Most reviews of this game have always begun with a single fact this game is hard.
This is a fact that I cant disagree with.
Well, not totally anyway.
You see,Demons Soulsis perhaps the single most unforgiving and downright brutal title Ive ever seen.
I mean, come on, how many other games kill you off in the tutorial level?
Cor blimey, guvnor, its a bit tough!
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This isnt simply about starting at the deep end as such.
But why is this, and why is it fun?
The story involves an evil fog thats surrounded the land and the reawakening of a great evil demon.
This has caused the world to become infested with monstrous creatures and lesser demons.
This is where you come in.
You exist in the game in two forms alive and as a soul (read: dead).
Life after death, after death
When you die in the game its not actually game over.
Instead, youre revived at the beginning of the level.
Well, thats not entirely true.
Die before you make this pilgrimage, though, and all those souls are gone.
Theres no bank in the game, and so any souls you collect can only be carried around.
Never before has the fear of whats around the next corner been so real.
The first step to increasing your chances of survival is to master the games combat system.
This is a great setup, and handles in a similar way to Nintendos 3DZeldaseries.
Weapons can be used with two hands, useful for large swords and axes, increasing their power.
As you swing weapons, block attacks and run, your stamina decreases.
When its zero you wont be able to attack and need to wait for it to regenerate.
Different weapons are useful against different foes, so a great deal of tactical play comes into the mix.
This tactical thought isnt an optional component, though, as it is in many similar titles.
Why is the world against me?
Its not just foes that can hamper your progress, either.
Another novel feature is World Tendency.
This not only adds to replay value, but also keeps the game world fresh.
World tendency events are often ways to find rare items, and the tendency also affects enemies.
Instead, as you wander around your world youll see ghostly images of other players running around.
As well as this, youll also see bloodstains scattered around.
These may be warnings of danger up ahead, hints of tactics to use, or cryptic tips.
By pressing select you might leave your own messages for other players to see.
If your messages are recommended, youll get some health back, which is nice.
Actual player interaction is possible too.
As I mentioned earlier, when in soul form youre able to offer your services to other living players.
If youre a living hero you might also summon others to help you (a maximum of two).
Again, this can be of great help when fighting bosses, and its a quid pro quo arrangement.
You defeat a troublesome boss, and your helpers get some souls and their living forms back.
Rude interruptions
However, this player interaction isnt all hat-tipping and camaraderie.
Soul form players can also use a special stone to invade another living players game at any time.
As a black phantom the goal is to find and kill the living player.
Do so and youll regain your living form, lose and youre sent back to your own world.
This invasion by other players is a constant threat and cannot be opted out of.
If you play online and youre in living form, be prepared to defend yourself at any time.
It doesnt cheat or impose ridiculous hindrances on you, and if you die its always your fault.
Boss battles can be excruciatingly difficult, but theres always a way to win.
Lets just hope the game gets an official release in Europe.
Rating:
5 out of 5
