Dark Souls 3 PC Crash Temporary Fixes Discovered

A Dark Souls 3 player on PC has detailed a temporary workaround for a bug that is causing crashes at the very start of the game. Posting on Steam, user Elioden Ward explained the issue is being caused by a bug in the lighting.

"There aren't really any details but if your 'Lighting' settings are set above LOW you have a chance to crash when approaching a bonfire," the post explained. "Therefore, the fix is (most of the time) as simple as swapping your Lighting option (in advanced options) to LOW."

For those that aren't willing to drop their lighting settings down to low, wearing a helmet also helps. Since equipment is limited at the start, the easiest way to acquire a helmet is to pick the Knight class.

"Apparently, if you wear a full helmet (a helmet that completely conceals your character's face/hair) you won't crash when approaching bonfires, even with your Lighting setting on MEDIUM, HIGH, or MAX," the post adds.

Following the launch of Dark Souls 3 on April 12, numerous players reported issues with crashing at the very first bonfire. The bug has been brought to publisher Bandai Namco's attention and a more permanent fix is reportedly in the works.

GameSpot's Dark Souls III review awarded the sequel 8/10.

"There are several possible endings to Dark Souls III, 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."