(100% Completion at 87.6 Hours)

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I booted up Dark Souls III thinking I was on some grand quest to link the flame—but most of the time, it felt like I was just flailing around trying to keep a cursed BBQ lit in a hurricane.

Gameplay: If you’re looking for a power fantasy, look elsewhere. Dark Souls III is all about learning from failure, dying repeatedly, and slowly chipping away at progress like you’re carving a statue with a spoon. But once it clicks, the combat feels genuinely rewarding and earned, which is rare these days. ★★★★★

Graphics: Dark, moody, and occasionally striking. Some areas are beautifully designed, others just feel like recycled ruins with extra gloom. It fits the vibe, sure—but Dark Souls III isn’t a world my eyes will be missing anytime soon. ★★★☆☆

Sound: Kicks in when it matters, and boss themes are memorable and hit hard. The cryptic voice acting fits the tone, but can feel a bit flat at times. Nonetheless, the music and ambient sounds carry the atmosphere. ★★★★☆

Story: There’s a plot and decent lore buried under cryptic item descriptions and vague NPC mumbling—but if you’re not into lore videos or reading everything twice, good luck. Put simply, you are told to kill some lords, and the rest is left to guesswork. Mysterious, but often feels unnecessarily confusing. ★★★☆☆

Replayability: Tons of builds, secrets, and endings to chase, with NG+ adding some extra challenge. PvP is a hit-or-miss depending on matchmaking. Worth a second run if you enjoyed Dark Souls III—or if you’re chasing achievements like I was… just be ready for the grind. ★★★★☆

Final Thoughts: Like other soulsborne games, Dark Souls III demands patience, persistence, and a dash of masochism. When it clicks, it’s fantastic—but it doesn’t always respect your time, and some design choices feel downright unfair. However, there’s plenty to appreciate if you stick with it and the boss fights alone are worth picking up this game if you enjoy the soulsborne genre.