Demon's Souls

 PlayStation 3
  • Publisher: Atlus
  • Release Date: Oct 6, 2009
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2033 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,772 out of 2033
  2. Mixed: 135 out of 2033
  3. Negative: 126 out of 2033
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  1. Mohammad22
    Feb 20, 2012
    10
    Demon Souls is the BEST RPG game ever!, its really underrated too, i mean how can an AMAZING game like this get a 7 or 8 while other **** games like Skyirm get 8 and 9, believe me.. you MUST buy this game.. Its really fun, the story is also AMAZING! You will really like this game, I highly recommend this game to everyone with a PS3
  2. e_x_p
    Feb 18, 2012
    10
    Demon's Souls is a true innovative game. Where death normally seems formidable, DS has a new kind of definition: death builds up experience. The more you die, the better you will learn to survive. The no-saving open world is also a very original concept in a single-player game. Just like an MMORPG, DS brings in online multiplayer in surprising ways such as changing difficulties, clues leftDemon's Souls is a true innovative game. Where death normally seems formidable, DS has a new kind of definition: death builds up experience. The more you die, the better you will learn to survive. The no-saving open world is also a very original concept in a single-player game. Just like an MMORPG, DS brings in online multiplayer in surprising ways such as changing difficulties, clues left by other players and invading others' worlds. Overall, my only complaint is the lack of items : this may be why it's fun though without looting weapons and armors everywhere and stick to a limited supply for better experience.… Expand
  3. zkjarrah
    Feb 15, 2012
    9
    So, you'll die a lot in this game. You'll be really challenged, maybe even frustrated and there is not much of a story to speak of. But... if you are looking for something gratifying and a real sense of accomplishment, this is singularly alone, barring the spiritual successor to this game, Dark Souls. Demon's Souls will not hold your hand, in fact it will throw you to the wolves... A LOT.So, you'll die a lot in this game. You'll be really challenged, maybe even frustrated and there is not much of a story to speak of. But... if you are looking for something gratifying and a real sense of accomplishment, this is singularly alone, barring the spiritual successor to this game, Dark Souls. Demon's Souls will not hold your hand, in fact it will throw you to the wolves... A LOT. And unlike a lot of other modern games pretending that your previous death didn't happen and sending you back only a few minutes earlier to to your previous auto-save, death is a big part of the game and it matters if you die, the game doesn't pretend you didn't die, Demon's Souls wants you to learn from your mistake by sending you back to the beginning of the level. The sense of accomplishing something difficult is the crux of this game, and if that is something you're interested in and you've overlooked this game, get this game now; there are very few games out there as good and gratifying as Demon's Souls.… Expand
  4. snowsnows85
    Feb 12, 2012
    8
    Demon's Souls is extremely difficult with a load of frustration of failing. You will die several times until you get the hang of what you can conquer and when to retreat. A fun and very challenging game with a very unique story line.
  5. Shred
    Feb 7, 2012
    10
    Demon's souls is the best game I have played on the PS3 yet, in February 2012. The 3rd person gameplay with accurate controls, the simple yet effective user interface, lots of items and gear with upgrading possibilities, stat bonus/resistance system and the true RPG way of allowing you to build your character in any way you want make this game truly a joy to play. Truly a MUST BUY.
  6. LordSeferoth
    Dec 30, 2011
    1
    I cant really explain this. I love Dark Souls, it has become my favourite game of all time, but still i hate, hate and hate Demon's Souls. Its easier then Dark Souls, but its maddeningly frustrating and cheap. Demon's Souls is one of the most over-rated games of all time. Skip this one and buy the sequel.
  7. coldcalculated
    Dec 11, 2011
    7
    Let me start off by saying someone put the difficulty setting to hope crushing. This game is so agonizingly hard it almost makes you want to stop playing altogether. But the once you get the hang of the game, its kinda fun. My only issue is it is a very linear game, with no plot whatsoever, and you basically play it over and over and over. Nothing changes except the difficulty. It gets toLet me start off by saying someone put the difficulty setting to hope crushing. This game is so agonizingly hard it almost makes you want to stop playing altogether. But the once you get the hang of the game, its kinda fun. My only issue is it is a very linear game, with no plot whatsoever, and you basically play it over and over and over. Nothing changes except the difficulty. It gets to the point where if you make even the smallest mistake, you die. Nevertheless the game is really great and if you want a challenge, look no further.… Expand
  8. soprano
    Dec 7, 2011
    10
    Demon's Souls alone would be a good reason to buy a PS3. Even if there weren't others. It's not difficult, it just rewards patience and learning. Start your journey, you'll never forget it.
  9. Novelty987
    Dec 6, 2011
    9
    This game took me a while to get into. The combat seemed strange at first. Even took me a while to appreciate the graphics. I gave this game special treatment and decided to commit myself and play through this game to see what all the hype was about. Boy am I thankful I did. While playing this game I finally understood why every one loves the combat in this game. The combat hasThis game took me a while to get into. The combat seemed strange at first. Even took me a while to appreciate the graphics. I gave this game special treatment and decided to commit myself and play through this game to see what all the hype was about. Boy am I thankful I did. While playing this game I finally understood why every one loves the combat in this game. The combat has weight! You truly feel in control of your character, and must very intently involve yourself in the combat. If you are killed, it is because you were not paying attention, or simply got too excited, or maybe your gear is not up to par. No need for a story here. You are given a glimpse of what the story is about but even that quickly fades away as you create your own story while you battle monsters and demons in a far away place. It is easy for me to simply play for hours and feel that I am in that 'far away' place. The graphics did have to grow on me but i soon came to appreciate those as well. 9-10… Expand
  10. DBZ19
    Nov 25, 2011
    6
    I'm unsure about this game. The general consensus was that this game is difficult beyond reason and i'd agree. If you actually thought about it you don't do much you move forward, when you encounter an enemy you block then wait for an opening then attack, easy right? and it is there isn't any puzzles either. What really does get to me is we have now moved on from then ancient ways of dyingI'm unsure about this game. The general consensus was that this game is difficult beyond reason and i'd agree. If you actually thought about it you don't do much you move forward, when you encounter an enemy you block then wait for an opening then attack, easy right? and it is there isn't any puzzles either. What really does get to me is we have now moved on from then ancient ways of dying and starting from the beginning and even then you'd get check points and life, but in this you don't. I'm up for a challenge but come on your telling me i'n not allowed to even pause this game, RUBBISH.
    I'm a 27 year old male, who works full time and i have two young sons. So when i get in i spend some time with them and then (because if you don't she'll start moaning) i spend some time with the missus. When i'm finished my "duties" then i get a bit of gaming in, which may i add is around 9pm. so when i switch my PS3 on i want to play something thats going to help me escape the stresses of, DEMON'S SOULS will not. I'm already frustrated so i don't need that from a video game. For me this game is for people who doesn't have the responsibilities i have and can pour countless hours into it. When i play a video game i want to feel like i'm progressing, if i don't feel like that whats the point.

    well i gave this game a 6 because even with all its faults i still enjoyed the experience upto my current position. If i'm honest i won't complete it purely because i have other games that will reward me for progressing and and sticking to it.    … Expand
  11. AnthonyPalomo
    Nov 17, 2011
    10
    You are going to suffer in this game. Begging the monsters to give you a break while you roll away trying to reach safely. You'll curse and throw your controller at the screen too! But once you beat the game all your suffering and despair will be lifted. For the first time in your life you will feel like you actually accomplished something. Your teachers at school who said you'd neverYou are going to suffer in this game. Begging the monsters to give you a break while you roll away trying to reach safely. You'll curse and throw your controller at the screen too! But once you beat the game all your suffering and despair will be lifted. For the first time in your life you will feel like you actually accomplished something. Your teachers at school who said you'd never amount to anything will be red faced when you tell them you finished this game. This ain't your mom's dungeon crawler.… Expand
  12. TCHeaven
    Nov 17, 2011
    9
    Right out of the gate I'm going to tell you that you should buy demon's souls, it is a great game if one known for its difficulty, everything this game does is as solid as it could be whilst you WILL die alot when playing it the deaths are never frustrating and you never feel cheated by a mechanic. The note leaving world invading system that is Online play in demons souls is as good as ifRight out of the gate I'm going to tell you that you should buy demon's souls, it is a great game if one known for its difficulty, everything this game does is as solid as it could be whilst you WILL die alot when playing it the deaths are never frustrating and you never feel cheated by a mechanic. The note leaving world invading system that is Online play in demons souls is as good as if playing offline and the defferent environments ingame are as atmospheric and well realised as a gamer could wish for with new game + replayability on offer and addictively rewarding combat with the different enemies you encounter demon's souls is surely a great game. The only dowsides I can find here is the need to grind for some of the rarer ingame items which is, well a grind to be honest.… Expand
  13. Anton9090
    Nov 15, 2011
    10
    Truly an amazing experience that fans of rpg games and action games will love. In fact this is a game I recommend every one to try. Its deep with a long adventure tons of story not to mention the amazing on-line system that makes this simple looking game turn in to a MMO. Seriously you will feel that this game is a MMO after you start playing it on-line. It really takes the experience to aTruly an amazing experience that fans of rpg games and action games will love. In fact this is a game I recommend every one to try. Its deep with a long adventure tons of story not to mention the amazing on-line system that makes this simple looking game turn in to a MMO. Seriously you will feel that this game is a MMO after you start playing it on-line. It really takes the experience to a whole new level. I HIGHLY recommend this game to every one. If i could give this game a 11 I would.… Expand
  14. the_KENJI_way
    Nov 14, 2011
    9
    first, i write this after playing dark souls, if not, my score will be of 10. i bought this game 2 years ago because i heard about his difficult and because i love action rpg games, when i playend i was very surprised, i bought this game only for culture and i finished playing it for hundred of hours. the game system is very simple but awesome hard to control perfectly, the worlds and thefirst, i write this after playing dark souls, if not, my score will be of 10. i bought this game 2 years ago because i heard about his difficult and because i love action rpg games, when i playend i was very surprised, i bought this game only for culture and i finished playing it for hundred of hours. the game system is very simple but awesome hard to control perfectly, the worlds and the bosses, i love everyone of them and when you think that finally you finish it, you start the DS+, and you keep playing.... AWESOME GAME. sorry for my english and thanks.… Expand
  15. funkydoodycool
    Nov 13, 2011
    9
    I bought this game way back when, drawn in by the promise of a harder-than-normal experience to remind me of the punishment I used to put myself through back in the mid-to-late 80, before games started to hold your hand and show you what to do. I was not prepared for this!

    After attempting the first level several times over, I am sad to say I gave up, and went back to other, lighter    I bought this game way back when, drawn in by the promise of a harder-than-normal experience to remind me of the punishment I used to put myself through back in the mid-to-late 80, before games started to hold your hand and show you what to do. I was not prepared for this!

    After attempting the first level several times over, I am sad to say I gave up, and went back to other, lighter experiences. Then Dark Souls came out - I was hooked, and decided before I progressed too far into that game I'd give Demon's Souls another go and what do you know - I'm now hooked on that!

    The first area acts as a tutorial of sorts (not that it prepares you for the challenge ahead), then you die for the first time of many. Dumped in The Nexus, a hub world from which you can access the other worlds, you must move on and seek out... Demon's souls.

    Level one finally completed, you are now able to use said souls to level up your character in typical RPG fashion. The only problem is every time you die you lose all the juicy souls you just spend hours collecting. You can get them back if you can make it back to the place of your death, but if you die on the way there, you leave a new bloodstain that wipes out the previous one.

    Having finally, after a couple of days of dying, defeated the first boss, I went to move on to the next area beyond him. It was then that I realised I'd spent so long, and died so frequently, in the first area, that a map of it had been burned to my mind, and this new area was all the more alien and foreboding for it.

    I can't really put in words (as you've probably noticed) just why this game is so great. But it is. The way I'm going, this game is likely to last a number of years!    … Expand
  16. Atlas777
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    A real challenge. Very dark fantasy setting. Refreshing to not have your hand held the whole time while playing. So many possibilities to explore, hidden secrets everywhere from items to npc interactions. Just beat dark souls and thought I would try demons souls again for a comparison, still loving it, cant wait for the next 'souls' game.
  17. Crext
    Nov 7, 2011
    10
    This game is great in all it's aspects, and if you are a game veteran this is a game you want to dig yourself into. Be aware though that this game require you to actually get involved and figure out how mecahnism and encounters work. THIS IS HARD. If you are young of age, or simply have not played much in your life, STAY AWAY, this is not for you!

    Once that is said, no game ever has made    This game is great in all it's aspects, and if you are a game veteran this is a game you want to dig yourself into. Be aware though that this game require you to actually get involved and figure out how mecahnism and encounters work. THIS IS HARD. If you are young of age, or simply have not played much in your life, STAY AWAY, this is not for you!

    Once that is said, no game ever has made you feel so great at the end like this one. In other games your just good, in this game you become a GOD.    … Expand
  18. Braddles92
    Oct 24, 2011
    10
    BRILLIANT! NO OTHER WORDS NEEDED! Visuals are fantastic and well the gameplay, well it may seem pretty tedious when you die but it compels you to try again and again until you prevail. This game beats the hell out of Oblivion.
  19. warmax
    Oct 24, 2011
    10
    A truly must try out master piece of a game. another must experience game. try it you will not regret This is the Must Have Title for the Playstation 3. Its hard, but never have I experienced a game with so much reward to the player for putting the time and Effort into a game.
  20. Watermelon789
    Oct 22, 2011
    7
    Sincerely my time playing Demon Souls is enjoyable , I'm really digging in the gameplay, and setting but the challenge is outrageous . The problem is, I would have loved more the gameplay if it was a little bit more faster and with more combos , because the game works nicely , but what drags it out of being more fun is that is repetitive . You need to think well to achieve a kill even inSincerely my time playing Demon Souls is enjoyable , I'm really digging in the gameplay, and setting but the challenge is outrageous . The problem is, I would have loved more the gameplay if it was a little bit more faster and with more combos , because the game works nicely , but what drags it out of being more fun is that is repetitive . You need to think well to achieve a kill even in the weaker enemies , with three blows or even one blow you're a dead and giving up . Though after looking the Loading menu you start in the beginning , that doesn't sound so fun for many people and they may even say the game it's broken . Still what requires the game is strategy .… Expand
  21. 35310c0
    Oct 17, 2011
    10
    Demon's souls is highly recommended for hardcore gamers and people that don't get frustrated so easily. This game is addictive as hell. Give it a try and actually you'll see that it isn't a really difficult game. You need to learn or figure out how to approach your enemies. Unique multiplayer experiece gives you a lot a hints. So, if you get kill many times isn't because of cheap enemies,Demon's souls is highly recommended for hardcore gamers and people that don't get frustrated so easily. This game is addictive as hell. Give it a try and actually you'll see that it isn't a really difficult game. You need to learn or figure out how to approach your enemies. Unique multiplayer experiece gives you a lot a hints. So, if you get kill many times isn't because of cheap enemies, it's because you shouldn't be there so early in the game... or because you really suck. Of course you'll die a lot. Be patient, careful and you'll enjoy it. It's an amazing game.… Expand
  22. Spartan111
    Oct 16, 2011
    8
    What this game does well it does very well. Firstly it is very refreshing to play a game that challenges one in a relatively fair way and has a very unique style that doesn't go according to the books. The games combat system is excellent, the controls are well mapped out, the graphics are quite good, it is a challenging game that requires strategy, timing and perseverance, very nice RPGWhat this game does well it does very well. Firstly it is very refreshing to play a game that challenges one in a relatively fair way and has a very unique style that doesn't go according to the books. The games combat system is excellent, the controls are well mapped out, the graphics are quite good, it is a challenging game that requires strategy, timing and perseverance, very nice RPG elements, memorable boss fights, a unique online experience, addicting. On the other hand the games story is very vague and almost non-existent, the game relies too much on it's difficulty to make the game seem long and big and while it isn't exactly small i would have liked 2 more levels, half the games bosses are easy, lackluster and boring while the other half are challenging and memorable(quality over quantity). I didn't mind the difficulty, hell!! it's what makes the game addicting but i don't like the fact that if one dies in a boss fight one must go through enemies all over again (I think if i could kill all the enemies 10 times, i am pretty sure i could do it again, luckily i found a way to bypass this and immediately when i die i would quit game and reload the auto save at the boss fight). The sound effects were excellent but the music could have been much better. Overall a very good game that does things differently to other games.8.5/10.… Expand
  23. ArkonBlade
    Oct 15, 2011
    6
    ok theres a fine line between being a hard game and being a game that dicks you ... and well demon souls dicks you more then it does at being hard. do i mind dieng alot ... no , do i mind having to start back from the begining of a level if i die ... no , do i mind challenging enimies and bosses ... no . but what i do mind is that when i die my life bar gets cut in HALF! and if i dieok theres a fine line between being a hard game and being a game that dicks you ... and well demon souls dicks you more then it does at being hard. do i mind dieng alot ... no , do i mind having to start back from the begining of a level if i die ... no , do i mind challenging enimies and bosses ... no . but what i do mind is that when i die my life bar gets cut in HALF! and if i die before i get back to where i died before to reclaim my souls they are gone too . i mean i was already penalised bad enough by having to start over again and loosing all my health items to get that far and now i cant buy more since i lost all my souls, i mean the game is kinda fun and looks pretty good . the combat is pretty simplistic the story is ok . its not story heavy by any means . its also neat that people can leave messages to warn you aboiut dangers ahead as well but why is it set up for being online at all times? i prefer to play my RPG"s solo and if i want some one to join i should have the option of turning it online or off. this game also wouldnt have hurt its self by adding a difficulty option . i mean i like challanging games ive played plenty and beat them like kings field and others iif you want a game that kicks you in the balls over and over again then demon souls is for you .thankfully i bought this only for $20 new and almost but dark souls first . i would have wasted $60 if i did. id advise if you are still thinking about getting this game rent it first or buy it cheap to be sure you will get into what i just mentioned.… Expand
  24. Iyunzusto
    Oct 14, 2011
    6
    Should you buy this game? Is that why you're reading this? If so, yes, it's worth the money - but only because it's cheap now. There's a lot about Demon's Souls that is beautiful, even memorable. Some of the set pieces are awesome, and the grim dark styling is refreshing in a sea of cutesy characters and colourful UI design. So what's the problem? You will never, ever see this game on theShould you buy this game? Is that why you're reading this? If so, yes, it's worth the money - but only because it's cheap now. There's a lot about Demon's Souls that is beautiful, even memorable. Some of the set pieces are awesome, and the grim dark styling is refreshing in a sea of cutesy characters and colourful UI design. So what's the problem? You will never, ever see this game on the PC - because with decent controls, this game would be a complete pushover. Yes, the game presents a challenge, but if you're honest, you'll realise that 50% or more of the challenge comes from the controls. Some parts are broken - you'll see what they are especially if you're a magic user. But really, a console controller just doesn't suit a game where the slightest error results in death. It's like giving a baseball bat to a tennis player and asking them how hard it is to play a match. Overall though, it's a great production, and enjoyable, but the more you play it the less satisfying and fun it gets, as you realise more with every moment that you're not fighting the monsters, you're fighting the dual shock.… Expand
  25. VisiOn
    Oct 11, 2011
    10
    Excellent game, if your looking for a challenge, this game is for you. You will die... over and over again but its a learning experience and adds to the realism of what life for your character would be like if the game was real life. I wrote up a review for this before and I have yet to see it be posted. If you were on the fence when it came out, pick it up now, it's worth $20 for sure.Excellent game, if your looking for a challenge, this game is for you. You will die... over and over again but its a learning experience and adds to the realism of what life for your character would be like if the game was real life. I wrote up a review for this before and I have yet to see it be posted. If you were on the fence when it came out, pick it up now, it's worth $20 for sure. One of my favorite RPGs (if not my overall favorite) and just a great game overall. It was a nice surprise and I can't wait to pick up the sequel once I get some free time.… Expand
  26. SteamCrow
    Oct 3, 2011
    9
    Ah, Demon's Souls...you magnificent bastard.

    Misunderstood, even by those that love it...it doesn't lack a story..YOU are the story. It's the story of your journey, your failures, your successes, and any information regarding over arching world events are only relevant as far as your point of view allows, because my story will be different than yours, which will be different from    Ah, Demon's Souls...you magnificent bastard.

    Misunderstood, even by those that love it...it doesn't lack a story..YOU are the story.
    It's the story of your journey, your failures, your successes, and any information regarding over arching world events are only relevant as far as your point of view allows, because my story will be different than yours, which will be different from others, just as uniquely.

    This game hits the emotional spectrum on every level...devastation, frustration, enlightment, satisfaction, elation.
    It doesn't achieve that by being "too hard" or "un-fair".
    The game is perfectly fair, and yes, very challenging, but that's what makes it so great.
    If you die, it was because you weren't good enough, and yes, that is your fault, and yes there are penalties.
    The pay-off is, if you succeed, it is entirely because of your skill..you aren't going to button mash to victory here, or luck your way through a boss fight.
    That type of satisfaction is rare in gaming today where you fully expect to beat the game, no matter your skill level...a fact that is not at all guaranteed in this game.

    If you are looking for a more casual experience, this game probably isn't going to be your cup of tea.
    The good news is, that most games on the market will cater to you, and despite some sneering in some of these reviews, there is nothing wrong with that.

    Most game experiences are like winning a million bucks in the lottery.
    Demon's Souls is like working hard, through highs and lows to become a millionaire.
    Both of those are awesome, though the satisfaction you will receive from the second method is far beyond the first...but you'll have to put in the effort.

    If you just want to blaze through like a bad-ass with little chance of failure, don't try this game.
    If you want a prolonged struggle with a game that's going to make you grab it by the throat and force it to it's knees..try it out!    … Expand
  27. Rammsoldat
    Sep 30, 2011
    10
    This game got me good, only game ive ever properly imported. The sheer punishment just compels you to try harder and the atmosphere has you on constant guard because anything and everything can spell your doom. The story is good too but you have to interact with the world to get the full gist of it so its not in your face. Any PS3 owner should have this game in their collection.
  28. lagutopia
    Sep 28, 2011
    10
    I was very skeptical of this game at first, but this is one the most immersive experiences and the most realistic combat and genuine challenge I have ever found in an RPG. For those who know Phantasy Star Online, it actually play a lot like the first one, but it ditsches the grinding and the randomness for even more skill-based gameplay and exploration. A true gem.
  29. IrishChai
    Sep 26, 2011
    9
    At a time in the gaming industry when so many games hold your hand throughout the whole experience with little to no risk involved, games like Demon's Souls are a breath of fresh air. I have to give the devs a lot of credit here for really nailing the difficulty curve to make it as hard as it can be without making it impossible or feel like you died because of stupid game design. This gameAt a time in the gaming industry when so many games hold your hand throughout the whole experience with little to no risk involved, games like Demon's Souls are a breath of fresh air. I have to give the devs a lot of credit here for really nailing the difficulty curve to make it as hard as it can be without making it impossible or feel like you died because of stupid game design. This game just isn't that frustrating to me compared to other difficult games because it's so well done. I'm no beginner when it comes to difficult games. My favorites include the Prinny series, and old school games like Kid Icarus that were just brutal at the time, but part of that was some pretty irritating mechanics like simple jumping or not seeing what is coming. This is probably the first time I felt like every death was entirely dependent on my skill instead of dying to bad mechanics or stupid game design decisions. My character controlled exactly as I needed him to, but never took over for me when I made a mistake nor saved me from death when I deserved it.

    Every single death was productive in helping me get better at the game. It took me a ridiculous amount of hours just to beat the first level, but it was really really fun. It got to the point that every obstacle I overcame was laughably easy going through it the 100th time making the deaths feel much less daunting getting back to where I died last so I could at least recover dropped souls (like a currency from killing something). It's the kind of design that reinforced the feeling that you're always making progress, and that nothing is all that difficult if you give it time and patience.

    So to sum it all up, I think it's an incredible game in every way, unless the player prefers games with no death penalty and obstacles that are so easy you can go through entire levels in one try. if you like action RPGs, a little old-school difficulty, and great presentation, you gotta try this game!    … Expand
  30. huffnat890
    Sep 12, 2011
    10
    First I would like to say to everybody that had 8 hours to play this game at a time and managed to beat it . Congratulations. It doesn't mean you're skilled it means you are patient and also semi-retarded. This game is only hard because of the complete lack of a checkpoint system. If most games lacked a checkpoint system guess what? they'd be pretty difficult. This game is the exampleFirst I would like to say to everybody that had 8 hours to play this game at a time and managed to beat it . Congratulations. It doesn't mean you're skilled it means you are patient and also semi-retarded. This game is only hard because of the complete lack of a checkpoint system. If most games lacked a checkpoint system guess what? they'd be pretty difficult. This game is the example of poor game design.The game would be easy if it wasn't for that. So I can't stand it when people claim they are skilled. Patience is not a skill. If you have 100 hours to give to this game than by all means do it. I don't play games for a sense of accomplishment because frankly, that's kind of depressing. I play games to have fun and this game was not. That is all.… Expand
  31. kitsoon
    Aug 25, 2011
    6
    You die in this game, a lot. The difficulty was definitely a challenge, I wouldn't really say fun though. Maybe I'm a person who likes to be easily satisfied, I dunno. The story is kind of lacking in this game. You don't play as a main character but one of many who have come to slay the demons, which personally I don't like. I did like they had extremely hard enemies that you knew that youYou die in this game, a lot. The difficulty was definitely a challenge, I wouldn't really say fun though. Maybe I'm a person who likes to be easily satisfied, I dunno. The story is kind of lacking in this game. You don't play as a main character but one of many who have come to slay the demons, which personally I don't like. I did like they had extremely hard enemies that you knew that you wouldn't be able to beat at the time (or ever) so you would have to avoid them. There's not a lot of interesting people to talk to just a lot of fairly uninteresting demons to slay. I beat the first boss and returned it, wasn't for me.… Expand
  32. lionofjudah
    Aug 16, 2011
    10
    this game is all about the combat for me. unlike the inexplicable haters in here I played through this game with 4 different characters a total of 6 times. Obviously I really enjoyed it. I'm fairly certain I put more time into this game then nearly all my other game time combined. It's absurd, but I truly enjoyed it.

    What I enjoyed was how visceral and immediate the combat felt. I loved    this game is all about the combat for me. unlike the inexplicable haters in here I played through this game with 4 different characters a total of 6 times. Obviously I really enjoyed it. I'm fairly certain I put more time into this game then nearly all my other game time combined. It's absurd, but I truly enjoyed it.

    What I enjoyed was how visceral and immediate the combat felt. I loved the real feeling of terror and panic when another player invaded my game and I scrambled to prepare myself. I loved how tight the controls feel. it is not complex combo based combat like Bayonetta or DMC at all (which I also love). It's very simple, and clean. The only thing this game requires of you is patience. Right hand attack & heavy attack [R1 & R2]. Left hand guard and attack [L1 & L2]. If you are strong enough all weapons and shields may be single or double handed for faster/stronger attacks. Perhaps most importantly, there is a very handy dodge-roll. There are two weapon/equip [ie: magic,miracle] slots for each hand. The story is, you are alone, in a demon infested land. your job is to not die. Your other job is to kill all the f***ing demons. the entire story is told in the intro and opening sequences of the game. There are a handful of NPCs in the Hub area and in the world, who are mostly support players like blacksmith, soul/level-up lady, spell/miracle teachers, and another few who factor into the world nicely. If you need conversation trees in your RPG's then this game may not by for you. What I find most RPG about it is the feeling of desolation. How else would it feel to be a lone knight/priest/magician/soldier/heavy/etc.. fighting your way into, and through a land infested with demons and a thick, terrible grey fog? Playing it alone, maybe with headphones, or not, in a dimly lit room is very much a survival horror action adventure experience. I think they got it exactly right. Haters gon hate.

    it's true that the inventory management can be labor intensive. but you can also just wing it and see how far you get. Spells are helpful. Every enemy requires caution. There is not a single enemy, from the very first demon-zombie dudes you learn to use your shield, maybe reduce your armor and roll out of harms way. I think this is a tight, challenging game within a huge, awe inspiring world. They tell a far better, more visceral story with just the atmosphere and the gameplay than any other console "RPG" this generation in my humble, possibly hyperbolic opinion. in terms of personal standings. This game and Uncharted 2 are currently the reigning kings of this generation for me. So bring on UC3 and Dark Souls baby. gonna be a busy fall/winter season. better not meet any girls!    … Expand
  33. cred1984x
    Aug 14, 2011
    10
    I am having a really hard time coming up with a really great introduction so Im just going to be blunt. Demon's Souls is a game that does not hold anybody's hand at any point. This is a difficult game but it is far from impossible. I am reading a lot of reviews where people say they cannot stand the frustration of the game and the fact that they cannot enjoy the experience because ofI am having a really hard time coming up with a really great introduction so Im just going to be blunt. Demon's Souls is a game that does not hold anybody's hand at any point. This is a difficult game but it is far from impossible. I am reading a lot of reviews where people say they cannot stand the frustration of the game and the fact that they cannot enjoy the experience because of the difficulty. I suck at hard games. I really do. I only have one Platinum trophy, for Uncharted 2. That is the only game that I have completely on the hardest difficulty. So, agreeing that I suck at hard games, why do I love DS so much? It may have something to do with growing up with video games. My first system was an Atari 2600, and I spent a lot of time in arcades. All games were hard back then! If you died, you started the level over! Anyone that knows what Im talking about can agree with the satisfaction of beating even just one level of Ninja Gaiden......or Contra. Some people dont like challenge, and that is fine. Demon's Souls got a great rating on MC because it is a beast of a game. There isnt anything "broken" in this game, and there is definitely nothing sloppy about it. Yes, your character probably does suck in the beginning....Lord knows mine did! Now my character is walking around town taking creeps out with one swing of the Bone Smasher, baby! This game deserves a 10, yea the story is somewhat lacking in the beginning...and if even if you have no idea what is going on, doesnt that make it all the more creepy? I not only nominate this game as top 5 best on PS3.....but, top 5 best games ever!… Expand
  34. BuckyX2
    Aug 10, 2011
    10
    This game is hard. I will not lie at all about it. I play video games on hard difficulties just for fun, but this game.... This game gives hard a new name. But enough about how hard it is, this game is legit and fun as anything I've played in a while. I played it once, returned it after i got stuck at some point, and once again i just needed to have the unforgiving win or lose gameplayThis game is hard. I will not lie at all about it. I play video games on hard difficulties just for fun, but this game.... This game gives hard a new name. But enough about how hard it is, this game is legit and fun as anything I've played in a while. I played it once, returned it after i got stuck at some point, and once again i just needed to have the unforgiving win or lose gameplay that you cannot find anywhere else. The graphics are fantastic, the game itself has an ungodly amount of facets to it, you can play it over and over and it will still be new to you. Some things aren't explained at all, however, and this leads to confusion. I've found myself looking things up online myriad times. So, bottom line, if you are looking for a game that's cheap, fun, hardcore, difficult, and you have an internet connection, i strong recommend this game. 9 of 10.… Expand
  35. R-e-n-n-a-t
    Aug 8, 2011
    10
    Fracking AMAZING! It's like King's Field with great combat and amazing graphics.

    Also, if you see a women wearing a golden mask show up in the top floor of your Nexus, kill her! She's evil!!
  36. MrFpeas
    Jul 16, 2011
    10
    One of the better games to come out in a very long time, every little thing in this game is perfect to me. The story itself is simple: you come to a cursed land (for whatever reason, one of the things the NPC says "Whether you're here to fight the demons or here for the power...") and you're tasked to fight off the major demon's in the land to fight off the fog. This would be cheesey IF itOne of the better games to come out in a very long time, every little thing in this game is perfect to me. The story itself is simple: you come to a cursed land (for whatever reason, one of the things the NPC says "Whether you're here to fight the demons or here for the power...") and you're tasked to fight off the major demon's in the land to fight off the fog. This would be cheesey IF it were portrayed cheesey. It is not full of itself (like a Final Fantasy game would be) and barely touches the main storyline. It has a dark setting to it, already making you feel weak from the start, therefore giving you the right idea from the start. The combat is very smooth and can be mastered with a little play (I say past 3 levels you should get the hang of it). The combat itself is not extremely hard, all you have to do is just dodge/block and you'll be fine. If you get hit, you will regret being hit (that is all I will say). The leveling system is very good in my opinion, but the only downside to it is that you have to plan on what you're focusing on or you'll screw up your character and not be able to equip certain items (or at least use them the way you want to). If you do screw up your character, the worst part of starting a new character is the creation. It has a very high replay value and I would be ok with just making a new character everyday. The every NPC is unique in their own way. Doing certain things will trigger new dialogue with the NPCs and helps you learn more of the land of Boletaria. When you enter 5-1, come back, and talk with the NPCs, they will share you their thoughts on Maiden Astraea and Garl Vinland (the final bosses of the 5 world), explaining how the fog clouded their souls and why they fight. Even some of the item descriptions have captured me, letting me now of it's previous owner/maker. The multiplayer design is absolutely brilliant. After 1-1, you can use three different stones: Blue stone (used when in soul form, allows yourself to be teleported to another persons world (if they accept your soul sign) and assist them, to which beating a boss gives you back your body, given after 1-1), Black stone (used when in another person's world, lets you go back to your own world, given after 1-1), and the Red stone (used when in soul form, you teleport yourself to another person's world (at free will) and you attempt to kill the person to gain your body back). So whether you feel like helping somebody or want to be a complete ass and kill somebody, they have allowed you to accomplish both in this game in a very easy and quick (I can't say quick for the blue stone though) way. All in all, a game that everyone should buy and play before Dark Souls release.… Expand
  37. bubbadukes
    Jul 5, 2011
    10
    one of the most rewarding gaming experiences i've had in close to 20 years of gaming. extremely difficult but not impossible game play forces the player to adapt and form a strategy to progress. i found myself grinning like a complete idiot after beating a few bosses. i can't wait for dark souls.
  38. Yasuchika
    Jun 27, 2011
    9
    While the game is unforgiving, this is probably one of the better games on the PS3 out there. It reminds me of the Monster Hunter franchise in a way, only with better targetting.
  39. InternetBadass
    Jun 27, 2011
    5
    Don't listen to people saying this game is challenging; it is quite the opposite. All the enemies are completely predictable in their attack patterns. The game is incredibly easy because the AI is so terrible that you can predict and counter every enemy 100% of the time. The game is also lacking in story, level variety (5 worlds that contain a derivative copy of one level type, very veryDon't listen to people saying this game is challenging; it is quite the opposite. All the enemies are completely predictable in their attack patterns. The game is incredibly easy because the AI is so terrible that you can predict and counter every enemy 100% of the time. The game is also lacking in story, level variety (5 worlds that contain a derivative copy of one level type, very very boring), and any kind of good looting system (loot is always in the same place every time, there is no challenge at all).

    The game is, at best, mediocre, easy , and boring. It is a waste of your time if you're looking for anything other than remembering attack patterns for the few enemy types they have (and most can simply be rolled past and back stabbed).    … Expand
  40. Gibborim
    Jun 26, 2011
    9
    Very harsh game. If you don't like that, you should probably stick with less challenging games like "Dora the Explorer's Big Adventure." Only detractors were the multiplayer features and the ineffective character creation setup.
  41. DaReviewDude
    Jun 22, 2011
    9
    We all remember old school games where they were ridiculously hard and basically made you want to break your controller against a wall. Well Demon's Souls will make you want to do the very same. The word difficult doesn't even begin to describe how tough this game is. But do not let that prevent you from playing this amazing game. It uses a unique hack & slash style combat system whereWe all remember old school games where they were ridiculously hard and basically made you want to break your controller against a wall. Well Demon's Souls will make you want to do the very same. The word difficult doesn't even begin to describe how tough this game is. But do not let that prevent you from playing this amazing game. It uses a unique hack & slash style combat system where you have to use each attack wisely. It is not like a typical hack & slash where you can get away with pressing "X" 40 to 50 times and walk away from a fight in the game untouched. You can customize your character as much as you like and you have access to over 50 pieces of weapons and armor. The visuals in the game are stunning from the amazing dragons flying around the castle to the knights with glowing red eyes (Beware they are difficult). This game has it all.… Expand
  42. theshonen8899
    Jun 21, 2011
    9
    Let's make this blatantly clear, Demon's Soul has the finest controls and gameplay mechanics in action RPG history. Using the should buttons for the respective arms (ex. L1 for shield, R1 for sword) is insanely intuitive and commanding your character to dodge and execute heavy attacks are brilliantly smooth. Every action has a heavy, realistic feel to it, so your sword swings and shieldLet's make this blatantly clear, Demon's Soul has the finest controls and gameplay mechanics in action RPG history. Using the should buttons for the respective arms (ex. L1 for shield, R1 for sword) is insanely intuitive and commanding your character to dodge and execute heavy attacks are brilliantly smooth. Every action has a heavy, realistic feel to it, so your sword swings and shield blocks will have lifelike responses. These ground breaking controls are complemented with beautiful visuals, stunning level design and extremely creative boss battles. For instance, one of the early levels will have you running through a castle timing your runs with the intervals of a dragon swooping down and breathing fire over your path. Scenes like this are so grandiose and epic in scale and really immerse you in this fantasy genre. The most crippling flaw of Demon's Soul is a lack of a compelling story. This game is truly gameplay oriented, meaning you will be going from level to level without really feeling like you've accomplished much for any characters or made a significant progression throughout a long winding engaging story, unlike games like Dragon Age or Elder Scrolls. But Demon's Soul is a game you definitely need to experience to fall in love with. It is a game of absolutely monumental scale and you really deserve to see it for yourself.… Expand
  43. Galbias
    Jun 20, 2011
    10
    Put plain and simple, Demon's Souls has the best and most balanced combat in any action RPG. You have freedom to develop your character and explore the bleak, beautiful world however you like, and no matter how you do it, but it's the challenging-but-fair gameplay that makes this game worth fighting through.
  44. HazeSpire
    Jun 19, 2011
    4
    This game could easily have a subtitle of "The Punishment". I don't really have anything to add above what others have already written. The graphics are OK, the inventory system is average. I really like the combat system, though, especially because it has that tactical feel to it with stamina, one on one fights and other nice things. Unfortunately the checkpoints and foe respawn are aThis game could easily have a subtitle of "The Punishment". I don't really have anything to add above what others have already written. The graphics are OK, the inventory system is average. I really like the combat system, though, especially because it has that tactical feel to it with stamina, one on one fights and other nice things. Unfortunately the checkpoints and foe respawn are a major flaw of this game. It is not a difficult game despite of what some people would claim, I'd say it's on par with other titles out there. Basically you're going to die multiple times and will have to retry, but where another game would let you to load a save game or restart from some not too distant checkpoint, Demon's Souls will require you to repeat the whole level (or a great portion of it), including all the fights (well, you can try to run, but it's not always feasible) and it will also make it harder than the first time by taking away half of your HP. This one single design decision made me abandon the game, despite that I found it interesting otherwise and really liked the combat, player notes & warnings, etc. But I'm not going to play the same level and fight the same enemies over and over again just to die somewhere further down the road and be warped to the very beginning. This not my idea of fun. I am OK to repeat the same thing 20 times if I have to and eventually I will pass, but starting over with additional hindrances is not fair. This game has a potential and it could have been a great title. Could have, but is not...… Expand
  45. JudgmentJay
    Jun 14, 2011
    10
    Given the current state of video games, Demon's Souls is a breath of fresh air in that it's an actual challenge. Unforgiving gameplay, brutal and epic boss fights, dangerous enemies around every turn, and an amazingly dark and gloomy atmosphere are what make Demon's Souls one of my favorite games. What you won't get with DS is a story/character-driven RPG. It's an immersive dungeon crawlerGiven the current state of video games, Demon's Souls is a breath of fresh air in that it's an actual challenge. Unforgiving gameplay, brutal and epic boss fights, dangerous enemies around every turn, and an amazingly dark and gloomy atmosphere are what make Demon's Souls one of my favorite games. What you won't get with DS is a story/character-driven RPG. It's an immersive dungeon crawler with minimal story. Nothing more, nothing less.… Expand
  46. ESRolic
    Jun 13, 2011
    10
    Death is part of the game, and is an essential part. In the numerous deaths you learn how to beat the game and get the feel how the souls are tortured. The game is a show, in which you became indifferent to everything happened in the game world, the demons, your death, other people's death. Death is an integrated part of the story telling and gameplay.
    There are many ways to play the game,    Death is part of the game, and is an essential part. In the numerous deaths you learn how to beat the game and get the feel how the souls are tortured. The game is a show, in which you became indifferent to everything happened in the game world, the demons, your death, other people's death. Death is an integrated part of the story telling and gameplay.
    There are many ways to play the game, melee, ranged, magic... Each way is unique and interesting. Stage design is brilliant, especially the Tower of Latria. Enemy design is impressive, gives historical or fantasical feeling. Also, basically all armours and weapons can be traced into real world. Multiplay is really innovative as well, great ideas there.
    The underlying plot and many other small details are worth digging, which made the game attractive for you to play again and again, and again.
    In summary, I couldn't stop playing this game with my hand sweating, it's awesome.    … Expand
  47. DemonWithin
    Jun 1, 2011
    10
    This is one of my favorite games of all time and it's one of the top 5 of mine for the PS3. I love that this game challenges you and gives you a sense of accomplishment when you finally get past the part you were stuck at. New game + keeps the difficulty ramping up and it's awesome no matter how well you know the level or enemies one false move and you're screwed. At first I wasn't toThis is one of my favorite games of all time and it's one of the top 5 of mine for the PS3. I love that this game challenges you and gives you a sense of accomplishment when you finally get past the part you were stuck at. New game + keeps the difficulty ramping up and it's awesome no matter how well you know the level or enemies one false move and you're screwed. At first I wasn't to thrilled about the save or no pause feature.Then I got use to it after about 30 mins.You can trick the game into saving as most know just open inventory and go to items then back out and ta da saved.I think everyone should try this game even if they find it to hard they can at least experience it.This game gets a solid 10/10 from me and I can't wait for Dark Souls.… Expand
  48. TheReaper
    May 28, 2011
    10
    Demon's souls is the best PS3 exclusive bar non and make it into my own personal top 20 games of all time... A word of warning for the casuals gamers who are considering buying this game is that this game is seriously HARDCORE , it refuses to hold your hand and it is brutally difficult to begin with.But those who persist will experience one of the most rewarding games of all time....MUST BUY!
  49. Sceptic
    May 28, 2011
    10
    Utterly brilliant.The crushing difficulty sorts the men from the boys until you adapt.All the game needs is a more in-depth story and It could be at the top of the greatest games ever made.Fantastic design all round,with graphics,sound,enemies and the best multiplayer I've ever experienced.With all of the lollypop RPG's around these days,Demon's Souls stands head and shoulders above themUtterly brilliant.The crushing difficulty sorts the men from the boys until you adapt.All the game needs is a more in-depth story and It could be at the top of the greatest games ever made.Fantastic design all round,with graphics,sound,enemies and the best multiplayer I've ever experienced.With all of the lollypop RPG's around these days,Demon's Souls stands head and shoulders above them all.I can not praise this game enough and if you want a real challenge in the best designed fantasy world seen for some time,buy this, then worship it.… Expand
  50. alexp76
    May 27, 2011
    10
    I have just bought my 3rd copy of this game, all the UK release. Why or why have i done this? Because, this game gets under your skin. I got frustrated by it twice, to the point of selling it, but am massively enjoying it the 3rd time of asking. People complain about the lack of plot or narrative, and to some extent they have a point. BUT, and it deserves the caps, the narrative is withinI have just bought my 3rd copy of this game, all the UK release. Why or why have i done this? Because, this game gets under your skin. I got frustrated by it twice, to the point of selling it, but am massively enjoying it the 3rd time of asking. People complain about the lack of plot or narrative, and to some extent they have a point. BUT, and it deserves the caps, the narrative is within the challenges, the increasing levels of difficulty.

    The graphics may not be ground breaking, but they convey the atmosphere perfectly. The game is meant to be a challenge, a drab, squalid place to be. And the challenge is often just getting to the bosses at the end of each stage, with them themselves not being soooo much of a challenge. Utterly awesome. Thoroughly recommended, just take your time and hold that shield up.    … Expand
  51. Richizzzle
    May 25, 2011
    9
    Not for the feint of heart. This game will challenge you, punish you, and overall just make you it's **** That said, playing and beating this game was probably my greatest videogame moment of late. The best way for me to describe this game is basically Zelda for adults. So if you like hack-n-slash, exploration, and a good challenge you will have a great time playing demon's souls.
  52. WhyGamer
    May 23, 2011
    10
    I never saw the reason to bad mouth a game until youâ
  53. Isaac
    May 20, 2011
    10
    Demon's souls is my favourite game this generation for many reasons. The game throws at you so many great things its hard to tell whats the best thing about it. It's not a game for everyone but it is a game that enyone can master. The lurning curve in this game isn't all that bad and if you'l learn how to defend and attack responsibly, then you shouldn't worry. The combat consists ofDemon's souls is my favourite game this generation for many reasons. The game throws at you so many great things its hard to tell whats the best thing about it. It's not a game for everyone but it is a game that enyone can master. The lurning curve in this game isn't all that bad and if you'l learn how to defend and attack responsibly, then you shouldn't worry. The combat consists of weapons and magic and you can decide what type of character you will have. There are many possibilities so you can create a royal-barbarian, mage-soldier and so on. There are tons of weapons and lots of magic so you can allways experiment and see what's your choice. Your first playthrough will not be your last because this game is meant to be played several times, atleast. The most unique thing about the game is the online. Other players can invade your world and do co-op with you as well. You can do the same things yourself and it feels very rewarding to beat another player with all your wits and abilities while having a small bit of your health left. The levels themselves are very well designed. They are rather short but it will take time untill you'll manage to approach to many levels so you'll need to level up your character and your weapons. The game holds many secrets and you will use a FAQ at times because there is no way you will find all these secrets by yourself( unless you got a lot of time to waste). The graphics are fantastic, end of story. There is a story to the game, but it's told very subtly and it's obvious the developers didn't want it to a major concern. Honestly I didn't mention many many other things that make this game so awsome like the boss fights, the leveling system, the many types of weapons, the seamless online integration and so forth. This game reminded me how video games used to be like in the last generations. The little things are the things that make a game a classic, and Demon's souls has plenty of those. You really should get this game, or atleast try it. Many did, and most of them never looked back.… Expand
  54. djwille88
    May 11, 2011
    10
    Wow, I must say this game totally blew me away! This game isn't nearly as tough as the reviewers have touted. (except for Maneater Ng++) I'm not an RPG'r but I was pretty much hooked when I completed the training level. Each level offers different and diverse enemies The levels can be qasi linear but each has a series of short cuts that will take you to various bosses. Combat is veryWow, I must say this game totally blew me away! This game isn't nearly as tough as the reviewers have touted. (except for Maneater Ng++) I'm not an RPG'r but I was pretty much hooked when I completed the training level. Each level offers different and diverse enemies The levels can be qasi linear but each has a series of short cuts that will take you to various bosses. Combat is very satisfying! I loved the fact that you have to watch your stamina meter when attacking and defending. You won't last long if you're a button masher. The game looks and sounds great. The online function is brillant! There's no other feeling of excitement I get when I see that "black phantom has invaded your game". PvPing is also incredible aswell. I've logged in about 700 hours on this bad boy..do yourself a favor and give this game a shot.… Expand
  55. Zarathesus
    May 2, 2011
    10
    Amazing game. Plain and simple. Most reviewers did this game justice, so I suggest you check out Gamespot's primarily. I just wanted to give this badboy a 10.
  56. EmmittSmithx22x
    Apr 26, 2011
    10
    Demon's Souls is quite possibly one of the greatest PS3 titles of all time. Many may have gripes with my last statement but I will defend my point. Demon's Souls throws you into the game, and from the very beginning seeks to show you are very mortal. Enemies don't play nice and every enemy if you are not careful can be as leathal as the next. Which summarizes Demon's Souls very well.Demon's Souls is quite possibly one of the greatest PS3 titles of all time. Many may have gripes with my last statement but I will defend my point. Demon's Souls throws you into the game, and from the very beginning seeks to show you are very mortal. Enemies don't play nice and every enemy if you are not careful can be as leathal as the next. Which summarizes Demon's Souls very well. Demon's Souls is a lethal game, and is very unforgiving. IF you die (which you will early and often), you turn into your hero's soul, which is exactly what it sounds like. You get ressurected as a soul but with much less HP and you lose any experience you had gained. Now unlike dying in real life, this isnt the end of the world. All you have to do is find the area in which you died to gain your body back with the health and all the experience that comes with it. The trick is....you have to fight your way through the entire level to get it back. And every time you die, the enemies get reborn as a stronger faster and smarter version of themselves.Demon's Souls is not a game that will hold your hand, and it may seem at times the game is purposefully trying to hurt your feelings. The odd thing is, this makes the game feel more addicting. Dying in the game, only to get your body back and beat a boss gives you a real sense of acomplishment. Which brings me to the fighting mechanics. DS has some of the most intuitive controls and seemless fighting mechanics I have seen in any game. There are so many ways you can handle a battle, and the greatest thing about this game is every battle has a unique feeling. You will never find yourself in this game saying "oh I just need to do this and this and this and I will kill the enemy". What works well with 1 enemy will NOT work the same with another. DS is a strong RPG and has your classic classes such as thief, mage, and knight as well as a few others. But DS is an RPG That allows you to change your mind as you develope your characters. If you want to be a knight who can shoot off magic to keep enemies at a distance, you can. IF you want to be a mage and have amazing and creative spells to tear your enemies apart, but at the same time be able to wield a sword, you can. But once you committ to what you want to be, you should stick with it because no matter where you spend your points toward a skill each skill will increase in cost. The only thing DS does not do perfect is story telling. The game lays out the plot for you and explains to you many things along the way, but for the most part the story is yours to make. It is because of this it was hard to connect with some NPCs and connect with them, but for the most part it still a good story. Demon's Souls is a game that does everything almost perfectly. The game looks good and will challenege you every step of the way. The fighting feels seemless and there are so many ways to use the fighting mechanics. And no class is boring at any point which gives the game tons and tons of replay value. For the "spiritual sequel" they could use a little work in the story department, but the story wasn't forgetable it just needs some fine tuning. Final Score.....................10/10 (only because You can't score it 9.5)… Expand
  57. CROSSEYEDJIM
    Apr 16, 2011
    3
    Archaic, dull, and frustrating. Those are the three adjectives that best sum up Demon's Souls, a game that seems to scoff at nearly every advancement made in gaming over the last decade. Instead of conforming to modern standards, Demon's Souls decides to drag players back to the days where many games were an excercise in frustration and patience rather than fun or satisfaction. IArchaic, dull, and frustrating. Those are the three adjectives that best sum up Demon's Souls, a game that seems to scoff at nearly every advancement made in gaming over the last decade. Instead of conforming to modern standards, Demon's Souls decides to drag players back to the days where many games were an excercise in frustration and patience rather than fun or satisfaction. I rarely do this, but I will preface this review with the statement that I never finished the game. In fact, I never made it past the first main level. If that turns you off to what I have to say, feel free to bail out now. If you would like to find out why a player who compulsively finishes nearly every game he plays couldn't be bothered to waste his time with this hunk of garbage, please read on. Technically, the game is average. The graphics are acceptable, although that's all I can say about them. The character models look decent for the most part, the lighting is passable but certainly not striking, and the texture work is on par with most RPGs. The animations are also relatively good; in fact I'd go as far as to say that some are genuinely interesting. Everything else, though, is par for the course and maybe even slightly below today's standards. The sound is also passable. The game sports a relatively enjoyable old-school style soundtrack that at times reminded me of the Diablo games at other times sounded pretty unique. Sound effects are also passable, though again you won't be finding anything to write home about here even with 5.1 headphones. Unfortunately for Demon's Souls, it needed a whole lot more than middle-of-the-road technical features to pull it out of the bog of awfulness. A long, long time ago in the far away lands of our childhoods, games were hard. Really hard. There were no saves, no checkpoints, and there was certainly no mercy. You had your reflexes, your knowledge of the level you were playing, and maybe a 1 up here and there. Those days died long ago, and they died for good reason. It's no secret that part of the problem games always had with becoming a mainstream, accepted form of entertainment was that they were just too damn inaccessible and frustrating for anyone other than the dedicated to succeed at. While this did help foster a sense of accomplishment among those who did invest the time and energy to succeed, it also had the effect of seriously hampering the fun factor, which, if we're honest, is really the whole reason most of us play games. Demon's Souls commits the same sins, but they are amplified by the fact that it has been released in an age of user-friendly games that can be challenging but not frustrating. Essentially Demon's Souls is a stage-based old-school RPG. You select your character and you are then dropped into the world. You get some weak semblance of a story opener that is basically just your standard RPG fare (evil threatens world, your character has to stop it, you know the drill). Your very first experience with the game involves you bein killed by a monster that is ludicrously above your level. Yes, that's right. Your experience with the game is prefaced with your death. Get used to it; you will be dying a lot. You then proceed to a hub area where you are able to chat with other spirits/NPCs and fill in the less-than-interesting parts of your story. Very boring, poorly written NPC conversations didn't do much to light my fire for the game, but I went ahead and hopped into the first area anyway. It sees your character running up a long flight of steps towards a castle, which you then proceed to scale with bad guys opposing you. Standard fare, but here's the trick: the castle is massive (45 min massive if you were to run the whole thing with a low level character), and it is packed with enemies you have no hope of defeating. If you die, and you WILL die, you will lose all of your experience, gold, and items and be reset to the very beginning of the level. It doesn't matter if you were five minutes in or thirty-five minutes in, you will be completely reset. Since you are now in spirit form again due to dying, your health bar will be made smaller and since all your experience and money are laying in a blood puddle where you died earlier (you can pick all of it up again IF you can make it back to the puddle), you will have no real way to upgrade your character or prepare for the challenges ahead. This was my resulting experience: fight through castle, die 20 min in. Respawn, fight through castle, die 20 min in, etc., etc, etc. After 3 hours of this I ripped the disc out and sent it back. Any game that frustrates me with a stupidly difficult set-up and then proceeds to punish me for falling victim to it does not deserve my time and certainly not my money. Those talking about the "accomplishment" and "hardcore" aspects of the game are elitists trying to justify poor game design as old-school. If you like fun, AVOID.… Expand
  58. markuys
    Apr 3, 2011
    10
    I just had to register at Meta to WARN about this game. Ignore all positive reviews, graphics CAN run with ease playstation2... blocky, bad textures, no mood whatsoever anywhere in the game... For a ps3 exclusive... the worst game since commodore64... and by the way, this game IS not difficult, time your thrust...block...stab...and there you are. My score definately 4 out of 10. Avoid thisI just had to register at Meta to WARN about this game. Ignore all positive reviews, graphics CAN run with ease playstation2... blocky, bad textures, no mood whatsoever anywhere in the game... For a ps3 exclusive... the worst game since commodore64... and by the way, this game IS not difficult, time your thrust...block...stab...and there you are. My score definately 4 out of 10. Avoid this title, unless you have jailbraker mod...but then again, not worth the hd space... DO NOT SHOW THIS TO YOUR XBOX360 fans.… Expand
  59. StickyBomb
    Mar 22, 2011
    4
    Once upon a time, before most of you were born, games were tough. VERY TOUGH. No quicksaves, heck sometimes even no saves at all. Ah yes...those were the days. And it seems that the developers of Demon's Souls want to drag us all back to those days. But is this a good idea? Frankly...no.
    As an alleged RPG, Demon's Souls has litte story. Heck, even DOOM has more story. So if you want a    Once upon a time, before most of you were born, games were tough. VERY TOUGH. No quicksaves, heck sometimes even no saves at all. Ah yes...those were the days. And it seems that the developers of Demon's Souls want to drag us all back to those days. But is this a good idea? Frankly...no.
    As an alleged RPG, Demon's Souls has litte story. Heck, even DOOM has more story. So if you want a narrative, please look elsewhere. So what does this game have? DEATH...YOURS...AND LOTS OF IT.
    Mostly, your death is caused by not knowing your enemy. So you must therefore retrace your steps and fight again. But when you die you lose souls (the games currency) and so you ideally want to get back to where you died and touch your own bloodstain. Naturally, whatever killed you is still there - so be prepared.
    That pretty much is all there is to this game. It's a rinse and repeat hack 'n' slash with no party members and no real idea of what you're doing.
    Oh but there is online isn't there? And here is another major problem. You are basically online all the time, along with everyone else. People can and will, invade YOUR game and they may help you, but more often than not, they will kill you. Charming. Back you go to the beginning of the level AGAIN.
    If you like the idea of all this repetition, then you will love this game.
    Controls feel a bit 'off' unless you use target lock-on, which works, but is a great way to end up dead as you can't move the camera around to see what's behind you.
    Having said all that, the graphics are nice, the sound is OK, and the music is appropriately melancholic.
    It's a tough game, but you are always battling it's design flaws, rather than anything else.    … Expand
  60. Daybreak_Garden
    Mar 17, 2011
    9
    Demon's Souls is not for everyone. It is only for those who are undoubtedly determined to finish a game. From the tutorial alone, you're supposed to realize that. This is not a casual game. This is not a simple game. It is difficult, but it is there for a purpose. It needs your utmost attention and effort. If you can give it that, this game will be one of the most enjoyable games you'veDemon's Souls is not for everyone. It is only for those who are undoubtedly determined to finish a game. From the tutorial alone, you're supposed to realize that. This is not a casual game. This is not a simple game. It is difficult, but it is there for a purpose. It needs your utmost attention and effort. If you can give it that, this game will be one of the most enjoyable games you've played on your PS3. First of all, this game is not hard. At least, not yet. It gets harder when you beat it. Why? Why do you want to play a game you've already beaten? It has to challenge you again and keep up with you or else you'll lose interest. If you find this game too hard, seek another game you have interest in. Simple. Second, this game's story is subtle. Not good, not bad, just subtle. Since the game is closer to an MMORPG, that is probably to be expected. (The "Character Creation" and "Classes" should be the best hint for that so don't expect an extraordinary award-winning tale.) However, the characters are at least interesting and the graphics are superb. Third, your death is your fault. The worlds are in a state of terrible chaos and evil. But this time, its true to its word. So don't think that you'll survive if you're not cautious. Just be extra, extra, extra careful. Don't run unless you need to. Keep your shield up and be prepared for anything. The only thing that most people would probably agree on (including me) is how unfair the punishment of death is. Okay, you died. Its alright to start at the beginning of the stage. But having to kill all of the same creatures again without the guarantee that you can actually make it back to your Bloodstain is overkill. If only your souls weren't on the line this would be acceptable. Sadly, it is not. So spend them immediately and efficiently. Demon's Souls is not a perfect game. But its purpose is clear. The world is conquered by evil. We need to stop it. So get your gear ready and kick some ass. You were meant to save the world. You just need to prove it.… Expand
  61. FredIK
    Mar 17, 2011
    7
    The missing or short storyline affect this RPG, Sure the difficulty and challenge are awesome, many good ideas give a real potential to this game BUT please wrote a story and this game will be an epic and fully unforgettable game
  62. Hugodastrevas
    Mar 12, 2011
    10
    this must be the best game i played since final fantasy vii, it's not about the story its about gameplay, everyone should at least play it once. that's all.
  63. neobunch
    Mar 9, 2011
    10
    Few games have the balls to take a simple concept (you, a weapon and some items against everything else) and take it through to all of its consequences, good or bad. Demon's Souls is one such game. Each and every choice you make, where to go, what to carry, what upgrade path to take both for you and your equipment; all of that will be your own as there is no indication whatsoever of whatFew games have the balls to take a simple concept (you, a weapon and some items against everything else) and take it through to all of its consequences, good or bad. Demon's Souls is one such game. Each and every choice you make, where to go, what to carry, what upgrade path to take both for you and your equipment; all of that will be your own as there is no indication whatsoever of what you should do. The story is not shoved down your throat, you find it and learn it and most of all live it by exploring and just taking in the world around you. This is one of the game's greatest assets.
    I remember originally getting the game because of the IMPOSSIBLY HARD reputation, thinking "bunch of **** I'll show them" and also that it was some sort of toned-down God of war action game with RPG elements thrown in (from the trailers, ha!). What I got instead is one of the few truly fullfiling and great gaming experiences of my entire life. You can't prepare for this game, nor really ever master it, nor forget about it.
    When you finally *get* the game (or, more likely, the game *gets* you), you'll start seeing every design decision, like the no-save no-pause aspects as just another face of the lighting-in-a-bottle brilliance of this game.
    Over one year later after getting myself my first copy, a US version, I've already gone through the Japanese version and am halfway through on my first playthrough on the European version; and I am starting to feel the nostalgia that when the time comes to shutdown the servers powering the multiplayer component of this game I will only be able to go back to the whole experience that this game was by way of my memories.
    Take the plunge, embrace death and enjoy one of the few unique and pure gaming experiences this generation.
    (besides, the game is like $15 new now)    … Expand
  64. Herald_S
    Feb 28, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Demon Souls is an action-third-person RPG with a deep atmosphere. Immersive, artistally different worlds with End-bosses makes this game great. Gameplay is deep and difficult, and to some extent, surpsingly easy in the second run. Each weapon is different to handle, upgradeable and has its strenght and weakness. I dont want to miss this game.… Expand
  65. durantemj
    Jan 31, 2011
    10
    Pretty much, you'll either absolutely love this game or absolutely hate it. It's not a matter of poor design. This game is a grinder, and if you like really working for your accomplishments and some truly nail biting moments, then this is the game for you. The game looks beautiful, and the gameplay is very clean and simple. I've beaten the game 4 times and still it manages to kick myPretty much, you'll either absolutely love this game or absolutely hate it. It's not a matter of poor design. This game is a grinder, and if you like really working for your accomplishments and some truly nail biting moments, then this is the game for you. The game looks beautiful, and the gameplay is very clean and simple. I've beaten the game 4 times and still it manages to kick my ass from time to time. The competition between upper level players is fierce and overall this is one of the best games on the PS3. Once again, not being able to pause is not a design flaw, it was a choice, as well as the choice to make the game incredibly difficult. It took me a while to get into, but when it clicked, man what a great experience. To all of you who rated it low after playing it for one day. Walk away from it for a week, come back and give it another go, rinse, repeat, it will grow on you, I promise.… Expand
  66. Pier
    Jan 23, 2011
    4
    Demon's Soul lacks any kind of story telling. It's simply dungeon after dungeon collecting souls... and that could be ok if the game in itself was good, but it isn't.

    The graphics are ok, nothing spectacular though. But that's the only good part. The interface is clumsy and illogical, as if nobody had spent a second thinking how the user would navigate the menus (which are ugly). It is    Demon's Soul lacks any kind of story telling. It's simply dungeon after dungeon collecting souls... and that could be ok if the game in itself was good, but it isn't.

    The graphics are ok, nothing spectacular though. But that's the only good part.

    The interface is clumsy and illogical, as if nobody had spent a second thinking how the user would navigate the menus (which are ugly). It is really plagued with bad ideas... for example when you're playing and recover your blood an annoying text appears on top of the screen but the game still goes on and you can't see what's happening (and yeah you can get killed or fall into some hole and die).

    The gameplay is basically repeating the dungeons again and again without being able to save at any point, and loosing almost all your progress every time you die, which makes it boring and frustrating. And you die a lot of times...

    The combat system is also clumsy. Your character will start a combo, you will loose control of it, it will make make a few steps, and fall into a hole and die again.

    Also the game doesn't inform you of anything. You have to go to the internet to learn

    Oblivion, which is from 2006 is still a better RPG.

    This game is terribly bad, it's by far the worst game I've played on the PS3. I bought it because it had a high score on MC and I still can't understand why it has such a high score.    … Expand
  67. Republicofpeter
    Jan 19, 2011
    2
    This game is frustrating on purpose. I love a good challenge and I will sit and play something over and over for hours just to beat it, but Demon's Souls is a whole other matter. I tried it for several hours, playing through section after section of the first level only to die multiple times because I love to explore. I read notes left by players, avoided sections meant for higher ups,This game is frustrating on purpose. I love a good challenge and I will sit and play something over and over for hours just to beat it, but Demon's Souls is a whole other matter. I tried it for several hours, playing through section after section of the first level only to die multiple times because I love to explore. I read notes left by players, avoided sections meant for higher ups, and killed enemy after enemy on my journey to the boss. It never got fun. I waited and tried really hard to like this games as it was recommended to me by multiple friends, but its appeal just never shone through. I don't understand how this game got such a good review. Many elements of the game feel broken (targeting system is crap, difficulty increases with death, etc) and it tries to be difficult just to be difficult. How is that supposed to be fun? I don't play games to sit through such frustration, I want to have an enjoyable experience. I'm just so disappointed with this game overall, it had incredible potential, and I don't understand how so many others thought it was nearly flawless(10/10) . It's acceptable at best.… Expand
  68. ChronoFlareZero
    Jan 14, 2011
    10
    Demon's Souls is not for everyone, it's hard to the point where you want to throw your controller at the wall. But that's okay! It's difficulty is overall rewarding, combat is fun and deep, and not to mention that your character can become anything you want he or she to be despite what you pick for a job class. The game IS hard, you can't just rush into a battle and expect to win but justDemon's Souls is not for everyone, it's hard to the point where you want to throw your controller at the wall. But that's okay! It's difficulty is overall rewarding, combat is fun and deep, and not to mention that your character can become anything you want he or she to be despite what you pick for a job class. The game IS hard, you can't just rush into a battle and expect to win but just constantly attacking. You need to know when to block, when to dodge, and the right time to attack or heal. The story is sort of non-existent here, but it's still a good ride through.… Expand
  69. nmaxw63
    Jan 14, 2011
    9
    Great game. Brutally difficult (old school), so if you get frustrated and give up easily you might want to harden up or look elsewhere. Stick with it though and you'll be rewarded.
    Is definitely an action rpg (and more action than rpg) so don't expect story lines and NPCs to farm quests off.
    What it does it does brilliantly.
    Better value for your money than FFXIII.
  70. Icekyng
    Dec 28, 2010
    9
    I now lend this game out to people to see if they are made of the right stuff. Its been returned on every occasion. Its hard but once the back is broken you HAVE to use co-op play to really enjoy the experience. Some guy helped me finish the hardest boss and died with a tenth of the bosses health bar left. He must be gutted, but you take your breaks as the game is so unforgiving. You inchI now lend this game out to people to see if they are made of the right stuff. Its been returned on every occasion. Its hard but once the back is broken you HAVE to use co-op play to really enjoy the experience. Some guy helped me finish the hardest boss and died with a tenth of the bosses health bar left. He must be gutted, but you take your breaks as the game is so unforgiving. You inch along and learn more and more every play but its an investment, don't bother if you are easily put off, there are only a few of us who have finished it, and to be among them is an achievement in itself!… Expand
  71. BloodySlushy
    Dec 21, 2010
    10
    I've played through the game 6 times now, each time the challenges have been distinct due to the type of character I was playing. Yes the story is just about non-existent, but that's not the point. It's about the challenge, the struggle, and being able to say you did it. This game really is a dive back into the "good old" days of video games, Mega Man, Contra, Ghost & Goblins, etc. IfI've played through the game 6 times now, each time the challenges have been distinct due to the type of character I was playing. Yes the story is just about non-existent, but that's not the point. It's about the challenge, the struggle, and being able to say you did it. This game really is a dive back into the "good old" days of video games, Mega Man, Contra, Ghost & Goblins, etc. If you can take a cinder block to the nuts and say to yourself "F that... I WILL do this", then this is your game. I know I found it to be like crack in game form, hope you have fun too.… Expand
  72. the-dude
    Dec 5, 2010
    10
    Demon's souls was one of the best gaming experiences of my life. Yes, it was hard at first, but it got easier and easier. I played it so much, that in the end it was a little too easy. I even made it through the first playthrough without dying. The point of my review is that I don't want the reader to buy into the other reviews that say it is too hard or too unforgiving. You've got to beatDemon's souls was one of the best gaming experiences of my life. Yes, it was hard at first, but it got easier and easier. I played it so much, that in the end it was a little too easy. I even made it through the first playthrough without dying. The point of my review is that I don't want the reader to buy into the other reviews that say it is too hard or too unforgiving. You've got to beat the first level and then the game is no harder than you want it to be; you can farm souls and upgrade your character as much as you want before proceeding through the levels… Expand
  73. evenings
    Nov 23, 2010
    9
    Great hardcore RPG. I canâ
  74. Hostileeeee
    Nov 17, 2010
    10
    This is a hardcore game. Complex, original and brutally punishing; this game has little appeal to the 'casual' gamer. There's nothing wrong with being a casual gamer, but most who try this game seem to decry it as being too difficult before quitting within the first few hours.
    The difficulty of this game is not cheap. If you die, it is your fault, and you WILL die. A lot.
    The graphics are    This is a hardcore game. Complex, original and brutally punishing; this game has little appeal to the 'casual' gamer. There's nothing wrong with being a casual gamer, but most who try this game seem to decry it as being too difficult before quitting within the first few hours.
    The difficulty of this game is not cheap. If you die, it is your fault, and you WILL die. A lot.
    The graphics are great, although not spectacular, but the art style and aesthetics of the various worlds really immerse you in the game. Jaggies are very prominent if you sit close to your TV and frame rate drops are very noticeable during certain short sections.
    The sound is incredible. The SFX in each area are hauntingly atmospheric and further the immersion. The soundtrack is also fantastic, the compositions defining the atmosphere and underscoring all of your triumphs and failures. The combat is simplistic but the variety of enemies and their weaknesses will make you vary your playstyle, combining magic, bows and a large variety of melee weapons. Strategy is key to winning each and every fight, with basic enemies sometimes being as challenging as bosses. Stat progression provides a lot of depth to the game, giving lots of re-playability in creating different character builds. You can play this game 10 times over and still be discovering new weapon and magic combinations which drastically affect your playstyle. The PVP system could use work, especially considering how few players there are remaining. It can be very difficult to find players to play with/against.
    Awesomely addicting, brutally challenging and equally rewarding, Demon's Souls is a must-buy for any 'hardcore' gamer.    … Expand
  75. Reaperville
    Nov 5, 2010
    4
    In my opinion the game was to complicated..... every time you die you lose your souls and have to run around killing everything trying to level up....... maybe i missed a trick to getting through the game but i gave up and moved on after a fews hours of dying over and over and having to try to collect my lost souls again
  76. vilevolym
    Nov 3, 2010
    7
    Story wise the game is a standard RPG set-up, the Kingdom of Boletaria is in trouble & you are the only Soul who can save it. The game can be described as a Dark Fantasy RPG/Hack & slash. The RPG elements consist of levelling your character, looting, exploring, upgrading weapons, armour & rings.
    The combat side of the game is very much based on skill; both timing & anticipation are    Story wise the game is a standard RPG set-up, the Kingdom of Boletaria is in trouble & you are the only Soul who can save it. The game can be described as a Dark Fantasy RPG/Hack & slash. The RPG elements consist of levelling your character, looting, exploring, upgrading weapons, armour & rings.
    The combat side of the game is very much based on skill; both timing & anticipation are paramount to successful combat. Both melee, ranged & magic are all thrown into the mix; each is satisfying & thus opens up a huge combination of possible strategies. Personally I feel the combat is near enough spot on, with a variety of weapons all of which have their own distinct looks, size & swing types. Every item has pros & cons & its up to the player to decide when & where to use these items. Magic & ranged combat is also very well constructed, with new spells being made available once certain NPCâ    … Expand
  77. Tubie
    Oct 28, 2010
    7
    This is a game for the hardcore gamer. If you believe you fall into that category then this game would be a 10 for you. The graphics could have been better and the game could have given a better learning curve for the more casual gamer. It is true that you can get help if you play the game in online mode. Overall a good RPG no fan of the genre can miss out on.
  78. Mojo1977
    Oct 27, 2010
    8
    Sadistic. You've probably seen this word associated with the game. It's is a game for the masochistic gamer.
    The graphics are good. The music is zilch. The game overall... it's the most... i mean...
    I want to say the game is ridiculously hard and it sucks. But that's not it. It's a tough game, but your deaths are your fault. Timing is everything. Take a hit in the chest by a troll with    Sadistic. You've probably seen this word associated with the game. It's is a game for the masochistic gamer.
    The graphics are good. The music is zilch. The game overall... it's the most... i mean...

    I want to say the game is ridiculously hard and it sucks. But that's not it. It's a tough game, but your deaths are your fault. Timing is everything. Take a hit in the chest by a troll with an axe, you're going to die. Have a tentacle headed witch jab a spike through your head, you're going to die. The game is hard because it's realistic. There's no pause, because real life doesnt pause. Anything can kill you easily, because in real life you really are just a creampuff with a sword. Pick it up and try it. I am sure there is a used copy floating around somewhere    … Expand
  79. Stormblazer
    Oct 20, 2010
    10
    I don't understand what people are talking about with the difficulty, I found the game very enjoyable. Yes, it's a bit harder than some of the other games on the market, but it's not cheap or sadistic about it. I am a very casual gamer, and I personally did not have that many issues.
    The controls are amazing, incredibly fluid and responsive, more so than any other game I've played before    I don't understand what people are talking about with the difficulty, I found the game very enjoyable. Yes, it's a bit harder than some of the other games on the market, but it's not cheap or sadistic about it. I am a very casual gamer, and I personally did not have that many issues.
    The controls are amazing, incredibly fluid and responsive, more so than any other game I've played before or since. The levels are dark and foreboding with strong atmosphere.
    Did I die a lot? Sure. But the thing is, the game is honestly fun to play - it doesn't feel repetitive at all, and actually engages me as a player. Again, I say this as someone who ordinarily does not play action games at all.    … Expand
  80. calculatordisco
    Oct 20, 2010
    10
    Many games today believe that by setting you back to a checkpoint, when you die makes a game challenging. This is a break in logic. This is what makes a game frustrating--When a game, with simple gameplay, little challenge in terms of combat or mental fortitude, stabs you in the kidney with an experience hindering gesture with making you replay the same extremely simple, mindless combatMany games today believe that by setting you back to a checkpoint, when you die makes a game challenging. This is a break in logic. This is what makes a game frustrating--When a game, with simple gameplay, little challenge in terms of combat or mental fortitude, stabs you in the kidney with an experience hindering gesture with making you replay the same extremely simple, mindless combat encounter, platforming/climbing sequence, or the redundancy of plugging in the memorized puzzle pieces of some programmatic organized sequence of events, you are actually removing the user from the experience.

    With Demon's Souls, this part of the game is an actual mechanic that makes sense... Combat is HARD. Dying Sucks. However, in the case of Demon's Souls, it is this mechanic that makes this game complete. You are in a harsh world, with harsh consequences. When you finally overcome the obstacle that is a pain, every step of the way, you are greeted with a sense of accomplishment, that no other title in the past 15+ years has been able to deliver.

    All in all, one of the greatest games in gaming history. Think, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Megaman, or dare I compare, Ultima Online.

    Demon's Souls delivers in every way, and does not fail to impress.    … Expand
  81. prevbean
    Oct 15, 2010
    9
    Best ps3 of all time for me pulling out ahead of mgs. The game is hard and has some unforgivable things which is the only reason for a 9 otherwise a 10 from me.
  82. Bizmal
    Oct 12, 2010
    10
    Simply put, this is the best game this generation thus far. I think itâ
  83. HeroicPrinny
    Oct 5, 2010
    10
    The TRUE Gamer's game.

    Like many, I have been playing games since I was a child. Why did we play those games growing up? For me, games were challenging, and I never knew what was coming next. I was on a adventure, a journey I had never taken before. I didn't know where I was going, or if I would make it to the end alive. Beating a game was more than a check mark on a list of games;    The TRUE Gamer's game.

    Like many, I have been playing games since I was a child. Why did we play those games growing up? For me, games were challenging, and I never knew what was coming next. I was on a adventure, a journey I had never taken before. I didn't know where I was going, or if I would make it to the end alive. Beating a game was more than a check mark on a list of games; it was a personal experience.

    Many games today seem to have forgotten how to produce this magic, relying on fast development times to push out sequels and easy difficulties to attract all levels of "gamers". Nothing feels fresh, and to beat a game simply feels like going through the motions. Demon's Souls is a rare gem today, like a game dug up from the past, but with modern graphics. It truly pulls you into its world, and not with forced dialogue and excessive cut scenes that replace fun with filler. The world tells its own story, like games used to, and should. Demon's Souls is enjoyable, because every step of the way is an accomplishment by itself. Instead of being a game that doesn't "test your skill" until one optional sidequest at the end, DS keeps you on your toes the whole way. It doesn't rely on overpowered enemies, grinding, tricks, traps, things you couldn't possibly have foreseen or known to impede your progress. It all comes down to your own finesse in battle.

    And when you beat the game and grow confident, instead of letting you play the game again with everything the same (and easy like most new game+'s), the game becomes even harder. Demon's Souls is a game for those who like challenges: those who like learning, improving, mastering. Demon's Souls is a game for those who want to experience a fresh new adventure for the first time in years.    … Expand
  84. Warboxer
    Sep 28, 2010
    10
    This game is fantastic. I had played the game so much i started dreaming it! So I had to stop for a little while haha. The game is tough, but If your like me and want to triumph through it, then you will love the game to death. Buy it or rent it. It is truly worth every penny. Demon's Souls is amazing.
  85. AMKid
    Sep 26, 2010
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Best setting. Best design. Best game. I'm a casual player and this game little hard for me. Hard, but very realistic. If you like dark fantasy, cool design, medieval atmosphere, smart enemies and realistic gameplay - that's the best choice for you=)… Expand
  86. Treima
    Sep 23, 2010
    5
    Demon's Souls calls out to the player, begging him to find its secrets and explore its depths. Then it stabs him to death, urinates on his grave, and rapes his mother. The truly interesting and groundbreaking elements are drowned in frustrating controls, shoddy character creation, a bare-bones plot, and mundane art direction.
  87. aspentitan
    Sep 21, 2010
    9
    Demon's souls is a must have game. The reason it is must have is because it is one of the few games on the market in which you actually have to think as if you are in real life. Look at some of the negative reviews here. It is obvious many players expect every game to be a clone of each other and when a game like Demon's souls comes out with something original so many players have no clueDemon's souls is a must have game. The reason it is must have is because it is one of the few games on the market in which you actually have to think as if you are in real life. Look at some of the negative reviews here. It is obvious many players expect every game to be a clone of each other and when a game like Demon's souls comes out with something original so many players have no clue at all how to play and think for themselves. It seems everyone expects to carry over last games skills into the next and that new games are only new raw meat cinematics. Demon's souls has broken free of the dime a dozen philosophy and offers a very fun and rewarding game with a high level of customization. The game is not difficult it's only perceived this way because players now a days are so immersed in clones of games they have lost the ability to think for themselves in anything unique without the same controls and guns ect as everything else on the market. You will really enjoy this game if you give it some pause and player discretion. Once you have settled in and used your mind a bit this game far exceeds any other title on the market online or offline. There are only two small complaints i have about the title. The first is you can only carry so much equipment but wear only two rings and magic targeting could be improved a little. Any complaints that the game is broken or too tough speaks more about the player than the game.… Expand
  88. RandomDying
    Sep 19, 2010
    0
    I've come here to WARN anyone considering this horribly made game. The difficulty of this game lies in the not-so polished game designs and has nothing to do with being genius or brilliant or bringing any sort of "old-school" nostalgia." First off the controls are terrible, not the button layout just the way that if you accidently push one extra attack swipe, you not only waste staminaI've come here to WARN anyone considering this horribly made game. The difficulty of this game lies in the not-so polished game designs and has nothing to do with being genius or brilliant or bringing any sort of "old-school" nostalgia." First off the controls are terrible, not the button layout just the way that if you accidently push one extra attack swipe, you not only waste stamina but leave your guard open for an arrow/attack to get through. If you accidently swapped your secondary weapons, you leave yourself open for attack. You can't ever pause properly and the menus are not simple enough where easy swaps of items or equipment can be made on the fly. Enemies have no problem attacking and running through each other to mob you to death, as one breaks your shield another is landing a hit, but in instances where you have an allied NPC like the knight in the first level, you can't dare attack near him or it will cause friendly fire, huge double standard. Especially when volleys of arrows are going THROUGH the melee enemies you're trying to fight in some instances like the dragon bridge areas in the first level. (The only way enemies kill themselves is if they fall off a cliff or blow themselves up with fire). Targetting the correct opponent becomes near impossible when theres a mob of enemies. The only easy method early on is to just engage 1 or 2 enemies at a time by drawing their attention in the cheapest manner and running back as faster as you can in the most cowardly fashion, rinse and repeat and thats 99% of the gameplay. Using a bow is strictly prohibited unless you can make the kills from a VERY safe distance, since even swapping back to your shielf and sword will take a deadly amount of time. Even with a one handed cross bow (shield in other) your hero will think it is wise to ALWAYS immediately reload after the shot rather than shield and move into a safe corner first. The platforming is random or not implemented properly. Accidently falling off of cliffs will occur especially in the many tight stairwells when targetting and fighting enemies. Trying to climb knee-high platforms is needlessly glitched, where you find yourself tumbling forward into the small wall. The story is mediocre at best and when you are randomly dying every couple minutes you simply forget what is the point. The npc characters are boring to talk to and have very few lines and whenever finished shopping or speaking with them you are forced to listen through the same old goodbye message. Using souls as your only means of gaining levels and purchasing is ridiculous and makes no sense. Gaining levels one stat at a time is a very slow and painfully grinding process, especially if you're forced to kill the same basic enemies thousand times over just to feel confident enough to proceed to the next imbalanced and going-to-instant-kill-you foe. Once you've died the world tendency becomes darker, thus harder than before to the point where you can't even get to where you last died before since you've already run out of healing greens that rarely drop, but you have plenty of mana and poison replenishment potions that you don't need if you didn't become a mage early on or are encountering poison enemies. The game just becomes repetitive and the same boring level over and over, and they are mostly linear with the exception of some rooms but most of the side paths will just loop back to the main one. Do not waste your money and time and frustration.… Expand
  89. LBC
    Sep 9, 2010
    9
    Demon's Souls delivers what many games nowadays simple cannot: bone-crushing, yet accessible levels of difficulty. Make no mistake: you will die a lot in this prickly dungeon crawler. However, you'll find that Demon's Souls is a highly rewarding game once you make it over that first hump and get a decent character going. And, while you do so, you are given a great degree of freedom toDemon's Souls delivers what many games nowadays simple cannot: bone-crushing, yet accessible levels of difficulty. Make no mistake: you will die a lot in this prickly dungeon crawler. However, you'll find that Demon's Souls is a highly rewarding game once you make it over that first hump and get a decent character going. And, while you do so, you are given a great degree of freedom to craft a character that is truly and uniquely yours. Atlus has done a wonderful job of creating a dark, high-fantasy world that just begs to be explored. This game is a must-buy for any PS3 owner looking for a well-polished (and extremely difficult) action / RPG experience.… Expand
  90. olmaz
    Aug 28, 2010
    9
    Let it out first : this game is awesome........ if you take the time to play it like it should be and if you change your gamer reflexes gained from God of War and other smashers...
    Graphics : really good, not the best on PS3 but really enticing, especially if you want some western fantasy world (something we kind of miss since Oblivion, and Dragon Age didn't have enough originality in the    Let it out first : this game is awesome........ if you take the time to play it like it should be and if you change your gamer reflexes gained from God of War and other smashers...
    Graphics : really good, not the best on PS3 but really enticing, especially if you want some western fantasy world (something we kind of miss since Oblivion, and Dragon Age didn't have enough originality in the art design)
    Sounds : really good too (go to The Tower level, those Octomagus with bells will creep you out of your mind), maybe some more epic music would have been nice at some key moments
    Gameplay : totally incredible... it's a hardcore game, so be prepared, that means you CANNOT go in, smash everybody and get out of the level after 15 minutes. You have to be patient, to slowly understand what you have to do, what should be the best way to pass this or that monster. But when you do, it's so rewarding you can't stop yourself to go on. It can be really frustrating at time, but only because it asks you to get better. You cannot play the whole game smashing the same button. You have to develop tactics, to understand what your character's can or cannot do. But the game is never unfair. When you die (and you die often) you know it's because you aren't good enough for this monster. You go to another level you couldn't pass before and you see your level is sufficient now.... and so on. Really rewarding but, as I said before, you must adapt to the way you must play it.
    Controls : absolutely no problem, smooth, precise, you'll never die because of them, only because of your own failure :)
    Online : mind-blowing! Yeah, a single-player RPG has a great online experience, let me explain how : when you are alive, you can call other players (that you don't know) in the form of blue ghosts to help you in a certain level. If you manage to kill the boss of that level, the ghost player will be resurrected in his own game. If you're dead, you can leave a message on the floor saying you're free to be summoned as a ghost by another player. Or you can invade another player's world as a Red Ghost to try and kill him, which will revive you too. Pure Genius. When you understand how it works, you really have a lot of fun with that system.
    Longevity : the game itself is long enough (it took me like 1,5 week to finish it, and playing it quite a lot each day), and you clearly want to play it again to see the (many) things you missed the first time you played it. So good points here too.
    Fun (because games are all about fun) : it will depend on your definition of fun in games. If difficulty really freaks you down, don't come near that game. But if beating some great challenges and getting really rewarded each time is your thing, don't hesitate one second.    … Expand
  91. BobG
    Feb 15, 2010
    10
    I have to admit. This game didn't click for me at first. I rented it and beat the first area and couldn't make a dent past the lizard people in world 2-1. I didn't think about it for a month, and I had to urge to buy it. So, like an idiot, I bought it. Played the same level and wondered why I bought it. Then it clicked. I blasted through the part that I couldn't get I have to admit. This game didn't click for me at first. I rented it and beat the first area and couldn't make a dent past the lizard people in world 2-1. I didn't think about it for a month, and I had to urge to buy it. So, like an idiot, I bought it. Played the same level and wondered why I bought it. Then it clicked. I blasted through the part that I couldn't get through and was hooked since then. Yes, this game is hard! Yes, you will die, a lot. But, when you do make it and kill the boss it gives you such satisfaction that no other game can give you. Do yourself a favor. Rent the game at-least. Just keep 60 bucks aside because you will buy the game after you play it. It's that addicting.… Expand
  92. JT
    Feb 14, 2010
    10
    This is what games should be like. Rewarding. There are too many games where you can just waltz in and kill everything. I dont understand why developers are making their player base stupid. Gaming used to be about skill. Now it seems like its just about items that make the game stupid simple.
  93. JohnF
    Feb 11, 2010
    10
    This game is amazing. I have been a gamer for a long time and my main genres are RPG's, Racing, and Sandbox with some FPS and i gotta tell you this might be the greatest game ive ever played. The graphics are great, the story and backstory is pretty deep and the RPG elements are right there with the likes of oblivion. And for weaklings like MiKE and know how to play an RPG and level This game is amazing. I have been a gamer for a long time and my main genres are RPG's, Racing, and Sandbox with some FPS and i gotta tell you this might be the greatest game ive ever played. The graphics are great, the story and backstory is pretty deep and the RPG elements are right there with the likes of oblivion. And for weaklings like MiKE and know how to play an RPG and level up your character so the game is not so hard (except for that damn world 5-2 LOL) then you will be rewarded with a great game and a staple to next gen gaming and RPG's. With great graphics, story, custimization, and zelda type combat that is fun and simple at first and then very rewarding later this is the greatest next gen game ive ever played right over the likes of Twilight Princess, Infamous, Mass effect, and oblivion. Demon Souls is a masterpiece dont be scared like MiKE and try it out.… Expand
  94. JoseG
    Feb 8, 2010
    10
    Anyone who gave this game less than an 8, didn't REALLY give this game a chance... My first character I gave up on and put the game aside. After reading other people talking about it, I decided to give it another go. I then created a character that fit more for my gaming style... That's when I fell in love... To overlook the simplicity is blasphemy. I LOVE not having to talk Anyone who gave this game less than an 8, didn't REALLY give this game a chance... My first character I gave up on and put the game aside. After reading other people talking about it, I decided to give it another go. I then created a character that fit more for my gaming style... That's when I fell in love... To overlook the simplicity is blasphemy. I LOVE not having to talk with NPC's just to get to the next part of the game or next quest. When you do, though, you are rewarded. It's an RPG at its simplest and an action platformer at its heart. I have NEVER spent over 200 hrs playing any one game... I've NEVER spent sooo many times beating and beating a game over again. I've started my third character and am glad to have it in my collection. I wont trade or sell this game as long as I can play it. Every game I've played since, seems simple and boring.… Expand
  95. MarioC.
    Jan 27, 2010
    10
    Absolutely essential for anyone looking for a challenging, yet highly rewarding and fun game. Excellent atmosphere, adrenaline-pumping boss fights, and a great online community. Demon's Souls is hands down the best action RPG of the past 5 years.
  96. JimT.
    Jan 27, 2010
    10
    One of my faves this gen (I own the 360 and PS3), haven't stopped playing it since purchased mid December so that means the likes of Unchartered, ACII, GTA LC stories and MW2 are getting overlooked at the moment. I have played those other games a bit (all Christmas presents) but I always find myself being drawn back to DS. I don't call myself a hardcore gamer and would normally One of my faves this gen (I own the 360 and PS3), haven't stopped playing it since purchased mid December so that means the likes of Unchartered, ACII, GTA LC stories and MW2 are getting overlooked at the moment. I have played those other games a bit (all Christmas presents) but I always find myself being drawn back to DS. I don't call myself a hardcore gamer and would normally become frustrated with endless deaths but this game is so special I keep coming back for more. No other game I've played in the last few years comes close in terms of rewarding gameplay and punishing a 'charging in' kind of attitude. You get to learn that slow progress is generally the key due to the fact that you restart the level and lose your collected souls if you die, which then makes you treat every enemy encounter with the respect it deserves. Quite simply, it's fantastic. I'm in the UK so had to import a US copy which is the first time I've ever had to do that as any other game I've wanted had been released over here, had to be done though is this game is that special.… Expand
  97. KevinM
    Jan 26, 2010
    10
    Don't listen to people who say this game is too difficult. The difficulty can be challenging but thats what makes this game unique. Instead of mindless slashing you put in strategy and thought into each fight.
  98. [Anonymous]
    Jan 26, 2010
    10
    I feel this game is getting low scores from people who played it because they're not used to a game that is actually difficult to complete. Demon's Souls is one of my favorite PS3 games because it's so difficult. It's hard, it's frustrating, and sometimes it's just mean. But to be honest, it's what makes the game fun and unique.
  99. ChrisI
    Jan 24, 2010
    10
    This is the Must Have Title for the Playstation 3. There are so few games with this much attention to detail as is in Demon Souls. Its hard, but never have I experienced a game with so much reward to the player for putting the time and Effort into a game.
  100. LudvikoN
    Jan 23, 2010
    10
    Extremely good game. Probably one of the best I ever played. No doubt the game of the year 09.
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best PS3 Game of 2009
2
#2 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2009
2
#2 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 81 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 81
  3. Negative: 0 out of 81
  1. Cynamite
    85
    Demon's Souls: Unbelievably hard and unbelievably satisfying at the same time. If you accomplish to get through your initial rage attacks, you will experience an outstanding action-RPG with a tense and dark atmosphere.
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  2. Telegraph
    100
    Beyond the initial threat of difficulty there waits a remarkable combination of accessibility and challenge, of risk and reward, punishment and empowerment.
    Read full review
  3. Eurogamer
    90
    It's stoic, uncompromising, difficult to get to know, but also deep, intriguingly disturbed and perversely rewarding. You can learn to love Demon's Souls like few other games in the world. But only if you're prepared to give yourself over to it. [JPN Import]
    Read full review
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