Demon's Souls coming to Europe?

By Oli Welsh Published 15 April, 2010

Update: Namco to announce tomorrow.

Update: Namco Bandai has told VG247 that it will make a formal announcement on the European release of Demon's Souls tomorrow. Which is almost a formal announcement in itself, to be honest. It's happening!

Original story: A listing on the website of Germany's ratings board has given hope that cult PS3 dungeon-crawl Demon's Souls is finally to get a European release, courtesy of Namco Bandai.

We can't find the listing - spotted by a NeoGAF forumite - any more, suggesting it may have been removed, but Kotaku has pictorial evidence.

The From Software game was originally published by Sony in Japan, but the platform holder felt it was too niche for Western tastes (which it later admitted was a mistake).

Atlus then stepped into the breach and released Demon's Souls in North America. Following a swell of interest on the import scene, it became a minor hit with RPG fans, selling a quarter of a million copies - but Atlus doesn't have the resources to release games in Europe.

Demon's Souls is amazing: spooky, tough and hypnotic, with highly original design and online features. Read Keza's original import review and Kristan's Games of 2009 testimonial for more. And if you can't wait for confirmation, remember that the US version is region-free.

Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (66) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • mfnick #1 2 years ago

    Hell yes! Please let it happen.
    Edited by mfnick at 15/04/10 @ 09:54

  • Eraysor #2 2 years ago

    Glad to see it's finally on the way, but I'm amazed it's taken this long really.

  • Beano #3 2 years ago

    Hopefully the collectors edition with guide and soundtrack will be available here also :)

  • M_of_the_sys #4 2 years ago

    I thought a release date was already confirmed for Europe?

  • ObiChrisKenobi #5 2 years ago

    Thank you other sites for reporting this. Thank you Eurogamer for Copy and Pasting it.

  • wowami #6 2 years ago

    any rec's on good importers?

  • andywilkie35 #7 2 years ago

    wowami, videogames+ are excellent

    I've had this since it was released in the US but still haven't had the chance to play it - strikes me as a game that you need to invest some serious hours into so I don't want to just play a bit here, a bit there. Got two weeks off in June though...

  • butler` #8 2 years ago

    I'd get this just to enjoy the online properly. The Jap version is understandably bad online, and the worse thing is the decent Jap players know how to exploit the lag pretty well and seem to always land back stabs :p

  • HermitArcader #9 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:17:39 22-12-2011

  • thebaron #10 2 years ago

    It's a crap game - really really slow combat - and when you die you have to start the whole level again! I'm just not sure why this game has been so hyped up???

  • JimWest #11 2 years ago

    WHAT. A. GAME!

    Absolutely love it, fantastic news that others who haven't imported it will get a chance to play it.

  • Murton #12 2 years ago

    I still can't get past Sony admitting that it was a mistake not to publish worldwide but not picking up the open opportunity for Europe.

    I almost hope that it's been picked up by a third party publisher, only to serve as a lesson to Sony that this partisanship between Japan, America and Europe only leads to missed opportunities for them with absolutely no benefits to consumers in any way shape of form.

  • Beano #13 2 years ago

    @thebaron : Play Fable 2 or other RPG which doesn't require any skill or commitment.

  • parablax #14 2 years ago

    Curses on 'thebaron' for forcing me to login and give him a minus 1!

  • Eraysor #15 2 years ago

    I agree with Andy, VG+ is excellent. Usually only takes a week to arrive in the UK whenever I order things.

  • BladeGR #16 2 years ago

    An amazing game, imported the Chinese/English version from ebay after reading the Eurogamer review. Was initially worried about the difficulty level but it is more how you approach it rather than being too hard. Can be frustrating at times but always leaves you wanting to come back for more! One of the few games I have completed everything you can do apart from missing a couple of fully upgraded weapons which I intend to get.

  • TaoJay #17 2 years ago

    I have imported it already, I am sure many other have as well, hopefully mainland Europe will benefit, I suspect UK sales will be low as lots of gamers have imported Demons Souls.

  • DiamondIce #18 2 years ago

    Excellent news if this is really happening. I am not sure why I haven't imported the game already. There can be no excuses with a European release!

  • ZuluHero #19 2 years ago

    Gah i just bought this on import, and with that shopto collectors edition on the side of the article rubbing itself in my face (and at a reasonable price too - not the stupid monies it goes for on eBay) im half tempted to buy it again!!

  • systems #20 2 years ago

    Yeah, it won't sell too well here now as they've left it too late. I imported the original from Hong Kong on release, as did my mates. A few later on imported from the US. No-one I know who wants it is left to buy it, alas.

    It deserves to be in everyone's collection. Game of this Generation.

  • Jonathan_Fakenham #21 2 years ago

    What? I thought it already was. Regular electronics chains in Norway have been selling it for a while. http://bit.ly/9pHmRn

    I see now they mention in the product description that "this is a region-free import". But that doesn't explain the PEGI certified coverart.
    Edited by Jonathan_Fakenham at 15/04/10 @ 10:37

  • HermitArcader #22 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:17:39 22-12-2011

  • mingster #23 2 years ago

    I imported the Asian version and have completed it twice.
    It works perfectly fine online. Not had any trouble with lag at all.
    Not sure i need the Euro version tbh

  • LR100 #24 2 years ago

    Already imported it. I hope it does well over here despite the fact that most of the people who like/love/own it already probably won't be buying a second, PAL copy.

  • butler` #25 2 years ago

    mingster, done any PvP? I find it hard to believe you've never seen any warping/lagging!?

    myb it's just me ;

  • BladeGR #26 2 years ago

    @butler: I have the Asian version and I can't say I have had any trouble playing online with lag.

  • mingster #27 2 years ago

    Yes i've donbe loads of PVP and Co-op and had no lag at all.
    I've killed hundreds of people and been killed hunreds of times.
    I've never seen any glitches exploits or griefers.
    Ive had the game about 8 months.

  • neems #28 2 years ago

    @Andy Wilkie - I'm not sure that two weeks will be enough. Epic, epic game.

  • Lunaticorc #29 2 years ago

    PC version please...pretty please with cherry on top!

    (i know it ain't happening :p)

  • andywilkie35 #30 2 years ago

    @neems

    Haha fair enough! Well hopefully those two weeks will get me so engrossed in it that its the only game I'll play after work etc!

  • mowgli #31 2 years ago

    One of the best games this generation. If not thee best. Can't wait to buy it again and complete it again.

  • butler` #32 2 years ago

    I've had it since its wider Asian release and certainly met a few laggy basts that backstab you from 40 yards :[

    That said the net code does of course handle itself remarkable well considering, especially in co-op.

  • geeza2020 #33 2 years ago

    i want this. must. not. spend .....money!

  • Miths #34 2 years ago

    I had expected to hate it because of my extremely low tolerance for frustration and repetition (my ADHD ain't helpin' :)), but I've very much enjoyed the ten hours or so I've clocked in so far (haven't played it for a couple of weeks though, other things got in the way, but I'm looking forward to continue this weekend).

    The learning curve at the beginning was actually quite gentle - all the reviews I had read had pretty much made me think I would get my ass royally spanked from the very first steps, but that fortunately wasn't the case at all, neither with the magic user I tried first or the melee character I settled on afterwards.
    And even later when I did start dying now and then (which has probably happened a total of around ten times so far, around half of them to the same type of enemy - damn rolling skeletons :)), it really didn't feel like it had been in vain and that I had just wasted the time spent since the start of the level.

  • SMOM #35 2 years ago

    Good news.

  • McFly55 #36 2 years ago

    Hmm, going to the states next month and was gonna pick it up there, although if they release the collectors edition here i might be tempted to wait...

  • 1Dgaf #37 2 years ago

    I got the US one when it was released. Haven't played a greaat deal - just 25 hours or so. Yet, still oddly tempted to get this one. I imagine the servers will be more full.

    Any chance that this one would share US and UK servers? I hope so!

  • Mooglepies #38 2 years ago

    Took you long enough; good news though I suppose.

    This is a cracking game, if you enjoy dungeon crawlers or challenging games I encourage you wholeheartedly to pick it up.

  • Bleedingplums #39 2 years ago

    Excellent news. This game was the first RPG I was ever tempted to play myself after seeing the reviews and importing it (US version) for my Final Fantasy mad girlfriend.

    Then it turned out to be one of the only two games that are so amazing I began playing a second time through immediately upon completion. The other being Snake Eater.

    If anyone is on the fence about taking the plunge on this, just do it. It turned me from RPG indifferent into Demon's Souls fanatic without even batting an eyelid. One of my top ten games of all time.

  • A-Trak #40 2 years ago

    Will I be able to play co-op / PVP with my US importing friends, or will EU servers be standalone?

  • Murton #41 2 years ago

    Well I called last month Sony admitted that it was a mistake not to take Demon's Souls worldwide knowing that it was still wide open in Europe, and today we find that Namco are the ones to make the grab. Do the guys at Sony Japan and Sony Europe even speak to each other?

    Considering that Atlus managed 250k with zero advertising in a territory with traditionally weak sales for Japanese games this should have been a no brainer for Sony. Namco will be laughing all the way to the bank with over 300k sales easy, potentially way more if they actively market it rather than allowing the already massive word of mouth do everything for them.

  • barkertron #42 2 years ago

    This game destroyed my life - imported a USA copy just before Christmas and couldn't stop playing or thinking about it. Serious danger. A world-beating time sponge.

    My (non-game-playing) housemate decided she hated it because it "made her feel all bleak." Understatement of the century there. This game is DARK.

  • Drpwnage #43 2 years ago

    Great news for those who don't like importing, I purchased my copy via Axel music...

    ......reminds me I must get back to DS after FFXIII and GoWIII got in the way. The games has a fantastic atmosphere you can lose yourself in.

  • onyxbox #44 2 years ago

    had this for christmas... it's a fantastic game.

  • Slipstream #45 2 years ago

    A-MAZING!

  • GamesConnoisseur #46 2 years ago

    Great game without question, but like others wondered how much of sales it would still garner after too many gamers importing it?

    Perhaps the numbers are actually like out of the Demon's Souls purchasers, 10 percent imported and that still leaves profitable 90 percent?

    I would imagined that it would be almost a reverse what with the EASE of importing game via internet and arriving within a short time and still pretty cheap? Or are the majority of gamers still too lazy or prefer shopping at local Tesco?!

    That is something I m certainly interested to know but if you still havent got this.... get it either way!

  • UncleLou #47 2 years ago

    It's a crap game - really really slow combat

    Yeah, it must be crap because it's not yet another OTT button-masher. O_O

  • super_monty #48 2 years ago

    Yes, yes, yes.

  • GreyBeard #49 2 years ago

    If they want Demon's Souls to sell well in Europe, all they need do is promote it! It really shouldn't be considered such a tough sell.

    DS is a good looking game, and thanks to it having a very European visual style its not like its hard to communicate what its basically all about. Theme and appearance-wise its not *that* niche-y.

    DS has been very well received critically, and already has a very passionate cult-following. The critics like it, and the people who've played it like it... a lot. Gamespot's GOTY award shouldn't hurt either.

    Most of all though, the fact that DS is more challenging than most of the stuff out there shouldn't be considered a BAD THING. I admit, some people will find it daunting and off-putting to begin with - but if any game ever deserved the "perseverence is its own reward" tag, this is it.

    It really bugs me that it seems that the game's alleged difficulty (which has been overstated imho) is why its not being treated as a potentially big-selling title. Honestly if Ninja Gaiden can get the blockbuster treatment, why can't Demon's Souls?

  • mkreku #50 2 years ago

    But.. I imported this FOR A HEFTY SUM OF MONEY for my cousin this Christmas! Damnit!

  • darth_paul #51 2 years ago

    yup, would be nice. hope they include an "easy mode" :p i suck at games, but would love to play one of the best games of this generation

  • dominalien #52 2 years ago

    Only thing I ever loved that hated me with a passion.

    Best game I played in a long time.

  • Vyggo #53 2 years ago

    I want this game, but i only have an xbox360. Common developers, do what you do best: make a game that is "very heavily inspired" on this one!

  • Murton #54 2 years ago

    "If they want Demon's Souls to sell well in Europe, all they need do is promote it! It really shouldn't be considered such a tough sell."

    I don't think they really need to promote it. It has such a crazy word of mouth thing going right now that it'll fly from the shelves as soon as it comes out. All that's really needed is a demo to get the people like me, who don't know enough to make a purchase on board and you have a potential best seller.

  • TitusCrow #55 2 years ago

    This is good news; though of course comes to late for those of us in the know, those who have already imported Demons Souls from Asia or America. This said it is still great news that this worthy title is getting support and I would personally love it it sparked a renaissance in this type of old school - hard core - gaming.

    Now Euro gamer. get on the case and do some digging, find the details for the next title in this series. This studio have been doing these hardcore fantasy realm set games for a long time, though this is the 1st 3rd person one.

  • Slipstream #56 2 years ago

    If they want Demon's Souls to sell well in Europe, all they need do is promote it! It really shouldn't be considered such a tough sell.

    I agree! Advertisement is the way forward 100% Word of mouth will help to an extent but the adverts need to show just how well this game has flourished from imports alone. (Namco shouldn't be ashamed to mention it's success via import really)
    Yeah, althoug I've not yet played it, so many people cannot be wrong, I really want this game garner a following over here.

  • mingster #57 2 years ago

    As good as it is it won't sell very well here.
    The hardcore have already bought it as import.
    The average gamer won't buy it as it isn't a known IP.
    They also wont like the difficulty of it.

  • Demiath #58 2 years ago

    This is (not) harsh. Evaluate me.

  • Emmit_Assassin #59 2 years ago

    Whilst I don't own a PS3 and can't enjoy what seems to be right up my street, its nice to see that people power does affect big decisions like this. We can take heart that we can indeed sometimes vote with our wallets and tell the big names what we want, and get it.

    /picks up the phone and asks M$ if we can give the Sony lads Gears and Forza and asks if we can have God of War and Gran Turismo...

    /gets told to fuck off.

    Worth a try.

  • Blunners #60 2 years ago

    Such a good game

  • sherpa1984 #61 2 years ago

    Shit! I only ordered this from Canada this weekend. Only thirty quid, mind- but I hear I'll be locked to American servers.

  • mikeybulge #62 2 years ago

    If you carnt wait I got a copy from a site called RENCHI and it cost me about £30 including shipping,look for the playstation the best version on there and i'l tell you what its bloody good : )

  • actionfitz #63 2 years ago

    I love my imported copy of demons souls...
    but it hates me with every fibre of it's being lol.
    tough love :)

  • SlapLaB #64 2 years ago

    Mmm I thought my next big game would be Red Dead Redemption, but that might be it!
    I don't agree with people saying "it won't sell, the hardcore have already bought it..." - this is underestimating the corrupting power of a shiny game box in a game shop!

  • SilentNinja92 #65 2 years ago

    A friend of mine already bought it from the US.

    Ive borrowed it,and if your into RPG's, then i suggest you buy it.

  • darc #66 2 years ago

    Love this game. It's the only game I've ever wished I'd bought the collector's edition of, because that's the only way to get the strategy guide, and DS is full of little tricks, traps, and easter eggs that you wouldn't otherwise know about or appreciate.