In 2008, a then-unknown video game developer named FromSoftware Games released a brutally arduous game called Demon's Souls. While the initial reaction to the game was mixed, the game really gained traction and admiration when it was released in the west. Where most disliked the game's unrelenting difficulty, its new players found adoration in it.
Many players loved how difficult, and in turn, how rewarding the game was. On top of that, many also adored its attention to detail, immersive gameplay, and enemy design. The game is filled with minor details only those who are extra observant will really get the chance to recognize. Many of these details can be seen on the game's demons and archdemons.
10 Shackles On The Vanguard Demon
When the remake of the game was announced, many were excited as to how the game would like if it were to be remade. Bluepoint Games, the studio responsible for the remake, was extremely loyal to the original. It did, however, make its own changes and additions to add its own voice to the already-popular title. One of these changes was with the Vanguard Demon.
The change for the Vanguard Demon was mainly optical. While this change in design was met with a lukewarm response at first, many embraced the change for its added minor detail that adds to the lore of the monster. In the game, there are two different Vanguard Demons the players can face. This particular one, however, looks to be chained, while the other is not.
9 Meeting The Dragon God
The Dragon God is one of the most intimidating bosses in the game due to its colossal stature and its terrifying design. Those who prefer a puzzle-based, gimmicky boss fight will enjoy it, while those who prefer the head-on approach that the game has taught them up to that point will be sorely disappointed in the boss fight.
Something not that many people know about the Dragon God, however, is that they can actually meet this beast pretty early on in the game. During the tutorial, if the players somehow manage to defeat the Vanguard Demon, they'll be teleported to a place called the Unknown Egress. The Dragon God lurks here and will punch the players to death, sending them to the Nexus. This either proves that the Unknown Egress is located in World 2 - 3 or the Dragon God somehow moves around occasionally.
8 Phalanx Is A Woman
Phalanx, one of the game's earliest bosses and arguably one of the most forgiving, is a fairly interesting character beneath all the goo, shields, and spears that surround him—or more accurately, that surround her. Phalanx is actually the demonic embodiment of Long Bow Oolan, one of King Allant's bravest knights.
This information is not widespread, but those who have dug the game's lore deep enough consider this informational tidbit factual. This is further emphasized when Phalanx perishes, where a pain-induced scream of a woman can clearly be heard after Phalanx is defeated and disintegrates.
7 Fragments Of Humanity
One interesting minor details about the game's bosses is the way their souls take shape after they are defeated. Many of the game's archdemons actually are either representations of the heroes of old who traversed Boletaria or are the heroes themselves who have transformed into demons.
For example, when the Tower Knight is defeated, his soul disintegration takes the shape of the hero he once was, Alfred, Knight of the Tower. Phalanx's soul also takes the form of a bowman, which represents Long Bow Oolan.
6 Maiden Astraea's Appearance
Maiden Astraea wound up in the Valley of Defilement while undertaking a pilgrimage alongside a couple of brave and powerful knights. The place, however, proved to be too vile for even the most powerful of warriors, and every one of them, save for Astraea and her trusted companion Garl Vinland, perished.
The rumors regarding Maiden Astraea having turned into a demon, an archdemon, is indeed real. However, there's one thing about Astraea that differentiates her from the others. Her appearance has remained completely intact. This is due to her being the only one to fully accept her fate as an archdemon. In exchange for providing souls to The Old One, she uses the powers she's gained to help the people of the valley and somehow turn it into a haven for all lost creatures.
5 Maiden Astraea & Garl Vinland's Relationship
When Maiden Astraea journeyed to the Valley of Defilement, she brought along a band of knights with her. Vito, the Moonlight Knight, Risaia of Istarel, and a couple of others. One of these knights is Garl Vinland. Garl and Maiden Astraea ended up being the two people who survived this pilgrimage.
When Maiden Astraea became an archdemon, she used her newly gained powers to attempt to free the valley of curses and all things vile. While the effort proved fruitless, it was well-intended labor nonetheless. Garl Vinland has remained true and loyal to the maiden, even showing signs of affection towards her, calling her "dearest Astraea." Whether this affection is reciprocated or not is unclear.
4 Storm King Shelters From Rain
The Storm King is one of the best, and most memorable boss fights in the game, if not of all time. The Storm King's incredible design, the tantalizing challenge in defeating it, the arena, and the background music make this boss fight phenomenal. It was incredible in the original, and it is even more incredible now with the arrival of Bluepoint Games' remake.
One of the things Bluepoint added as a detail during this boss fight is how the rain behaves in relation to the Storm King. During this battle, the players must face the Storm King and the other storm beasts under the cover of rain. However, when the Storm King is passing overhead, his massive figure actually covers the sky enough that it stops the rain from pouring on the players.
3 The Dirtiest Colossus
The Dirty Colossus boss is memorable for one thing, it is absolutely disgusting and such a nightmare to behold. Aside from Maiden Astraea, the bosses in the Valley of Defilement are incredibly grotesque and gruesome. While the Leechmonger is arguably more repulsive, the Dirty Colossus has a more interesting design in relation to its lore.
The Dirty Colossus is supposedly an amalgamation of all vile filth that goes through the Valley of Defilement. With this in mind, it is absolutely interesting how this boss is designed. The boss is covered in brown slime and discarded wood, its body is crawling with bugs and flies constantly fly around it. This boss is a testament to FromSoft's incredible, and terrifying imagination, and the remake's overhaul just makes this boss even more terrifying.
2 The Thief's Ring Helps Against The Old Hero
This informational pro-tip may come as common knowledge to veterans, but to newcomers, this is something they'll have to think about. Plus, it is a testament to the game's creativity and competence when it comes to designing boss battles.
The Old Hero, while a formidable fighter, has one major flaw. He's blind. Meaning, he will rely on his hearing senses to fight the players. If the players, however, wield the Thief Ring, an item that reduces enemy detection by 50%, the Old Hero will have a hard time detecting the players, making the boss fight much easier.
1 The Story Of The False King
The Old King Allant boss battle at the final area of the game will make the players feel like they've lived up to their reputation, considering they've heard much about him prior to encountering him.
Well, those who have finished the game know that this is actually not the true king. Instead, it is a demon made in the image of Allant at the height of his power, made by King Allant himself, who has turned into a shell of his former self as a result of aligning himself with The Old One. The false representation, however, is filled with details that show how the king perceives himself. His winged aura is a representation of how King Allant sees himself as a savior. His ability to drain one soul level from the players is true to his backstory of learning how to suck souls from others, thus reigniting the use of Soul Art.