Dark Souls III is a triumphant evolution of the franchise, successfully blending the methodical combat the series is known for with the fluid intensity of Bloodborne. While it stands as a pinnacle of the genre, its current technical state on PC prevents it from achieving a perfect score.

Initial impressions from trailers might suggest a modest graphical leap from Dark Souls II, but experiencing the game firsthand tells a different story. The art direction and fidelity take heavy inspiration from the gothic, atmospheric world of Bloodborne. The updated animations and lighting provide a level of immersion and polish that far surpasses its predecessors, making the world of Lothric feel both haunting and breathtaking.

The gameplay is exceptionally refined. The battle mechanics feel tighter than ever, and I have encountered virtually zero bugs during combat. The difficulty curve is steep, arguably surpassing both DS1 and DS2, with bosses and mini-bosses that are as frustratingly difficult as they are rewarding to defeat.

Despite the stellar content, the PC port suffers from significant optimization flaws that are hard to ignore. Even on high-end rigs capable of running titles like GTA V or Battlefront on ultra settings, Dark Souls III struggles with stability.

The Lighting Bug: Setting the "Lighting" option to anything above Low consistently causes game freezes and system crashes.

Stability: Many players report crashing at the first bonfire or failing to launch the game entirely.

While lowering the Lighting and Motion Blur settings serves as a temporary workaround to stop the crashing, it is disappointing that such a high-caliber title requires users to sacrifice visual quality for basic stability.

Dark Souls III is a fantastic experience that arguably represents the best the series has to offer. However, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco need to prioritize a stability patch immediately. Once the crashing issues are resolved, this will easily be a 10/10 title.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a thrilling departure from the traditional FromSoftware formula, successfully blending the precision of "Souls-borne" combat with the high-stakes intensity of a Battle Royale. It is an exhilarating, fast-paced experience that breathes new life into the genre.

The most striking feature is the shift in tempo. Unlike the methodical pacing of previous titles, Nightreign leans into a more aggressive, fluid combat style. The integration of competitive multiplayer elements creates a unique hybrid that feels fresh yet familiar to long-time fans.

The encounter design remains top-tier. The bosses are a highlight, featuring:

Epic Scale: Visually stunning designs that command attention.

Complex Mechanics: Engaging move sets that make every victory feel earned.

Character Aesthetics: High-quality character modeling that maintains the series' signature dark-fantasy allure.

Be warned: this is not an entry-level title. The learning curve is steep, and the "trial and error" nature of the game means death is frequent. While veteran players will find this rewarding, newcomers to the genre may find the barrier to entry quite high.

While the game shines brightest when played with a coordinated group of friends, the matchmaking system for random players is functional and enjoyable. However, be prepared for a significant spike in difficulty when playing with "randos," as coordination is key to surviving the more chaotic encounters.

Pros:

Innovative blend of Souls-like combat and Battle Royale mechanics.

Masterful boss encounters and art direction.

Addictive, high-speed gameplay loop.

Cons:

High barrier to entry for new players.

Limited cosmetic customization (hoping for more outfit variety in future updates).

Recommendation: A must-play for fans of the genre, though best enjoyed with a consistent squad.