Demon's Souls
A punishing action RPG remade by BluePoint for PS5.
Where Demon's Souls comes up1 episode or test
- 1Enter new areaEvery area restarts the cycle
- 2Feel hopelessnessBleak, isolating challenge
- 3Player perseveresKeeps trying instead of quitting
- 4Feel triumphOvercoming it turns despair into payoff
From Mark Brown on Demon's Souls difficulty
What was said about Demon's Souls
1Why Demon's Souls has no easy mode
Demon's Souls uses extreme difficulty to turn hopelessness into triumph in every area. The game builds bleak, isolating hopelessness that becomes triumph once the player perseveres, and the cycle repeats in each area. Players who can't overcome the challenge only get the hopelessness.
An optional easier mode risks capable players choosing it after a rage quit and feeling neither emotion. Mark Brown's view is that this risk isn't a good enough reason to leave a game inaccessible, and that games can help players choose the right option. Quote: "I don't think this is a good enough reason to make a game so inaccessible."
The PS5 remake offers no difficulty options, only summoning allies and grinding stats. Demon's Souls on PS5 has no formal difficulty settings, but players can summon other players or grind stats to make it easier. BluePoint said being a remake stopped them adding an easy mode.
How Accessible Were 2020's Biggest Games?
Has no easy mode because its hopelessness and reward depend on extreme challenge, though you can summon allies or grind stats. BluePoint said being a remake stopped them adding one.
Demon's Souls uses extreme difficulty to turn hopelessness into triumph in every area. The game builds bleak, isolating hopelessness that becomes triumph once the player perseveres, and the cycle repeats in each area. Players who can't overcome the challenge only get the hopelessness.
An optional easier mode risks capable players choosing it after a rage quit and feeling neither emotion. Mark Brown's view is that this risk isn't a good enough reason to leave a game inaccessible, and that games can help players choose the right option. Quote: "I don't think this is a good enough reason to make a game so inaccessible."
The PS5 remake offers no difficulty options, only summoning allies and grinding stats. Demon's Souls on PS5 has no formal difficulty settings, but players can summon other players or grind stats to make it easier. BluePoint said being a remake stopped them adding an easy mode.
More in Games
GamesNintendo
A Zelda adventure where Princess Zelda copies objects and monsters as echoes to solve puzzles and fight.
GamesThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Nintendo's long-running action-adventure series about Link exploring Hyrule, solving puzzles and fighting Ganon.
GamesDead Space
A major video game publisher and the guest's employer.
G
29 sources · 94 tipsMind Over Magnet
A puzzle platformer where you escape a factory using a magnet and a magnetic field.
GamesFar Cry 2
An open world action game where you recruit and play any of London's citizens.
GamesGod of War
A combat-focused action adventure game from Santa Monica Studio with Norse mythology and light puzzles.
Mind Over Magnet
Mark Brown's first game, a puzzle game he made while learning Unity.
GamesDishonored
A first-person stealth action game from Arkane with supernatural powers and the Clockwork Mansion level.