Demon's Souls

[Raitei]

This is possibly one of the 9 un-announced TGS titles?

Images : http://videogamerx.gamedonga.co.kr/zbxe/994888

Remember yesterday and that pretty huge list of unannounced Sony games? Yeah, we're starting to learn what some of them are. This one -- seen in Japanese magazine Weekly Famitsu -- is called Demon's Souls. It's an action-RPG made by From Software.

Those guys are the developers of the Armored Core series and also King's Field. While their new title for the PS3 looks strikingly a lot like Shadow of the Colossus (or at least it does in its most captivating picture), the game isn't going to be exclusive to giant slaying. The game will be at Tokyo Game Show -- which is less than two weeks away.

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/10/01/demons-souls-looks-like-current-gen-shadow-of-the-colossus/

[curryking1]

Looks like some sort of Elder Scrolls style RPG to me.

Doesn't look like SOTC remotely to me and it also doesn't look to bad. I especially like that monster in the pictures at the end of the documents I think it's at the top of the third page.

I say again though, I'm really feeling Elder Scrolls style game coming out of Japan. As much as I loved Elder Scrolls III that means I might like this quite a damn lot too.

[Nova]

Doesn't look like SOTC remotely to me and it also doesn't look to bad.

The image that shows a silhouette of a person standing against the harshly-lit sky..

..That's where the visual comparison ends.

As for Demon's Souls, it looks interesting. Hopefully a teaser will accompany this announcement soon.

[VG Aficionado]

I'm all for RPGs, but if it's by From Software I need to play a demo first. Looking good though.

[EvilTaru]

Looks pretty. ~_~

[Z]

looks like a serious RPG looking at the art direction (no anime kiddie stuff) and I LOVE that. but, as VG said, some Jap devs are too quircky for me to seriously get into an RPG. so, we'll need to wait and see. but it does look good to begin with. also, we are RPG hungry, nay starving!, so we'll pretty much eat anything up and lick the plate.

[curryking1]

I definitely agree with you two, and it's probably something we should watch for... I really don't want to play a Dynasty Warriors * Oblivion game...

If it's free roaming observing Oblivion or Diablo as reference material for gameplay concepts would be nice. Just add a bit of depth or streamlining to combat...

The adventure game plus the RPG is not a terribly new concept I would bet. That seems like something that would be appropriate for what this looks like it could be.

[Z]

http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/demons-souls/
http://jay-t.com/public/gaf/soul.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/259zyf9.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/ddyfz5.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/262rtoi.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/51zo2a.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/242dj7l.jpg
http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/demons-souls/img/ss/09.jpg
http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/demons-souls/img/ss/07.jpg
http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/demons-souls/img/ss/10.jpg
http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/demons-souls/img/ss/12.jpg
http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/demons-souls/img/ss/08.jpg


SCE Japan producer Takeshi Kajii described the game to Famitsu as a spiritual successor to King's Field, the From-developed first-person RPG that first hit it big on the original PlayStation. "I am a fan of From Software, but naturally that also means there are parts of their games I'm not satisfied with, too," he said. "If this was a new King's Field game, there would be areas we wouldn't be able to touch since they're part of the series; working together like this, we can try to make something really new."

Demon's Souls takes place in the kingdom of Boletaria, currently enshrouded in a deep fog thanks to its king inadvertently unleashing an ancient monster from his slumber. You, a nameless hero who you're free to customize Elder Scrolls-style, must penetrate into Boletaria and save the kingdom -- but like many US RPGs these days, the game is slated to be extremely open-ended. "You get only the barest minimum of a goal, and there's nothing forcing you to do anything in the game," Kajii said. "People say to you 'Save the world,' but you can ignore them and keep going if you like."

The way Kajii and From Software director Hidetaka Miyazaki described it, Demon's Souls is a bit of a hybrid -- an RPG that uses the PS3's hardware to the hilt while still retaining the challenge and exploration of traditional role-players. Your hero can use a wide variety of weapons, each of which has different attacks and animations depending on how skillful you are or whether you're using one hand or two, and the game's physics system places natural limits on what's possible in any given tactical situation. "We gave a lot of thought to how to make the fun and charms of a classic RPG interesting all over again with the latest technology at hand," Miyazaki noted. "We figured that doing the things that previous hardware ignored -- having long weapons bump into walls, lighting the area in realtime with the torch in your hand -- would make the game that much more fun. We're taking the things you did through menus in Wizardry and letting you carry them out in real life." (Miyazaki also hinted that while Demon's Souls won't have multiplayer, he would still like to "find a way to use the Internet to make the single-player mode more interesting.
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3170272

-thanks to neogaf for the heads up.

Looks fucking gorgeous! check me as H.Y.P.E.D! now, I only need to see gameplay video to seal the deal and make me jump off a cliff from happiness.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa188/shmookins/emos/ATT00009.gif

[Applefiend]

Oh bugger there goes another $60....

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Keep an eye out. O_O

[VG Aficionado]

Interest rising.

[Segitz]

Is this FPS too? Then I don't know if I will like it... dunno, FPS RPGs don't interest me at all somehow

[yoshaw]

http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/demons-souls/
http://jay-t.com/public/gaf/soul.jpg


For some reason, that artwork alone, sold me!

I'm in for the good.

[Z]

I love that the size of enemies is bigger than you. I hate where games make you fight rats and bats. I mean come on now, seriously?
I hope this one doesn't have that shit.

[drakkar]

At first I must admit I didn't think it looked that great from the scans, now with direct feed shots I am changing my tune.

I am completely hooked as to the look and feel of this game. Can't wait!

[Diresu]

This looks like Oblivion meets Monster Hunter. I am interested.

[OmniCloud]

have to see some gameplay first--hopefully it's not slow as snails like Oblivion...

Looks interesting, maybe give Fallout a run for its money...

[Z]

I still want to see if it is actually like a wRPG free-roamer. but the thing that has me hooked already is that it is Japanese developed. I just LOVE the Japanese (and Asian in general) art direction and design way more than the dull Western one. also, it looks to be dark and gritty, and I always say yes to that.

[LiquidEagle]

First-Person view, though, right? :-/

[Z]

I am not sure. maybe you have a 3rd person camera choice. anyway, we'll see it in action in 5 days. maybe even shorter if one of the major Jap sites uploads the vids early. :)

[Xclusion]

I believe it's third person

[Red_Eyes]

I prefer to fight these giant monsters over little rats in Oblivion.

[VG Aficionado]

A couple screenshots I didn't see in the previous page:

http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/demons-souls/img/ss/04.jpg

http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/demons-souls/img/ss/13.jpg

[GTAce]

That.Is.Nice.

[Sephiroth_VII]

Oh bugger, PS3 will ruin me...

[Bliss]

Looking nice, I'll stay tuned on this one.

[Diresu]

Hopefully it shares very little in common with Oblivion except for being open ended.

[blurton]

looks epic

[curryking1]

Hopefully it shares very little in common with Oblivion except for being open ended.

Which is oddly enough I'm sure exactly what we want, open endedness with awesome and far more creatively expressed enemies and without all the blandness of Oblivion ;)

The appeal of just the monsters in these pictures is enough to get excited...

I definitely want to see more so I can see whether or not my attention will be worth it.

[Xclusion]

A couple screenshots I didn't see in the previous page:
http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/demons-souls/img/ss/13.jpg

No way you could fight that thing with oblivions pacing/speed.

[curryking1]

Holy ***k!

I totally missed Z's post on the last page! Totally excited now!

^True that... that's what I'm talking about when I say 'blandness.'

[Diresu]

Which is oddly enough I'm sure exactly what we want, open endedness with awesome and far more creatively expressed enemies and without all the blandness of Oblivion ;)

The appeal of just the monsters in these pictures is enough to get excited...

I definitely want to see more so I can see whether or not my attention will be worth it.

At this point I get excited for anything with the word "RPG" in it...I am playing shadow hearts : from the new world right now (Nowhere near good as two but not terrible...just ok) ....because the only damn RPG's are on PS2 and all they are doing for me is making me think "wow, RPG's with next gen tech would be awesome "

[Z]

No way you could fight that thing with oblivions pacing/speed.
well, generally, Japanese games always had faster and more extreme controls than Western games, imo. I wouldn't worry about that.
3 days and 19 hours to go!

[VG Aficionado]

I'm getting hyped for TGS. The last two were rather disappointing in terms of software, but hopefully this one will be good. C'mon!

[Z]

Has this been posted yet?
Demon's Souls gameplay (http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_8917_en.html)
No sound.

great! thanks, mate. :)

I can see myself roaming that world.

[Segitz]

Meanwhile, Sony’s Japanese wing brings to the event a horribly clichéd DMC rip-off in Demon’s Souls

Says Edge... I though this was an RPG??!?

EDIT: From watching the trailer, I get the impression EDGE has NOOOO idea what they are talking about

[Xclusion]

Their confusing this with quantum theory

[Z]

or Baytona?

anyway, with monsters that good looking, I'll happily roam the land and crawl all the dungeons. I hate it in Oblivion where the few dungeons I did finish were completely empty- aside from rats and skeletons. ooh, skeletons! they stopped being scary since 1924! and rats? now, you're just insulting me. at least make a level cap so the bugs and the flies won't keep bothering you when you are way out of their league....

hope they don't fuck up this one with some stupid little thing. I want a long playing off-line single player game. i love those the best. :)

[cliffbo]

sort that animation walking animation out and this could be very very good:

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/41156.html

[Z]

zhkY1eqA_fg
a play vid I haven't seen before. skip the first half since it's stupid. the end part gives it a Monster Hunter vibe which is a very good thing. also, the animation shows the distinct Japanese approach to game design which I love.

hopefully, this title will not disappoint. :)


PS. the stupid vBulletin search tool will be the end of me!

[VG Aficionado]

New scan (http://www.imagebam.com/image/84d48b18713542), apparently.

That video makes it look really rough and early in development. There's nothing next-gen to it in terms of mechanics. It looked really boring.

[VG Aficionado]

Japanese release date? (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=13249938&postcount=322)

Demon's Souls out February 5th for PS3.

I wouldn't have expected it to be out so soon, especially without even a trailer yet and looking so far from being done.

[Red_Eyes]

Yeah, it's still too early in development

[Z]

yeah, I love short waits between announcements and releases, but this is too quick. even if we say the English version won't be out for another half a year, Japan didn't get much exposure to the game as well.

I don't want to start worrying since I am looking forward to this game. it looks like a game I will enjoy very much.

*crosses fingers*

[VG Aficionado]

Slm1bS9XD-M

New trailer in low quality. Looking better than before, but the mediocre gameplay videos and From Software's poor games don't really make me hyped.

[Z]

the bosses look awesome and they are huge!

the mediocre gameplay videos and From Software's poor games don't really make me hyped.
even if the gameplay isn't that great, I am in it for the atmosphere and the Japanese style of doing things.

great vid; it got me excited. :)

[yoshaw]

Wow, got me excited too!! I'm IN!!

[VG Aficionado]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_01.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/01.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_02.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/02.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_03.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/03.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_04.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/04.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_05.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/05.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_06.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/06.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_07.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/07.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_08.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/08.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_09.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/09.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_10.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/10.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_11.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/11.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_12.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/12.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_13.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/13.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_14.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/14.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_15.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/15.jpg) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/th_16.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/jazzking2001/demons%20soul/16.jpg)

[Red_Eyes]

Japanese style Oblivion. Excellent

[chartwel]

i thought that trailer looked pretty sweet. sure, that last time they showed it the needed to tighten up the framerate and animations. i read an interview that said they were focussing a lot on animations so i think we will be cool. very excited for this game, i hope it pans out.

[err_ok]

Japanese style Oblivion. Excellent

I want.

[Red]

Good news. The asia version of this game will come out like the japanese version in february. With english text/language.
Sorry can?t give you the source because i write this message with the ps3 browser.

[VG Aficionado]

That doesn't mean you can't type the main page URL of your source :cowboy:

[Z]

probably the Hong Kong version and other Asian regions. the games get pressed in Singapore and shipped around Asia and Oceania. I get my games from there since they are the cheapest. but keep in mind that the an Asian game will only support DLC from a local PSN store like the HK store. so speaking generally, if you are buying an online heavy game, you should pay a few extra dollars and make sure you get your preferred region version of the game.

about the screens, I am really excited about this game. since this is a Japanese game, the tech obviously won't match up with the best out there, but I love their game style and atmosphere.

[Red]

That doesn't mean you can't type the main page URL of your source :cowboy:

Here:

http://www.qj.net/Demon-s-Souls-getting-English-version-in-Asia/pg/49/aid/127503

or here

http://www.siliconera.com/2008/12/19/demons-souls-due-for-an-english-release/

and some Screens of the ENGLISH MENU:

http://www.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/demonss.jpg
http://www.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/demons2.jpg

[VG Aficionado]

A few more screenshots (http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1220594_1407.html)

Not looking all that bad, but surely there will be a demo available.

[Z]

^ with auto translation (http://translate.google.de/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.famitsu.com%2Fgame%2F coming%2F1220594_1407.html&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=de&ie=UTF-8)

man, these bosses make me want the game so bad. I am sure the tech, length, side quests and controls of this game will suck, but I got a feeling i'll still like it. kind of like a clunky good game. :)

[OmniCloud]

The style looks far more interesting than Oblivion and Fallout. If they can match the quality of the WRPG's (controls/length/story) I think it could be a sleeper hit.

But it'll probably turn out like Z's description above.

[KRA]

GameTrailers: Demon's Souls Japanese Trailer HD (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43989.html?type=)

i like the big dragon at the end. it looks kind of like giger's alien :)

[VG Aficionado]

The trailer is not bad, but I've got the feeling it's going to be a really mediocre game. We'll see though.

[Diresu]

^So was oblivion and everyone liked that one =P

[Xclusion]

I hated Oblivion, Morrowind for the win.

[Diresu]

I hated both.

[Z]

I hae every single wRPG- even Oblivion. I just can't sand them no matter how much I try. I am giving Fallout 3 a chance over and over and it doesn't look good. they get on my nerves so freakin' bad!

speaking of DS, from the screen and the vids, it gave me an impression that I will enjoy adventuring in the game's world very much. I think I'll even try to find and defeat the secret boses- you know every Jap game has secret bosses.

[arthur]

huge bosses, this game looks like has something special

[Red_Eyes]

Shit, that giant boss was badass.

[Z]

trophy list (read at your own risk):
http://www.ps3trophies.co.uk//showthread.php?t=13791

[Red]

Order your Asian Version(english subs and text) here:
http://www.yesasia.com/global/demons-souls-asian-version/1014023935-0-0-0-en/info.html

[VG Aficionado]

http://i44.tinypic.com/2z9i71v.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2s76wdt.jpg

[KRA]

the screens are looking great but still
there is still something about this game that makes me not so hyped.
but i was so hyped for WKC and now i think this one will be better.
in the end i will probably buy both...eh.

[cliffbo]

if it can match Oblivion's gameplay with better graphics (as it appears), then i reckon this could become something of a sleeper hit

[Red]

I've ordered my asian version today.

[Red_Eyes]

http://i44.tinypic.com/2z9i71v.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2s76wdt.jpg

Graphics looks bad... ass!!!

[Z]

well, it doesn't look bad at all. shows you how much low-res videos suck.

[Diresu]

if it can match Oblivion's gameplay with better graphics (as it appears), then i reckon this could become something of a sleeper hit

Oh god if it matches Oblivion's gameplay it's going to suck. I hated the combat system in Oblivion for one thing.

[Z]

yeah, I read that and thought "WTF?!"
in fact that is the biggest reason I am excited about this; it has Japanese controls. I always prefer Japanese style controls when it comes 3rd person adventure games.

[Sephiroth_VII]

Could be great, could be a flop. Really hard to tell :(

[KRA]

Oh god if it matches Oblivion's gameplay it's going to suck. I hated the combat system in Oblivion for one thing.

i wasn't playing oblivion but this is exaclly what i am affraid.
becasue looking at combat in those videos i feel the same thing
when i was watching some oblivion gameplay... i hope my feelings are wrong.
why in rpg games combat can't be fun like in dmc for example ?!

[OmniCloud]

i wasn't playing oblivion but this is exaclly what i am affraid.
becasue looking at combat in those videos i feel the same thing
when i was watching some oblivion gameplay... i hope my feelings are wrong.
why in rpg games combat can't be fun like in dmc for example ?!well it seems most games are very lopsided in that regard. DMC combat engine is amazing/deep but it's past iterations have been weak in terms of storytelling and presentation. Here is where RPG's excel at. Though God of War was a nice mix up of elements, it still wasn't an RPG-level story, and lacked the dept of progression of most story-driven roleplaying games.

I'm not sure of the technical reasons behind it, but I'm sure it's easier said than done. Someone would've done it already as the concept of a heavy-combat system RPG probably has come up before.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

The trouble with action games is you just can't tell a story of RPG-level depth in 10-15 hours of gameplay. RPGs, by their nature allow for the gameplay to be drawn out. A fast paced action game gets repetitive and tiring after a while, usually by the end of the game-- even the most diverse and well constructed combat engine will become labor if it's drawn out too long. A game should only be as long as it needs to be for its own sake. The slower paced, more cerebral gameplay of RPGs allows for them to take longer to complete and tell longer deeper stories with a broad cast and scope, without you the player becoming completely battle fatigued by the time you get to the end. God of War and Devil May Cry use a different part of the brain and require you to use your twitch reflexes a lot -- that part of the brain isn't meant for long extensive stress. It's meant to deal with crises and be done with it. Which is why it makes sense for an RPG to be at least 25 hours, but action games are more at home under 20 [hours]. I wouldn't want God of War to take me as long to beat as Final Fantasy 10.

[Sephiroth_VII]

If they would just insert 10 minutes of story for every hour or so of gameply they would have 90 minutes, more than enough ;)

[r33hash]

I actually think the gameplay and combat look nothing like Oblivion. Simply the location and time period.

[OmniCloud]

The trouble with action games is you just can't tell a story of RPG-level depth in 10-15 hours of gameplay. RPGs, by their nature allow for the gameplay to be drawn out. A fast paced action game gets repetitive and tiring after a while, usually by the end of the game-- even the most diverse and well constructed combat engine will become labor if it's drawn out too long. A game should only be as long as it needs to be for its own sake. The slower paced, more cerebral gameplay of RPGs allows for them to take longer to complete and tell longer deeper stories with a broad cast and scope, without you the player becoming completely battle fatigued by the time you get to the end. God of War and Devil May Cry use a different part of the brain and require you to use your twitch reflexes a lot -- that part of the brain isn't meant for long extensive stress. It's meant to deal with crises and be done with it. Which is why it makes sense for an RPG to be at least 25 hours, but action games are more at home under 20 [hours]. I wouldn't want God of War to take me as long to beat as Final Fantasy 10.Very true and you make a good argument. But the most satisfying of RPG's IMO are usually at the end of the game when your combat system is robust with features and characters. I still think more can be done in that space as far as innovation goes. Doesn't necessarily have to be God of War deepness, but I wouldn't mind feeling like I'm actually a level 69 warrior at the end of a satisfying RPG either.

I think real-time is a start though. With battle systems like SO:TEOT being really satisfying when characters are leveled up.

[VG Aficionado]

http://i42.tinypic.com/swahb5.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/34626mv.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/qovt09.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/2djudko.jpg

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http://i39.tinypic.com/op4dqw.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/fm2bk4.jpg

[KRA]

The trouble with action games is you just can't tell a story of RPG-level depth in 10-15 hours of gameplay. RPGs, by their nature allow for the gameplay to be drawn out. A fast paced action game gets repetitive and tiring after a while, usually by the end of the game-- even the most diverse and well constructed combat engine will become labor if it's drawn out too long. A game should only be as long as it needs to be for its own sake. The slower paced, more cerebral gameplay of RPGs allows for them to take longer to complete and tell longer deeper stories with a broad cast and scope, without you the player becoming completely battle fatigued by the time you get to the end. God of War and Devil May Cry use a different part of the brain and require you to use your twitch reflexes a lot -- that part of the brain isn't meant for long extensive stress. It's meant to deal with crises and be done with it. Which is why it makes sense for an RPG to be at least 25 hours, but action games are more at home under 20 [hours]. I wouldn't want God of War to take me as long to beat as Final Fantasy 10.

yeah but i was just thinking about RPG game that has a great deep combat
system fun to play like in DMC.
but it doesn't mean that it should play like dmc.
i mean i wouldn't like it to be 120h long DMC. where you have to fight every 5sec.
i just don't understand why if rpg is not all about fight can't have fun deep combat system
just like in action games.
yeah i know there are action-rpg but combat system in these games is usually not very deep or fun.
more like just simple.

[GTAce]

Am i the only one who thinks Demons Souls looks stale?

[KRA]

Am i the only one who thinks Demons Souls looks stale?

i don't know. what does it mean ?! :)

[GTAce]

I think "banalny" would fit in polski. ;)

In english you could also say bland. lol

[KRA]

I think "banalny" would fit in polski. ;)

In english you could also say bland. lol

banalny :) nice.
and yeah it's looks a little bland.
but maybe it's part of the mood of this game.
i hope it will be fun to be immersed in that bland world :)

[TimmyJ]

It's from the same developers that made Evergrace and, despite it being quite odd and feeling desolate, it just had a certain charm and atmosphere to it that I find quite appealing. With any luck this game will have a similar quality :thumbl:

[Red_Eyes]

I think it looks good. Very moody.

[Z]

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n95/Kninjaman/519y4dLctmL_SS500_.jpg

love the cover. :)

[Red]

The knight looks like he#s done with the world and drunked to much last night. I've ordered the asian version of this game. I hope it owns.

[Segitz]

You wouldn't like it, if it looked like in Germany... MAN I hate the new covers!

[VG Aficionado]

I don't like that cover, it doesn't show what the game is about at all.

[KRA]

I don't like that cover, it doesn't show what the game is about at all.

there should be this dragon-alien and knight in ALIEN3 way on the cover :)
yeah this one is just meh. but it could be worse...

[drakkar]

I like the cover it shows the hopelessness of the situation. A lone fallen knight in some dungeon, potentially questing to save others, maybe for loot, who knows you decide.

What is the general plot line for this title? Has it been revealed yet?

[Z]

not an interesting story at all; just pure gameplay.

[yoshaw]

I dont want graphics to look like next-gen for this one to shine(no pun intended)

Just gimme good gameplay int he 1st game, i'll hold my appetite of graphics for the sequel, thank you!

[Z]

not every game is or should be a huge 'AAA' project with lavish production values in every angle, nor should it be an instant classic. DS does look good. and if they just get the gameplay/combat nicely, they will have a hit on their hands. it just seems like one of those really fun game to play around with and explore. it has some adventuring/exploration, a little Monster Hunter, Japanese game design and art in it that could be a recipe for a good game.

i'll wait till it launches and watch various gameplay videos. if I like what I see, I'll buy it used off of eBay.

[Red]

http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/134/134468/

Media Blowout

[Xclusion]

^^Wow. preordering.

[Red]

First two Reviews are in:

First reviews of Demon's Souls are in

Famitsu and Dengeki, two of Japan's top gaming publications, have published their reviews of the upcoming Sony exclusive, Demon's Souls. The former gave it a mixed review, scoring it a 9, 7, 7, and a 6 for a pretty average 29/40. This score is remarkably similar to that of White Knight Chronicles, which was branded with an equally average 28/40. White Knight would go on to become the best selling HD JRPG to date, despite it's lackluster critical reception.

Dengeki's review, however, tells a completely different story, giving the game an 95, 85, 85, and 85.

[KRA]

is famitsu microsoft magazine :) ?

[Segitz]

9 and 6 in the same Famitsu review seems rather odd...

I mean, they ARE talking about the same game^^ I didn't even realise that this game was about to be released in Japan... I rather thought it would come out in the end of the year or so.

[AC!D]

Dont know about Dengeki but i wouldnt trust Famitsu ever again after their Haze review :lol:

[Diresu]

Famitsu reviews for the most part are laughable. I don't remember a time when I agreed with their review on anything.

[Red]

Demon's Souls Dengeki Buyer's Guide Review

Translation:

A bold game pursuing for the fundamental of joy in videogames.

This is an action RPG developed by SCE and From Software. Player must hunt down demons in order to save the kingdom. Information such as where you are supposed to go or how to defeat demons is intentionally provided in limited amount, so the player has to discover by try-and-error. This, instead of being nuisance, is the appeal of the game.
Also, for online co-op, there are interesting features such as leaving a dying message to leave a clue for other players.

Pros: Due to its high difficulty, there will be many unreasonable deaths, but because of that there is a big catharsis in finding out how to over come the obstacle. Control is very responsive and simple, so fighting against enemy is a breeze. Character making and leveling up give you a lot of freedom, so creating a character of your own is quite enjoyable.

Cons: You can't pause during game. Because of its serious and tense atmosphere and game structure, it's really not for casual gamers.

Source: http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News-267947.aspx

Sounds like an awesome game.

[AC!D]

I dont like the sound of the trial and error thing i hope the reviewer was just pretty shit at it. Challenging is fine but trial and error and unreasonably dying alot will just suck.

The pause thing also sucks cause rpg's are long so what do you do when you need a wiz hide your character in a tree?

I hope this was just bad translating cause other than those gripes the game seems reat.

[Red]

Live stream:
http://ja.justin.tv/esegk

Asian Version has been delayed to the 24th of February.

[KRA]

Gamersyde: Demon's Soul video (http://www.gamersyde.com/news_7505_en.html)

Demon's Soul had been released today in Japan, and as usual now the great DjMizuhara sent us a gameplay video, with of course much more to come.

[section]

Funny that the developers seemingly still haven't heard about motion capture.

There have been so many games with excellent moving characters lately that it's almost sad many Japanese developers still won't take heed.

[Red]

Funny that the developers seemingly still haven't heard about motion capture.

There have been so many games with excellent moving characters lately that it's almost sad many Japanese developers still won't take heed.

I care more about the missing shadowes.

[AC!D]

PS3 Exclusive Demon Souls Is Selling Out (http://kotaku.com/5147816/ps3-exclusive-demon-souls-is-selling-out)

[Z]

Looking awesome. Watching that live stream removed any worries I had about slow ovements or controls.
By the way, what is that site that just streams real gameplay? WKC was on that site for hours. Who play these games on that site and how can they stream live for so long?

Funny that the developers seemingly still haven't heard about motion capture.

It's probably because it is cheaper. It is amazing how under the radar this game has been. I think it is on a limited budget. Still, I think they did great with it. I'll definitely be picking this up later on.

[cliffbo]

Big-Selling PS3 JRPG Now In English
By Luke Plunkett, 2:30 AM on Wed Mar 4 2009, 19,385 views

Demon's Souls - a JRPG that's sold like hot pork buns in Japan - is only out in Asia. And may never be released in the West. Doesn't mean you can't play it!

Because decent JRPGs are few and far between on Sony's latest console, fans of the genre may want to look at importing the Asian edition (not the Japanese one, the Hong Kong/Taiwan one) of the game, which features full English language support. And yes, that includes the voice acting.

http://kotaku.com/5163918/big+selling-ps3-jrpg-now-in-english

[Z]

Every Asian game supports English. I bought a lot of games from Hong Kong or Malaysia and never had any problems. A game would either give you the language option between English or Chinese for everything (Speech, text and menues) or it will just come in English. Manuals may come in both or one language. Some sites print a high quality color English translation/version of the manual or the main part where the controls are.

Just keep in mind that if you buy DLC, you have to buy it from the same PSN region as the game for it ti work. So you have to buy them from the Hong Kong PSN if you import the Asian game. No DLC has ever worked for me that didn't come from the same PSN region as the game itself.

[cliffbo]

think this is new:

http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/23922

[Z]

Still not Western release? I think I'll sink a lot of hous into this game. I am waiting for the price to drop on eBay since even used ones are more expensive than a new game.

[curryking1]

It looks like a funky FF XII with only one character lol. It seems like it has plenty of cool ideas, it's just the execution and flow is kind of ugly.

[Red_Eyes]

Demon's Soul kicks ass!!!

From Software is a strange and fascinating developer. Mention the name and Armoured Core is what usually springs to mind, or occasionally Otogi, but when it's not making mech games From's output encompasses a vast range of extremes - cutesy co-op platformer Cookies and Cream, Tenchu, card-battler Lost Kingdoms, horror adventure Echo Night, broken, miserablist cult series King's Field. And this, the most interesting PlayStation 3 exclusive I've ever played.

Demon's Souls is a brutal, bleak action combat RPG that pits your lone character against a universe full of violent demons. They range from former human soldiers to agile, double scimitar-wielding skeletons, pouncing flame-creatures, octopus-headed guards, embryonic plague-carrying monstrosities, even Death himself. The game's five worlds - all massive - are split into four different sections, each guarded by a horribly large and hardcore boss monster. Everything in the entire world is designed to kill you, quickly and often without warning.

The only safe place is the Nexus, a haven for tormented souls. It acts as a hub from which you can access the five worlds, or buy and upgrade your character's weapons and abilities to give them a slightly better chance of survival. It is one of the most difficult modern videogames in existence, refusing to make even the slightest concession to your happiness or mental well-being. For this reason, developing a devotion to Demon's Souls has been the gaming equivalent of falling in love with an emotionally stunted, occasionally violent sociopath.

It's not a hack-and-slasher, though Demon's Souls incorporates the best elements of that genre into its accomplished weapons combat. The pace is slower, and you can learn to use magic, miracles, ranged attacks, scavenged items and enchanted equipment to give you a wealth of alternatives to slicing things up with a sword.

Demon's Souls is deeply tactical, preferring to pit you one-on-one against vicious and high-level enemies that can use the same tactics, weapons and magic as you rather than drowning you in a sea of lesser foes. You slowly build up a large inventory of vastly differing equipment and skills for yourself as you inch your way through the levels, finding treasure, killing demons and using the souls you get from them to buy a tiny bit more health, strength, magic power, carry weight or life-saving equipment.

What you fight with is entirely up to you. Any character can scavenge, buy and use any weapon. Go with a sword and shield and you can parry enemies' attacks with the latter before stabbing them through the heart in slow motion, if your timing's good enough (mistime your parry, and you'll probably die). Choose a dagger and light armour and you can roll and dart around before stabbing demons in the back for a similar, satisfyingly gory critical hit.

Using a bow lets you stalk enemies in first-person from a distant turret. Find a wand, and you can cast magic; find a talisman, you can heal yourself with miracles. The closest comparison is Monster Hunter, but Demon's Souls' combat controls are more precise; the weapons feel realistic rather than comically extreme. Fighting is physical, violent and cathartic, and you find yourself forming genuine attachments to favourite weapons.

There's unrestricted scope for developing your character in different directions. You can play it as a nimble magic user with an assassin's dagger, or hide behind a heavy shield and two-inch-thick body armour whilst skewering things in the dark with a lance, and you can switch between these two strategies at will by changing your equipment.

That flexibility prevents the game from ever getting stale and equally prevents you from falling into easy habits or closing off interesting options from yourself through your choice of class. You're constantly forced to change your approach, if not by choice then by the sheer variety of aggressive enemies that the game throws at you. No one strategy works against all of them.

When you die in Demon's Souls - and you will die, a lot - you lose your physical body, becoming a soul with half a health bar (although in practice it's more like a three quarters, as there's a ring in the very first world that lets you cling a little closer to life). The only way to get it back is to kill a boss monster.

When you die again you lose all of the demon souls you've collected from your hard graft, and have to fight your way back through the level to your own bloodstain to regain them - at which point you either have to sprint for dear life away from whatever killed you the last time, or face getting unceremoniously dispatched by it once more. Die a third time before you make it back to your bloodstain and those souls are gone forever, which is truly heartbreaking when you have to work so hard for them.

To summarise, you end up playing the vast majority of Demon's Souls as either a dead person or a dead person with no money. Every time you die, you start again at the beginning, with all the enemies you just struggled to overcome back where they were. There is no compromise. There's not even a pause button. You get better, or you get nowhere.

(Oh, and also - after a certain point, other players can invade your game at any point and attempt to assassinate you, just to make life even easier. But more on Demon's Souls' online capabilities later.)

If that sounds unbelievably frustrating, well, yes, it can be. It's harshly punishing. But it's not unfair. Demon's Souls puts you up against impossible odds, after all - you're the only living thing left in the world, apart from the stranded, struggling survivors that you occasionally come across exploring some dark tunnel in the Tower of Latria, or down a forgotten mineshaft in Stonefang Tunnel.

The only thing to do is try again, and again and again, observing the demons' behaviour and the layout of the levels, learning the cruel tricks that the game plays on you to lure you towards death, until, finally, you're capable of winning.

Precisely because the odds are so stacked against you, precisely because the game sometimes seems to hate you with every fibre of its being, when you do finally kill the bastard f***-off enormous boss monster that ended you within half a minute the first time you approached it, the resulting heart-in-mouth euphoria is the purest kind of gaming thrill. Demon's Souls is about facing up to the impossible, and winning.

Because dying sends you straight back to where you entered the world from the Nexus you spend a lot of your time working through the same sections to make it back to where you were, especially if you were slaughtered by the boss at the end of that section. But it's not grinding. It's not about slaughtering things mindlessly until you've built your stats up enough to progress, though repetition is a part of it - instead it's training, learning, figuring out new strategies, experimenting with different techniques.

Skill is what determines your strength in Demon's Souls, not numbers. Technique will always make up for thousands of souls spent on attribute points. Every time you die, you learn that little bit more, get that little bit further; it's addictive, masochistically so.

And yet, the game manages to hold the constant threat of death above your head without ever feeling meaningless. In games where you spend a lot of time dying, that fear of death tends to dissipate - death is rarely even an inconvenience in modern videogames, nothing more than the threat of getting sent back two minutes to the last automatic checkpoint - but not here.

Once you get your body back, finally, the very fear of losing it again makes you chicken, reluctant to probe too far into unfamiliar caverns. Demon's Souls can inspire sheer terror, make you fear for your life; you never know what's lurking around the next corner, exactly whom those two glowing red eyes in the dark at the end of the tunnel belong to, but you do know that whatever it is, it will probably hurt you. Badly.

Demon's Souls' foreboding atmosphere reinforces this fear. One of the first things the game asks you to do is turn the brightness down. Its world is comprised of dark, ominous places - a prison tower wracked with the tortured screams of undead captives, an abandoned mineshaft that gradually opens out into a massive underground complex inhabited by a variety of horrible things, a crumbling fort guarded by skeleton warriors.

You spend a lot of time creeping down pitch-black corridors with your shield up, waiting for something to attack you from the darkness. The monster design and animation can be superb; the way some of the demons look, move and sound is enough to send shivers up you. It's a detailed and well-crafted dark fantasy.

Integrated into all of this,there's a unique system of online play, the game's most forward-thinking feature - though like everything in Demon's Souls, it's a double-edged sword. Assuming you have your body, which is an achievement in itself, you can call upon other players to help you, and they can join your game as blue phantoms to fight alongside you.

It's a way to even out the odds a little, or progress if you're completely stuck, though you often find yourself running after more experienced players as they rush through a section of the game they've seen 40 times. Players can also leave helpful messages for each other on the ground (“WATCH OUT FOR THE GIANT FALLING BOULDER”).

The downside? Playing the game online opens you up to invasion from Black Phantoms, other players who force their way into your game in order to assassinate you for your souls. You've no control over when this happens.

The best you can hope for, as an invaded player, is that your opponent isn't smart enough to stalk you, manipulating the level to make things harder for you before appearing at the most unwelcome possible moment to dispatch you, and instead rushes straight up to you in search of a quick kill. Then, at least, you have a chance of outmanoeuvring them in a face-to-face fight instead of panicking that every shadow behind every wall is your would-be assassin, armed to the teeth and with an enchanted arrow notched and aimed at your chest.

The prospect of playing as a Black Phantom yourself, of course, is seductive, once you have the ability and skill. But you always run the risk of being defeated. Besides, everything that you do online affects the world around you; defeating boss monsters and invading players shifts the World Tendency of a level towards white, whereas becoming a Black Phantom yourself shifts it towards black.

Black tendency makes a world's monsters more aggressive but increases the rewards for killing them, white tendency does the opposite, and both trigger events in the levels themselves, opening up previously locked doors or dropping in unique NPCs to help or hinder you. The tendency system is so complex that players haven't yet figured out all of its implications. Whichever way you choose to use Demon's Souls' online play, though, there are consequences in your own game.

What should be clear from all this lengthy exposition is that Demon's Souls is a deeply complex character. It incorporates an array of concepts and hidden secrets that can be as bewildering and mysterious after fifty hours as they are at the start. It should, however, also hopefully be clear that it's entirely worth taking the time to get into Demon's Souls, to begin to understand it.

As you spend longer in its company, your relationship with the game becomes less and less one-sided as you learn to navigate areas that once slaughtered you over and over again with confidence, even ease. You can learn from other players, and - time and time again - from your own mistakes, enabling you to eke more and more entertainment and satisfaction from Demon's Souls the deeper you delve into it.

Demon's Souls is absolutely compelling; dark, detailed, unforgiving, creatively cruel. It gets under your skin and becomes a personal obsession, daring you to probe further into its worlds, fall for more of its traps and overcome more of its impossible challenges; it slaps you in the face with your own incompetence and dares you to overcome it.

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.

9/10


http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/demons-souls-review

9 out of 10. And this is coming from Eurogamer.

Sounds fucking incredible. It's hard, but not cheap. Boss are enormous and seemingly impossible to beat, but THEY CAN BE BEATEN, and when you finally beat their ass, you'll be jumping and screaming like a little girl. The awesomenss!!!

I am going to fucking order my copy.

LOL@all those guys at Neogaf going crazy about it.
Everyone who played this game is fucking crazy about it.

[Red]

I have the game. Kick ass game.

[Syncere Styles]

I ordered the asia version off play-asia like a week ago, still no fucking progress of it coming in though.

[cliffbo]

I ordered the asia version off play-asia like a week ago, still no fucking progress of it coming in though.

the games that hard they're probably still trying to wrap it

[KRA]

so sudenly this game is great?!
ok so is there some date of release outside asia ?

[VG Aficionado]

Suddenly? It only got good reviews since it was released. It's just that the early gameplay footage looked mediocre, but it seems it's an actually good game.

[masteratt]

I'm tempted to import this...But I don't want to miss out on any DLC.

IF they confirm that in no way it will ever come out in Europe I'll import it, otherwise, it's the good old waiting game!
Which is fine as I got a few games to play anyway but this is definitely high on my list to get.

[VG Aficionado]

I'm also tempted to some extent. I would love a demo. Hopefully for the western release.

[Syncere Styles]

I have the game now, since Friday and I must say that it is a great game. Very tough and unforgiving though. 1nce you find out the right style of tactics for the enemies you face, it's not too hard, but 1 slip up can easily cause you your life in most causes, so you have to be en guarde at all times, unless you're in the Nexus. But even then, you have to be careful with stairwells cuz if you fall, you die. There's really no hand-holding at all in this games, so if you the type that needs a lot of coaching to get thru a game, you can hang it up. There is a site that provides a lot of info regarding all the things in the game though. Here ya'll go.

http://demonssouls.wikidot.com/intro

Oh yeah and some good news for ya'll trophy whores. This game does have trophy support. I got my 1st one after beating the 1st boss. I never looked into what the trophies were though or how to get them. I imagine you get one from every boss fight though. There's even an in-game trophy room/Hall of Fame that opens up after the 1st boss defeat that shows players that got the most trophies and other interesting attributes. You can check out each players individual characters that they used to gain said attribute as well and it'll show you all their items, equipment, magic and currency that they attained. You can see a wealth of unique looking characters that the people have made by their equipment and weapon variations and how they chose their character to look.

[Diresu]

I really need to import this game...

[Syncere Styles]

I really need to import this game...

Yep, you should. I highly recommend it. I got it for 63.80 from play-asia, so I saved about 1 buck what it normally costs out here for full retail after tax.

[GTAce]

This game does have trophy support.
Every game since January 1 2009 HAS to have trophies, its mandatory.

[VG Aficionado]

Only games approved from Jan 1 onwards. There have been a handful of games without trophies, but it's certain that every game will have trophies from now on.

[Rockmond]

Atlus continues to be awesome

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA -- MAY 20, 2009 -- Atlus U.S.A., Inc., your shining knights in armor, today announced that they have secured the North American publishing rights for Demon's Souls™, a groundbreaking action RPG experience for PLAYSTATION®3 system. Beautiful, compelling, and unforgiving, Demon's Souls is the hardcore RPG experience PLAYSTATION 3 system owners have been waiting for since the platform's launch.

Revolutionary online features support your adventure like never before, presenting seamless interconnectivity that serves in every instance to enhance the single-player game. Team up with two other players in simultaneous cooperative play, working together to topple some of the game's colossal bosses, or force your way into the games of skilled players and challenge them to PvP battle. Leave hints and clues for those who will follow in your footsteps; either intentionally or through your own inadvertent demise, your bloodstains will allow your successors to view a replay of your death, hinting at how to avoid your gruesome fate. Unprecedented in its depth and subtlety, peerless in its relentlessly challenging gameplay, Demon's Souls is the ultimate action RPG.

Experience the game Eurogamer.net awarded 9 out of 10, hailing it as "absolutely compelling; dark, detailed, unforgiving, creatively cruel," and adding, "you can learn to love Demon's Souls like few other games in the world."

[AC!D]

Fuck yeah! and screw Eurogamer we dont need their pathetic reviews!

[cliffbo]

Fall eh? who would have guessed! lol

[AC!D]

No word on a release date Rockmond?

[tokoshi_x]

http://psinsider.e-mpire.com/index.php?categoryid=17&m_articles_articleid=1200

No word on an exact date. It just states fall 2009. The game will be shown at the E3 Expo though.

[AC!D]

Cool thank Tk_x.

I think ill import this one cause i doubt they will publish it in Europe.

[Jay Gee]

Atlus continues to be awesome

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA -- MAY 20, 2009 -- Atlus U.S.A., Inc., your shining knights in armor, today announced that they have secured the North American publishing rights for Demon's Souls™, a groundbreaking action RPG experience for PLAYSTATION®3 system. Beautiful, compelling, and unforgiving, Demon's Souls is the hardcore RPG experience PLAYSTATION 3 system owners have been waiting for since the platform's launch.

Revolutionary online features support your adventure like never before, presenting seamless interconnectivity that serves in every instance to enhance the single-player game. Team up with two other players in simultaneous cooperative play, working together to topple some of the game's colossal bosses, or force your way into the games of skilled players and challenge them to PvP battle. Leave hints and clues for those who will follow in your footsteps; either intentionally or through your own inadvertent demise, your bloodstains will allow your successors to view a replay of your death, hinting at how to avoid your gruesome fate. Unprecedented in its depth and subtlety, peerless in its relentlessly challenging gameplay, Demon's Souls is the ultimate action RPG.

Experience the game Eurogamer.net awarded 9 out of 10, hailing it as "absolutely compelling; dark, detailed, unforgiving, creatively cruel," and adding, "you can learn to love Demon's Souls like few other games in the world."
YES! But can I wait that long? At this point, I can afford to import (it would be my first imported game ever, btw), so double dip mebbe?

[Diresu]

^Yea I am importing it

P.S Just preordered Infamous....yaay

[cliffbo]

this sound friggin amazing!

Gamer Limit Import Review: Demon’s Souls
Playstation 3, May 25th, 2009
Article by: Josh Tolentino

Demon's Souls Review

Games are a growing, diversifying medium. Expanding beyond their arcade roots, most modern games are no longer expressly designed to suck quarters or tokens out of a player’s pocket. Games can get by on their narrative, complex systems, deep characters, and immersive worlds. Unfortunately, difficulty has tended to form a barrier between games that rely on those factors, and their intended audiences. Players can hardly be expected to care about a game’s rich cast and twisting plot if they can’t actually make it that far.

As a result, many newer games have been seeing their difficulty toned down, challenge traded for accessibility. From Software’s PS3 title Demon’s Souls is not such a game. In fact, it prides itself on being as difficult as possible, punishing players for their missteps and kicking them in the teeth when they get knocked down. This might sound terrible, but this uncompromising brutality is actually what makes the game one of the most satisfying, challenging play experiences around, provided you have the will to persevere.

(Please note that this is an import review, based on the Hong Kong-Chinese release of the game, which features full English-language voice and text. The game has since been licensed for publication in North America by Atlus USA, expected to ship sometime in 2009. As such, it does not take into account any potential changes Atlus may make before then, such as relocalization or alterations to the game’s multiplayer aspects.)

Demon’s Souls is a lonely game set in the heart of darkness. You play as - more or less - the last living thing in the land of Boletaria, and even then, the word “living” is something of a stretch. A plague of demons has swept the land, covering it in deadly fog and killing or driving insane every soul trapped within. Mighty heroes have already attempted to penetrate the fog seeking to save the kingdom, but none have returned. And now, your turn has come up. You must journey from the Nexus into the various fog-choked regions of Boletaria to defeat their ruling demon overlords, eventually forcing them back into slumber, before the fog covers the whole world.

Speaking in genres, Demon’s Souls is a dungeon-crawling action-RPG, a spiritual successor to From’s King’s Field series. Creating a highly customizable character (down to an Oblivion-esque face creator), you proceed from the “Nexus” hub area into any of five massive gameworlds, the sections of which are guarded by equally massive demon lords. Not that what your face looks like matters too much, as you will very much want that face well-protected behind some thick armor, lest it be eaten off by the wide variety of horrible monsters infesting every stage.

To prevent horrible face-consumption, a wide variety of weapons are available to your character, the better to chop the face-eating implements off of the monsters who would use them for their intended purpose. Swords, shields, daggers, axes, cesti, spears and more tools of medieval face-chopping comprise the selection, spiced up by a smattering of spells, miracles and ranged weapons. The weapons themselves run the gamut of visual styles, from a quick-and-efficient mail-piercing dagger to a sublimely decorated heavy shield, adorned with depictions of deities and holy crusaders.

Your style of combat is entirely dependent on your chosen weapon and stance, such as holding a spear two-handed or combining it with a shield, or even dual-wielding shields (dual-shielding?). And though you choose classes at the beginning of the game, they only determine your starting equipment, statistics, and implied style of play. Over time, however, a player can master any type of weapon, style, or spell, given enough time, and cash spent on attribute points.

Cash - rather souls - is the primary driver behind player advancement in Demon’s Souls. Every enemy drops soul points upon defeat, and those points are used to buy attribute points, gear, spells, items, and fund weapon creation. Demon lords and mini-bosses reward unique souls once conquered, which in turn can forge special weapons and acquire powerful spells. Players will learn to treasure every soul collected, and dread the possibility of losing everything.

Those possibilities come in droves, lurking around every corner and hiding within every shadow. Every enemy poses a significant threat, unless grossly outclassed, and you need to devote time and effort to memorizing their behavior and attack patterns to escape unscathed. From insane soldiers that swing rusty swords to silent, blue-eyed knights blocking key portals, to giant greatsword-wielding skeletons whose approach is heralded by a rapid, rolling somersault, it seems as if the entire world is out to get you. And it is.

That malicious intent is manifested in the way the game treats you when you eventually taste death. When you die, you respawn at the beginning of the stage as a soul, your health limited to 50% (or 75% with a certain ring equipped). Every enemy you defeated has been restored to its place, all your souls left at your bloodstain. Should you fail to fight your way back to the site of your death, all your souls are lost. And the only way to return to the land of the living is - ludicrously - to defeat a boss. A harsh punishment for failure, and one that gamers with more contemporary sensibilities may find utterly off-putting.

Demon’s Souls is sadistically challenging, but - and this is key - is never unfair. Every victory is hard-won, and the game only “easy” if you choose to exploit your enemies’ rather simple-minded AI. Ranged weapons and discrepancies in level design can be abused, and only serve to render the challenge moot, the game boring. This is a game where even bronze trophies feel like genuine recognitions of skill and perseverance.

But with sadistic punishment comes opportunity, as Demon’s Souls‘ most unique aspects pop up in multiplayer. When played online (the game will attempt to connect to the PSN upon start-up, though playable offline), the game provides odd concessions to the player in need. In a fashion not unlike Fable II, you can see the “ghosts” of other players passing through the same area, and leave prewritten messages on the ground that those players can read. The messages range from helpful tips (”Trap ahead”) to non-sequiters (”Cute foe ahead”). Dead players’ bloodstains are also visible, and touching them plays the last five seconds of that player’s life, the better that you avoid his fate.

More intriguing are Demon’s Souls execution of its cooperative and competitive multiplayer aspects. Living players can broadcast their availability, and dead players can answer the call, joining the living player’s game (as a “blue soul”) to help tackle his challenges. Defeating a boss alongside living player rewards the blue soul with his body. Most unique, however, is the use of “black souls”, who force themselves into another player’s game (within a certain level range), with the intention of assassinating that player. Successful attackers regain their bodies, and successful defenders gain their would-be killer’s souls. In fact, one in-game encounter automatically summons a player out of his game, to play the demon boss, in a one-on-one deathmatch. How cool is that?!

Demon’s Souls is brutal, uncompromising, and infuriatingly harsh, but it is also rewarding, aspirational, and fantastically unique. It stands alone among its contemporaries as an action game for the genuinely hardcore, demanding utter devotion and reciprocating with an unparalleled sense of satisfaction.

9.0 Presentation
The game adopts a dark, hostile atmosphere. Levels ooze hostility and vary from abandoned castles to wind-battered cliffs, to poisonous swamps. There's great variety in the enemy designs, and all foes are universally menacing.

8.9 Gameplay
The controls are uncommon to the typical action game, which will result in some early awkwardness. The game cannot be paused or quicksaved, and the only checkpoints are at the beginning of a given area. The difficulty alone will be enough to turn off many of the less-willing.

9.0 Sound
The utter lack of background music outside of boss fights only amplifies the chilling sound effects and feeling of isolation. You'll need to pay close attention to the shuffles and sounds nearby to catch hints of what face-eating horrors lie in wait.

9.5 Longevity
The game lasts as long as you can stomach the challenge. Its technical level cap (all attributes at 99) is a whopping 712, and the game can be replayed over and over, its difficulty increasing somewhat every time. The "World Tendency" system alters level composition and certain events based on your successes and failures, leading to new equipment and characters to encounter.

9.1 Overall
Demon's Souls is perhaps the most satisfying game of its generation, but its uncompromising nature will only appeal to players of a particularly masochistic bent.

http://gamerlimit.com/2009/05/gamer-limit-import-review-demons-souls/

[curryking1]

I dunno, I'm not going to doubt this game in particular just because I don't know anything about it... getting 9s is so common these days that it just doesn't have the weight anymore. It's gone from saying 'these games are amazing!' to 'everything is decent, just buy it.'

[masteratt]

http://psinsider.e-mpire.com/index.php?categoryid=17&m_articles_articleid=1200

No word on an exact date. It just states fall 2009. The game will be shown at the E3 Expo though.

Woot, hopefully it means EU release as well.

I could import (I could import the Asian version now too), but I'm afraid I'll miss out on DLC.

[curryking1]

Oh I didn't know they were bringing it over, I'll definitely try to check it out then.

I wonder if they'll make it easier by the way, in the past like in the SNES days JRPGs brought over were made much easier. Other than this game JRPGs even from Japan are not nearly as hard as the original JRPGs from back then.

The coolest thing I see from all these screens is always the enemies, they look awesome and seem like there's plenty of variety.

[Red_Eyes]

Making it easier would defeat the purpose of this game. I hope they don't change the difficulty.

[VG Aficionado]

I want a demo.

[KRA]

GameTrailers: E3 09: Mechanics Interview HD (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-demons-souls/51213)

it would be funny to see so mercyfull hardcore game
beinig sold with motion controler :)
it would be great proof that it's not only a casual gimmnick.

[KRA]

GameTrailers: Design Interview HD (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/design-interview-demons-souls/52090)

GameTrailers: Mechanics Walkthrough HD (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/mechanics-walkthrough-demons-souls/52054)

i don't know why i have a feeling that the biggest power of this game is in
cruel but complex and believable world which sucks me in sudenlly and completely
i hope it's really like that.

fuck the fall.
i want to check it now.
and i still think it's great game for sony's magic wand.

[VG Aficionado]

Just import it, it has the English voice track and subtitles since launch already.

I would like to play a demo. Make it happen, Sony.

[KRA]

Just import it, it has the English voice track and subtitles since launch already.

I would like to play a demo. Make it happen, Sony.

yeah but if as they say they are going to improve/ add something special
to western version and it won't be out as a free dlc
i wouldn't be able to download priced dlc
and then i will simply have to buy it again.

[AC!D]

Will you be able to play online in your area of the world if you import the Asian copy?

[KRA]

Will you be able to play online in your area of the world if you import the Asian copy?

yeah it's a good question
as interesting as reading japanesse hint's left by other players sounds
i would rather have something more less exotic :)

[AC!D]

First Look Preview (http://www.rpgfan.com/previews/demonssouls/)

http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/demons_souls/ss-018.jpg

http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/demons_souls/ss-003.jpg

http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/demons_souls/ss-001.jpg

http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/Demons_Souls/ss-013.jpg

http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/Demons_Souls/ss-017.jpg

http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/Demons_Souls/ss-007.jpg



Earlier this year, Atlus released Demon's Souls, an action RPG for the PS3, in Japan. US gamers will have a crack at it beginning October 6th, and I got the opportunity to sit down with Atlus' Aram Jabbari for a demonstration of the near-final build and the chance to ask some questions.

As James mentioned in his review of the original Japanese version, Demon's Souls is difficult by design. You can expect to die a lot in this game. However, one thing that is immediately striking about Demon's Souls is that in this game, death is not the end. It just means the loss of any unused experience points. Once you've died, you can still try to fight your way back to your corpse, although you're given a shorter health meter, so you can expect it to be an even bigger challenge than it was while you were alive. Of course, this time around, you know what's coming, so you can try to avoid making the same mistakes you did before.

Playing while dead also allows you to do some things you can't do alive, so it's not necessarily an awful thing. The biggest gameplay feature available only to the dead is the ability to initiate co-operative and competitive multiplayer. While you're dead, you can offer your help to the living. Help them to kill a level boss, and you get your body back, as well as any experience you earned while helping them. The player you helped can also rate you as a helper, and since getting a good rating grants you bonus experience, and your rating is visible to all other players whether it's good or bad, it's definitely in your best interest to be a good assistant. On the flip side, you can also take a darker path and try to invade another player's world and kill them. Pull it off, and you get your body back. However, if they manage to kill you instead, you will lose a point of your best stat. If they manage to "escape" to the level boss' lair, you get sent back to your own game with no penalty. After all, it's no fair attacking someone while they're up against a boss.

As was true in the Japanese release, you can't choose which player to help or to attack, but the game tries to keep things fair by restricting players to games where the character is within a certain number of levels of their own. All in all, my impression was that the developers have put a lot of work into balancing this potentially scary gameplay element, but that they are going to get a lot of criticism for sticking with the "strangers only" multiplayer. The multiplayer aspect is very important to this game, and there will be many players who would rather stick with their friends rather than deal exclusively with random strangers.

Another way you can try to help your fellow gamers is by leaving messages for them. You work from a fairly comprehensive template system rather than getting to type in whatever you want, which should help eliminate the number of messages you'd otherwise see whose sole purpose is to question your sexual orientation or relationship with your mother. Other players who see your messages can rate them, and you'll recover some health if they give it a good rating, another way that being helpful is rewarded.

As you might expect from the existence of these choices, Demon's Souls features a reputation system, which is known as Tendency. As you progress through the game, certain actions will lighten your Tendency, and some will darken it, and having either a light or a dark Tendency will open up things for you that aren't available otherwise. As in some other games with a reputation system, having a dark reputation carries its own rewards, just as a light reputation does. And it's not just the character that has a Tendency; each of the main areas in the world has its own Tendency as well. Your actions within a given area affect its Tendency, and you'll enjoy benefits that come with both light and dark. For example, enemies in an area with a dark Tendency have more HP, but they also drop better loot. In addition, an area's Tendency can open up or block off certain paths, which definitely helps the game's replay factor.

Once you've beaten an area, you can come back to it and fight your way through again, although the boss will no longer be waiting for you at the end. Every enemy you defeat earns you "Soul Points," and you'll probably want all of those you can get, because they serve as both the game's currency and experience points. It seems odd to think of using the same points to buy, upgrade, or repair your sword that you do to improve your stats, and only hands-on experience with the game will tell me how I feel about it in the end.

Also affecting replay value is the fact that you can start your character in one of ten classes, and then completely customize them from that point. If you want to build a spell-casting barbarian, feel free. When you finish the game, you can start over with a new character, or take the New Game Plus option to play with the same character on an even higher difficulty level. And if that level's not hard enough, you can keep playing with the same character over and over again until it is. The game should take between 20 and 40 hours to complete, so those of us who tend to spend hundreds of hours with an RPG will probably really appreciate this feature.

Demon's Souls is already out in Japan, and the core gameplay isn't changing for its upcoming US release. However, the developers clearly tried to take lessons learned from the original release and change some of the little things to make the combat the hard part of the game, and not the menus. Many things that were abbreviated in the original have been typed out fully, such as a change from "Phys Def" to "Physical Defense." Despite the fact that I didn't witness a final build, I was impressed at the short length of the loading times, especially considering that we were told this game doesn't require installation. I was impressed by some of the graphical touches as well: some of the enemies look really scary, and the effects on dead players who enter your game are very appropriate.

The Playstation platforms have always had a reputation as the best choice for RPGs, but the Playstation 3 has yet to build a very large library in the genre, especially in terms of exclusives. Fortunately, Demon's Souls got respectable reviews in its original release, and only six weeks remain before US gamers get the chance to find out for themselves what kind of contribution it will make to the RPGs available to us. Watch RPGFan for continuing coverage and a review as the launch date approaches.

Its a bit sad to see so many sad puppies in the FFXIII thread when this great innovative RPG is coming out so very soon!

[curryking1]

Ya, I think I'm going to end up picking this up. I need a RPG and this is the only one that seems to make an impression on me.

Still love all the monsters and stuff. Even ignoring everything else, the monsters make the game look really exciting.

[AC!D]

Its not the prettiest RPG in the world but what other RPG lets me go online searching for Londonstani right near the end of a level and lets me kill him so that he has to start all over again:)

[curryking1]

For some reason I'm not liking this game anymore... >.>

Lol. I didn't even know it had that feature (but I don't like this abuse of the feature... lulz). That's awesome.

[AC!D]

Playing while dead also allows you to do some things you can't do alive, so it's not necessarily an awful thing. The biggest gameplay feature available only to the dead is the ability to initiate co-operative and competitive multiplayer. While you're dead, you can offer your help to the living. Help them to kill a level boss, and you get your body back, as well as any experience you earned while helping them. The player you helped can also rate you as a helper, and since getting a good rating grants you bonus experience, and your rating is visible to all other players whether it's good or bad, it's definitely in your best interest to be a good assistant. On the flip side, you can also take a darker path and try to invade another player's world and kill them. Pull it off, and you get your body back. However, if they manage to kill you instead, you will lose a point of your best stat. If they manage to "escape" to the level boss' lair, you get sent back to your own game with no penalty. After all, it's no fair attacking someone while they're up against a boss.

[Kiwi]

Sounds like a decent game, I'm gonna have to check out some vids.

[D3adcell]

It was pretty fun from what I played of the japanese version. Though it is very very tough and you will be playing through levels multiple times to level up. The only way you can level up is by completing a level and converting souls you have captured into points. Though once you beat a level you can go back to it, kill however many guys you want and then exit out and use those souls to level.

[VG Aficionado]

I hope there is a demo, because I'm somewhat interested.

[AC!D]

Demon's Souls Import review (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/demons-souls-review)from Eurogamer if you guys are interested to go along with the other import review Cliffbo posted at the top of this page.

Also incase you guys dont know the publisher Atlus which publishes the fantastic Persona games in the west like to spoil their customers.....Atlus Really Wants You To Stop Importing Demon’s Souls, Expands Bribery (http://kotaku.com/5325904/atlus-really-wants-you-to-stop-importing-demons-souls-expands-bribery)

Demon's Souls is coming stateside, thanks to publisher of all things niche Atlus. Therefore, it would really appreciate it if you'd stop importing the already translated Japanese version, now rather cheap. It's doing so with many, many pre-order goodies.

Today those offerings expand, as Atlus notes on the official PlayStation.blog that not only will Demon's Souls superfans score the game's art book, they'll also score the PlayStation 3 game's soundtrack. That's a bazillion dollar value right there, kids. Don't pass this up.

Of course, if you dig that King's Field vibe and the plodding nature of From Software's work, you've probably already put your pre-order in for the game. If not, here's one more reason.

To read more about Atlus' plans for a deluxe Demon's Souls retail experience, check the official PlayStation.blog.

[curryking1]

Not bad at all...

I think I've definitely decided to take a 'risk' on this one. I did it with Odin Sphere, and I'm very happy how that turned out.

Difficult game too, btw.

[OmniCloud]

It's like Oblivion without the blandness....I'll check it out.

[D3adcell]

Not really anything like oblivion except maybe that it's medieval and an RPG.

[Kiwi]

Oblivion was the first thing that came into my head, but that's only because it's a medieval third-person RPG. I watched a couple of gameplay vids, and I like the look of it. I'd probably rent it before buying it though, because I'm never really sure of RPG games nowadays unless I play it for a couple of hours.

[cliffbo]

i'd call it a cross between Baldars Gate and Oblivion. that just about sums it up for me

i thought the shadows had been removed from this game? in that first picture i can clearly see shadows under the monsters. have they been added for us Westerners?

[curryking1]

t0UTnHSShjU

Matt just confirmed my purchase lol.

[Kiwi]

tokoshi deserves credit for getting me the video in the first place :D

But yea, gives you a good idea of what to expect. The only annoying thing about the video is that for some reason the rendering buggered up right near the end, so you miss the last 10 or so seconds. Don't really miss anything important, but kinda bugs me.

[curryking1]

I bet that's your sexy woman voice too Matt. Or is it Tokoshi? Lol j/k, I've heard your suave Brit accent Matt from your Kiwi video ;)

The only thing I was laughing at the whole way through the video was 'Boletaria.' Boletaria this, Boletaria that, in Boletaria yada yada yada, loollllll. I can't think of a more hilarious game town name hahaha.

I thought it was Voletaria also at first before I think I saw it spelled somewhere lol.

The FMVs were awesome by the way. And the game itself, graphics are wicked. It really does seem like a very healthy mesh of Western and Japanese RPG, Structured (levels/areas) but free in where to go early on, and good customization but gameplay still looks rock solid, and graphics are great and art is also great... whats not to like?

I'm really looking forward to it now whereas before I was still a little unsure. Thanks a lot dood (and tokoshi).

[OmniCloud]

Who is that chick talking? She's....freakin me out:shifty:

[Kiwi]

I bet that's your sexy woman voice too Matt.

Who is that chick talking? She's....freakin me out:shifty:

That's my weekend voice ;)

[curryking1]

Who is that chick talking? She's....freakin me out:shifty:

She's from the twilight zone...

I wish she would change her tone just once... make her sound human hahaha.

[Carlos]

SOMEBODY bring this game to united states!

[Kiwi]

It is, you guys are getting it on October 6th (my birthday :D)

Dunno when we're getting it though.

[cliffbo]

tokoshi deserves credit for getting me the video in the first place :D

But yea, gives you a good idea of what to expect. The only annoying thing about the video is that for some reason the rendering buggered up right near the end, so you miss the last 10 or so seconds. Don't really miss anything important, but kinda bugs me.

that wasn't the most annoying thing for me...

[SleazyBig slim]

Crap another game I wana buy damnit! My wallet is crying.

[Diresu]

I have high hopes for this game. Can't wait.

[Kiwi]

that wasn't the most annoying thing for me...

So what was?

[curryking1]

Your girly voice ;)

[AC!D]

Demon's Souls Review (http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-reviews/279.html)

I think this is the first review for the new polished American code i.e non import review. Games getting a shitload of praise even beyond my expectations.

When the game first launched in Japan, we were immediately impressed by the number of high scores and widespread critical acclaim. Ever since, we’ve been aching to get our hands on this ultra-promising PlayStation 3-exclusive RPG from developer From Software and Atlus, a publisher that has continually catered to the hardcore role-playing fan for many years. Demon’s Souls is no exception, as it’s deep enough to satisfy even the most ardent and dedicated fan and challenging enough to make even the most capable sweat with nervousness and frustration. Therefore, I need to make something abundantly clear right from the start: if you are a veteran RPG fan and have always embraced titles that are the very epitome of depth and overall difficulty, this really is the game you’ve been waiting for. If you’re one of those people who have said in passing, “gee, I think I might like to try an RPG some day,” Demon’s Souls is not the introduction to the genre you require. No, this is a reward to the loyalists; to the true fans who will undoubtedly crave every ounce of this production.

Although From Software hasn’t exactly provided the industry with the latest and greatest in terms of cutting-edge visuals, Demon’s Souls impresses in a variety of ways. It’s the attention paid to every last detail that makes the game breathtaking; each enemy is beautifully drawn and designed, and the vast majority of the environments are meticulously crafted. It’s too bad that so much of the game is so very dark, but it is required to present the player with the appropriate atmosphere. And it’s not like your adventure will be marred by repetitive features; no, there’s a wealth of pretty landscapes that gives the title an appreciated amount of visual diversity. You may be seeing the same environment many times over (simply due to the inherent difficulty), but that’s not a graphical drawback. Animations are always fluid, there’s very little in the way of frame rate hitches, and so many of your foes are wonderfully intimidating. This really is one of the better-looking games of the generation.

The sound is equally impressive, as the voice acting ranges from solid to excellent and the sound effects are both crisp and satisfying. I was even happier with the sound balancing; for some reason, there has been a significant lack of balancing in even high-profile titles this generation. But the music, effects and voice acting all blend together very well in Demon’s Souls, although I still wish more effort could’ve been put into the soundtrack. The good news is that each set of tracks seems to match the mood and attitude at all times, but perhaps we could’ve used more variety; a larger sampling that would’ve added another level of immersive intensity to our adventure. But besides that, the professionally implemented sound really does a great job of enhancing our enjoyment of the game. When a particularly dangerous enemy charges and leaps, and you desperately block and attempt to move and counter, the sound doesn’t betray you. It’s right there with the action; the cries and grunts of effort clash nicely with the weapon strikes and parries. The magic effects are quite nice, too.

But of course, the gameplay sits above and beyond all the technical achievements. Without it, we’re left with a pretty game that sounds great…but plays like hell. And who wants that? Well, despite the stiff challenge – which I will get to in just a moment – the developers have given us a reliable movement and action mechanic that won’t take long to learn, but a good deal longer to master. I do have a few problems with some of the limitations in combat, though; this game strives to combine aspects of straightforward third-person action titles with hardcore RPG assets, and it’s no easy task. On the one hand, you’re wondering why your character isn’t quite as capable as a hero in a standard third-person shooter would be. On the other hand, you have to recognize that with the added depth of something like Oblivion, it’s tough to have the best of both worlds. And the biggest problem I had is with the collecting of Souls and how they are used, but for now, let’s just tackle the basics.

An ancient evil is once again plaguing the world and it’s up to you to return this monstrous demon to its prison deep below the earth. During your seemingly impossible quest, you will die many (many, many) times, but unlike most any other game you’ve played, this doesn’t mean you’ll simply try again. No, you will return to your home between worlds; the Nexus, which acts as the central hub for the adventure. It’s here where you can purchase and upgrade items and equipment, enhance your character via statistic increases and new abilities, and access new lands that require purging. The problem is, when you die, you must wander about in spirit form until you have erased the evil from any given land; you can also use a special item that will restore your body to its physical goodness. See, you will be limited – you will have less health, for instance – when in spirit form, so everything becomes that much more difficult. This is one of many reasons to exercise extreme caution when moving through each environment.

There are many different classes to choose from at the start, including Knight, Magician, Priest, Barbarian, Wanderer, Soldier, and more. Obviously, the stats and attributes are different for each, and you will play the game differently depending on which class you choose. This is standard RPG fare at the start, but you’ll soon realize that traversing the same areas over and over will become par for the course. See, every time you die, you will be returned to the latest Archstone (this serves as the gateway between the “above” ground and the Nexus), and all the enemies will return as well. You will keep what you gained – sans any Souls you collected – and if you performed any necessary tasks, like hitting a lever to raise a portcullis, those will remain complete. But here is where things become tricky: as I just said, you will lose all the Souls you’ve gained, unless you go back and touch your own bloodstain. Return to the place of your former demise, touch it, and they’re all back.

Why is this important? Because Souls are everything. You use them to purchase, upgrade and repair equipment, learn new abilities, and even upgrade your statistics. This is the biggest problem with the game, in my eyes: because it can often be a slow process to accumulate lots of Souls, and because you constantly have to decide how you wish to use them, forward progress sometimes slows to a crawl. Do I spend my Souls on a new spell or do I buy a new piece of armor? And if I lose all my damn Souls and I have to backtrack to where I died, can I even touch my Bloodstain and get out of there alive? Furthermore, because Archstones are few and far between, you’ll often have to contemplate the distance you travel: “how much further can I go? I’ve got all these Souls but if I die way out here, it’ll take a long time to get back and I’ll have to fight through all those enemies again without being able to upgrade…’cuz I ain’t got no Souls.” This is the frustrating dilemma that continued to plague my time with Demon’s Souls and there were times when I just felt helpless and hopeless.

Ah, but this is where the game shines, believe it or not. The combat is extremely well done; you can block, parry, dodge roll, and execute several basic attacks, including a powerful lunge. If your equipment is significantly damaged or you’re out of Stamina, you’re in serious trouble so you always have to keep an eye on both. Enemies will attack in a number of different ways, and each foe seems to be designed for the express purpose of providing you with a new challenge. Really, this game is about satisfaction. Upon completing your first area and taking down your first boss, you will actually feel as if you’ve accomplished something. I actually sat back in my chair, put the controller down, and stretched with a smile. “I did it” is the only thing that went through my brain, and I haven’t felt this level of satisfaction (in the game world) in quite some time. Of course, I was about ready to drop the controller again – this time in utter despair – about an hour later, but hey, that’s what makes this game so well-rounded.

And if you’re feeling a little outclassed and a little down, you can always try to bring in a friend to help you out. The online aspect of Demon’s Souls is crucial, just because you often feel alone and outmatched in the dark, intimidating world. When logged into the game’s servers, you will get the benefit of seeing other players’ bloodstains (hmm…someone died here, but how?), and you will often see the ghostly outlines of those players as you move forward. Even better, players can leave important messages on the ground for other players to read, and they are immensely helpful early on. “Watch out for the ambush ahead.” “Use fire on this next foe.” And you can write stuff as well. Teaming up with others should really help to even the odds, too, so don’t be afraid to summon another warrior to assist; there’s no shame in asking for help. You can only work with other players who are within 10 levels of you, but don’t worry, there should be plenty. Plus, there’s always a lot to learn, and you may be surprised by how little you know even after several hours of play time.

It’s typically a joyous challenge to engage in combat, but I do have one major problem: in my eyes, you have to get way too close to lock on to a foe. This is a definite issue if you’re primarily a ranged attacker – I chose to be a Magician, for example – and it doesn’t seem to make sense that I have to be within ten feet before I can target an enemy. This constantly got in the way and allowed foes to gain the upper hand too easily. Furthermore, when locked onto a foe, I think the camera sits too close; other enemies like to make a habit of leaping at you when thusly engaged, and that can be intensely annoying. Remember, it will be quite some time before you can stand up to multiple foes – besides those easy ones right at the beginning – with confidence, so one-on-one battles are typically preferable. I’m also not the biggest fan of the character taking time to eat a health item; these few seconds will often translate to death because it’s not an instant rejuvenation like we had in old RPGs. This is more accurate, of course, but in a land of magic and dragons, are we really going for a simulated feel?

But now that I’ve got all that out of the way, I have to say that most any die-hard RPG fan will not only enjoy Demon’s Souls; they might actually place it atop a pedestal and say, “this is what I wanted out of the current generation!” It’s a huge step forward for Atlus (not necessarily in terms of overall quality, but in terms of embracing a new, next-gen feel), and they balance some freedom with the linear aspects of old-school JRPGs. After completing the first area, you can choose to go to any of the other worlds and attack them in whichever order you wish, and each environment is large and expansive. There’s typically only one way of completing each level, but they’re so huge you almost get fooled into believing you’re playing something more sweeping and expansive. And in many ways, you are. There are tons of different enemies, tons of different ways of playing with each of the classes at hand, and yes, tons of ways to die. But if and when you succeed you will be filled with that aforementioned satisfaction and you will have that urge to make your character better and better. It will take time. It will take dedication. But the rewards are absolutely undeniable.

For what it wishes to be, Demon’s Souls hits the mark. Perhaps the audience in question is too niche to yield huge sales, but I’m confident in expressing my praise for this production and I expect many gamers to reward Atlus for this effort. I still think you have to be too close to lock on, the parrying is a mite too hard, and the Soul accumulation seems to dictate the entire game (you’ll spend a loooong time staring at the screen, wondering how best to spend them). But outside of this, the combat is extraordinarily well done, the available classes are all distinct and require extensive experimentation, the game looks and sounds fantastic, the enemy roster and landscapes are diverse and beautifully designed, the bosses are legitimately frightening, the challenge is high but the payoff is huge, and above all else, those who get sucked in will be there for a very, very long time. If you fit the description of a hardcore RPG fan, there is no other game out there that will give you more bang for your buck. Plain and simple.

It’s a winner, folks. A big one. But only if you’re a part of the intended audience. Please do bear that in mind.

[curryking1]

I'm already buying it Acid, what's with you! Pushy, pushy salesman we have here :P

Sounds great, I hope I can jump online for a bit.

R2XH7Y_z-js

Another incredible video posted by Matt on the PSInsider Youtube channel.

Oh man... want so bad... Atlus ftmfw.

[Kiwi]

Does look great, the more and more I see it, the more I want to get it. Only problem at the moment is that there is no publisher for Europe at the moment.

Anyway, here's some more info about the game:

http://psinsider.e-mpire.com/index.php?categoryid=17&m_articles_articleid=1341

[AC!D]

Does look great, the more and more I see it, the more I want to get it. Only problem at the moment is that there is no publisher for Europe at the moment.

Anyway, here's some more info about the game:

http://psinsider.e-mpire.com/index.php?categoryid=17&m_articles_articleid=1341

I have a feeling it wont come to Europe because it wont sell well like Yakuza so best to import from the US like myself. Any info on whether we will be able to play online with the American servers if we import Matt? Thats the only question i have left that i need answers to. Im pretty tough when it comes to beating hard RPG's ( Im looking at you SMT: Nocturne... SOB took me hours to defeat all the tough bosses and levels of hell to face the real hidden end boss of the game the devil and replace his ass so how many of you can say that? AC!D got tons of hardocre RPG cred! :laugh: ) but i would like the option to get help online in the form of clues and such plus i promised Curry i would kill his ass!!!

[Kiwi]

I have a feeling it wont come to Europe because it wont sell well like Yakuza so best to import from the US like myself. Any info on whether we will be able to play online with the American servers if we import Matt? Thats the only question i have left that i need answers to. Im pretty tough when it comes to beating hard RPG's ( Im looking at you SMT: Nocturne... SOB took me hours to defeat all the tough bosses and levels of hell to face the real hidden end boss of the game the devil and replace his ass so how many of you can say that? AC!D got tons of hardocre RPG cred! :laugh: ) but i would like the option to get help online in the form of clues and such plus i promised Curry i would kill his ass!!!

I would've thought there wouldn't be a problem with getting online. If you're using the American copy of the game, then surely you'd be able to access the American servers. masteratt had an American copy of Call of Duty 4, I assume he was able to play online.

Anyway, fingers crossed. If it doesn't get released here, then I'll definitely import it.

[OmniCloud]

Bought....PS3 has an RPG drought...then BAAAM!!! SHUSH YO FACE!!!!

Nice going Atlus..I need no more reason to buy the game, that vid just sold me...

[curryking1]

Honestly... don't you love Atlus? :cloud9:

To think it would be the Bomberman publishers who eventually deliver us games like this and Odin Sphere. :S

The surprise, just makes it even more awesome :cloud9:

[Kiwi]

Hey, no slagging off Bomberman!!

Unless it's Bomberman Zero

[OmniCloud]

Yeah I like Bomberman...and Odin's Sphere was a pretty challenging RPG, I never finished the game, I'm on the 3rd character...

[curryking1]

I love Bomberman! I wasn't slagging it... I just find it weird that they are producing these games... on the PS1 playing Bomberman World I would've never guessed it.

[Kiwi]

I love Bomberman! I wasn't slagging it... I just find it weird that they are producing these games... on the PS1 playing Bomberman World I would've never guessed it.

Good! :P

Speaking of Odin Sphere, I have yet to play that. Although seeing a few seconds of it on a Muramasa video review makes me want to play it.

[curryking1]

It's hard as hell, especially if you don't level. I'm stuck in the game now, or at least from what I can remember >.>

You have to beat all the enemies on each screen to pass to a next area, and there's these green goop things that I can barely damage with regular attacks...

The game is totally awesome. Difficult, but awesome. Solid story, amazing art and colour, amazing enemy and boss designs, and interesting item system. The gameplay also changes up in pace relatively often because of the design of the enemies and sometimes the level as well.

I think you pretty much have to level here and there, otherwise you're at risk of getting caught with your pants down in the game like me >.>

[OmniCloud]

Muramasa looks awesome....The same guys who did Odin's sphere did it? I wonder why no PS3 version? The audience is here for it...

[Diresu]

Is anyone else as surprised as me at the critical reception this game has had? From what I remember people were down on it pretty hard when it was first shown....

[Kiwi]

Probably the graphics whores.

[VG Aficionado]

http://playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/demonssouls_deluxeeditionexposed_top.jpg
http://playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/demonssouls_deluxeeditionexposed_stratguide.jpg
http://playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/demonssouls_deluxeeditionexposed_stratguide_2.jpg
http://playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/demonssouls_deluxeeditionexposed_preorder.jpg

Probably the graphics whores.

There were slowdowns and it didn't look all that hot the first time we saw gameplay, but what disappointed me was the clumsy gameplay. Now, I'd really want to play a demo to see what the fuss is all about.

[Diresu]

This might actually be one game I get special edition for.

[AC!D]

*pics*

There were slowdowns and it didn't look all that hot the first time we saw gameplay, but what disappointed me was the clumsy gameplay. Now, I'd really want to play a demo to see what the fuss is all about.

I remember the slowdown in the Tokyo Games show gameplay trailer but all the import reviews said that was fixed before release and the incoming reviews for the US version say its solid. Read PSExtreme review and have another look at it.

Everyone thought this game would be crap after the TGS showing last year and it ended up being great which gets me excited about what sort of obscure title Sony will show that we will right off but be great for us next time this year. My bets are on Quantum Theory being good. Persona 5 possibly making an appearance! or a proper new PS3 SMT!

[VG Aficionado]

Yeah, it's true that the graphics were polished enough by the time it was released, which is great. Other than that I'd love to play a demo because I'm really curious but not that much to buy it blindly.

[AC!D]

Analysis: The Game Design 'Heaviness' Of Demon's Souls
by Quintin Smith (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25238)

In this game design analysis, writer Quintin Smith profiles Demon's Souls, From Software's stealth sequel to the King's Field games, a "wrecking ball" of secrets and surprises -- and why it's such an important title.]

Demon's Souls is a hack and slash dungeon crawler for the PS3 and the best game I can remember playing in years. It might seem in the following paragraphs that I'm laying it on a bit thick, but I'm honestly trying not to. Talking about this game is like using a salt shaker that someone's loosened the top of as a gag.

The boxart's a good starting point that gets across From Software's thinking, so take a look at it. Specifically, look at how its purpose isn't to make the game inside seem fun. No sir. Instead it's throwing down a gauntlet, 80's style.

The knight on the cover doesn't look dead- it's worse, and better, and more mysterious and intriguing than that. The lack of wounds means he's just slumped against the wall in exhaustion or misery. The boxart is making the game out to be a rabbit hole, an adventure in the literal sense as opposed to the industry buzzword.

Then you actually play the game, and it backs up this hint with the force of a wrecking ball. Following a very cursory tutorial that closes by pulling the rug out from under you, you find yourself in a world of secrets and surprises that's been built from the ground up to keep you guessing and gripped.

You find the game rewards every ounce of effort, time and energy you invest in it, and you realize you've found something scarier than most commercial horror games, more exciting than the big action releases and boasting a more absorbing world than most RPGs could dream of.

She's A Rejecter

Demon's Souls is a heavy game, which is to say it's all about weight. The emotional weight your character carries having been separated from his soul. The weight of your decisions, which can and do kill you. The weight of fear, panic and the unknown. The weight of your equipment and loot, which sometimes has you wincing with each extra pound. And the weight of the constant combat, which pays enough attention to heft and tactility to make you think best the close-quarter fighting games of the past were doing it wrong.

Demon's Souls' combat has been built around the concept of exhaustion. Just underneath your health is a stamina bar which drops like a stone when you sprint, attack, dodge or block. Try to block a blow without the stamina to soak it all up and you'll take some of the damage, have your shield or weapon knocked wide and go staggering backwards.

Likewise, if you're stronger than an enemy and have the stamina then they'll bounce off your shield and leave themselves open. Try an evasive roll when you don't have the stamina and your character will fling themselves to the floor with a crash instead.

Getting good hits in isn't just about watching your enemy, it's about making sure you've got the puff in your lungs to hit hard, and true. Sometimes giving an enemy a fierce shove instead of hitting them is your best bet, since it can buy you the time to stop, breathe, swing your weapon back and then bring it down in a proper blow.

Aside from being a fresh idea, this makes fighting enemies which are very strong, big or fast completely terrifying. There's a genuine sense of cowering behind your shield and an urgency to stay out of the way of hits that has you sucking air in through your teeth with each successful dodge.

But the benefit of From Software taking pains to make Demon's Souls a tactile game extends beyond the combat. In making the way your character moves and fights feel so real, they're increasing your immersion in this world they've made. That ends up being much appreciated, because the world they've built is phenomenal.

This is what separates the good dungeon crawler from the great one- an understanding that the crawling, the exploration of an unknown space, is half the game. In Demon's Souls pushing through the kingdom of Boletaria is nothing short of a total joy. The art design, level design and sheer imagination of the team make every new section an expectation-shattering treat, the only constant the idea of a once-majestic kingdom corrupted by demons.

You actually muscle through five separate dungeons simultaneously over the course of the game, accessing them from a lonely and grand central hub that gradually fills with the few lost folk you can save. Your first stop, Boletaria Palace, is a foggy and maximalist interpretation of a medieval castle where the old palace guard and the enormous dragons that feed on them are your opponents. Stonefang Tunnel is entirely subterranean, but even it manages to distance itself from all the usual dungeon crawling tropes with an orange colour palette and a Journey To The Centre of the Earth vibe.

Then there's the Tower of Latria, an impossible structure of spiraling and spiked masonry that's half fairytale and half nightmare, and the Shrine of Storms, a weatherbeaten temple where huge flying manta-ray creatures prowl the skies constantly. Finally there's the Valley of Defilement. Oh, man. Once a proud jewel of a city, it's now a terrible vision of sickness. I don't want to spoil it, but outside a Wii I didn't expect to play anything this generation that'd make me wish High Definition didn't exist.

Having five distinct areas you can swap between every time you feel like a change is nice, but there's another idea at work here. As a dungeon crawler it shouldn't come as any surprise that progressing through Demon's Souls has you gaining stat points and finding new gear, but the twist is that pushing deeper into each area you'll find they all have a tendency to get tougher at maybe four times the speed you do.

That means exploration is always darkened by the knowledge that you're walking blindly into the jaws of death. Sooner or later you're going to come up against a trap, enemy or some horrid entity that /will/ murder you. Unless, of course, you turn back. This isn't entirely new, what with everything from Etrian Odyssey to Angband doing the same thing, but in those games the solution was to grind areas you'd already explored.

That's something Demon's Souls never asks of you, though you'll probably do it anyway once you start lusting after a certain item. Instead in Demon's Souls you just swap to one of the other five dungeons and battle your way through even more fresh territory, right up until you come up against another wall.

Course, this doesn't change the fact that Demon's Souls is still a game which points you in the direction of certain death and tells you to walk. It also boasts side-paths guarded by stationary enemies triple your level, obvious traps that goad you into triggering them, treasure that glints on the far side of pits that are a touch too big to jump and so on. There's no denying the game is rattlesnake-mean, but then so are the best dungeon-crawlers. Where on Earth is the excitement in exploring the unknown if you know you're safe?

The only thing that matters here is that the trepidation that builds inside you when you're in unexplored territory is fierce enough to keep you safe. The artistry From Software have deployed here is in creating a world that's consistently lethal and foreboding enough to build fear, immersion, excitement and great caution in the player, but not so dangerous as the same caution won't be enough to keep them safe nine times out of ten.

That said, let's talk about the meanest trick Demon's Souls has. Let's talk about the souls themselves.

With Soul Power

I haven't talked much about the plot of Demon's Souls, but it goes like this: A deep, black fog is slowly spreading over the world, swallowing whole regions. It's believed that slaying the monster at the centre of the fog will stop it, but nobody who has entered the fog has ever returned. Nobody even knows what the monster looks like. Your character (choice of one of ten different classes) enters the fog and, surprise, is promptly slaughtered by the demons inside it who hunger for tasty souls.

As a freshly lost soul, you can strengthen yourself by killing demons and returning to the hub with enough of their corrupt demon souls. This is the game. However, if you're killed (uh, again) then all the unspent souls you were carrying are left exactly where you died and you're thrown back to the last hub portal you found.

Only one soul-cache like this can ever exist, so if you die on the treacherous hike back to your corpse-cache those souls are lost forever when the new cache is created. In summary, as you push through an area it's not just progress but experience points which are at stake.

I'm going to save my defense of this mechanic until after I've talked about your body. By which I don't mean your real-life body, as it wouldn't really be my place to speak. I'm sure your body is lovely, though. Boys, nobody's even noticed those blackheads. Girls, the baby hair just beneath your bellybutton is cute. Relax.

Bodies in Demon's Souls: Killing the few really big boss demons or using rare items which exist in finite number will get your character's physical body back. The difference between your physical form and soul form is simple- you stop glowing and your health is doubled. This is a Big Deal. Die, and your body is lost to the fog once more.

The potential loss of body and soul in Demon's Souls are design decisions worth studying because they deliberately punish the player for death, something big Western developers now try to erase completely from their games, and yet it works, implying we're missing a trick.

The tension and excitement that comes from forging into dangerous areas is magnified and elevated by the knowledge that you have something to lose beyond having to replay a tiny scrap of the level. Walking into the lair of a new boss demon becomes as petrifying as "walking into the lair of a new boss demon" sounds like it should be.

I remember reading in an issue of PC Gamer UK the idea that Thief would have only been half as scary without the prospect of mammoth loading times after each death. Makes you wonder, no?

Finally, let's talk about something else Demon's Souls does that goes against Western game design. Let's talk online features.

It doesn't happen often, but occasionally a Japanese developer will create something fascinating by approaching an area long-established in the West with none of the traditional wisdom. Breakdown for the original Xbox, for example, which was Namco's skewed vision of an FPS, or there's Chromehounds for the 360 which earned a cult following by bucking plenty of team-based multiplayer traditions.

Demon's Souls does the same thing with its online functionality. It's the product of a bunch of guys who sat around a table for a very long time and did some thinking without the burden of preconceptions.

Underground Wires

First of all, there's player messages. You can choose to leave a message at their feet at any point, choosing from a big list of stock phrases like "You'll get weapon after this", "Strong enemy ahead", "I'm scared", "Real Demon's Souls starts here" and the like. If you're playing online a small random selection of these messages from other 'souls' will appear in your game as unobtrusive scrawls in the ground that you can read with a button press.

If you like them, you can say so with a further button press. If somebody somewhere gives one of your messages the thumbs up, you get a little health back. It's nice. Obviously desperate warnings are totally in keeping with the game's tone, both because of the foreboding inherent within them and because you never know if they're tricks.

The blood splatters are more honest. Die in Demon's Souls and the game will (unnoticeably) record your last few seconds of life and dump it in some other players' games as a blood splatter. If you walk over a splatter in your game and press a button to touch it you can watch that player's ghostly form act out the last moments of their life, which will usually hint at what killed them. Or it won't, which is always deeply unsettling.

The blood splatters are equal parts cool, hilarious and a useful survival tool. Say you round a corner and see a knight with luminous green eyes standing stock still at the end of a long corridor. There's a blood splatter at your feet. You touch it and see a ghost run towards the static knight, take a swing, then turn and start sprinting back up the corridor in terror only to take some kind of blow to the back and die in one hit. You look at your game's knight, still yet to move, and bite your tongue behind your lips. What's your move?

The other half of the online stuff is the black and blue phantoms. Blue first- blue phantoms are Demon Soul's co-op. As long as there's an undefeated boss in the area you're in, through use of an item you can call for aid from a bodiless soul to help defeat it. Other players looking to get their body back can then drop into your game as phantoms, and though they can't speak or interact with your world (unable to flip switches, open doors or pick up any of your loot) they can fight and emote.

A large part of playing as a blue phantom is in guiding your partner through the world and its dangers with body language, and if the two of you manage to defeat the boss together then the phantom player gets his body back and a few souls for his trouble.

Black phantoms are great and terrible. Again, to play as one you use a specific item to drop into another player's world, except this time you're no benevolent spirit and your presence definitely isn't requested. You only ever enter the worlds of players with bodies with the mission of hunting down and killing them.

They don't get to return to the hub until you're defeated, but if you manage to get them nice and dead by besting them in combat, shoving them off a cliff or shivving them in the back as they fight some bigger foe, then you'll get your body back as they lose theirs.

Again, it fits seamlessly within the game world and there's no voice communications of any kind just to make sure. It's simply a clever way to fill a single-player game with more colour by letting other players act as your foe for a bit. There are even items you can equip which cut the chance of black phantoms finding you.

All these ideas spark a frustration in me, actually. What sets this generation of games apart isn't some great technical leap, but the prevalence and ease of online functionality.

Yet no-one's playing with it. We're getting DLC, co-op, new multiplayer modes, more DLC, more co-op and leaderboards, in case you were curious that your recent success ranks you 201,774th in the world. But then here's Demon's Souls, a game that's having real success fumbling in the dark while everybody else is playing it safe.

But that's getting off topic. Anyone with the niggling belief that too many games these days are focus tested into oblivion as every rough edge is smoothed and softened needs to buy this as soon as possible. It plays like an adrenaline spike, and has a very important lesson to teach about what we're losing as so many developers and publishers continue down this path where mass customer satisfaction is the primary concern. Demon's Souls is cold, and hard, and brilliant.

I suppose at the core of all of this is that it's a game that actually feels like it has respect for both you as a player and itself. Not once when you find a new area or enemy does it scream LOOK AT THIS in a cutscene or set-piece. Not once when you die does it apologise, or help you back on your feet. Not once does it let up in its astonishing quality and turn to padding or repetition, and not once do the ideas stop coming.

Although the American version of Demon's Souls isn't out yet the full English-language translation (voice acting and all) already exists in both the Korean and Asian editions which can and should be purchased from many fine import sites. That said, most seem out of stock right now. Picking up the American version on day one of its release on October 6th would also be acceptable. This one is an unquestionable must-buy. Anticipate it, buy it, play it, love it, shout about it and beat it, in that order. You'll be making the world a better place.
[Quinns is a freelance journalist who has fun working for Eurogamer, contributing to Rock Paper Shotgun and reading Action Button. You can currently find him either relaxing in Galway, working in London or at quintinsmithster at gmail dot com.]

Nice article! Another glowing recommendation and no Curryking i wont stop till everyone on Empire sells their mums and buys this game :)

[curryking1]

Lol man, let's hope you make that happen :D

Can't wait! Seriously, I'm really excited for this one. I even put a note on my calendar for the release date for this and Uncharted 2 lol XD

Stuff for new page:

http://playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/demonssouls_deluxeeditionexposed_top.jpg
http://playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/demonssouls_deluxeeditionexposed_stratguide.jpg
http://playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/demonssouls_deluxeeditionexposed_stratguide_2.jpg
http://playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/demonssouls_deluxeeditionexposed_preorder.jpg


Analysis: The Game Design 'Heaviness' Of Demon's Souls
by Quintin Smith (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25238)
...

Demon's Souls is a hack and slash dungeon crawler for the PS3 and the best game I can remember playing in years. It might seem in the following paragraphs that I'm laying it on a bit thick, but I'm honestly trying not to. Talking about this game is like using a salt shaker that someone's loosened the top of as a gag.

The boxart's a good starting point that gets across From Software's thinking, so take a look at it. Specifically, look at how its purpose isn't to make the game inside seem fun. No sir. Instead it's throwing down a gauntlet, 80's style.

The knight on the cover doesn't look dead- it's worse, and better, and more mysterious and intriguing than that. The lack of wounds means he's just slumped against the wall in exhaustion or misery. The boxart is making the game out to be a rabbit hole, an adventure in the literal sense as opposed to the industry buzzword.

...

You find the game rewards every ounce of effort, time and energy you invest in it, and you realize you've found something scarier than most commercial horror games, more exciting than the big action releases and boasting a more absorbing world than most RPGs could dream of.

She's A Rejecter

Demon's Souls is a heavy game, which is to say it's all about weight. The emotional weight your character carries having been separated from his soul. The weight of your decisions, which can and do kill you.The weight of fear, panic and the unknown. The weight of your equipment and loot, which sometimes has you wincing with each extra pound. And the weight of the constant combat, which pays enough attention to heft and tactility to make you think best the close-quarter fighting games of the past were doing it wrong.

Demon's Souls' combat has been built around the concept of exhaustion. Just underneath your health is a stamina bar which drops like a stone when you sprint, attack, dodge or block. Try to block a blow without the stamina to soak it all up and you'll take some of the damage, have your shield or weapon knocked wide and go staggering backwards.

...

That means exploration is always darkened by the knowledge that you're walking blindly into the jaws of death. Sooner or later you're going to come up against a trap, enemy or some horrid entity that will murder you. Unless, of course, you turn back. This isn't entirely new, what with everything from Etrian Odyssey to Angband doing the same thing, but in those games the solution was to grind areas you'd already explored.

That's something Demon's Souls never asks of you,though you'll probably do it anyway once you start lusting after a certain item. Instead in Demon's Souls you just swap to one of the other five dungeons and battle your way through even more fresh territory, right up until you come up against another wall.

...

Bodies in Demon's Souls: Killing the few really big boss demons or using rare items which exist in finite number will get your character's physical body back. The difference between your physical form and soul form is simple- you stop glowing and your health is doubled. This is a Big Deal. Die, and your body is lost to the fog once more.

The potential loss of body and soul in Demon's Souls are design decisions worth studying because they deliberately punish the player for death,something big Western developers now try to erase completely from their games, and yet it works, implying we're missing a trick.

The tension and excitement that comes from forging into dangerous areas is magnified and elevated by the knowledge that you have something to lose beyond having to replay a tiny scrap of the level. Walking into the lair of a new boss demon becomes as petrifying as "walking into the lair of a new boss demon" sounds like it should be.

...

All these ideas spark a frustration in me, actually. What sets this generation of games apart isn't some great technical leap, but the prevalence and ease of online functionality.

Yet no-one's playing with it. We're getting DLC, co-op, new multiplayer modes, more DLC, more co-op and leaderboards,in case you were curious that your recent success ranks you 201,774th in the world. But then here's Demon's Souls, a game that's having real success fumbling in the dark while everybody else is playing it safe.

But that's getting off topic. Anyone with the niggling belief that too many games these days are focus tested into oblivion as every rough edge is smoothed and softened needs to buy this as soon as possible. It plays like an adrenaline spike, and has a very important lesson to teach about what we're losing as so many developers and publishers continue down this path where mass customer satisfaction is the primary concern. Demon's Souls is cold, and hard, and brilliant.

I suppose at the core of all of this is that it's a game that actually feels like it has respect for both you as a player and itself. Not once when you find a new area or enemy does it scream LOOK AT THIS in a cutscene or set-piece. Not once when you die does it apologise, or help you back on your feet. Not once does it let up in its astonishing quality and turn to padding or repetition, and not once do the ideas stop coming.

Although the American version of Demon's Souls isn't out yet the full English-language translation (voice acting and all) already exists in both the Korean and Asian editions which can and should be purchased from many fine import sites. That said, most seem out of stock right now. Picking up the American version on day one of its release on October 6th would also be acceptable. This one is an unquestionable must-buy. Anticipate it, buy it, play it, love it, shout about it and beat it, in that order. You'll be making the world a better place.
Nice article! Another glowing recommendation and no Curryking i wont stop till everyone on Empire sells their mums and buys this game :)

I must say, that is a really sexy cover art.

[Bsack]

Is this title exclusive to PS3? All I know is it looks damn good and my interest in it is high.

[curryking1]

Unless there's a PC version in the works I'd be sure to get which I don't yet know about, it's only on PS3.

There's been an English version out for a while (I forget which region it came from, VG should know), but thankfully a full US version is coming :)

[Bsack]

saweet I'll be all over this game then. Thanks curry.

[Syncere Styles]

Is this title exclusive to PS3? All I know is it looks damn good and my interest in it is high.

It's only on PS3.

[drakkar]

Yes only on PS3, Sony owns the IP.

[curryking1]

Oh really? So SCE must be publishing this and everything, that's cool. Good on them for putting money where it does good :)

[Kiwi]

I'm so importing that special edition when I have the cash.

[drakkar]

Well they aren't publishing it North America, Atlus got the license as I guess Scea decide to pass it up, or is it a business decision to help foster third party support. But yes SCE does own the license, funded development, and explicitly wanted From software to make a game in the style of King's Field.

[curryking1]

Wow... SCE are like philanthropists to Atlus lol. That's really good for SCE and PS3, yet also really good for Atlus.

Very, very nice.

[drakkar]

Same idea may exist with Afrika being published by Natsume. Though SCEA may just have had their hands full, or allocated budget elsewhere.

[OmniCloud]

That's great news!!! Thanks Drakkar for clarifying that. Now I can look forward to this being a Sony franchise.

Just when I had given up on RPG's this gen...I think Demon's Soul is gonna be it...Valkyria Chronicles touched on what I wanted from nex-gen RPG's with the visuals, but this is gonna bring the gameplay and sense of satisfaction to a new level. There's nothing better than leveling up and owning in an RPG!!!!

Can't wait for this, only step now is to take the story or RPG's to a more mature theme, and of course to have more realistic dialog akin to something like Mass Effect.

All the pieces are slowly starting to form...I I think this is gonna be my Game of the Year...

[masteratt]

Analysis: The Game Design 'Heaviness' Of Demon's Souls
by Quintin Smith (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25238)




K, now I want it.
What a great article.

Is it US only? I'm scared of importing games due to DLC.

[curryking1]

Good job Acid :)

Ya so far it's only US. I don't think they'd add DLC, just doesn't seem like something Atlus would do with this game. Unless there's already DLC, I dunno.

[AC!D]

K, now I want it.
What a great article.

Is it US only? I'm scared of importing games due to DLC.

As far as i know no DLC was released for the Asian version so dont worry about DLC. Im definitely importing.

Good job Acid :)

:laugh: Another one bites! :laugh:

[Carlos]

I'm getting this regardless of the setting, I mean, I love RPG's. And I NEED a good RPG!

God, I just wish Namco would hurry the fuck up about bringing PS3 version of Vesperia over here!

[OmniCloud]

I was watching some vids on youtube...the Bow and arrow really seems to come in handy...So I'll probably start off as a light-armored knight, so I can be quick and agile, and have some decent defense.

There's seems to be really good items fairly early on in the game too, so I'd explore a lot before I really set off into the worlds.

[Diresu]

I was watching some vids on youtube...the Bow and arrow really seems to come in handy...So I'll probably start off as a light-armored knight, so I can be quick and agile, and have some decent defense.

There's seems to be really good items fairly early on in the game too, so I'd explore a lot before I really set off into the worlds.

I was thinking of playing Oblivion on the P.C again to get a bit more of the RPG fix (After modding the crap out of it in order to make it a worthwhile game) but Demon's Souls seems like it will more then fill the void.

[OmniCloud]

I think it's gonna be my personal Game of the Year tbh...

I'm not counting Uncharted 2, because that's just gonna be the game of the last couple of years;)

[SleazyBig slim]

This game came out of no where and suprised the crap out of me, 2 weeks ago I never had even heard of Demons Souls and now its my most anticipated game! That rarely happens to me at all. I dont even like RPG's but this game looks so darn cool, i'm digging the gameplay vids, got the delux version preordered. PS3 just keeps coming with the goods.

[Syncere Styles]

All of ya'll that haven't played it yet are going to be even more surprised 1nce ya'll see how much this game will kick your ass. This game really keeps you on your toes seriously and is one of the few games I've played in a decade or more that actually seriously have me fearful of dying. It's pretty damn intense. The feeling of fighting an enemy only to find out that you pretty much cannot fuck with em at the time you meet him is almost as good of a feeling as it is 1nce you come back to them later to find out that you finally know how to and can actually beat them. And the co-op & competitive integration is very well implemented. I only wish I was in the mood to play this more. I'm currently at level 36 and have killed about 4-5 bosses so far.

[Kiwi]

Here's the next part of Atlus's video walkthrough

jeZ8u9TQA_E

[Diresu]

Ah! Videos! *Runs out of the thread*

[SleazyBig slim]

This is my GOTY no doubt.

[Diresu]

I really hope this game sells well, I would love it if this became a series.

[AC!D]

Well slap my ass and call me Susan! I cant believe it!!!! Edge actually gave a PS3 exclusive 9/10. Well done Demon Souls!!!!

[Kiwi]

Deluxe Edition unboxing

aFsU_j21-04

[curryking1]

It's October 6th, so the game is finally out in NA! :)

Who else is picking it up today? Hopefully I'll get an hour or so in to see what's up :D

[KRA]

is there any chance for EU release ?!

[D3adcell]

I'm picking it up if it comes out today and is not shipped today.

[AC!D]

My import copy will only arrive in about 2 weeks so ill probably only get to play this after i finish up Uncharted 2. Give us some thoughts on the game D3adcell and Curryking when you have had some time to play. Without any spoilers please! Thanks!

[Syncere Styles]

Guess ya'll gonna finally witness the rawesomeness.

[curryking1]

Bitches didn't have the game.

Bitches made me angry.

Bitches gotta learn.

Bitches gonna pay...

(I should really phone first next time)

[masteratt]

Or stop doing non-internet shopping.

Where is the best place to import this for a UK person?
I'm a import virgin.

[curryking1]

Shipping really isn't good for me... I'm never there when I need to sign off on the thing. Then I get a phone call 2 weeks later telling me I needed to pick up my package a week ago. :/

I didn't mind going too much. I had a good burger while I was there :)

[Hisham]

Buy this, or save money for U2...

TO MANY FUCKING GOOD GAMES COMING OUT!

:(

[warmachine]

Or stop doing non-internet shopping.

Where is the best place to import this for a UK person?
I'm a import virgin.


I always import from www.videogamesplus.ca or www.dvdboxoffice.com. (no customs, small shipping fee --> max. 45Euros for a new title)

[curryking1]

^You're paying my prices :P

[warmachine]

If I would buy them here in Austria I would pay at least 60 or even 70Euros. ;)
So I import all the time either from Canada or from the UK. :D

[D3adcell]

I have played a bit so far and beat the first level. The game is a ton of fun. Really challenging and all the messages people drop really do help. Then it's also great when someone recommends your message and you get a health boost. I am really liking the strategy you have to use on the different enemies as well.

I ran into one spot where there were all these bloodstains, when you click on a bloodstain it shows how that person died. Well they all ran into this place crowded with enemies, I just looked for like 2 seconds and saw that you could hit this trap that would release boulders at them, left a message and got health a few times from that.

[Diresu]

My deluxe edition is on its way from Amazon, can hardly wait.

[masteratt]

I have played a bit so far and beat the first level. The game is a ton of fun. Really challenging and all the messages people drop really do help. Then it's also great when someone recommends your message and you get a health boost. I am really liking the strategy you have to use on the different enemies as well.

I ran into one spot where there were all these bloodstains, when you click on a bloodstain it shows how that person died. Well they all ran into this place crowded with enemies, I just looked for like 2 seconds and saw that you could hit this trap that would release boulders at them, left a message and got health a few times from that.
That is absolutely genius.
Online and Single Player mixed to perfection.

And well done D3adCell for the good help....Too bad I can't do online at uni so I'm gona get raped trying to play it all on my own....eeep.

I always import from www.videogamesplus.ca or www.dvdboxoffice.com. (no customs, small shipping fee --> max. 45Euros for a new title)
Thanks but one converted to £45! (no freakin' way!!) and the other didn't have it.

Still looking for a UK shipping shop for this game...I doubt I'll get it in the £20s range though lol (which is what I usually pay for my games).

Hmmm, maybe I wait...
There are currently no plans for it to come to Europe, to my knowledge. Atlus U.S.A., Inc. is strictly a North American publisher. Hopefully, the game gets enough attention and praise (and it seems to be) to make the trip overseas (again :D).

[SleazyBig slim]

Only 1 1/2 hour to go before I cant to play this game. My work day is going by so slow now.

[OmniCloud]

DeadCell, what are you starting off with...I think Wanderer looked the coolest, or maybe Thief, but so far I got two characters one a thief and the other a Hunter, both seem fairly balanced, but I'm worried about the Thief's low stats in strength. I plan on being a mix between fast brawler with some good range skills...

I'm thinking maybe I should stick with hunter...

[Kiwi]

Gametrailers review (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-demons-souls/57297)

[Lucent Beam]

Someone who visits this forum regularly just had a strong case of rage over a boss. EMOTION!

[curryking1]

Throw the controller at the TV type rage or 'Rage Alt-QQ' type rage?

[OmniCloud]

Someone who visits this forum regularly just had a strong case of rage over a boss. EMOTION!ROFL....Man...give me some tips!

[Syncere Styles]

1st tip, be aware, that some enemies you just won't be strong enough to fight when you 1st see them, like the red eyed knight (you won't be strong enough to fight him till you're at least at level 20). If ya'll don't know yet, you can't level up till you defeat the 1st real boss, the Phalanx (blob monster with shields on the 1st castle). And if you're having problems with him, fire is your friend, in whatever shape or form you can use it.

If ya'll want some more tips, here's the official website to the game. http://demonssouls.wikidot.com/intro

Obviously, it has spoilers, but it has tips of how and where to build pretty much each and every type of special weapon there is.

[D3adcell]

Throw the controller at the TV type rage or 'Rage Alt-QQ' type rage?

The make it all the way to a boss and not be able to kill him so I have to abandon that level rage after dying 5 times at the boss. Apparently I need arrows and a fire defense shield, which I have to go into another level and kill a dragon to get (which apparently takes a ton of arrows that I do not have.


Also syncere in the guide that came with the deluxe edition it talks about luring the red eyed knight into the tower on the other side and having him fall down and dying some how. I couldn't get it to work though.

Oh I am also playing as a knight.