After the success of FromSoftware’s iconic Dark Souls trilogy, many gamers wondered what could be next for the developers that revolutionized and helmed an entire genre. After all, FromSoftware had created a name for themselves as the studio that makes their games a real challenge, as well as both exciting and surprising.
Their next game, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice came onto the scene. This game featured things that were familiar to fans of Dark Souls and Bloodborne but offered an entirely new and unique experience. It was entirely a solo affair, along with mechanics that even the hardest Dark Souls veterans could find challenging, yet it did things better than the rest.
10 The Level Up System
Players of Dark Souls would remember the importance of souls to level up their character in the many different stats in the RPG. This could range from health to stamina, to even the strength of one’s character. Sekiro does things differently, and a lot simpler too. Players can acquire XP via killing enemies, half of which is lost upon death.
Players can use this XP to acquire skills and unlock different moves to utilize in combat. To upgrade their health, they must collect four prayer beads, an item that is provided to the player after killing a boss or found in certain chests. The strength of the player is upgraded through both experience in the game and through defeating the many powerful main bosses that provide “memories.”
9 Same, Yet Different
Upon entry into the harsh world of Sekiro, many fans of Dark Souls and Bloodborne may recognize the title as something familiar. Judging by the enemy types, and the way the game feels, the first assumption would be that the game plays the same and can be treated as a Dark Souls entry. However, this is entirely wrong.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an entirely new experience to fans of old and new for the Souls-like genre. Players need to rely on stealth, parrying, and something they could never do before: a dedicated jump button. The game is faster and more unforgiving, but great fun. Playing like Dark Souls is a sure-fire way to die, twice, as the Posture System runs different from Dark Souls.
8 Solo Experience
If a fog wall has ever appeared, or the player finds themselves unable to rest at a bonfire to recover their precious HP, then they have found themselves at the hands of a bloodthirsty invader. Invaders in Dark Souls are hostile players that wish to engage in PvP. Not all players are bad eggs, and some choose to co-op and help the player.
In Sekiro, players do not have the option to have an ally or a foe with another player, as the game is entirely solo. It may feel like a more lonely experience, but it certainly helps to build a greater narrative for the titular protagonist, as it is the player against the world.
7 Stealth Mechanics
Of course, Dark Souls had the backstab. A powerful ability that could be used to attack unaware enemies from their back, and cause critical damage. It could also be used for enemies that were not expecting such a fatal blow. Sekiro takes this small element of stealth and expands it into the entire experience of the game.
There is a dedicated crouch button, to sneak around and hide in tall grass and flowers. Players can hide around corners, and keep to rooftops to avoid trouble. Singling out enemies is far more important in Sekiro, as enemies will swarm and threaten the player with their numbers.
6 Shinobi Prosthetic
A unique feature of Sekiro is that of the Shinobi Prosthetic. It’s a wood-carved arm for the player and can be used to house many gadgets that can assist the player in going further in their adventures. This tool is the defaulted grapple hook, which can be used to hoist the player up buildings and ledges.
There are prosthetic tools for the device, which allow the player to throw firecrackers, throwing stars, and utilize a wood-breaking axe. It’s a great tool that adds further freedom to Sekiro’s roster since the player has no access to other weapons, only the default sword.
5 Japanese Mythology
Dark Souls is largely set in a fantasy world of Medieval influence. When it came to Sekiro, the team looked to Japan for influence. The world of Sekiro is brimming with references, lore, and love for Japanese mythology, from the art style to the creatures that inhabit the world.
The mythology presented in Sekiro can be equal parts terrifying, and equal parts beautiful. It’s great to see the representation of Japanese folklore and mythology utilized in a video game and is a nice refreshment after the Dark Souls games kept players in Medieval times for so long.
4 Multiple Endings
Most Dark Souls games provide the player with a final choice that leads to a particular ending, sometimes of two or three. These decisions require minor differences. It could be as simple as walking away from the first flame. Sekiro features a far deeper challenge when it comes to its multiple endings.
It is its reward to complete Sekiro. Yet, some endings are sad, or downright depressing, and it makes victory seem like a somber defeat. The true ending is the hardest, and requires the player to eavesdrop on certain parts, and also acquire specific items. It’s a rewarding ending for players' hard work.
3 Failure And Victory
“YOU DIED.” A game over screen that taunts players of FromSoftware’s games. From Demon’s Souls to Elden Ring. It can somewhat feel like a mockery, especially when the boss only needs one final strike with the blade. In Sekiro, players will die and die again, but each time, they will learn something new.
There is no greater feeling in Sekiro than slaying a boss after multiple failed attempts. Since Sekiro is somewhat like Groundhog Day, where events repeat in a cycle, there is always another chance, until it is done. When the player dies, the player is rewarded with knowledge and determination to seek victory.
2 Ultimate Parrying Experience
Armed with the Kasabimaru, the gifted katana given by Kuro, the Divine Heir, players of Sekiro will only have this weapon for both offense and defense. Sekiro very much plays like a rhythm game, and eyes will need to be very much peeled to perfectly time deflects, dodges, and jumps.
Each parry is intense and entirely satisfying, from the metallic clang of swords to the feeling of power the player experience with a controller in hand. FromSoftware truly outdid themselves with the combat in Sekiro and made a unique experience from their other games.
1 Boss Fakeouts
FromSoftware is no stranger to having a boss in their games become defeated, only to surprise the player with another phase. Some bosses even have up to three phases. Sekiro takes this to an entirely new level, as bosses will have circles on their health bar that indicate the phases that they have.
Yet, to the surprise of many, a lot of bosses will have another phase after their death. One such instance has a giant ape resurrect itself by picking up its cut-off head, and further challenging the player for another bout. It’s exciting and incredibly intimidating each time a boss rises from its fallen state.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is available now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.