GamesRPGDark Souls 3There’s finally a demo for the Dark Souls 3 mod that transforms the whole game into a bizarro fan sequel to the seriesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

GamesRPGDark Souls 3There’s finally a demo for the Dark Souls 3 mod that transforms the whole game into a bizarro fan sequel to the seriesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

Desert Sorceress standing before mountain temple

Dark Souls: Archthronesfeels like a Souls series romhack, mashing up disparate parts ofFromSoftware’s body of work in a custom campaign for Dark Souls 3. This is one for the fans, full of clever winks and references to other games in the series, but as one of those fans myself, I sure do not mind being pandered to.

From the jump, Archthrones' opening level is a condensed homage to Demon’s Souls, featuring the same stinky potato boy Vanguard boss⁠—new school fans will recognize his moveset and animations from the Asylum Demon in Dark Souls and Erdtree Sentinels of Elden Ring. I thought I was a shoo-in for a first try victory against this clear “supposed to lose” boss, but at half health he whipped out a new funky moveset ripped straight out of Bloodborne’s Old Hunters DLC, and I was put in my place.

And the quality of craft here is worthy of praise too: in addition to chopped and screwed assets straight out of FromSoft’s catalogue, the custom model work on display is excellent. One of the starting classes, the Duelist, comes with this elegant plate armor and half cape that would make for a great end game set, and it was fully bespoke for this mod.

Installation’s a cinch: just drop the demo files into your Dark Souls 3 install and run the game. After a first time setup, running Dark Souls 3 will take you straight into Archthrones, which has its own saves and online server to keep you safe from DS3’s anticheat. At the time of writing, I’ve had more luck playing Archthrones offline, but the fact that it has mainline Souls asymmetrical multiplayer ambitions at all is commendable.

For uninstalling and playing the original game, you’ll likely want to fully reinstall Dark Souls 3 just to make sure everything’s fully clear on the saves/anticheat front. Archthrones does not currently have a set release date, and you can check out the demo for yourself over onNexusMods.

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Image1of5(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

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(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

Night sky nebula visible in cathedral interior over giant knight

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

Knight approaching ethereal dancer standing before cliff

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

Knight walking on bridge looking up toward windmill

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

Knight approaching bell in tower over desert

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

(Image credit: FromSoftware, Archthrones Team)

Desert Sorceress standing before mountain temple

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