FromSoftware games are known for their stunning level design, andDark Souls 3is no stranger to the detail that the developers put into the game’s areas. In fact, one of the game’s distinguishing characteristics is its meticulously crafted and hauntingly atmospheric locations, each with its own unique challenges and secrets waiting to be unraveled. The locations within this game are not mere backdrops but are capable of completely shaping your journey.
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Some areas have beautiful scenery that is screenshot-worthy and some such as Farron Keep are designed to frustrate you with their swamps. But the best locations FromSoftware had to offer came from Dark Souls 3, and though they aren’t perfect, they are certainly memorable for most Souls fans.
10Painted World Of Ariandel
One of the biggest locations in Dark Souls 3 is part of its DLC, Ashes Of Ariandel. It’s jam-packed with new content and is home to one of the best boss fights Dark Souls 3 has to offer, Sister Freida. Part of the appeal also comes from the Corvian settlement which is a beautifully designed sub-area in Ariandel covered in rot, which adds a nice contrast to the snow.
Ariandel is an allegory for the actual Dark Souls world, in that it has started rotting as well because of individuals who refuse to create something new. Besides the interesting lore and the brilliant bosses though, Ariandel falls a bit flat since the huge area doesn’t really add much besides more ground to walk on and becomes relatively uninteresting in subsequent playthroughs.
9Grand Archives
Grand Archives is the definition of variety when it comes to secrets, enemies, pathways, and so much more. Traversing through it can be tough but given how massive and how awe-inspiring this area is, you’ll definitely enjoy every moment of it.
Sometimes the magic-casting scholars will frustrate you more than anything, especially when you’ve almost made it to the top and get sniped from across the map. The checkpoints are fair though, and design-wise, it’s still one of the most difficult places in Dark Souls 3. A lot of Souls Veterans consider the Grand Archives their favorite location overall just because of that.
8The Dreg Heap
The Dreg Heap is a desolate and crumbling realm, serving as a testament to the collapsing world of Dark Souls. The amalgamation of ruined cities forms a haunting landscape that represents the decaying nature of the game’s universe.
It’s filled with unique enemies and one of the best boss fights ever with The Demon Prince. Every corner has something of value, be it an item or a piece of lore, and despite the fact that it is not the major focus of the DLC, it certainly holds its own as one of the better locations of the game.
7Firelink Shrine
Firelink Shrine stands as a sanctuary amidst the desolation of Dark Souls 3, offering solace to players and serving as a central hub for the game. It’s where you’ll level up, upgrade your weapons, buy items, and talk to your fellow unkindled. It even holds secrets such as illusory walls and hidden interactions, so there’s always something to do here.
As you return to Firelink Shrine throughout your journey, its familiar warmth and mysterious allure become a comforting constant in the face of the ever-present dangers that await you in Dark Souls, which is why it’s a fan favorite.
6Kiln Of The First Flame
The Kiln of the First Flame is the final location of Dark Souls 3, the culmination of your arduous journey. It’s a callback to the first Kiln in Dark Souls where we fought Gwyn, and after ages of re-linking the fire, you now have the choice to decide the future.
Of course, standing in your way is theSoul of Cinder, who will probably be a tough enemy to conquer, but his fight offers you a proper catharsis to the Souls series. The malformed architecture and the fact that everything is covered in ash show just how sick the world is, and it is exactly that kind of level design that adds so much depth to Dark Souls.
5Untended Graves
Walking through Untended Graves feels like a fever dream. The eerie atmosphere, with its dimly lit tombstones and foreboding silence, creates an unsettling ambiance. You have already been here, but everything is dark, the enemies are tougher, and the boss at the end is the very first boss you fight in the game in his prime.
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At the end, you see a bizarro version of Firelink Shrine littered with Black Knights and secrets. Visiting this area provides possibly the best finale to the Souls series, which is why it’s such a fantastic location.
4Archdragon Peak
As an optional area tucked away within the expansive world of Dark Souls, Archdragon Peak offers you a captivating blend of breathtaking views, challenging enemies and bosses, and intriguing lore that expands on the narrative.
It also showcases the mastery of Dark Souls 3’s world-building and level design since it stands out but still feels like a place that is falling apart and dying as with every other area. The first time you reach Archdragon Peak will be like exploring an abandoned kingdom, and the ending fight with The Nameless King serves as a cherry on top of a brilliant location.
3Irithyll Of The Boreal Valley
Irithyll is a mesmerizing location that perfectly encapsulates the beauty and darkness of Dark Souls 3. The ethereal cityscape, shrouded in moonlit frost, can instill a sense of dread in you as you wander its intricate streets.
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The standout moment in Irithyll is the amazing boss fight against Pontiff Sulyvahn. The fight demands precision and quick reflexes as you engage in what can only be described as a deadly dance. Defeating him unlocks a path to Anor Londo, a nostalgic homage to the first game, and this alone makes Irithyll one of the best locations in the entire series.
2Lothric Castle
Lothric Castle is out of reach when you first start the game, requiring you to collect the cinders of every other lord and defeat the Dancer before you can finally enter. It’s extremely cathartic to do so as well with its amazing views and change in atmosphere. As you reach Lothric Castle, the sky turns red, and the sun is replaced with the Darksign representing the never-ending cycle of the flame.
Lothric Castle is home to many different types of enemies and features one of the best level designs in any FromSoftware game to date. It also has the most emotionally charged boss fight in the game withLothric and Lorian, which pretty much solidifies its position as the best location in the base game.
1The Ringed City
The final DLC and the ending of Dark Souls 3 lie in the Ringed City, and nothing comes close to how aesthetically pleasing this area is in comparison with everything you’ve seen so far. It’s an ornate and diverse city overlooking a huge lake that lies above the beautiful boss arena for Darkeater Midir. Secrets and lore come out of every corner, and you can miss major parts of the appeal if you don’t pay attention.
It’s home to the two best boss fights in the game, Midir and Slave Knight Gael, the latter being the final boss of the game. The emotions you get when you fight Gael at the edge of the world as two nobodies who happen to be the most powerful beings still alive are indescribable. It’s the perfect representation of FromSoftware pouring their heart and soul into creating the best location they could, accompanied by the finest ending possible.
