Demon’s Soulswasremade for the Playstation 5, and whether you’re playing the original or newest version, this game is a beast. Originally released in 2009, this game continues to be one of the most difficult games many years later.
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There are many ways to make your character stronger and many different builds to try. This game has many hidden secrets and a very minimal tutorial after which you’re thrown into the deep end. Here are some tricks and tips for your trip behind the fog.
10Use Different Damage Types
Demon’s Souls weapons and magic all have different elemental or damage affinities. Weapons can cause standard, blunt, slash, or piercing damage, and enemies have a defense for each.
Picking one weapon and sticking to it the whole playthrough is not always the best option. Some enemies will have a very high defense to one or multiple damage types, making your usual weapon almost ineffective. Having a second weapon that deals a different type of damage will allow you to quickly switch and kill the enemy.
9Explore Everywhere
Demon’s Souls items can often be missed, especially when they are tucked away in a corner. Finding more Moon grass or upgrade stones can be a great help, but they can often be missed by those running through an area just to get to the next boss fight.
Exploration can also lead you to find some of the hidden NPCs across Boletaria. These NPCs can be special merchants or someone who gives you a new side quest to follow. Exploration also helps you find new shortcuts across the map.
8Find And Open Shortcuts
Demon’s Souls can be adifficult test of enduranceto see if you’re able to defeat hordes of enemies before an incredibly strong boss. Without checkpoints, you’re often worn out by the time your reach the boss' arena.
There are many shortcuts that can be unlocked after you’ve progressed far enough into an area. These are often not made very clear and can be easily missed. Finding these shortcuts can make returning to a boss room much easier and without being drained fighting your way there.
7Watch Your Equipment Load
Many bosses and enemies in this game can be towering monsters, ready to sweep you away in a single hit. While some builds focus on tanking the damage, not getting hit at all is the much better option.
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Dodging is the superior strategy, but heavy enough equipment can leave you rolling very slowly. Having a lighter equipment load allows you to run and dodge faster, making you much harder to hit and more likely to survive a tough encounter.
6Stock Up On Moon Grass
Many Souls fans will be coming to this game looking for Boletaria’s equivalent toDark Souls' Estus Flask. In Demons Souls, healing is done by consumable items known as Moon Grass. Moon Grass is the most prominent way to heal, and being well-equipped is a necessity.
There is a limit to how many of each type of grass can be carried. Having as many of each type as possible allows you to go above the usual carry capacity of the base Moon Grass. As there are long stretches from the start of an area to a boss, having as many healing items as possible only makes your life easier.
5Use Your Souls
Souls are used to level up your character, buy items, and upgrade your gear. Souls are a necessity to progressing in this game, and dying will make you lose any you currently have.
Each time you visit the nexus or have an abundance of souls, it’s always better to use them before you lose them. Buying more items than the carrying capacity puts them in storage, offering no negative effects to buying more Moon Grass just to use up the extra souls you have.
4Branch Out To Other Archstones
Demon’s Souls is broken up into 5 different areas, each accessed through a different Archstone in the Nexus. After completing the first area, you’re given access to all the other Archstones to complete in whatever order you want.
As some areas or bosses can be very frustrating, sometimes it’s good to leave that area and progress through another Archstone to level up and get stronger before returning to try again. This also helps players not get stuck on a single boss, allowing you to still play other areas of the game without beating that boss right away.
3Choose Your Levels Wisely
While all levels are beneficial to increase, they may not affect your specific build as much as anticipated. Focusing on one set build requires you to only upgrade a few of the provided stats, getting them much higher than an across-the-board build.
Knowing what stats to focus on helps you keep pace with the even more powerful enemies that appear later in the game. Leveling up your stats equally will allow you to do all sorts of spells and use many weapons, but you’ll never deal substantial damage with anything.
2Don’t Be Afraid To Start Over
Many players see starting over a game as a waste of time; if you’ve already beaten a boss, why do it again? Demon’s Souls is a game all about learning and figuring out the mechanics to “get good” as fans say.
Should you progress far enough and realize your build isn’t working, starting over allows for a blank slate to make an even more powerful character. Later in the game, you may also be presented with weapons or spells you want to use more but require a lot of stats in a skill you don’t have high. Starting over allows for you to be even more creative with each build, and eventually make the strongest one. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can move through earlier areas after figuring them out the first time.
1Find The Cling Ring
The Soul Form was one of the biggest shockers to those unaware players who didn’t enjoy the original game. When you die, you only have 50% of your maximum health bar and are now in the Soul Form.
Most of the game will be played in the Soul Form unless you’re a pro Souls player. The Cling Ring can be found in the first area and gives you an added 25% of your max health bar while in Soul Form. Regaining your Human form will not always be an option, so always having this ring equipped makesDemon Soul’s possible to beat.
