WithDemon’s Souls, FromSoftware created a brand new genre of ultra-tough games designed to push even the most-skilled gamers to their limit. And now fans of games likeDark SoulsandSekiro: Shadows Die Twicehave a new chance to see where it all started, thanks to Bluepoint Games' absolutely fantasticPlayStation 5 remakeof the 2009 classic.
Bluepoint’sDemon’s Soulsremake is almost the same exact game that released in 2009 in terms of core gameplay. Movement is a bit more precise and it’s not as rough around the edges, but for the most part, the gameplay is the same.Demon’s Soulsplayers create a characterand are immediately thrust into an unforgiving, bleak world where everything is out to kill them and death has severe, lasting consequences.
ExploringDemon’s Souls' world, the ruined kingdom of Boletaria, is immensely rewarding, with players constantly finding helpful items whenever they stray off the beaten path. On the surface, the game world may seem like there’s not all that much going on, but the more players die and repeat the same sections over and over again, the more secrets and shortcuts they will find.
While going through the same sections repeatedly may sound tedious,Demon’s Souls' high difficulty ensures that it never gets repetitive or boring. Players will learn from their mistakes each run and make a little more progress every time, which can be incredibly rewarding. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the environments players have to continuously go through look absolutely stunning, with brilliant lighting effects, highly-detailed textures, and some truly jaw-dropping sights. Out of all the early PS5 games,Demon’s Soulsis the one that looks the most “next-gen,” and by a considerable margin.
The argument can be made that some ofDemon’s Souls' gritty charm is lost because of the graphical upgrade. Others may also take contention with Bluepoint changing some of the weirder things inDemon’s Souls, like swapping out the bizarreCat Ring image. But theDemon’s Soulsgraphical update is such a massive leap forward from the original that many others will find it hard to go back.
Something else that will keepDemon’s Soulsfans from returning to the PS3 original is the new game’s active online community.Demon’s Soulson PS5 features all the same online multiplayer connectivity that was available in the PS3 game before its servers shut down, allowing players to team up with others for co-op help against bosses as well as invade each other’s worlds to wreak havoc.Demon’s Soulsplayers can also leave messages for each other, either to be helpful or to trick players into traps.
Someone that has only played theDark Soulsgames that may be jumping intoDemon’s Soulswill find all of this familiar, but they may be put-off by some of the differences betweenDemon’s SoulsandDark Souls. One big difference isDemon’s Souls' lack of bonfires. Bonfires inDark Soulsact as checkpoints that, while they also respawn all the enemies in the immediate vicinity, also allow players to spend points to level up their characters.
Demon’s Soulshas archstonesthat players can use to fast-travel to the Nexus, a hub world where they do their leveling, purchase items, and more. Archstones are far rarer than bonfires, oftentimes only appearing in areas where players have defeated one of the game’s many powerful bosses. The lack of bonfires means thatDemon’s Soulshas far less checkpoints and it’s also more difficult to level grind in this game compared to the titles that followed. Whether or not one appreciates the additional challenge is up to personal preference, but it does make the game even more intense.
One way thatDemon’s Soulsmay actually be easier thanDark Soulsis with its healing system. Instead of using a rechargeable flask,Demon’s Soulshas players carrying around plants that they can use to restore some health.Dark Soulslimits the number of times players can use their flask before they need to rest at a bonfire, butDemon’s Soulsplayers can lug around a significant amount of healing grass with them at all times. The game is still incredibly challenging, but it does alleviate the pressure a little bit.
A lot is said aboutDemon’s Souls' challenge, and the game is certainly difficult.TheDemon’s Soulsremake doesn’t add an easy modeor anything like that to make it more accessible to newcomers. It also doesn’t bother to really explain most of its basic gameplay mechanics, leaving it up for players to figure everything out on their own. Experimentation and learning how everything works is part of the fun of aSoulsgame, but it’s not something that’s going to appeal to everyone.
Some people don’t have the patience to put enough time intoDemon’s Soulsto really get anything out of it, but those who avoid playing it out of fear that it may be too difficult should reconsider. There are countlessDemon’s Soulsguidesonline that will help players understand everything that’s going on, and there are many ways to make the game more forgiving. For example, there’s almost always a way to makeDemon’s Soulsboss fights a little easier, like figuring out a weakness to exploit or getting help from random players in the co-op mode. These things makeDemon’s Soulsdoable for more casual players, while still providing the stiff challenge it’s known for.
Demon’s Souls' gameplay also has an incredible amount of depth to it. There are New Game+ options, special items to hunt down, and the ability to create characters that are completely different from one another. Playing throughDemon’s Soulsin the typical hack-and-slash fashion is plenty fun, but playing through with a focus on magic instead is an entirely different experience.
Even so, those that have already invested a significant amount of time in the originalDemon’s Soulson PS3 may be wary about picking up the new game, but the graphics and other PS5 enhancements, like haptic feedback, make it feel different enough to warrant another playthrough. Even those that earned the platinum trophy in the originalDemon’s Soulswill want to check it out.
The haptic feedback by itself makes a ton of difference, enhancing every hit and blocked attack, and the brilliant 3D audio design bringsBoletariato life like never before. There’s nothing else currently available on either next-gen console that matches the sheer thrill of running across a bridge inDemon’s Soulswhile a dragon screeches overhead, blasting everything with blinding, devastating fire. The 3D audio, the cutting-edge graphics, and the haptic feedback all come together to make these moments hit harder than was ever possible on older hardware.
TheDemon’s Soulsremake on PlayStation 5 is almost the exact same experience, gameplay-wise, as the 2009 PlayStation 3 original. And considering how great the originalDemon’s Soulswas, theDemon’s Soulsremake on PS5 is an easy recommendation. Imagine one of the best and most influential games ever made, but with significantly improved graphics, and that sums up theDemon’s Soulsremakeperfectly. It’s the PlayStation 5’s first must-have exclusive game, and it should leave fans very excited to see what developer Bluepoint Games decides to work on next.
Demon’s Souls
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Demon’s Souls is a remake of the title that helped to propel From Software into the limelight and inspire the Dark Souls series. The newest version features game tweaks as well as heavily-updated graphics. Players can now experience the original journey in a completely new way. Face fierce enemies and challenge yourself in PvP combat.
