If you’ve been waiting for the thriftiest time to score Dark Souls III and all of its DLC, the time is now. Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades Edition is out today both digitally and physically for PS4, Xbox 1, and PC. At the moment, the only PC option on Amazon.com is a UK import.
The two DLC included are Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City.
USgamer called Ashes “a solid piece of DLC…even if it is a tad short. It’s full of beautiful vistas and interesting levels, and the boss fight at the end is a good challenge for high-level players. But those looking for something new and innovative are apt to be disappointed, as this is all familiar territory for the series”
Pushsquare said of The Ringed City: “Two locations and four bosses doesn’t sound like a whole bunch but don’t be fooled – The Ringed City easily clocks in at four to five hours depending on how you fare with the bosses and other challenges. It’s a meaty instalment and a welcome deviation from the practices seen in Ashes of Ariandel, while still interlocking with and continuing the complex narrative. The bosses are challenging and visually fantastic – besides a cheap NPC opponent – and the environments continue the Dark Souls tradition of being large, intricate, and engaging. The Ringed City feels like the climatic end that the Souls franchise deserves, even if we find ourselves hoping that this isn’t actually the end at all.” Reborn as ash, players must make their way across the kingdom of Lothric in search of the risen Lords who have abandoned their duties to keep the age of fire continuing as the once powerful fire begins to fade. Players will traverse a multitude of lands including murky swamps, dank dungeons, opulent castles, and rickety shantytowns, a painted land, and the eventual end of the world, across their journey. A large cast of non-playable characters will be on hand to assist players with new spells, items and weapons to help overcome some of the most challenging bosses and fearsome foes in the DARK SOULS series.
I haven’t played the DLC but I enjoyed the base game as a great hybrid of Souls and Bloodborne. It’s much quicker than previous Souls and although it doesn’t break the mould, it’s still a polished version of the best the series has to offer.
Happy dying.
