Dark Souls 3's First DLC Details and Release Date Revealed

The first Dark Souls 3 DLC expansion will launch on October 25 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC, publisher Bandai Namco has announced. The expansion is called "Ashes of Ariandel" and will give players the opportunity to travel to a brand new area to "uncover a terrible secret."

As is normal for the series, the DLC's plot isn't explicitly revealed. All we know is that players will journey into "frozen land of Ariandel," where they'll have to "defeat the evil within" and uncover the mystery of what destroyed the region. You'll probably take on some new bosses and die a lot, too.

"Players will find themselves steeped in a brand new environment filled with terrifying new enemies, challenges, and exciting lore to expand the overarching Dark Souls 3 storyline," Bandai Namco explains.

Screenshots for the DLC have been released (below) and, interestingly, there seem to be a number of allusions to the first Dark Souls' Painted World of Ariamis in them. On top of being a snowy environment, like the Painted World, Ariandel will have an enemy similar to the Crow Demon. There's also concept art for an NPC character called "Painter."

Priscilla, the part-dragon crossbreed that ruled over the Painted World, wasn't featured in Dark Souls 3, but her lineage is represented in the game. Fans have speculated that she may be connected to a character called Yorshka, who looks strikingly similar to Priscilla. Ashes of Ariandel could explore this connection, but this is all speculation on our part.

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The Ashes of Ariandel expansion will also include "new weapons, armor sets, and magic for players to discover and experiment with."

Ashes of Ariandel is the first of two DLC expansions planned for Dark Souls III and costs $15 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. You can also pick up the game's season pass for $25. The second expansion is expected in early 2017. Dark Souls 3 is currently discounted on Steam for $40 until Friday, August 26, at 10 AM.

Dark Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki has confirmed From Software has started development on a new property, and the studio has no intention of following Dark Souls 3 up with another sequel.

"There's absolutely no plan right now for any sequels, spin-offs, or tie-ins," he said. "But I can’t say for certain the possibility is 0% ... What is certain for now is, to me personally Dark Souls is over. So rather than make another sequel, I think it's time we take a step to a new direction."

Dark Souls 3 launched in the west on April 12 to mostly positive reviews. GameSpot's Dark Souls 3 review awarded the sequel 8/10.

"There are several possible endings to Dark Souls 3, and although most are anticlimactic, they drive home the loneliness of the paths we took," reviewer Mike Mahardy said.

"The old lords have abandoned their posts, and in the hunt to usurp them, we descend into those dark valleys, and climb those imposing peaks. This is the essence of Dark Souls III: periods of doubt, followed by great reward. The journey may be rocky, but there's a throne waiting at the end."