Disclaimer: This preview of Dark Souls 3 is based on a PlayStation 4 preview build of the game and is not representative final version of the game.
Dark Souls 3 combines the glisteningly polished visuals of Bloodborne with the sense of world-building and combat of the earlier Dark Souls games. I was recently invited by Namco Bandai to preview the game, experiencing the first area the player explores and a newly revealed boss, Iudex Gundyr.
It’s clear that From Software have drawn upon their time spent creating Bloodborne as the game’s lighting effects feel reminiscent of it. Rays of sunlight glistened against my character cladded in steel armour; while ripples in puddles of water became a mesmerising sight to see. The game no doubt looks more impressive than when I played it during the network test beta, rivalling some of the most visually astounding games on the PlayStation 4.
The game’s first boss fight with Iudex Gundyr, is entertaining as well as promising of what Dark Souls 3 can offer in its sense of boss design and narrative. Situated in an abandoned colosseum surrounded by decaying roots, the encounter begins once the player removes a cursed great sword implanted in Iudex’s chest, causing parasitical roots on his back to enter his body. Index Gundyr is a colossal Venetian-styled masked knight cladded in heavy armour; and wields an extended halberd allowing for a wide hit radius and a long grab range. Rays of light shine against puddles on the colosseum floor and the giant’s armour, as the part of the building that has become debris reveals a rising sun hidden in the clouds.
I later discovered the game’s hub world, the Unkindled Shrine. A decaying shrine to the late King Lodric, the area is an underground labyrinth with secret tunnels and entrances leading to newly discovered zones. Players can level up at the Unkindled Shrine by interacting with the Fire Keeper, who confesses that the player must defeat the several Lords of Cinder.
Dark Souls 3 is shaping up nicely. It’s a perfect mix of Bloodborne’s polished visuals and the intricate combat system and lore of the original Souls games. Dark Souls 3 releases on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on the 12th of April this year.