Yes that was the reward for exploring. Demon's Souls had the best levels in the series design wise on the typical basis.

There is the fact that you shift world tendency towards black by dying in human form which added to the risk reward system.

The worst thing about Demon's Souls. I am keeping my PS3 just for this game, I would love to get rid of it. 

I'm going to mention this now since some people have brought it up. While a neat idea in concept, and maybe worth exploring it again with a better fleshed design, World / Character Tendency is absolutely trash in Demon's Souls. If you played online, you were at the mercy of the average Tendency of all the players; if you played offline, good luck figuring out what changes what. Enjoy all the blocked events/loot/characters due to navigation through a neutral/not pure tendency. Seriously, I hated that. It's a mechanic that I haven't missed at all in any of the other games.

I'm not sure if it has been said, but the whole "you gotta die" prologue was also great and probably the best intro in all Souls, even if it is shitty that instead of an impossible battle they just throw you into a "lol killed" cutscene at the end.

will buy again if remastered.

Dark Souls wins all categories for me. Best game ever made imo.

It's even worse knowing that you're taken out by the wussiest of bosses in that game, not counting the final one.

Same guy that makes the Old One go away. Dragon God has no argument to stand on.

Totally

Dragon God is the most powerful creature in the game, probably in the entire series. There is a reason you don't fight him directly and even his breath can kill you. He makes Midir look tame.

That's not how I see it. Dragon God gets literally taken down by two ballistas that anyone could have fired (but the soldiers were too late). You simply zig-zag until pressing two buttons, and that gets the God to its knees, waiting for you to come closer and finish the job. He's like Seath; maybe impressive lore-wise, but an actual pansy when fought.

Dragon God highlights one of my biggest issues with Demon's Souls. It features some of the easiest bosses in the franchise, some as disappointing as part of the Arch Demons themselves.

He is an easy boss because of those ballistas. Otherwise he is tremendously powerful as can be seen from in game descriptions.

1. God's Wrath

Miracle from the Demon Dragon God's Soul

Generates a strong blast of force around the caster.

This miracle represents the power of God against tremendous malice. It is one of the greatest miracles, aiding all who are righteous.

2. Firestorm

Spell from the Demon Dragon God's Soul

Generates a storm of fire around the caster.

A spell mimicking the raw power of the Dragon God, Sultan of Chaos. Its devastating flame is impossible to control.

3. Fireball

Shoots a ball of fire and generates an explosion.

Born from dragon bones soaked in lava, this Demon was the embodiment of the power inherent in the colossal flames.

He is the only boss that can really kill you in 1 or 2 hits in NG regardless of your soul level. Those ballistas you fire are huge and he still survives 2 of them. He is also called a God and in all the Souls games Gods are the most powerful of their group so I do believe he is the strongest Dragon in any Souls game.