Sony: dropping Demon's Souls "a mistake"

By Oli Welsh Published 16 March, 2010

It's sold nearly a quarter of a million.

Sony Japan localisation specialist Yeonkyung Kim has admitted that the company's decision not to publish cult dungeon crawl Demon's Souls worldwide was an error.

"That was a mistake," Kim told an audience at GDC last week, according to 1UP. "It should have come out as a first-party title."

Sony published the From-developed PS3 game in Japan, but, assuming it to be a niche project that would fail outside the country, passed up on worldwide rights.

After strong word of mouth on the import scene, Atlus picked up Demon's Souls for release in the US (depsite reluctance from Sony Japan). It became a sell-out success, with current sales approaching a quarter of a million, according to the report.

Few would complain about Atlus' support of the game on its US release, but it's hard not to bemon Sony's decision for the simple reason that it might have seen Demon's Souls arrive on European shelves.

Check out our near-legendary Demon's Souls review to find out why Sony was wrong.

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 (77) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • andywilkie35 #1 2 years ago

    At least Sony have admitted that we're not too stupid to understand their "overly complex" games, unlike SEGA smashing Yakuza 3 to pieces.
    Edited by 1 at 16/03/10 @ 08:48

  • LHH #2 2 years ago

    Sony has effectively been ignoring the EU markets since the PS1 days.

  • 52pickup #3 2 years ago

    At least there is some hope for a EU release of Demon's Souls. Hopefully with the success of the first,ATLUS will make a second.

    http://ww w.thesixthaxis.com/2010/03/13/d...

  • AllenSpawn #4 2 years ago

    "near legendry demons souls review"

    It made me import it.... And for that I thank you :)

  • hiddenranbir #5 2 years ago

    Sony has effectively been ignoring the EU markets since the PS1 days.

    Which is strange since we've been their strongest market right up into PS2 days!

  • Zero_ #6 2 years ago

    Even though Sony passed on publishing this in America, but only in Japan - this still means Demon Soul's is Sony owned IP yeah?

  • Osahi #7 2 years ago

    It's coming to Europe allright. A Belgian chain of gameshops (Game Mania) put it in their catalogue (releasedate TBA). They never add games to their catalogue if they haven't confirmation of the publisher that it will be officialy released in Europe. (They for instance decided not to pick up Tony Hawk Ride because Activision Benelux doesn't release it in Belgium)

    [link url=http://gamemania.be/Default.aspx?tabid=87&gmg ame=000000000000023737
    ]http://ga memania.be/Default.aspx?tabid=8...[/link]

    (This is also the store that published the (old 3/26) releasedate for Gran Turismo 5 a couple of weeks prior it's official anouncement)
    Edited by 1 at 16/03/10 @ 09:00

  • lennon #8 2 years ago

    Worth the entrance price for the ps3 on its own if you ask me. I though they were bringing it out in europe.

  • ZuluHero #9 2 years ago

    I've recently started playing it. Its brutally hard. Too hard. Too hard. But... compelling... beautiful...

    /rocks back and forth in a corner as sanity slips away...

  • M_of_the_sys #10 2 years ago

    After strong word of mouth on the import scene, Atlus picked up Demon's Souls for release in the US (depsite reluctance from Sony Japan). It became a sell-out success, with current sales approaching a quarter of a million, according to the report.

    I wonder how many people had already imported it?

    Looking forward to a European release. I've been holding off on importing it in hope of this.

  • Meho #11 2 years ago

    Yeah, the EG review was very influential in my decision to import the game. Thanks for that!
    Edited by 1 at 16/03/10 @ 09:08

  • Old_Books #12 2 years ago

    This is the title more than any other that would make me want to get a PS3.

  • thebaron #13 2 years ago

    Imported it - sold it - thought it was rubbish. Maybe I should've tried harder but dying and having to restart the whole level is just annoying. And the combat was very very slow... by the time you've swung the massive axe thing through the air you've been hit 3 times - rubbish. Maybe it's me ??

  • JohnnyWashnGo #14 2 years ago

    Surely at this point, anybody who wanted to play the game in the UK has imported it from the states.

    If they release it over here, most of the target market for this game will have it already and therefore the sales figures will disappoint, perhaps leading to a declaration that this type of game is not suited for UK games players.

    I fear that a game with as small a niche as Demon's Souls would have benefited from a simultaneous US/Europe release and that releasing it in Europe right now may be too little too late.

  • Vanmunt #15 2 years ago

    +1 On the 'I bought it after reading the EG review'.... Brilliant game.

  • Retroid #16 2 years ago

    Now if only Nintendo would've been as decent as to allow the western release of Fatal Frame 3 outside of Japan, which was a similar situation. Only thing is, AFAIK Nintendo *do* own the worldwide publishing rights for that title but decided not to bother, thus meaning that no-one else could step in. Demon's Souls was lucky in that regard.

  • wizlon #17 2 years ago

    Imported it and enjoyed it, but I just don't have enough time for it, may have to go back on eBay.

  • mr_shoe_uk #18 2 years ago

    Still holding out for that EU release

  • Beano #19 2 years ago

    Bought DS on import and loved it - but it's a game which requires effort and commitment. This is not Fable II !

    Hopefully Sony has learned a lesson and will bring out the sequel in Europa.

  • iamian #20 2 years ago

    This is the title more than any other that would make me want to get a PS3.

    Agreed. This, Heavy Rain and Yakuza 3. Might be time to start saving!

  • HermitArcader #21 2 years ago

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

  • mfnick #22 2 years ago

    Well you could kind of rectify your mistake by having SCEE bring it to us inferior Europeans...

    Shame SCEE doesnt appear to have anyone working there.

  • darkmorgado #23 2 years ago

    @EarlBassett

    Why don't you just fuck off mate, seriously?

    Every single comment you ever make is either slagging off the site or the people who write for it. If you hate the place so much, just sod off and don't read it. Trust me, a lot of people will be happier that way.

    EDIT: He has since deleted his comment (no doubt due to the vast amount of negs he received), but here is what he said in its unedited glory:

    "Check out our near-legendary Demon's Souls review to find out why Sony was wrong."

    The game was near-legendary, not your review son.
    Edited by 1 at 16/03/10 @ 19:07

  • mowgli #24 2 years ago

    One of the best games I have ever played. Completely eclipses the majority of the games from this generation and justifies the cost of a PS3 in itself. Bloody love. I also just sold my Deluxe Edition for £100 \o/

  • Raziel #25 2 years ago

    I imported the Chinese edition after seeing all the hype on 4chan, NeoGAF, even before the Eurogamer review. I might have even bought my PS3 just for this if I didn't have one already, this and Valkyria Chronicles.

    I'd really like to see some numbers on how many people actually imported it. The numbers are obviously high enough for Atlus to see some profit in releasing it. Had to get mine of Ebay since all the online retailers were sold out for weeks on end.

    Now if they made a sequel where I could use two PS Move's as a 1:1 sword/shield combo, I'd never need to buy a new game.

  • Murton #26 2 years ago

    There's nothing stopping them from publishing it in Europe though. They've identified the mistake and now have a chance to correct it. This admission is drumming up more publicity for a game that already has a large cult following that is growing every day, if they want some of that European cash they need to act quickly before everyone gives up on a Euro release and imports from the US andfurther lines Atlus' pockets, turning this "mistake" into a catastrophe.

  • mingster #27 2 years ago

    It's the best game i've played in a very long time.
    I completed it and i'm on my second playthrough.
    Currently trying to complete the worlds in their fully black or fully white state.
    Which makes different things happen. (It depends on wether your dead or alive)
    Its the only game where ranged combat with a bow is perfect.
    The online functionality with invading other peoples games and doing PVP is awesome fun.
    It's basically one of the best games ever.

  • Drpwnage #28 2 years ago

    Imported this after picking up my PS3 at Christmas, outstanding game. Imperative to have a punchable cushion within reach though as it can be brutal at times and unforgiving of mistakes!

  • KillallHippies #29 2 years ago

    may as well have come out in Europe. There's two shops within walking distance of my house that always have at least two copies on the shelf.

  • Sonic_D #30 2 years ago

    Best game on the PS3 and the only game I've put 70+ hours into for a long time. Had to quit though as it was too addictive and now I can't really get back into it.

  • sneetch #31 2 years ago

    @KillallHippies
    may as well have come out in Europe. There's two shops within walking distance of my house that always have at least two copies on the shelf.

    Well, thankfully we all live in your house, otherwise it might have been a problem.

  • mingster #32 2 years ago

    TheBaron - The Axe you were using is a two handed heavy weapon it's bound to be slow. The smaller one handed weapons if you are set up as a quick assasin build are much much quicker to use. Plus you can fire magic or a cleric spell from the other hand.

  • mechamonkey #33 2 years ago

    Demon's Souls is my favourite game ever.
    I'm praying for a sequel with proper team based co-op and party vs party pvp

  • RedPanda #34 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 14:31:59 28-01-2012

  • Golgo #35 2 years ago

    @Earl Bassett: 'Humour based'? Now that IS a good one. Can you please flag-up the 'humour based' posts in future so that I know.

  • butler` #36 2 years ago

    i just fucking laugh at the thought of how much these tards get paid

  • Hexagon #37 2 years ago

    Sony won't even bring the God of War Collection to the EU. What hope did Demon's Souls have?

  • Retro_ #38 2 years ago

    I imported the Limited Edition Deluxe version from the US after owning the HK version. It's value is sky rocketing on ebay now, no suprise really

  • InternetRed #39 2 years ago

    I picked up the HK version, and never looked back. It's bitterly hard, and because I've been distracted recently (final year of uni, new games), I've not played it for a bit... I'm kinda anticipating getting slaughtered by the easy creatures all over again. Those skeleton rollers really get me. I can go several times killing them easily, and then one of them just gets to you at the right angle, and it's game over. I love that any mob in the game, be it boss or "fodder" can kill you effectively.

  • Miths #40 2 years ago

    I've been debating with myself for almost two months now whether I should buy this game, or if it's just likely to lead to nothing but giving up in frustration mere minutes after loading it up for the first time.
    I don't like high difficulty levels in shooters and 3rd person action games, but I'm regularly okay with it in RPGs. It's my impression that this plays more like a 3rd person action game with loot and stats, than an "old fashioned" RPG with time to think and room for tactical gameplay of the slightly sedate type?

    There's a Danish online store that's been importing the US version for months now, and it's always been sold out in a matter of days. I can see that they actually have it in stock right now though, so I'm a bit tempted to hit that order button before it's sold out again and the next import batch a week or two away.

    Edit: Oh, what the hell - I'm taking the chance, just ordered it from the Danish store. Even if it turns out the frustration level is too much for my taste, it won't exactly be the first time I've ended up buying a game I only played for an hour or two. I'm hoping it will be a lot more than that though.
    Edited by 1 at 16/03/10 @ 14:10

  • darren1976 #41 2 years ago

    Great game, have the asian version but only scratched the surface so will definately get back to this soon.

  • mkreku #42 2 years ago

    I bought this game for my cousin as a Christmas present. He hasn't touched another game since!

    I've been to his place and played it a couple of times (for like 6-8 hours in a row!). Amazing game.

  • Les #43 2 years ago

    Nice to see a platform holder admitting they made a mistake. Should happen more often.

  • PlugMonkey #44 2 years ago

    It's my impression that this plays more like a 3rd person action game with loot and stats, than an "old fashioned" RPG with time to think and room for tactical gameplay of the slightly sedate type?

    Good for you, Miths. I think you might like it. It is quite sedate in pace, rewarding you for patience, planning and strategy over all else. If you charge in like a headless chicken, you will die. A lot. If you take a more measured approach, it's really not as hard as some people make out.

  • Miths #45 2 years ago

    I guess I'll find out tomorrow. The game has already been packed and sent today - beats having to wait a couple of weeks (or pay a small fortune for express shipping, as I did with BlazBlue) if I had to import it from the US myself :).

  • TitusCrow #46 2 years ago

    I was put on to this gem by a friend of mine. He is a bit of a guru when it comes to obscure titles and he gave me the head's up for this based on the fact it was made by the people who had made the various Kingsfield games on the ps1 and 2 - hard games in thier own right, but they blended in more back in the day because games were harder.

    Anyhow, this was in about September last year. All we had to go on was a Utube video of about 2 mins gameplay and a FMV story clip. I had one of those irrational urges where you just decide to get something for no reason you could put your finger on. It was expensive, I had not imported this gen at all and didn't know if any regulations had changed in 3-4 years.. it was going to take 2 weeks, there was a chance I would get a version that was not in english as some other poor fool had on ebay..

    I cracked and ordered it at once. After this 2 days later my friend cracked and ordered it too. It was one of the best decisions I have made period game's wise, you just cant get anything like this on any other system at the moment. It's like a game out of it's time, an throwback from a better age of hardcore gaming.

    If you like this genre, this game should be a system seller for you, I have no higher compliment that that.

  • Froggit #47 2 years ago

    If I ever find myself (fortunately) owning a PS3, this would certainly be a priority.
    There are other games I'd happily get, but this is currently the only one that feels like a true must-have, to me.
    I've enjoyed seeing people's reactionand, visiting here, it certainly doesn't feel like it's part of the little known nichetitle that it apparently is.

    Also:
    darkmorgado cracked before I did.

    I am strong.

  • Ashcroft #48 2 years ago

    Everyone with a PS3 should own this game. It's only £30 to import now, you've got no excuse.

  • Les #49 2 years ago

    "It is quite sedate in pace, rewarding you for patience, planning and strategy over all else."

    What is so great about this game (and Monster Hunter) IMO is that you aren't just grinding stats: you are mainly grinding your skills. This makes the play experience much more rewarding. You need more than just perseverance to beat this game (which is probably why I still haven't... ;) ).

  • FabricatedLunatic #50 2 years ago

    I've had my copy for a couple of months. Just waiting for a gap in the release schedule so I can devote to it the amount of time and attention it deserves.

    If only Atlus had taken Yakuza off Sega's hands ;_;

  • Erebu #51 2 years ago

    Sorry but this is not Sonys fault. When the game was shown first time at TGS western media was labelling it "a bad Japanese Oblivion" and told us that it played like crap. And now suddenly the western media acts like they knew from the start that it was a hidden gem... Seriously? F*ing hypocrites!
    Edited by 1 at 16/03/10 @ 18:25

  • PlugMonkey #52 2 years ago

    @ Les: That's so very true.

    Someone mentioned the rolling skeleton things earlier. The first time I met them, they could kill me in one hit and it was a slaughter. In most RPGs that would mean heading off to level up a dozen times until you had enough hit points. In DS, 20 minutes later I was killing them for sport.

    They could still kill me in one hit. They just couldn't hit me any more. So satisfying.

  • makeamazing #53 2 years ago

    The stuff i have seen looks great, the only problem for me is the comments from players who say its too hard... that does worry me abit from getting it, if it was released in europe i probably would just try it for fun... not sure i want to import it (yep i am lazy)... heres still hoping it comes out in europe.. and even better for Sony to support the studio with a proper worldwide release for the next version.

  • TheBrow #54 2 years ago

    I've always thought this game sounded brilliant but I never got around to importing it - partly out of laziness on my part but also becuase I fear this game would EAT ME ALIVE (metaphorically speaking) and I would end up smashing a controller or having aneuyrism or something out of frustration.

    Having said that I hear that, although difficult, the game never seems to be unfair. Maybe I'll LOVE it!

  • RandomTerrain #55 2 years ago

    Still waiting for a release of this in Europe.

  • Les #56 2 years ago

    @PlugMonkey

    Yeah, had the same experience (though it may have taken me 30 minutes ;) ). After beating 1-1 I felt quite confident. I went to the world with the rolling skeletons and got my ass handed to me by the first foe I encountered. You have to be 100% concentrated all the time or even a few of the simplest foes kill you. And that's how it should be IMHO :)

    But all that would be for nothing if, like in many of today's games, dying was of no consequence*. The beautiful risk-reward mechanic ensures that you stay sharp.

    @makeamazing

    Importing is ideal for lazy people. That's why I do it. That, and it saves me a ton of money ;)

    * That's why all the criticism on the then new Prince of Persia amazed me so much: the AI rescue does the exact same thing as dying does in 99% of current games: bring you back to the previous checkpoint.

    edit: layout
    Edited by 1 at 16/03/10 @ 19:54

  • Miths #57 2 years ago

    Can someone clarify something for me that I never really felt I've understood correctly from the reviews I've read. Supposedly you "lose the souls you've earned" when you die, but are we only talking about the souls you haven't yet used to purchase items and upgrades (that's what they're for, right?) or is your character effectively reset to zero - including item loss - when you die?
    I imagine it must be the former, because starting entirely from scratch if you're far into the game sounds a little too extreme, even for a game with a reputation for being brutal? :)

  • Les #58 2 years ago

    @Miths

    When you die, you lose the souls you were carrying as 'inventory' (so basically a sort of unused currency). You do get the chance however to fight your way back to the place where you died (from the start of the level, with all foes revived) to reclaim those lost souls. If you die a second time before having reclaimed the lost souls, they are lost forever.

    So you're not reset to 'level 0'.

  • PlugMonkey #59 2 years ago

    It really is one of the absolute must play games of this generation, simply because it just doesn't FEEL like anything else out there. I love it. Slowly circling an enemy you know can kill you in a hit, but you know isn't going to because (unlike that clown who's bloodstain you were just looking at) you happen to know exactly what the fuck you are doing. THE gaming moment of 2009.

    (Actually THE gaming moment of 2009: I'm walking down a long corridor somewhere in the Shrine of Storms and I step on a pressure plate. I hear the arrows fire. No problem. I'm not some green rookie. I've got my shield up. I know what I'm doing. Only...if the arrows are in front of me...shouldn't they BE here by now...oooooooooooooh shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. I somersaulted under the first arrow as it came over my shoulder and came up facing back the other way with my shield raised to catch the 2nd one. Fuck me, I was inside the fucking Matrix that day. The only time I've been playing a game and it has felt like the world has gone into slow motion without them just lamely slowing the game down. :D)

  • devilmyarse #60 2 years ago

    Bought Demon's Souls brand new and cart only Axelay for £35 shipped from a friend in the States several months ago (the week it came out in the states I think). Bargain of the bleeding century that was. He bought the game on launch because of hype and for some reason completely hated it. His loss, my gain and all that...
    Edited by 1 at 16/03/10 @ 21:12

  • Killerbee #61 2 years ago

    Bought this on import (US version) and am about half way through it now. It really is one of the best games of this generation - hard but for all the right reasons because it's never unfair and oh so rewarding when you do finally beat a level and get your body back.

    I'd still love to see this get a Euro release, but to anyone still holding out - don't. Importing really is simple to do and if any game is worth playing right now, this is it.

  • Mr.DNA #62 2 years ago

    Demon's Souls is one of the best games that I've ever played. It's up there in my estimation with the likes of the original Metroid Prime and Resident Evil 4 as an example of a game that sucked me into its world from the very outset, and I played it avidly and slavishly for well over 100 hours in the space of a little over a month or so. Most of the appeal of the game centers around not knowing what is around the next corner, and that "one more try" factor is incredibly strong as you desperately attempt to discover every little nook and cranny of its expertly-designed levels.

    I was also persuaded to import that game thanks to Keza McDonald's legendary review. She should've gave it a 10!

  • Miths #63 2 years ago

    Aside from playing it when it arrives in the mail tomorrow, I'm also looking forward to seeing the visuals. If I recall correctly most reviews have given it pretty high marks for graphics, but nearly all the videos I've seen make it look rather bland. I'm hoping that's just the typical case of compressed web video not doing it justice (worse with some games than others).

  • TRUTH #64 2 years ago

    The graphics are not the best, but are very atmospheric - I'm on last boss king - his f++king hard!...This is what I call a proper dungeon crawler and not those daft hack & slash games that seem to plaguing the rpg scene by simplifying everything.

  • neems #65 2 years ago

    It really isn't that hard, it's simply unforgiving. Most of the time you die through not concentrating, or over confidence, or just doing something stupid. If you make a mistake you will be punished for it, but it's all there, plain to see. Pay attention, use your mind, and it will come to you.

  • Stoatboy #66 2 years ago

    Slight spoilers ahead, I guess so just to be on the safe side...

    The skeletons are ace. When I was still fairly low level I managed to kill one after a few attempts and realised that the soul rewards were so much higher than anywhere else early on, that this was the place to level up. So I read the Wiki and found out that blunt weapons are good against them. The only blunt weapon I had was the Iron Knuckle - the shortest ranged weapon in my inventory. Despite the fact that they have swords that are probably bigger than my character, I levelled that bad boy up as best I could and then always had to tackle these bastards at really close range - gut-punching them to death whilst they tried to cut me in two with their hooning great blades. Every fight was edge of the seat stuff. Fantastic. Even after I'd levelled up to a state where I should be able to cope with them easily the occasional wrong move would see them kill me brutally (I had it coming - you learn very early on that Demon's Souls is not the place for wrong moves).

    The fraught return journey to collect your dropped souls is a touch of genius.

    And the dark dual-katana wielding skellies still scare the willies out of me.

  • Pastici #67 2 years ago

    Fuck all the other exclusives, if I ever get a PS3 this is the first game I'd want to get. Sounds brutal in a good way, I miss games that flay you alive.

  • Miths #68 2 years ago

    I just went to get my mail, and there it was. Time for breakfast and then I'm gonna get started on this Demon's Souls thing - fully expecting to be screaming and pulling my hair out within the first half hour or less :p.

  • PlugMonkey #69 2 years ago

    I'll be interested to know how you get on with it. Opinion varies wildly from person to person.

  • Miths #70 2 years ago

    I'll post a first brief impressions in a couple of hours.

  • Miths #71 2 years ago

    First impressions from a usually rather whimpy gamer :p (easy or normal difficulty setting in most action games).
    I'm an hour and a half into the game so far (I've spent almost as much time reading hints and guides and area maps that I have actually playing :) - though more out of initial curiosity and preparation for what's to come, than because I've actually needed much of it so far), and my impression so far is overwhelmingly positive.

    It feels like a good old fashioned dungeon crawler, with some really great and, at this point, slow paced combat, where particularly melee combat has a very nice feel of weight and impact to it.
    It's been very easy so far (aside from that rather brutal conclusion to the tutorial :p), in part because it's mostly been one on one encounters so far, and in cases where I have been up against two enemies, it's been easy enough to separate them.
    I also took the advice I had read and picked the "Royal" starter class, which gives you a very powerful direct damage spell that can one shot many enemies at this early point in the game. You also get regenerating mana, something that apparently even the dedicated magician starter classes don't have?

    I've been playing "online", meaning notes left from other players have also proven a great help on several occasions, warning about ambushes up ahead, or telling about items worth picking up.

    I suspect the difficulty will soon ramp up though, as I'm still only running around in the first real area after the short tutorial section. But at least it doesn't give a new player the brutal beating right off the mark that I had feared.

    I'm looking forward to hopefully spending a lot more hours with this game - though right now I'm sort of hoping to get Final Fantasy XIII finished before Just Cause 2 arrives next week (and I've delayed my God of War 3 purchase for now).

  • PlugMonkey #72 2 years ago

    Awesome! Absolutely everyone really should play this game.

    I'd steer clear of the wikis though, if I was you. You could very easily spoil the game if you knew too much ahead of time, as the charm for me was very much learning the world for myself, and how to survive it.

    The tips from other players are invaluable. I played it once when the servers were down and died very rapidly indeed. :)

  • TRUTH #73 2 years ago

    Just been playing FF XIII, after playing Demon's Souls...FF so-far is so nafffffff!

  • Mr.DNA #74 2 years ago

    @Plugmonkey: "I'd steer clear of the wikis though, if I was you. You could very easily spoil the game if you knew too much ahead of time, as the charm for me was very much learning the world for myself, and how to survive it."

    In saying that, the game doesn't go out of it's way to fill you in on important details (to say the least), such as how to upgrade top-tier equipment (and from whom), the intricacies of world and character tendency, how to acquire Colourless Demon's Souls, etc. Knowing how to obtain the Talisman of Beasts, how to nab Colourless Demon's souls, and a myriad of other info that the game doesn't give you, I feel added to my overall enjoyment of the game as I strategised with regards to how to build my character, and what to aim for next.
    Edited by 1 at 17/03/10 @ 18:24

  • Zastai #75 2 years ago

    first off: "depsite" and "bemon"? really? surely a little spellchecking is not too much to ask?


    @thebaron: two handed heavy weapons are for advanced players only really - even if you're really good at rolling they leave you wide open usually (the exception being the Meat Cleaver with its area attack). typically you will want to use shield plus 1h weapon. spears and rapiers are especially nice because you keep your shield up while attacking with them.

    some pieces of advice:
    try not to go to a new game cycle until you're at least soul level 75 (just leave any 1 archdemon unkilled and grind a bit), because the difficulty ramps up hugely for New Game+ (the increase for subsequent game cycles is much less severe). you'll need 3-4 playthroughs for the platinum trophy (and it never really becomes a chore except perhaps the farming for stones, especially pure bladestone).
    get a good shield as soon as possible! once you have one that blocks 100% physical damage things get a lot more comfortable. you might want to prioritize getting your strength stat to 20ish even as a mage just so you can effectively use a heavy shield. if i recall correctly there's a steel shield to be found in world 2-1.
    once you get the hang of the worlds, and especially when you start working on world tendencies to get the unique equipment and drop rate increases, DO NOT PLAY ONLINE. online play tends to shift worlds toward neutral, potentially undoing some hard work, plus you won't get invaded by black phantoms

    @mr.dna: true, but you don't really NEED to worry too much about those things before your second playthrough.
    Edited by 2 at 17/03/10 @ 21:04

  • erp #76 2 years ago

    I concur with all the love for DS. It's easily my favourite game of the generation, and well on its way to becoming my favourite ever.

    The funny thing is: before DS I was never into this type of game before. Never into stats, never into grinds, never into unforgiving difficulty (except perhaps the likes of Ikaruga). Now I can't get enough and it's changed what I like and what I look for in games. (For example, it's also got me into Monster Hunter.) So many other games now seem lightweight and inconsequential.

    Anyway, I didn't come here just to fawn embarrassingly over the game. I did in fact have a question too:

    Although I wholeheartedly agree with staying away from the Wikis and how the element of discovery is one of the game's biggest strengths, there's still some things that I'm struggling to understand due to having the Asian version and therefore no full manual. Specifically, I'd really like to understand the item stats more - there are still a few items on there that I don't understand the relevance of.

    Does anyone know where I can find such info online, free of any other kind of spoilers? (Ideally a scan of the US manual would be fantastic - if anyone can point me towards that I'd be eternally grateful!)
    Edited by 1 at 18/03/10 @ 08:36

  • PlugMonkey #77 2 years ago

    erp: This Wiki is very good, and you can surf through all the weapons stuff without risking any spoilers.

    [link url=http://demonssouls.wi kidot.com/
    ]http://demonssouls.wi kidot.com/
    [/link]

    Mr. DNA: You're not kidding. I'm soul level 68, have defeated everything apart from the False King, and I've only just this week found out from a colleague at work why I've never learnt any magic! Or what you actually use Demons Souls for! The thing is though: I wish I'd finished the game before I found out.

    I can go back and play with magic, top tier equipment, colourless demon souls, the Talisman and Beasts and so on on my 2nd, 3rd, 4th playthroughs. I can only discover the world for myself on my first.

    And if I only play through it once, I'd rather miss out on all the stuff above than miss out on crawling through a new region with absolutely no idea what's around the next corner.

    I don't even like the idea of researching the character classes ahead of your first play through. Why play someone else's game? I picked the Wanderer class just because I'm usually a tank or a magic user in these sorts of games, and it was just something I'd never really tried. Learning how to survive as a lightly armoured ranger has been the whole fun of the game, even if there are 'better' classes I could have picked. I daresay my character build is a million miles from being 'optimum' but you know what? She's done OK. ;)

    And now the end is near,
    And so I face my final curtain.