I've recently been playing Demon's Souls (NG+ is destroying me) and I've found that it's an extremely atmospheric game with a lot of symbolism under the hood. I just thought I'd share some of my thoughts on it with my fellow Escapists.
Congratulations if you read all that, have a cookie or three.
P.S. - Used search bar and the last DS thread is a few days old, and I think the focus of this topic is sufficiently different to warrant its own thread.
The driving theme behind Demon's Souls is corruption. The Old One and, by extension, the Colorless Fog represent human taint and are responsible for twisting each land into a parody of the virtue it embodies.
The finale offers the player a choice between succumbing to his hunger for Souls or rise above it and save the world.
Boletaria Palace represents the misuse of power and political corruption, evident by the Fat Officials' oppression of the people:
Stonefang Tunnels represent fidelity to a fault evident by the Archstone's description:
In the Tower of Latria we find the corruption of the clergy in the form of the False Idol, the Gargoyles, the power-hungry, yet expendable, Old Monk and an empty promise of salvation:
The Shrine of Storms details how, through human fault, myth and superstition can extend unto reality in detriment to Man. The Adjudicator, the Old Hero, the Storm King and the Storm Ruler sword are all figures of legend brought to life by the Colorless Fog.
The Valley of Defilement, which is by far the most visually disturbing world, embodies tainted love: The history as a dumping ground for unwanted children and aborted fetuses, the Depraved Ones' desire for Souls to offer Astrea, the Maiden's fall from grace in her mission to aid the natives. But nowhere is this more evident than in Garl Vinland who, blinded by love, is unable to see Astrea's depravity and will do anything to shield his beloved.
But Demon's Souls ultimate message is revealed by a powerful yet hard to obtain artifact - the Talisman of Beasts:
The finale offers the player a choice between succumbing to his hunger for Souls or rise above it and save the world.
Boletaria Palace represents the misuse of power and political corruption, evident by the Fat Officials' oppression of the people:
And by the Dregling Merchant's comments:
Stonefang Tunnels represent fidelity to a fault evident by the Archstone's description:
And the how the Dragon God was imprisoned by his very worshippers.
In the Tower of Latria we find the corruption of the clergy in the form of the False Idol, the Gargoyles, the power-hungry, yet expendable, Old Monk and an empty promise of salvation:
The Shrine of Storms details how, through human fault, myth and superstition can extend unto reality in detriment to Man. The Adjudicator, the Old Hero, the Storm King and the Storm Ruler sword are all figures of legend brought to life by the Colorless Fog.
The Valley of Defilement, which is by far the most visually disturbing world, embodies tainted love: The history as a dumping ground for unwanted children and aborted fetuses, the Depraved Ones' desire for Souls to offer Astrea, the Maiden's fall from grace in her mission to aid the natives. But nowhere is this more evident than in Garl Vinland who, blinded by love, is unable to see Astrea's depravity and will do anything to shield his beloved.
But Demon's Souls ultimate message is revealed by a powerful yet hard to obtain artifact - the Talisman of Beasts:
It strongly hints that what is unwittingly worshiped on Boletaria is none other than the Old One himself, it hints that what is unwittingly worshiped on Boletaria is Man's corruption, it hints that what is unwittingly worshipped on Boletaria is a twisted parody of virtue.
Congratulations if you read all that, have a cookie or three.
P.S. - Used search bar and the last DS thread is a few days old, and I think the focus of this topic is sufficiently different to warrant its own thread.
