The story in most FromSoftware games is notoriously difficult for fans to wrap their heads around. While the opening and closing cutscenes end every FromSoftware action RPG, that's about all the direct storytelling that's present. To learn anything of substance about the game's characters, world, or overarching narrative, players must sift through item descriptions, dialogue, and environmental details to piece together FromSoftware's story. This is especially true for Dark souls trilogy.
While Elden Ring and Bloody are separate adventures, Dark souls the trilogy has an extra layer of obtuseness, with all of its entries technically connected. It took years for fans to try to find a concrete connection between the two Dark Souls 1, 2and 3user stories. That being said, some connections are a bit more obvious than others, such as Dark Souls 3self-referential places.
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 3is Anor Londo. Unlike some other places in Dark Souls 3 Anor Londo, which seems to pay homage to the first entry in the series, is an almost 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 almost identical, with its long staircase and intimidating appearance towering over the player. Rather than the beloved boss duo of Smough and Ornstein, Dark Souls 3The castle halls are home to Aldrich, the Eater of Gods, who has seemingly devoured Dark Souls 1Dark Sun of Gwyndolin.
More Dark Souls 3 locations that seem to refer to DS1
Firelink Shrine
While Dark Souls 3 has its own version of Firelink Shrine, an iteration of the first game can be found in DS3Ringed City DLC. After falling into the pit and facing off against the Demon Prince, players will be able to spot a familiar stone structure behind them next to the fire. This stone door and wall is meant to mimic the corridor that leads to Frampt in the first game's version of the Firelink Shrine. After defeating the Demon Prince, players will be able to notice more similarities, such as the circular center, 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 's Ashes of Ariandel. In this DLC, players head to the Painted World of Ariandel, which is a pretty clear reference DS1's Painted World of Ariamis, an optional area that can be found in Anor Londo. Although the layouts of the Painted Worlds are completely different, both have a similar long wooden bridge, and Priscilla's hybrid boss arena can be found in DS3The painted world of Ariandel.
A smoldering lake
Let's get a little more into speculative territory, Dark Souls 3Smoldering Lake is considered a reference Dark Souls 1's Lost Izalith. Some of the clearest references appear in the Demon Ruins area of Smoudlering Lake, where petrified demons Capra and Taurus can be found littering the ground. A petrified spider can also be found next to Quelan's pyromancy bundle, suggesting that this deceased spider is her.
Kiln of the First Flame
Final position in Dark Souls 3 it bears the same name as the final location in the first entry of the trilogy. Although the locations look quite different from each other, their gameplay purpose and lore behind them are the same, with players needing to defeat a powerful boss to keep Age of Fire going or let it die.
