Ok, thought I'd weigh in on the Demon's Souls and Dark Souls topic. When I listened to the podcast, I was at the exact same place as Shipwreck, in Dark Souls, where he was mobbed by 5 skeletons. I had no problem at all with that part, and I think I know why:
I think a lot of people play a bit of these games and never come back because these games are not run 'n gun games. Most games, even on HARD difficulty are fast paced, move quick and keep firing. When you play these two games, to be effective, you need to slow down and plan your attacks. Lure enemies out and kill them on your terms. Get a bow and arrow (which has zoom and a reticle) and snipe them from afar. In demon's souls, you have to find better weapons (loot or buy them). Also there are magic rings that give you the advantage over the hoards of enemies--like the thieve's ring, which makes you invisible to most enemies, until you're right up on them. The theives ring and a bow, in Demon's Souls, is a deadly combination that will have you kicking ass in no time.
This is why these games are so popular. You get an enormous rush, and a feeling of real accomplishment, after you take down these badass enemies that can kill you in one hit. Also, the swordplay in this game is nothing like any other game I've played. You have to use your shield, dodge/roll, and parry. You have to wait for your attacker to strike before you strike him.
As soon as you get into the groove of playing the game, it really isn't that hard. So please, do not write these games off; they really are both masterpieces--you just have to break some of the habits you get when you play normal games. If you're getting frustrated, you're most likely doing something wrong--you need to go to the forums and get a different strategy.
EDIT: I'd also like to say that the camaraderie that I experience with the CAGs in the forums, while playing Demon's Souls, and now Dark Souls, make the experience even more awesome.