10 "Zero Expectation" Video Games That Blew Everyone Away

By now everyone and their grandmother has heard of what's been dubbed the Soulsborne series. Even if you haven't taken the plunge into developer FromSoftware's collection of action-RPGs, it's likely that you're aware of their notorious difficulty and their selection of punishing yet epic boss battles.

But before the likes of Elden Ring, Bloodborne, and Dark Souls, there was Demon's Souls. This was the game which acted as the developer's statement of intent for what was to come.

When this title was first unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show in 2008, however, the initial reception was less than positive.

This was the public's first taste of the developer's signature tough but fair approach to combat, and people simply weren't used to it. Those who got their hands on the demo believed that the combat wasn't finished whilst the then-president of Sony, Shuhei Yoshida, claimed the game was simply bad after failing to get beyond the starting area.

After word of mouth catapulted Demon's Souls to success, though, fans finally understood the magic that FromSoftware had created.

Like the developer's later titles which would go on to improve upon this formula, Demon's Souls taught players the power of perseverance.