Previews

[Zeta_Nova]

With IGN PS3's Preview, I thought I'd come up with a Previews topic of all the major gaming news sites

June 4, 2009 - E3 is almost over. Another year of awesome games, over-the-top booths and beautiful women has come and gone. But in the waning light, I wanted to deliver some hands-on impressions of an upcoming PS3 exclusive from publisher Atlus. Titled Demon's Soul, this traditional action RPG is all about classic dungeon-crawling, but it adds a very nice online component that makes it a unique experience. Although you'll never directly interact with other Demon's Souls players, you'll be seeing ghostly traces of their own adventures at all times.

Spooky, isn't it?

The premise of Demon's Souls is actually pretty rad: at the beginning of the adventure, the greedy king of the land accidentally awakens a powerful demon (go figure). As an adventurer, you set out to defeat the devilish forces but you're killed in the process. Woah. During the game's opening cinematic, you're resurrected and placed into the Nexus, a sort of limbo that serves as the game's primary hub. From the Nexus, you can access five different arch stones that grant you passage to different dungeons. If you collect enough demon souls during your quests, you'll be able to return to the world of the living and resume your normal life (presumably).

Playing Demon's Soul is already fun, even though I only snuck in a few minutes on the show floor. The R1 trigger functions as your attack and the L1 trigger raises your shield. The Circle button can be used to roll and the D-pad is used to cycle through your weapons, items and spells.

At first glance, Demon's Souls appears to be a somewhat stiff RPG, but as soon as combat starts, you'll be rolling around and attacking in high-action style. I was actually quite impressed with the feeling of the combat, though I only just scratched the surface of the experience. Seeing as how the game is designed to last between 80 and 100 hours, I'd say a 20 minute play session doesn't do it much justice...

The real appeal of Demon's Souls comes from its unique online functionality. You'll never go questing with a friend, but you'll see their ghosts traverse the same landscapes as they attempt to complete their own quests. If they die, a pool of blood will appear in your world. Touch it, and their death animation will play back so you can see how they met their untimely end.

You can also write eerie messages for other players to find, though you'll only be able to write them based on a select number of key phrases and word combinations. So you'll avoid the nasty language bits that come from internet culture.

Players will also have their own Facebook-like pages that other players can comment on and interact with. If you're having trouble with a quest, you'll be able to post your question and have fellow adventurers comment on it. Awesome.

Although this game will be a huge investment of time, I'm excited to see more. I have some souls to capture, after all.

[Mounce]

I only have one question that I hope would be answered, and that would be what changes is Atlus going to do? From E3 videos I found at Gametrailers;

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-demons-souls/51045

and

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-demons-souls/51047

I just want to know just incase, Atlus isn't messing around with the difficulty at all are they?......because how the player was going through the game, he took less damage then I recall usually would happen? and the game just looked overall too easy.

As well as the noticeable change that Atlus added MUSIC to the game?.....I could be mistaken and it could be just background music from the booth, but still....

Has music been added to the game, and is the difficulty being messed with? People are getting curious and a bit edgy about those 2.

[Manly Biceps]

This is hilarious. I can't believe how sometimes people will take the mere hint of something, and then allow those fears to run wild and snowball into seeing things that aren't there.

We ran retail copies at the show.

[Onion of Mystery]

This is hilarious. I can't believe how sometimes people will take the mere hint of something, and then allow those fears to run wild and snowball into seeing things that aren't there.

Hey there, stranger. Welcome to the Atlus forums!

[Mounce]

This is hilarious. I can't believe how sometimes people will take the mere hint of something, and then allow those fears to run wild and snowball into seeing things that aren't there.

We ran retail copies at the show.


Who, me? ._. if so then; Nonononooo.....is PARANOIA!....Not fear.

When one is paranoid, and skeptacle, and worried in hopes that something beautiful doesn't get destroyed, one questions what is real and what is fiction!

:surprise:

I'm merely questioning to reassure myself? D: and, by running 'retail copies', you mean the copies that are from the Asian market? Or the ones that Atlus is working on right now?.... at that D: none of the questions were even answered ._.

This is hilarious. I can't believe how sometimes people will take the mere hint of something, and then allow those fears to run wild and snowball into seeing things that aren't there.

Hey there, stranger. Welcome to the Atlus forums!

am sure you were aiming for me, right? XD and thanks :O

[Manly Biceps]

I'm merely questioning to reassure myself? D: and, by running 'retail copies', you mean the copies that are from the Asian market? Or the ones that Atlus is working on right now?.... at that D: none of the questions were even answered ._.

Since when has "retail copy" ever meant, "A copy of a game that is a work in progress"?

[Mounce]

I'm merely questioning to reassure myself? D: and, by running 'retail copies', you mean the copies that are from the Asian market? Or the ones that Atlus is working on right now?.... at that D: none of the questions were even answered ._.

Since when has "retail copy" ever meant, "A copy of a game that is a work in progress"?

Hmmm......well, am unsure as to what needs to be worked on, or what's being fixed/patched/updated/changed to make it a 'work in progress'? Since the game already did come with English voices and I think also English subs? Merely not a manual w/ English? Since I don't know what's being worked on, it could just be the time and paperwork it takes to get everything ready for a proper launch and etc? I have no idea what's happening with Atlus importing/publishing it :\ ....completely blank and only assumptions! Lol XD

So, it 'Could' be a retail copy, all ready to go to store shelves and such that came from Atlus? Buuuuut, everything involving sales and where it's going is what the progress is all about o.o? Serious, I have NO clue! None! Just guesses! o.o I'm completely unfamiliar, and of course not being an employee, left in the dark with what processes are being done on this game BY Atlus, specifically :\....

[JoeFenix]

I saw some videos of Demon's souls on gametrailers and it looks like the shadows are fixed now? Am I crazy?

The shadows usualy don't show up properly in the japanese and asian release and in those videos they seemed totaly fine. That was something that annoyed the hell out of me so I would be really happy to see it fixed.

Can anyone confirm this?

[Mounce]

I saw some videos of Demon's souls on gametrailers and it looks like the shadows are fixed now? Am I crazy?

The shadows usualy don't show up properly in the japanese and asian release and in those videos they seemed totaly fine. That was something that annoyed the hell out of me so I would be really happy to see it fixed.

Can anyone confirm this?

That's all I'm really here for too, confirming what I think I'm seeing or hearing, but am unsure if true or not, lol

[sarshelyam]

Played it at the show folks...talked to someone who practically knew me by name considering I'd flock back to it every day and can, for all intents and purposes, be considered a vet (New Game +++ on my Asian Copy).

NOTHING has changed. There may be some minor translation alterations considering the current Asian release has some broken or mistranslated English, but difficult wise...untouched and P-E-R-F-E-C-T. I went through the entirety of Boletaria's 1-1 up to and including the first boss before the servers dropped...on the final blow...

...depressing, but I can say they aren't screwing around with this people. This IS the same version of the game simply localized and published for NA.

Does that quel your paranoia Mounce? It should!!

[Mounce]

Played it at the show folks...talked to someone who practically knew me by name considering I'd flock back to it every day and can, for all intents and purposes, be considered a vet (New Game +++ on my Asian Copy).

NOTHING has changed. There may be some minor translation alterations considering the current Asian release has some broken or mistranslated English, but difficult wise...untouched and P-E-R-F-E-C-T. I went through the entirety of Boletaria's 1-1 up to and including the first boss before the servers dropped...on the final blow...

...depressing, but I can say they aren't screwing around with this people. This IS the same version of the game simply localized and published for NA.

Does that quel your paranoia Mounce? It should!!

YEESSSS!! It DOES!! :surprise: I WANT TO HUG YOU NOW! My worries and paranoia literally washed away in an orgasmic fashion of relief!

One question then that I'm curious since you stated, of Newgame +++?... I knew that when you beat the game a harder difficulty starts of a '+', but if you beat THAT +, does it get even harder and become ++? or you just used more +'s because of how many times you beat it? Tell me about it D: (Without spoilers course XD)

[sarshelyam]

Yes, it resets and becomes more difficult. It isn't LISTED as a New Game (+), but for all intents and purposes you're continuing your last game AT THE BEGINNING with all of your stats and items, and suddenly the difficulty of the enemies (the damage they deal and their defense) is increased.

[Mounce]

Yes, it resets and becomes more difficult. It isn't LISTED as a New Game (+), but for all intents and purposes you're continuing your last game AT THE BEGINNING with all of your stats and items, and suddenly the difficulty of the enemies (the damage they deal and their defense) is increased.

How many times will the difficulty increase? +, ++, +++, ++++, +++++? Or infinite? lol

[sarshelyam]

Good question, wish I had the answer to it but I don't.

[Mounce]

Good question, wish I had the answer to it but I don't.

D: Dang, well, so as long as it increases more than Once, at least I know its replayability is longer than what one would originally perceive.

Is like, Beating a game on Hard, then it unlocks 'Impossible' difficulty, then if/when you beat that, you're 100% done! With this, if it keeps expanding and going and getting harder and harder at least MORE than one time? Then, HAWT DAMN!!.....

[blammo]

for all intents and purposes, be considered a vet (New Game +++ on my Asian Copy).

Hold on there buck-o... if we go by previews / reviews online your looking at 80-100 hrs for the games.

So if I do the math... *let me see here, carry the one, add the two- divided by..... multiply by the remainder....*

Thats like 300+ hrs?!

[Mounce]

for all intents and purposes, be considered a vet (New Game +++ on my Asian Copy).

Hold on there buck-o... if we go by previews / reviews online your looking at 80-100 hrs for the games.

So if I do the math... *let me see here, carry the one, add the two- divided by..... multiply by the remainder....*

Thats like 300+ hrs?!

Well, everyone always goes slowly and cautiously the first time they play since they have NO clue on the environment, their surroundings, the enemies, and have no strategies of any knowledge of everything, so I wouldn't say people would be as slow the first time through, lol. Unless of course the 80-100 hours is for people who go at normal-cautious speed of merely wanting to survive, and not because they like to roam EVERYWHERE, lol

[sarshelyam]

Thats like 300+ hrs?!

Sounds about right...is that odd?

[SATequila]

Since when has "retail copy" ever meant, "A copy of a game that is a work in progress"?

PC gaming :frown:

For what its worth, a cautious first run through with lots of farming for souls should take MUCH less than 80-100+ hours.

[spazmatron]

Although you'll never directly interact with other Demon's Souls players,



hmm... somebody obviously didn't do a lot of research...

[SATequila]

Although you'll never directly interact with other Demon's Souls players,



hmm... somebody obviously didn't do a lot of research...

Why? I'd say this is a fairly accurate observation, you are extremely limited in the ways you can interact with other people compared to pretty much every other multiplayer game out there. You can only kill, emote at, or leave pre-set messages for other players.

[spazmatron]

i'd count killing & cooperating as 'directly interacting' with other players. he also implies that there's no co-op, 'you'll never go questing with a friend'. just an observation

[GamerSam]

That was just bad wording from IGN, I understand what they mean though. Because in a way you are not directly interacting, as you summon other players temporarily as ghosts/phantoms, they are not "living" in your world.

But the way they described it, they made it sound like there is no online features.

[CUR715]

For what its worth, a cautious first run through with lots of farming for souls should take MUCH less than 80-100+ hours.

The average first run takes about 35-40 hours.

Subsequent runs take a lot less, because you know what to expect, and aren't tip-toeing an inch at a time through the level (doesn't make it any easier of course).

I'm on my fifth run (New Game++++), and have been playing about 120 hours so far. :D

I'd love confirmation of whether there is a New Game+ limit.

Also, i'll be starting up a fresh game when you wonderful lot in the US finally get it (assuming the online aspect will work, cross-region), that way i'll be about the same level (there's a +/-10 soul level restriction), meaning i can join your games, and either help or hinder you! We'll see! :seesaw:

[ZeroNova]

I'm on my fifth run (New Game++++), and have been playing about 120 hours so far.That sounds just like me. I'm on NG++++ as well, and I've played for 122 hours.

Edit: I just noticed that the OPs username is very similar to mine...

Edit 2: Fixed the quote.

[CUR715]

You quoted the wrong name off my post. ;)

If you're about the same soul level as me (within +/- 10) we should meet up in-game!

I'm 176 at the moment, but i've just finished my fifth run, so once i've done 1-1 on my sixth run, i'll probably go up by 2-3 levels.

Either way, feel free to add me on PSN. There are always certain levels i hate doing alone, so a bit of company is always welcome!

My PSN ID is: C_R

[ZeroNova]

Sorry about that ^^', I just fixed it.
I'll add you in a sec.

[sotanaht1]

Im at about 240-250 on my 4th run. I have stopped on this run to finish collecting things and level to a comfortable point. Three more trophies (4 if you count the plat) and about 5 soul levels to go, and ill rush through the next 6 or so new games.

I should note that in new game + enemys are significantly more powerful then the first run, but in subsequent runs they only go up a little bit each time.

[Mounce]

Im at about 240-250 on my 4th run. I have stopped on this run to finish collecting things and level to a comfortable point. Three more trophies (4 if you count the plat) and about 5 soul levels to go, and ill rush through the next 6 or so new games.

I should note that in new game + enemys are significantly more powerful then the first run, but in subsequent runs they only go up a little bit each time.

How much more in difficulty would you say that the enemies become within each +? Damage/health of an enemy? What goes up and by what % in your opinion? :\

[CUR715]

How much more in difficulty would you say that the enemies become within each +? Damage/health of an enemy? What goes up and by what % in your opinion? :\

My gestimate would be; the increase from New Game to New Game+, is approx 40-50%.

It seems so long ago now, that i can't remember more accurately.

Each additional New Game after that, increases by about 10%.

[Mounce]

How much more in difficulty would you say that the enemies become within each +? Damage/health of an enemy? What goes up and by what % in your opinion? :\

My gestimate would be; the increase from New Game to New Game+, is approx 40-50%.

It seems so long ago now, that i can't remember more accurately.

Each additional New Game after that, increases by about 10%.

Interesting....the 1st + throws a bigger curve ball, while all the rest is just.....a slow ball? Increasingly difficult, but not by much so as long as you keep enhancing your level/stats and equipment?

[UPDATE]: ZOMG WE'RE ON PAGE TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[CUR715]

Indeed! New Game+ is a huge hurdle, especially because most players get cocky, having just beaten the game, only to get bitch-slapped good and proper! A serious wake up call! Haha!

Each subsequent playthrough does get easier, as your character levels up, and starts kicking out some real damage! By the time you're on your sixth run (like me), it's sorta like going through the motions. That said, you really cannot be complacent at any time, because the game is always looking to punish you!

[Mounce]

Indeed! New Game+ is a huge hurdle, especially because most players get cocky, having just beaten the game, only to get bitch-slapped good and proper! A serious wake up call! Haha!

Each subsequent playthrough does get easier, as your character levels up, and starts kicking out some real damage! By the time you're on your sixth run (like me), it's sorta like going through the motions. That said, you really cannot be complacent at any time, because the game is always looking to punish you!

Good to hear! Here-here!

I like being punished here and there ;o :surprise: :devil: :seesaw:

[Mr_Goodkat]

So...basicaly nothing has changed and it is the same...just clarifying. lol! Anyway this game just looks amazing and I plan on importing it as soon as I get paid! :devil:

[sarshelyam]

The events of the game do not change in New Game + Unless you're shifting your World Tendency, then encounters will be different, new areas open up, etc.

[Mounce]

The events of the game do not change in New Game + Unless you're shifting your World Tendency, then encounters will be different, new areas open up, etc.

'Shifting your World Tendency' ?....

[Decept]

The events of the game do not change in New Game + Unless you're shifting your World Tendency, then encounters will be different, new areas open up, etc.

'Shifting your World Tendency' ?....

http://demonssouls.wikidot.com/world-tendency

Be careful when you read up there. I can't wait for the game, and that wiki pretty much has everything you would want to know about the game. I read a lot of it in anticipation but stopped every now and then because I was scared of too many spoilers. I want to figure the game out for myself.

[Mounce]

The events of the game do not change in New Game + Unless you're shifting your World Tendency, then encounters will be different, new areas open up, etc.

'Shifting your World Tendency' ?....

http://demonssouls.wikidot.com/world-tendency

Be careful when you read up there. I can't wait for the game, and that wiki pretty much has everything you would want to know about the game. I read a lot of it in anticipation but stopped every now and then because I was scared of too many spoilers. I want to figure the game out for myself.

Ya, I know, am trying to avoid too much too, anything regarding this 'World Tendency' isn't anything to fear of knowing too much?.....

[Decept]

EDIT - It was explained better below.

[Mounce]

I read all about it because I was tired of being confused every time it was brought up. Sort of spoiling info included but it can be avoided. I will try to give a brief sypnosis of what I got from it.

Group A
1) W
2) X

Group B
1Y
2)Z

If you do any actions such as W and X from group A, it will shift the world tendency to White. There are white tendency events that can only be accessed when the world tendency is white such as different paths, enemies, loot, exp amounts, etc.

If you do any actions within group B such as Y and Z, then the world tendency will shift towards Black. So same thing as what happened in white. (Different paths, enemies, loot, exp amounts, etc.)

I probably did a bad job explaining this but just read the wiki and you will understand. Just skip over exact changes, because it tells you exactly in detail what changes in-game when the world is black or white.

Bah, that wasn't too great of an explaining, makes me want to know further what you're trying to mean! :very_sad:

[sarshelyam]

Essentially it means there are events that shift the world into a White Tendency, which reduces the amount of rare item drops, increases player strength and durabilty, while reducing the effectiveness of the enemy attacks and their defensive measures. This is basicaly a PURE form of the world that is relatively easier on the player thanks to heroic efforts during the game.

A Black Tendency increases the amount and occurance of Rare Items Drops, reduces the strength and defensive measure of the Player while strengthening the enemies, and also introduces a new enemy type only available in Pure Black Tendency. This is basicaly a CORRUPT form of the world that makes it all the more difficult for players traversing through the game.

Also, certain characters have different forms and appear at different times or at all completely dependent on the World Tendency. Does that make sense?

[Mounce]

Essentially it means there are events that shift the world into a White Tendency, which reduces the amount of rare item drops, increases player strength and durabilty, while reducing the effectiveness of the enemy attacks and their defensive measures. This is basicaly a PURE form of the world that is relatively easier on the player thanks to heroic efforts during the game.

A Black Tendency increases the amount and occurance of Rare Items Drops, reduces the strength and defensive measure of the Player while strengthening the enemies, and also introduces a new enemy type only available in Pure Black Tendency. This is basicaly a CORRUPT form of the world that makes it all the more difficult for players traversing through the game.

Also, certain characters have different forms and appear at different times or at all completely dependent on the World Tendency. Does that make sense?

Oooooh! Yus, I love the sounds of that! I'll just call it the Softcore and Hardcore worlds! Lol. Reminds me of Diablo 2 and etc!

Softcore - Easier enemies, normal difficulty death penalty is just loss of Experience and gold, not as many items(Multiplied by the Normal/Nightmare/Hell mode too course)

Hardcore - Beefed up enemies, easier to die, harder to kill them, death is permanent(Ouch) but there are more items to find! and playing there is more rewarding due to the difficulty shift! (Though Perm-death would be SO HARDCORE(Too hardcore?) for Demon's Souls to handle! Lol! it's punishing enough I think?)

What kind of Percentage would you say is the 'Shift' of enemy difficulty? Health, strategy, intelligence, and damage they inflict on you? Or, is it 2x, 3x more damage(Bluntly, and to all the rest 2x or 3x) ? From the White and Black Tendencies? Would you advise first-time players to go to the Black Tendency in hopes of getting better weaponry faster, in hopes you're a skillful enough Gamer to live and get through? Or....everyone is advised to start of trying White?...

You're so helpful at explaining everything of Demon's Souls, sarshelyam! What would I do without you? :3!

[sarshelyam]

There's about a 2.5 - 5% shift in stats depending on the Tendency degree. So, for example, if you're Tendency is Pure White, you don't necessarily gain any advantage in terms of stats, but enemy attack and defense will drop 5%. In a Pure Black, that shift effect you. So the persistant state is shifted to either the player, or the enemies, depending on the shift. It could be more or less depending on the degree of the Tendency (Neutral, White, Pure White, Black, Pure Black).