Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an action-adventure game played from a third-person view. Compared to FromSoftware’s Souls series, the game features fewer role-playing elements, lacking character creation and the ability to level up a variety of stats, as well as having no multiplayer elements. It does, however, include gear upgrading, a skill tree, and limited ability customization. Rather than attacking to whittle an enemy’s health points, combat in Sekiro revolves around using a katana to attack their poise and balance instead, which eventually leads to an opening that allows for a single killing blow. The game also features stealth elements, allowing players to immediately eliminate enemies if they can get in range undetected. In addition, the player character has the ability to use various tools to assist with combat and exploration, such as a grappling hook and a torch. If the player character dies, they have the option of being revived on the spot under certain conditions instead of respawning at earlier checkpoints.
It’s hard to do Sekiro‘s world justice through any amount of descriptors, but as usual the detail is there to augment the already impressive environments. Locations, mind, that you can mostly just go to instead of wandering about, as you more often than not can grapple hook up or down to wherever you want. It makes for a rather hefty game, as my playtime so far is roughly on the level with a Souls title and I’ve uncovered what seems to be several optional/super bosses. New Game+ is also confirmed and I’m already looking forward to it since you can’t really “over level” for it. It’s going to be brutal and the closest thing that comes to mind is the brilliant old chestnut Ninja Gaiden Black: do not come in expecting a traditional “Souls” experience.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice innovates to the point where people who are tired of the same old song and dance will find new mysteries to master, but still maintains that strong marriage of world building and sense of pride garnered from besting taxing conflicts. It’s another keeper so long as you’re ready to strap in for a tough ride.
9/10