Is Dark Souls 3 a Long Game? A Deep Dive into its Length and Replayability
Yes, Dark Souls 3 can be considered a long game, especially depending on your playstyle and goals. A focused playthrough targeting the main objectives clocks in around 32 hours. However, if you’re driven to explore every nook and cranny, conquer every challenge, and achieve 100% completion, prepare to invest upwards of 99 hours. This discrepancy highlights the game’s flexible length, adapting to individual player preferences and commitment. The true beauty of Dark Souls 3, like its predecessors, lies in its depth and replayability, extending its potential playtime far beyond initial estimates.
Decoding Dark Souls 3’s Length: Factors and Considerations
Several factors contribute to the overall length of a Dark Souls 3 playthrough:
- Playstyle: A speedrunner might blitz through the game in a fraction of the average time, while a methodical explorer meticulously examines every area, increasing their playtime significantly.
- Skill Level: Experienced Souls players will naturally progress faster, overcoming challenges with greater ease than newcomers. Expect your initial playthrough to be longer than subsequent ones.
- Completionist Tendencies: Do you strive to collect every weapon, spell, and armor set? Do you yearn to defeat every boss and uncover every secret? A completionist approach dramatically extends the game’s length.
- Online Play: Engaging in cooperative play can both speed up and slow down progress. Summoning experienced players can make boss fights easier, while waiting for summons can add time. PVP invasions, on the other hand, can lead to unexpected detours and deaths, adding to the overall playtime.
- DLC Content: Dark Souls 3 features two substantial DLC expansions (Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City) that add significant playtime, new areas to explore, formidable bosses to conquer, and valuable items to acquire. Incorporating the DLC into your playthrough effectively extends the overall game length.
Comparing Dark Souls 3’s Length to Other Soulsborne Games
While Dark Souls 3 offers a substantial experience, comparing it to other Soulsborne titles provides a broader perspective:
- Dark Souls: The original Dark Souls varies considerably depending on player experience, with first-time playthroughs often exceeding 50 hours.
- Dark Souls 2: Dark Souls 2 is known for being one of the longer Souls games. Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin can reach well over 100 hours for completionist runs.
- Bloodborne: Bloodborne, known for its faster-paced combat, tends to be shorter than the Dark Souls games, with average playthroughs ranging from 30 to 50 hours.
- Elden Ring: Elden Ring, with its vast open world, dwarfs the other Soulsborne games in terms of length, often exceeding 80 hours for the main story alone, and hundreds of hours for completion.
Replayability: A Major Factor in Dark Souls 3’s Longevity
The true measure of Dark Souls 3‘s length isn’t just the initial playthrough; it’s its immense replayability. The game encourages multiple playthroughs with:
- Different Builds: Experimenting with different character builds – strength, dexterity, intelligence, faith – offers drastically different gameplay experiences.
- Weapon Variety: Mastering the vast array of weapons, each with unique movesets and scaling, adds to the replay value.
- Covenants: Joining different covenants unlocks unique rewards and alters the online experience.
- New Game Plus (NG+): Starting a new game with your existing character and equipment allows you to face stronger enemies and uncover even more secrets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does it take to beat Dark Souls 3 just focusing on the main story?
Approximately 32 hours is the average for focusing solely on the main story.
2. What is the average completion time for Dark Souls 3 if I want to do everything?
Aim for around 99 hours to achieve 100% completion.
3. Is Dark Souls 3 longer than Dark Souls 1?
Dark Souls 3 is generally considered bigger than Dark Souls 1 in terms of map size and scope, although individual playthrough times can vary. According to the article in question, Dark Souls Prepared to Die Edition: 47–105 hours. Dark Souls remastered: 26–63 hours. Dark Souls III: 32–93 hours. Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades Edition: 35–93 hours.
4. Is Dark Souls 3 longer than Dark Souls 2?
No, Dark Souls 2 tends to be longer than Dark Souls 3, especially when considering the Scholar of the First Sin edition. According to the article in question, Dark Souls II: 46–119 hours. Dark Souls II Scholar of the First Sin: 36–105 hours. Dark Souls III: 32–93 hours. Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades Edition: 35–93 hours.
5. How many bosses are there in Dark Souls 3?
Dark Souls features a total of 13 main bosses, each one boasting its own set of moves and abilities.
6. How big is the Dark Souls 3 game file size on PC?
The storage space required for Dark Souls 3 on PC is around 25 GB.
7. Is Dark Souls 3 similar to Elden Ring in terms of length?
No. Elden Ring is significantly longer due to its open-world structure, sometimes requiring a hundreds of hours to achieve 100% completion.
8. Is Dark Souls 3 harder than the other Dark Souls games?
Opinions vary, but many consider Dark Souls 3 to be among the hardest in the series, with its aggressive enemies and challenging bosses.
9. Is Dark Souls 3 too difficult for beginners?
While challenging, Dark Souls 3 is not insurmountable for beginners. With patience, practice, and a willingness to learn, anyone can overcome its difficulty.
10. Which Dark Souls game has the best story?
Many argue that Bloodborne has the best and biggest story of the franchise.
11. What is the best Souls game to start with for a beginner?
Demon’s Souls was the original game that started the Soulsborne genre.
12. What makes Dark Souls 3 so replayable?
The game encourages multiple playthroughs with different builds, weapon mastery, covenants, and New Game Plus mode.
13. How much longer does the DLC add to Dark Souls 3’s playtime?
The Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City DLCs can easily add 10-20 hours or more to your playthrough, depending on your thoroughness.
14. Is it worth skipping Dark Souls 2 and going straight to Dark Souls 3?
That depends on your preferences. Dark Souls 2 has its own merits, especially if you enjoy PVP. If you prioritize PVE and a more direct connection to Dark Souls 1, Dark Souls 3 might be a better choice.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming?
The Games Learning Society explores the intersection of games and education. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to discover research, resources, and community discussions on how games can enhance learning.
In conclusion, Dark Souls 3 is a game of variable length, adapting to your individual playstyle and goals. While a focused playthrough can be completed in around 30 hours, a completionist run can easily exceed 100 hours. Its high replayability and challenging gameplay make it a worthwhile investment for any gamer seeking a deep and rewarding experience.