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Demon's Souls

Demon's Souls is a 2009 action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Demon's Souls is a 2009 action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. Set in the kingdom of Boletaria, players confront the Old One and King Allant. The game is widely regarded as the spiritual successor to FromSoftware's King's Field series and the first entry in the Souls series. The original North American release, which included Canada, was published by Atlus in October 2009.

Gameplay

Demon's Souls is an action role-playing game with third-person combat, exploration, and character progression. It is known for its high difficulty and its influence on later Souls-style games.

Plot

The story takes place in Boletaria after the awakening of the Old One, a destructive being tied to the use of forbidden Soul Arts. The player is tasked with reaching King Allant and restoring balance to the kingdom.

Development and release

FromSoftware developed the game, with Sony Computer Entertainment publishing it in Japan and Atlus and Namco Bandai handling later regional releases. It launched first in Japan on February 5, 2009. The North American release, including Canada, followed in October 2009 published by Atlus, and PAL territories in June 2010.

Legacy

The game is widely viewed as the foundation of the Souls franchise and a major influence on the action RPG genre. Its 2020 remake brought the title to PlayStation 5 with updated visuals and presentation.

Key facts

  • The game was developed by FromSoftware and originally released for PlayStation 3 in 2009.
  • It is set in Boletaria, a kingdom afflicted by the Old One and demonic forces.
  • Players take the role of a hero sent to defeat King Allant and contain the crisis.
  • It is commonly described as a spiritual successor to the King's Field series and the first entry in the Souls series.
  • A remake titled Demon's Souls was released for PlayStation 5 in 2020.
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Canadian context

The original North American release was published by Atlus in October 2009, giving Canadian PlayStation 3 players access through the same North American market release window.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of game is Demon's Souls?
It is an action role-playing game with third-person combat and character progression.
Who developed Demon's Souls?
It was developed by FromSoftware.
When was Demon's Souls first released?
It was first released in Japan on February 5, 2009.
What is the setting of Demon's Souls?
The game is set in the fictional kingdom of Boletaria.
Is Demon's Souls related to Dark Souls?
Yes. It is widely described as the spiritual predecessor to Dark Souls and the first game in the Souls series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon's_Souls
    Supports: Developer, publisher, platform, release dates, setting, plot, and series relationship.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon's_Souls_(2020_video_game)
    Supports: 2020 PlayStation 5 remake information.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Souls
    Supports: Relationship between Demon's Souls and the Dark Souls series.