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The Demon’s Souls remake isn’t just a launch title for the PlayStation 5; it’s a testament to Bluepoint Games’ development prowess and a stunning reimagining of the game that birthed the Souls-like genre. This review delves into the strengths and weaknesses of this modernized classic.

Demon's Souls character creation

For veterans of the original PlayStation 3 release, the core experience remains intact. The soul of Demon’s Souls persists, but it’s now beautifully polished and optimized for the PS5’s graphical capabilities.

Set in the medieval kingdom of Boletaria, the narrative unfolds around a foolish king who forms a pact with a malevolent demon, unleashing a devastating fog and monstrous hordes upon the land. Players assume the role of a demon slayer, venturing into Boletaria seeking fortune, only to become trapped in the Nexus, a realm between life and death. The ultimate goal is to collect powerful souls, seal the source of the fog, and liberate the kingdom.

A Refined Souls Experience

Combat in Demon's Souls

Demon’s Souls retains the deliberate, methodical combat that defines the Souls series. While unforgiving, the game is less punishing than roguelikes, allowing players to keep their equipment upon death. The PS5 remake elevates the combat experience with a smooth 60fps frame rate, making parrying more responsive and fluid. Movement and rolling are also significantly improved, enhancing both solo and online play.

The enhanced animations for special weapons add a visceral layer to combat. Familiar monsters return with terrifying detail, showcasing the PS5’s graphical power. The Fat Official, for instance, is reimagined as even more grotesquely obese, emphasizing the character’s inherent corruption.

Unlike Dark Souls, Demon’s Souls features a weight mechanic limiting the items players can carry. The remake introduces a convenient feature allowing players to send excess items to storage from anywhere in the world, streamlining inventory management. The PS5’s SSD facilitates near-instantaneous world transitions, eliminating the lengthy loading times that plagued the original.

Harnessing the Power of the PS5

Demon's Souls environment

The world of Demon’s Souls is breathtaking on the PS5. Environments are richly detailed, from the intricate branches of trees to the textures of stone walls. Ray tracing adds another layer of visual fidelity, with realistic reflections and lighting enhancing the game’s atmosphere.

Sony’s 3D audio technology further immerses players in the world. The sounds of rain, wind, and even the chanting within the Prison of Hope create a haunting ambiance. The directional audio cues, while occasionally startling, provide tactical advantages, allowing players to anticipate enemy attacks.

Demon's Souls boss fight

The DualSense controller’s haptic feedback is expertly implemented, providing nuanced vibrations that correspond to in-game events. From the rumble of an elevator to the impact of the Tower Knight’s attacks, the haptic feedback enhances the sense of presence and impact. The combination of responsive audio and haptic feedback elevates melee combat to a new level of satisfaction.

Lingering Issues

Demon's Souls Fat Official

While the remake boasts significant improvements, some original flaws remain. The redesigned Fat Official, while visually striking, might not resonate with all players who preferred the original design. The narrative remains unchanged, retaining some of the original’s less compelling aspects. While not inherently bad, the NPC stories lack the depth and complexity found in other titles. The inability to respec character stats also persists, potentially forcing players to restart if they make a mistake in their build.

Demon's Souls environment with Ray Tracing

Conclusion

Demon's Souls updated graphics

Despite these minor shortcomings, the Demon’s Souls remake is a must-have for PS5 owners. It’s a stunning showcase of the console’s capabilities and a loving tribute to a genre-defining classic. The enhanced visuals, performance, and DualSense integration create an unforgettable experience. While some might lament the unchanged narrative and character progression system, the overall package is a remarkable achievement. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding action RPG, look no further than Demon’s Souls.