Dark Souls 3 is Coming

---

Back to the bonfire.

 

I tried so hard to put the impending return of Dark Souls out of my mind, to focus on less gamey posts about writing and life and beauty, but man, this series is under my skin. It’s about as narrative based as a trip to the corner shop, but the dark, bleak worlds of Lordran, Drangleic and now Lothric really pull me in.

So yes, I’m posting about DS3 because the release date of April 12^th is looming and I’m getting all antsy. This final entry in the Souls series should be an absolute corker! Basically, we get to go back to the design style of DS1, with the updated GUI and accessibility of DS2, but with the next gen graphics of Bloodborne. Shut up and take my souls.

I post today in particular because Bandai Namco have just released a new trailer! Have a look for yourself and discover the ‘True Colo(u)rs of Darkness’:

I’ve always loved that song, despite the best efforts of Phil Collins and I was really chuffed to hear that melancholy arrangement. Usually I listen to the Smiths while playing Dark Souls, to really enhance the vibe of futility. Having said all that, the first trailer probably has the edge for me, because the Souls games have great scores.

 

 

That trailer really excites me, because more than ever, it reinforces that this instalment will be like the others; the enemies, the look, the way the character moves- all the core gameplay is intact, which doesn’t always happen with sequels. Hell, we even see someone rolling over backwards repeatedly in full plate armour; now that’s Dark Souls, whichever way you slice it.

 

 

Myself, I’m going PC is possible and I still feel that the PC has the core of Dark Souls’ fanbase, but I’d love to know how many people will adopt it on the PS4 after the mixed success of Bloodborne. I’ve no doubt that it’ll look great on all platforms. Did you also know that if you go to the DS3 preorder page, you can get a slight discount if you already own an existing Souls title on Steam? Nice touch, male and female babes of Bandai Namco and From Software!

 

 

On that note, Xbone owners who pre-order digitally get a freebie copy of Dark Souls 1. There’s also the obligatory season pass, which I would suggest looking at, since their past season pass material has been solid. No paying $10 for a different coloured hat, but rather actual, meaty new levels.

 

 

If you missed it, you can also watch the DS3 intro cinematic here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjCxZtRrc2Q

And last but not least, here’s the info on the pre-order editions. Pre-ordering is a sordid and controversial affair, but I’m confident when it comes to third in a series I love, especially with the original designer Hidetaka Miyazaki returning to the fold.

 

 

Apocalypse Edition (Pre-order Edition available only at GAME UK before launch*)

• Game
• Metal case
• Official Soundtrack (CD)

Collector’s Edition (Available at selected UK retailers)

• Game
• Red Knight figurine
• A4 DARK SOULS Trilogy hardcover artbook
• Metal case
• Official Soundtrack (CD)
• 3x iron-on patches
• Cloth game-map
• Exclusive box

Prestige Edition (Available only at Amazon UK)

• Game
• A numbered 40cm premium Lord of Cinder hand-painted polystone resin figurine
• Red Knight figurine
• A4 DARK SOULS Trilogy hardcover artbook
• Metal case
• Official Soundtrack (CD)
• 3x iron-on patches
• Cloth game-map
• Exclusive display box

 

Okay, enough! Let’s wait and see what we get in April. If you don’t see me for several weeks, you’ll know why. Light a bonfire for me!