Dark Souls III definitely looks like it's going to be an amazing game, and I just can't wait to see what new challenges shall be awaiting near every corner! I haven't played Dark Souls II yet, as I'm still playing the first one, but if the first one is anything to assume of, Dark Souls III is going to be quite the difficult trek...and I'll love evry second of it!

Praise the Sun! [-]/

Dave · December 5, 2015

New trailer came out yesterday. Nothing really new here if you've watched any playthroughs of the playtesting, but if you haven't, it mostly shows off some of the new enemies and such.

Dave · December 15, 2015

Dark Souls 3 is now on Steam, with the release date as April 12.

http://en.yibada.com/articles/94521/20151214/dark-souls-3-dark-souls-3-news-dark-souls-3-steam-dark-souls-3-pc-dark-souls-3-updates-dark-souls-3-rumor-dark-souls-3-plot.htm

Dave · December 28, 2015

I missed this earlier, but when they released the new trailer a few weeks ago, they also included new gameplay footage, including a new area and boss. It definitely has some heavy Bloodborne overtones, which I think is pretty cool.

Dave · January 28, 2016

New screenshots put up on the Dark Souls facebook page, along with this post:

New ‪#‎DarkSouls3‬ screenshots should help quench your thirst for more details on the challenge that lies ahead...

The first enemy that will test your worth is Iudex Gundyr.

Once you secure passage to Firelink Shrine, you'll meet various characters - Including Hawkwood, a fugitive of Farron's Undead Legion and a mysterious Firekeeper that will help you on your path.

As the fire fades, only embers remain...

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