Review: Demon’s Souls
What can be said about remaking a punishing classic like Demon’s Souls? When the game originally launched in 2009 for the PlayStation 3, developer FromSoftware had no idea the impact their new style of gameplay, (now known as the Souls-like genre) would have on the video game world. This beautiful remake, courtesy of Bluepoint Games (developers of the much-acclaimed Shadow of the Colossus remake) has allowed a once under-looked gem to shine.
Serving as one of the launch titles (and arguably the first true next-gen game) for the PlayStation 5 console, Demon’s Souls truly lives up to expectations. In terms of presentation, the game is gorgeous. Both in terms of graphics and sound design, the team members at Bluepoint Games have outdone themselves. Levels, bosses, enemies, and weapons alike have all been painstakingly recreated in immaculate detail. In terms of gameplay, some troublesome mechanics have been done away with and/or corrected, such as players now having the option to send newly picked up items directly to their storage, and load time being all but eliminated. Conversely, frustrating mechanics such as limited inventory storage and the lack of an adequate explanation of the World Tendency mechanic remain. It is clear that Bluepoint Games wanted to limit changes to the core gameplay.
Image: Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment via Playstation.com
Staying true to the FromSoftware formula, Demon’s Souls is at its core, challenging and unforgiving. Souls are permanently lost if players fail to reach the location of their last death before dying again and invasions are common when playing online. Fans of the rest of FromSoftware’s library of blockbuster games (Dark Souls, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Bloodborne) will feel right at home. Demon’s Souls first level can arguably be considered more challenging than its successor series as it is impossible to level up your character until the area’s boss is beaten.
The genius of the game’s level design is prevalent as players progress further through each world (Archstones). For example, Stonefang Tunnel, the games second main area, initially consists of a large, sprawling mine. As players dive deeper, they begin to notice the presence of magma filled pools in its recesses. As they continue through the level, they come across caves carved out by lava covered creatures called “bearbugs” and eventually emerge at a flame ridden temple. A powerful demon known as Flamelurker then engages the player.
These scenes, while ominous and engaging in the original release of the game, now serve as intense spectacles which demonstrate power of the next gen hardware of the PlayStation 5. The new DualSense controller, a signature feature of Sony’s newest console, compliments the game perfectly. Ripping through enemies, backstabbing invading players, and clashing metal against metal has never felt so satisfying. The quality of the microphone in the controller also serves to deepen the immersion of the game, adding in additional sound effects for spells and miracles, as well as attacks from and against enemies.
With so many points of praise, it may seem that the game is perfect, but there are a few minor inconveniences which hold it back from that coveted 10/10 rating. The archaic nature of the summoning system for the online multiplayer leaves much to be desired. Players can only request help in human form and those assisting them must be within ten levels of said player. This can lead to players who spent time grinding up their levels waiting an agonizingly long amount of time to be summoned by other players or to find players to summon of their own.
Players new to the series and Souls veterans alike will find many things to enjoy in this game. While Dark Souls and Bloodborne refined the formula introduced by Demon’s Souls, this return to the series’ roots is both familiar and refreshingly different. As a launch title, Demon’s Souls serves as an excellent reason for gamers to purchase the newest Sony console as soon as they can. We will see you in Boletaria.
Demon’s Souls for PlayStation 5 Rating: 9.5/10