Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)

9/10

Sekira sam odigrao u 5. mjesecu 2024., a ovaj unos sam odlučio napraviti u 9. mjesecu 2025., i to zato jer sam odlučio da bi opet, nakon pauze od doslovno 10 godina, mogao pisati kratke recenzije, odnosno više podsjetnike, na igre koje sam prešao/završio. Sigurno u zadnjih 10 godina nisam odigrao samo ovo, ali je ovo jedino čega se koliko toliko sjećam, iako nedovoljno da bi išao u detalje.

Ovo je za mene bila prva igra od FROM Softwarea koji je u biti osmislio ili barem popularizirao souls-like žanr "teških" igara. Pročitao sam par recenzija kako je igra super, dobio nekoliko preporuka u stilu "svidjet će ti se jako je teško" pa reko, idem dat šansu. Nisam imao pojma u što se upuštam, pa nije niti čudo da sam na samom početku, kako zbog činjenice da mi ništa nije bilo jasno, kako zbog toga što je igra malo štekala, kako zbog toga jer je priča bila neka relativno bezvezna, gotovo pa nepostojeća, gotovo pa odustao nakon prvih pola sata-sat igranja. Tj. i bio sam odustao na jedno tjedno dana, ali onda sam se vratio i počeo igrati i na kraju mi uopće nije bilo žao.

Nakon što sam pohvatao konce, a pritom ne mislim na to da sam pohvatao sve konce gameplaya, jer se njega hvata tamo negdje skoro do pred kraj igre, nego konce toga kako radi skupljanje duša, umiranje, ressurectanje, check pointi, run backanje do bosseva i slično, onda mi je postalo zabavno. Mehanika borbe je, iako teška, jako zabavna i jako "zadovoljavajuća" kad jednom uhvatiš ritam, pogotovo kada uspiješ "iscomboati" jedno 7-8 udaraca i dodgeanja u komadu. Baš je ogroman high kad čovjek uspije ući u taj ritam, kao da si u transu, u pozitivnom smislu, totalna ludnica.

Naravno, ima tu putem i jako puno živciranja, (ne)potrebnog umiranja, još nepotrebnijeg reclearanja i run backanja, pa čak i toga da stvarno pomisliš da je nemoguće ubit nekog šefa ili protivnika... Ali to ide s ovakvim igrama, a nije me sram priznati niti da sam za nekoliko bosseva pogledao i guidove, ali nikada odmah na prvu, nego tek ako bi skužio da niti nakon desetak pokušaja nisam odmaknuo dalje od početka.

Isto tako, donekle mi je čak i plus bio to što nema klasa i character progressa u klasičnom smislu, pa da razbijaš glavu zašto si stavi bod u strenght umjesto u dexterity i slično, nego se sve svodi na customizanje oružja i talent treeja. Ne bi volio da je tako u svakoj igri, ali s obzirom da ovaj review pišem u vrijeme dok igram Dark Souls 1 u kojem se možeš fino zajebat ako si u krive statse na liku stavljao bodove, jasno je da mi je "trave zelenija" u Sekiru. Sve u svemu, odlična igra koju jednog dana možda i replayam na NG+.

This videogame is an action-adventure game from FromSoftware that pushes players into a brutal, skill-based combat system unlike the studio’s earlier Souls games. Set in a reimagined late 1500s Japan, it blends swordplay, stealth, and vertical movement to create a fluid and tense gameplay experience. It may not sound like a very original game at first, but each and every mechanic is so masterfully implemented that it sets itself apart, and by a big difference, from any previous implementation with similar ideas.

The game’s defining feature is its posture system, which forces precise parrying and timing rather than relying on stamina management. Though don't mistake this for how stamina works on Soulslike games at all, they are completely different mechanics. This makes every duel feel like a high-stakes test of reflexes. Stealth and traversal add flexibility, but combat mastery is essential, especially against its many punishing bosses. I love stealth in videogames, and this one was no different, even though it is has very simple mechanics on this regard.

Visually, the game is stunning, with rich environments ranging from serene temples to grotesque battlefields, all tied together by atmospheric sound design. The resurrection mechanic also introduces unique strategic choices, letting players push risks further. While its difficulty can be overwhelming and weapon variety is limited compared to other FromSoftware titles, Sekiro delivers one of the most rewarding single-player experiences of its generation. I consider this one of the best games of all time, but that is because I'm a die-hard Soulslike fan, to the point that I wished I could forget everything about this game, so I can play it again for the first time, there is no excuse to skip this one.

And I wished we had more games similar to this one, less focused on the complex RPG mechanics and builds, and implement more platforming and stealth mechanics instead, creating more unique experiences. Though I understand that this has very little replay value, despite it having a lot of hidden secrets and extra content besides the main quest, it is still a very simple experience compared to traditional Soulslike RPG titles.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – A Brutal Masterpiece of Precision and Stealth

Developer: FromSoftware

Release Date: March 22, 2019

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch (cloud version)

Overview

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a departure from the traditional Dark Souls formula, marking a bold evolution in FromSoftware’s design philosophy. Set in a war-torn feudal Japan, you play as the lone wolf, Shinobi Sekiro, on a quest to rescue his kidnapped lord and seek vengeance against those who wronged him. Unlike previous Soulslike titles, Sekiro emphasizes stealth, precise combat, and strategic thinking over RPG elements, offering a challenging experience where every move can mean life or death. It’s a game that tests both your patience and reflexes, demanding mastery of its mechanics to overcome the overwhelming difficulty. It’s harsh, unforgiving, and deeply rewarding.

What Makes It Great?

✅ Flawless Combat System

Sekiro’s combat is unlike anything FromSoftware has crafted before. It’s fast-paced and precise, with a unique focus on posture and deflection rather than health bars. Players are encouraged to engage in aggressive, high-stakes combat, where mastering the timing of parries and counterattacks is essential. Every encounter demands a deep understanding of enemy patterns, and the combat rewards skill and precision rather than relying on traditional RPG mechanics like leveling or upgrading gear. The sheer satisfaction of overcoming a challenging boss or enemy is unmatched, thanks to the deeply rewarding combat system.

✅ Masterful Stealth Mechanics

Unlike the open combat approach of previous FromSoftware titles, Sekiro introduces a stealth component that allows you to sneak past enemies or strategically take them down one at a time. This adds a fresh layer to the game’s overall design, offering a sense of variety and flexibility in how you approach challenges. Using stealth to get the upper hand on enemies before combat begins makes Sekiro feel like a true ninja game, and it’s an element that complements the brutal combat well.

✅ Incredible Boss Fights

Sekiro is known for its brutal boss fights, each one testing every skill you’ve learned up to that point. From the terrifying Genichiro to the colossal Owl, the game is filled with bosses that push the limits of your reflexes, precision, and understanding of the combat mechanics. Every fight is a dance, demanding quick reactions and perfect timing. The complexity and difficulty of these bosses set a new benchmark for action games, where patience and perseverance are often the only paths to victory.

✅ Stunning Graphics and Art Design

The game features breathtaking visuals, with highly detailed character models and lush environments. The art direction, inspired by Japanese landscapes and architecture, immerses you in a beautifully realized world. The world design seamlessly blends realism with artistic stylization, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. From the serene temples to the chaotic battlefields, the game looks amazing in every setting.

✅ Stunning World Design

Sekiro’s world is beautifully designed, steeped in Japanese culture and mythology. From the bamboo forests to the towering castles, every area feels meticulously crafted and deeply atmospheric. The environment itself plays a role in how players approach encounters, with verticality and hidden areas allowing for different ways to navigate and interact with the world. The game’s world is also alive with subtle storytelling, hidden lore, and detailed architecture, making exploration a rewarding experience.

✅ Emotional Storytelling

The narrative in Sekiro is much more direct than other FromSoftware titles, focusing on Sekiro’s personal journey. The emotional weight of his quest to rescue his lord and exact revenge is tangible. It’s a story of loss, duty, and redemption, told through interactions with complex characters like the mysterious Kuro and the menacing Owl. The game’s story unfolds through carefully crafted cinematics, environmental storytelling, and intense boss battles that add layers to the central plot, making it emotionally resonant without being overly complex.

✅ Engaging Progression System

Instead of the typical RPG mechanics of leveling up or collecting gear, Sekiro’s progression system is based on skill acquisition and upgrading your prosthetic arm. The ability to adapt new abilities, like the Grappling Hook or Shuriken, keeps the gameplay feeling fresh and offers new ways to approach combat and exploration. The upgrades feel impactful and meaningful, further cementing the game’s tight design and focus on skill-based growth.

✅ Post-Launch Content

Though Sekiro doesn’t have traditional DLC expansions, the game’s New Game+ mode offers significant replay value. This mode allows players to revisit the world with new challenges, tougher enemies, and different strategies. Sekiro also received free updates that introduced additional content, including new game modes and combat arenas, which expanded the game’s already robust offering and gave players more to sink their teeth into.

What Could Be Better?

❌ Punishing Difficulty Curve

While the game’s difficulty is one of its main appeals, it can also be a barrier for some players. Some bosses feel particularly unforgiving, with minimal room for error. While this is part of the design philosophy, the difficulty spikes can sometimes feel overwhelming and frustrating. The lack of traditional RPG mechanics for building up strength also means that players can’t “grind” their way to victory, which can make certain parts of the game feel almost insurmountable.

❌ Limited Exploration Compared to Souls Games

Sekiro’s world, while stunning, is more linear than the open-ended worlds of Dark Souls or Bloodborne. The lack of an expansive map and side content can make the game feel more constrained, limiting the exploration aspect that players of FromSoftware’s other games often enjoy. Although the game still encourages exploration, it doesn’t offer the same sense of freedom found in other titles.

❌ Occasional Frustrating Checkpoints

The checkpoint system, while fair in most cases, can sometimes be frustrating. Some sections of the game feature long stretches of combat without a checkpoint, and dying to a boss or enemy can result in losing a significant amount of progress. While this keeps the stakes high, it can also feel punishing when you’re stuck on a particularly difficult section.

Final Verdict

⭐ 9/10 – A Ninja’s Nightmare, A Gamer’s Dream

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a brutal, rewarding experience that demands precision, patience, and skill. Its combat is a masterpiece, offering some of the most intense, satisfying encounters in the action genre. The world is beautiful, the story emotionally impactful, and the challenge unrelenting. While its punishing difficulty and limited exploration may alienate some players, for those who embrace its design, Sekiro offers a gaming experience unlike any other.

The game’s post-launch content, though limited in scope, keeps players coming back for more, offering New Game+ modes and additional challenges that add to its already considerable replay value. Whether you’re a fan of FromSoftware’s past titles or a newcomer to the series, Sekiro is an unforgettable journey that will push you to the edge of your skills and reward you for your perseverance.

Well, after hours I finally beat that fucking Corrupted Monk Mk II. I didn't like that boss. It took me ages to get the hang of those perilous attacks, by the end they still got me like 20% of the time. And being stuck repeating the same thing over and over again start to show all the things I don't like.

I didn't like that just after I praised the posture system for solving the tanky boss problem, this boss introduced a mechanic that negates it with it's second phase, which is pure filler. Just the same as the first one but with a stage in which you cannot attack the boss. In any other game that would be annoying, but the posture system makes this double the waste of time because not only I'm not getting damage, but the boss is actually recovering.

I didn't like the camera that thinks that seeing the gorgeous autum leaves is more important that I seeing the huge monster that is about to turn me into mashed shinobi. Or that suddenly decides that the grass is very interesting when I'm near a wall.

I also didn't like that the third phase is so much harder and with a completely different moveset that I couldn't learn because of the long-ass first and second phases. Her posture also recovers crazy fast, so the first and second phase tactics are useless.

I also didn't like that she could be easily stunlocked with ash, making the final phase terribly anticlimactic and unsatisfying.

Owl in the can. Fucking cheater, using the same shinobi tactics that I've been using against me. Tough but fair and consistent (except for when he cornered me against a wall; seriously, what the hell is up with this camera). Again, the second phase surprises with its absence.

And again I go to read people's experiences and feel that I must me missing like half of the game. People suggest using the Mortal Blade and I'm "the mortal what?". I know it's an item and I know that I have a couple of Ninjutsu techniques, but I never used them. I feel like an idiot that only knows how to use a sword and healing items, going through the game parrying and hitting stuff stupidly without taking advantage of all the rest of the game's mechanics. On my defence, a lot of those systems use consumables and I die a lot, so I would run out them before long.

Now with the Corrupted Monk again. Boy, FromSoft is environmentally conscious, huh? All that boss recycling. Nah, but it's fine. Although I'm starting to feel that for every boss there is some attack that fucks up the camera. This one has a leaping attack that literally hits off camera and the leaves might make for lovely scenery but are annoying if they get between the camera and the enemy. What the hell are we doing? These guys have made and remade the same game a million times; you would expect this game to have the best camera in gaming.

But yeah, I'm absolutely stuck here. I can parry everything that that fucker throws at me except for those perilous attacks. For the life of me I just cannot figure out when to mikiri counter and when to jump. I really wish they used different symbols for each of them.

I love the posture system in this game. It "solves" the issue of overly tough bosses that take long to beat even onces mastered.

Just beat the Corrupted Monk in that spooky village. It was a bit anticlimactic, honestly. Her big swings telegraph her attacks so early that I was parrying most of them by the second try. And then she died and I stood there expecting a second phase that never came. I'm a bit surprised to read people having so much trouble with her, but clearly any boss can be hard for different people depending on their playstyle. I'm also a bit surprised to see people praising her as one of the best bosses. It was not bad, but nothing super special for me.

Fought the Elite samurai right before Genichiro. Cool miniboss! rewards observation and quick parrying and the revive thingamajig is right next door. After a few tries I noticed the white light before the attack and defeated him almost perfectly. I googled him to see what people say about him and found a lot of posts complaining about it and with guides on how to cheese him.

Now onto Genichiro. First stage more or less done. Not too hard. Surprisingly I lasted quite a lot the first time (that's what she said) since his attacks are pretty well telegraphed. I noticed that the fucker always attacks you with the bow when you heal, but then that's easy to parry because the timing is always the same.

Nice back-to-back good enemies without any stealth fuckery or annoying mobs. I'll cherish it while it lasts.

What's with that Armored Warrior dude? It was a neat elite that force you to learn to parry. After a few tries, he had landed only one hit or so, which is great. I love that feeling when you finally master the patterns and get an (almost) flawless kill.

But the tutorialising is awful. Yes, the game makes it very clear that attacks are pointless. The heavy armour, the dude bragging that he's impenetrable, the healthbar not going town when you hit it. So my though was that I was supposed to parry until I get a deathblow. I do that, the deathblow clearly penetrates the armour, and then nothing happens. No death, no health lost. Now what?

Well, I had to search the internets to learn that I was supposed to push him off the cliff. How on earth was I supposed to know that? The game not only never indicated that that was a possibility, but up to that point I hadn't thrown any enemy off cliffs. In fact, I'm pretty sure enemies can't be thrown off cliffs. In fact in fact, just two steps after the boss, I fought a normal enemy and I he wouldn't fall of a small ledge!

I'm loving this game's combat, but these kinds of bullshit really throw me off the wall. Also infuriating is the community; every time I have to search for some guide or tip I end up in some reddit post full of assholes replying with "skill issue", "git gud" or some other

I'm at Juzou the Drunkard. Interesting miniboss. Cool mechanics. The fact that even a parry still gets you poisoned is kind of annoying because if furthers reduces the viability of parrying, but still.

I just would really like to fight him without having to go to like two dozen useless minions that are not interesting to fight. Here there's not even a stealth route because you're funnelled through a corridor right in view of the guards that have binoculars for eyes.

Tried to get it into it a few years ago and bounced off hard. I wasn't clicking with the combat, there was a lack of distinct playstyles, the bosses were too brutal, and the Dragonrot system too punishing.

On this playthrough, somehow, it clicked.

The combat is purpose-built to identify the habits you've built as a Soulsborne player and beat them out of you. This is a dance, and you need to learn the steps. Once you understand that, the seemingly insurmountable challenge becomes a source of joy. It's not without its flaws - one or two bosses (looking at you, Guardian Ape v2) need to be cheesed, and the Terror system is more frustrating than challenging. And the Demon Of Hatred is a certified PoS and I'm glad he's dead.

The big breakthrough for me came in relation to Dragonrot. It's nowhere near as debilitating as the game makes out. Save up your restoration item til you beat a particularly hard boss, then heal them up. As long as you're not actively attempting to progress certain character's side quests, Dragonrot won't actively harm you (beyond lowering the likelihood of Unseen Aid). Had this been communicated better, I never would have thrown in the towel on my first play.

This is the only time I've beaten a Soulsborne and immediately wanted to start NG+. That's how addictive the loop of this combat is, once cracked.

CURRENT SOULSBORNE RANKINGS:

1. Bloodborne (dripping with atmos)
2. Sekiro (best combat system)
3. Elden Ring (horse)
4. Dark Souls 3 (best bosses)
5. Dark Souls (my OG and best lore)
6. Demon's Souls (still a classic)

I've bought this back in 2022 (already late to the party) and played through the first couple of segments. It didn't stick with me at the time, it felt like a samurai-themed generic Souls game, besides also being very difficult. Even if I was experient with Souls-like the combat in this game was very different.

I've decided to give it another shot in the end of 2024 and powered through the same couple of segments of 2022. Also had a difficult time, but I noticed I needed to use all the game offered to me in order to succeed.

Once I understood that there were times were it was better to go stealth, use the right Arts, the right Proesthetic, etc., the game became much more enjoyable. Over time I got good enough to play it the way I play other Souls games (just pure melee combat, no gimmicks), but the game forcing me to utilize everything it gave me was a really interesting experience for me.

Also, the overall setting, enemies, locations of the game are awesome. Trading sword blows with the simplest of enemies gets you feeling like a true Shinobi.

Masterpiece of a game.

This game was BRUTAL to the bone, but so worth it. Absolutely gorgeous to look at, perfect sound, voice acting, etc. Even the voice acting was good.

Graphics and environments were amazing, especially the final area. Vibrant colors and some of the best fire and smoke I've seen in a game.

Beautiful combat, faster paced than other games in this genre.

The ending(s) left more to be desired.

5/5 loved it

I used to watch videos of Sekiro, thinking how good that combat must feel, but I was definitely not good enough for it. Turns out, I was. It’s not that hard. It does require a honing of your reflexes more than Souls games, but you don’t need to acquire sports-level skills. Unfortunately, you might have to give up drinking. No more of that fine monkey sake for you. But it’s worth it, the combat is the most satisfying in a Souls or Soulslike game.

The most wonderful thing about the combat is how well they've managed to implement the idea that "hesitation is defeat". You'll often get a lot of free hits or you'll be able to avoid some attacks by just pressing on with what you were doing, but, if you hesitate and try to change the approach, you'll be severely punished, often to death by some bosses.

Alongside pure combat, there are a lot of buffs, debuffs, and very cool gadgets and skills that will help you throughout the game. They do make a lot of difference, you can actually cheese some bosses with them (which you shouldn’t, because, again, the combat is simply the best). However, it would have been nice to have more than one weapon. I really enjoyed stealth, too, but it leads to the usual silliness, like enemies you were just slashing a minute ago forgetting about you. And, of course, there’s the grappling hook, which adds verticality and can be used in some fights.

Sekiro has to be the most beautiful game made by From Software. It abandons the grimdark aesthetic of Soulsborne in favor of beautiful landscapes and interiors with vibrant colors (it can look a bit washed out, but you can make it look superbly with Reshade on PC). We get it, Miyazaki, medieval Europe is ugly and filthy, medieval Japan is beautiful and clean.

The fluid motions and animations are in stark contrast to the usual jankiness of Soulsborne games, at least when it comes to the playable character. At the time I’m writing this, From Software has two games in development, hopefully at least one of them will be like Sekiro, not back to janky again.

The game is filled with subtle references, which only persons of culture will understand, like big black cocks and ape shit. From Software heard you were going apeshit playing their games, so they’ve designed an ape boss that throws shit at you. And you know who also goes apeshit frequently? Kratos. So, the ape looks like him.

There’s also a lot of bullshit (can’t have a From Software game without that). You can’t parry a spinning attack, but you can parry a raging bull, a dude coming down from a kite like a rocket, and the huge sword of a dragon. The worst bullshit, though, is the terror mechanic. You die when it fills up. The Wolf has a bad heart, I suppose. On the other hand, a lot of the bosses and minibosses are just skilled warriors, not giant beings whose toes you have to stab repeatedly in order to kill them. The biggest boss in the game is also the easiest one. And for nostalgia’s sake, there’s a boss that seems plucked from a Soulsborne game, often considered to be the toughest in the game. Appropriately, it is an optional boss, as are those who build up terror (with the exception of the ape shit boss).

Minor complaints aside, the game is amazing. What isn’t amazing, though, is the story. It’s the usual fantasy story From Software has gotten us used to, only that it’s set in Japan this time around. It’s told in a straightforward manner, but it’s not exactly exciting. You’re not blown away by anything that happens and you’re not dying to find out what happens next. Maybe some people care about the characters, but I couldn’t, and no amount of VaatiVydia gentle telling their sad stories with soft chords in the background will make me care about them, either.

With Sekiro, From Software have shown that they can do very different action games while keeping the essence and difficulty of their grand RPG series. They can make combat systems and general gameplay that don’t feel twenty years old. Here, they have created their most beautiful world yet (counting Elden Ring) and a slick, smooth gameplay. It’s a shame only that they haven’t been able to keep a high level when it comes to story and characterization. Maybe next time.

Quick summary:

• for me, the best combat system of all the FS games
• amazing boss fights: intense, dramatic and rewarding skill
• easier levels that other FS games which made them somewhat less memorable
• great that you can fight the bosses (and some enhanced versions) once you complete the game

Not sure I would play again, because the journey itself was unremarkable, but can see myself fighting Genichiro and Isshin for fun for years to come.

In preparation for Elden Ring I have continued my journey through Miyasaki's From Software games. Sekiro, while still a Souls game in many ways, is closer to Bloodborne than it's more fantasy counterparts. While both games play differently in terms of combat, they both were designed intentionally to punish players who obstinately stuck to the Dark Souls basics. Sekiro is a far more radical departure than Bloodborne was and the end result is the deepest combat featured in any Souls game which had polarizing effects.

What's been removed is online multiplayer (the biggest source of controversy) and play styles. The multiplayer has always functioned as a crutch for players who were struggling with the game. You could summon a NPC or friend to help you beat a boss which in a way was an optional easy mode. With Bloodbornes initial release there were very few summonable NPCs, but with the DLC they added in more NPC helpers in earlier challenging bosses such as the Blood Starved Beast. Of course you also have a sea of 'git gud' twinking dick bag Chads who enjoy stomping on noobs with absurdly powerful low level builds. The later has always been the biggest draw of a soulsborne game due to the min/max nature and heavily rewarding game knowledge. Elements of this are still present in Sekiro albeit subtle. The next big pull with the Soulsborne games has been build variety. You can play as a gallant knight, a dick bag Chad or a mage. Each build has its strengths and weakness which gave the Soulsborne games high replayability since you could start a NG with a completely different build and have a fresh experience. Not all builds were equally strong, but the game was balanced around making it beatable regardless of your build. This design choice is the Soulsbornes greatest strength and weakness. The weakness being lack of depth with combat. Bosses could only be so challenging and have so many quirks to make it beatable regardless of your build. The end result is almost every boss being susceptible to dodge rolling and stabs to the bum. That all said, the endurance system, atmosphere and variety more than makes up for the lack of mechanical depth in the moment to moment combat.

What did Sekiro add in replacement of these big features? I mentioned a deeper combat (I will elaborate), but also more vertical traversal, a pseudo stealth mechanic and a clear narrative. Since there is only one play style, the combat can become significantly deeper since Miyasaki knows everyone will have access to the same tools (mostly) even if they opt to not use them. Parry is the new dodge roll and functions very differently than previous entries. Bloodborne also had a parry focus but it functioned more akin to other Soulsborne games. Gone is the stamina bar and instead we get a posture bar. As you attack an enemy and deflect their attacks, their posture meter will be depleted. If you max out their posture, they become open for a deathblow. Alternatively, you can drain an enemy's life bar and then they are open to a deathblow. Finally, if you sneak up on an enemy, you can give them an instant deathblow. Bosses combat this potential cheese by having multiple life bars and being locked into combat the moment you pull aggro (other enemies can drop aggro, and while minibosses used to drop aggro this has been patched out to combat cheese). You also have a posture meter that is depleted each time you parry an attack. If you deflect (meaning a perfectly timed parry), you take less posture yourself and deal significant posture damage to the enemy.

While this may sound limiting, there are some curve balls thrown in to keep combat engaging. Perilous attacks are either a grab, a sweeping strike or a lunge attack. Grabs most be dodged, sweeping must be jumped and lunge can be either parried or Mikiri Countered (get this ability ASAP!). Each type of perilous attack has the same notification so it's up to you to watch the enemy and react appropriately. In addition, there are skills, sword arts shinobi arts and ten prosthetics with a plethora of variations. All together makes a surprising deep combat system that allows the player to experiment if they are willing to accept the new mechanics. The end result of everything is boss battles that feel fair and like real duels.

My biggest issue with all previous soulsborne games is how bosses typically broke the rules established. You can rarely block their attacks let alone parry them. You are forced to play completely differently (which boils down to dodge roll to their butt and stab it) from how you progressed to them. Bloodborne did a great job by allowing more bosses susceptible to parry. There are still plenty of flailing large beasts that you are forced to dodge roll and stab their butt though... In Sekiro, almost every boss follows the same rules of every enemy and you can parry or react to almost every attack like you do with the regular enemies. There is still challenge because a boss will have new attacks, perhaps delays to bait out an early parry or just throw fire at you like a boss. Not only does Sekiro have the best combat, it also has some of the best bosses because of the more homogenized play style. Miyaski wasn't concerned about throwing in a curve ball because he knows you have access to all the tools. I could ramble on longer but I will move on to the psuedo stealth mechanic.

The stealth mechanic I think is the primary reason why multiplayer was removed. People complained about backstab cheesing in previous Souls games (let's face it. It's broken even in Dark Souls 3...) but it would be taken up to an 11/10 in Sekiro since you can now jump from high up and land an instant deathblow. In a multiplayer setting, invaders would be able to kill you instantly and you had no way of reacting to them because they could plunge from the top of a map (they could treat all players as always in combat to avoid this issue but regardless I could see it being a big headache)... That all said, the stealth is meh. Not bad, but extremely dated. To be fair, I think Uncharted 4 was only marginally better. I do appreciate that combat is where the game excels, thus breaking out of stealth isn't a bid deal like it is in Thief. That said, you can always run away, let aggro drop then go back in to pick off more guys. The grappling hook and faster movement speed makes maneuvering around the world a blast. It feels good, though it will trivialize a chunk of levels because it is easy to skip enemies.

Finally, the story is pretty easy to follow this time around since we play as an actual character. It's not bad, but nothing compared to narrative focused games. With more of the story and lore explained to you, more seams show as a result compared to other Soulsborne games. Such as how the True Monk isn't weak to Sabimaru though theoretically there is no reason why she isn't. My theory is that it would make her boss fight too easy and she is a late game boss, thus it was done for game play over lore reasons. There are other apparent contrivances throughout the game but I still enjoyed the story start to finish. Some of the twists feel contrived and seem to be more about shock value than something more character driven. I think both the Japanese and English voice actors do a good job, though Isshin Ashina English voice actor is far superior to his Japanese counterpart IMO.

My final thoughts are around the standard Soulsborne motifs still included in Sekiro. I wonder if the bonfire/estus system was included as a compromise to maintain some semblance of the Soulsborne game to not be too polarizing or if Miyaski views the system as perfect and refuses to change from it. I would have liked to see an experimentation with the checkpoint/healing system in Sekiro. Perhaps that is too demanding of an expectation given how much else he changed. That said, I am a fan of the pacing of the bonfire/estus system and thought it worked well with Sekiro.

Overall, despite the limited play styles, Sekiro offers the best and deepest combat of any Soulsborne game even if the replayability is among the weakest of the series.

Never played a "From Software" game in my life...this was the hardest shit I've ever played and i've been gaming since the NES days! 3 to 4 hours just repeating the same boss fight......sweat on your controllers....BEGGING me to throw it...!

But that satisfaction of that red dot.....final blow...while your heart still races and you scream "MOTHERFUCKER!!" unmatched! Great cutscenes too I wish there were more.

Now match the same difficulty, epic boss fights...and bring in George RR Martin for the story and I'm ready for the next one!

It's a little more interesting than Bloodborne because of it's approach to combat and the inclusion of stealth. It borrows a mechanic from Nioh where you break down a characters stamina until you can do a move that does massive damage. The combat is pretty much built around that mechanic. The problem is that Nioh had a lot more going on with it. This one mechanic wasn't enough to keep me playing. I need more variety in my action games because this got old fast. I died 100s of times in Nioh and still played it for over 100 hours to completion. I couldn't bother playing this for 20 hours. What I will give this game is that there are some pretty cool counter-attacks that you can do when enemies perform certain special moves. Pulling these off multiple times created the most exciting moments of this game.

This is also partially a stealth game. Not a good one though. I found the stealth mechanics frustrating. It's a pretty basic approach. There's nothing that tells you when you are well hidden or how visible you are in your environment outside the alerts that enemies get over their heads when they spot you. The most annoying part of this game's approach to stealth is that when you perform a stealth kill, it takes you out of stealth mode. Why would it do this? The last thing I would want is to make myself visible to people who would have not noticed me otherwise.

I really should just stop bothering with From Software. I probably should stop bothering with any Souls-like game that's not made by Team Ninja.

Unsheathe your blade!

Here is my first impressions of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice!

[Pre-Read Info] System: PlayStation 4 Pro Time Played: 2 Hours Graphic Settings: Default

As soon as you start up the game and get through the main menu you are greeted with an intro that builds a bit of backstory for your character. After that you are able to move and explore through the land of Ashina. The visuals in this game have spared no expense in making it known that this is a work of art, and it captures the look and feel of historical Japanese culture very well.

Your character moves very fluidly, which i didn't expect at first. The combat is something that I personally am not too familiar with, however that doesn't mean it isn't hard to pick up. They through you straight into the game with a learn as you go kind of sense, with tips to explain what things mean very early on. Eventually you get to a point where you can practice and understand the combat much better.

The layout of the areas you can explore encourage you to try different methods of approach. You can choose to stay on roofs and on high ground, or move through and take out enemies as they come through. In my opinion I've done best by utilizing stealth options as opposed to playing aggresively, as taking out characters in small numbers is helping me get used to the controls better, but killing the enemies does reward you with plenty of loot.

What I found that was interesting was the way they handle player deaths (which I unfortunately came across multiple times). They give you the option to resurrect and try again, or returning to your last safe point. If you die, you lose have of your experience and money. There is a chance that you wont lose anything if you die. However, if you overuse your resurrection you get penalized for it by reducing the chance of you keeping the things you've earned, so sometimes its better to let yourself go.

There is an immediate realization of how difficult this game is. It's all based on how you play, but you also need to master combat or you might even kick the bucket against the easiest enemy. I find that this is a good thing, because the more you perfect the skills given to you, the more rewards and loot you can acquire.

Overall from the 2 hours that I've played I'm definitely enjoying it! There are still plenty of things I need to experience, and I need to practice a lot more, but that is a personal thing and nothing wrong with the game itself. This game is definitely rewarding you for the risks you take, which makes it more interesting to get back up and fight again.

I'll definitelty be playing this from start to finish!