Demon’s Souls has good bones. It was true in 2009, when developer FromSoftware released the mechanically groundbreaking role-playing game on PlayStation 3, and remains true for Bluepoint Games’ remake, released alongside Sony’s PlayStation 5 this week.

[Demon's Souls is] currently the best reason to own a PlayStation 5, and will likely still be an easy recommendation when we start thinking about PlayStation 6.

An almost perfect reimagining of the tough-as-nails PS3 classic (the best parts); phenomenal production values; infinitely replayable despite its age; smart additions and slight alterations.

An almost perfect reimagining of the tough-as-nails PS3 classic (the not-so-great parts); not quite enough additions or alternations to make everyone happy; Flamelurker still sucks; so does Maneater.

It was as quick as the first death that instantly sent me careening back to memories of the original Demon’s Souls . I didn’t end up playing the 2009 title until 2011, but the arduous experience of getting the Platinum trophy sated my need for the Souls genre for the next decade.

Visually stunning on the PS5; Bluepoint maintains its pedigree of remaking classics; Small quality of life changes that respect the player's time; Every feat an accomplishment

Some artistic liberties taken with original enemies look generic in comparison

A must-play whether you're a Souls addict or a newcomer. It is achingly beautiful to look at and listen to, while offering extraordinary rewards for exploration and persistence.

Perhaps the most gorgeous console game ever; Astounding level design; Ever-shifting challenge; Superb sound;

At-times brutal difficulty; Tendency still feels a bridge too far;

It’s fair to say that Demon’s Souls caught nearly everyone by surprise. Its initial Japanese release for PlayStation 3 in 2009 met with a poor reception, so much so that Sony abandoned its initial plans to release the game in the west.

It’s fair to say that Demon’s Souls caught nearly everyone by surprise; Its initial Japanese release for PlayStation 3 in 2009 met with a poor reception, so much so that Sony abandoned its initial plans to release the game in the west.

Staggeringly beautiful; Runs flawlessly; Incredibly faithful; Feels modern

Some weird physics; Tendency still not explained properly

A fantastic remake of one of the most influential games of recent history, with stunning visuals and improved technical features that make it easier and less frustrating to play for everyone.

A perfect combination of presentation and gameplay that results in one of the most daunting and atmospheric video games ever made; Superb graphics and great online features.

World tendency still feels like something that could have been cut and no-one would’ve complained; Very expensive.

Demon's Souls is the must-have PlayStation 5 exclusive as the showstopper of the launch lineup. It's so close to being a perfect 10. But some archaic mechanics left untouched, as well as questionable deluxe edition items giving an unfair head start, just prevent it from reaching that pinnacle.

Demon’s Souls is a masterpiece. Bluepoint Games has crafted a beautiful remake that embodies everything that made the original experience so special, maintaining all of its vital elements while building upon everything that matters. This can proudly join Breath of the Wild as one of the best launch games of all time.

A stunning remake of a classic; One of the most visually impressive games ever made; Combat is brutal, unforgiving and wonderfully satisfying ; Exploring the Kingdom of Boletaria is a melancholic joy ;

DualSense implementation can be underwhelming ;

This review is based upon a purchased digital copy of the game. The Demon's Souls remake is avilable on the PlayStation 5 now.

Beautifully recrafted environments, Strong, responsive combat, Awesome character customization & progression choice, Excellent new secrets, Some great mechanical improvements, Near zero loading or performance stutter, Still a challenge for fans of the genre

Really annoying systems left intact, Grinding for curatives wastes lots of time, Still no way to sell items, Still unforgiving for non-fans of the genre