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Matthewmatosis: The Lost Soul Arts of Demon's Souls
- Thread starter lightskintwin
- Start date
Yep, indeed. Though Bloodborne>all to me.
SunBroDave
Member
Holy shit, he's back.
Agree and disagree with some of his points and the lack of surprise factor nowadays has certainly contributed to souls fatigue for me and a lot of other people. It has essentially become an annualised IP at this point, glad they are taking a break. Regardless of whether I agree or disagree fully with him, I always enjoy Mattewmatosis's videos as he's respectful and always couches things as not being objectively Wrong or Right. Can't say the same thing for Hbomberguy souls videos. But I can already see where this thread will go:
benicillin
Banned
Lost me when he said that Bloodborne has less depth than any of the other games in the series.
Demon's Souls is real good though, one of my favorite games of all time.
Demon's Souls is real good though, one of my favorite games of all time.
The Xtortionist
Member
Excellent analysis of why Demon's has the best bosses in the series. Straight-up brawls are fun, but can get pretty tired when it's 90% of what you're doing. No need for the majority of bosses to just feel like souped-up regular enemies.
entremet
Member
Lack of meaningful armor diversity.
The tendency system in Demons was rather esoteric and if you miss it you miss a lot fun quests.
I would agree but Demon's Souls doesn't really take good advantage of that fact as the other bosses that aren't the usual brawls are pretty mediocre/clunky mechanics wise.
There is so much room to improve here that another take on that would freshen up the series considerably.
CountAntonius
Member
As a huge fan of the series I agree with him. Even if I like respecs and fast travel that comes from the perspective of a hardcore PvP player and not as someone who takes his time to enjoy the world and the story. I know that stuff takes it's toll and every entry has gotten played less and less and feels less magical. I also agree with him about how they don't improve the series as they move onto the next game but flip flop between problems that had been solved before only to have to deal with them again.
One of my favorite series of all time but definitely time to put it to bed.
One of my favorite series of all time but definitely time to put it to bed.
Yes
Lumination
'enry 'ollins
I'd like to watch it when I get home, but are there spoilers for the last DS3 DLC? The first screen just says spoilers for DS1, 2, and 3.
Spiritwalker
Member
Gameplay is a bit clunky these days, but it's still my favorite after Bloodborne.
benicillin
Banned
I think it shows a boss or two and maybe short clips of environments, but that's it as far as I could tell.
I got so tired of farming for that that eventually I found someone online willing to trade one for Yurts armor.
Love Demons but it will always be Dark Souls for me.
The game made massive leaps in Design that really set it apart even within the souls borne.
DeS' design(hub world,Level up waifu,Teleportation etc) are much more dominant and prevalent than DaS so I actually dont miss its design elements as much.
The game made massive leaps in Design that really set it apart even within the souls borne.
DeS' design(hub world,Level up waifu,Teleportation etc) are much more dominant and prevalent than DaS so I actually dont miss its design elements as much.
He seems to wait until all the DLC for a game is out until reviewing it so we'll probably see it around the time the next Zelda game is out.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
Damn I missed this gem in that The Mirror interview:
Miyazaki da best lol
Miyazaki da best lol
It does have less depth when it comes to stat allocation and build variety.
Its actually DeS concepts and design that are dominating the series.
Most of DaS' unique design decisions have been abandoned by comparison.
I would say DS3 and BB are particularly closer to being takes on DeS than DaS when it comes to core design.
Its actually Dark Souls 1 that is the lone child of the series.
Yup yup. Bloodborne is the only competition.
Leafhopper
Banned
Fromsoft has become Gamefreak in terms of adding and taking gameplay mechanics of games with later games.
Maybe even worse in a way.
Maybe even worse in a way.
Soul of the Beast
Member
Demon's Souls - Return to Slumber
Such a beautiful piece of art, the ending theme (good ending) still brings back old memories....the golden age of Souls community.
It's such an absorbing experience...as if my soul is being sucked into a lost, forgotten world.
Demon's Souls felt like a dream that you'll never forget, that's the best way I can describe it.
Such a beautiful piece of art, the ending theme (good ending) still brings back old memories....the golden age of Souls community.
It's such an absorbing experience...as if my soul is being sucked into a lost, forgotten world.
Demon's Souls felt like a dream that you'll never forget, that's the best way I can describe it.
Aces&Eights
Member
Man, it's been so long since I played this game. I really want to take it for another spin but I am holding out hope for a PS4 remaster.
OT: For anyone who doesn't know Matt, take a look through his videos. He has some older ones on Souls that are hours long. Great stuff.
OT: For anyone who doesn't know Matt, take a look through his videos. He has some older ones on Souls that are hours long. Great stuff.
About 12 minutes in and I haven't agreed with a thing he says.
He mostly sounds like he isn't as surprised by the 2nd, 3rd, 4th.. sequel that he's played in the same series. Maybe he should look elsewhere if what he's looking for is a brand new experience in game design?
Edit: He finally said something I can agree with introduction of all the QoL features in 2 and then followed it up with the most absurd exaggeration of "what's next" I've ever heard. Jesus.
He mostly sounds like he isn't as surprised by the 2nd, 3rd, 4th.. sequel that he's played in the same series. Maybe he should look elsewhere if what he's looking for is a brand new experience in game design?
Edit: He finally said something I can agree with introduction of all the QoL features in 2 and then followed it up with the most absurd exaggeration of "what's next" I've ever heard. Jesus.
This is such a useless way to react to criticism.
Cozmogramma
Member
Agree with pretty much everything he says in the video.
And as much as I love Bloodborne, Demon's Souls remains one of the most unique and original games I've ever played and it was one of my most memorable gaming experiences. Dark Souls was just a boring and lesser sequel that repeated most things the first game did, only worse and with an interconnected world. Haven't finished 2 and while 3 looks interesting, I'm not sure I'll get around playing it.
And as much as I love Bloodborne, Demon's Souls remains one of the most unique and original games I've ever played and it was one of my most memorable gaming experiences. Dark Souls was just a boring and lesser sequel that repeated most things the first game did, only worse and with an interconnected world. Haven't finished 2 and while 3 looks interesting, I'm not sure I'll get around playing it.
ldcommando
Banned
That was a great video. Demons souls is the best of those games
BluePigGanon
Member
Ugh I had just stopped daydreaming about a remaster of DS. Dammit!
He just said Demon's Souls is most non-linear game in the series. I don't know what planet he lives on anymore.
He honestly sounds like he just puts Demon's on a pedestal because it's the first game he played and experienced the mechanics in for most of the video. I don't consider that a good criticism.
He honestly sounds like he just puts Demon's on a pedestal because it's the first game he played and experienced the mechanics in for most of the video. I don't consider that a good criticism.
Raven117
Member
Yup. Agree whole-heartedly.
Man...I still remember the ps3 in those days. 09. Not alot of RPGs were out. I hear ATLUS is bringing over a game and to read about it online sounded like something i would NOT be interested in.
I googled it up, and that's actually how I discovered NeoGaf. As they had an import thread that was raging positive.
I wanted something to play, so while in between jobs, I forked over 70 bucks for the collectors edition in the hopes of something great.
UPS came on that rainy Tuesday, and I threw it in. 4 hours later and not through 1-1 I was hooked beyond belief and took to the internet to discuss.
There were not many people who picked it up that day, but NeoGaf was here waiting on us. It felt like we had stumbled on a secret. A game that was bizarre, cryptic, difficult... The community was unified without any of this "git gud" stuff. It was all of us trying to make sense of this thing.
It was a special time and it served as a reminder of why I bother to pick up a controller in the first place.
Man...I still remember the ps3 in those days. 09. Not alot of RPGs were out. I hear ATLUS is bringing over a game and to read about it online sounded like something i would NOT be interested in.
I googled it up, and that's actually how I discovered NeoGaf. As they had an import thread that was raging positive.
I wanted something to play, so while in between jobs, I forked over 70 bucks for the collectors edition in the hopes of something great.
UPS came on that rainy Tuesday, and I threw it in. 4 hours later and not through 1-1 I was hooked beyond belief and took to the internet to discuss.
There were not many people who picked it up that day, but NeoGaf was here waiting on us. It felt like we had stumbled on a secret. A game that was bizarre, cryptic, difficult... The community was unified without any of this "git gud" stuff. It was all of us trying to make sense of this thing.
It was a special time and it served as a reminder of why I bother to pick up a controller in the first place.
As usual matthewmatosis makes weird arguments by conveniently ignoring things that don't fit his narrative. Bloodborne is the most "design by committee" souls game because it was made to push PS4 sales and has too many safe/convenient mechanics? There are many mechanics in that game that are more obtuse than previous entries.
The only point I really agree is that FROM haven't iterated on some of the real issues of the series like camera, wall collision, AI, input, etc.
Mind you, I love DeS and think its rawer nature does make it stand out, but the points he chooses to make his argument aren't always as strong as he thinks.
The only point I really agree is that FROM haven't iterated on some of the real issues of the series like camera, wall collision, AI, input, etc.
Mind you, I love DeS and think its rawer nature does make it stand out, but the points he chooses to make his argument aren't always as strong as he thinks.
What he is arguing about is that the series has become way too focused on its action without really expanding any aspects associated with it. That focus on action is even carried over to things like level design and boss design (heck, in Dark Souls 3 most boss enemies are just strong enemies with different phases and cheap tricks - compare that to Demon's Souls mostly unorthodox boss design)
I tend to agree with him seeing how I didn't even bother to buy any of the DS3 DLCs or finishing the BB DLC because they don't do enough for me anymore; having played all of those games, at one point you just see through it all and know all the weaknesses of the Souls framework: you not only understand how the sausage was made but every ingredient of it
Besides, telling someone who likes a series and takes the time to produce a video to criticise it to look for a different experience just because you disagree with that person is so weak
Soul of the Beast
Member
After 1-1 you get to access 1-2, 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1 without any restriction.
You can get different weapons, armors and spells from different area early, making each playthorugh much more unique and interesting.
It also makes most build a lot more viable early on in the game.
In terms of non-linear progression design, I'd say DeS > DkS1 > DkS2 > DkS3 > BB.
Love BB to death but the main story progression really is a more linear design compare to Souls.
I disagree with his point about combat. Souls series compared to pure action game may have more simple combat but simplicity isn't necessarily bad. You can have a lot of moves and combos at the player's disposal but without necessary obstacles to make the player explore all of those moves it's pretty meaningless. Even though Souls games have simple controls and move sets, the obstacles really force the player to explore all of the combat system making it a more satisfying experience.
I like Matthewmatosis. The length he goes on at in his videos is hilarious. He did a Dark Souls video which was 6 hours long.
Anyway - I think he's kind of on to something about Demon's Souls. I've only completed it once, while I've played through Dark Souls probably half a dozen times now, but that's mostly because the online in Dark Souls is still active and I like messing around with it.
However, I have this impression of Demon's Souls as being more fun and I think it probably is because of the variety and how every boss isn't a kind of similar slog of rolling in, hit hit, roll out, etc (or just cheese with magic), but that every section of every world is kind of unique and has all these little fun gimmicks going on. It's like Dark Souls is one very big, tasty pie but maybe you didn't need a pie quite that big, while Demon's Souls is a bunch of mini-servings of different things.
Anyway - I think he's kind of on to something about Demon's Souls. I've only completed it once, while I've played through Dark Souls probably half a dozen times now, but that's mostly because the online in Dark Souls is still active and I like messing around with it.
However, I have this impression of Demon's Souls as being more fun and I think it probably is because of the variety and how every boss isn't a kind of similar slog of rolling in, hit hit, roll out, etc (or just cheese with magic), but that every section of every world is kind of unique and has all these little fun gimmicks going on. It's like Dark Souls is one very big, tasty pie but maybe you didn't need a pie quite that big, while Demon's Souls is a bunch of mini-servings of different things.
It is though.