Sometimes, gamers can fall into a false sense of security. Most new games are variations on one of a fairly small number of themes; many use very similar controls. Frequently, you can sit down with a brand new game and play through the first level or so almost before you have to learn anything to get you through a particularly tricky situation. Then along comes a game like Demons Souls, and you suddenly feel like a retarded four-year-old trying to juggle cats. Because this game is hard.
At first, it almost feels impossible – I’d be surprised if many people manage to play through even the first level without dying a few – or a lot of - times. While this might seem frustrating, and indeed would with many lesser titles, through a combination of a superb control system and peerless design, this game somehow still manages to keep you enthralled, and twice as keen to progress, for all that progress will be slow.
Demons Souls makes you learn how to operate an incredibly complex yet subtle combat system while collecting souls (to upgrade weapons etc) which you lose each time you die; it is littered with incredible monsters, traps, bonuses and innovative design ideas. It’s very complicated; the way you interact with others in online mode is itself revolutionary and requires much explanation. Rather than go into much more detail (as I want to get back to playing it!), let me just say that this is the most outstanding fantasy / horror RPG you’ll see this year, and will undoubtedly be copied and ripped off so much as to leave it’s mark permanently on the genre. If RPG’s rock your console and you crave a real challenge, miss this one at your peril.
This scene is a one-off prequel to The Inbetweeners Season 3 – watch as the boys discuss untimely bowel movements and imaginary girlfriends ...read this news article
