I purchased Demon's Souls and immediately felt guilty. Having known that the reviews were glowing, I was afraid that DS would be so hard I wouldn't play it for more than 2 hours. I'm happy to say that I am now +35 hours in and am insanely in love with it. It is by no means a perfect game, but I get such a thrill when I can bring in other players to help me defeat a Black Soul or defeat a boss that plowed through me the during my last play through. I can see why some people would hate it, but I think if you're patient enough the game will reward you in huge ways.

I don't see why people hate it. I can understand why some would be frustrated, but if anything, they should hate themselves for not having the patience required or be indifferent toward this brilliant game. And by patience, I just mean relatively fair judgment. For example, in the CO-OP footage, you see a character making the worst decisions possible.. Rushing into a group of 6 enemies, going on the offensive when he just took a nearly fatal strike and has like 3HP left. The game isn't unfair, nor is it ridiculously brutal. It's just not to be played like, say, Gauntlet Legends. Speaking of the game footage, it was more a montage of death scenes.. It's obvious the CO-OP crew doesn't like the game, maybe are even resentful about it, so they show (presumably Matt's character) dying, nonstop. Hah, it might have been funny to attach to a dialogue piece about how the player will probably die often, but it should have ended there. I'm not a pro gamer, in fact I tend to be right about in the average skill range when playing online games with others. Perhaps even in a lower skill bracket when it comes to shooters and puzzle games.. My point is, I don't play games terribly efficiently, but I adore Demon's Souls, and play it as best I can. CO-OP leads you to believe that you will be doing nothing but dying.. That's just BS. I died just twice in the first stage (once because I hit the wrong button on a staircase, and another time because I underestimated an opponent with a spear). What kept me alive? Caution and the best decision making I could muster. If I found myself on a dying streak, it's because I let my brain go to mush, as if I were a caveman with no hands trying to open jar. Why should all gaming cater toward instant gratification? Not every game needs to be an Uncharted (which is brilliant, too, in it's own way). If all you want is that rush of instant satisfaction, maybe you should play something else.. Hell, why not just masturbate instead. If you're looking for something more rewarding, Demon's Souls is waiting for you. Just don't play it like you're a 5 year old with ADD. Criticizing Demon's Souls for poor game design because you play it with out sensibility is pathetic. I gotta say though, that I watch every episode of CO-OP and enjoy what they do, even the narrative between the hands on bits. Also, they could just as easily have ran this segment without bringing in Kat and Ray to balance out opinions, so I have to give credit to them for that. They clearly recognize their own bias and are willing to make an effort to give the game some proper coverage. I'm just a little sad that none of them found it to be enjoyable. The same crew that apparently loves Metroid and other 'gamer's games' couldn't find enjoyment from Demon's Souls, which I personally find to be a godsend. I was falling out of gaming, in the way the Bitmob men have often stated, but this one reeled me in like no other. I hadn't been so absorbed with a game in many many years. I felt as those commercialism was consuming gaming, but here is a game made, not for the mainstream, but in the imagination of earnest developers, mostly for themselves. I love Demon's Souls, and it's my game of the year thus far. Hope others will enjoy it.

That was a most elaborate "You suck at games" post I've seen yet.

*the no a...damn you no comment editing!

I realize I'm way late with this, but I just have to say that anyone grinding in Demon's Souls is missing the point. Level progression is part of the game, but more central is player progression in understanding the combat mechanics. Unlike other action-RPGs, this isn't any hack-n-slash affair -- resource management of things like stamina and timing are really important, in addition to making tactical (like when to block, dodge or strike) and strategic (which weapon to use, which armor to equip, etc.) decisions. Basically, the game rewards you with becoming a better player, not with gaining souls and leveling higher.