Difficulty:

Hard

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Amazing"

Demon's Souls is a really underplayed and unappreciated game in my opinion. It is in fact, one of the games I have ever played. Everything about it, from graphics to how it plays out is perfect. I have no doubt why this made GOTY in 2009.

Graphics and Environment - The game's graphics are AMAZING. Detail to detail is all mapped out very well, especially for a 2009 game. Dark environments all suit each area, forcing you to be careful, or you'll just experience another death you wish you hadn't. The worlds are pretty free roaming, yet somewhat linear at the same time. There is no specific route the game guides you to go to. In the end, you will probably roam the whole world anyways. Maps are designed so you have a rough idea where to go, however, big enough with enough routes so that you may even get lost, die, and restart the whole level. Each world is unique in its own way, drastically varying environments imaginable. Each and every level, having their own unique experience and secrets to explore.

Sound - Some say voice acting isn't much in this game. Sure, they do seem kind of dull and monotone; however, they suite the NPC's and actually fit into the environment. Voice acting doesn't play a huge role in this game though, as you are mainly out to explore and complete the levels. The environmental sound is phenomenal. Each and every footstep is accurate, fire crackling in the background, water, or moanings of monsters all add along to make your experience that much more memorable. Along with that, dark crevices and absolute silence adds to your paranoid affect.

Gameplay - This game and how it works is the most unique I've ever played. It is a bit confusing at first, but once you get used to it, you will most likely start to enjoy it. Just having the feeling of free roaming and things such as how your character runs amazes me. Combat, movement, dodging, all are surprisingly accurate. This makes you feel as if you actually are your character, and all seems very real. The crispness of the game really appeals to me. Others say the targeting system is a little off, but I personally think it's fine. Targeting is very useful in this game. It is key to dodging attacks and aiming your blows, so get used to it.

Difficulty - This has been one of the biggest complaints on this game. Honestly, It's not as hard as many say. I completed the game in roughly 17-18 hours on my first playthrough, without any walkthroughs, so getting lost, dying, not knowing what to do, being a lootwhore, all apply to me in this playthrough. The levels are however, frustrating. One death means you have to start over the level from the beginning, redoing it all over again. This can get very frustrating if you die at a boss, or if someone online randomly comes, invades your world, and kills you. Since you get one chance in completing the whole level, once you beat it, it is VERY rewarding. You will literally sit there, being like "HECK YEAH, TAKE THAT!" In the end, the game's all a matter of memorization. By the end, you will basically have the whole game memorized. Where every monster is, attack patterns, and so on. Continuing to New Game + will urge you to become stronger and stronger, so the game has a lot of replay value and gives you more of a sense of accomplishment. Many die from carelessness as they think it's a hack and slash game. This game is NOT, you have to be in the correct mindset to dodge, counterattack, wait, and so on.

Bosses - The bosses in this game are a lot easier than the level itself in my opinion. They are all epic in their own special way, each giving their own personal experience for you, and in the end, having you feel very accomplished in your life. Every aspect of weight, and viciousness from the bosses show. Whether or not you will get squished or stabbed in the face is up to you. (:

Overall, the game is great, and will stand as one of my all time favorites. I just started my second playthrough, and the game is hard, but it is doable. I can't wait to play Dark Souls. Go buy this game first, as it's pretty cheap now, and see how you like it. alright, enjoy yourselves and have a good one (:

Add me on psn ~ laiZazn