What is it exactly that makes a game hard?

Some people would say it has to do with facing strong, skilled enemies. Many would say it involves making the player “underpowered.” Still more might claim specific mechanics like time limits and AI behavior patterns are their chief causes for screaming expletives at their TV screens. A select few might even cite examples of games “cheating” against the players. So where exactly does Demon’s Souls fit into all of this? Is it really as infuriatingly difficult as everyone says?

The answer is Yes. And No.

There are traps and environmental hazards. There are ambushes and enemy hordes. There are areas with creatures so tough and powerful you won’t be able to kill them until you’ve gained several levels and returned to the area later. Each and every one of these things will kill you. Still, when compared to many other action, hack and slash or dungeon crawling games out there this is really par-for-the-course. However, Demon’s Souls is never unfair. You will die, but it will have been your own fault each time. It’s a harsh game, sure, but it’s also fair. Demon’s Souls will never hold your hand, but you will be all the better for that.

So, Demon’s Souls really isn’t so much hard as it is unforgiving. There’s a brief tutorial (that’s designed to kill you) after your character is created which does a good job of leading you through the basics, but, once you’re done, all bets are off. You have to learn for yourself what types of weapons and attacks to use on enemies, as well as how to fight them effectively. There’s no map (mini or otherwise), no radar and no in-game hint system to keep you on the right track. You’ll have to feel your way through every level and every encounter.

The first stage is a defining make-it-or-break-it moment. You can’t level-up your character until you finish this stage and destroy the area’s boss. If you die you lose any souls you’ve been carrying (the game’s universal currency) and start from the beginning of the level again with all of the monsters having returned. If you can survive long enough to reach the bloodstain left behind where you were originally killed you can recover those souls, but whatever killed you in the first place will still be there. If you die again before reaching your bloodstain, then those souls are gone forever.

That’s not to say the game doesn’t throw players a bone every now and then. When you’re killed, you lose your physical form and return as a spirit. Being in spirit form will reduce your maximum health by about half, but it also increases your damage slightly and makes you a little harder for enemies to detect. Getting your body back requires killing a Major Demon (an area boss), using a special item, or helping/invading another player’s game (more on that later). There are also areas that will be blocked by gates or locked doors. If you manage to get the key for the door or use a lever to open the gate, they will stay open forever (or until you start a New Game +). So, if you die after opening up a shortcut, it will still be open when you return. Likewise, any and all items you’ve found will still be in your inventory. Losing several thousand souls will certainly hurt, but being able to hang on to that health-regenerating shield will soothe the pain a bit.

Once that first area is explored and the boss is slain, Demon’s Souls really begins. Four more worlds will open up, and you’ll be able to return to the Nexus (the game’s hub, and the only area in the entire game where you’re ever completely safe) to spend more souls on upgrading your stats as you progress. You’ll also be able to find more NPCs scattered through the different areas (some hidden, some not) that sell special items, teach new spells or forge special weapons.

Combat is one of Demon’s Souls’ greatest strengths. Not content with a mere hack-and-slash affair, From Software has gone above and beyond to craft an incredibly deep system. There are many different types of weapons, from straight swords and curved swords to hammers and spears, and each one plays differently. For example, a short sword isn’t quite as fast as a falchion, but it has slashing and piercing attacks which make it a more diverse weapon in many situations. This can be a life saver as many enemy types are only truly susceptible to a handful of different attacks. Some are weak against magic, while others can be bashed to a pulp with blunt instruments. Knowing what to use and when will mean the difference between victory and a jog back to your bloodstain.

On top of this diversity, every weapon can be wielded in either one or two hands, provided your character has the strength to swing something like a claymore with one hand in the first place. Two-handed attacks do a lot more damage, but using one hand allows you to use your free hand to defend with a shield or fire off magic. Throw in little extra flourishes like the falchion’s quick slash-and-backstep attack, the shield’s ability to parry and leave your opponent open for a triple-damage counter, or the long sword’s shove that can break your enemy’s guard, and you’ve got one hell of a robust fighting system.

Of course, one of the most impressive features of Demon’s Souls is its multiplayer. You’ll often see the ghostly images of other players wandering around as you traverse a level. They don’t serve any  purpose, really, other than to remind you that while you’re playing alone, you aren’t the only one playing. Bloodstains, however, can be very useful. When you touch one you can watch the spirit of another player in their last moments. You won’t see what killed them, but chances are if you see them run down a tunnel and drop dead you’ll know to proceed with caution. Aside from these specters, players can also leave notes to be read just about anywhere. Some people might leave false messages to throw others off, or possibly as a form of trap (leave a note in the middle of a room full of hidden enemies and it’s bound to get at least a few people killed), but overall it’s much more worthwhile to leave helpful hints. Your messages can be rated, and earning a positive rating will refill your health bar as you play.

Then there are the Soul Stones; the brunt of Demon’s Souls‘ multiplayer offerings. If you have your body, you can see other player’s Soul Stones and summon them into your game. These players can help you make it through the level, fight off Black Phantoms and kill the boss in an attempt to gain some souls with few worries (a summoned spirit won’t lose the souls they had before they were summoned in the event of their death) and to regain their body. Conversely, another player can invade your game at any time as a Black Phantom and attempt to take your body (and souls) for themselves.

Invading a game and being invaded as a Black Phantom are two of the most adrenaline-soaked experiences I’ve ever had in a game. Hunting another player, using the level’s monsters as cover and the rush of figuring out how to win an unevenly matched fight makes for an incredible experience. Likewise, being invaded will keep your blood pumping right up until either you or your aggressor have been dispatched; even with the support of friendly phantoms it’s an intense game of cat-and-mouse. Even in a three-on-one scenario, the Black Phantom only has to kill the living player (most likely you) to win. Numbers won’t make a difference if you get separated or if the Phantom manages to jump you while you’re all fighting a huge demon.

Demon’s Souls is a true breath of fresh air in an industry saturated with tutorials and player coddling. It doesn’t bother with things like difficulty settings or maps, and the only way you’ll know there’s an enemy behind you is if you hear it, read another player’s note, or find the point of a sword sticking out of your sternum. It’s never “cheap,” but it also never compromises in order to help players out. Taking on one of the games many bosses will seem like an insurmountable task, but it is indeed possible to win against them. And when you do win, all of the frustration will be worth it. Demon’s Souls is what it is, and what it is is the one of the most fulfilling experiences you’ll ever have in a video game… if you can survive it.

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Things We Liked: Nothing was “dumbed down” to make it more accessible. Incredibly detailed combat and stat mechanics allow players to find a style perfect for them. Lovely ambiance. Insane bosses. Teaming up to jump a Black Phantom.

Things We Disliked: Dying constantly. No wait, nevermind; it was worth it.

Target Audience: Fans of the following: Dungeon crawlers, action RPGs, games that don’t hold your hand, Diablo, player-versus-player combat, cooperative games, dark fantasy worlds, accomplishment. Also anyone who isn’t afraid to get their butt handed to them constantly.

(Demon’s Souls – Developer: From Software. Publisher: Atlus. Available on PlayStation 3. Buy it Now at Amazon.com. New to CFD!’s reviews? Read our explanation here.)