The story in most FromSoftware games is notoriously difficult for fans to wrap their heads around. While an introductory and ending cutscene bookends each FromSoftware action-RPG, that's about all the direct storytelling that's present. To find out anything substantial about the game's characters, world, or overarching narrative, players need to scour item descriptions, dialogue, and environmental details to piece together a FromSoftware story. This is especially true for the Dark Souls trilogy.
While Elden Ring and Bloodborne are self-contained adventures, the Dark Souls trilogy has an extra layer of obtuseness, with all of its entries technically being connected. It's taken fans years to try and find concrete links between Dark Souls 1, 2, and 3's stories. That being said, some connections are a bit more obvious than others, such as Dark Souls 3's self-referential locations.
Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin's Best Trick Should Be Mined for Future FromSoftware Releases
Dark Souls 2's iconic re-release pulls off something that could serve future re-releases of other FromSoftware titles well.
Anor Londo Is a Direct Recreation in Dark Souls 3
By far the most obvious reference to the first game in the trilogy is Dark Souls 3's Anor Londo. Unlike some of the other locations in Dark Souls 3 that seem to pay homage to the series' first entry, Anor Londo is almost an exact replica of its original version, and even bears the same name. While the approach to the castle is slightly different in Dark Souls 3, the castle itself is almost identical, with its long stairway and intimidating visage looming over the player. Rather than beloved duo boss Smough and Ornstein, Dark Souls 3's castle halls are home to Aldrich, Devourer of Gods, who has seemingly consumed Dark Souls 1's Dark Sun Gwyndolin.
Other Dark Souls 3 Locations That Seem to Reference DS1
Firelink Shrine
While Dark Souls 3 has its own version of Firelink Shrine, the first game's iteration can be found in DS3's Ringed City DLC. After dropping down the hole to face off against the Demon Prince, players will be able to notice a familiar stone structure behind them next to the bonfire. This stone doorway and wall are meant to imitate the passageway that leads to Frampt in the first game's version of Firelink Shrine. After defeating the Demon Prince, players will be able to spot more similarities, such as a circular centerpiece, some surrounding stone walls, and a well.
Painted World of Ariandel
Another clear reference to the first Dark Souls can be found in Dark Souls 3's Ashes of Ariandel DLC. In this DLC, players head to the Painted World of Ariandel, which is a pretty overt reference to DS1's Painted World of Ariamis, an optional area that can be found in Anor Londo. Though the layouts of the Painted Worlds are quite different, they both feature a similar long wooden bridge, and Crossbreed Priscilla's boss arena can be found in DS3's Painted World of Ariandel.
Smouldering Lake
Getting a bit more into speculation-territory, Dark Souls 3's Smouldering Lake is believed to be a reference to Dark Souls 1's Lost Izalith. Some of the clearest references appear in Smoudlering Lake's Demon Ruins area, where petrified Capra and Taurus Demons can be found littering the ground. A petrified spider can also be found alongside Quelana's pyromancy tome, implying that this deceased spider is her.
Kiln of the First Flame
The final location in Dark Souls 3 bears the same name as the final location in the trilogy's first entry. Though the locations look quite different from one another, their in-game purpose and the lore behind them are the same, with players needing to defeat a powerful boss to either keep the Age of Fire going or let it die.
Dark Souls 3
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- March 24, 2016
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
- Engine
- havok, proprietary engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Dark Souls
WHERE TO PLAY
Winner of Gamescom 2015 'Best RPG” and over 35 E3 2015 Awards and Nominations, DARK SOULS™ III continues to push the boundaries with the latest, ambitious chapter in the critically-acclaimed and genre-defining series.
As fires fade and the world falls into ruin, journey into a universe filled with more colossal enemies and environments. Players will be immersed into a world of epic atmosphere and darkness through faster gameplay and amplified combat intensity. Fans and newcomers alike will get lost in the game hallmark rewarding gameplay and immersive graphics.
Now only embers remain… Prepare yourself once more and Embrace The Darkness!
