[Donald Richards]

The demon can be defeated. What you've noticed with him is true for the entire game, which is why it's not actually that hard a game: with patience and study of the enemies (and a bit of good timing), the game becomes entirely easy. Of course, there's still the heavy consequences for when you mess up.

By 'holding you,' do you mean holding your interest? If so, and you're still in the very beginning tutorial area (which is sounds like you are), wait until you reach the game proper. It gets better.

I'll take your word for it. Truth be told I have the Sly Collection and Red Dead Redemption all competing with Dark Souls for my attention.

Edit
Also lol, thank god for no 50+ minute boss fights where one or two mistakes could mean death. It's forgiving in that regard as well.

Edit2
Also it doesn't have bees that fly around in every zone and one hit can stun you and lead to a total party kill.

[Catharine Krupinski]

Been playing Demon's Souls a bit more now, just got my first Archdemon's soul as well so I can go thru the fog wall thingy (first silver trophy, yay )

One thing I don't seem to get the hang of is the damage I cause. Sometimes I'm weaker and sometimes I'm stronger, and I'm not quite sure why? I did a fire spell damage on an enemy earlier which took 73 of his HP and now it only take 66 HP for some reason. Same with the sword, 92 HP instead of 102 HP.

[Bigze Stacks]

Also it doesn't have bees that fly around in every zone and one hit can stun you and lead to a total party kill.

No. But the resident flying insects in the game (giant skeeters) are pretty damn annoying in their own way. Good thing they're only in one level.

Been playing Demon's Souls a bit more now, just got my first Archdemon's soul as well so I can go thru the fog wall thingy (first silver trophy, yay )

One thing I don't seem to get the hang of is the damage I cause. Sometimes I'm weaker and sometimes I'm stronger, and I'm not quite sure why? I did a fire spell damage on an enemy earlier which took 73 of his HP and now it only take 66 HP for some reason. Same with the sword, 92 HP instead of 102 HP.

Damage can fluctuate in Demon's Souls based off of both the World Tendency of the stage you're in, as well as your Character's tendency. Generally, the darker either is, the more damage that can be caused. Being in Soul Form also has the added perk of giving a you a slight damage boost as well, which mucks things up even more.

[Sista Sila]

I highly doubt the game is as hard as some make out.I'm sure any seasoned RPG gamer would be able to master it pretty quick.(edit)Upon reading a previous link I will not be getting it,minimal keyboard and mouse support wtf is up with that.Sounds like a cheap lazy port to me

[Lily]

I highly doubt the game is as hard as some make out.I'm sure any seasoned RPG gamer would be able to master it pretty quick.

What kind of "RPG gamer" are we talking about here? The type that considers any game that has increasing stats to be an RPG, or the type that calls any game that demands player skill to be...not an RPG?

[Ross Zombie]

What kind of "RPG gamer" are we talking about here? The type that considers any game that has increasing stats to be an RPG, or the type that calls any game that demands player skill to be...not an RPG?

Well I have not played,but it looks player skill based.Looks like it plays much like the Witcher 2 which was not that hard when you know what you are doing and had a little patience.

[john palmer]

Well I have not played,but it looks player skill based.Looks like it plays much like the Witcher 2 which was not that hard when you know what you are doing and had a little patience.

It's definitely closer to the Witcher 2 in terms of combat than say... Fallout/Skyrim. Though if your familiar with Monster Hunter that would be an even better parallel.

Edit
Beat the arch demon, meh. It took me one or two tries, but I was practicing what worked and what didn't. Getting used to the controls ext. This is the first time I've picked up a controller in like... 6+ years, but the last time I was playing console games regularly was easily a decade ago. Now I believe I am in the game proper at some ruins with a campfire dropped off by a raven. One thing I do love is the opening cinematic, so oozing and dripping in delicious lore and originality.

Edit2
I feel very, very sorry for these monsters. What with humans seemingly being undead and all we can just keep going forever until we plunge the land into an age of humanity. It's quite a depressing thought. No wonder why everything wants to kill you so much.

[Sammygirl500]

Been playing Demon's Souls a bit more now, just got my first Archdemon's soul as well so I can go thru the fog wall thingy (first silver trophy, yay )

One thing I don't seem to get the hang of is the damage I cause. Sometimes I'm weaker and sometimes I'm stronger, and I'm not quite sure why? I did a fire spell damage on an enemy earlier which took 73 of his HP and now it only take 66 HP for some reason. Same with the sword, 92 HP instead of 102 HP.

The most important thing is, are you in body form or not? In soul form you will do more damage, but have less health. In body form, you have more health, but will do less damage. In addition, the world tendency matters as well. The character tendency only matters if you invade someone, or co-op as a blue phantom.

I feel very, very sorry for these monsters. What with humans seemingly being undead and all we can just keep going forever until we plunge the land into an age of humanity. It's quite a depressing thought. No wonder why everything wants to kill you so much.

Not all humans are undead. Being undead is a curse. In DkS lore, if you're undead too long, you go hollow (insane) because your brain pretty much melted like cheese.

[Anna Krzyzanowska]

Still, even if insane that means eventually the world would be buried in insane human ghosts. What could stop such an endless swarm?

[pinar]

World tendency?

[CArla HOlbert]

I'm over it. I completed the last achievement this weekend, and have officially done everything there is to do (offline, no XBL). To anyone who thinks it's not that difficult: play it. You'll quickly see why it's the most difficult game, ever created. However, it's not impossible. In my opinion, it's right where a game should be. However, much of the challenge lies in your determination and ability to play the same thing over, and over and over again. While I had fun with my first play-through, the rest of the game felt like work. I only finished it so I can say that I did, not because I was having fun.

Overall, I'd say I had a good experience. However, the fact that the DLC is coming out PC only - I've moved on. I may discover that it's been released for console, but they've lost my focus. They'll have to work quite hard to wrestle any more money out of me. Quite a poor management decision, if you ask me.

[Brentleah Jeffs]

What's going on with the PC version?

[Sarah Kim]

What's going on with the PC version?

Slated to be released late summer with extra content.

[kirsty williams]

I'm over it. I completed the last achievement this weekend, and have officially done everything there is to do (offline, no XBL). To anyone who thinks it's not that difficult: play it. You'll quickly see why it's the most difficult game, ever created. However, it's not impossible. In my opinion, it's right where a game should be. However, much of the challenge lies in your determination and ability to play the same thing over, and over and over again. While I had fun with my first play-through, the rest of the game felt like work. I only finished it so I can say that I did, not because I was having fun.

Overall, I'd say I had a good experience. However, the fact that the DLC is coming out PC only - I've moved on. I may discover that it's been released for console, but they've lost my focus. They'll have to work quite hard to wrestle any more money out of me. Quite a poor management decision, if you ask me.

Play Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. All the quests single player and multiplayer solo. See how it stacks up in terms of difficulty.

[Steve Fallon]

Play Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. All the quests single player and multiplayer solo. See how it stacks up in terms of difficulty.

I'll try it.
*EDIT* AH... PSP only, eh? Sorry I won't be picking it up. Is it anything like Monster Rancher for the PS1?
Just so I can get a feel for your gaming past, have you played Legend of Zelda II (NES), Sin & Punishment or Perfect Dark, on dark mode?

[Eric Hayes]

I'm over it. I completed the last achievement this weekend, and have officially done everything there is to do (offline, no XBL). To anyone who thinks it's not that difficult: play it. You'll quickly see why it's the most difficult game, ever created.

Played it. Done everything solo, too (did the same with Demon's). I still maintain that with a little patience, neither game is very difficult.

[Javaun Thompson]

Been thinking about getting this for PS3. Should I get Demon's Souls instead?

[OTTO]

Played it. Done everything solo, too (did the same with Demon's). I still maintain that with a little patience, neither game is very difficult.

I'd say the game requires nothing but patients, for success.
What other skills would you say helped you get through? Also, I'd like to know what games you do find challenging.

[Gaelle Courant]

All of those are before my time, except Perfect Dark. As a child I wasn't into the whole difficulty thing so much then. Not that I am now. I just happened to like the look of this game. Monster Hunter is really the only super hard game I can say I played and for many years as well. Shogun 2 on Very Hard (came so close to winning, but then I lost my saves). I guess Witcher 2 kinda counts on dark mode, but it isn't really difficult. Though I suppose compared to the vast majority of games it deserves a mention.

[CHANONE]

All of those are before my time, except Perfect Dark. As a child I wasn't into the whole difficulty thing so much then. Not that I am now. I just happened to like the look of this game. Monster Hunter is really the only super hard game I can say I played and for many years as well. Shogun 2 on Very Hard (came so close to winning, but then I lost my saves). I guess Witcher 2 kinda counts on dark mode, but it isn't really difficult. Though I suppose compared to the vast majority of games it deserves a mention.

Check em out... they're just above Devil May Cry 4 or Ninja Gaiden 2, if you've played those. (IMO)

[Eve(G)]

Still, even if insane that means eventually the world would be buried in insane human ghosts. What could stop such an endless swarm?

Maybe if we got rid of all the bonfires, the Undead would stay dead when they were killed!

Spoiler

Which is why I speculate the Dark Lord ending is the 'good' ending.

Been thinking about getting this for PS3. Should I get Demon's Souls instead?

Only if you want to save your money (Demon's being a Greatest Hits title and all). The servers are going to go down for it soon, so it won't have anymore online functionality. And when looking at the non-online content between the two games, I consider Dark to be better overall.

[Charlotte Buckley]

Maybe if we got rid of all the bonfires, the Undead would stay dead when they were killed!

Spoiler

Which is why I speculate the Dark Lord ending is the 'good' ending.

Only if you want to save your money (Demon's being a Greatest Hits title and all). The servers are going to go down for it soon, so it won't have anymore online functionality. And when looking at the non-online content between the two games, I consider Dark to be better overall.

When you join the Dark Hand, Kath confirms your suspicions. It's both good and evil. He also explains the significance of "The furtive pygmy, so easily forgotten"

[Andrew]

If you get rid of bonfires then the age of fire ends. Lose lose. Have infinite undead kill everything, or have the golden age of fire die. Hahahah, this game is so great in that depressing way.

Also no I haven't played either of those two games either, remember I don't go out of my way to play super hard games. Just that if I play them I beat them, simple as that really. Difficulty is secondary to other things. What that thing is for me I can't say, but Dark Souls has it.

[Dewayne Quattlebaum]

If you get rid of bonfires then the age of fire ends. Lose lose. Have infinite undead kill everything, or have the golden age of fire die. Hahahah, this game is so great in that depressing way.

Also no I haven't played either of those two games either, remember I don't go out of my way to play super hard games. Just that if I play them I beat them, simple as that really. Difficulty is secondary to other things. What that thing is for me I can't say, but Dark Souls has it.

I must have miss read you then... I thought you were trying to say that it's not that difficult of a game. Sorry bout that.
Also, the darksign (curse of the undead) is a circle of fire. This symbolizes the eternal struggle the undead go through, with the bonfires.

[carley moss]

Been thinking about getting this for PS3. Should I get Demon's Souls instead?

Depends on how important the online aspect is to you. It can really add a great deal to the game (and most every player I know, including myself, ended up playing the game soly for its interesting PvP). Demon's Souls' servers are to be shutting down soon (the U.S. servers, at least). So if online is important (and you're in the U.S.), go for Dark. They're both great games though, and are worth playing offline as well.

What other skills would you say helped you get through? Also, I'd like to know what games you do find challenging.

Aside from a bit of good timing, nothing but patience/playing methodically.
It's not that I think Dark Souls isn't challenging at times, because it is, but more that it's a relatively good level of challenge. It's not unfair, and everything can be overcome with a bit of work on your end.