A Dark Souls 3 Story Retrospective

Gingy・2 minutes read

Dark Souls 3 concludes the series effectively, focusing on the interconnected storyline of the trilogy and essential themes like the Age of Fire and Hollowing. The game features high-quality boss fights, immersive environments, and a rich narrative, solidifying its reputation as the most refined installment in the series and marking a fitting conclusion to the franchise.

Insights

  • Dark Souls 3 concludes the series effectively, relying on interconnected narratives throughout the trilogy.
  • The game focuses on central themes like the Age of Fire, Undead Curse, and Hollowing, creating a rich storyline.
  • NPC interactions and questlines are intricately woven into the main content, enhancing the game's narrative depth.
  • The game's high-quality boss fights, unique locations, and immersive environments elevate its reputation as the most refined in the series.

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Recent questions

  • What is the main objective in Dark Souls 3?

    Defeat Lords of Cinder and link the flame.

  • What is the significance of Ludleth in Dark Souls 3?

    Ludleth is a unique Lord of Cinder.

  • What is the role of Aldrich in Dark Souls 3?

    Aldrich is a Lord of Cinder with a dark past.

  • What is the significance of the Untended Graves in Dark Souls 3?

    The Untended Graves mirror the Cemetery of Ash.

  • What is the overarching theme of Dark Souls 3?

    Dark Souls 3 explores the Age of Dark.

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Summary

00:00

"Dark Souls 3: Epic conclusion with rich lore"

  • Dark Souls 3 is praised for concluding the series effectively, with its narrative heavily reliant on the previous games in the trilogy.
  • The interconnectedness of the Dark Souls games sets them apart, with a cohesive storyline spanning the series.
  • Themes like the Age of Fire, the Undead Curse, and Hollowing are central to the series, creating a rich narrative tapestry.
  • Dark Souls 3 focuses on the Age of Dark and the necessity of the First Flame's demise, building on the foundation laid by the previous games.
  • The game introduces the main bosses early on, the Four Lords of Cinder, crucial figures in the narrative.
  • The player, as the Ashen One, is tasked with defeating the Lords of Cinder and linking the flame, a central plot point.
  • The game's opening sequence is intense, setting the tone for the challenging journey ahead.
  • The Firelink Shrine serves as a central hub, with familiar characters like Andre and the Fire Keeper returning.
  • NPC interactions in Dark Souls 3 are more engaging and interconnected with the main storyline, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Questlines for NPCs like Irina and Sirris are intricately woven into the main content, offering depth and emotional impact to the game's narrative.

10:44

Exploring Dark Souls 3: Lords of Cinder

  • Speculation on additional details regarding kingdoms in the game, with limited information available.
  • Inclusion of kingdoms in the game to add depth and variety to the world of Dark Souls.
  • Dark Souls 3 is considered the most refined in the series, learning from past mistakes.
  • Objective in the game is to defeat the Lords of Cinder and use their ashes to relink the fire.
  • Five Lords of Cinder needed for the objective: Abyss Watchers, Yorm, Prince Lothric, Aldridge, and Ludleth.
  • Ludleth is unique as he is already at Firelink Shrine and exiled due to his art of transposition.
  • Ludleth's past is ambiguous, leading to theories about his identity and the Skull Ring.
  • To reach the other four Lords, players must use the bonfire at Firelink Shrine to travel to the High Wall of Lothric.
  • Kingdom of Lothric is in a dire state, with various factions and conflicts within the kingdom.
  • The world of Dark Souls is depicted as dying, with lands merging and time convoluted, leading to a sense of decay and despair.

21:04

Aldrich's Cannibalistic Reign in Dark Souls

  • Quelana reunites with her sister, the Fair Lady, in a heartwarming conclusion.
  • To progress, the player must locate a specific item in the Cathedral of the Deep to access Irithyll.
  • Aldrich, the Saint of the Deep, was a cleric who envisioned a deep sea abyss, leading to his insatiable urge to consume human flesh.
  • Aldrich's followers, the archdeacons, encouraged his cannibalistic behavior, creating an army to gather sacrifices for him.
  • The Cathedral of the Deep performed rituals and sacrifices, causing insanity among its inhabitants and transforming Aldrich into a black sludge.
  • Pontiff Sulyvahn, a former resident of the Painted World of Ariandel, took control of Anor Londo and imprisoned Gwyndolin and Yorshka.
  • Aldrich, reawakening as a Lord of Cinder, sought to devour the gods and forced Pontiff Sulyvahn to surrender, allowing him an audience with Gwyndolin.
  • Aldrich's boss fight involves using Gwyndolin's body as a weapon, showcasing supernatural powers and the ability to acquire abilities from consumed beings.
  • Dark Souls 3 features high-quality boss fights, with unique twists and designs, elevating the game's reputation within the franchise.
  • The game's locations, like Irithyll and Anor Londo, blend beauty and destruction, showcasing the developers' skill in crafting immersive environments.

31:55

"Dark Souls Lore: Characters, Curses, and Battles"

  • Pontiff carries a sword called the Profaned Greatsword, linked to Sullivan's discovery of an unfading flame beneath Irithyll's tundra.
  • Elianora can be obtained from monstrous creatures, hinting at a curse triggered by women related to a certain oracle.
  • Elaine, Lois, and Alsana are speculated to be the oracle due to connections with the smoldering lake, old chaos, and Alonne.
  • Yorm, upon revival, is shocked by his city's state and refuses to link the flame, necessitating his defeat for his ashes.
  • Yorm created Storm Rulers, one for the people and one for his friend Siegward, who vowed to kill him if he revived.
  • Yorm's fight is underwhelming, requiring the Storm Ruler's wind slash to damage him, with his second phase adding fire to his attacks.
  • Prince Lothric, born to die, refused to link the flame due to his frailty, curse, and the burden placed on him by his lineage.
  • Osiris, more dragon than human, may be hallucinating about his son Ocelot, leading to theories about Ocelot's existence or non-existence.
  • The queen of Lothric, theorized to be Gwynevere, left the kingdom, leaving behind a disarrayed royal family and knights defending against corruption.
  • The Twin Princes, Lothric and Lorian, present a unique boss fight where Lothric supports Lorian with magic, making it a challenging and intense battle.

43:19

Dark Souls 3: Uncovering Hidden Connections and Lore

  • Numerous references to Dark Souls 2 elements in Dark Souls 3, like Creighton, Lucatiel's armor, and Aslatio's sword, are present, despite the former game's apparent lack of importance.
  • Notable figures from Dark Souls 2, Vendrick and Aldia, are never mentioned in Dark Souls 3, despite their potential impact on the story.
  • The Untended Graves location in Dark Souls 3 mirrors the Cemetery of Ash but with a darker atmosphere, raising questions about its significance and connection to the main game.
  • Champion Gundyr in the Untended Graves is linked to the Firelink Shrine and the Fire Keeper's eyes, hinting at a past event involving betrayal and the flame.
  • The repair spell in Dark Souls 3 suggests a connection between light and time, possibly explaining the timelessness of the Untended Graves.
  • Arc Dragon Peak in Dark Souls 3 features a dragon worshiping area with a challenging wyvern boss, alongside the presence of Havel and Ornstein, raising questions about their roles and existence.
  • Ornstein's presence in Dark Souls 3 is explained as his soul inhabiting someone wearing his armor, maintaining his legacy and goals across the series.
  • The Nameless King in Dark Souls 3 is revealed as Gwyn's firstborn son, a former dragon slayer who allies with dragons, leading to an intense boss fight with unique mechanics.
  • Dark Souls 3 portrays a dying world filled with disease and death, showcasing the futility of linking the flame and the suffering it perpetuates.
  • The Ashes of Ariandel DLC in Dark Souls 3 introduces a painted world with its own cycle of rot, requiring the player to burn it to create a new world, with Sister Friede prolonging the rot's existence.

54:06

Dark Souls lore: Farron, Painted World, Ring City

  • The undead legion of Farron, including the Abyss Watchers, lost purpose and members once the flame was linked, leading to a swampy home.
  • Farron followers are tasked with killing undead legion members who succumbed to the abyss, potentially altering the Abyss Watchers' fate.
  • The Millwood Knights lost their forest home and sought refuge in the Painted World, where they coexist with other groups like the Corvians.
  • The Corvians in the Painted World have settlers and knights, with the latter turning against their own due to infatuation with Sister Friede.
  • Ashes of Ariandel's length is criticized, with a quick progression from meeting Sister Friede to facing the final boss, lacking depth.
  • Sir Wilhelm in the Painted World wields Abyss-related items, connecting to Sister Friede's ties to Londor and the Sable Church.
  • Sister Friede's plan to bury the flame and control the Painted World is thwarted by the player, leading to a challenging boss fight.
  • Sister Friede's defeat allows the painter to access blood for painting, while Gael seeks the Dark Soul's blood in the Ring City.
  • The Ring City DLC begins in the Drag Heap, showcasing a collapsing world with nostalgic references to past Dark Souls games.
  • The Ring City is home to Pygmy Lords, descendants of the Furtive Pygmy, with Ringed Knights forged from the Abyss and Abyssal creatures like the Dragon Slayer Armor.

01:05:48

"Dark Souls lore: Midir, Halflight, and Gail"

  • Purging stones have existed since Dark Souls 1 to remove curse effects by transferring them to the stone itself, potentially beings turned into stone.
  • A dragon named Midir, a descendant of the archdragons, is a challenging boss with 15,000 health and powerful moves.
  • Midir was raised by gods to fight the abyss and has existed since the beginning, corrupted by the abyss like Artorias.
  • Defeating Midir grants the Spears of the Church, leading to the next boss, Halflight, a member of the covenant guarding Filianore.
  • Halflight may be from Oolacile, a land swallowed by the abyss, and is the final spear of the church, hinting at a time before corruption.
  • Filianore, protected by Halflight, has a significant cutscene upon awakening, possibly holding up the illusion of the Ring City.
  • Breaking Filianore's egg reveals a dark center, symbolizing time's return after being stagnant, possibly showing a glimpse of the future.
  • Gail, the final boss of the DLC, consumed the dark souls of Pygmy Lords to use as pigment, contrasting with Gwyn's sacrifice.
  • Gail's sacrifice allows us to give the blood of the dark soul to the painter, completing his mission and leading to the end of the DLC.
  • The Soul of Cinder, the final boss at the Kiln, embodies every being who linked the flame, offering different endings based on player choices.

01:17:56

Dark Souls: Concluding on a High Note

  • The age of dark symbolizes the conclusion of the Dark Souls series, marking a departure from the age of fire that has been prevalent in all previous games. While the desire for more Dark Souls games exists, continuing the series risks diluting its integrity and tarnishing its reputation, emphasizing the importance of concluding it on a high note.
  • Ending Dark Souls with the third installment signifies a fitting conclusion that maintains the series' quality and prevents it from succumbing to the fate of many franchises that overextend themselves with sequels. The closure of Dark Souls doesn't mean the end of the Souls genre, with Elden Ring and future games ensuring the genre's legacy lives on.
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