How Long Does it Take to Beat Dark Souls 3?

November 9, 2021 - 2 min read

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Dark Souls 3 is known for being immensely challenging, and its gameplay and combat can easily make you pour hours into the game. However, knowing how long it takes to beat Dark Souls 3 depends on various things.

How Long Does It Take to Beat Dark Souls 3?

Depending on your skill level, it can either take you days or just mere hours to beat the game. In fact, Dark Souls 3, and many other Souls-like games that have come before and after it, are popular choices among the speedrunning community.

As of writing, the world record for the fastest time to beat Dark Souls 3 is 32 minutes, which is incredibly impressive if you consider how long it normally takes for the vast majority of players to beat the game.

Average time (Completing the Game with Minimal Side Quests)

If played casually, while only performing quests for NPCs that won’t make you divert too far off from the main progression, it should take you about 35 to 40 hours to fully beat Dark Souls 3.

100% Playthrough

If you’re the type of player who prefers to discover everything a game has to offer, then you’re going to be spending way beyond the average 35 to 40 hours it usually takes for most to beat the game.

To complete the game while considering every single side mission for various NPCs, collectibles, and the countless secrets hidden in this game, you will need to set aside about 90 to 100 hours to beat Dark Souls 3. This should allow you to earn every trophy or achievement for the game and get a 100% status for the game.

How Long to Beat The DLCs for Dark Souls 3

Dark Souls 3 comes with two DLCs. The Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City. Both are not too lengthy, but they’re packed with enough content and very challenging bosses that you can also end up spending several more hours into the DLCs alone.

On average, it should take you about 4 to 5 hours to beat Ashes of Ariandel.

For The Ringed City DLC, most players can complete the entire side content in about 8 to 10 hours.

How Long to Beat Dark Souls 3: Fire Fades Edition

Fire Fades edition of Dark Souls 3 cover.

There’s an edition of Dark Souls 3 that already includes both Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City DLCs called the Fire Fades Edition. That said, if the main focus is to simply complete the DLCs and the main game without considering side quests and collectibles, it should take you about 50 to 55 hours to complete the whole thing.

If you want to take it a step further and earn 100% for the Fire Fades Edition, expect to complete everything in about 115 to 120 hours.