Unveiling the Endings of Demon’s Souls Remake: A Comprehensive Guide
The Demon’s Souls Remake on PS5, a faithful recreation of the PS3 classic, features two distinct endings: a “Good” ending and a “Bad” ending. The determining factor for which ending you receive rests solely on a single choice you make at the very end of the game, ensuring that your entire playthrough isn’t a complex web of decisions dictating your fate. This guide will comprehensively explore these endings, how to achieve them, and answer frequently asked questions to provide you with a complete understanding of Demon’s Souls’ conclusion.
The Two Paths: Good and Evil
Demon’s Souls, known for its challenging gameplay and grim atmosphere, offers a final choice that reflects the player’s understanding of the game’s core themes. The two endings are fundamentally opposed, representing contrasting philosophies about the nature of souls and the cycle of the Old One.
The “Good” Ending: Ending the Cycle
To achieve the “Good” ending, after defeating the final boss, Old King Allant, and retrieving the Soulbrandt, you will witness a cutscene featuring the Maiden in Black. Instead of attacking her, you must simply exit the area. The Maiden in Black will then lull the Old One back to sleep, effectively ending the current crisis and ushering in an era of temporary peace, albeit with the understanding that the cycle will inevitably begin again. This ending symbolizes sacrifice and a rejection of unchecked power.
The “Bad” Ending: Succumbing to Temptation
The “Bad” ending is triggered by attacking and killing the Maiden in Black after defeating Old King Allant. This act represents a complete embrace of the soul arts and a desire for ultimate power, regardless of the consequences. By slaying the Maiden, you condemn the world to an eternity of darkness and suffering, perpetuating the cycle of the Old One. It showcases the allure of power and the potential for corruption.
Achieving Both Endings: A Cloud Save Strategy
While Demon’s Souls only allows for one ending per playthrough, you can utilize the PlayStation’s cloud save functionality to experience both endings without starting an entirely new game. Here’s how:
- Defeat Old King Allant: Reach the point where you’ve defeated the final boss and are presented with the choice involving the Maiden in Black.
- Upload Save to Cloud: Before making your choice, upload your game save to the PlayStation Plus cloud storage.
- Choose an Ending: Select either the “Good” or “Bad” ending by either exiting or killing the Maiden in Black.
- Download Save from Cloud: After the credits roll, download your previously uploaded save from the cloud. This will revert your game to the state it was in before you made your ending choice.
- Choose the Alternate Ending: You can now proceed to choose the other ending, allowing you to experience both conclusions within a single playthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the endings, lore, and other related aspects of Demon’s Souls:
1. How many endings does Demon’s Souls have in total, including the original PS3 version?
Both the original Demon’s Souls on PS3 and the Demon’s Souls Remake on PS5 have two endings: the “Good” ending and the “Bad” ending. The core narrative and choices remain the same across both versions.
2. Are there any hidden ending requirements in Demon’s Souls that I need to be aware of?
No, there are no hidden requirements or conditions that influence the endings beyond the single choice you make with the Maiden in Black. The endings aren’t based on accumulated choices.
3. Can I get both endings in one playthrough without using the cloud save method?
Unfortunately, no. Demon’s Souls allows only one ending per playthrough. You need to either start a New Game Plus or utilize cloud saves (or a USB save on the original PS3 version) to see both endings.
4. Does the ending affect New Game Plus?
The ending you choose has no direct impact on New Game Plus. New Game Plus simply restarts the game with your character’s stats and equipment intact, with increased difficulty.
5. What is the significance of the Maiden in Black?
The Maiden in Black is a crucial figure in the Demon’s Souls lore. She is a powerful being tasked with maintaining the balance between the Nexus and the world, and she is capable of lulling the Old One back to sleep. Your interaction with her at the end determines the fate of Boletaria.
6. Is Old King Allant the hardest boss in the game?
Old King Allant is often considered one of the hardest bosses, primarily due to his high health, powerful attacks, and unpredictable moveset. The Flamelurker is also frequently cited as a challenging boss.
7. What happens if I offer 25,000 souls to the statue in the Nexus?
Offering 25,000 souls to the statue grants you access to the Fractured World, a mirrored version of the game world with altered item placements and enemy behaviors. This does not affect the ending.
8. What is the best weapon to use in Demon’s Souls early on?
Several weapons are effective early on. The Mercury Rapier, found in the Prison of Hope, is a popular choice. The Dragon Long Sword can be acquired relatively early in the Stonefang Tunnel area, and the Claymore is also a great option.
9. How do I become human again in Demon’s Souls?
You can regain human form by defeating a boss or by using a Stone of Ephemeral Eyes. Killing a boss is the most reliable method, while Stones of Ephemeral Eyes are relatively rare.
10. What does luck affect in Demon’s Souls?
Luck primarily affects item discovery and resistance to plague. However, it is often considered one of the less useful stats, and other stats like Vitality and Endurance are usually prioritized.
11. What is the ideal Soul Level to stop leveling in Demon’s Souls for online play?
A common stopping point for Soul Level is around 120, as this allows for a good balance between character power and the ability to match with other players for co-op and PvP.
12. Is there a canon ending for Demon’s Souls?
No, there is no official canon ending. Both endings are equally valid interpretations of the story, and the choice is left to the player.
13. What happened to the 6th Archstone?
The 6th Archstone, rumored to lead to a land of giants, was never implemented in the game. There are various theories about why it was cut, but the most common is that it was due to development constraints. Some speculate it was destroyed to prevent the Old One’s influence from spreading further.
14. What is the significance of Old King Doran?
Old King Doran, the Solitary Hero, is a powerful NPC residing in the Boletarian Palace. He is a formidable opponent who guards valuable items, including the Demonbrandt sword. He represents the fallen glory of Boletaria.
15. Where can I learn more about the lore and design principles of games like Demon’s Souls?
You can explore the fascinating connections between games, learning, and society at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org is a great resource for understanding how games can be used for educational and research purposes.