Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Reviews
It's certainly not a game for those looking for a more relaxing trip through mythical Japanese inspired locales, but whoever decides to stick with Sekiro through its hardships are bound to experience one of the most rewarding and memorable titles of the year.
Sekiro is a game made for fans of From Software who wanted a little more control over their actions. Gone are the builds and playstyles from Dark Souls and Bloodborne but the sword combat is the best that From Software has ever produced along with some stunning level design. The difficulty is brutal at times and may not be for everyone but stick around and you’ll find a journey that will pull you in like no other.
Having said all that, there are some wonderful boss fights here, with the Great Serpent and Lady Butterfly my personal favourites. I loved the way these developed and throughout the game there are glimmers of excellence sprinkled throughout. With a lack of customisation and replayability, Sekiro pales by comparison to what’s come before though. It’s a good game, no doubt about it, but it’s a game that can’t quite decide who it wants to appeal to. It’s likely to be far too challenging for the average gamer while Souls fans will likely lament the lacklustre combat compared to what’s come before. What we’re left with then is a beautiful game, one that’s stuck with a real identity crisis that some will love and others will loathe.
It’s as if From Software made a Tenchu game and had fears that it wouldn’t sell well, so they put on some Dark Souls makeup and a sprinkle of Bushido Blade flavor to bring this soup to up to taste.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the hardest game this year, and among one of the most challenging games ever put on a system. But for those that embrace the discipline needed to conquer the games numerous challenges, it is rewarding and thrilling to survive deadly encounters at the skin of your teeth. It's gameplay and focus on stealth distinguish itself from other action experiences, and the satisfaction of finishing some of the hardest bosses in gaming today is immeasurable. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an immersive action experience, for those who pick it up.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the breath of fresh air the "Soulsborne" sub-genre needed. It proves that stats, levelling-up, and equipment, is not what makes this kind of games.
Sekiro is the fabulous culmination of From Software’s modus operandi, honed relentlessly since 2009. While it plays like its predecessors, it also feels different and fresh.
Sekiro is an immensely satisfying game that sees a studio people started to think as a one-trick pony, flex their muscles by taking what they’re good at and doing something wildly different and engaging.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an amazing action-adventure game and a fresh departure from the titles that FromSoftware built its reputation on. It rewards players who are eager to learn how to play and use the tools and abilities given to them and stands toe-to-toe with its brutal siblings as a showcase for how FromSoftware’s approach to the action genre has evolved.
Sekiro is heralding the return of From Software to what he does best and it has some great innovations. Keep in mind that Sekiro will test your patience to the limit when you enter its merciless world.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice succeeds in its incredibly visceral combat and stealth all while being set in an engaging game world.
This title is going to be remembered in video game's history, keeping on scaring all the video players, as much as Demon Souls did. It's clear how From Software attempted its best, and walked out from its comfort zone, with Acivision's help, to involve a lot more players. This is not just a video game, it's the sum of the values of fight. A challenge for few, for those who can face many frustrating hours spent fighting one single enemy, and then enjoy to give the final stroke. Through this video game you'll experience your limits, and you'll be forced on learning the technique in a rude and honest way. There are no cuts or tips, the only way to go on with the story and finish the game is training and discipline.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Miyazaki’s work is interesting for reasons that go well beyond personal taste, individual linkings or specific sales figure, and they guarantee him a place in video game history.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Die, die, die again. Curse your enemy, curse the game, think of quitting, then pick the sticks back up and keep trying.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is From Software at its best (so far). The developer has beautifully married the demanding nature of their Souls games to a narrative-driven action game. The swordplay is engaging, requiring quick learning and quicker reflexes. All in all, Sekiro is top of its class, offering one of the most memorable experiences of 2019.
Sekiro is an excellent action game that combines stealth, intense melee combat, and well-designed defensive options into an entertaining package. There are a few hiccups, but Sekiro is a title worth picking up if you're hungry for a challenge.
Despite being a different game from the ''Souls series'', Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is equally fantastic for the same basic reasons: excellent world-building, deep and challenging combat and incredible game design. And even though there are still some small game design decisions that continue to bother me, in return I increasingly fall more in love with the general design philosophy of From Software every time I step foot in another one of their worlds.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
I have spent A LOT of time playing FromSoftware games. Ever since I fell in love with Dark Souls, I’ve poured copious amounts of hours into each game without batting an eyelid, and Sekiro is no different in this regard. Much like Bloodborne, it’s refreshing to see the Japanese developer step out of their comfort zone and try something new, with the end result here being a resounding success. Its combination of deep combat, excellent boss fights, and enthralling level design has left its mark as my favourite game to come from Miyazaki and his team. If you like any of From’s previous work, you owe it to yourself to try Sekiro, and even if you don’t and want to give it a try, I can’t recommend it enough.
Videogames with a feudal theme have always been liked by hardcore fans, so much so that developers have made these titles hand in hand with other franchises.
Review in Spanish | Read full review