Too much fan pandering turned the game into something boring and unsurprising. FROM software is just repeating itself at that point. I had the same feeling watching the Force Awakens, a movie for fans but which doesn't bring anything new to the story.

Most people here never played Demon Souls. For those who did DS3 feels even more tired. There is basically nothing new, no innovation in the enemies or settings. It's a good game sure. But it's been done already. DS2 was questionable on the level design, and even in the visuals. However both the main game and the DLC tried to do something new, with environments that have some personality. DS 1 and 2 felt less "Dark fantasy" than DS3. I hope they tone down the whole "darkness" in the next installment.

I also hope they work on their NPC quests to give the player more meaningful and better written one. It's an aspect Dark Souls has always overlooked IMHO, the potential is just untapped. And for god sakes, fix the covenants! This is supposed to be the heart of the game.