Easily
it's the closest to AAA protection value as a souls game
- vastly the superior graphics in the series
V
astly is hyperbolic/subjective- There are pros and cons to all the games. I am still wowed by some areas in DS1. The dragon area in DS2 is super impressive to me and Irithyll area in DS3 is awesome. BB has a very consistent quality, but being the same art style through out is a lot easier. Some see that as a plus I do not.
- the most polished and detailed levels/ares
Again subjective- Areas in DS3 especially are very detailed.
- the best animations by far(enemies and weapons)
Again subjective. I think DS1 still has some of the best animation.
- more composers and they don't come free
Is the music objectively better? Can't prove it.
- more fleshed out weapons and just few with endless clones with reused animations from previous games(cough DS3)
I have the biggest problem with this one. DS3 really upped the game here with the various L2 buffs/alternate attacks.
- longest development time(since 2012)
Duke Nukem forever must be the best game ever then.
seriously it feels like they poured more time and attention creating each weapon in BB than half of the weapons in the other games wish is something i appreciate.
the other games lack all of those especially Dark souls 3.
Dark souls3 by far probably has the lowest budget. I mean they even reused chalice dungeons and put them there for Christ sake :/
edit: oh and the UI was rushed I can't believe this even Dark souls 2 from 2014 had more polished and less rushed UI