A Couple of Gamers

Demon’s Souls: Finally, I Am a Man

Posted on Jul 10, 2010 by Dave in PS3

Months ago, I was pointed towards a rather entertaining forum post about From Software’s Demon’s Souls. My curiosity already piqued from reviews (and the unqualified opinions of complete strangers on the Internet), assurances that the game would “make me a man” sealed the deal.

I had recently shaved my beard off and was regretting the decision… perhaps playing Demon’s Souls would be faster than re-growing it?

So, at risk of being redundant to every paragraph ever written about it, Demon’s Souls is hard. But while I did get frustrated at points (many, many points), I never felt that the game was being unfair. No situation could not be overcome with a different approach (or, at worst, choosing another world to explore).

Make no mistake—if you don’t like being challenged (read: Failing 10 times before succeeding), Demon’s Souls is not for you. Lori loves RPGs, and Demon’s Souls is not for her (which might be for the best, given that I’d prefer my wife not be turned into a man). As she watched me play, I could feel her patience stretching to the breaking point as I replayed sections over and over, punctuated only by simulated bouts of Tourette syndrome.

But its difficulty also creates a tremendous sense of accomplishment—highs that match the lows. Returning to previously traversed areas to absolutely dominate foes which had caused you so much trouble in the past is incredibly satisfying. Likewise, the game is filled with fairly complex systems that require considerable effort to understand (or the help of online fan sites and wikis, of which there are many) but offer considerable rewards for their mastery. It is a game that requires your full attention, patience, and commitment—something not everyone looks for in their recreation choices. In the current console gaming climate, Demon’s Souls is a unique experience: an undeniably hardcore game in an era when game design has shifted decidedly towards mainstream accessibility.

Ultimately, the name of this site has the word “couple” in it.  This isn’t ManGamer.com (domain available!) and, while it is a game I wholeheartedly recommend to hardcore RPG or 3rd-person melee-combat gamers, Demon’s Souls is not a game for most couples. Lori and I enjoyed it greatly, however, and she can rest assured that her mate is indeed a man… though I’m hoping there was enough evidence of that beforehand.

Demon’s Souls is a 3rd-person (you see your guy in front of you) action-RPG exclusive to the PS3.