Demon's Souls' first screenshots and details
Demon's Souls is one of the games for the PS3 that have been unveiled as playable at Tokyo Game Show. When we first reported on the game we included some Famitsu scans for your viewing pleasure, but now we have actual information on the game as well.
Demon's Souls will be released some time in 2009 and it is a spiritual successor to King's Field, a PS1 title that was never officially released in the US. The game takes place in the kingdom of Boletaria, where you play an unnamed protagonist who roams around in an "extremely open-ended" world -- you can choose to save the world from the king who will awaken "an ancient monster" in his sleep, or not. It's all up to you.
The game's director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, is attempting to "make the fun and charms of a classic RPG interesting all over again with the latest technology at hand." For example, instead of placing traditional restrictions on item usage, it uses the game's physics to place more realistic limits such as "long weapons bump into walls, lighting the area in real-time with the torch in your hand." Sadly, the director appears to have implied the game will be lacking multiplayer; instead, he will opt to "find a way to use the Internet to make the single-player mode more interesting." Arguably, there has yet to be a game that mixes mechanics of a good ol' RPG with gameplay elements only possible on this generation's hardware. Will Demon's Souls be the first? We'll find out when we check the game out at TGS. Also, be sure to check out the 11 screenshots in the gallery below.
Source -- Official website
Source -- 1UP
[Thanks, Ether02 and DeforMAKulizer!]
Demon's Souls will be released some time in 2009 and it is a spiritual successor to King's Field, a PS1 title that was never officially released in the US. The game takes place in the kingdom of Boletaria, where you play an unnamed protagonist who roams around in an "extremely open-ended" world -- you can choose to save the world from the king who will awaken "an ancient monster" in his sleep, or not. It's all up to you.
The game's director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, is attempting to "make the fun and charms of a classic RPG interesting all over again with the latest technology at hand." For example, instead of placing traditional restrictions on item usage, it uses the game's physics to place more realistic limits such as "long weapons bump into walls, lighting the area in real-time with the torch in your hand." Sadly, the director appears to have implied the game will be lacking multiplayer; instead, he will opt to "find a way to use the Internet to make the single-player mode more interesting." Arguably, there has yet to be a game that mixes mechanics of a good ol' RPG with gameplay elements only possible on this generation's hardware. Will Demon's Souls be the first? We'll find out when we check the game out at TGS. Also, be sure to check out the 11 screenshots in the gallery below.
Source -- Official website
Source -- 1UP
[Thanks, Ether02 and DeforMAKulizer!]









Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Echnaton @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:44AM
Wow, it looks awsome !
Averna @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:09AM
*ears prick up*
Definitely on my radar now. It does indeed look good and if he gets away with what he is hoping for then I'm in.
Even if this guy is a mini-molyneux it should still prove to be a great game. After all Fable turned out all right despite all of its claims to be a revolutionary title.
Ranus Studios @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:51AM
Seriously, what's everyone's hang-up about multiplayer? Not every new game needs it, and I can't really see how something like Demon's Souls would have a particular need to (or way of) doing it. Just appreciate it for what we all hope it'll be- a big, awesome face-rocker.
Think Adrian @ Oct 3rd 2008 8:44AM
i agree fully! Though it would be nice to have twp-player in-the-livingroom co-op ;)
alex_dlc @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:53AM
hope its not like Lair.
(my friend won 4 littlebigplanet beta codes!! andi didnt win any!!! :S )
Popfrogs @ Oct 3rd 2008 10:55AM
Simple solution to that problem: tell your friend to give you one and give another one to your deaf friend Popfrogs.
Popfrogs @ Oct 3rd 2008 10:55AM
Woops, your DEAR friend, not your DEAF friend. Fingerfail.
NCloud @ Oct 3rd 2008 8:28AM
This game looks great, hopefully 2009 will be a great RPG year for the PS3.
seedaripper1973 @ Oct 3rd 2008 8:32AM
sorry, but i played kings field (im in the uk) and it was worse than sh!te...also FROM software don't have the best track record...I'll be politely sceptical on this one
Random Hangman @ Oct 3rd 2008 8:32AM
Ranus Studios is spot-on. I was going to post a similar comment:
Basically, we all managed perfectly well before multiplayer with great games that we could absorb ourselves in. Now every developer seems to be wasting time trying to integrate a MP aspect to games that don't require it.
I love COD4 online and several other games, but if I' playing a game like Condemned, I really couldn't give a rat's arse whether it has MP or not. Make games for the sake of making great games, not trying to appeal to everybody!
ErikTheViking @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:23AM
Yeah, Kings Field was sorta of a love / hate thing. I for one loved it as I can totally immerse myself in it and get lost. It was so atmospheric and you really could get a since that you are really alone... and at times that could be really creepy in certain situations. Multi Player would probably ruin that aspect of the game (and a rare thing).
Not to bash MP games but it seems sometimes it is added to games that would be rather boring to play in order to save it. If a game is well 'written' enough then it is not needed (regarding games not specifically designed for MP). But enough rant on that... I am just happy they are making a game of this type as the only thing remotely like it is Elder scrolls and its just not the same...
Steven C. @ Oct 3rd 2008 8:53AM
While it's true that the original King's Field did not get released outside of Japan, it's many sequels made it to the U.S. appearing on both the PS and PS2. See the this link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Field_Series) for more information on this genre defining series.
RasenganFury @ Oct 3rd 2008 8:56AM
This game sounds Awesome! I really hope it gets released outside of japan.
CLupula @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:30AM
i wouldn't want multi-player if it's a traditional RPG. never played king's field, so i don't know if that's how this plays, but if it's old school and turn based, which we are sorely lacking these days, multi-player would only ruin the immersion in the storyline.
Daniel @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:56AM
At this point, count me in on anything that uses "PS3" and "RPG" in the same sentence!
Organic_Shadow @ Oct 3rd 2008 10:49AM
VERY excited about this. I know that the Armored Core series has always let me down and stuck to the same formula, but maybe FROM Software just needs some new IP to work with to let us know they can make a great game.
Freakydemon @ Oct 3rd 2008 12:44PM
It looks like Oblivion but with huge monsters :p
I'll keep my eye on the development.
Meresin @ Oct 3rd 2008 1:27PM
Pretty. I wonder if those're in-engine.
Overgauss @ Oct 4th 2008 2:06AM
It's really hard to share such an immersive rpg experience with the old lady if developers continue ignore coop. I bought an additional Playstation2 for Monster Hunter coop, and have been patiently waiting for an excuse to buy another ps3.
The old lady loved EQ, rocked Baldur's Gate/CoN and all sequels, and I am sure she would love this if given the chance to play coop.
+B+itchery aside, this is a first day purchase for me.
"Honey I'm going to have to hog the TV now. It's OK though because you can watch me play. It'll be like we're both playing except I'll be holding the controller mostly."