All Articles: Dark Souls III
Dark Souls Trilogy might be in development for Nintendo Switch
From Software was one of the most surprising names to be found on Nintendo’s partial list of publishers and developers that are currently working on games for the Switch. The prolific developer has supported Nintendo hardware in the past, but always to a much lower extant than PlayStation and Xbox platforms.
That might change in a big way in 2017.
According to a new rumor report on Let’s Play Video Games, From Software is currently developing a “Game of the Year” re-release for Dark Souls III, and the brutal action RPG might also make its way to the Switch. The site’s source claims that “development on a Switch port has been underway for several months via a small team” though “From Software [is] waiting to see initial sales data before committing to producing ports.”
Furthermore, Dark Souls III might be joined on the Switch by the first two games in the franchise, as the source also said, “discussions internally at the company have discussed the financial viability of re-releasing the main three Dark Souls titles on the Switch with their DLC bundled in.”
Let’s Play Video Games has reported on a number of Switch rumors that turned out to be true, so it seems very possible that Nintendo fans will get their first crack at the Dark Souls franchise beginning next year.
Bandai Namco releases first gameplay trailer for Dark Souls III: Ashes of Ariandel
Here’s your first gameplay trailer for Ashes of Ariandel, the first downloadable expansion to Dark Souls III. So take a gander as the Ashen One ventures into a frozen wasteland to battle demons, monsters, and a massive giant. Thankfully, players will also discover new weapons, armor sets, and magic to battle the forces of evil.
Dark Souls III: Ashes of Ariandel will be available for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on October 25. A second expansion is also in the works and will be released in Early 2017.
Uncharted 4 discovers the top spot on the NPD’s list of best-selling games for May 2016
The NPD Group has revealed their tally of the best-selling games from May 2016, and four new titles were battling it out for the top spot. But ultimately, Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End bested them all for the #1 spot on the list.
The three shooters that made the month of May a very crowded time for fans of the genre slotted in just behind Uncharted 4, and id Software’s Doom claimed the silver medal as the runner-up. And in the duel for the “Hero Shooter” crown, Blizzard took the first round as strong sales for Overwatch ensured a finish in the #3 spot. That means Gearbox had to settle for a bit less of the market thanks to Battleborn‘s fourth place debut.
Overall, the retail side of the industry did very well in May, which NPD’s Liam Callahan explained to GamesIndustry.biz: “Overall trends across new physical software, hardware, and accessories in May 2016 rose by 4%, or $19.3 million, due to 18% growth of new physical software, which offset the 10% decline of hardware, and the 2% decline in accessories”.
A complete look at last month’s best-selling retail games (which also includes Grand Theft Auto V, Minecraft, Dark Souls III, and others) can be found after the break. (more…)
Dark Souls III envelops your very being in darkness and despair… it was also the best-selling game of April 2016
I’m sure this is a surprise to no one, but people really love the Dark Souls franchise. And according to The NPD Group (as reported by GamesIndustry.biz), Dark Souls III was the best-selling retail game in April 2016.
The finale to From Software’s brutally difficult trilogy beat out some stiff competition in April including the Ratchet & Clank reboot (#2), Quantum Break (#7), and Star Fox Zero (#10). MLB The Show 16 also got a boost from the opening of this year’s baseball season (#3), but it wasn’t enough to unseat the Babe Ruth of gothic action RPGs.
But even with a handful of big new releases, the retail sector as a whole suffered a huge decline from the year before, when Mortal Kombat X obliterated all expectations. “In April 2016, overall trends (hardware, new physical software, and accessories) were down 15% (or $88.5 million) compared to April 2015 due to a $41.6 million decline in hardware and a $52.8 million decline in software, with the $5.9 million growth in accessories unable to offset these losses,” said The NPD Group’s Liam Callahan.
However, Callahan added, “Despite these declines, keep in mind that Xbox One and PS4 are trending over 40% higher in cumulative sales after 30 months in the market compared to their predecessors.”
A complete look at last month’s best-selling retail games can be found after the break. (more…)
Xbox Store Today: Dark Souls III
Just a single new game was added to the Xbox Games Store today… but it’s a doozy.
Said doozy is Dark Souls III, the first game in the series built from the ground up for the Xbox One, and possibly the concluding chapter in an absolutely captivating trilogy. Publisher Bandai Namco won’t say whether the Souls will still burn, but Director Hidetaka Miyazaki has strongly hinted that this is the end. Renowned for its relentless difficulty, grotesque bosses, and gothic atmosphere, does the Dark Souls franchise go out with a bang? Well, there’s only one way to find out…
Xbox One Games
Dark Souls III ($59.99)
Dark Souls III continues to push the boundaries with the latest, ambitious chapter in the critically-acclaimed and genre-defining series. Players will be immersed into a world of epic atmosphere and darkness through faster gameplay and amplified combat intensity. Fans and newcomers alike will get lost in the game hallmark rewarding gameplay and immersive graphics.
Dark Souls III, Ratchet & Clank, Stories: The Path of Destinies, more added to PS Store
The fires of the Dark Souls saga might go dim after the release of Dark Souls III, but PS4 owners will still be able to venture into Hidetaka Miyazaki’s gothic nightmare one last time beginning today. The remainder of this week’s PlayStation Store update is a bit on the short side, but there’s still plenty to play just ahead of Tax Day…
PS4 owners will also be able to download the rebooted rendition of Ratchet & Clank, which will “take a deeper look at the characters’ origin stories.” Insomniac has also added more planets, more bosses, new Clank gameplay, new flight sequences, and “completely new visuals.” All these new features will tie in to the Ratchet & Clank animated adaptation, which will open in theaters on April 29.
Elsewhere on Sony’s digital storefront, players will be able try out Koei Tecmo’s strategy-centric Samurai Warriors 4: Empires (PS4) and Hopoo’s roguelike action platformer Risk of Rain (PS4 + PS Vita Cross-Buy). Finally, Stories: The Path of Destinies (PS4) is this week’s Launch Party selection, and it’s an action RPG from Spearhead Games.
More information on all of these title can be found after the break. And, as always, a complete rundown of this week’s new game add-ons is available at the PlayStation Blog. (more…)
Dark Souls III is here… and so is a Launch Trailer
Ladies and gentlemen, today’s the day, Dark Souls III is now available for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One. To get players in the appropriate mood, Bandai Namco and From Software have released a Launch Trailer that promises grotesque monsters, epic battles, and crumbling gothic architecture.
Souls fans surely don’t expect anything less from the series by now, but this trailer is still a great way to spend the next three minutes.
New Releases: Dark Souls III, Bravely Second, Ratchet & Clank
Just three new games will be available on store shelves this week… but they’re three of this Spring’s biggest.
Leading the way, of course, is Bandai Namco’s Dark Souls III. Available this week for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One, developer From Software and Director Hidetaka Miyazaki are back to tell another story in their crumbling, yet strasngely beautiful, world. Players who purchase the “Day One Edition” will get a head start on the uber-difficult game thanks to the included Prima Starter Guide and soundtrack CD.
Gamers on the go will get the chance to try out a very different RPG this week, as Square Enix will team up with Nintendo to release Bravely Second: End Layer for the 3DS. This turn-based sequel will explore more of Luxendarc as players attempt to rescue Agnes Oblige from the evil Kaiser Oblivion.
Finally this week, Sony and Insomniac Games will bring back Ratchet & Clank in a reimagining of the duo’s original adventure. These reimagined elements (including new characters, new bosses, and new weapons) will also be on display later this month when an animated adaptation of Ratchet & Clank warps its way into theaters.
We’ll be back soon with a closer look at all of this week’s downloadable titles for the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.