This action-adventure game by developer FromSoftware and publishers Activision attempts to hit the peak of stealth and exploration alongside great combat. Released in 2020, the single-player game is compatible with Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Stadia. Although Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has unique qualities, similarities can be seen between it and games like The Mysterious Murasame Castle and the Tenchu series. 

Compelling  And Grounded Plot

The game follows Sekiro, a one-armed wolf and shinobi. He is on a journey to take revenge on a clan of samurai who attacked and kidnapped his lord. Set in a fictionalized Japan during the Sengoku period, the references Buddhist mythology and philosophy, a subtle departure from the Souls series for which the developer is known.

The game is grounded in a believable, albeit mystic, world. You can situate yourself in the story and connect with it emotionally. You pick up new prosthetic arms that help with your combat techniques. The prosthetic arms can be equipped with different sub-weapons that give you an edge during battle. You can attach an ax that can break through a shield or a spear that allows you to attack from afar. You can also use firecrackers that stun your enemies or a flamethrower that inflicts burn damage. As you progress in the game, you also go up the upgrade trees and earn money.

Stealth And Action-Based Gameplay

The game takes place in third-person view and includes a lot of strategies, stealth, and sword fights. There are few role-playing elements but many options for gear upgrading, skill trees, and customization abilities. The combat is built around a katana that attacks the posture and balance of the enemy instead of depleting their health points, like in other games. Once the enemy’s stance has been weakened, you can go in for the kill with a single killing blow.

Most gameplay feature stealth elements that require you to sneak up on the enemies and attack them instantly. This is only possible once you can come into the attacking range undetected. There are many tools at your disposal, including the grappling hook. The game also features an almost instant resurrection power when your character dies. Instead of returning you to a respawning checkpoint, the resurrection happens on the spot so you can finish a fight. You can resurrect and wait for the enemy to turn his back on you before striking an attack. However, there is a downside to using the resurrection feature wrong. A disease spreads across the world if you continually resurrect yourself and can kill all the people you need within the game.

The game is in no way easy or forgiving as the bosses are out to kill with a single blow, and even after many hours of playing, you still need to be on your toes in every battle. The game does not contain a map, compass, waypoints, or markers. You are given a general direction and are left to figure out the beating paths and locations on your own. This forces you to explore the world on your own. In doing this, you make many mistakes like barging into a place where you should have approached stealthy or running into a boss that you are grossly unprepared to fight.

Superb Graphics And Soundtrack

The game has such an amazing graphic rendering. Most of your time in this game is spent exploring and climbing a mountain, and the view is well thought out and designed. You can wade through difficult terrains. The killing technique employed when you destroy an enemy is also very cinematic, almost like the Knock Out feature in Mortal Kombat.

The game is also accompanied by a soothing yet haunting score that perfectly fits the oriental world. Battles are punctuated with realistic surround sound effects of weapons clinking and enemies grunting in pain, creating an immersive experience.

Intriguing And Enjoyable Battles

Combat in this game is quite complicated and requires a mixture of defense, dodging, and careful, relentless attacking. It punishes indiscriminate button smashing and discourages quick learning of the boss you’re fighting. The tactic you use to win in one battle may get you killed in the next. Battles in this game are not rhythm-based, and this is exciting because you struggle, learn, die, and relearn as you go through the game. It is one of the most exhilarating games I have played in a while, and sometimes, I have to drop the controller to relax from all the adrenaline. 

I liked having a dedicated teacher named Hanbei the Undying, who helped me hone my offensive and defensive tactics. You can return to your teacher whenever you are confused, develop your skills, and gain clarity on what to do next. As you proceed, you realize that battling with enemies is very nuanced. While you can easily take out low-level enemies after a few encounters, the boss battles are not the same. Every boss has a tell and gives a variety of attacks that you need to learn. Once you recognize their tell, you know whether to run, block, or go in for the attack. Blocking an attack further weakens their posture and opens them up to your death blow, and this is an intense way of battling that very few people are accustomed to.

A single blow from a boss can be deadly, and their moves can be erratic and diverse. Occasionally, you get a red kanji symbol that signals an unblockable attack, and you need to identify the attack and execute an appropriate action for the scenario. You may have to land multiple deathblows on a boss before they can be eliminated. The longer you spend battling them, the more unbearable and frustrating it can be for you. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the type of game that demands your full attention. It is exhilarating and satisfying once you have mastered the posture-based swordplay and stealth mode. The world is expansive enough and lets you explore to soaring heights, just like Assassin’s Creed. Although built on a relatable combat system, the game provides some of the best sword fights in video games.