Demons Souls Walkthrough, Guide, Gameplay, and More
by Reshwanth A
Updated Apr 12, 2023
Demon's Souls Walkthrough
The guide starts with the basics, explaining the game's mechanics, stats, and character creation. From there, it moves on to the first level, Boletarian Palace, and gives you detailed instructions on how to progress through each area.
As you journey through the game, the guide will provide tips and strategies for defeating bosses, finding secrets, and obtaining rare items. The guide also covers all five worlds of the game, including the challenging areas of Stonefang Tunnel, Tower of Latria, Shrine of Storms, and Valley of Defilement.
With this guide, you'll have all the information you need to tackle the game's toughest challenges and emerge victorious. So, grab your controller and get ready to embark on an epic adventure through the world of Demon's Souls
Character Creation
To start playing, it's important to understand character creation in detail. You have the option to choose from 10 different classes, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Although every class has its own advantages, there are a few that are particularly suitable for beginners. For instance, the Knight offers high defense and strength, while the Magician and Royalty classes provide long-range magical attacks. Alternatively, the Soldier class can help you get accustomed to the game's close-range combat.
However, it's worth noting that your chosen class does not restrict your character's abilities or equipment. Classes are simply a way to give you certain advantages at the beginning of the game. As an example, a Magician can acquire heavy melee weapons and train to become a skilled melee fighter, just like any other class. So, there's no need to worry too much about your initial class selection.
Tutorial
Once your character is created, you'll begin in the tutorial section where you'll be taught many of the game's fundamental mechanics. During this phase, you'll learn how to pick up items, execute light and heavy attacks, use items for healing, and handle death. It's a linear section, so take advantage of the opportunity to get a feel for the game. Clear out enemies as you go and examine the signs on the ground for useful hints. It's essential to lock onto your enemies by clicking on the right stick.
Next, move inside, dispose of the enemies, and follow the path that leads you upstairs. You will then need to drop off the ledge to the left, which will teach you about taking fall damage. Traverse through the grassy area with trees to reach the far end where you'll find a sword sticking out of the ground beneath a roof. Use this to warp to the second part of the tutorial.
As you continue down the path, practice parrying, switching between one-handed and two-handed weapon usage, and learning how to block effectively. As you climb the tower, you'll come across more stairs leading upward, so keep making your way up. Once you enter the fog, turn left and climb the stairs that will lead to the first boss fight.
Vanguard Boss Fight
The first boss is designed for you to die, but it's alright since it's just one of the game's many tricks. You can attempt to kill it by attacking from afar or two-handing your weapon for extra damage while dodging its attacks. Keep in mind that it can kill you in two hits, so you'll have to play perfectly. If you die, you'll enter Soul form, which is a great opportunity to learn how to survive with low health. Afterward, you'll arrive at The Nexus, the game's hub world, where you can level up, upgrade your gear, and deposit your items. Speak with the Crestfallen Warrior, then interact with the Archstone of the Small King to start the first stage - Boletarian Palace.
Gates of Boletaria Section 1-1
When you begin the game, your objective is to open the large gate ahead, which can’t be approached directly. First, head up the stairs and make a left, then go past the hole in the ground and inside. Eventually, you'll come outside again and find hidden firebombs to the right of the steps. Climb to the top of the structure, being mindful of the boulder that rolls down the steps. Go straight past the fog wall for now and make your way down the long steps to a platform outside. Slash the chains, and pick up the Cling Ring to increase health while in soul form. Go back upstairs and through the fog to encounter a fork, with a merchant to the right and the path forward straight ahead.
After advancing forward, run ahead to grab enemies’ attention and then back away to let the Red Dragon pass. Pull the lever on the other side of the bridge to open the main gate and head down the stairs to the ground level. Be careful of Hoplites on the steps and pull the lever at the bottom to open a shortcut. Cross the fog to start your first boss fight.
Phalanx boss fights
During these boss fights, you'll have to take out the smaller Hoplites enemies first, as they're gathered on top of the boss and prevent you from attacking it. To clear them out, use the firebombs you saved earlier. Once the Hoplites are gone, focus on dealing as much damage to the boss as possible. Be careful not to die, as you won't get your firebombs back. After defeating the boss, interact with the Archstone to head back to The Nexus to level up by talking to The Monumental and The Maiden In Black. Once you're ready, head back to the Archstone and proceed to the Phalanx Archstone for the next part.
The Lord’s Path Section 1-2
Section 1-2 is a linear path to the boss. Move through the room with Hoplites, then head outside and cross the large bridge ahead. But beware of the Red Dragon that patrols the area, as it flies laps across each section of the bridge. Run as soon as it flies past and take off your armor to be lighter on your feet. Avoid picking up items unless the dragon has just flown by.
Go downstairs to the underground portion of the bridge and follow the hall forward until you reach a pathway on your right that leads up to the next section. Take out the dogs and enemies carefully. At the very end of this section, you'll find a merchant. Back upstairs, turn around, and eliminate the group of four archers shooting at you. Grab the Compound Short Bow upstairs, then proceed through the fog.
Take out the enemies ahead and wait behind the carriage. As soon as the Red Dragon flies past, run to the right side of the bridge, stop at the wagon with the barrels, and wait until the dragon passes. Repeat until you're comfortable, then head towards the path forward. Go upstairs to grab items and take note of the locked door nearby. Proceed through the fog to start the next boss fight.
Tower Knight Boss
To defeat the Tower Knight boss, start by taking out all the surrounding archers before engaging with the boss. Avoid its long-range attacks and lure it to the center of the stage. Two-hand your melee weapon and strike both of its ankles until they emit a blue substance. The boss will fall on its back, allowing you to pummel away at its head. Repeat this process until the boss is dead.
Smithing Ground Section 2-1
As you begin 2-1, watch out for falling rocks and head towards the large structure ahead. Take out the Scale Miners, dogs, and Fat Official, then head upstairs through the narrow corridors. Across from a closed gate, take out the Fat Official and interact with the lever to open the gate. Go through the fog and up two floors to a large group of Scale Miners. Keep going until you end up outside, then make a right and pull the lever to initiate the rotating platforms.
Take the platform down to Blacksmith Ed, then head back and go through the fog beside the Miners. Follow the path to a huge open area, turn left around a corner, and take out the Miners throwing rocks. Keep going, down past the dogs, and pull the final lever next to a rotating wheel to pour water on the lava. Head back to the lava pool and follow the newly uncovered path upstairs. Take out the Fat Official blocking the fog gate and pull the lever to take the elevator down to the boss.
Armor Spider Boss
To defeat the Armor Spider boss in Demon's Souls, there are two ways - the easy and the hard way. The easy method involves shooting around 50 arrows at it from a spot where you can't get hit, which is considered a "cheese" tactic but effective. Alternatively, you can dodge its fireballs and webs to strike it with melee attacks. Use Sticky White Slime to deal more damage. It's essential to either block or roll through its attacks and repeat the process.
The Tunnel City Section 2-2
To prepare for the upcoming journey, head back to Nexus and deposit all non-essential items, including upgrade materials and weapons/armor you won't need. Proceed to 2-2 and be careful of exploding carts on the left path. Past the Fat Official, take the elevator down, and lure the Black Phantoms before returning to ride the elevator back up and watching them jump down the hole. Descend again to eliminate the Crystal Gekkos and collect resources.
Afterward, head back up and drop off the right side to avoid the Giant Bearbug, grab the Ring of Flame Resistance, and meet the Filthy Man NPC for Sharpstone and Hardstone materials. Keep going down to reach the Rock Worm graveyard with a fog gate, cross it to enter the confusing tunnel, and follow the path we describe. Grab the Dragon Long Sword+1 and kill the Rock Worms in the circular room. From there, proceed to the next boss by taking the tunnel ahead, turning left to grab the Hands of God, and continuing the other way.
Flamelurker boss
The Flamelurker boss in Demon’s Souls cannot be easily defeated like the Armor Spider. This fiery boss can deal high damage and is quite dangerous. However, it can get stuck on the map's geometry which can be exploited to get some hits in. Begin the fight by using magic or long-range attacks and then run behind the boss while avoiding its attacks to get some melee hits in. If you have powerful magic, you can stay at a distance and deal massive damage. It's not recommended to go all out with melee attacks unless you have a high-damage weapon, so sticking to magic attacks will make the battle easier.
Dragon Boss Fight
The following section leads straight into another boss battle, but this time against the Dragon God, which is not as challenging as the Flamelurker. The main objective of this fight is to reach the left and right sides of the area and use the ballista to shoot the boss. To achieve this, wait for the Dragon God's eyes to turn yellow and for it to look away, as its eyes will turn red while attacking. Begin by heading to the right, destroy the rubble, and continue until you reach the ballista. Shoot the boss, move downstairs, and repeat the process until you get to the second ballista. Shoot it again, and then attack its horn while avoiding its breath which can damage you. Wait for its breath to disappear before attacking and backing away. Do this several times, and the Dragon God will eventually be defeated. Finally, explore the area to collect any missed items.
Prison of Hope Section 3-1
In the Tower of Latria, the goal is to escape the prison by making your way to the bottom floor and outside. The confusing layout makes it difficult, but you can grab the Prison of Hope, 3F Cell Key along the way to help. Use cover from the Mind Flayer's attacks and strike in between animations. After grabbing the Prison of Hope, 4F Key, and Prison of Hope, 4F Cell Key, head outside and stick to the left side. Open the gates and keep going down until you reach the bottom floor. Take out the Prisoner Horde and head outside where you'll grab the Prison of Hope Warden's Key. Use it to unlock the gate and turn off the deadly bolt machine. Defeat the Dregling and Baby's Nail Black Phantom to grab the Prison of Hope, Special Key, and start the Fool's Idol boss fight.
Fool’s Idol Boss
If you’re well prepared, Fool’s Idol should be an easy boss to defeat. The key to the fight is recognizing which one is the real boss when she clones herself. The real Fool’s Idol uses a massive Soul Ray attack while the fake ones use smaller Soul Arrow attacks. If you leave some of her followers alive, they'll help you by facing the real one. Use the columns to hide behind and strike when you can. Repeat this process a few times and she’ll be defeated in no time. After the battle, you’ll be transported to the next area.
Upper Latria Section 3-2
Fool’s Idol Archstone is relatively easier than the previous one, although there are still some confusing paths to navigate through. To begin with, head straight, past the fire, and into the tower ahead, and then make your way up the steps. Once you reach the top, there will be a bridge to your left and a blocked-off path that continues up the stairs. Take note of the blocked-off path, as you'll return there later. For now, take the bridge and pass through the fog to enter the next tower. Ride the elevator to the top, taking out all the Dreglings to trigger a cutscene.
Afterward, follow the path beside the defeated enemies and ride down the cages to the swamp. Take the cage at 12 o’clock and ride it down, and then climb the steps behind it to reach the wooden platform. Follow the path up to the natural, rocky section, and continue ahead through the fog. From this point on, the path is mostly linear but beware of the Black Phantom Mind Flayer and the Giant Man Centipedes. Take the path next to the Crystal Gekko to reach the tower, and ride the elevator to the top to face more Dreglings.
From here, you can either return to the Archstone or proceed to the previously inaccessible section by going left and up the tower. Be cautious of the Mind Flayer and climb the stairs to the top, where you'll encounter the next boss beyond the fog.
Maneater Boss
Maneater is undoubtedly one of the most challenging bosses so far. With a narrow platform and high damage output, defeating the first Maneater before the second one spawns should be your goal. To do so, use magic or a powerful melee weapon to hit it from behind after it lunges. Stay close to the boss to avoid its long-range attacks, but be cautious when it flies away, and avoid locking on as the camera may become tricky.
Once the second Maneater spawns, repeat the same strategy, keeping a safe distance from the edge of the walkway. When only one Maneater is left, use the flame bowl in the center of the arena to deflect its attacks and strike when it's safe. Finally, head to the Archstone on the opposite end to progress to the final section of the world.
The Ivory Tower section 3-3
Fortunately, this section is brief and straightforward. Your task is to ascend the steps while eliminating Man Centipedes and Black Phantom Mind Flayers. The second Mind Flayer is protecting a Crystal Gekko, so draw its attention towards you and dispose of it without alerting the Gekko. Just behind the Mind Flayer, you'll find the fog leading to the next boss, and fortunately, it's less challenging than the previous one.
Old Monk Boss
If you’re playing online, the boss of this area can be controlled by another player which can be unpredictable and challenging. It's recommended to switch to offline mode from the main menu before fighting him. Start by two-handing your melee weapon and mashing the light attack to stun the boss, then back away to regain stamina and repeat. If you need to heal, take out your shield and circle around for a backstab animation, then quickly heal before he gets up. Alternatively, roll far away or hide behind a chair to heal. Watch out for his long-range magic attacks and dodge his Homing Soul Arrows. If you follow this method, you should be able to defeat the boss easily. Return to the Nexus to level up and prepare for the next area.
Island Edge Section 4-1
As you make your way through the Shrine of Storms, be cautious of the Storm Beasts that fly around and shoot spikes at you. It's a good idea to use a long-range weapon, such as an upgraded Dragon Longsword or Crescent Falchion. Take out the skeletons one at a time and grab the Talisman of God to the right before the fog gate. Proceed through the fog and you'll encounter the Vanguard from the tutorial level. Stick behind it, get a few hits in, and back away while it does its stomp attack. You can also take the path below the Vanguard to reach a section with illusory walls that will lead to the Compound Long Bow.
After climbing the ladder, follow the narrow path while being cautious of the spikes from the Storm Beasts. Cross the fog and be careful of the pressure plate that triggers a set of three arrows. Take out the Dual Katana Black Skeleton along the way and prepare for the boss.
Adjudicator Boss
Taking down the Adjudicator is relatively easy. You can attack its head by either shooting arrows from the top or attacking its bleeding gut to make it fall and then attacking its head. The melee method is quicker, but the long-range bow method is safer. If you choose the melee method, two-hand your weapon to attack its gut, which will cause it to fall on its face, exposing its head for easy melee attacks. If you opt for the top-down approach, be wary of its long-range tongue attacks and use cover to avoid taking damage. Also, be mindful that the boss can destroy some of the floors around you.
The Ritual’s Path Section 4-2
Navigating through this segment is no walk in the park as it poses various challenges, including darkness, narrow platforms, and tough enemies. Once inside the dark structure, head to the bottom and eliminate the Reaper guarding the altar with a pressure plate on the backside to open a door. Outside, carefully take out the skeletons one by one, then cross the fog and descend the narrow stairs, being mindful of the Shadowlurkers' beams.
After passing through another fog door, you'll arrive outside again and must battle more Shadowlurkers and a Reaper before heading through a tunnel that leads to the Phosphorescent Slug room. Here, your goal is to reach the other side of the room by crossing a narrow walkway and taking a left to a path illuminated by a sparkly material. Finally, climb the steps to face the next boss.
Old Hero Boss
The Old Hero is one of the easier bosses in the game because he's blind, which means he can only hear you. By equipping the Thief's Ring, you can easily approach him from behind, attack, and then retreat as he roars. Repeat this process to take him down quickly. If you don't have the Thief's Ring, you should walk instead of sprinting around the boss and using long-range attacks. Additionally, you can use the pillars to create distance between you and the Old Hero. Another strategy is to exploit his weakness to poison and continuously use Poison Cloud on him.
For maximum damage output, use a two-handed weapon during the fight. Blocking may not be necessary if you attack and retreat quickly. There are several strategies to defeat the Old Hero, but equipping the Thief's Ring is highly recommended as it makes the fight much easier.
Storm King Boss
The next section in this game features another boss, but it's not too difficult if you come prepared. It's recommended to bring a bow with you, preferably the Compound Long Bow obtained from 4-1, and around 100 arrows. At the start of the fight, try taking out as many Storm Beasts as possible without the Thief's Ring equipped. Once they're gone, the Storm King will appear.
There are two strategies to defeat this boss. The first method is to go to the left and find the Stormruler, which is effective but tricky to use. The second method is to use arrows or magic, which is the more efficient strategy. Aim for the boss's weak spots and use cover from the long-range spikes.
If you use a bow, the fight might take a while depending on how much it's been upgraded. Magic can also be used, but it depends on your catalyst and stats. Once you defeat the Storm King, you can warp back to the Nexus to start the next area.
Depraved Chasm Section 5-1
The following section in the game is considered the creepiest due to the narrow platforms and black pit surrounding you. Be cautious when locking on enemies as it may disorient your camera and lead to possible death. Start by going up the planks to the top, taking the left path, and crossing the gap to drop down. Cross another plank to the left and push down a piece of wood for a shortcut. Head down where you'll come across a bridge and try not to fight enemies on it. Take out the two Giant Ticks and head down the planks to a small junction with rats.
Cross the narrow plank leading to a Giant Depraved One, but avoid fighting on the narrow platform. Head up to face more Giant Ticks and cross another bridge, giving yourself more room to fight the enemies. Finally, after crossing the bridge, head down a few planks to face the next boss.
Leechmonger Boss
The Leechmonger boss can be easily defeated using a bow. To do this, stand close enough to the boss to provoke its leech attacks, but far enough away to avoid them. Move across the planks on the left, then drop down to the planks on the right. You'll slide down a wall and land on a corner where the boss can't reach you. From here, shoot arrows until it dies. If you're too far away, it won't attack you, and if you're too close, it will hit you. Using fire is also effective since the boss is weak to it. Enhance your melee attacks with turpentine if needed.
Swamp of Sorrow Section 5-2
To safely navigate through the Swamp of Sorrow, it is recommended to bring Royal Lotuses to counteract the area's poison. Starting from the swampy area, run towards your nine o'clock while stopping at little islands to collect items such as the Shard of Suckerstone and the War Scythe. Continue clockwise around the water on the left and avoid fighting the Meat Cleaver Black Phantom in the water. Cross the first fog gate and head towards the large flames in the distance while avoiding the poisonous Depraved Ones and slugs. After the fog, encounter the Filthy Woman NPC and carefully take out enemies one by one. Follow the path above to reach the next boss.
Dirty Colossus Boss
There is a way to defeat Dirty Colossus in a more straightforward manner. The strategy is to get behind one of the torches ahead and position yourself in such a way that the boss' ranged attacks don't hit you. By doing this, you can shoot arrows at the boss without taking any damage. Just make sure to adjust your position if necessary, and if you get hit, run into the fire to burn the flies off you. Additionally, it's worth noting that Dirty Colossus is vulnerable to fire, so you can use Pine Resin on a melee weapon or cast fire spells to inflict significant damage. When the boss performs its area-of-effect attack, retreat and then attack with two-handed strikes.
Maiden Astraea Boss
The final boss fight of the area is against Maiden Astrea, but it's a trick boss because you don't have to fight her. Instead, you can defeat her bodyguard, Garl Vinland. As soon as you walk through the fog, head straight and to the left, which leads to Garl Vinland. Although he's somewhat challenging, backstabs work the best as you can deal massive damage and get additional attacks in before he even gets up. Using the Thief's Ring, he'll stay in one spot with his shield up, so get behind him, backstab, and then switch to two-handing your weapon to dish out a couple of attacks before rolling away.
If you catch him off guard, you can continuously strike him, and he'll be stunned and unable to retaliate. After he's dead, use the path behind Vinland to head down to the swamp below, where you'll find Maiden Astrea. Talk with her and she'll die without you setting a finger on her. Finally, touch the Archstone beside her to return to the Nexus.
Inner Ward Section 1-3
It's a good idea to finish off this world now that you're leveled up and have killed an Archdemon. Open the door at the start and dodge the flaming boulders on the steps above. Take the newly opened path on the right, drop down to the section below, and climb the ladder to a platform you can drop from. Move ahead to the upper floor, dodge the flaming boulder, and make your way past enemies to the fog gate. Before entering, turn around and head opposite the fog to pull a lever that opens a shortcut and saves Ostrava. Finally, head up the steps to the fog gate for the boss fight.
Penetrator Boss
The Penetrator is a tough boss that can't be cheesed, so it's best to save it for the end. Its aggressive nature makes it challenging, but attacking it from afar with magic or arrows is recommended. When it comes in to attack, roll through its strikes and then attack from behind. Retreat hit it with ranged attacks, and repeat the process. Stun the boss to get in several attacks without retaliation. The safest time to roll through is when it does a horizontal slash, so use that to your advantage and avoid getting too greedy.
The King’s Tower Section 1-4
The upcoming section is a difficult one, with challenging enemies and a large Blue Dragon blocking your path with fire. As you proceed, you'll face three Black Phantoms in an open area. With the Thief's Ring equipped, they won't detect you, but take them out one by one if you want their useful items. Move to the right, climb the steps, and take out your enemies. Look out for the Fat Official ahead of you, who takes damage from the dragon's fire, and runs past him to the building beyond.
After defeating the Crystal Gekko, ascend the steps to the upper floor and use around 150 arrows to lower the Blue Dragon's health to 50%. It will then fly up to the castle behind it. Stand behind the second pillar on the right and wait for two bursts of fire before running up the steps to the left. Once inside, use arrows or magic to finish the dragon. Proceed up the steps to face Ostrava and his Black Phantom.
Take them out and use the elevator to reach the next boss. Remember, after defeating all main bosses, you won't be able to upgrade your character with the Maiden in Black, so level up before reaching the end game.
Old King Allant
If you're looking for an easy way to beat this boss, equip the Thief's Ring and wait for the boss to turn his back to you at the top of the stairs. Use the Poison Cloud spell and bring some MP replenishment items. But if you want to fight him normally, be cautious and wait for him to strike. Dodge the attack and counter with a few hits. Watch out for his massive explosion attack and roll through it to get some attacks in. You can also strike him in between close-range attacks, but be careful as he can drain your soul level. Don't be greedy and play it safe to defeat this boss.
King Allant Boss
After returning to the Nexus, the Maiden in Black will open a path below, leading to the final section of the game. It's important to note that after defeating the boss, you'll be sent to NG+ automatically. Therefore, it's advisable to explore and complete everything before starting the final fight. Once you're ready, take the path ahead, and prepare for the easiest boss fights in the game.
To defeat the boss, get behind it, strike a few times, and then back away to recover stamina. You can also use ranged attacks to defeat it with ease. Once the boss is defeated, withdraw the Soulbrandt - which can be used to form the Northern Regalia. You can choose to kill the Maiden in Black, leading to the bad ending, or spare her for the good ending. Traverse the fog behind you to reach the end credits. And with that, you'll have completed Demon's Souls!
Demon's Souls Guide
Demon's Souls is a challenging action role-playing game that requires careful planning and strategic thinking. Here is a guide to help you navigate the game and come out victorious:
Demon's Souls Gameplay
The Demon's Souls remake boasts several new features, including weapons, armor, rings, and "Grains," which temporarily boost resistance to effects such as fire, poison, and bleeding. The game retains the original's encumbrance system, but with some tweaks. For instance, the healing grasses now have a weight limit, making it impossible for players to carry a vast amount of them, unlike the original game.
Additionally, the remake introduces a new mode called "Fractured World," which reverses the layout of environments, and a photo mode that can be used to pause the game and apply filters. Notably, Bluepoint has not added different difficulty levels despite the Souls series' reputation for difficulty. Furthermore, the character creation feature has received an update with more customization options.
Demon's Souls
Demon's Souls is a action role-playing game for PlayStation 5, published by Sony Interactive Entertainment and developed by Bluepoint Games. It was released as a launch title in November 2020 and is a remake of the original Demon's Souls game developed by FromSoftware for PlayStation 3 in 2009. The development of the game was assisted by Japan Studio, and it was their final game before merging with Team Asobi. The game received critical acclaim from critics, particularly for its gameplay, visuals, technical aspects, and improvements over the original game.
Gavin Moore directed the game while Teruyuki Toriyama produced it. Howard Tang designed the game, Toshitake Tsuchikura programmed it, and Puh, Adam Rehmann, and Mark Skelton served as the artists. The game's composer is Shunsuke Kida. It is a single-player and multiplayer game that was released globally on November 19, 2020, except for Australia, North America, and New Zealand, where it was released on November 12, 2020. As of September 2021, the game had sold over 1.4 million copies.
Demon's Souls Walkthrough - FAQs
Demon's Souls is an action role-playing game developed by Bluepoint Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is a remake of the 2009 game of the same name.
Demon's Souls is currently available exclusively on the PlayStation 5.
Demon's Souls features challenging and unforgiving gameplay where the player must explore a dark and dangerous world filled with powerful enemies and traps. The combat system is heavily focused on timing and precision, with each enemy presenting a unique challenge that must be overcome through careful planning and execution.
Demon's Souls is known for its difficulty, so it may not be the best choice for beginners. However, the game does offer a range of difficulty options and features that can be adjusted to make the game more accessible to players of different skill levels.