PlayStation Plus April Update: Demon’s Souls Free for Members

It’s the first of April, and with the new month comes a new look at content coming to PlayStation Plus — there’s much to take in, with Plus members getting the venerable Demon’s Souls free. In addition to the monthly overview, this week brings more goodies, such as a sale on the award-winning The Walking Dead series, and more discounts on fan-favorites like Rainbow Moon and the Soldner-X series.

[ApolloTheBoss]

Hell to the f*ck yeah!! Demon's Souls was in my backlog and I always wanted to try it. Now's the time!

[RandomDude655]

Prepare to die...
..
.
many times and love it

[4lc4pon3]

u are going to DIE ALOOOOOT lol. enjoy

[guitarded77]

I have a feeling veterans are gonna be invading the hell out of noobs games.

[Pushagree]

The game's actually not that hard once you realize your limits.

Kill things, get souls, level up, kill boss, repeat. You just gotta be patient and grind levels over and over and the game will reward you.

[JoySticksFTW]

Ohhhhhhhhh!!

Demon's Souls for free?! Diving back in, y'all

DS is probably my most played game this generation.

For those new to it, or for those who rage quit after 15 mins, just keep your shield up, walk - don't run, and don't give up so quickly :D

On a side note, there's been rumblings of a Demon's Souls 2, ever since Hidetaka Miyazaki is only loosely connected to Dark Souls 2 and not really happy with the new direction.

Gamers were hoping Demon's Souls showing up on PSN was about gauging interest in a sequel and not just a build up for Dark Souls 2.

I hope Plus really is testing the waters for a Demon's Souls sequel. Man, that's one of the few games I'd put money up front kickstarter style to get made.

[thechosenone]

Bought PS+ this weekend and it's already starting to pay off. :D I <3 Sony!

[No FanS Land]

LOL I just imagine my 150SL warrior slaughtering newcomers. anyway it can'T work like that I think you need to at least be within 10% of the SL. Been A while since I played it though, could be a great moment to dive back in!

[Kevin ButIer]

OMG this is sick! PS+ is out of control... so much bang for your bucks... DS is a beast... totally going back to made newcomers life miserable... and don't whine about that, being pwned by phantoms is part of the deal...

[NeoTribe]

I died many times and hated it.... Poor graphics, bad enviroment, and losing my souls i spent an hour gathering. Cant count how many times ive fallen down a hole because the dungeons are so dark just to lose the orbs i had gathered. Game has weaker rpg elements than mass effect.

[insomnium2]

LOL @neotribe

Demon's souls just loves your noob tears.

[Raf1k1]

@ Neo Tribe, I get the feeling you didn't learn to play the game but instead were expecting the game to play the way you're used to playing.

Adapting is the way forward in a game like this and it does reward you. Graphics may be below average but it still manages to create an amazing atmosphere due to the sound design.

Give it another shot and take your time. Running around in the dark is bound to get you into trouble. The first few times you fell into a hole should have taught you that :)

[Eyeco]

Demon's Souls is a hard game but its not a frustratingly hard game, every time I die its mainly because I wasn't good enough, it's hard but fair.

[Temporary]

Neotribe is obviously a 12year old that can't grasp the concept of patience and playing safe.

The game is hot. I played it to NEAR plat, and now i will get the plat for sure!!!

[nix]

Oh... the times i died. bitter sweet memories.

[GameSpawn]

Yeah...as a DS vet I have died a lot, but it was only so I could manipulate the world tendencies to black.

Once you have gotten each world down you learn to pace yourself and don't die often.

Tips for new players:
1) Unless manipulating world tendencies - STAY IN SOUL-FORM!!!
2) Shield Up ALWAYS
3) Use Spears - they allow you long reach and you can keep your shield up while attacking
4) Pace yourself and memorize enemy locations
5) If you really want to whore the game start as a Royal - Soul Arrow is a freaking godsend.

My best setup:
- Gloom Armor Set
- Winged Spear +10
- (Alternating) Sticky Compound Longbow +5 [Better Damage Bonuses] / White Bow +5 [Better Range]
- Talisman of Beasts
- (Alternating) Dark Silver Shield +5 [Magic Resist] / Purple Flame Shield +10 [Fire Resist]

[IlluminatusV]

@GameSpawn:
For getting the Talisman of Beast you need alter your character tendency or the world tendency. I would not recommend this for beginners. But you want to get this item the easiest way would be to turn world 2 into pure black tendency and kill ST instead of having a black character tendency and do all the assination quests for M. I also recommend to get the Crescent Falchion +1 from world 4 and upgrade this one, because it also have magic damage that helps you alot in the beginning (instead of using a spear).

[GameSpawn]

@IlluminatusV

Yeah. My setup is what I ended on (Lvl 40 in all stats in New Game +). Trust me it is not for beginners.

I always went for spears, again because you can constantly block while attacking (Offensive-Defense). Some people like to run around though and for that style one-handed swords work well. Tanking (High armor and two handed, slow attacking high damage weapons) cannot be done in Demon's Souls until you reach very high levels, until then you really need the mobility.

The Winged Spear is the best spear in the game, but if you really want a spear with Magic damage you can make the Winged Spear into a Moon Winged Spear.

Also the total weight of the Gloom Armor Set isn't very light so you really need to get your stats up there to equip it all. The reason I like the Gloom Armor vs all the others is that it gives you the best balance of "Fire/Poison/Plague/Magic Resist" to "Physical Resist" without needing to change armor constantly. The Gloom Armor really hits it's stride in world 5 due to its high plague and poison resist.

If you have the strength and want to have really good fire resist, Brushwood is where it is at (great for world 2). Unless you are wading through fire though, the Purple Flame Shield will cover you from fire attacks and your armor can concentrate on covering Physical and Magic Resist.

[DivineAssault]

This game is awesome & if u like challenge, u will find it here.. But its not unfair hard by any means.. If u die, u deserved to.. I have it on disc & will NEVER let it go.. This & Dark souls are the best RPGs this gen imo

[PeaSFor]

Its very good, but the final boss was simply too easy, pretty much my only negative thing i have to say about the game.

[MEGANE]

Does the servers still up?

[Veneno]

Tots agree. Demon Souls is one of those games that should never leave your collection. It is a classic for all time, which was such a rare thing to find in this generation of games dominated by clone after clon3 of game concepts we've seen over and over again

[Dark_Overlord]

There is one part of DS I would definitely define as unfair, that god damn pure bladestone. 2 Years I've been on/off farming that thing and still have yet to see it >:(

[StockpileTom]

Use the Large Sword of Searching as your left hand weapon and a catalyst in your right hand.
Go backward from Old Hero's boss room in pure black world tendency and sneak up behind the black phantom dual katana skeleton and use Soulsucker (magic). Repeat until it drops... This method has worked within 1 hour for all of my characters that required it. Good luck to ya.

[TheFamous1]

Demon Souls is only hard because of the lack of checkpoints.

[MysticStrummer]

Wow. To me this is the best reason to have PS+ yet. Demon's Souls is my #1 game of the generation and possibly ever. I don't know how many agree with that, and don't care much honestly, but you guys about to play it for the first time are in for a treat, especially if you haven't played Dark Souls (my #2 game of the gen) either. That was too many commas but the Souls series does that to me. May thine strength help the world be mended.

[MestreRothN4G]

#1 here as well. Praise the su--- ops, no shiny happy people in Demon's Souls.

[Temporary]

I agree.

[Eyeco]

Its shaping up to be one of my favourites,I just need to beat it,its one of those games I play get my ass handed to me, not play it for days gather up the courage to play again.

But man when that text appears saying "You Destroyed The Demon" the sense of pride is so overwhelming you feel like such a badass, such a rewarding game.

[dedicatedtogamers]

The great thing about PS+ is that they pick a lot of lesser-known games to add for free. A few of the recent ones - Spec Ops and Vanquish - are two of my favorite shooters this gen but a lot of people missed it. But of course, free means people will probably try them out. Long live PS+!

[black911]

I was just gonna rent demon souls

[ZoyosJD]

It's not a rent.

Not only is it that good, it's also 80+ hrs your first time through.

[PSVita]

Are the servers still online!? Anyone?

[greatcrusader44]

Yes

[Knight_Crawler]

For freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[IAmLee]

I prefer the US store updates to the EU.

[Sharius]

why don't have both?

you know, you can:
- buy EU plus membership
- download game to your PS3
- switch to your main account and play it
- as long as you keep your plus active you can keep play game and earn trophy

[Murad]

I really wish they did it earlier because Demon Souls now doesn't truly have online any longer, and so it basically takes the fun out of it all.

[bluetoto]

Please tell me that you don't only like this game because of invasions.

"totally going back to made newcomers life miserable... and don't whine about that, being pwned by phantoms is part of the deal..."

No, it is NOT. And that's why we have BANISH.

To all newcomers, learn/acquire the Banish miracle as it sends all black phantoms back to there own world and causing them to lose a soul level at the same time to avoid aholes like this.

For some reason people like this think everyone enjoys what they do and you are playing it wrong if you don't like/play it the way they do.

Nothing worse than trying to have some co-op fun and some douchbag griefer who only likes DS because it allows him to spread misery and added frustration because that's HIS idea of fun.

These people aren't looking for a fair fight or a challenge as they could simply use the red eye stone to find others who want PvP combat and avoid those who play DS for the Co-op PvE combat, which are two very different playstyles and experiences.

You can also quit out the game to make them lose out as well if you find yourself getting invaded a lot before acquiring the banish miracle. It feels really good to shat on them too, makes them rage a lot lol.

This is a GREAT game, don't let Epricks ruin it for you!

[Murad]

@bluetoto
I don't play Demon Souls or Dark Souls for the online at all, I play it for the whole thing, you know the reason it cost 30 bucks, or the reason it cost 60 bucks. I feel like you insulted me for being a cheater, but i can't truly say that you did because I didn't bother reading anything besides the first three sentences. However, getting back to the point. I was stating that I wish they did this back them to get the true material. Meaning that I remember playing Demon Souls back then and trying to hunt for special material, or trying to get souls, and the only way you can get all white worlds is if either you never die, or if you kill all intruders, or do something good for some npc's and not for others. Do you understand what I'm saying?

[bluetoto]

"I feel like you insulted me for being a cheater, but i can't truly say that you did because I didn't bother reading anything besides the first three sentences."

If you had read you'd have saw that my post had nothing to do with cheating or cheaters whatsoever.

[Sharius]

Beware of your R2!

[NeXXXuS]

Hope to see you on the game. I started a new account since my first account is on New Game +8 and It's too hard XD I have over 90 hours on that one...
http://i215.photobucket.com...

[LOGICWINS]

Always wanted to try this!

[JoGam]

Its a great game. I can't get off the first level. Beat this game, Makes you a real gamer.

[Swiggins]

/truth

[BitbyDeath]

PROTIP - Don't attack the guy that stands near the portal. He will kill you over and over again until you give up and are forced to start a new game.

ARRRGH

[IlluminatusV]

@BitbyDeath:
what guy do you mean? the one on the stairs in the nexus or another one. I recomment for your first playthrough not to kill any NPCs because this changes your character tendency and makes the game even harder, especially if your world tends to white tendency which is the way when you killed one or more deamons in the world without dying in human form.

[BitbyDeath]

@illuminatusV, sorry has been a while since i've played it but yes the guy on the stairs. Just went up to give him a lil scrape of the blade and never lived it down.

No matter how many times you die he remembers the first cut.

Brutal game.

[MikeMyers]

Excellent game but don't try your first attempt with the Barbarian.

[JoGam]

Ok, ok, who should i be first? Guess i made that mistake.

[MikeMyers]

The easiest is probably the Royalty class. I like the Temple Knight more though. Don't get discouraged early. It might take some grinding but once you start to remember the enemies and where to be it's not so bad.

[JoGam]

Ima try and get off the first level. Now, i will say this, when i do get off the first level omg, im throwing a party. Mark my words i will Platinum this game. Why? This is the only game that frustrates me. Its now a must.

[JoySticksFTW]

Yeah, Royal is definitely easy mode.

Magic with a magic power regen ring right from the start.

And he/she starts at Soul Level 1, for greater control over builds usually. Less wasted stats.

[PSVita]

@logic: it's my favorite game this gen period and it way better than Dark souls get it for sure especially if the still have the servers going. Invading and SS!!!

[LOGICWINS]

I'll def let u know what I think of it! :)

[NastyLeftHook0]

omfg u never played it?!!!!

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[elmaton98]

I havent either but im definitely picking it up

[Y_5150]

Demon Souls is just the type of game I want for Plus. A great game that I never wasable to play is now available for free because of my Plus subscription!

[remanutd55]

Zombie Tycoon 2 the vita game? let me see ModNation Racers Road Trip, Resistance Burning Skies, Unit 13, Dokuro, Rayman Origins, When Vikings Attack, Lumines and even Little Deviants are better offerings than Zombie Tycoon 2, bah.

[admiralvic]

Whoa now, Burning Skies is quite possibly the WORST game out for the Vita.

[remanutd55]

far from it. I think is a lot better than some people say but everyone is entitle to their own opinions.

[dboyman]

I thought Metacritic said it was Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified was the worst ps vita game...

[admiralvic]

@ Dboyman

Quite sure I never said it WAS the worst, just that it was among the worst. In any case, you're not making a compelling argument when the same idiots made both games.

[cjflora]

I enjoyed it. I found it more interesting than Assassin's Creed, which was for for awhile but I've kind of gotten to the point where it's feeling redundant.

[ApolloTheBoss]

That Malicious game looks incredible, too. Never heard of it, bu I'm definitely giving it a try.

[GraveLord]

It actually sucks. I bought it a few months ago. Not worth the money. It's free though so give it a try.

[admiralvic]

Looks great, neat concept, so so gameplay. Love the trophy icons though!

[sjaakiejj]

if you haven't played Walking Dead yet.. $10,- is a steal, buy it.

[BlmThug]

Well my PS+ renewed automatically after a free trial -_- so will this be available to Uk PS+ members too?

[matrixman92]

not yet at least...UK gets far better games anyway

[Skate-AK]

No this is the NA update. EU will have a different post on the EU Blog.

[BitbyDeath]

EU Regions are getting -

3rd April: Okami HD
3rd April: Lord of the Rings: War in the North
3rd April: The Cave
10th April: Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward
24th April: Thomas Was Alone

http://blog.eu.playstation....

[Skate-AK]

Personally I would rather have that.

[Rask]

Cool! I already have the game, but this is an awesome news for who don't.

[brish]

It's awesome news for people who have the game as well.

It means there will be more online players for them to co-op with and/or invade!

[MysticStrummer]

Good point. If I wasn't getting Defiance in the morning I'd definitely start a new game. Hell, I guess I could do that tonight. Muahahahaha!

[Williamson]

Just wow sony! Ive always wanted to play demon souls and nows my chance. Also I own soul calibur broken destiny and its better than soul calibur 5 imo, and playing it on the vita should make it more enjoyable than it already is.

[ab5olut10n]

My name is Williamson too! Bubbles for you

[Williamson]

Lol its actually a nickname for my dog....but a great name indeed.

[DragonKnight]

There is literally no reason to not get Demon's Souls. In my own personal opinion, it is hands down the best RPG of the generation. Dark Souls comes so close, but for me Demon's Souls just has that intangible quality that I don't feel in Dark Souls. Maybe it's the setting, maybe it's the slight differences in the combat, maybe it's the community, I don't know. All I know is that if you haven't played it and you have a Plus subscription, you would be doing yourself an incredible injustice if you don't grab the game.

[sdplisken]

agreed, dark souls has more enemies and bosses and open world but demons has better atmosphere, story, npcs,

both are masterpieces tho

bring on dark souls 2!

[_FantasmA_]

I have a reason: I don't like RPGs :) I've tried to give them a chance but I just can't do it.

[DragonKnight]

That's not a reason because Demon's Souls is more action oriented than RPG oriented. LOL!

I hear ya though.

[_FantasmA_]

Still an RPG. I hate that quest crap. Spells. Demons, orcs, ogres, elves, dragons, trolls, giant animals of any kind, I hate all that fantasy crap and it puts me to sleep. Sorry but that stuff isn't for everyone and falls more into the nerd category of gaming than just normal hardcore gaming. Thumb me down nerds. Heck I almost fell asleep just typing about RPGs.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

To all newcomers, Demon's Souls is not God of War, it is Demon's Souls. Have fun.

[Skate-AK]

I was mad at first cause I thought they shut down the servers but then I looked it up and saw they canceled the shut down.

[Simon_Brezhnev]

Man so many games i already have. I'm really think im going to subscribe to EU plus too.

[izumo_lee]

Demon's Souls for me has a more interesting story than Dark Souls so be ready to be engrossed in the world of Boletaria. So for those who have not played this game..."What is wrong with you?!!!" j/k

"Soul of the lost, withdrawn from its vessel.
Let strength be granted so the world might be mended.
Soul of the lost, withdrawn from its vessel.
Let strength be granted so the world might be mended,
so the world might be mended."

- Maiden in Black

For SHUMPS fans get Soldner X series cause those games are freaking awesome!! Most fun i had with a SHUMP since the PS2 era. Sad that genre doesn't have more games.

[MysticStrummer]

There are a few things about Dark Souls I like better, but overall Demon's Souls is the game to beat in my eyes. Game of the Generation for me and very possibly Game of All Time.

[izumo_lee]

Dark Souls improved the combat & transition play by being semi open world but i really didn't care for the story as much as i did with Demon's Souls.

The characters in Demon's were more interesting & memorable. How can you not forget the Maiden Astrea & her knight Garl Vinland...that battle alone i found so good. That music that goes with it....so good.

I haven't platinum the game cause i can not bring myself to kill some of the characters in the game to get the items like Yuria the Witch. Heck killing Garl & Astrea was tough....cause they aren't really bad people.

Man this game is so so good.....one of my best experiences cause we never saw it coming.

[DragonKnight]

The one thing I can say about Dark Souls that is definitely better is the boss battles. Specifically the final boss of Demon's Souls is a joke but Gwyn from Dark Souls can be a b*tch.

[xXBlondieVanHarlowXx]

Isn't it

"Soul of the mind key to life's ether.
Soul of the lost, withdrawn from its vessel.
Let strength be granted so the world might be mended.... so the world might be mended."

:b Great game. I think i'll have to go through it again now.

[izumo_lee]

The one i quoted happens the first time you enter the nexus. I believe the one you said happens later i just forget when. Either way she's awesome.

[IlluminatusV]

@izumo_lee :
Do you really think? In this case you should look at all the lore videos from EpicNameBro on youtube. Maybe this changes your mind. Both games have excellent hidden stories, but you know, the story is hidden and not presented like in Skyrim for example.

Praise the sun ;-)

[Heisenburger]

I have never in my life so eagerly anticipated an *ss beating.

Mmmmm pain.

[GetSnooked]

Oo sweet!

[DivineAssault]

seems like a good 30% of the games i own ended up on PS Plus.. Oh well, at least some people who were iffy about demons souls can finally see how awesome it is.. I hope everything i read today isnt an april fools joke

[SonyPS4]

Yet to play Demon's Souls. I just subscribed to PS+ when Disgaea 3 came out for the Vita Instant Game Collection. I was skeptical of PS+ when it first launched in (I think) 2010 but now the service is so well-established and the game choices have improved it's irresistible.

[SolidDuck]

Hay for all the newcomers to demons, first of all it's an incredible game, and like others have said to me personally my favorite game ever. But secondly there's a great demons souls wiki, that has been built over the years. It can really help u out. Also if your struggling just get thro level 1-1, after that u can co op in full body form. Which is a big help.

[SAE]

I just bought it recently T_T

This month sucks for both Eu and usa >.<

[majiebeast]

Dont agree with you.

[SAE]

I either own them or not interesting to me that's why it's sucks.

[telekineticmantis]

...

[olLANDSHARKlo]

$50 for a button mashing game, no thank you.

[Campy da Camper]

Button mashing? DS is hardly a button masher. You have to be very, very percise or else you are dead.

[xXBlondieVanHarlowXx]

1 bubble to tell you you're an ignorant troll, yes please.

[Imalwaysright]

Why do people talk about games they've never played?

[sdplisken]

:)
The "Souls" series is the BEST new ip this gen IMO

if you havent experienced the pain, youre missing out

i just want the other two versions for 3x demons souls platinums

[DarkBlood]

well damn it i dont need you players making the game even harder for my then it is i mean you know how difficult it is to get lucky killing 2 of those statue guys plus that giant creature when going on the tall bridge lol christ almighty

dont even get me started on those annoying knights i got lucky arrowing the first one since it doesnt climb, letting the dragon burn the second one and spartan kick the third one off the cliff in the forest

its impossible for me to approach further in the game im getting killed and its offputting perhaps if the controls werent so strictived feeling and slow paced id probably have no problem beating the game

its not even the difficulty of the enemies that bother me its the gameplay in my opinion swearing like sailors i am

[MultiConsoleGamer]

The ultimate proof that Sony is catering to the hardcore gamer market.

[WickedLester]

I love you Sony!!!!!!! XXOO

[LordHiggens]

DEMONS SOULS!!!! HELL YEAH!!!! When can I download it, anyone know the exact day I don't think it mentioned!? I AM SO GOING TO DIE!!!! :D

[unworthyBOZO]

God lord my backlog of games keeps getting bigger thanks to PS+ lol, and that's a good thing :)

[amiga-man]

The time it takes to complete this game your back log will be huge, but it will be so worth it.

PS+ truly is amazing value.

[Yoshikiri]

Brilliant game!
My backlog is huge.. D:

I hope other PS+ subs enjoy this!

[GABRIEL1030]

Plus you are the best¡ :D

[brettyd]

I love Demons Souls...I never got passed the first level...

[kingPoS]

Die hard John McClane style and then die again.

[ShiftyLookingCow]

My old PS3 died before I had the chance of unwrapping and playing my copy of Demon Souls. Now I get to keep it sealed.

I hope it will possible to "purchase" Plus games for PS4 on the web store just like it is for Vita and PS3 now. This way Plus subscribers will have a stronger incentive to get PS4 as they will already have games to play.

[fsfsxii]

Damn, now people get to enjoy this beautiful masterpiece of a game.
You're going to die alot but you're going to enjoy it too

[o-Sunny-o]

I love this game but I did turn 2 controllers into dust...I bought it already digital darnzilla.

[fracturedrich]

I bought demon souls last week for twenty pounds,so its a bitch but at least ill have people to play with.

[isyourhouseonfire]

Wow, PSPlus is so far behind XBOX Live. Ugh. Come on Sony don't leave us hanging!!!

[S2Killinit]

you must be retarded.

[erikthegman]

plus is the greatest service ever. I wonder though if Sony had to ever remove the service how the subscribers would feel about it. especially those that sold hard copies of games because they had it on plus

[WalterWJR]

Us and eu?

[S2Killinit]

Holy fudge If I wasn't studying for the LSAT I would be on this so fast... /:

[Roper316]

a great game with dead servers & yet another fighting game when they're the least requested genre on Plus. A crappy update imo.

[e-p-ayeaH]

PEace Walker HD on PS Plus would be a better deal since MGS5 is almost here.

[TriangleOffense]

overall update is trash but ill gladly kill all the new people one by one.

[lovegames718]

Seriously I've put in more than 140 hours into this game. It is my top dog this gen and in my top 6 games this gen, I can't say how exhilarating, fruit full, good and well done this game really is. So many weapon, armor, magic options and so much character customization. Great worlds and enemies. A very rewarding game indeed and every time you beat a massive boss or get some new armor you'll feel so rewarded.

I hope some of you that never played it enjoy it and love it as much as I have, I guess I'll be getting back on it lol

[ajax17]

Demon's Souls!!! F%@K YEAH!

[Welcome2Die]

I had already platinumed this game which to me means I mastered it. However I did trade it in and I started to miss it! I cant wait to get back into it!

[Sharius]

man, i have all three version of this game and triple platium, i wish i could forget about this game so i can rejoy this again

but still add this game for my ICG just for collect

[GhettoBlasStarr]

SHeeeiT, I can't wait to play that "Malicious Game!!!" That game looks fun,. I hope it's not a Short Game