This is awesome. Thanks for helping me decide to get it. Thank you, too, Best Buy Guy. [possible SPOILERS for 1-1 and 2-1 bosses]

First, Best Buy Guy: When I went to the store to pick up the $40 priced Dark Souls for a good friend this Christmas season, I couldn't find it. I asked this best buy employee if he could help. As soon as I told him what I was looking for, he smiled and started talking about how great it was that I was getting it. "Man, so much respect. You're asking for the right kind of game," and so went the conversation. He asked if I'd beat Demon's Souls, and I told him I'd only just started hearing so much about it and was going to pick it up soon. He joked that he couldn't allow me to buy Dark Souls without first playing Demon's Souls. I decided that day that, while I was still getting my friend Dark Souls, I would buy Demon's Souls for myself. I was already considering getting it, but this helped me decide to give the first one a go before moving to dark souls.

Anyway, there have been many posts about the greatness of demon's/dark souls. This is just one more of those posts.

I know I'm probably being as babied as possible with this game right now, what with the PWWT until January 2nd. I beat both the first boss Phalynx in 1-1 and my second boss in 2-1 Armor Spider. There were several parts that I feel would be much harder if this white world stuff weren't going on at the time. Maybe you guys could tell me how much harder it will be after Jan 2nd, but I guess I'll find out. Anyway, I'm still learning the ropes. Despite the easier-than-normal tone of the game during this PWWT event, I'm pretty proud that I was able to beat both the Phalynx and Armor Spider on my very first go with them. I must have eaten an entire field of grass against the spider, and I was so worried and tense the whole time. The phalynx was fairly easy after reading the whole "use fire" tip on the ground. It worked like a charm.

I have been enjoying Skyrim for a few weeks now. Although I still love that game, this is a whole different feeling. I've never used my shield so much. I walk with my guard up...walk. I have to use my quick menu much more efficiently as the game doesn't pause during fights. I have to find a safe place to switch things up. I heal in the heat of battle, sometimes taking a hit while doing it if I'm not careful. This fight against the spider was ridiculous. At the end of the battle, I dropped my controller, smiled, and raised my arms in victory!

I'm scared before I walk into a room. It takes a little more bravery before you step through to fight the next demon or set of monsters/people. I keep an eye out for my exits, ensuring that if the battle gets too crazy, I've got a way to run away, eat some grass, and turn around to block the hits that are surely coming. Even when I'm in a "safe" place inside a level and rummaging through my inventory, I'm listening and watching for any signs of an invader that just might end my picnic early. It's intense.

Sorry for the poor collection of thoughts here...I just finished that Armor Spider fight and, damn, I just had to express my joy a little. :)

tl;dr: I'm having loads of fun with this game.