In order to build your character in Demon's Souls, you need to collect Souls and use them to level up. However, the first part of the game, you cannot level up at all. First, you need to complete the Tutorial. Death is an inevitable part of the game, and the tutorial teaches that the hard way. Don't worry, you will meet with the Vanguard later in the game.

After your early demise at the end of the tutorial, you get introduced to the Nexus. After the explanation, you get to choose an area to visit. Right now, only one area is available, the Boletarian Palace. Select it, and you're on your journey.

• Most enemies can be killed with a single stab of your weapon, and their attacks can be effectively blocked using a shield. Progress slowly, and be ready to jump back using the 'round' button. If you need help getting through this stage, check the video on this page, or check Demons Souls Walkthrough.
• The end-boss, Phalanx doesn't have much of an attack. Its spears can be blocked using your shield. Main problem are its forty mini-Phalanx that move around him. Slowly pick them off one (by attacking from behind!), and the Phalanx will be very vulnerable.
• You can now return to the Nexus, and meet up with a new character, the Maiden In Black. She will refer you to the Monumental, who is up the stairs, with a candle. After talking to the Monumental, you are finally ready to level up!

After you have talked to the Monumental, head back to the Maiden in Black. When you address her, she will grant you a level-increase in exchange for the Souls, which you have gathered on your journey through the first level.

• There are 999 levels, and each level takes more Souls to reach. Your first level will only cost you about 800 Souls, but at level 100, this has increased to 60625 Souls per level. Luckily you will be better equipped to kill higher rewarding enemies.
• It is important to understand that you can gain a higher level ONLY at the Maiden in the Nexus. You do not automatically increase in level once you've reached enough Souls, you have to reach the Nexus alive in order to trade them in. If you get killed outside the Nexus, you loose all your hard-earned Souls, and have to start the area again. However, when you die, you leave a puddle of blood, with a blue-ish glow. If you can reach the same point again where you died, and touch your bloodstain, you can regain your lost Souls.
• With this information, it is time to venture out into the dangerous world outside the Nexus again

Before you step out, remember how many Souls you need to reach your next level. Choose any of the five areas and get into the action. On your journey, you will encounter enemies of different strengths. Tougher enemies usually result in more Souls. Check messages left by other players. If the message has many votes, it is usually a valid tip. Some tips might be decoys, so always be wary of traps. As you progress, you will see your number of Souls increase. If you reach about 2-3 times the required amount needed for a level-increase, it is probably best to backtrack to the starting point, and visit the Maiden in the Nexus to cash in on those levels. You will need to start the level again, but you were probably not strong enough to kill the end-boss at your current level anyway. Once you reach the large portal with fog in it, you have to make a choice. Do you go in and battle the End-Boss, or do you chicken out, cash your Souls, and start another run. The choice is up to you, but you have to remember that once in, there is a fight to the death. Either you kill the Boss, or you are killed.

• If you follow these steps, you should be well equipped to progress through the game safely. Always try to be on your guard and you'll do fine. Don't worry about being killed, it's all part of the game.