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Demon's Souls Remake is sorely dissapointing in the art direction

MMaRsu

Member
i do agree to a point, but i dont think this remake is a good example. A good example is some film nowadays that feel to "clean" when they are in some warzone, it visually feels like they're on a set rather than in a war.
Thats exactly how this remake feels to me, you explained it great.

Demon Souls remake also feels too clean.

And Yeah changing the Nexus music.. smh. Why. The original is literally perfection
 
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I don't know why so many fans of the new one are even bothering argue.

You can't beat nostalgia in a boxing match. It always wins and has the perfect record.

Just understand that you, me, and the millions of other buyers enjoy the remake for what it is.
 

EN250

Member
Nostalgia is one hell of a drug, original was always great, now the remake is great, but it also playable at more than 15FPS, which is a win in my book
 

MMaRsu

Member
I don't know why so many fans of the new one are even bothering argue.

You can't beat nostalgia in a boxing match. It always wins and has the perfect record.

Just understand that you, me, and the millions of other buyers enjoy the remake for what it is.
Not sure what it has to do with nostalgia when the original music is objectively better at setting the mood of the setting the game depicts.
 

Punished Miku

Human Rights Subscription Service
Not sure what it has to do with nostalgia when the original music is objectively better at setting the mood of the setting the game depicts.
Seriously. I'm actually aggressively anti-nostalgia. DS Remake is one of the only games on PS5 I enjoyed. They literally rewrote the music and it clashes with the atmosphere of the entire game.

I had similar critique of the Dark Souls 1 OST so it has literally nothing to do with nostalgia. It's the music composition.
 
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diffusionx

Gold Member
Not sure what it has to do with nostalgia when the original music is objectively better at setting the mood of the setting the game depicts.
Mad Max Reaction GIF


We've all established this is subjective and people gave reasonable answers as to why the soundtrack was changed
 

MMaRsu

Member
Nope, that's just your opinion.

Pretty sure not everything is subjective in everything.

A musical composition can fit or not fit a theme.

It doesnt matter if there are people who like it, you can still determine which is objectively better for the subject material.

I dont need people to agree with me but I would like to state that something can be objectively better than something, and that doesnt need anything to do with nostalgia.
 
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Unknown?

Member
Pretty sure not everything is subjective in everything.

A musical composition can fit or not fit a theme.

It doesnt matter if there are people who like it, you can still determine which is objectively better for the subject material.

I dont need people to agree with me but I would like to state that something can be objectively better than something, and that doesnt need anything to do with nostalgia.
Well there are those who think the new version is objectively better. :/ Seems to be split 50:50 and seems like those who never played the original prefer the new one.

My personal opinion is there are better aspects to the original but some things in the new version are better too.
 
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R6Rider

Gold Member
Pretty sure not everything is subjective in everything.

A musical composition can fit or not fit a theme.

It doesnt matter if there are people who like it, you can still determine which is objectively better for the subject material.

I dont need people to agree with me but I would like to state that something can be objectively better than something, and that doesnt need anything to do with nostalgia.
It's your opinion that the music fits the mood or theme of the game.

In my opinion, it never did completely. It was weird and unique in instances, but that doesn't mean it "fit".

In terms of atmosphere the Remake is better. The new details, and less fog filter effects actually allow you to see the grand scale of environments, the darkness of the world, and so on.

I don't find all the new music to be better, for example the Maiden in Black theme is better in the original.
 
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nial

Member
Then there is the Nexus theme. WHY in gods name did Bluepoint decide, oh we need a new Nexus theme??? The one that was there was ABSOLUTE PERFECTION.
Bluepoint did not decide anything, Sony did.
The remake's development was led by Japan Studio.
 

Ribi

Member
music is the hill you are willing to die on? Just mute the game and have the original playing in the background and while youre at it just unistall the game and play Kings Field
 

Bartski

Gold Member
Pretty sure not everything is subjective in everything.

A musical composition can fit or not fit a theme.

It doesnt matter if there are people who like it, you can still determine which is objectively better for the subject material.

I dont need people to agree with me but I would like to state that something can be objectively better than something, and that doesnt need anything to do with nostalgia.
back in the day when I used to make records, that's the kind of dumb shit that would get you instantly blacklisted as a client
 

MMaRsu

Member
In terms of atmosphere the Remake is better. The new details, and less fog filter effects actually allow you to see the grand scale of environments, the darkness of the world, and so on.

But it loses all feeling of playing in an ghostly world.
 

MMaRsu

Member
music is the hill you are willing to die on? Just mute the game and have the original playing in the background and while youre at it just unistall the game and play Kings Field
Music is integral to a game's feel, yes. What a surprise?

Imagine changing Ocarina of Times music to be Epic and orchestrated. Surely it would be much better than the original right? 😂💀
 

Unknown?

Member
Music is integral to a game's feel, yes. What a surprise?

Imagine changing Ocarina of Times music to be Epic and orchestrated. Surely it would be much better than the original right? 😂💀
I'm sure there would be people who prefer that in Zelda, mainly those who played the original after a remake that changes the music.
 

Ribi

Member
Music is integral to a game's feel, yes. What a surprise?

Imagine changing Ocarina of Times music to be Epic and orchestrated. Surely it would be much better than the original right? 😂💀
It would be better music. A whole Epic? Sign me up.
 

Codes 208

Member
Mad Max Reaction GIF


We've all established this is subjective and people gave reasonable answers as to why the soundtrack was changed
Agreed. The original king allant the e for example was more somber, fit the mood better as a depressing scene

Buuut, the newer version is so bombastic and epic that i can't help but have it playing when im at the gym

You can tell dark souls 3 was the biggest influence for the newer music and, *personally*, I kinda like it more
 

Nickolaidas

Member
In my opinion, it never did completely. It was weird and unique in instances, but that doesn't mean it "fit".
Exactly. I don't care what the 'haters' say - the Flamelurker theme in the remake is far more fitting to ME than the original's. The original is slow, toned down and drowsy. All the while you have a giant infernal demonic ape who jumps up and down throughout the entire stage firing blazes of death and fire on your ass. The remake's epic and frantic theme is MUCH more suited to what is HAPPENING in the screen.

The original theme is about the 'story' of the Flamelurker.

The remake's theme is about the BATTLE itself.

In a way, they both 'fit' for what they are and try to do. But I prefer the Remake because for ME, the theme should be about fighting that particular titan, not listening to its story.
 

TexMex

Gold Member
Beautiful remake.

Souls dorks are going to cry if anything is changed one bit. And if that's the standard for many of them, which is fine, just go play the original. Not sure why you even wanted this.
 

Zacfoldor

Member
I think OP is wrong, sorry op.

On the PS5 Pro, I think it is the most upgraded game and the only game that really shows it off to an extreme. It really is a monster upgrade. Just load into the actual start area and look up at the first building. You will be in awe.

These bad takes are so tiresome. Sorry OP, but no. This game has some of the best art direction, best music, and best graphics ever made. To hear you complain about it is like hearing someone from a first world country complain about how bad their food on every corner is. I've made a concentrated effort not to mock or degrade anyone lately and I'm very proud of myself. I've had to edit this post about 5 times.

I bought Demon's Souls on LAUNCH hated it, hated that shit until I played Dark Souls fucking 3 my bro. Now I love every Fromsoft game ever. LOVE them. I say all this to say that Demon's Souls is a videogame, not a Picasso. UPGRADING things is something that helps the game not hurts it and Bluepoint did it right. Not a single decision they made could have been made better by you, so I'm sorry but we can't agree on this one.
 
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MMaRsu

Member
Yes. Nostalgia really effects your opinion unconsciously and consciously. I hated the music of Sonic 3D Blast on the Saturn because I grew up playing the Genesis version. Years and years later I realized the music didn't suck, it was just different and good in its own way.

Oh man.. That brings back horrible memories of Sonic 3D on Megadrive..

Wish I never spent my money on that garbage!

Although that one stage had good music (the rest was mediocre for a Sonic game)



Oh and this one is dope too

 
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MMaRsu

Member
I think OP is wrong, sorry op.

On the PS5 Pro, I think it is the most upgraded game and the only game that really shows it off to an extreme. It really is a monster upgrade. Just load into the actual start area and look up at the first building. You will be in awe.

These bad takes are so tiresome. Sorry OP, but no. This game has some of the best art direction, best music, and best graphics ever made. To hear you complain about it is like hearing someone from a first world country complain about how bad their food on every corner is. I've made a concentrated effort not to mock or degrade anyone lately and I'm very proud of myself. I've had to edit this post about 5 times.

I bought Demon's Souls on LAUNCH hated it, hated that shit until I played Dark Souls fucking 3 my bro. Now I love every Fromsoft game ever. LOVE them. I say all this to say that Demon's Souls is a videogame, not a Picasso. UPGRADING things is something that helps the game not hurts it and Bluepoint did it right. Not a single decision they made could have been made better by you, so I'm sorry but we can't agree on this one.

I will continue to play more today, and this weekend for sure. I am not putting the game down yet.
 

Nickolaidas

Member
I think OP is wrong, sorry op.

On the PS5 Pro, I think it is the most upgraded game and the only game that really shows it off to an extreme. It really is a monster upgrade. Just load into the actual start area and look up at the first building. You will be in awe.

These bad takes are so tiresome. Sorry OP, but no. This game has some of the best art direction, best music, and best graphics ever made. To hear you complain about it is like hearing someone from a first world country complain about how bad their food on every corner is. I've made a concentrated effort not to mock or degrade anyone lately and I'm very proud of myself. I've had to edit this post about 5 times.

I bought Demon's Souls on LAUNCH hated it, hated that shit until I played Dark Souls fucking 3 my bro. Now I love every Fromsoft game ever. LOVE them. I say all this to say that Demon's Souls is a videogame, not a Picasso. UPGRADING things is something that helps the game not hurts it and Bluepoint did it right. Not a single decision they made could have been made better by you, so I'm sorry but we can't agree on this one.
In the OP's defense, I don't think he says that the graphics are worse, but rather, how non-FAITHFUL the art direction of the remake is to the original.

For example, no one is saying that the fat official looks better in the original in terms of polygons and meshes; the argument is how drastically the fat official's 'form' is changed and the lore implications with it. Which I can understand.

Objectively, in terms of gameplay, I doubt that there are people who will say the original plays better.
 

bundylove

Member
So I finally bought a PS5, was able to buy my cousins at a cheap price because they upgraded to a Pro.
Basically GTA 6 was my reason for buying the console, as I want to play it the day it comes out.

For most Sony games I'm able to just play them on PC, with better quality visuals and framerates than what the PS5 can churn out.
However I did have my sights set on Demon's Souls. I can't remember if I played Dark Souls or Demon's Souls first, but when I did play Demon's Souls on PS3, it was an eye opening experience.

Not only is the game extremely atmospheric, and has an phantasmal or ghost/spirit like feel to it. Every scream visceral, from enemies and enviroments.

Booting up the Demon's Souls remake however.. I was very dissapointed from the start. Not only is the intro cinematic worse, it features worse music as well.

ORIGINAL

REMAKE


Not only did they change the menu sounds (why??), basically a lot of sounds are changed or removed, music has been changed/added/removed as well.
What is the purpose of this? Why did they decide this would fit better with the game?

Going into the Tower of Latria, I was expecting to be greeted with extremely loud bells, crickets, and screams from the prisoners. But sadly, the same atmosphere was not present at all.

Check the difference in sounds alone, not even counting enemy designs etc.

ORIGINAL

REMAKE


This is just based on one level, and a few sounds etc that I'm missing, that makes an extreme difference to the general atmosphere.

Tower of Latria in the original is very oppressive, and it makes you scared to continue. In the remake I had none of these feelings.

Then there is the Nexus theme. WHY in gods name did Bluepoint decide, oh we need a new Nexus theme??? The one that was there was ABSOLUTE PERFECTION.

ORIGINAL

REMAKE


In all honesty I can't even say much more because I didn't bother playing more. These struck me so much and pulled me out of the game, dissillusioned about how such a remake came to be.
Why in gods name did they decide these changes were good? Overseen by nobody from FromSoft I assume.

Because they got all the shit wrong. And it makes me really sad, because I was quite looking forward to playing this.

Basically this video rings true to me.


It's not just music, the look and feel of the game is different.

Im NOT saying its a bad game, obviously its not, but the remade parts are having me scratch my head in confusion.

Also NOT saying the game is ugly, or not the best looking PS5 title. I'm talking about art direction and atmosphere,

Never seen this much bullshit written at once.

I am looking forward to play this but it hurts my eyes cuz of sounds hurting my ears ahhahaha

Cant remember if i played dark souls or demon souls forst but demon souls was an eye opening experience lol so which on is it ??

It makes me sad that i cant continue playing cuz of soundtrack changes hahahaha.

Bro. These treads should be ban worthy
 

simpatico

Member
Fully agree OP. The porting studio either thought they knew better than From, or they just straight up did not understand the material Personally I can't figure out which would be more offensive. In either case, artistically it's a pile of shit. Puddle bros love it though, because 'dem puddles' do look really good. Double edged sword of these modern engines. It's easy to get wooed by just the lighting and not even notice that the human art being lit in garbo.

Porting a From game is a tall order. This is clearly not how you do it.
 
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R6Rider

Gold Member
Fully agree OP. The porting studio either thought they knew better than From, or they just straight up did not understand the material. Personally I can't figure out which would be more offensive. In either case, artistically it's a pile of shit. Puddle bros love it though, because 'dem puddles' do look really good. Double edged sword of these modern engines. It's easy to get wooed by just the lighting and not even notice that the human art being lit in garbo.

Porting a From game is a tall order. This is clearly not how you do it.
I don't know why you keep calling it a port, when it's not.
 

bundylove

Member
Agreed. Bad choice of word on my part. I wish it was a port. I'd much rather have the original PS3 version with an unlocked framerate and resolution settings.
What????
None of you played anything man.

The base ps5 runs flawless 60fps at 1440p with excelent IQ. Till this day one of the bes tlooking games on ps5. Those true 4k textures are mind blowing.

Pop in the ps3 versiin and play it side by side. Those framerates those hitches holy shit. Loading times? No thanks.

The loading times alone make this game such pleasure to play. I can switch worlds on the fly. I can die with ease as i get back into the game in a blink of an eye.
Gameplay is way more fluid and way more fun. Almost too easy.

I still have the ps3 version and yes i went back to compare. You would never touch that version ever again if you would play the remake.
 
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Soodanim

Member
Told you before Miku, RE4Re is AcKtually really, really good, you just to play it with an open mind and not with a "this ain't the RE4 that I knew and loved " - but even then, trust me brother when I say that the game is INCREDIBLY faithful to the OG RE4 both atmosphere - but more importantly - gameplay wise, it's just that you have to give it 1 hour for it to "click" when it comes to the new movement/physics etc 😉

I still intend to pick it up when the Gold version hits $20. Not much longer now. It's down to $30. I'm always transparent about the fact that I just played the demo only.
I'd like to weigh in on 4R in Miku's place for now as according to Steam I've played for 120 hours. This includes Mercs and Separate Ways, of course.

I agree that the game is faithful to the atmosphere, but the tone is way off. 4 doesn't take itself seriously, but 4R absolutely does. But that's not my issue with 4R. I'm fine with that, it does its own thing.

Gameplay is where they made the worst changes. The basic movement is unresponsive and you never really feel like you're in control like the original despite the original's tank controls. And when you aim you lack the snappiness as well as any ability to land a shot. This government agent can't aim to save his life. Not that it matters, because enemies don't flinch even when you headshot them. We're talking base level gameplay elements that they completely rewrote to the game's detriment. I got wombo combo'd to death far more times in 4R on Normal than I did in 4 across any difficulty or mode from its original GC release across 4 different platforms. The new movement/physics are shit, basically. It's 2R/3R but the enemies are far more agile than before and you're not, which broke the balance. You get a knife to deflect but of course that's a limited option. These gameplay issues are fundamental things that you can pick up from the demo and I do recommend thinking about addressing if you're on PC, Miku.

So why did I play for 120 hours? The vast majority of my gameplay is after I installed a mod to stop the game zooming in the FOV when aiming. That alone was a game changer for me. That was the moment where something clicked for me, because what Capcom broke was now fixed. It didn't fix everything, but it made a huge difference to me.

Obviously the game is a good time overall, because I got my money's worth and then some. It made far less mistakes than 3R did by a country mile. Ashley is far better in the remake. The Gold edition for $20 will be a fantastic deal and I encourage it. Mercenaries goes in enough of a different direction that I can appreciate it without comparing it to the original in the same way I do with the base game, and it's a great time. Shame they didn't add more characters. Separate Ways is excellent fun and fills in the large holes the base game left.

But 4 > 4R every day of the week and that's before 4 HD makes everything better.
 
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Punished Miku

Human Rights Subscription Service
I'd like to weigh in on 4R in Miku's place for now as according to Steam I've played for 120 hours. This includes Mercs and Separate Ways, of course.

I agree that the game is faithful to the atmosphere, but the tone is way off. 4 doesn't take itself seriously, but 4R absolutely does. But that's not my issue with 4R. I'm fine with that, it does its own thing.

Gameplay is where they made the worst changes. The basic movement is unresponsive and you never really feel like you're in control like the original despite the original's tank controls. And when you aim you lack the snappiness as well as any ability to land a shot. This government agent can't aim to save his life. Not that it matters, because enemies don't flinch even when you headshot them. We're talking base level gameplay elements that they completely rewrote to the game's detriment. I got wombo combo'd to death far more times in 4R on Normal than I did in 4 across any difficulty or mode from its original GC release across 4 different platforms. The new movement/physics are shit, basically. It's 2R/3R but the enemies are far more agile than before and you're not, which broke the balance. You get a knife to deflect but of course that's a limited option. These gameplay issues are fundamental things that you can pick up from the demo and I do recommend thinking about if you're on PC, Miku.

So why did I play for 120 hours? The vast majority of my gameplay is after I installed a mod to stop the game zooming in the FOV when aiming. That alone was a game changer for me. That was the moment where something clicked for me, because what Capcom broke was now fixed. It didn't fix everything, but it made a huge difference to me.

Obviously the game is a good time overall, because I got my money's worth and then some. It made far less mistakes than 3R did by a country mile. Ashley is far better in the remake. The Gold edition for $20 will be a fantastic deal and I encourage it. Mercenaries goes in enough of a different direction that I can appreciate it without comparing it to the original in the same way I do with the base game, and it's a great time. Shame they didn't add more characters. Separate Ways is excellent fun and fills in the large holes the base game left.

But 4 > 4R every day of the week and that's before 4 HD makes everything better.
You're confirming a lot of my impressions from the demo. I'll still pick it up though. Informative post.
 

simpatico

Member
What????
None of you played anything man.

The base ps5 runs flawless 60fps at 1440p with excelent IQ. Till this day one of the bes tlooking games on ps5. Those true 4k textures are mind blowing.

Pop in the ps3 versiin and play it side by side. Those framerates those hitches holy shit. Loading times? No thanks.

The loading times alone make this game such pleasure to play. I can switch worlds on the fly. I can die with ease as i get back into the game in a blink of an eye.
Gameplay is way more fluid and way more fun. Almost too easy.

I still have the ps3 version and yes i went back to compare. You would never touch that version ever again if you would play the remake.
PS3 version cleans up well when rendered in 4k on the emulators. Really hasn't aged any worse than Dark Souls. The puddles are nice but not worth trading the entire mood of the game.
 
It's possible to argue that the music or ambient sound details are better in the original, but it seems like no one is mentioning how exceptional the audio is in the remake. DS Remake is the most next-gen PS5 game in terms of sound effects and 3D audio. And it also perfectly matches the DualSense vibrations.
 
You're "pretty sure" your opinion is objective fact, and that the other dude hates women because he doesn't like to play them in games.
Season 8 Clown GIF by RuPaul's Drag Race
 
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