
Message writing can be a little fiddly at first, largely because you're expected to assemble your missives from a list pre-defined words and phrases. From this 'Message' sub-menu, you're able to write new messages, check the ratings of your previous messages, and peruse the messages that you've read most recently in the world. To write a message, simply open the in-game menu (featuring your equipment and inventory screens), and select the fourth option.

In Dark Souls III, however, the process has been streamlined considerably. In the first Dark Souls game, leaving messages required the use of a special item. It might not sound like much, but that health boost can be invaluable in sticky situations there's nothing quite like winning a last minute reprieve from death as you near the end of a gruelling boss encounter!

As such, if a message proves useful on your travels, always consider rating it for the benefit of the players behind you.Īdditionally, whenever a message is rated as either 'Good' or 'Poor', its creator will receive a health top-up provided that they're online at the time. This won't always be the case, of course (some people are just mean), but the rating system is still a great way to filter the helpful advice from the bad. As such, following these message will usually help you avoid danger and perhaps even earn rewards.

This rating system is beneficial for two reasons firstly, messages with a high number of 'Good' ratings generally contain information considered valuable by the Dark Souls community. Once you open a message and its contents are revealed, you're able to rate it as either 'Good' or 'Poor'. But how can you separate the useful messages from those left with malicious intent? These messages form the backbone of Dark Souls III's online experience, offering contextual advice on overcoming the dangers around you, revealing valuable secrets and, on occasion, even attempting to confound you with trickery and misdirection. To revel in their words of wisdom, simply stand over the orange signs and hit the interact button. These, as you'll no doubt quickly realise, are message left by other players in their own game worlds. Start a game of Dark Souls III and, provided that you're connected to a server, you'll almost immediately spot the strange orange scribbles strewn across the landscape.
