I agree with the DS3 take. I like it more than DS2 just because DS2 feels so clunky in how it plays but the vibes feel much better.

DS3 is pretty underwhelming when compared to the other games given they each do something unique.
That said, gundyr champion, nameless king, sister friede, and Gael are all unreal fights and might be worth playing through everything just to get to imo