Dark Souls guides are most useful when they tell you exactly which game and edition they cover. This page is a guide to choosing the right kind of walkthrough—not a single route through every version of Dark Souls. Look for guides focused on the question you have, whether that is where to go next, how to beat a boss, where to find an item, or how a build or mechanic works.
What a Dark Souls guide can help you with
“Guides and walkthroughs” can mean several different things. Identify the problem you are trying to solve, then choose a guide that addresses it directly.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Dark Souls Trilogy (PS4) | $38.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades Edition - PlayStation 4 | $21.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin - PlayStation 4 | $21.39 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Dark Souls Remastered - PlayStation 4 | $22.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Dark Souls Remastered (PS4) | $24.40 | Buy on Amazon |
- Route walkthrough: Follow an area-by-area path when you need to know where to go next or how locations connect.
- Boss guide: Find a focused strategy for a specific encounter, including its attacks, openings, and relevant preparation.
- Item guide: Locate a weapon, key, spell, upgrade material, or other item without reading a full walkthrough.
- Build guide: Compare equipment and character approaches for a particular play style. A build is a choice, not a requirement for completing the game.
- Mechanics guide: Check how a system works, such as equipment, magic, or stamina. Confirm that the guide matches your game version before relying on specific figures or behavior.
Check the game, edition, and platform
The category title alone does not specify which Dark Souls game or edition an article covers. Before following instructions, check the article’s stated game, edition, and—where relevant—platform and version. Controls and some mechanics or available content can differ, so a guide that omits this context may not fit your copy.
For Dark Souls: Remastered, Bandai Namco says the edition includes the main game plus the Artorias of the Abyss DLC, and lists PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. See Bandai Namco’s official Dark Souls: Remastered page for its edition and platform information. That publisher description establishes what Remastered includes; it does not mean that every guide covers the expansion or that one route or build suits every player.
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- DARK SOULS REMASTERED - Then, there was fire. Re-experience the genre-defining game that started it all. Return to Lordran in the beautifully remastered game in high definition, 60 fps with single-player or online multiplayer with dedicated servers. Includes the Artorias of the Abyss DLC.
- DARK SOULS II: SCHOLAR OF THE FIRST SIN - Prepare to Die again. The second installment of the series includes the base Dark Souls II plus all three DLCs: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King.
- DARK SOULS III: THE FIRE FADES - Now only embers remain… Dark Souls III is the final journey in the series where players can fight through intense combat solo or team up for in co-op or PvP multiplayer. Includes the award-winning game and both DLC chapters: Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City.
- ALL ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACKS - Visit the EP!C corner to download the music of the Dark Souls saga composed by Motoi Sakaraba and Yuka Kitamura. 110 tracks and more than 6 hours to listen and take back any Dark Souls fan to the intense boss fights and the best moments of their deadly journeys.
How to choose the right walkthrough
- State the exact question. Decide whether you need a route, boss strategy, item location, build, or explanation of a mechanic.
- Match the guide to your edition. Check whether it names the original game or Remastered, and whether it covers the base game, the expansion, or both.
- Check the relevant detail. For a route, look for area order and maps; for a boss, look for encounter-specific advice; for mechanics, look for version context.
- Use only the section you need. A focused answer can solve a blockage without spoiling unrelated areas or discoveries.
Printed Dark Souls strategy guide
For readers who prefer a physical reference, Future Press lists a 450-page Dark Souls Remastered Collector’s Edition Guide, released in May 2018 (ISBN 9783869930893). Its publisher page describes an expanded Lordran walkthrough, coverage of the Artorias of the Abyss areas, illustrated maps, boss strategies, a PvP chapter, and a lore chapter. These are the publisher’s stated contents, not an independent assessment of the book.
Future Press describes it in its product copy as: “A remastered classic deserves a remastered guide—this very special update to the official Dark Souls game guide brings everything there is to know about the world of Lordran together in one place.” The book is an optional reference; its listed contents do not establish that you need to buy it or that copies are currently available. Check the edition, format, and availability before purchasing. See the Future Press guide details.
Rank #2
- The Complete Dark Souls III Experience All on One Disc: Includes the award-winning base game, PLUS both complete DLC expansion chapters: Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City.
- Intense Combat Action: Challenging, genre-defining gameplay. Diversified combat action allows players to craft their own unique style.
- Team up for some jolly good cooperation or test your ability in PvP battle: All PvP maps unlocked and accessible. Improved online matchmaking functionality.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Blood and gore, violence
A Japanese-language official Dark Souls guidebook is also listed on the series’ Japanese goods page: it was published by KADOKAWA/Enterbrain in 2011 and has ISBN 978-4-04-727545-4. Its language and edition make it a less direct fit for readers seeking an English-language general guide. Check the official Japanese Dark Souls goods listing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Deep and Dark Universe: Delve into an epic dark fantasy universe stricken by decline and the Curse. Explore its intricate world design - full of hidden passages, dungeons and secrets - and uncover its deeply rooted lore.
- Each End is a New Beginning: Each playthrough surprises you with new challenges and unexpected facets of the game. Don’t bet on completing the game only once
- Gameplay Richness and Possibilities: Hundreds of unique combinations of weaponry, armor, magic and crafting options to create your own playstyle and gaming experience.
- Sense of Learning, Mastering and Accomplishment: From your first steps to mastery, build your character while refining your playing skills. Learn to strategize freely and experience the rewarding taste of overcoming daunting foes.
- The Way of the Multiplayer (up to 6 players with dedicated servers): Whatever your motivations are to play online – collaboration or confrontation, support or betrayal – you’ll find your true home among the nine covenants. Which allegiance will you choose?
Rank #4
- Delve into an epic dark fantasy universe stricken by decline and the Curse. Explore its intricate world design - full of hidden passages, dungeons and secrets - and uncover its deeply rooted lore
- Each playthrough surprises you with new challenges and unexpected facets of the game. Don't bet on completing the game only once
- Hundreds of unique combinations of weaponry, armor, magic and crafting options to create your own playstyle and gaming experience
- From your first steps to mastery, build your character while refining your playing skills. Learn to strategize freely and experience the rewarding taste of overcoming daunting foes
- Whatever your motivations are to play online - collaboration or confrontation, support or betrayal - you'll find your true home among the nine covenants. Which allegiance will you choose?
Rank #3
- All 3 DLC Pack Contents: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, Crown of the Ivory King
- Additional NPCs Added For Enhanced Story Experience To Assist Guiding Players Through Level
- Parameter Setting Adjustments for Improved Balance
- Augmented Item Descriptions
- Increase in Maximum Online Players
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
