Unraveling the Hours: How Long Does it Really Take to Beat Dark Souls 3?

So, you’re thinking of plunging into the ashen world of Dark Souls 3? Excellent choice, Ashen One! But before you take the plunge, a crucial question lingers: just how much of your precious time will this journey demand? Let’s get straight to the heart of it.

The average playthrough of Dark Souls 3 falls somewhere in the range of 32 to 93 hours. This seemingly broad range reflects the vastly different playstyles and completion goals players bring to the table. A speedrunner focusing solely on the main storyline can blaze through in around 32 hours. However, someone meticulously exploring every nook and cranny, battling every boss, and collecting every item can easily rack up 93 hours or more.

Think of it like this: the “average” experience is a myth. Your experience will be shaped by your personal goals, skill level, and willingness to delve into the game’s intricate world. Are you a completionist driven to conquer everything? Or a more casual player satisfied with experiencing the core narrative? These choices drastically alter the time investment.

Ultimately, Dark Souls 3 offers a gaming experience that is as long or short as you make it. Embrace the challenge, explore the world, and let your own journey dictate the playtime.

Delving Deeper: Factors Influencing Playtime

Several factors contribute to the variance in playtime for Dark Souls 3:

• Playstyle: The most significant factor. Speedrunners clock in minimal hours, while completionists can double or triple that.
• Skill Level: If you are already familiar with FromSoftware’s games, the combat and world mechanics will come more naturally, reducing the learning curve and, therefore, the playtime. New players will likely face more challenges, adding to the time spent.
• Exploration: How thoroughly do you explore each area? Do you search for hidden items and secrets, or do you mainly focus on reaching the next objective?
• Boss Battles: Some players breeze through bosses with ease, while others struggle, leading to repeated attempts and increased playtime.
• Multiplayer: Playing cooperatively with friends can make certain sections and bosses easier, potentially reducing playtime. Conversely, frequent PvP invasions can interrupt progress and add to the overall time.
• Build Optimization: Creating a character build that synergizes well with your playstyle can significantly improve your combat effectiveness, leading to faster boss kills and overall reduced playtime. Poor builds, on the other hand, can result in frustration and extended playtime.
• Use of Guides: Relying on guides and walkthroughs can drastically reduce the time spent figuring out puzzles, locating items, and understanding boss strategies. Playing blind, however, will naturally lead to a longer playtime.
• DLC Content: Don’t forget the excellent DLC! Both Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City add significant playtime to the game. Each DLC can easily add 10-20 hours for a thorough playthrough.

Comparing to Other Soulsborne Titles

It’s helpful to put Dark Souls 3‘s playtime into context by comparing it to other games in the Soulsborne genre:

• Dark Souls 1 (Remastered): Around 26-63 hours. Often considered longer for first-time players due to its interconnected world and cryptic design.
• Dark Souls 2 (Scholar of the First Sin): Roughly 36-105 hours. Widely considered the longest in the series due to its sheer size and enemy density.
• Bloodborne: Typically 34-76 hours. A faster-paced experience than Dark Souls, often resulting in shorter playthroughs for experienced players.
• Elden Ring: Potentially 60-100+ hours. With its expansive open world, Elden Ring dwarfs the other games in terms of potential playtime. This game has also been the topic of many studies covered by the Games Learning Society that demonstrate video games are a powerful tool in exploring psychological topics such as motivation.

FAQs: Your Burning Dark Souls 3 Time Questions Answered

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the topic of Dark Souls 3 playtime:

1. Is Dark Souls 3 longer than Dark Souls 1? Generally, Dark Souls 3 is shorter for experienced players. However, a first-time player might find Dark Souls 1 longer due to its more intricate level design and reliance on exploration.

2. Is Dark Souls 3 longer than Dark Souls 2? No, Dark Souls 2 is generally considered the longest Dark Souls game.

3. Is Dark Souls 3 easier than the other Souls games? Difficulty is subjective. Some find Dark Souls 3 the hardest due to its fast-paced combat and aggressive bosses, while others find it more manageable than, say, Dark Souls 2 or Demon’s Souls.

4. How long does it take to beat Dark Souls 3 with all achievements? Expect to spend around 80-120 hours to achieve 100% completion and all achievements, depending on your skill and efficiency.

5. What’s the average playtime for Dark Souls 3 on a first playthrough? A blind first playthrough typically takes 40-60 hours.

6. Does playing a specific class affect playtime? Not significantly. While some classes might excel in certain areas, player skill and build optimization are more impactful on playtime. The Warrior is one of the easiest classes for beginners to use in the game.

7. How much longer are the DLCs for Dark Souls 3? Each DLC (Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City) adds roughly 10-20 hours of playtime.

8. Is it possible to beat Dark Souls 3 in under 10 hours? Yes, speedrunners have achieved completion times well below 10 hours, but this requires extensive knowledge, skillful execution, and optimized strategies.

9. Does playing online affect playtime? Online play can both increase and decrease playtime. Cooperative play can make bosses easier, while PvP invasions can interrupt progress.

10. What is the minimum playtime for Dark Souls 3? The absolute minimum is around 2-3 hours for highly skilled speedrunners utilizing glitches and optimized routes.

11. How long does it take to beat Dark Souls 3 in New Game Plus (NG+)? Subsequent playthroughs are generally shorter, typically taking 20-40 hours, as you retain your character’s stats and equipment.

12. Is Dark Souls 3 similar to Elden Ring in terms of playtime? Elden Ring is significantly longer due to its open-world nature.

13. Does using summons make the game shorter? Yes, summoning other players or NPCs to help with bosses will generally reduce the number of attempts and, therefore, shorten the overall playtime.

14. Is there an optimal playtime for enjoying Dark Souls 3? No, the “optimal” playtime is subjective and depends on your personal preferences and goals. The most important thing is to enjoy the experience at your own pace.

15. Where can I learn more about gaming and education? Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to discover how video games can be used as powerful learning tools.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Journey

Ultimately, the playtime for Dark Souls 3 is a personal journey. Don’t fixate too much on the average numbers. Instead, focus on immersing yourself in the world, mastering the combat, and discovering the secrets that await. Whether you spend 30 hours or 100 hours, the important thing is to enjoy the challenging and rewarding experience that Dark Souls 3 offers. Now go forth, Ashen One, and link the First Flame!