FromSoftware's Demon’s Souls, a PlayStation 5 launch title, rehauls the 2009 game of the same name that sparked a new ‘’Souls-like’’ genre. Apparently, the new game hides a brand new secret: A hidden door players have no idea how to access.
Demon's Souls boasts faithful graphical and UI upgrades, but it also may have a new area containing this secret door. The door is hidden within World Level 1-3 and is definitely absent from the original PS3 version’s level design. Players are baffled by it, for good reason.
Reddit user Cosmic-Vagabond was one of the first players who found the door, using the game’s new photo-mode feature. By traversing the level into an alley that appears to be a dead-end and using the camera movement in photo mode, players can reveal an illusory wall -- a trademark mechanic of the series -- that can be destroyed by attacking it. Behind this false wall lies the mysterious locked door and other features.
Also using photo mode, players can even look past the locked door and spot a mysterious, glowing object sitting on a balcony, only further adding to the mystery.
Cosmic-Vagabond shared on Reddit the attempts Demon's Souls players have made to open the door. These include killing all the enemies in the level, approaching the door wearing various sets of armor, sneaking to the door without alerting enemies and simply sprinting right to it from the level start. Even changing the tendencies of the world, a mechanic singular to Demon’s Souls where the player can affect the world by purposely dying or killing bosses, seems to do nothing toward granting access the mysterious location.
More interestingly, this isn’t the first time developer Bluepoint Games has done such a thing. It also added a completely new secret in 2018's Shadow of the Colossus Remake. Players found a hidden message in the credits referring to "the 79 steps to enlightenment." This hinted at 79 new collectibles that players could find hidden in the world. Once found, the collectibles opened a secret chamber below the main temple, which housed a brand new addition to the game: A weapon named the Sword of Dormin.
Right now it's totally unclear what's behind the door in Demon's Souls, but it clearly serves some kind of purpose and there is precedent for new additions to Bluepoint's remakes. Bluepoint tweeted a vague comment on the mystery door, including a holiday or postcard-style image with the mysterious area and a bit of text saying, "Wish you were here!" So far, this is the only information players have received from the company as to the meaning behind the area.
Developed by Bluepoint Games and SIE Japan Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Demon's Souls is available now, exclusively for PlayStation 5.