Research evidenceResearch evidence — scores and sourced research

Scored entertainment-first on WhatSphere's content-balance model 2

Its director stated on the record that "something beautiful needs something depraved or tragic to embolden that beauty, I prefer players to interpret the story for themselves, as they get more value…" 1. Taken together, the content-balance model places it entertainment-first at 3 of 100 2.

The receipts — every claim above is sourced
  1. 1
    Creator statementdirector: "Something beautiful needs something depraved or tragic to embolden that beauty. I prefer players to interpret the story for themselves, as they get more value from it when they find out hints of plot…"PC Gamer / Geek Culture interview source ↗
  2. 2
    Content balanceAdvocacy 3 of 100, tier entertainment-first.WhatSphere content-balance model, score_version 1

WhatSphere presents the sourced record; it does not cast the judgement. Every statement above is drawn from a stored, sourced row — shown beside it — and nothing is asserted beyond what those receipts support.

Verified May 31, 2026Scores accuracy-checked against current data.Think a score is wrong? Submit a correction.

Synopsis

Dark Souls III is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released in March 2016, it is the fourth entry in the Souls series and the final instalment in the Dark Souls trilogy. Set in the decaying kingdom of Lothric, players take on the role of the "Ashen One," an undead warrior tasked with rekindling the First Flame to prevent the world from falling into darkness. The game features challenging combat, intricate level design, and a deep, lore-rich narrative.

Young MaleYoung FemaleMature MaleMature Female
Primary audienceOlder Men
Targeted

Quadrant Scores

Young Men
79
Young Women
0
Older Men
100
Older Women
21
Advocacy3
Entertainment

Audience Representation

LGBTQ+
0
Score version: v1Data confidence: 85%How are scores calculated?

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Advocacy Over Time in Adventure

The average advocacy score of Adventure titles by release year, with this title marked. Higher is more advocacy-driven.

25507519522026
Average advocacy score of Adventure titles by release year
YearAverage advocacyTitles
195202
195942
196002
196313
196603
196832
197214
197312
197515
197802
197902
198102
198204
198313
198418
198502
198603
198704
198802
198915
199003
199122
199202
199303
199414
199524
199603
199719
199804
199909
200019
200138
2002110
200338
2004311
2005111
2006111
2007112
200817
200938
2010410
2011210
201266
2013312
2014411
2015612
2016612
2017613
2018523
20191027
2020719
2021833
20221127
20231131
2024735
2025123
2026912
This title (2016)31

This title (2016): advocacy 3 · explore Adventure

Cast & Crew

FromSoftware (game director)