Demon’s Soul
Introduction
The dark fantasy theme game “Demon’s Soul” was described as a spiritual successor to the King’s Field games. It was developed and designed by From Software and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was released on Tuesday 06 October 2009 for portables like PlayStation 3. Demon’s Soul is a fantasy action RPG with its genre as a role-playing game.
What’s The Game About?
Demon’s Soul is a game that surround the search for power and prosperity of King Allant XII, who channeled the power of souls. King Allant XII brought unparallel success to his northern kingdom of Boletaria. Boletaria was a really a splendor kingdom until a thick and colourless fog covered the land’s outer edge, cutting off the kingdom from the outside world. Those who entered the fog never came back. But somehow Vallarfax of the royal Twin Fangs broke free from the fog and told the world of Boletaria’s plight. The aging King Allant XII had awakened the Old One, the huge beast below the Nexus, from its endless snooze and for that a dark fog swept in, unleashing soul-cravings demons. The ones that had lost their souls, lost their memories too. Chaos reigned, the mad attacking the good. Longer and longer the Demons started to grow stronger and more powerful with each soul they devour. The legend was told from man to man, mighty warriors came and entered the cursed lands but unfortunately none have ever returned.
Gameplay
In this game, players are allow to customize their own characters, setting the name, gender, hair style and characteristics and facing off against a variety of beasts and demons, by demolishing them with different weapons. There are also several form of magic that could be used to defend. After the player is killed, they become a soul and continue on playing, though with less health. The player is restored back to life only after defeating a particular demon or using a particular item. To collect Souls, players can do it by collecting the souls of dead soldiers and heroes, as well as siphoning energy from enemies killed in combat. This soul points could be exchange for various equipment or can be use to improve player stats. Meanwhile the actual game world is divided between five stages, accessible via portals. Firstly there’s Boletaria Palace, the ruins of the castle where Boletaria’s ruler once lived. Second, is the Stonefang Tunnel where a mine was corrupted and is swamped by goblin-like creatures. Last is the Valley of Defilement where there is a deep gorge in the earth full of poisonous leeches, trolls and sheer drops. However, in the hub world, there’s Nexus a small area where the player can interact with NPCs, shop, and store equipment.
The game also integrated online features as well. Players can find messages on the ground where other players left which contain hints and advice as well as bloodstains where other players had die, this allows the player to look into how those players’ deaths happened. Cooperative play enables up to three players to team up and play through different levels in the game through Soul Links, until a demon is defeated, when the Soul returns to life. Meanwhile, in a competitive play, a player who is a Soul can force themselves into another player’s adventure, where they will be known as Black Phantoms, and can play against their opponent. If the Black Phantom managed to kill the other player, the Phantom gets to returned to life in their own game. But if the Phantom defeated, a portion of the invading player’s souls is transferred to the victor. Players could call upon other players to help in fight as blue phantoms beside the player. The longer you seek entertainment and satisfaction from the Demon’s Souls, the deeper you delve into it. As the players continue on playing the game, they eventually finds out that Demon’s Soul is a compelling, dark, unforgiving and creatively cruel as it gets under your skin and daring you to probe further into its worlds, fall for more of its traps and overcome more of its impossible challenges; it slaps you in the face with your own incompetence and dares you to overcome it.
“Brutally challenging and utterly engrossing, this innovative role-playing game is one of the year’s best.” (Gamespot, 2009)
