The story of most FromSoftware games is notoriously difficult for fans to understand. While every FromSoftware action RPG is bookended by an introductory and closing cutscene, that's about all the direct narrative there is. To find out anything substantial about the characters, the world, or the game's overarching narrative, players must sift through item descriptions, dialogue, and environmental details to piece together a FromSoftware story. This is especially true of the Dark Souls Trilogy.
While Elden Ring And Blood transfused are self-contained adventures that Dark Souls The trilogy has an additional level of obtuseness because all entries are technically connected. It has taken fans years to find concrete connections between Dark Souls 1, 2And 3stories. However, some connections are a little more obvious than others, such as Dark Souls 3's self-referential locations.
Anor Londo is a direct replica in Dark Souls 3
By far the most obvious reference to the first game in the trilogy is Dark Souls 3's Anor Londo. Unlike some other places in Dark Souls 3 which seem to be a tribute to the first entry in the series, Anor Londo is almost an exact copy of the original version and even bears the same name. While access to the castle in Dark Souls 3the castle itself is almost identical, with its long staircase and intimidating face looming over the player. Instead of the popular duo boss Smough and Ornstein, Dark Souls 3The castle halls are the home of Aldrich, the Devourer of the Gods, who seems to Dark Souls 1s Dark Sun Gwyndolin.
Other places in Dark Souls 3 that seem to reference DS1
Firelink Shrine
While Dark Souls 3 has its own version of Firelink Shrine, the iteration of the first game can be found in DS3's Ringed City DLC. After jumping into the hole to face off against the Demon Prince, players can notice a familiar stone structure behind them next to the campfire. This stone door and wall are meant to mimic the passageway that leads to Frampt in the first game version of Firelink Shrine. After defeating the Demon Prince, players can notice more similarities, such as a circular centerpiece, some surrounding stone walls, and a well.
Painted world of Ariandel
Another clear indication of the first Dark Souls can be found in Dark Souls 3's Ashes of Ariandel DLC. In this DLC, players will enter the Painted World of Ariandel, which is a pretty obvious reference to DS1's Painted World of Ariamis, an optional area found in Anor Londo. Although the layouts of the Painted Worlds are quite different, both feature a similar long wooden bridge, and Crossbreed Priscilla's boss arena is located in DS3's Painted World of Ariandel.
Smoldering Lake
To get a little more into the realm of speculation, Dark Souls 3s Smoldering Lake is considered a reference to Dark Souls 1's Lost Izalith. Some of the clearest clues can be found in the demon ruins of Smoudlering Lake, where petrified Capra and Taurus demons litter the ground. A petrified spider is also found next to Quelana's Pyromancy book, suggesting that this dead spider is herself.
Kiln of the first flame
The final location in Dark Souls 3 has the same name as the final location in the first part of the trilogy. Although the locations look very different, their purpose in the game and the story behind them are the same: players must defeat a powerful boss to either keep the Age of Fire alive or let it die.
