How Long to Beat Dark Souls 3? Everything You Need to Know
by Venkatesh P
Updated Jul 08, 2023
What is Dark Souls 3?
Dark Souls III[a] is an action role-playing game that was released in 2016. Developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, it is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows platforms.
Serving as the final installment in the Dark Souls series, the game is played from a third-person perspective, allowing players to wield a variety of weapons, armor, magic, and consumables to combat their adversaries. Hidetaka Miyazaki, the series' creator, directed Dark Souls III after entrusting the development of Dark Souls II to other team members.
Receiving both critical acclaim and commercial success, Dark Souls III has been praised as a fitting and impressive conclusion to the series. Within the first two months of its release, the game shipped over three million copies, and as of 2020, it has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.
Additionally, two downloadable content (DLC) expansions, Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City, were released to further enhance the game's content and provide additional challenges for players. To offer the complete experience, Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades Edition, comprising the base game and both DLCs, was launched in April 2017.
How Long To Beat Dark Souls 3?
The time it takes to beat Dark Souls 3 can vary depending on skill level and playstyle. Some players can complete the game in a matter of hours, while others may take days to conquer its challenges. The world record for the fastest completion stands at an impressive 32 minutes, but this is an exceptional achievement.
For an average playthrough, focusing on the main progression with minimal side quests, it typically takes around 35 to 40 hours to fully beat Dark Souls 3. However, if you want to explore everything the game has to offer, including side missions, collectibles, and secrets, you should expect to invest approximately 90 to 100 hours to achieve a 100% completion status.
The game also includes two DLCs, Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City, which offer additional content and challenging boss fights. On average, it takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete Ashes of Ariandel and 8 to 10 hours for The Ringed City DLC.
If you opt for the Dark Souls 3: Fire Fades Edition, which includes both DLCs, completing the main game and DLCs without extensive side quests and collectibles usually takes around 50 to 55 hours. However, if you aim for a 100% completion status in the Fire Fades Edition, expect to invest approximately 115 to 120 hours.
In summary, the time to beat Dark Souls 3 depends on factors such as skill level, playstyle, and the extent to which you want to explore and complete the game's content. While an average playthrough can be completed in 35 to 40 hours, fully experiencing the game and achieving 100% completion can take around 90 to 100 hours for the base game and approximately 115 to 120 hours for the Fire Fades Edition with all DLCs.
How Long Does It Take To Beat Dark Souls 3?
Dark Souls Trilogy: A Time Investment Worth Making
The Dark Souls series has become a powerhouse in the gaming industry, captivating players worldwide with its unique blend of freedom, challenging difficulty, and deep lore. As a result, Dark Souls has earned a special place in the hearts of gamers and continues to be a point of reference for comparison in the industry.
Fans of the series can spend countless hours immersing themselves in the intricate maps and stories, while exploring a wide range of build options. Despite the recent release of Elden Ring, FromSoftware's highly acclaimed open-world RPG, not everyone has access to the game. Consequently, many find themselves revisiting or experiencing the Dark Souls trilogy for the first time. But how long does it take to complete these games?
Since the release of Elden Ring, it's important to note that it does not replace the Dark Souls trilogy. Each title within the trilogy remains fantastic in its own right and will continue to be cherished and rediscovered by players for years to come. To provide accurate data, this article has been updated with information from HowLongToBeat.com, including the addition of Dark Souls: Scholar of the First Sin as a separate entry.
Dark Souls, a follow-up to the cult classic Demon's Souls, introduced the interconnected world, PvP invasions, and a desolate yet beautiful environment. Completing the main story of Dark Souls takes around 42 hours, but this estimate doesn't consider how players quickly grasp the game's combat mechanics or uncover its myriad shortcuts and secrets.
For completionists, defeating all bosses, unlocking achievements, and conquering the game's DLCs, such as the challenging Artorias of the Abyss, extends the playtime to approximately 105 hours. This additional content introduces new locations and bosses, including the formidable Manus and Knight Artorias.
Fortunately, Dark Souls received a remastered version, allowing players to experience where it all began with improved visuals on modern platforms.
As for Dark Souls 2, the only entry not helmed by series creator Hidetaka Miyazaki, players can expect a main story completion time of around 44 hours. However, fully exploring everything the game has to offer, including the three DLC packs (Crown of the Ivory King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Sunken King), requires approximately 120 hours. These expansions provide 4-10 hours of additional content each and present some of the most challenging fights in the franchise.
Scholar of the First Sin, an altered version of Dark Souls 2, offers a unique experience with tweaks to enemy placements, new summons and invaders, and a new boss, the titular Scholar. The main story completion time averages around 36 hours for this version, though it's worth noting that returning players may have an advantage due to their prior experience. Scholar of the First Sin is generally considered more challenging than the original release and includes all the expansions.
Dark Souls 3, the final entry in the series, boasts a shorter average playtime of 32 hours for the main story. However, the active multiplayer community and the game's faster and more fluid combat can lead to players spending much more time within its world. Hidetaka Miyazaki returned to direct Dark Souls 3, and it received widespread acclaim upon release.
The game expands the Dark Souls universe, featuring memorable bosses and introducing new weapons that add fresh approaches to encounters and boss fights. Engaging in multiple playthroughs to experiment with different builds and uncover numerous secrets without guides can extend the experience far beyond the average playtime.
For those dedicated to completing all three Dark Souls games, the combined playtime amounts to approximately 120 hours, while completionists can expect to invest around 320 hours to fully conquer the trilogy. In conclusion, the Dark Souls games offer a remarkable and influential experience in the gaming industry.
Whether you're a fan of the series or a newcomer, exploring the Dark Souls trilogy is a time investment that rewards players with a challenging and unforgettable journey. And don't forget to delve into other titles from FromSoftware, such as Sekiro, Bloodborne, Demon's Souls, and the highly anticipated Elden Ring, which expands on the Dark Souls formula within an open-world setting, offering FromSoftware's most expansive project to date.
Dark Souls 3 Gameplay
Dark Souls III is an action role-playing game that follows a third-person perspective. The gameplay design closely resembles Dark Souls II, with players equipped with various weapons like bows, projectiles, and swords to fight enemies. Shields can be used for defense and deflecting attacks. Weapons offer standard and charged-up attacks, similar to Bloodborne. Bonfires serve as checkpoints, and ashes play a significant role in the game.
Magic is featured, utilizing focus points (FP) for spellcasting. Estus Flasks are divided into two types, replenishing hit points and focus points. Combat and movements are faster and more fluid than Dark Souls II. Enemies have different behaviors and may change combat patterns. New combat features include weapon and shield "Skills" that offer special abilities at the cost of focus points.
The game emphasizes role-playing, featuring an expanded character builder and improved weapons. It offers fewer but larger and more detailed maps, encouraging exploration. The adaptability stat from Dark Souls II was removed, and multiplayer elements are present.
How Long To Beat Dark Souls 3 - FAQs
Dark Souls 3 is an action role-playing game released in 2016, developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the final installment in the Dark Souls series and is played from a third-person perspective. Players have access to a wide range of weapons, armor, magic, and consumables to combat enemies.
The time it takes to beat Dark Souls 3 can vary based on skill level and playstyle. On average, a casual playthrough focusing on the main progression takes about 35 to 40 hours. However, fully completing the game, including side missions, collectibles, and secrets, can take around 90 to 100 hours.
Yes, Dark Souls 3 has two DLC expansions: Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City. These DLCs provide additional content and challenging boss fights. On average, it takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete Ashes of Ariandel and 8 to 10 hours to complete The Ringed City.
The Fire Fades Edition of Dark Souls 3 includes both DLCs, Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City, along with the base game. If you focus on completing the main game and DLCs without extensive side quests and collectibles, it usually takes around 50 to 55 hours. However, achieving 100% completion in the Fire Fades Edition can take approximately 115 to 120 hours.
Dark Souls 3 features faster and more fluid combat compared to Dark Souls II. Players have access to weapon and shield "Skills" that offer special abilities at the cost of focus points. The game emphasizes role-playing with an expanded character builder and improved weapons. It offers larger and more detailed maps, encouraging exploration. The adaptability stat from Dark Souls II was removed, and multiplayer elements are present.