Today, I am proud to be a gamer. Demon’s Souls, From Software’s groundbreaking PS3 action-RPG, has been bestowed the great honor of being added to Sony’s Greatest Hits catalog, something I never would’ve expected from what seemed like it was going to be another niche hardcore title that wouldn’t get the respect it deserved.
But after piling up gushing reviews (including mine) and awards from gaming publication’s the world over last year and now joining the PS3’s Greatest Hits line, Demon’s Souls has thus far proven to be this generation’s leading underdog success story — and I couldn’t be happier. Of course, the guys and gals at Sony America are probably kicking themselves for not publishing the game stateside (Demon’s Souls was co-developed and published by Sony as a first-party title in Japan, and I believe Sony even owns the IP), but I’m always glad to see Atlus get rewarded for risky and ambitious localization efforts like this.
“Very few games reach the esteemed PlayStation 3 system Greatest Hits status,” commented Tim Pivnicny, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Atlus. “Those that do are among the very finest the platform has to offer, combining critical success, tremendous popularity, and exceptional quality. Demon’s Souls represents some of the biggest risks, loftiest goals, and most daring innovations ever embarked upon by a developer. Its arrival into the exclusive ranks of PlayStation 3 Greatest Hits validates its designers’ achievements and helps bring their unique vision to a larger audience. Priced to own at only $29.99, there has never been a better time to find out what everyone’s been talking about.”
Now, just for fun, let’s look to the future. With Demon’s Souls becoming such a surprise hit, should a sequel now be an inevitability? I have to believe so, though I’m certain Sony wouldn’t make the same mistake twice by not publishing it globally.
And what about the server status for the original? Remember, Atlus announced over the summer that the North American online servers would be maintained through March 2011, but whether or not they’ll still be around after that remains an uncertainty. Perhaps an influx of new Greatest Hits players will convince Atlus to keep the game online for many more months to come.
Make the decision easier for them. Buy the damn game already. Seriously, go buy it. Right now. It’s that fucking great!
Matt Litten is the full-time editor and owner of VGBlogger.com. He is responsible for maintaining the day to day operation of the site, editing all staff content before it is published, and contributing regular news, reviews, previews and other articles.
Matt landed his first gig in the video game review business writing for the now-defunct website BonusStage.com. After the sad and untimely close of BonusStage, the former staff went on to found VGBlogger.com. After a short stint as US Site Manager for AceGamez, Matt assumed full ownership over VGBlogger, and to this day he is dedicated to making it one of the top video game blogs in all the blogosphere.
Matt is a fair-minded reviewer and lover of games of all platforms and types, big or small, hyped or niche, big-budget or indie. But that doesn't mean he will let poor games slide without a good thrashing when necessary! 
