Demon's Souls: Black Phantom Edition

Like the other reviewers I have nothing but praise for this game.

It has a reputation of being incredably difficult but thats not strictly true. There's just more thnking involved than slashing. You have to plan your attacks and take into account the patterns of the enemy and how they are grouped. Just the little things like choosing to use a "thrusting" weapon like a Rapier instead of a "wide arc" one like an axe in enclosed spaces so you don't keep wasting your attacks hitting walls.

The combat is really solid and it's good to have a game where not every foe falls with a couple of slashes. Took on a blue-eyed knight and it was one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had. He fought using cunning and tactics, even backing away to swig a health potion when I'd got him low. Because I was a lighter character I had to use my speed to flank him and stay well out of the way of his attacks as I wouldn't last long against them at all.

I love the fact that you're always… more »

Like the other reviewers I have nothing but praise for this game.

It has a reputation of being incredably difficult but thats not strictly true. There's just more thnking involved than slashing. You have to plan your attacks and take into account the patterns of the enemy and how they are grouped. Just the little things like choosing to use a "thrusting" weapon like a Rapier instead of a "wide arc" one like an axe in enclosed spaces so you don't keep wasting your attacks hitting walls.

The combat is really solid and it's good to have a game where not every foe falls with a couple of slashes. Took on a blue-eyed knight and it was one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had. He fought using cunning and tactics, even backing away to swig a health potion when I'd got him low. Because I was a lighter character I had to use my speed to flank him and stay well out of the way of his attacks as I wouldn't last long against them at all.

I love the fact that you're always on-line and other players appear in ghost form and can leave you messages. Several times I avoided traps thanks to these timely warnings...brilliant traps though they were. Clicking on a bloodstain on the floor allows you to see a ghost replay of a recent players death which you can use to determine the sort of foes you may be encountering ahead.

Oh, and did I mention the fact that it is a stunning looking game? The vistas when you break out of the dungeons are vast and gorgeous. The whole game is veneered in a fantastically epic theme, a mixture of isolation and heroic exploration. Really tense yet never terrifying.

Buy this game, you'll not regret it ... ever.

Well, I could not wait and imported it last year! I got this in November and yes, I am still religiously playing it!!! I have sank hours into this game not because I have to (finished it many times) but becasue i want to. It;s just so playable!! then theres all the player vs player action as you forge the perfect character with the best combination of weapons and armour!!!
If you liked Resi 4 , monster hunter and RPG's in general, you will fall in LOVE with this game, but be warned, the game will never love you back, it will vaguely tollerate you and not try to befriend you. It will test your patience, fear and skill thresholds to the limits, you will have the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and spend hours thinking of ways to improve your skills, (even when you sleep) it will consume you. Oh and when another player invades your game and is there in front of you 1 on 1, wanting to kill you and take your body (and souls) , you will feel the adrenalin pumping through your… more »

Well, I could not wait and imported it last year! I got this in November and yes, I am still religiously playing it!!! I have sank hours into this game not because I have to (finished it many times) but becasue i want to. It;s just so playable!! then theres all the player vs player action as you forge the perfect character with the best combination of weapons and armour!!!
If you liked Resi 4 , monster hunter and RPG's in general, you will fall in LOVE with this game, but be warned, the game will never love you back, it will vaguely tollerate you and not try to befriend you. It will test your patience, fear and skill thresholds to the limits, you will have the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and spend hours thinking of ways to improve your skills, (even when you sleep) it will consume you. Oh and when another player invades your game and is there in front of you 1 on 1, wanting to kill you and take your body (and souls) , you will feel the adrenalin pumping through your veins!! the fight may be over in seconds or minutes, but either way you will be back for more, even though you will never really know why you are hooked on this game, you just will be. Enjoy, and be prepared to let the dust settle on ALL your other games for a very long time!! But ONLY if you are up for the challenge and are a competent gamer.