Demon's Souls

by Atlus

Product Features

• Deluxe Edition Includes 150+ page strategy guide and collectible outer slipcase
• Combining the best features of an action game and RPG, you'll slice, smash, shoot, and cast magic against some of the most horrible, vicious enemies ever encountered
• Network features go far beyond any previous RPG, allowing players to leave hints for each other, replay death scenes, cooperatively revive dead players, or invade and wreak havoc in another's game
• Not merely an add-on feature, multiplayer options are vast, and uniquely focused on changing and intensifying the single player experience
• Build exactly the character you want by creating a detailed avatar, nurturing the right stats, and customizing your skills and equipment

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B002GJRQQY
• Item Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: October 6, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,656 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #42 in Video Games > PlayStation 3 > Role-Playing
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Edition: Deluxe

Beautiful, compelling, and at times unforgiving, Demon's Souls is the hardcore RPG experience PS3 owners have been waiting for since the platform's launch. Revolutionary online features define your adventure like never before, presenting seamless interconnectivity that serves in every instance to enhance the single-player game. Unprecedented in its depth and subtlety, peerless in its relentlessly challenging gameplay, Demon's Souls is the ultimate action RPG. The game features:

A hardcore RPG challenge

In this brutal land, death is inevitable, but not final. Combining the best features of an action game and RPG, you'll slice, smash, shoot, and cast magic against some of the most horrible, vicious enemies ever encountered. Are you strong enough to face up to the impossible and win.

Ground-breaking online capabilities.

Network features go far beyond any previous RPG, allowing players to leave hints for each other, replay death scenes, cooperatively revive dead players, or invade and wreak havoc in another's game. Not merely an add-on feature, multiplayer options are vast, and uniquely focused on changing and intensifying the single player experience.

Freeform and flexible

The open-ended structure of the game means that there is no single path, but rather a wealth of options. Set your own pace and progress as you like. Build exactly the character you want by creating a detailed avatar, nurturing the right stats, and customizing your skills and equipment.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful game, but is the Deluxe Version worth it?, October 7, 2009

By 

klopas "Keith" (Texas) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Demon's Souls Deluxe Edition w/ Artbook & Soundtrack CD (Video Game)

Note: There are additions to the review below my original review.
--------------------------------------------------

I wanted to provide a review, but I see that most of the others have already addressed most of what this game is all about. This review is based off of the "Deluxe Edition," which differs from the regular edition in that it includes an official strategy guide and a slip cover case that houses the game and strategy guide. The game is exactly the same in both versions.

Demon's Souls is a worthwhile experience in itself, and I highly urge any who are on the fence about it to at least give it a rental. It's a game that one will need to play through more than once in order to feel as though the game has been completed. Read other reviews for details into all of the aspects of the game.

I am going to focus my attention on the "extras" provided with the deluxe version. Is the strategy guide worth the extra $10? As somebody who did not play the import versions of Demon's Souls (many people here have), I can safely endorse the purchase of the deluxe version in order to get the strategy guide. For one, it's beautiful. There was much effort in organizing the art and text in a concise and useful way. It's very easy on the eyes. Each walkthrough section has pictures to go along with the walkthrough instructions, which is helpful. It runs 159 pages and is as big as the game case - not bulky at all. Even though it is small, it does not look or feel cheaply made. Here are the topics considered in the table of contents:

Introduction, Class & Gender, Character Building Guide, Survival Guide, Non-Player Characters, Merchants, Living Body and Soul Form, World Tendency and Character Tendency, Demon's Souls Usage, Magic Guide, Weapons Guide, Weapons Upgrades, Armor, Rings, Items, Enemies, Crystal Lizards, Quirks & Tricks, Trophy Guide, Online Mode Guide, Leveling Guide, Walkthrough (Worlds 1-5), End Game, Perfect Run Walkthrough

There are a couple drawbacks to the strategy guide. Demon's Souls has been out for awhile in Japan, Korea and China. This means that there are already plenty of online resources that discuss just about everything provided in the paperback guide. The guide does not provide illustrated maps of each level, which would have been icing on the cake. This is especially true since the game does not have any sort of mapping system. It would have been nice if the guide were a bit fatter - more detailed descriptions - but sufficed to say, this is a small gripe considering that all items, weapons, rings, monsters, and NPCs got descriptions and pictures to go along with them. It's a blessing and a curse because there is always a want for more content, but an efficient guide is also desirable. This strategy guide is efficient to say the least.

Again, I recommend the "Deluxe Version" even though the only real difference is the strategy guide. If you have no need for a tangible guide then there are online resources that definitely match the content. However, the guide is organized, in full color, and there are pictures that go along with the walkthroughs, items, monsters and other aspects of the game. Most online walkthroughs/guides I have looked at do not provide these things, and the ones that do are not in the same league as the guide provided with the deluxe version.

In summary, the guide is NOT necessary, but it is useful and convenient. Hope this helps!
--------------------------------------------------

*Edit: A few additions to the review. It was brought to my attention that the cover of the guide, most noticeably the spine, fades easily. I found that both the spine and front cover have begun that process.

The information in the guide is still very good. However, after much use of the walkthrough I can honestly say that it's not as extensive as I initially thought it was. It covers the essentials for getting main items and tackling bosses, but it does not cover most items that can be found in each level - it does note which levels all items are located, but the walkthrough section skips over where to find them. The walkthrough also minimizes boss battles in some cases and I found myself deviating heavily from the boss guide. Again, it's still a very good guide overall, but do not expect it to have an answer for everything in the game. If you want to get the main, most powerful items, this guide is definitely for you.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Got a temper? Have no patience? You can handle this., October 12, 2009

By 

Robert - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Demon's Souls Deluxe Edition w/ Artbook & Soundtrack CD (Video Game)

I know a lot of people are on the fence about getting this, just as I was, so I will explain my habits and how I feel about the difficulty .

When it comes to hard games I get a temper, I become easily frustrated, frequently yell at the screen, and on more then one occasion have almost thrown the controller across the room. Have you ever played Ninja Gaiden 2 on xbox 360? I think most consider it a very difficult game. I can't stand the game. The difficulty has me screaming at the screen in less then 5 mins.

I consider Demon's Souls to be the hardest game I have ever played, much harder then Ninja Gaiden. Each time you die you loose all your saved souls (cash/experience). Many enemy's can kill you in two hits. You will be ambushed frequently, dieing many times. You will be roasted by dragons. Many times you'll die in places where you can't reach your body to reclaim the souls. On top of all this there is no pause button (This one annoys me. Everyone has to take bio breaks). I know this sounds frustrating, but it's not. What i have just described is what makes the game fun. If this game were easy it would suck. For the record I have yet to yell at the screen and as I previously stated, I'm a "yeller".

You have to go into the game accepting that it's hard. Why is this fun? Every time you level it really means something. Every time you successfully beat a demon it means something. Every time you avoid the ambush and slaughter all of your attackers it makes you feel great. When you finally learn the level and can run around without much fear of dieing, it's a huge accomplishment. Each time you advance your character just a tiny bit you'll feel like you accomplished something. There is no hand holding in this game. When your character increases his stats, learns a new spell, upgrades his weapon or armor, it's from your hard work. You'll just have to trust me (and the other reviewers), this really makes the game GREAT.

If you are on the fence...I recommend buying this now. If you have to choose b/w this or Uncharted 2 (coming out tomorrow), chose Demon's Souls. With all the hype around Uncharted 2, I feel 100% comfortable telling you to buy Demon's Souls first.

With that said here are a few tips that helped me (SPOILERS to some):
1. I found Royals and Temple Knights to be great first characters.

2. When you start in level 1-1, approach every enemy like you will die. Plan ahead. Make sure you won't get to many adds on you.

3. I found a spear to be a great first weapon. The Temple Knights halbred is fantastic as well. You can buy the spear in 1-1 from a vendor you will discover. I recommend doing so immediately if you start as a Royal.

4. Learn to use your shield. It will save you more then turning and running. Get in a corner and "turtle" if you have to.

5. Learn to parry then riposte. When you get this down you'll kill most enemy's in 1 hit.

6. The Red Eye Knight in 1-1 will kill you instantly. Lure him across the walkway with the catapults and down the stairs. There is a place with 2 barrels next to each other. Don't destroy them. When the knight is coming for you, stand around the corner just past the barrels and he should fall and die.

7. When you save up enough souls go back to the nexus and use them. The level will restart, but you'll be stronger.

8. Stay in 1-1 until you can defeat it easily. Then try 2-1, 3-1, 4-1 etc.

9. For the last boss in 1-1, save the firebombs you collect. Use them against the minions guarding the boss. If you have a halbred, coat it with turpentine (fire) and go to town.

Edit:
10. Expect to die when exploring a new area, fighting a boss or going against a named black phantom NPC. Don't go into these fights with 100,000 souls saved cause they will be lost.

11. KEEP this in mind when you start: There's an item in 2-2 you want but requires the world to be pure black. It's called the Talisman of Beasts. This item lets you use both miracles and spells without changing wands/talismans. Every time you are revived go to 2-1 and kill yourself. This will make the world darker (harder). When you kill the 2-1 boss, kill yourself before returning to the nexus. When the world is pure black, go kill Black Phantom Scirvir. Pick up the Talisman. Commit Suicide. Go kill the primevil demon under the building with the guys throwing rocks. Now you can return to the nexus and World 2 will be white again.

12. You get the Black stone when you kill your first Black Phantom NPC. This will probably be in 3-1. At this point you can be invaded by player Black Phantoms when you are in living form unless you're in offline mode (log out from Sony network).

13. IN 3-2. VERY Important. You'll see a platform with several lights, blue red yellow etc. There is a guy hanging in a cage named Yurt. If you release him and let him go he'll eventually return to the nexus and murder all the NPC's. He drops good armor so release him then kill him immediately.

14. In 1-1 you'll meet someone named Ostrava. He has an ongoing quest that continues to 1-2, then 1-3. If Ostrava dies at any point be sure you're there to pick up his key. He annoyed me so I offed him when he appeared in 1-3.

62 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prepare your souls for the GREATEST RPG ever!!!!!, October 6, 2009

By 

Edeyie - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Demon's Souls Deluxe Edition w/ Artbook & Soundtrack CD (Video Game)

Length:: 6:28 Mins

The video shows the unboxing of the Demon's Souls Deluxe Edition. Enjoy!

My Review. So I have just put a good solid 5 hours or so into this game and it's hard lol. But that's what makes it great! I love the challenge those far and it proves to challenge the minds of gamers to come up with different strategies after death.I'll go over a few categories of the game and once I finish the game I'll write a final review on the game!

Gameplay: 4/5

The gameplay is great and easy. You use the trigger buttons for combat, blocking, parrying and for powerful strikes! There is a lock on system that works well and targets the closest enemy to you. The d-pad is my only (nit picky) gripe in which your items and weapons are displayed. You push down on the d-pad to cycle through your items but can't go back to an item you passed instead you must cycle through them again to find it. The combat is great so far and my favorite part is actually dodging! It's easy to do and works very effectively and if you perform it perfectly after a foe throws a strike he's wide open for a nice back stab and the illustration of this is awesome!!!

Presentation: 5/5

This game is so beautiful! I have been catching myself stopping on the edge of towers, cliffs, bridges etc....just to view the scenery in the background the mountains, sky and forests are all so detailed it's gorgeous. The blood stains on the ground brings the creepy vibe of the game together well and the Soul forms of real playing gamers looks great!

Online: Haven't explored yet

I have yet to invade or help out another player but once I get the chance I'll write about the experience

Overall: 4/5 ATM once I finish the game I'll write a full review. Till then please enjoy the unboxing vid!! Take care and have a great day!!

2115|R2EUFW164MVP86;2115|R2DHV7B027BKYZ;2115|R3923V0X7WVRPF;