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Demon's Souls | 
| From: Atlus
Category: Video Games
List Price: $39.99
Buy New: $29.00
as of 9/6/2010 04:41 CDT details
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New (36) Used (22) Collectible (2) from $24.00
Seller: Outlet
Rating:  303 reviews
Sales Rank: 154
Format: CD
Platform: PlayStation 3
Genre: role_playing_games
ESRB: Mature
Media: Video Game
Edition: Standard
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Batteries Included: No
Operating System: PlayStation 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.7 x 6.7 x 0.6
MPN: DS-00132-3
Model: DS-00132-3
UPC: 730865001323
EAN: 0730865001323
ASIN: B002AB7TX8
Publication Date: October 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | 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 | | • | The open-ended structure of the game means that there is no single path, but rather a wealth of options | | • | Build exactly the character you want by creating a detailed avatar, nurturing the right stats, and customizing your skills and equipment |
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Product Description
Demon's Souls PS3
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 303
 Great Action/Rpg October 6, 2009
Dark Dreams (Houston, TX)
266 out of 273 found this review helpful
I had imported Demon's Souls in April, and finished it 3 times since then. I have a long review below but if you want a few sentences here it is:
The game has an excellent atmosphere, great character customization, enjoyable combat, some unique online elements, but very little story and minimal npc interaction. It is also very unforgiving, but it is strangely addictive if you don't get frustrated easily. It takes about 40 hours in your first play through. It's not because the game is huge... It's because you'll die a lot and repeat a lot, which results in playing very cautiously (which also adds to the atmosphere).
***Review***
Demon's Souls is an action RPG game with some unique online elements. I loved the game but I can also see why some people (even RPG lovers) might hate it. Although I gave it 5 stars, I cannot say the game is for everyone. Just read the paragraph at the end where I explain some game mechanics, and if it sounds frustrating to you then might want to try the game first before buying.
For me 3 things are very important for an RPG. A good story and well-developed characters, deep character customization, tactical and fun combat.
Story
In DS, the people in different realms/worlds are possessed by demonic souls and you are to get rid of them. When you kill them you collect their souls and get more powerful and eventually fight against the final demon. That's basically it. The game has very little story and minimal amount of non player characters (NPCs). There are about 15-20 NPCs in total (including the merchants and blacksmiths), and most of them are located in a hub called Nexus. Furthermore, you can talk to them but there are no dialogue trees. They'll say 2-3 new sentences after each time you kill a demon boss, giving you some background about the setting. Sometimes they'll initiate a sidequest, by asking you to find/do something. That's all.
If you are expecting something like Mass Effect or JRPGs in terms of story or dialogue this is not it. However, the game has a very dark and immersive atmosphere. It just sucks you in and makes up for its lack of story. Also, sometimes new characters/enemies appear depending on World Tendency (world tendency is something like an alignment that can change toward black or white), which provides replay value.
In sum, unlike most other RPGs, this is not a game that you play for the story. There is minimal story and dialogue, but the game has an excellent atmosphere which gives you the feeling of being alone and overwhelmed.
Character Customization
Character customization is probably the most important aspect of an RPG and this is where the game shines. You start the game with a certain class you picked, but it doesn't restrict you. You can develop your stats in anyway you like and completely turn it into something else (kind of like Oblivion). For example, weapons/armors have different stats requirements, but they are not restricted to classes. As long as your character meets the stats requirement you can use it. So you can mix and mash classes anyway you like. There are 8 different attributes, and when you level up you can raise one of those attributes by one point (there is room for up to 99 for each attribute).
Weapon upgrades are done by using the ores you find. You can do regular upgrades (e.g. long sword +2) or you can change it into a different weapon (e.g. dragon long sword) depending on the ores you found. There are several different types of ores that opens a different upgrade branch. There are also some special upgrades, if you choose to use a demon's soul that you obtained from a boss, which will give you a unique weapon.
Combat
The customization also affects your gameplay. For instance, you can wield double swords, sword and shield, sword and crossbow, sword and a wand, two shields (if you want to be fancy) etc. Moreover, any sword can be wielded two handed or one handed. Of course, if you choose to wield a two handed sword with one hand, you character becomes clumsy. If you choose to wield a one handed sword with two hands, then you make stronger attacks with different animations.
The combat is in real time and it is like an action game. In the controller, L1-L2 is assigned to the left hand, and R1-R2 is assigned to the right hand. L1 is used for guarding, L2 is either for parry (when wielding a shield) or attacking (weapon on left hand)). On the other hand, R1 is regular attack, and R2 is strong attack. You can also roll, run, but you cannot jump. So you end up having different combat gameplay and tactics depending on what you choose to equip.
Online Gameplay
If your PS3 is connected to the internet, you'll automatically play the game online. That lets you do different things. First, you'll see some messages left by other players. They can provide some clues, warnings etc. You can also leave messages but you can only create them by combining preset words and phrases. You cannot type whatever you want. And if someone finds your message helpful and rates it, then your health replenishes. Second, you'll see pools of blood and if you touch them it will show you a ghost of some other player and how he/she died. It's just another clue to help you in the game.
Third, and the most important one, is playing with/against others. If you are in body form, you'll see blue signs on the ground left by other players. By touching those signs you can summon up to two more people to your game and they'll fight along with you in your game helping you out. On the other hand, when you are in body form some other player can invade your game and try to kill you. If you are in soul form, then you can put a blue sign on the ground in order to be summoned by others or you can use an item to invade another player's game. However, you cannot just invite your friends to your game. If you and your friends are on different servers (which you have no control over) you won't see the signs they left and will not be able to summon them. If you happen to be on the same server, you can arrange a location in the game to put the sign (via XMB message) and then summon the other person.
Conclusion
In sum, Demon's Souls is one of the best games on PS3. It has a great atmosphere and addictive gameplay that makes you come back, even after you died for the tenth time in the same boss battle. Unfortunately it is not a game for the impatient. Just take a look at the cover art (the regular cover art which happens to be the Deluxe Edition cover in US release) of the game. You see a lone, battered knight, who is about to give up. That's Demon's Souls for you. If you are willing to take the challenge, victory will be very satisfying.
***About the difficulty and potential frustration***
First of all, the game is very unforgiving. Even regular enemies can kill you with 1-2 blows, and they will kill you many times. However that's not the main issue. The real difficulty comes from not being able to save in the middle of a stage/map. The stages don't have checkpoints either. Also dying is very costly. When you die, first you will drop your souls at the location you died (You gain souls by killing enemies, and souls are used as both experience points to improve your stats and also as money). Then you will lose your body (which means losing half of your life bar, making the game even harder) and you will respawn in soul form at the start of the stage. However all the enemies will also respawn. Furthermore, if you die again before reaching the location you died, you will lose all the souls you have dropped previously for good. That means no experience/no money from all that playing. Also reaching your corpse does not give your body back, it only gives back your collected souls. You can gain your body (half of your life bar) if you beat a boss, or invade another player's game and kill him/her, or use a special item.
In brief, you will be playing the same stage from the beginning over and over again, until you beat the boss at the end of the stage. In a lot of cases, you will not gain any experience/level during this process, because you'll die a second time before reaching your corpse. However, the stages are not very big. It generally takes about 5 to 10 minutes to get to the boss if you know the way and IF you don't die. A new respawn point appears at the end of the stage, after a boss is defeated. (The game has 5 worlds and each world has 4 stages/bosses). So, after you beat a boss you can spawn from that location if you want.
Still, a lot of people would probably hate this no save/checkpoint mechanic combined with the games unforgiving difficulty. It's like 80s arcade games which takes you back to the beginning of the stage when you die.
Something Entirely New...yet Old School October 7, 2009
Chitown Lurker (Chicago)
82 out of 86 found this review helpful
Having spent just several hours with this game, it is already difficult to describe. It's difficult. Actually, no, it's punishing. No...in fact, it can be maddeningly infuriating at times. It is also a complete blast.
I don't want to write an essay. In short, though, Demon's Souls is an action/RPG which is a bit like a combination of a 3rd-person adventure like Uncharted, a hack-n-slash action/RPG like Diablo, with the required thoughtfulness in swordplay of the original 2D Prince of Persia (you have to be an old-schooler to remember that one).
The game is difficult, but veterans of the 8-bit days will find the difficulty somewhat nostalgic. The game does not simply restart you unscathed 15 seconds from where you kicked the bucket. Rather, you have to start the level from scratch, and to regain your earned currency (which you earn by killing enemies, and use to buy improvements for your character), you must fight your way back to your corpse in spirit form with half of your health. Die before you get there? Kiss that currency good bye. The game is FAIR, though. You have the option of running, at your liberty, to the beginning of the level and exiting to the starting area to spend your winnings, so that you can return all-the-more powerful. When you feel like you are pushing your luck and the level is outgrowing your character skills, it's time to heed that advice. Of course, this IS a dungeon crawl game, so when you come back the enemies will have returned. Think of it as more souls (i.e. money) to be made.
It helps to go into this game EXPECTING to be in spirit form more often than not. The game assumes you will die a lot. In that sense, one should avoid frustration over death. It's a natural part of the game.
Battle must be approached carefully. Running in and hacking mindlessly will only tire out your character, and likely result in an unceremoniously awkward death to even the most bottom-rungs of the enemy food chain. You must work with your shield, your footwork, and given the right character your magic and ranged weapons to succeed.
All of this alone makes for a fantastic experience beyond any action RPG offered in this generation of games. What makes it a slam-dunk are the online aspects. The single player game takes advantage of your internet connection (though you can opt out by signing out of your PSN account). You will see occasional apparitions of other players fighting through the same level you are. Further, before long you will obtain an item that will allow players to invite you into their games to assist them. Later, a more sociopathic ability is obtained: the ability to break into another player's game, without their consent, hunt them down, and kill them. Either provides a bit of a "shortcut" to regaining your body, with the further effect of easing/intensifying the difficulty of the world around you...helping people "lightens" the world, harming them "darkens" it.
On top of this, the ability to examine bloodstains to view apparitional replays of other players' deaths is fantastic and adds to the feeling that you're not dealing with this alone. The game punishes EVERYONE, and they are struggling with you, and it will prove it via these replays.
This is no quick game. Reports from those who have played the imported non-US version claim play times of 80+ hours to conquer the game for the first time...nevermind 2nd and 3rd playthroughs, which supposedly come at a higher difficulty.
All that said, it is not impossible. In my very first shot at it, I actually survived for a good half hour in the first non-tutorial realm without dying, and when I realized this, I quickly found my way back out and spent my winnings to upgrade before I went and got myself annihilated (and make no mistake...I did shortly thereafter). That is what is fantastic about this game (so far for me at least): if you respect it, play conservatively, and don't do anything you wouldn't try in real life, you CAN have a reasonable chance at survival. Stay on your toes, don't push your luck, and survival IS possible. Often death is simply a result of a lapse in attention or a reckless decision. If, on the other hand, you approach it like you would, say, "God of War" or just about any other action game from this generation, you WILL pay a price for your stupidity. And it's wonderful.
Just to wrap up: the graphics are nothing short of what you'd expect in a top flight PS3 game. The sound is amazing...I have never wanted surround speakers so badly. And, as I mentioned, the gameplay is phenomenal.
My only warning: casual gamers need not apply. Do NOT approach this game unless you like a challenge.
Looks like I wrote an essay, after all. It could use some editing, but I have some playing to do.
Wonderful game, but is the Deluxe Version worth it? October 7, 2009
klopas
51 out of 55 found this review helpful
Note: There are additions to the review below my original review.
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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!
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*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.
Got a temper? Have no patience? You can handle this. October 12, 2009
Robert
29 out of 33 found this review helpful
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.
A Real Challenge February 15, 2010
J. Chi (New York, NY USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Like others, I was hesitant to buy this game based on its name(Demon's Souls...do I really wanna spend money on a title like this?) and the reviews describing how difficult the game is; however, the reviews were overwhelming positive so I had to see what the deal was with Demon's Souls.
Overall, this is one of the best games I've ever played and I hope they make a sequel very soon. Reviewers that don't like DS usually criticize the game for being a) too difficult, or b) too creepy. The gameplay of the game is indeed tough because the enemies' attacks do a lot of damage and if you die, you'll start from the beginning of the level. This reminds me of NES games like Megaman or Ninja Gaiden when recognizing patterns and avoiding strikes were priorities since dying meant starting over. In my opinion, DS is very fair and realistic in its gameplay--if you get hit by a swinging halberd or blasted by a fireball, it will naturally hurt a lot and you might die.
When this kind of gameplay is combined with the kind of surreal and grisly environment presented in DS, you will be very cautious in your approach, especially the first time. In my first go-round, there were levels that had the tension and dark feel of a Resident Evil game, where I had my shield ready at all times and manuevered very slowly around corners and ledges. It's really a testament to the superb graphics and sound of DS.
This game rewards having patience, understanding patterns, and reacting properly. I have died embarrassingly from rolling away from an enemy only to fall off a cliff or spazzing out and button-mashing in panic only to have my attacks blocked, my guard exposed, and my chest impaled in return. But you learn from your deaths, and that's the beauty of the game. The game only becomes frustrating because you made it that way; as you move forward you realize that DS isn't really that hard. When you clear a level though, you can breathe a sigh of relief and feel like you earned something. All those souls you managed to keep can be used to customize your character to any way you see fit.
Throw in a unique multiplayer dynamic, and DS is even more fun. It's cool to help people beat levels and bosses as well as recruit 1 or 2 others to assist you. There is some sort of unspoken camaraderie to it all. Likewise, you can invade another player's realm or be invaded by another player, which exhilirating in its own right. The replay value of DS is big. If there is ever a sequel for DS, I am sure the multiplayer system will be expanded on.
I'll give Uncharted 2 the credit it deserves as PS3 game of 2009, but DS is the dark horse runner-up that could have taken the title.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 303
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