Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

I waited so long for this game to be added here i forgot it existed

This is actually a great game for those who like From Software games. Nothing feels wonky or clunky (like the combat in Dark Souls), the atmosphere and environments are fantastic. Combat is a lot of fun. So I give this a 55 because I fucking suck and don't like really hard games. I enjoy it until I get to a boss I can't beat. Which didn't take that long. I enjoy watching people play it though.

Extremely overrated combat. People act like it's the best combat of all time when in reality it doesn't even compete with other top tier games. There is only one way to play the game. There is no new way to approach combat on a second playthrough. There is no player expression in combat. Literally the only valid way to play is parrying to break posture. Even the gadgets and other abilities don't allow for a new approach. Watch 10 people play this game, and they'll all play exactly the same.

too hard, not for me

Some people don't consider this a "soulsborne", because it lacks certain RPG mechanics. Other than that, though, gameplay wise it is more or less exactly the same, and I would readily consider it one. Not only that, but in my opinion it is the best of the bunch (though I have not yet really played Bloodborne).

The structure of the combat engages you with your enemy in a way that feels entirely unique to Sekiro. Defense is offense and fighting is a dance of blades. The fixed style of combat hurts replayability, though. The art direction, as always when we're talking about Fromsoft, is unmatched in it's beauty, although not quite as memorable as previous Fromsoft titles.

Compared to other recent From games, I’m not a fan of the focus on the (imo boring) story, or the comparative lack of mysterious, beautiful locations. But the COMBAT OH MY GOD THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO GAME COMBAT THERE HAS EVER BEEN AND THE BOSSES ARE SO SICK. Finally beating it was an amazing moment. I’ve never tried as hard at anything as I did at Genichiro and the final boss. Bloodborne is the complete package, but this slightly beats it out in some really important ways.

Along with dark souls 2 the only from game i never finished once. But in this case that doesn't mean shit, because i would've liked to. Truth is, i just sucked so hard at the tweaked gameplay mechanics, that i just threw in the towel at some point. Might give it another shot when the soulsborne series finally let go of my muscle memory.

This game takes legitimate patience and practice to master—everyone should know that going in, or you're gonna have a bad time. Once you get good, it contains some of the most fluid and complex combat you'll ever experience in a video-game. Also, it continues From Software's track record of being the best world-builders in the business. (PS—could not beat the final boss. Too hard. Maybe one day I'll come back to it.)

Question 1: Is there any research on the links between liking FromSoftware games and sadomasochism? Question 2: Is getting good at these games supposed to feel like being initiated into a cult?