Something about this game intrigues me a lot.  
The difficulty people brag about this game having is making want to take up a challenge.  
The online features sound brilliant 
And gamespot giving it goty was out of left field.  
Seriously, I've played RPGs here and there but I have never bought one and I have never played one start to finish.  
 
Are there any better recommendations, or should i just walk right in to this and get my ass kicked?

Do you hate yourself but love video games? Then Demon's Souls is probably for you. Genre has nothing to do with it.

No, go for it!

" Do you hate yourself but love video games? Then Demon's Souls is probably for you. Genre has nothing to do with it. "

XD i dont hate myself, but i do like games that are actually challenging, which I haven't really come across in a while. Especially this gen. 

 Pick this beast up. If you have patience and don't just run into things willy nilly you will enjoy it. My one word of advice: NEVER put your guard down just because you've been through the level, especially if you just died and need to retrieve your souls.

" XD i dont hate myself, but i do like games that are actually challenging, which I haven't really come across in a while. Especially this gen.  "

starting out at the high point probably isn't the best idea. play some oblivion or something first so you can appreciate what it does more

i'd play a simpler one first, this might be a bad idea.

Might want to skip unless you have the patience and determination...and possibly friends (Giantbomb can help you out with that)

" starting out at the high point probably isn't the best idea. play some oblivion or something first so you can appreciate what it does more "

Its difficult, but its not the best that the RPG genre has to offer. The storyline is almost non-existent, no character development, limited dialog, it looks kinda drab. Yeah its hard. But difficulty is not the only worthwhile thing in gaming. Its not really representative of RPGs either. Its more like a fancy roguelike with realtime combat and static zones. I think you would be better off playing a Tales game, or a final fantasy game, or dragon qest, or persona.

Uh RPG's have a crapton better to offer than the recent jokes called Final Fantasy too.  RPG's are about more than 30 minute long cut scenes featuring boring characters you don't really care about and Blacksmith Ed manages more personality in 5 minutes than the entire cast of FF 12 did in the entire game.  That said the question is basically do you like action games, because this is an action RPG.  If you want to get into more basic/traditional RPG's this is not it but if you like games with stellar gameplay that challenge you without ripping you off and provide atmosphere out the wazzo and a community this is it.

I think a JRPG like Persona 4 would have been much more odd for you. Starting out with something that can be played a simpler way is easier.
 
That said, Demon's Souls more depends on the amount of patience you have. Do you have a lot? Then word. Don't know if you have enough, go play Ghosts n Goblins. If it doesn't make you wanna kill someone, you're good!

Demon's Souls is a beast, doesn't really bother with story but that means no emo teenagers which is great, and the bosses are probably the best since MGS, those motherfuckers are BOSS FIGHTS

I'm constantly wrestling with myself over whether or not to get this...I still am on the fence

" I'm constantly wrestling with myself over whether or not to get this...I still am on the fence "

Good choice go for it. But if you're really looking for a real challenge then go get Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, only thing is that game is not an RPG but i guearantee its difficulty.

Demons Souls is a pretty good game, but I don't know if I'd recommend it for your first real RPG experience. I'd say check out something a bit easier than DS first. But then again, I'm not quite as enthusiastic about really difficult games as a lot of people on GB are!

I know it is an RPG but it plays more like an action/adventure game than other jRPGs. While it is a good game and it has its difficult moments, I would agree with earlier posters and play something a little more straightforward. 
 
Persona 4 is an excellent choice with a great story, gameplay, and the right amount of quirkiness. 
 
Final Fantasy X is also an easy to understand game and a lot of fun. 

Been waiting on the European release for this. Each day brings more anxiousness about getting fucked by a skeleton over and over.

Rent it, I could never get past the clunkiness/slowness of the controls even though I thought it had some interesting ideas.

" I'm constantly wrestling with myself over whether or not to get this...I still am on the fence "

This thread is 3 months old people.

" Been waiting on the European release for this. Each day brings more anxiousness about getting fucked by a skeleton over and over. "

Demons Souls is a great game. It has unique bosses, unique gameplay, unique atmosphere. But the shine of DS comes from the multiplayer. The way the multiplayer is integrated seems almost genius. IMO, THAT is the reason to play the game. The game is difficult, but with a friend or two its not that challenging, but really fun. Also, always afraid of death is a nice twist. You don't get that in most games. If you die, it just respawns you with no penalty. But with DS its the worst thing. 
 
In terms of its "RPG-ness" There is practically no story. No dialogue, well, no good dialogue anyways. You don't care about anything in the game. It's not like a regular RPG, it is more like an action game. But the aspect that surprised me the most was the weapon customization. That system is very deep and fleshed out. I liked it a lot and was astounded at how many options there are. 
 
In conclusion, Demons Souls is a great game. It is not your epitome of an RPG though. So if you are looking for an RPG, this game is not for you. If you are looking for a challenge, you can just turn the difficulty level up in any other game.

I totally just bought it for $26.99 at Gamestop.  Can't really argue with a huge price drop

Your gonna bleed.

" Its difficult, but its not the best that the RPG genre has to offer. The storyline is almost non-existent, no character development, limited dialog, it looks kinda drab. Yeah its hard. But difficulty is not the only worthwhile thing in gaming. Its not really representative of RPGs either. Its more like a fancy roguelike with realtime combat and static zones. I think you would be better off playing a Tales game, or a final fantasy game, or dragon qest, or persona. "

" This thread is 3 months old people. "

HOW would you says this ranks up with Dragon Age. In the future I'd like to get either a PS3 or XBOX 360 and Demon's Souls is one of the reasons I'm considering a PS3.

" @Supermarius said:

" Its difficult, but its not the best that the RPG genre has to offer. The storyline is almost non-existent, no character development, limited dialog, it looks kinda drab. Yeah its hard. But difficulty is not the only worthwhile thing in gaming. Its not really representative of RPGs either. Its more like a fancy roguelike with realtime combat and static zones. I think you would be better off playing a Tales game, or a final fantasy game, or dragon qest, or persona. "

yeaaaahhh im more into gameplay when i play GAMES so that how storyling stuff doesnt matter to me. at all.  "

This may inform you a bit....
 
 http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/1321-Demons-Souls

demon souls is barley a rpg, its more an action game, more so than diablo 
 
so your still pretty much an rpg virgin

I generally hate RPGs, but have been trying to enjoy them more lately. I started with something really light ( Borderlands),loved it and then jumped in the deep end with Demon's Souls and have had immense fun with it. Go for it!
 
I imported it, then three weeks later, it gets announced for the PAL territories. >:(

" @EvilTwin said:

" This thread is 3 months old people. "

hey look, somebody learned how to read dates.  "

This game will murder you.

If you're an RPG virgin, Demon's Souls is a craigslist ad so hardcore you have to sign a waiver.

Demon's Souls is more of an action RPG, so if you're totally new to the genre..it might be a good way of getting used to the idea of RPG mechanics. 
Its hard at time, and very unfair..but its worth it if you have the endurance..and it'll keep you busy for a long time.

I like how everyone's still responding to the question when it was posted 3.5 months ago.

also borderlands , not rly an rpg 
action rpg, its own subgenre for a reason

In the words of Nike:
Ya'll go on and give that there a try, now.

" @Supermarius said:

" Its difficult, but its not the best that the RPG genre has to offer. The storyline is almost non-existent, no character development, limited dialog, it looks kinda drab. Yeah its hard. But difficulty is not the only worthwhile thing in gaming. Its not really representative of RPGs either. Its more like a fancy roguelike with realtime combat and static zones. I think you would be better off playing a Tales game, or a final fantasy game, or dragon qest, or persona. "

yeaaaahhh im more into gameplay when i play GAMES so that how storyling stuff doesnt matter to me. at all.  "

It's more action rpg anyway. Who cares?

Demons Souls never struck me as an RPG. I think its an absolutely unmissable experience if you have a PS3. If you don't have online, however, stay away.

I've been hooked on this game for the past few days and I gotta say something.  In the second section of the third world (tower/swamp), there will be a guy in a cage asking you to free him.  When you do, he thanks you and walks around for a while.  However, kill him immediately because if you don't, after every boss you beat for then on, he will go back to the nexus and start KILLING THE GUYS WHO SELL YOU STUFF!  AND THEY DON'T RESPAWN!  EVER!  GAAAAAAH!