Earlier this week Japan got the good news that Dark Souls III would be headed their way as early as March next year. It was, however, made very clear that this date was specific for Japan, leaving everyone else in Europe and North America (and here at home) wondering when the next epic from Hidetaka Miyazaki would be seeing the light of day. Turns out we won’t have to wait much after all.
Speaking at the Tokyo Game Show, Bandai Namco have confirmed that Dark Souls III will launch in North America, South America, Europe and, subsequently, here in South Africa in April next year. Although the publisher failed to provide an exact date, the release window means that we’ll have to wait no more than a month at worst for the newly revamped Dark Souls experience – which is taking a lot of hints from the PS4 exclusive hit, Bloodborne.
Although looking at some new, early gameplay, that’s a little hard to tell. It’s clear that Dark Souls III is allowing players to act a little more aggressively, but it’s still very much about the balance between sword and shield. Health doesn’t regenerate after landing strikes like it does in Bloodborne, meaning you’re going to have to get that roll on. And on and on and on again.
One thing that’s immediately striking about Dark Souls III though is its bosses. There’s one near the end of the gameplay above that is exquisite in visual and (presumably) mechanical design, and it’s easily what has been catching my eye during each of the trailers earlier this year. Dark Souls has always been famous for its enemy design, but the very Bloodborne-esque influence here has really notched it up a few levels.
Having not really got into previous Dark Souls (and to hell with Demon Souls) but loving the hell out of Bloodborne, I’m rather excited to get my hands dirty with Dark Souls III again. It might just be the first one I actually strive to finish.
Last Updated: September 17, 2015
Admiral Chief Returns
September 17, 2015 at 09:53
You wanna know what else is unforgiving? XCOM Long War Mod!
Ottokie "Yahtzee"
September 17, 2015 at 09:59
If I put my mind to it I can probably finish up the first 2 before 3 releases.
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 17, 2015 at 10:23
But first, WF has a new quest, an event w/e & I got another T3S key. 😉
Ottokie "Yahtzee"
September 17, 2015 at 11:09
We have about 5 or 6 keys between Vamps and myself, and those Wraith Vipers look absolutely jaw dropping. Also T3 sabotage needed for glave prime blade to advance my syndicate -_-
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 17, 2015 at 11:36
I’ve got a few T3 Sabs. But I think I’ve also got a spare Glaive P blade you can have. Pretty sure I’ve got 3, unless I sold 1 for ducats the other day.
Ottokie "Yahtzee"
September 17, 2015 at 11:38
That would make you a life saver xD all my syndicate XP is wasted because I am not advancing.
Also the void trader is arriving tomorrow, hopefully with my Prime flow
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 17, 2015 at 11:48
Not wasted, buy keys. 😉
I’m stuck with Steel Meridian because I need a Soma P barrel, and I’m not keen on soloing T4 Ints heh.
Ottokie "Yahtzee"
September 17, 2015 at 11:50
This weekend is gonna be a Void party it seems 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 17, 2015 at 11:55
My Loki P will be built & ready for action by the time I get home tonight, so yes – I think this is a WF weekend. 😀
Ottokie "Yahtzee"
September 17, 2015 at 11:57
Loki P looks great ingame, and with that invisibility you can solo survival for a crap long time.
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 17, 2015 at 12:03
Esp with a primed flow to back you up, I’ve been saving that free exilus mod for it too.
RinceThis
September 17, 2015 at 10:20
So bored of this now. Give me XCOM (as @ad@Admiral_Chief:disqus has stated) any day.
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 17, 2015 at 10:24
Your FACE is boring.
RinceThis
September 17, 2015 at 10:27
Only because you insist on staring at a picture of it every damn day! FREAKY!
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 17, 2015 at 10:30
At least I don’t sniff it!
RinceThis
September 17, 2015 at 10:30
0_O
GooseZA
September 17, 2015 at 10:31
Can. Not. Wait.
PRAISE THE SUN! [+]/
Dean
September 17, 2015 at 11:19
Video shows something very interesting. Top left we seem to have the same three bars as we did back in Daemons Souls. Checking the video, it seems the weapon arts now run of the blue bar (the old mana bar from DeS) instead of that counter we had in the previous builds.
Whether this blue bar also works like the original mana bar could be interesting, effectively making weapon arts the “spells” for the non magic user builds.
Dean
September 17, 2015 at 11:24
Caught the shot when the guys performs a miracle, also comes off the blue bar. We’re back to Daemon’s Souls mechanics it seems.