Dark Souls: Archthrones Is The Dark Souls We've Been Waiting For

1 day ago 18

Published Mar 8, 2026, 2:01 PM EDT

Known as 'Cyberpunk 2077's' biggest fan, Angharad is a Welsh games writer who thrives in anything related to digital storytelling. If a video game explores the intricacies and horrors of womanhood, she is there.

Thanks to previous work at GAMINGbible, GameByte, The Loadout, Game Luster, Angharad has built a strong understanding of both the digital world and what fans want from it and is eager to share her thoughts and expertise with readers.

With the Dark Souls franchise left in the dust following the release and award-winning success of Elden Ring, fans of the original trilogy are eager to see its story continue. However, with FromSoftware announcing no plans for a potential Dark Souls 4 or even anymore DLC, it has been up to fans to keep the fire lit. Since its launch back in 2011, Dark Souls has become a cornerstone of the gaming world, and now, for the game's 15th anniversary, this expansive mod is set to bring it back to the foreground with a bang.

Who Needs Dark Souls 4? Archthrones Is Incredible

Dark Souls cover image knight and kingdom in background-3

Developed by a mere team of nine, Dark Souls: Archthrones offers fans a brand-new story set before the events of Dark Souls III. You will take on the role of The Emissary of Embers, the Fire Keeper's Champion whose job it is to hunt down the Gods of yore. By collecting their souls, you will be able to link the fire. This is your purpose.

Offering a comprehensive overhaul, Archthrones includes its own lore, enemies, bosses, armor, weapons, and spells, and is constructed by taking inspiration from the levels seen in Demon's Souls. Thanks to an original level design and brand-new NPC questlines, players will be able to embark on the varied worlds, all whilst experiencing reimaginings of some of the most memorable locations and characters in the Dark Souls trilogy.

Experience a world where you, The Emissary, must hunt down the Gods of yore. Pulling from every single game in the series and including mechanics and animations from other accomplished Fromsoft games, the team has also worked on highly memorable boss battles and complex combat encounters.

If You Love Dark Souls, You Can't Miss This

Dark Souls enemy with lightning staff from DS3

Put simply, this is a mod that all Dark Souls fans need to play. Not only does it pay tribute to the original trilogy, but you can also expect heaps of brand-new content, including five memorable worlds which "draw inspiration from the FromSoftware mythos", 17 brand-new bosses and epic battles, entirely new armor sets, fully-voiced NPCs and new side quests, new combat mechanics, and much like Elden Ring, non-linear progression.

Dark Souls: Archthrones may be unofficial, but it is a fully-fledged game in its own right, and better yet, it is completely free to download on its official website. So, if you are a Dark Souls fan, and have been eager for brand-new content, this is the perfect way to experience the world in all of its punishing glory whilst we wait, and pray, for Dark Souls 4.