"You're going to die... A LOT..." -LordKat

Game Title: Demon's Souls
Platform: PS3 (Exclusive Title)
# Of Players: 1-3 (Limited)                                                                
Genre: Action/Adventure/RPG
Rating: M (Mature)

   Demon's Souls has a notorious reputation amongst the gaming community; one that is notably comparable to retro classic "Contra 3". Imagine, if you will, that you're walking along the street, when you're immediately approached by three sluggish, pipe-wielding (think: plumbing) bunnies. They move predictably, and slowly towards you, while you wield a Great Crushing Axe +3. As you move towards the bunnies, they leap onto you, striking you one after another. You are caught off balance, and attempt to make a hasty retreat. In doing so, you miss your step, and fall off a cliff. Yes, there is a cliffside that you did not notice. However, as you fall you do notice a ledge within grasp that will lead you to safety, and possibly healing up. As you aim for the ledge, a wall suddenly pops out of the cliffside, and spikes protrude towards your intended direction. This, is in essence, what it is like to play Demon's Souls.

   The basic story of Demon's Souls is that the Kingdom of Boletaria has been ravaged by a dark fog, which carries with it a plethora of demons, and nightmares. The fog's denizens take no break in obliterating the vestiges of life within the kingdom, and the fog begins to spread across the land. In response to the plight, one lone knight, Vallarfax of the Twin Swords breaks through the fog, and warns the outlying kingdoms of Boletaria's plight. Many heroes are sent to break the kingdom free, but all fail in the process. You are the "chosen" hero, who ventures into the fog to defeat the Old One--a great demon that was awakened by the Boletarian king in his search for power and wealth.

   Yes, Demon's Souls is brutishly difficult, and you'll notice the steep curve around the very end of the tutorial. In fact, I find it rare to be able to really laud a game's tutorial, since most are blatantly designed to introduce you into the game, but offer very little insight into the game itself. It's a very stilted, and jarring cliché, that has a nasty habit of creating a bad sense of flow. However, Demon's Souls manages to weave the tutorial into the game's atmosphere, without breaking it's own fourth wall. Despite the floating box overhead, describing to you the correct button combination to use in order to initiate a certain maneuver, or action, you really feel the sense of overwhelming... isolation. It is you, against these demons. No one else.
   This is the most gripping part of Demon's Souls's magic. An unwavering ability to keep the player engulfed in the smothering depression, and isolated horror that has befallen the kingdom of Boletaria. By the end of the tutorial, you will feel as if you are capable, and willing, to face against the horrors that await you. You rush towards the final area, only to be severely flattened by a hulking demon. Thus ends your tutorial, and begins your ultimate quest in the game. This also strongly emphasises the attitude that Demon's Souls plans to take towards you, throughout your lengthy journey.