When the PlayStation 5 launched, it did so with a library mostly consisting of cross-generational games that were also available on PS4. One exception to that rule was theDemon’s Soulsremake from Bluepoint Games, a PS5 exclusive that vastly improves the graphics of the PS3 original and makes a host of other quality of life changes. It stands as thehighest-rated PlayStation 5 exclusive game, and it will likely hold that title for some to come.
With theDemon’s Soulsremake on PS5 being one of the console’s most highly-regarded games, some would say it wouldn’t make sense for Sony to add it to the free PS Plus lineup. And at this exact moment, it wouldn’t make sense for Sony to do so. However, at some point down the line, theDemon’s Soulsremake would actually make for the perfect PlayStation Plus game, and there are some big reasons for why that is.
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Here is whyDemon’s Soulswill one day be perfect for the PS Plus lineup.
Scalpers
Due to supply constraints brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, semiconductor shortages, and unprecedented demand, it has been incredibly difficult for many people to get their hands on a PlayStation 5 console. While PS5s sell out immediately, it seems a great deal of these consoles are actually going to re-sellers who are going to attempt to re-sell them at a marked-up price. This is reflected by thePS5’s software sales, which indicate that many people who buy a PS5 aren’t actually buying games along with it.
This in turn has created an issue where a game likeDemon’s Soulsdoesn’t appear to be quite as well-populated as it should be. While this is merely anecdotical evidence, there are many stories online of people trying to enjoyDemon’s Souls' online functionality, but having to wait around for extended periods of time because no one is bothering to summon them into their game.
For those who are unfamiliar withhowDemon’s Soulsco-op works, it’s quite unlike most games out there. There isn’t a matchmaking system or anything like that in place. Instead players can lay down marks on the ground that other players can then see in their worlds (assuming they are in their human form). Those players then have the option to summon that player to their game for help navigating through a level, fighting a boss, or whatever else.
A lot of people with PS5 consoles do not haveDemon’s Souls, and so that in turn has resulted in the online population not being as populated, impacting the quality of the online experience as a result. IfDemon’s Soulsis one day made a part of the PS Plus lineup, it should give the online multiplayer the shot in the arm it didn’t have at launch due to the scalping situation.
$70 Price Tag
Sony has sold millions of PS5 consoles so far, and it’s safe to say that millions of those have gone to legitimate buyers who are trying to jump into the next-gen gaming experience. However, not everyone is thrilled about the price hike that some games have been hit with. TheDemon’s Soulsremakeis one such game, with Sony selling it for $70 instead of the industry-standard $60.
It seems that the gaming industry is going to move to the$70 price tagfor virtually all major titles, so while it may one day become more accepted, there are likely people who are not convinced that they should be spending $70 on video games. It’s probable that this price barrier has kept some people with PlayStation 5 consoles from purchasingDemon’s Souls, as they would rather spend their money on cheaper PS5 games, like the mega popularSpider-Man: Miles Morales, for instance.
PlayStation Plus will eliminate theDemon’s Soulsprice barrier, giving PS5 players instant access to one of the console’s most critically-acclaimed games, which will in turn be beneficial to those who have already purchased it.
Co-Op
As mentioned previously, addingDemon’s Soulsto the PS Plus lineup would greatly help the game’s online multiplayer and co-op experience, as it would assuredly boost the game’s population. This could giveDemon’s Soulsa second lease on life and the chance to have a far more populated online population than it has had. This would make it so people who have hadDemon’s Soulson PS5 since launch the ability to properly enjoy its online instead of waiting around for hours just to be summoned into another player’s world.
However, thePS5 supply issueshave yet to be resolved, and while Sony believes that things may get better this summer, there’s not really an end in sight at the time of this writing. Considering this, it’s hard to say exactly when would be the best time to addDemon’s Soulsto the PS Plus lineup. Maybe it would be good to add the game to PS Plus come the PlayStation 5’s one year anniversary, or maybe it would be better to save it as a 2022 addition to PS Plus.
For now, there are no confirmed plans to addDemon’s Soulsto the PS5 PS Plus lineup. The game available at the time of this writing is the indie puzzlerMaquette, and thefree PS5 PS Plus game for April 2021has been confirmed to beOddworld: Soulstorm. Still, one has to imagine thatDemon’s Soulscould very well one day make it to the lineup of free PS Plus games.
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