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What order should you play the Dark Souls games?
- Dark Souls — or Dark Souls Remastered, its remastered edition.
- Dark Souls II — Scholar of the First Sin is the edition that bundles the game with its three DLCs.
- Dark Souls III — The Fire Fades Edition includes the base game and both DLC chapters.
This is release order for the three numbered games. FromSoftware’s company history places Dark Souls in 2011, Dark Souls II in 2014, and Dark Souls III in 2016; it lists Dark Souls Remastered separately in 2018. FromSoftware’s company history treats Remastered as a later version of the first game, not a fourth numbered entry.
Is playing in order necessary to understand the story?
Not according to the official information available: the publisher and developer pages establish the series and the games’ release and product details, but do not say that prior entries are required for basic comprehension. Release order is therefore a practical recommendation, not a confirmed rule about story chronology. Those pages also do not establish a definitive in-world timeline or explain every narrative connection, so a precise lore sequence should not be inferred from release dates alone.
Bandai Namco calls Dark Souls III “the final journey in the series” on its Dark Souls Trilogy product page. That is publisher product copy, not a detailed claim about how every event fits into the series’ lore.
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#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Which editions include the expansions?
| Game in the sequence | Edition | What the official product information says it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Souls | Dark Souls Remastered | Main game and Artorias of the Abyss. |
| Dark Souls II | Scholar of the First Sin | Dark Souls II and all three DLCs. |
| Dark Souls III | The Fire Fades Edition | Base game, Ashes of Ariandel, and The Ringed City. |
These contents are described by the official Dark Souls series product listings and Bandai Namco’s Trilogy page. Check the listing for your region and platform before buying, since availability and edition details can vary.
Can you get all three games together?
Bandai Namco’s Dark Souls Trilogy collection packages Dark Souls Remastered, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin, and Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades, with their associated DLC. Its product page lists a three-disc collection for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Confirm platform compatibility and current stock with the seller before purchase.
Rank #2
- Dark Souls: Remastered - Dark Souls Remastered contains the main game plus the Artorias of the Abyss DLC.
- Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin - The second installment of the series includes the base Dark Souls II game plus all three DLC: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King.
- Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades - The complete Dark Souls III experience includes the award-winning base game and both DLC chapters: Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City.
What are the release dates?
The official Japanese series lineup lists these dates, which may reflect that market: Dark Souls — September 22, 2011; Dark Souls II — March 13, 2014; Scholar of the First Sin — February 5, 2015; Dark Souls III — March 24, 2016; and Dark Souls Remastered — May 24, 2018. See the official Dark Souls series lineup.
FromSoftware’s 2020 series release likewise presents the three numbered titles in 2011, 2014, and 2016 release order, then lists Dark Souls Remastered as a 2018 release. The same release reported more than 27 million combined series sales and more than 10 million Dark Souls III sales at that time; these are historical publisher figures, not current totals. FromSoftware’s 2020 release.
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- Take on the role of the Herald, Pyromancer, or Warrior as you navigate the haunted ruins of The Sunless City. Your ultimate challenge?
- A brutal battle against the formidable Dragon Slayer Ornstein and the fearsome Executioner Smough.
- 1-3 players
- 100 minutes + play time
- Ages: 14+
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- Strategic Trick-Taking Gameplay: Master unique character abilities and special powers that let you change the trump suit, lead after losing tricks, and outwit your opponent with clever card play
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Rank #3
- 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
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