ThatOneJackal
2007
2010
2009
It's hard to appreciate the uniqueness and innovation of Demon's Souls when it's your 6th game in the series. Unlike the others I essentially approached it from the angle of "this is a cool idea, but it was done better in __". Bosses are more of a puzzle/gimmick than a combat challenge, this balance slowly shifting over the next 15 years of the series. As such, checkpoints are only at the start of each 'sub-level' which can be a bit annoying at times. Some mechanics like World and Character Tendency are extremely cryptic and complex but add an entirely unique element to this game. They are a huge pain to understand and affect is you are routing the Platinum trophy as I did.
It's worth saying that this is still an amazing game, and an incredibly important one, even if I personally find more enjoyment in later Soulsbornes.
Killer fucking soundtrack too
It's worth saying that this is still an amazing game, and an incredibly important one, even if I personally find more enjoyment in later Soulsbornes.
Killer fucking soundtrack too
2022
If I was reviewing this in 2014 it would be a totally different story. I played this game for the first time in 2018, and even then it was filled with horrible bugs and content that wouldn't be filled in until 3 years later, meaning it took them about 8 years to finally fix this game. However, these are still some of my favourite single player experiences of all time (minus Halo 4). I've played these campaigns over and over and over and over, and will continue to do so forever probably.
2010
Barely touched the open world and it still took me 50 hours to reach the credits. Amazing graphics and storytelling (Dutch is one of my favourite fictional characters of all time), but the gameplay is incredibly slow and I can see why some people find it limiting to the open world. Fantastic even if I still prefer the first game.
2011
Unironically I think this game is flawless. Genuinely, the only issue between the single player and multiplayer, is that you will eventually complete the whole game. Despite having the puzzle solutions basically engrained into my subconscious I still find reasons to replay this every once in a while.
2008