Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

 PC
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3214 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,674 out of 3214
  2. Mixed: 202 out of 3214
  3. Negative: 338 out of 3214
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Atecno
    May 24, 2021
    10
    i 100% THIS GAME! Gameplay is so demanding that YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION AND LEARN! I love the story and characters.
  2. The4headgenius
    May 31, 2021
    10
    Amazing game. very challenging and rewarding when you overcome the challenge.
  3. Ferall
    Jun 4, 2021
    10
    Great mechanics,great graphics,nice gameplay,I would definitely recommend,the game is a bit difficult but I think the beauty of the game comes from this difficulty.
  4. Manz_kingz6
    Jun 7, 2021
    10
    Best FROM game in terms of pure gameplay. Doesn't have a lot of replayability but its pure action throughout.
  5. Loiii2
    Jun 13, 2021
    10
    The best and most difficult game I ever played. Amazingly difficult which is what i like.
  6. Razee1
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Sekiro is not a Souls game. This can't be stressed enough. Attempt to i-frame dodge through the game and you will get your ass slapped all the way back to Lordran. While it borrows certain elements from Souls, like the checkpoint system or cryptic NPC questlines, it's pretty much its own beast. And what a beast it is.

    It's one of those good news, bad news situations. Good news: the days    Sekiro is not a Souls game. This can't be stressed enough. Attempt to i-frame dodge through the game and you will get your ass slapped all the way back to Lordran. While it borrows certain elements from Souls, like the checkpoint system or cryptic NPC questlines, it's pretty much its own beast. And what a beast it is.

    It's one of those good news, bad news situations. Good news: the days when you needed to keep an eye on your stamina for every attack, block or dodge are over. Bad news: that doesn't mean the game is any less challenging. Quite the opposite, actually. Wolfie goes down in two hits tops, and at all times he's either heavily outnumbered or he gets crushed in the health bar measuring contest. And the absence of stats, gear and online co-op means there are no shortcuts. You won't be able to overlevel, no Solaire will come to your aid. It's either nut up or shut up.

    Luckily, there are ways to put you at a lesser disadvantage. Sekiro features a rudimentary stealth system and enough freedom to thin out your enemies' ranks one by one. Most of the times you can clear entire areas just by being sneaky. Apparently, Sekiro started out as a Tenchu game and I totally believe it, considering how far stealth will get you. But eventually a direct confrontation will be unavoidable. And where Souls games required you to only land that one parry, Sekiro demands that you time your blocks near perfectly several times per exchange. Combat is fast, fluid and demanding enough to make you break a sweat.

    While the areas are open and generally well-designed, they are not exactly eyecandy. Souls games are known for their sinister beauty, but that is largely absent in Sekiro. Some areas look flat-out rough. Only rarely will you get the urge to stop and soak in the atmosphere. A missed opportunity, really. And while the environments leave room for exploration, the absence of cool gear makes it feel strangely unrewarding. Also, due to the nature of combat you will see the same instakill moves and finishers quite often. A bit of variety would have been nice.

    Like the player, Sekiro faces its own set of challenges. Developer From Software has been around for over three decades, but only since the release of Demon's Souls the studio has gained a larger recognition in the West. Ever since, most of their games have been Souls games either directly or in spirit. Being widely known as the developer of Souls games came with the issue that they were expected to make nothing but Souls games - a curse, if you will. Sekiro marks the first time in a while that a major From Software title branches out far enough to be called its own thing - and be accepted by a large audience. With that leap of faith out of the way, it'll be exciting to see what they will come up with next.    … Expand
  7. Mathew453
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    I was bored, and saw that this game won game of the year, so I bought it.

    After playing this game for two and a half hours, dying repeatedly to the game's first mini-boss, I contacted steam and demanded a refund for a game I simply couldn't play. ...but I couldn't get it out of my head. I got the game again for Christmas, and after finally killing that first mini-boss, I couldn't    I was bored, and saw that this game won game of the year, so I bought it.

    After playing this game for two and a half hours, dying repeatedly to the game's first mini-boss, I contacted steam and demanded a refund for a game I simply couldn't play.

    ...but I couldn't get it out of my head.

    I got the game again for Christmas, and after finally killing that first mini-boss, I couldn't get over how I felt. I kept going, perfecting the fighting style until I reached the game's first real boss. It knocked me down again. I fought that boss over and over again until the swordplay became a lethal kind of dance. I felt invincible. After the first boss, I went onto the next one, and the next, until I completed the game's first ending. Then I played it all again, exploring the abilities, fighting styles, and story arcs that I hadn't tried before. I reached the game's truly final boss and killed it in one try because the game had trained me to fight so well. It was by far the most rewarding experience any video game has ever given me. After over 150 hours, I earned every single achievement.

    From someone who refunded this game the first day they played it, from someone who would have never been remotely interested in Japanese culture otherwise, let me tell you that Sekiro is one of a kind. Not only is the combat an art-form in and of itself, but the story is moving and the characters compelling.

    If you buy Sekiro, don't get frustrated when you hit a wall. Don't look up cheese strategies or try to savescum the game. Get back up, watch a walkthrough or two if you really need to, and vault over that wall like a f***ing shinobi. You won't regret it.    … Expand
  8. Beeps3
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Sekiro has an extremely brutal design philosophy that defies conventional wisdom. When I heard people complaining about the difficulty of the game and how you apparently needed to "flawless" bosses/memorize movesets in order to beat them, I instinctively shrugged such complaints off. Similar statements were made about all of the previous games, and they were never true.
  9. Tominator10
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    I fought Genichiro and boom baby, there's that feeling I had back in the day playing DS1 for the first time, learning a boss, improving with every death, finally breezing through phase 1 only to repeat the process for phase 2 and so on. What an epic fight that was. Finally beat him and decided to put my excitement into a review. Love this game.
  10. Sergantsl1piner
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    I normally don't write reviews about games especially critically acclaimed games such as this one. Sekiro, however really deserved something to be said about it. I have never been a fan of the souls series but i respect what they done for gaming and the difficulty they presented so i expected to be frustrated while figuring out the initial learning curve. The first playthrough of this gameI normally don't write reviews about games especially critically acclaimed games such as this one. Sekiro, however really deserved something to be said about it. I have never been a fan of the souls series but i respect what they done for gaming and the difficulty they presented so i expected to be frustrated while figuring out the initial learning curve. The first playthrough of this game was one of the most challenging experiences I have ever had in gaming, but when I finally understood the game mechanics and practiced them i truly understood what a work of art it actually is. It reminded of actual fighting and how a split second opening can make or break a battle.… Expand
  11. Immunium720
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Every other action game seems kinda bad after playing this. Masterpiece of a game.
  12. Flound4er
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Playing through Sekiro for the first time was the greatest gaming experience of my life. Never has a game meant so much to me. Like all the Souls, this game is pure immersion--It speaks to you in every detail. And the difficulty drives you deep into the this immersive experience, where you find yourself gritting your teeth, riveted to the screen and fighting with all your might to justPlaying through Sekiro for the first time was the greatest gaming experience of my life. Never has a game meant so much to me. Like all the Souls, this game is pure immersion--It speaks to you in every detail. And the difficulty drives you deep into the this immersive experience, where you find yourself gritting your teeth, riveted to the screen and fighting with all your might to just stay in it a little longer. To deflect and to dodge and to land just one more hit! Time and again, Sekiro had me falling out of my chair, stunned with the realization of what I must do... Twice! The resurrection mechanic just further enriches the experience, forcing you to become the ultimate shinobi master and and not only beat a boss, but completely to annihilate it... or at the very least to just barely out-live it, surviving and succeeding by the tiniest of margins. What a game! As a Souls fan (both dark souls and various other souls-like games), this game is just a treasure. It excels in areas Dark Souls cannot. Being provided with only one main weapon means makes for a finely tuned PVE combat experience that is much more immersive than the other Souls games... and you don't have any choice about it! You are forced to master these new mechanics, and quickly find yourself grappling around, sprinting, dodging, deflecting, and then destroying enemies and bosses that will leave your breathless with their magnificence. I could say more, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I implore you to not watch any videos of anyone else playing this game. No streams, no youtube, no reading about it. Just play the game. You just stumbled upon the greatest 1-player game of all time. Immerse yourself in it. Enjoy the experience.… Expand
  13. Afrodizactz2
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    I've never played Dark Souls so I have nothing to compare Sekiro to, It was hard to understand the mechanics at first but once I got the rhythm and patterns of bosses, it was actually really REALLY fun. It was quite the challenge for me, I'm not gonna lie but it felt amazing beating the game for the first time; I achieved nothing in life, but I'm proud of myself xD.
  14. Coldrolnal7
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    As someone that has poured many, many hours into the previous FromSoft titles, dying repeatedly until I was able to either get lucky or I was able to "git gud", I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is the only real thing Sekiro has in common with those games. You will die. A lot. Way more than twice. Just..a lot. This is not a Soulsborne game. You are not some powerful knightAs someone that has poured many, many hours into the previous FromSoft titles, dying repeatedly until I was able to either get lucky or I was able to "git gud", I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is the only real thing Sekiro has in common with those games. You will die. A lot. Way more than twice. Just..a lot. This is not a Soulsborne game. You are not some powerful knight capable of face-tanking every entity you come across. You are a ninja. The game will remind you constantly of this fact. You are free to play as dirty as you know the enemies will. Poison them, set them on fire, stab them in the butt when they are not looking and then Spider-Man away. Who cares! Just kill them before they kill you. If there is anything to take away from my rambling, it is simply this. You are shinobi. You are not a samurai or knight. So don't expect to play as one and you and this game will get along well! But you are gonna die way more than twice. The game is a gat dang liar.… Expand
  15. Bukikha9
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    This is a game about fighting through a supernaturally tinged recreation of 16th-century Japan as a deathless assassin with a sharp blade and a weaponized prosthetic arm, but there are plenty of moments when the sword is sheathed and the game shows a quiet cinematic discipline.
    + The visuals. Really immersive and well detailed, the artistic direction is gorgeous
    + The combat is extremely    This is a game about fighting through a supernaturally tinged recreation of 16th-century Japan as a deathless assassin with a sharp blade and a weaponized prosthetic arm, but there are plenty of moments when the sword is sheathed and the game shows a quiet cinematic discipline.
    + The visuals. Really immersive and well detailed, the artistic direction is gorgeous
    + The combat is extremely satisfying and fair
    + Graphics are really beautiful.
    + Customizable controls
    + Good character personalization with skills and prosthesis tree
    + Soundtrack is delicious
    + High learning curve
    + Good environment    … Expand
  16. TheAutist62
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    When you thought Sekiro would not be too hard because you finished:

    Demon's Souls
    Dark Souls 1
    Dark Souls 2
    Dark Souls 3
    Bloodborne

    Think again. It's quite challenging, and the gameplay feels different and refreshing.
  17. Lexnextdex21
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    One of the best games i've played so far. As a fan of soulsborne series i must say i love this game! It's without a doubt both easier and harder in different aspects than the previous souls games. The general enemies are easier than they have ever been because you can stealth kill everybody in the level if you choose to but then the mini bosses and actual bosses come along... They aren'tOne of the best games i've played so far. As a fan of soulsborne series i must say i love this game! It's without a doubt both easier and harder in different aspects than the previous souls games. The general enemies are easier than they have ever been because you can stealth kill everybody in the level if you choose to but then the mini bosses and actual bosses come along... They aren't the most difficult bosses but they are very challenging and there are very few options to power up and brute force your way through a boss. You can farm xp and money to buy new skills and other things but you can't raise your base stats. If you aren't sure of yourself or willing to improve you could hit a brick wall after a few hours and give up. Combat is very responsive and nearly all the problems like phantom hits, delayed actions after button presses, and unresponsive controls from the souls series have been fixed. On my 1650 at 1080p I get a solid 60fps on a mixture of max and high settings so the game runs well also much better than previous Fromsoft games.The soundtrack beautifully complimented each area and encounter. It's one of the most impactful and memorable scores from their library I have played. I'm an explorer and love finding secrets. Trust me, there are tons of those as you progress and you're rewarded for going off the beaten path. So the game will most likely satisfy you about that. I also don't recommend using any guides on your first playthrough and experiencing everything first hand. Try not to get too angry when you sit back and enjoy ancient castles, bamboo forests, acid swamps, mountain side temples, forsaken villages, and more in this journey you're about to take. Also keep in mind that you will die a lot more than twice.… Expand
  18. Cezar_Augusto3
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    The closest to an actual sword fight a game can feel. Epic samurai game 10/10
  19. Deadpirate66
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Fromsoft's loveletter to Dex builds. "Fall seven times and stand up eight."
    -Japanese proverb.
  20. Ametyoo811
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    When I was a child. One day I went to the video game store to buy Metroid 2.
    And then the sales lady told me "It may be too difficult for you."
    But I said "It's ok! I want this!" Some months later. After having finished the game, I went to the video game store to tell that to the lady. But I found the store gone. Sekiro reminded me of the story and the days I wasn't afraid of challenges.
  21. Slimreaper36
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Best game I've ever played since Dark Souls. Highly recommended. Its a tough but extremely rewarding game just like any other game made by Hidetaka Miyazaki. The fluid animation, the rock solid combat mechanics, all the varied enemies, bosses and excellent true-to-live 16th century Sengoku period Japan level design....everything about this game is just amazing and an absolute blast toBest game I've ever played since Dark Souls. Highly recommended. Its a tough but extremely rewarding game just like any other game made by Hidetaka Miyazaki. The fluid animation, the rock solid combat mechanics, all the varied enemies, bosses and excellent true-to-live 16th century Sengoku period Japan level design....everything about this game is just amazing and an absolute blast to play. Highly recommended.… Expand
  22. Halo2jackal
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    If you thought Bloodborne was fast-paced, well do I have a product for you, my friend.
  23. Ilmyyr74
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Best rhythm game 2019. Its like dance dance revolution but with swords really dank.
  24. Delta98
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Having just got the final achievement at NG+4 I have to say it is one of the best games I have played. Being the huge Soulsborne fan I am this was a really refreshing take to the already polished From Software formula.The game takes place during the Sengoku era of Japanese history in the land of Ashina. You play as shinobi Wolf tied up in a battle over the powers of immortality whilstHaving just got the final achievement at NG+4 I have to say it is one of the best games I have played. Being the huge Soulsborne fan I am this was a really refreshing take to the already polished From Software formula.The game takes place during the Sengoku era of Japanese history in the land of Ashina. You play as shinobi Wolf tied up in a battle over the powers of immortality whilst seeking revenge on the samurai clan who attacked you and kidnapped your lord. In comparison to previous From Software titles, the gameplay is very fast paced with a much higher focus on skill rather than stats. The game strips you of your ability to customize stats, choose between weapons and vary your build and instead creates a much more focused and well polished experience where all elements of gameplay feel much more thought out and planned; the game does not suffer the issue of "too many weapons" and instead allows you to vary your play only a bit in terms of combat arts.
    It is not for everyone. It is a very difficult beast to master and takes a lot of patience and practice. However this all pays off as the experience becomes much more rewarding when you finally master that boss you have been stuck at for hours and instead of just beating him with great stats or luck, you realize that you have learned the boss and become better at the game. This invokes a true feeling of progression and reward that just leveling cannot give. To conclude, the game is not for everyone. If you are looking for a challenging but fair experience that actually takes effort and skill to beat and not just tedious grinding, this might be the game for you. For fans of the Soulsborne series I highly recommend the game, however know that your previous experience will work against you in the start; you will have to re-adapt to this new and amazing experience.    … Expand
  25. Kudahl65583
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    One of the finest pieces of games of all times what masterclass wow such wow.
  26. Gfalexis39
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    I got stuck on Lady Butterfly and just gave up. But now, after playing it on the PC, this game totally deserves GOTY. The combat system is incredibly fluid and getting better at dodging and deflecting is the most important skill in the game. I used to hate this game but now I love it. 10/10 would get ground pounded by the Demon of Hatred again.
  27. Fitcheroo18
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    I finally beat Sekiro. Just under 60 hours, and 5 hours alone spent on the final boss and it's honestly one of the best experiences with a game I've ever had.
  28. Dishonest1489
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    It feels like a FROM Software game within the first 20 minutes. Juicy flask to heal your git gud boo boos. Quick, rhythmic patterned play and reactions. A world a bit less dark but just as gritty. Has the feel of Samurai Bloodborne with faster combat. Echoes of Nioh with smoother mechanics and less punishing game play. Rhythm and technique versus cheap punishment. Im enjoying it, optionsIt feels like a FROM Software game within the first 20 minutes. Juicy flask to heal your git gud boo boos. Quick, rhythmic patterned play and reactions. A world a bit less dark but just as gritty. Has the feel of Samurai Bloodborne with faster combat. Echoes of Nioh with smoother mechanics and less punishing game play. Rhythm and technique versus cheap punishment. Im enjoying it, options for problem solving are great -- stealth? Distraction? Death blow from above? Almost reminds me a little of Arkham Asylum / City with the flow of combat, technique, and ability to creep along rooftops.… Expand
  29. Ollyz7
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    A challenging yet highly rewarding stealth/action game with phenomenal combat and surprising re-playability.
  30. Enti-dades555
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Como fanático del trabajo de FromSoftware desde hace mucho tiempo, disfruté mucho este juego y lo consideraría una obra maestra absoluta, que bien vale la pena el precio.
Page:

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best PC Game of 2019
6
#6 Most Discussed PC Game of 2019
69
#69 Most Shared PC Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Game World Navigator Magazine
    May 15, 2019
    80
    There’s no leveling (in Soulsborne sense of the word), no covenants, no multiplayer, no variety in armor and weapons. It could be written off a stylistic choice, if the rest of the game didn’t feel very similar to the previous FromSoftware games. But it does, so Sekrio comes across as rather shallow. [Issue#237, p.28]
  2. MGG
    Apr 27, 2019
    88
    Sekiro Shadows Die Twice is a milestone in the genre. It offers complex, stunning and precise sword fights and duels that its predecessors lacked, and from which its successors will have to keep up with. You no longer simply learn by repeatedly and unfairly dying, but you refine your talents as a player. You seek unique methods to overcome each boss, rather than just rolling at the right time before spamming a few hits.
    Read full review
  3. Edge Magazine
    Apr 25, 2019
    90
    Dozens of hours later, we're still not sure how we feel about it. It's a game of contradictions, open and flexible in its level design, yet resolutely strict in its combat... It is a brilliant game, that is certain. but it is often a difficult one to truly love. Naturally, we can't put it down. [Issue#332, p.104]
See all critic reviews »