With just a few weeks to go before From Software’s Dark Souls 3 is released, a new preview of the game’s opening four hours shows off a host of new gameplay details.
With just over a month before From Software’s Dark Souls 3 is launched in North America – and even less for Japanese fans– new details and announcements about the game are being revealed as the release date nears. The latest reveal of new gameplay details fromcomes from IGNand Polygonwho, alongside a host of other media outlets, got to sample the first four hours of the game.
While some of ‘s gameplay has been hinted at, the four hour preview revealed many new and interesting tidbits. Here are just a handful of the most noteworthy ones: There are 10 starting classes, which is the same number as the original Dark Souls . There are also two entirely new classes: the Assassin and the Herald. The game starts in the Cemetery of Ash, which functions as the usual tutorial area. Interestingly, the previous Dark Souls games ended in ash-covered areas while Dark Souls 3 begins in one. There’s a newly-introduced “FP” resource, which is used by spells and a new type of melee ability. There’s no more hollowing mechanic, which will probably come as a relief to players. The Firelink Shrine is back as the central hub area and is more important than ever. There’s more flexibility in how the Estus Flaskis used, and it can be tailored according to playstyle. There are a number of returning faces, and connections to Dark Souls and Dark Souls 2 . It’s a refinement of the Dark Souls formula, but is still very difficult and punishing.
Interestingly, the previews made a number of comparisons to Bloodborne , which was also developed by From Software. This isn’t too surprising since Dark Souls 3 director Hidetaka Miyazaki has stated that the game’s combat was inspired by the limits of Bloodborne , and both games feature similar thematic and gameplay elements. Given how Bloodborne was one of the best games of 2015despite these “limits,” this bodes well for how Dark Souls 3 will ultimately turn out.
All in all, it appears that Dark Souls 3 is living up to all the hype, and if it is indeed the final chapter of the Dark Souls trilogy, then it looks like gamers will get the big – and bloody – finish they were hoping for.
Dark Souls 3 is scheduled for launch on April 12, 2016 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in North America.