Next-generation consoles are launching with numerous cross-generation games coming out on both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. One notable exception is Demon's Souls from Bluepoint Games, a remake of FromSoftware's PlayStation 3 cult classic which popularized this brutal style of action RPG.
Not only is it not coming to current-generation hardware, but the anticipated remake is not even available on PC, making it a true PS5 exclusive. With release less than two weeks away, the developer has pulled back most of the curtain on the upcoming project, detailing just how much work and care went into this revival of what many consider one of the greatest games of all time.
10 No Sixth Archstone
In the hub area rests a sixth broken Archstone players cannot access. FromSoftware started work on a new area, but budget constraints hindered their progress. Bluepoint Games has been asked about this area numerous times, mainly in regards to whether or not they took it upon themselves to finish it. According to Gavin Moore, the team heavily considered it, but ultimately everyone opted to keep the new version as faithful to the original as possible.
9 No Load Times
As Gavin Moore explains in interviews, Demon's Soul's frustration does not necessarily come from dying, but from the wait associated with failure and having to reload an area. On the PlayStation 3 this can come literally add up to hours as one loses repeatedly. Thanks to the SSD, the team was able to nearly eliminate load times, letting players jump right back into the action upon failure.
8 Easier To Tell The World Tendency
In addition to the unique multiplayer mode, World tendency determines how difficult the enemies are and the rarity of items they drop. This feature all depends on the data from all connected players. In the original release, it could be somewhat ambiguous to players who were unaware of it.
In the remake, it is easier to tell the world tendency on the UI, so one knows if their particular play session will be grueling or average.
7 Fractured Mode
As faithful as the new game is striving to be to the original classic, some additions to the base game are coming. Fractured mode is set to double one's playtime. In this new mode the maps are all completely reversed. One expects such a feature from racing games, but most could not imagine it showing up in an action RPG. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time also has an inverted mode for every level. While it is certainly a lot of work to implement, it seems worth it to dramatically extend the game's runtime.
6 They Tracked Down The Old Voice Actors
FromSoftware games have endearing voice acting. Most characters speak in riddles, giving players little direction on their journey. For the new title, Bluepoint tracked down as many of the original voice actors they could to rerecord dialogue. To add variety, every NPCs have significantly more lines. It is less of a change and more of an expansion, since the characters all serve the same function.
5 Bluepoint Got The Original Game Running On PS5
Bluepoint does not take the task of remaking a game lightly. Anyone who played Shadow of the Colossus on PS4 can attest to the developer's dedication to getting things right. At the beginning of the game's development, the developer ported the original Demon's Souls to the PS5 as a starting point. From there the team was able to start work rebuilding everything and making sure the gameplay felt identical to the first release.
4 No Difficulty Options
The idea of an easy mode in these games is a big issue. Some feel it compromises the creator's vision while others see nothing but good things from letting a game be beatable by more players.
Bluepoint games airs on the side of no easy mode, evidenced by the remake's lack of it. For those knowledgeable on the title's systems and mechanics, they know certain builds almost take the place of an easy mode.
3 Haptic Feedback
When developing the project, the team only went about changing or adding features if everyone felt it made the game better. In interviews, Gavin Moore relays just how visceral the combat feels with the controller reacting to what is going on screen. Some publications and influencers have a PS5 in their hands already, and impressions are almost universally positive towards the DualSense during Astro's Playroom.
2 The Camera Is Changed
One major change from the original is the camera. In gameplay trailers, one can already see how the camera is positioned more behind the shoulder than directly on the protagonist's back. Purists still have the option to use the original camera, so do not worry about compromising the original experience when booting up the game on November 12th.
1 FromSoftware Did Not Work On It
In interviews, Bluepoint Games relays that FromSoftware and Hidetaka Miyazaki gave their blessing on the project, but were not involved in the actual production. Bluepoint Games and SIE Worldwide Studios are the only two teams who had any input on the title. One should not see this as a sign of worry, however, since everyone at the developer is a huge fan of the original and understands how important it is to so many.