Demon's Souls (1 more month of online, people!)

[Red Dragon]

Re: Demons Souls

So this game is not for the faint-of-mora?

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: Demons Souls

About the Shining Force stuff:

I think the games have sold enough to be considered a success given the low production costs involved. I mean, when there's voice-acting, it's atrocious, so you know someone got paid like $100 to do an entire game's worth of dialogue in an afternoon. It's pretty generic animation, even though it has that Shining feel to it (most of the time), but they are (or were) trying to break out of the niche market and make it a 100K seller per title. I don't know if they did, but I stopped buying at Shining Force Neo because the games are mediocre at best and not at all what I want in a Force game.

And I'm increasingly convinced that they have no interest in revisiting what made the franchise popular in the first place, strategy rpg. Not to mention that they keep putting **** out on consoles or handhelds or mobiles that I know we're never gonna get over here, so I just don't care anymore.

So back to the point, the games are cheap to make because not much effort is put into them, but they sell well enough that they apparently make a profit, so they're gonna keep making them. The ****ty games.

[Perversion]

Re: Demons Souls

Wow...and here I thought Sonic was the only franchise that SEGA was actively trying to run into the ground.



F***, if they're gonna make mediocre Shining Force game after mediocre Shining Force game, they might as well make the rest of the Shenmue games, because you know if they ever did, by the time they hit six or seven, the entire game is gonna consist of Ryo taking part-time jobs at noodle shops, and barking out, "Would you like to try a bowl of Lucky Ramen? How about a bowl of Lucky Ramen?" at every washed up old pedo that walks past.

[John Mora]

Re: Demons Souls

Wow...and here I thought Sonic was the only franchise that SEGA was actively trying to run into the ground.

Did you forget Phantasy Star? When are we going to get another REAL Phantasy Star?

[marcus]

Re: Demons Souls

So this game is not for the faint-of-mora?

aside from shmups, roguelikes, and games that are meant to be frustratingly difficult, this is probably the hardest game i've played all decade.

the formula for success is

x - y^3

where x is 100% and y is the number of enemies of you're fighting at once. enemies of the same type have different attack patterns and there's no "knockback" or "blinking-invincibility-mode" that most games give you to take a breather so a high level character decked out in full armor can get raped if three guys trap him next to a wall and straight up juggle him with combos.

because weapons are blocked by the environment, the key to success is luring people out to fight them one on one or in tight corridors. i always keep a stabbing weapon or polearm for tight corridors because most enemies use slashing weapons and when they try to attack it's rebounded off the wall. you can safely fight them one at a time and stab your way to success. reach weapons like polearms are great but use a lot of stamina so you can only get in 1 or 2 attacks before you have to rest. they're slow too so faster enemies can attack you, breaking your attack before you get a swing off.

armor and equipment also affects your movement speed. trying to dodge roll while carrying a lot or wearing heavy armor is painful.

i honestly recommend mages or rangers for beginning players because most of the early enemies attack with melee and the archers have these surprisingly slow arrows. it's best to pick enemies off from a distance but soon enemies start using shields a lot and more of them use ranged weapons like firebombs.

[Duel]

Re: Demons Souls

We get it, Marcus, it's a great game!

...this is the first time I've ever typed the word Marcus...

...second time

[Valkysas]

Re: Demons Souls

Demons Souls seems aimed at KF fans (especially with the moonlight sword being in it).

if you liked King's Field, you'll like Demons Souls, most likely. those games were also rather unforgiving in their difficulty, and most players of King's Field: The Ancient City died in the first few seconds of the game due to a clever environmental hazard. so we're used to things like that.

[The_Real_Crunk]

Re: Demons Souls

Your swords actually bounce off walls and stop your attacks? Thats pretty cool.

[Valkysas]

Re: Demons Souls

I forgot to reply to this earlier:

Apparently their PS3 distribution is only through Sega.

It seemed that way until Ubisoft published Armored Core: for Answer. (and did an amazing job with it, versus the mess Sega made with AC4)

[Jamos]

Re: Demons Souls

Your swords actually bounce off walls and stop your attacks? Thats pretty cool.

Several games do this. While it gives a sense of realism, it is generally frustrating as hell... well mainly when you are in a tough spot. Then you just kiss your ass goodbye. The game sounds pretty good, but I dunno. I can't get half way through DMC4 on Dante Must Die mode. Would be nice if your characters get stronger forms like in 3. I would probably rent the game if it ever comes state side. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Looks pretty damn cool.

[marcus]

Re: Demons Souls

I forgot to reply to this earlier:

It seemed that way until Ubisoft published Armored Core: for Answer. (and did an amazing job with it, versus the mess Sega made with AC4)

I guess Ubisoft is too busy putting out wii shovelware

[Shard]

Re: Demons Souls

I'm necroing this topic because for once, I've got something pertinent to say.

I ordered this from Play-Asia on the 17th of April and got it today. I'm loving it so far. In terms of atmosphere, I'd call it a blend of action and medieval horror. It captures the ominous threat and sustained suspense that Castlevania should have, but doesn't.

I'd say the dialogue and voice work, that I've run across, is a couple notches above Valkyria Chronicles in maturity and presentation.

At no point do you feel like the "Chosen Savior". This world is chugging along on its merry way to hell and it doesn't stop to wait for you to get on board.

I ordered the Asian version which came with a foldout english control scheme and basic gameplay explanation. (Very handy considering the manual is in Chinese.)

Your character customization is about on par with Oblivion or Fallout 3, although the aesthetic is different.

Finally, what I'm growing to really love about this game is that it's smart. It gives you clues, but you have to pay attention to the world you're moving through to see them. Aside from the tutorial, you don't get beaten over the head with instructions on how to proceed. The tutorial is very helpful though, and necessary.

In short, you don't get your hand held, but it's not unfair either. You've got the tools necessary to be successful, but it's up to you to apply them judiciously.

I can't comment on the online content as I haven't tried it out.

If anyone's interested in this, or anything else from Play-Asia, I've got a $5 coupon that's good on orders above $50 placed before June 7th. PM me if you want to use it and I'll send you the code.

[Perversion]

Re: Demons Souls

I've not ordered this yet, but I'm waiting for a big fatty check to come in the mail. Once it does, this game'll be mine, and I might have need for that coupon. It's a bit cheaper than ordering from ebay, as well. Not sure what shipping at Play-asia is, though. Some of the ebay listings have free shipping.

[Shard]

Re: Demons Souls

For me, it was $3.90. Obviously the faster and more well-protected you want it, the more you'll have to pay. It came in an air-bubble padded envelope and the condition was the same or better as any game I've picked up in a store. In the interest of full disclosure, the disk was loose inside the box, but unharmed.

[marcus]

Re: Demons Souls

If you own a PS3 then you should be playing this game.