[SuperWes]

It took me 2 hours, but I beat the first level last night. This is an interesting game. Without the challenge it would be horrible, but the way it's laid out and the excellent help system make it something that I think I'll actually play. I will say that the level design is outstanding.

I kind of wish there were a bit more direction though. I have no idea what to do with a majority of the items I've found.

-Wes
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[SuperWes]

[SuperWes]

Alright. I spent 2 hours this morning and made no progress. Out of curiosity:

1. How should I use my empty souls? Sell them or save them to use later for some reason?

2. I'm playing as a Warrior (I think). Should I buy magic? Which magic should I buy? Is this more important than buying levels?

3. Is this a game where buying armor is useful, or should I depend mostly on drops for my upgrades?

4. How do I know which level is which? The US version names levels instead of numbering them, so when you're talking about 2-1, etc. I have no idea what level you're referring to.

5. Do you have any other general hints?

I played through the beginning of a level where you start next to a bunch of planks, but I kept falling off so I stopped. I started a different level where you run through a room full of slaves and fight a bunch of dogs, but I died there right away too. Then I tried 1-2 and think I made it pretty far, but I ended up dying thanks to inconsistent dragon fire. It's frustrating for sure, but it's not unfair.

I think the biggest problem I have with this game is one of time. It's hard for me to devote several hours to a game at once, but without a few hours it's impossible to make any real progress. I realize this is a personal problem, but I can see myself dropping the game based on that despite the fact that it's really very good.

-Wes
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[SuperWes]

I got through all of 2-1, and have no idea how to even touch the boss. I'm thinking my strategy will probably be to get to every boss, but not actually fight it. This way I'll have access to a lot of useful items for when I actually decide to take them on. I'm scared!

-Wes
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[SuperWes]

Having not played the Asian version I'd say no. I can't think of anything in the localization that would be worth it. But from the perspective of showing Sony they were idiots not to bring it out themselves I'd say maybe. It seems to be working itself out though.

What the hell do I do at the talking tree in 4-1?

-Wes
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[SuperWes]

[SuperWes]

Yeah, I saw that you could get the ring on 3-2 so I went ahead and blew what I had been saving up so far on levels instead.

[SuperWes]

Yeah, I didn't know what he was talking about. I beat 3-1 today. My next goal is to get the exp ring in 3-2.

-Wes
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[SuperWes]

[SuperWes]

Yes. It should also be mentioned that there are a shit ton of minor and major things in Demon's Souls that seem random, but almost all are tied to world tendency and/or player tendency. These are the morality system of Demon's Souls, and they shift based on what NPCs are killed, how you act when visiting other players' games, etc. I barely understand it, but I'm aware of it thanks to the strategy guide that came with the limited edition.

Overall my belief is that random design is lazy design. It can be done right (see Shiren), but when it's used as a way of providing "replay value" it's almost always at the expense of first time play value. As I get older I'm realizing that I barely replay games as it is, and when I do it's the quality of the experience that brings me back moreso than the promise of a different one.

-Wes
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