Demon's Souls

AceGamez

Its appeal may be niche, but for those who appreciate a challenging and ultimately very rewarding game in a genre that's poorly represented not only on the PS3 but in this entire console generation, Demon's Souls is an absolute must have. [JPN Import]

RPGamer

The game is very hard, but not unfairly so; each time you die, you'll learn a bit more about the level, and you'll be able to progress a bit further. I was very surprised with what I found in Demon's Souls.

1UP

If you like RPGs in general, though, you'll find one of the better, most challenging quests of your life -- one well worth picking up. But you may want to clear off any games in your backlog beforehand.

games(TM)

Those who are prepared to give Demon's Souls a chance will eventually be rewarded for their patience and will slowly learn to love what can only be described as a game unlike any other ever made. [Christmas 2009, p.116]

Gamers' Temple

Demon's Souls can do no wrong in my eyes. It reinvigorated my love of RPGs and video games as a hobby, not just a job. Its punishing difficulty is a throwback to the brutally unforgiving games of my NES childhood, and the feeling of accomplishment in the face of innumerable odds is truly unlike anything I've experienced with a controller in my hands.

TotalPlayStation

It's a shoo-in for Game of the Year contention and will likely go down as one of the crown jewels of the PlayStation 3's exclusive lineup.

GamerNode

Demon's Souls uses sprawling, atmospheric worlds, haunting game concepts and mechanics, an unconventional control scheme, and formidable difficulty to envelop players in an experience that is easily one of the best of the year.

Play Magazine

The word of mouth on this game is going to be great, unless your friends only play WiiFit. Demon’s Souls is what an 8-Bit game would play like if it were popped open and dumped out in your lap. Gorgeous, thoughtful, and complete unto itself, it’s the second-best title I’ve played this year. Maybe even better.

Gamer Limit

Demon's Souls is one for the history books. It simply improves the recently stale action genre, and is way ahead of its time with its vision of online play.

GameCritics

Without question, Demon's Souls is one of 2009's finest titles, and an amazing, challenging journey without equal.

GamingExcellence

That said, Demon's Souls is a terrific game. It sets such a high standard for dungeon crawling titles that can only be matched by the best of them.

GameZone

This is a truly exceptional RPG experience that hasn’t been offered by any other game in its genre. It all comes down to whether you’re brave enough to explore its savage environments, but if you are I can promise that you won’t be disappointed.

Cheat Code Central

Between its active battle system and its online functionality, there is a whole lot that separates Demon's Souls from other games in the dungeon-crawling genre, bringing it into the current generation.

IGN

Every single person that owns a PS3 should at the very least rent this game to see what all the fuss is about, and those that can remember the good ol' days when games taught through the highly effective use of negative reinforcement and a heavy price for not playing it carefully should scoop this up instantly. It's utterly unique among the offerings on any console right now, and absolutely, positively should not be missed.

GameFocus

If you are not a hardcore gamer or a gamer who can play your average action RPG on a difficulty above easy you probably will hate yourself for putting a single dollar out for this game. But if you are a gamer looking for a true challenge with plenty of extreme action, fun replay value, great multiplayer and a unique twist on everything then this is a game you must own.

ZTGameDomain

Demon's Souls is a fantastic game, with great environments and amazing boss battles. Unfortunately, most gamers will never see most of them. The bottom line is that this game is for the hardest of the hardcore.

Gaming Age

I found Demon's Souls to be very addicting, especially when you make full use of the multiplayer features. There's no way to sugar coat the difficulty though, and even I had to put the game down for a couple days just to take a deep breath before going back to it. But, the things that draw you back in are the superior level design, morose artwork, and engaging gameplay.

Play UK

Tough and unforgiving, Demon's Souls is nevertheless a breath of fresh air in a very stagnant games market. [Issue#182, p.72]

GameShark

It is unyielding and relentlessly unmerciful. A single stage will take hours of repetitious practice and cautious progression to complete. The reward is pride.

Game Informer

This game is tough, but also rewarding, interesting, evocative, and, in its own special way, brilliant.

PALGN

Demon's Souls is an obsessive title, a masochists dream, and an utterly amazing RPG.

NTSC-uk

Demon's Souls asks much of you. For some it may ask too much, but, if you are prepared to rise to the challenges it presents you will be rewarded with one of the most satisfying gaming experiences of this generation.

Multiplayer.it

Demon's Soul is a hard game that becomes an obsession after first few minutes of play: with a true feeling of danger and immersion in every moment, a innovative online game and a good level of challenge. One of the best PlayStation 3 games of the year.

GamingTrend

In a world where multiple save points, extra lives and cheat codes dominate, it's down-right refreshing to see a title step up and proclaim "I am difficult, and that's all right." Demon's Souls is that title, and for that I commend it.

Playstation Universe

Demon's Souls is everything we've been looking for on the PS3 - a stellar action RPG boasting a killer online component. The game's uncompromising difficulty may not be everyone's cup of tea, however.

LEVEL (Czech Republic)

Nightmare difficulty makes you die a thousand times but every death teaches you how to get further. True masterpiece of dark fantasy RPG. [Sept 2009]

Meristation

Quotation forthcoming.

Eurogamer

It's stoic, uncompromising, difficult to get to know, but also deep, intriguingly disturbed and perversely rewarding. You can learn to love Demon's Souls like few other games in the world. But only if you're prepared to give yourself over to it. [JPN Import]

PSW Magazine UK

For every moment I spent screaming at my TV and throwing my controller I had four moments of awe. [JPN Import; May 2009, p.86]

Worth Playing

For those willing to put in the effort, Demon's Souls is perhaps the most rewarding RPG available on the PS3 and easily a must-have for any PS3 owner who doesn't mind a bit of difficulty and death.

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

Demon’s Souls knows that winning is something to be earned, and the satisfaction of living up to the challenge it presents is its greatest reward.

Edge Magazine

Demon’s Souls is the antithesis of the fashionable approach to gaming. It encourages mastery over mere perseverance and every reward is so hard won as to make it almost unattainable. But if gaming’s ultimate appeal lies in the learning and mastering of new skills, then surely the medium’s keenest thrills are to be found in its hardest lessons. For those who flourish under Demon’s Souls’ strict examination, there’s no greater sense of virtual achievement.

GameSpot

If you crave true innovation, a fair but relentless challenge, and gripping exploration in which every step has consequences, then you crave Demon's Souls.

Gamer 2.0

The combat system is robust, the amount of exploration is amazing, and the game looks and sounds beautiful. Combine all this with the game’s masterful storytelling without hours and hours of dialog, and you have what’s probably the best and most frightening role-playing game this generation so far—just in time for Halloween.

Thunderbolt

Demon’s Souls may make you throw controllers. It could possibly make you hate everything you’ve ever loved. It will probably make you yell curse words very, very loudly. It’s also some of the best fun to be had on the PS3.

GameTrailers

Anyone weaned on Zelda and tempered by Diablo will have a strong attraction to the wonders of Demon's Souls.

PSX Extreme

For what it wishes to be, Demon’s Souls hits the mark. Perhaps the audience in question is too niche to yield huge sales, but I’m confident in expressing my praise for this production and I expect many gamers to reward Atlus for this effort.

PSM3 Magazine UK

A startling, yet satisfying experience - if you can handle it. [Christmas 2009, p.86]

My Gamer

While it is hard to give the advice to run out and purchase this game, it deserves a rental and a couple of hours of play. If you can make it through inventing curse words during that time, it is a clear purchase.

RPG Fan

All-in-all, Demon's Souls is a game every PS3 RPG fan should buy just to say that they own it, just to say that they've played it. It's up to you as the gamer to figure out if an incredibly difficult, incredibly unique game is the game for you.

Digital Chumps

It's a solid and competent RPG with some innovative and really cool online features, and it goes highly recommended.

AtomicGamer

As is, it'll likely be adored by those who go out of their way to embrace it, but ignored by anyone intimidated by old school difficulty.

Everyeye.it

A deep and complex action RPG, hard but rewarding.

Kombo

Souls is a top notch title that is impossible to put down.

Game Revolution

Despite its uncompromising attitude, Demon’s Souls is a rare and unexpected treat.

Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

A game best left to the most masochistic, hardcore game. [Dec 2009, p.80]

Playstation Official Magazine UK

Demon's Souls is difficult. Really, really difficult. [JPN Import; July 2009, p.100]

GamePro

In short, you'll have a blast but you'll pay a heavy price for it sooner or later.

Kikizo

Demon’s Souls is undoubtedly a tough nut to crack, but if you’re prepared to dig beneath its hard shell, you’ll find a game that is compelling and deeply rewarding in equal measure.

SpazioGames

All those who love the dungeon crawling genre, may find in this From Software's game a large number of interesting elements and carefully developed details, while those who prefer a more narrative structure and a more rich gameplay, should perhaps approach the game only after careful considerations. Waiting a more understandable english version, we can only hope that the existing defects can be fixed.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

The forced repetition and steep odds could’ve been a disaster. But the mêlée combat, mapped primarily to the PlayStation 3’s rear triggers, is so beautifully precise, it demands to be mastered.

Gamervision

The enemy design is, simply put, wonderful, and so many different elements of Demon’s Souls call out to me, demanding love and affection. Sadly, I cannot return its calls. It just goes so far out of its way to be difficult that it misses some key, important elements that would have made it a vastly better game.