Demon Gaze

 PlayStation Vita
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
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  1. USgamer
    Apr 22, 2014
    90
    Demon Gaze is an enjoyable and enormously addictive title that strikes a good balance between endearing JRPG-style narrative and compelling dungeon-crawling exploration, let down only slightly by somewhat repetitive combat.
  2. The Escapist
    Apr 22, 2014
    90
    Demon Gaze is tough as nails, sometimes dishearteningly so, but its overall charm and excellent sense of polish make it impossible to stay away from for long. A truly excellent example of challenging dungeon crawling.
  3. Digitally Downloaded
    Apr 22, 2014
    90
    This is a game made with loving fan service and an eye for details that only genre veterans will really appreciate. For everyone else it's going to be a pretty, but slow-paced and obscure RPG with an odd sense of humour.
  5. PlayStation Universe
    May 1, 2014
    85
    A fun, grind-heavy dungeon crawler that shows off some wonderful anime designs. It is an easy pickup for most RPG fans, but especially for those looking for an old-school Wizardry experience.
  6. IGN Italia
    Apr 22, 2014
    82
    Demon Gaze will not revolutionize the JRPG genre, but it's a very well crafted game, that delivers tons of fun and high longevity. If you love dungeon crawlers, you should give it a chance.
  7. ZTGD
    Apr 30, 2014
    80
    Demon Gaze proudly treads on proven grounds with a few twists of its own, and fans of the genre will surely enjoy their adventure as the bane of all demons.
  8. Pocket Gamer UK
    Apr 23, 2014
    80
    Tough, beautiful, and easy to lose yourself in, Demon Gaze is a polished dungeon crawler with tons of challenge and charm.
  9. Hardcore Gamer
    Apr 21, 2014
    80
    The biggest hurdle to enjoying the game is simply your tastes for (or tolerance of) copious displays of fanservice. As long as you can handle that then you’re in for a very mechanically sound dungeon crawler with Demon Gaze.
  10. Gamestyle
    Apr 19, 2014
    80
    Demon Gaze is what it is and it is fantastic at doing what it does. One for veterans of the genre only though.
  11. Everyeye.it
    Apr 29, 2014
    78
    Unlike some other "busty" games (Senran Kagura Burst anyone?), Demon Gaze is not just fan service. It is, instead, a solid dungeon crawler; not as good as Etrian Odyssey, but perfect for those who remember Wizardry and want to re-discover an old-school RPG.
  12. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    May 17, 2014
    75
    Improves the JRPG rigmarole with one or two great ideas. Is a letdown in the writing department. [June 2014, p79]
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  13. 3DJuegos
    Apr 22, 2014
    75
    Another PS Vita exclusive JRPG in the vein of classics such Wizardry or Shin Megami Tensei. Old school fun.
  14. Vandal
    Apr 21, 2014
    75
    It borrows from classic games of the genre, in such a pure way that what will be nostalgia for some, will be hurdles for others. However, it's aimed at a certain audience that will enjoy every positive and "negative" side of the game.
  15. Meristation
    Apr 20, 2014
    75
    A good example of "graphics don't make it fun", Demon Gaze is pure, unadulterated Dungeon Crawler in every sense. With a cast of secondary characters that give life to the non-exploration/combat parts with their dialogues and relations, an Inn which becomes our central office with even mortuaries that ask us for skulls, and an enormous customization system that even lets us choose the kind of loot we wanna get, this portable Dungeons tour can become really addictive, especially with a non-original but well-made combat system that makes us some Demonbusters and trainers. Maybe it is not the prettiest out there -watch out with some of its non-safe-for-work art-, nor the most original or memorable, but just give it a chance if you like the genre.

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best PS Vita Game of 2014
24
#24 Most Discussed PS Vita Game of 2014
21
#21 Most Shared PS Vita Game of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 112 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 98 out of 112
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 112
  3. Negative: 6 out of 112
  1. dr0s3
    Apr 22, 2014
    10
    I am overly impressed with this game- amazing interface efficient battle and an enjoyable grind (One of those rare times where I actually hadI am overly impressed with this game- amazing interface efficient battle and an enjoyable grind (One of those rare times where I actually had fun grinding out something, even if it is random it's almost addictive.) The story and characters are a bit deeper than something like the EO series, but you still have that wonderful since of control as you decide everything from voice to appearance of your characters, something that I didn't think about before but being able to change an annoying voice is pretty nice.

    Not for everyone, but really hit the spot for me. Now to go back to the dungeons!    … Full Review »
  2. jameswoo
    Apr 23, 2014
    10
    I have played the Japanese version extensively before playing this English version. A polished and modern take on the dungeon RPG genre.I have played the Japanese version extensively before playing this English version. A polished and modern take on the dungeon RPG genre. Highly recommended.… Full Review »
  3. DanHazy
    Apr 3, 2016
    8
    Concept: Battle through waves of enemies in a dungeon crawler with enough strategy and fanservice to satisfy any gamer.

    Story: The story is    Concept: Battle through waves of enemies in a dungeon crawler with enough strategy and fanservice to satisfy any gamer.

    Story: The story is intriguing with humorous and perverted dialogue mixed in.

    Gameplay: The gameplay feels like a real adventure because of the constant struggle for money, which means players can never get everything they need before setting out for a dungeon. This makes players consider their purchases carefully. I'll delve more into gameplay further down in this review. 

    Graphics: The graphics aren't bad for a ps vita game and the dungeons look incredible. 

    Gameplay time: My gameplay time was forty five hours which doesn't include the endgame content, which can claim an additional twenty hours.

    Music: The music was outstanding. Players can expect upbeat relaxing songs with some japanese vocalized songs mixed in. A couple of dungeons had no music whatsoever though. These dungeons were an under water dungeon that only had water swishing sound effects and a palace dungeon that only had someone speaking inaudibly.

    Voice acting: Voice acting was high quality with every voice fitting each character. The game was only voice acted about thirty percent of the time however. This game is voiced in english.

     In depth review

    Great gameplay, perverted, charming, and challenging. These are all elements found in Demon Gaze. Demon Gaze is a dungeon crawler that demands players to strategically battle their enemies or otherwise, face a gameover screen. This game prides itself on it's difficulty no doubt, as it's the most difficult rpg to be released for quiet some time. This may make gamers reconsider purchasing this game, which is understandable, but many gamers found this difficulty to be refreshing as so many rpg's today hold your hand the whole way through. So if you aren't afraid of a little challenge, then grab a Pico hammer, befriend a demon, and what the hell, bring Etna along and venture through the world of Demon Gaze.

    Let's talk about the gameplay difficulty, which is what made Demon Gaze so unique. Some of the reasons the difficulty is so high are; limited supply of revival items, a constant struggle for money, and powerful enemies that can kill a couple of your party members before you even get a chance to act. The reason the player is so short of money is the fact that the player has to pay rent whenever they return to the inn, which is your base. This makes every venture outside the inn an important one as players need to make each one profitable by fighting enough battles to actually profit when you return. If the player doesn't have enough money when they return, then they fall into debt. On the other hand, paying rent on time grants the players gifts from time to time.

    The gameplay involves much strategy as players make their own unique team, choose which demons they take into battle, and choose which stat gets boosted when obtaining a level up. Making a team is very customizable as players can choose between many different classes and race's. This allows players to make each party member exactly how they wish. When making these characters, players get to choose their appearance from about sixty different character potraits. Etna, Flonne, Sicily, and Asagi can be bought for a cheap price as dlc. 

    The boss fights in this game usually require some amount of prior grinding. Which isn't so bad because battles can be fast forwarded , taking very little time. These boss fights are demons which after defeat, will join the party. These demons can be summoned during battle to attack, heal, or help defend. Each demon has their unique qualities which leads to some decision making when deciding which demons would best be suited for each boss fight.

    This game does state that when creating the main character, that they will always be referred to as a male, regardless of what gender you choose. This is quiet astonishing I know, and completly unacceptable. What's the word....flabbergasted. Yes, I was flabbergasted when I read this and it was the only reason  I didn't choose a female.

    Closing comments:  Demon Gaze is not for everyone as difficult as it is, but if you are up for a challenging rpg that always feels rewarding when emerging on the victorious side of battle, then join the proud gamers who have conquered this demon. There is also another dungeon crawler for ps vita made by the same people who brought you Demon Gaze. It is titled Operation Abyss and is said to be a more serious game with little to no fanservice.

    That wraps this review up, hope it helps.    … Full Review »
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