Games like Demon's Souls aren't supposed to sell well. A super hardcore, obscure RPG published by Atlus? Yeah, those games don't sell well. Except the game actually is selling well, at least by its own standards. With a little over 150,000 copies shifted in October, Demon's Souls actually made it to number eleven in the US cross-platform sales chart.
NPD gave the numbers to Gamasutra, where Demon's Souls is listed above Brutal Legend. While not in the top ten, and while the numbers aren't exactly indicative of a blockbuster, it's an amazing success for a game as humble as Demon's Souls. The fact it's anywhere on the chart is surprising and very encouraging.
We've not reviewed Demon's Souls, but if one of us ever finds the balls and time to beat it, we will do such a thing. We've certainly produced plenty of articles and videos on it though, so check out the coverage. It really is one of the best PS3 games ever made. You owe it to yourself to experience it.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
Likes
PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3
Meet the rest of the team
| BBcode help |
| [b]Bold text[/b] |
Bold text |
| [i]Italic text[/i] |
Italic text |
| [url]http://www.dtoid.com/[/url] |
http://www.dtoid.com |
| [url=http://www.dtoid.com/]Web link[/url] |
Web link |
|
| [img]http://www.example.com/robot.jpg[/img] |
 |
Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
46 comments | showing # 1 to 46
|
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
Comments policy
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
8:00 PM on 11.14.2009
| 
It's a PSTriples exclusive , of course it will sell. And it's good son!
Seriously do want.
At any rate, for those who haven't checked it out yet, you really should. Don't be put off by all the articles talking about it's difficulty. It is a very beatable game and like most RPGs, there's a built in way to make the game easier if you're in a tough spot, level up. I'm not saying you won't be challenged, I'm just saying that the game is by no means impossible.
is atlus finally being recognized as the superb RPG devs that they are?
i hope so, they wont be overthrowing square anytime soon (in sales), however, i heard they were a bit reluctant to fully enter into the next gen (atleast on the xbox360/ps3 front) so these news are definitively inspiring
Only, Atlus didn't develop Demon Souls, they just localized it for the US (and actually, it's my understanding they didn't change up the translation from the Asian English version too much. From Software were the developers.
They've brought a couple games to the 360 (not their own work) and they were all slammed in the press. Atlus Japan put our a hiring call for next gen developers recently so it looks like their headed that way. They really have to, it doesn't matter how good P5 is, if it's on the PS2, it isn't going to sell like it could. (I'd buy it though).
Demon's Souls was developed by From Software. Atlus just published it in the U.S.
yes i know that, even that, they were the ones that went foward and published it overseas
also BGFUSAB, most of those games werent even RPGs
btw p4 sold half million units, youd be surprised of how powerful is the word of mouth
Now fingers crossed they are working on P5 for the ps3. ;)
Still, i imported from asia and fucking love it.
The game is really not that difficult, you just have to be careful and cautious. When I find myself rushing through a level or otherwise being careless then I die. I've fought against 7 bosses and only 3 of them have been able to kill me.
Demon's Souls is one of those rare games I just can't stop thinking about. When I'm not playing it I'm thinking about it, reading about it, or talking about it. It's good to hear it is getting the sales it deserves.
I think you're hyping the game up too much here. It's a hard game no doubt and probably the most incredible game I've played this entire generation, but it's not super long.
I beat the game at level 60 in about 2 weeks while only playing on weekends. What it does offer however is an enormous amount of replay value since you can level to a ludicrous number, like 1000 or something as well as play a new game+, and there's multiple routes and endings in the game.
It's nice to see it doing well!
While it is difficult to know whether the game has been a profitable venture for From Software and Atlus, this game is perceived as a success because of how little attention these types of games usually receive from consumers.
I still haven't played it, though, since I'm not a PS3 owner...*sigh*.
What Wedge says. And also, I'm arguing that a developers' success depends on how their game measured up to their sales expectations. Given that Demon's Souls experienced shortages nearly everywhere in the US, resulting in more shipments to meet demand, I'd say they made a bit of money.
Maybe after the holidays, that problem will be fixed.
Saying a game sold X number of units really isn't a good determination for its profitability, when you don't know about things like development and advertisement costs, for instance. So, I have no idea where you heard that automatically makes it a commercial failure, but you heard wrong.
Just for instance.. around 2000 Lambourgini's sold in 2008 and that is definitely not a commercial failure. Just 2000. In fact, that was about a 5% growth.
As for Atlus, its clear that they are very good at picking titles for translation. I hope to god Demon's Souls does come to U.K/EU, because even though Atlus released Operation Darkness and Spectral Force 3 on 360 in Japan and U.S ages ago, they were never released over here.
Next time, From, spread the sequel across formats for much more money. Guess I'll have to add this to my PS3 list, along with a PS3, if there's no chance of a 360 version.
Fixed, seriously ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyeemtS1jII
I never have so much fun dying so much in a game before...
but I will once I get the chance
Fixed, seriously ;)"
Sorry but Dragon Age is superior to Demon's Souls. Its got a great naarative, great characters, and is actually a true RPG, unlike Demon's Souls.
Demon's Souls is good, but it is overrated.