The story in most FromSoftware games is notoriously difficult for fans to understand. While an introductory and ending cutscene bookend every FromSoftware action-RPG, that's pretty much all the direct storytelling there is. To learn anything substantial about the game's characters, world, or overall narrative, players must pore over item descriptions, dialogue, and environmental details to piece together a FromSoftware story. This is especially true for Dark Souls trilogy.
While Elden Ring AND Blood-borne they are autonomous adventures, the Dark Souls trilogy has an added layer of dullness, with all of its entries being technically connected. It took fans years to try to find concrete connections between Dark Souls 1, 2AND 3stories of . That said, some connections are a little more obvious than others, such as Dark Souls 3the self-referential positions of.
Anor Londo is a direct recreation of 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 of the other locations in Dark Souls 3 that seem to pay homage to the first chapter of the series, Anor Londo is almost an exact replica of its original version, and even bears the same name. While the approach to the castle is slightly different in Dark Souls 3The castle itself is nearly identical, with its long staircase and intimidating visage looming over the player. Instead of the beloved boss duo Smough and Ornstein, Dark Souls 3The halls of the castle are home to Aldrich, the Devourer of Gods, who has seemingly consumed Dark Souls 1The Dark Sun of Gwyndolin.
More Dark Souls 3 locations that appear to reference DS1
Fire Sanctuary
While Dark Souls 3 has its own version of Firelink Shrine, the first iteration of the game can be found in DS3Ringed City DLC. After descending into the hole to confront the Demon Prince, players will be able to notice a familiar stone structure behind them next to the bonfire. This stone door and wall are meant to mimic the passageway leading to Frampt in the first game's version of Firelink Shrine. After defeating the Demon Prince, players will be able to spot other similarities, such as a circular centerpiece, some surrounding stone walls, and a well.
The Painted World of Ariandel
Another clear reference to the first Dark Souls can be found in Dark Souls 3DLC Ashes of Ariandel. In this DLC, players head to the Painted World of Ariandel, which is a rather explicit reference to DS1Painted World of Ariamis, an optional area found in Anor Londo. While the layouts of the Painted Worlds are quite different, they both feature a similar long wooden bridge, and the Crossbreed Priscilla boss arena is found in DS3The painted world of Ariandel.
Smoking lake
Delving a little deeper into the territory of speculation, Dark Souls 3The smoking lake of 's is believed to be a reference to Dark Souls 1's Lost Izalith. Some of the clearest references appear in the Demon Ruins area of Smoudlering Lake, where Goat and Taurus Petrified Demons can be found littering the ground. A petrified spider can also be found next to Quelana's Pyromancy Tome, implying that this deceased spider is her.
Furnace of the First Flame
The final position in Dark Souls 3 has the same name as the final location of the first chapter of the trilogy. Although the locations seem quite different from each other, their purpose in the game and the lore behind them are the same, with players having to defeat a powerful boss to advance the Age of Fire or let it die.
