Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5159 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4,327 out of 5159
  2. Mixed: 286 out of 5159
  3. Negative: 546 out of 5159
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  1. THE_COCONUT_MAN
    Mar 24, 2019
    5
    I really love the atmosphere and setting, it feels like it could of been a next gen Tenchu game, which would of been awesome.

    Overall it's Dark Souls-esque without the RPG elements or any sense of variety. If you're a fan of Nioh or Bloodborne, this game is for you, because the combat borrows elements from both. I feel like the game would of benefited from adopting a similar vein to    I really love the atmosphere and setting, it feels like it could of been a next gen Tenchu game, which would of been awesome.

    Overall it's Dark Souls-esque without the RPG elements or any sense of variety. If you're a fan of Nioh or Bloodborne, this game is for you, because the combat borrows elements from both.

    I feel like the game would of benefited from adopting a similar vein to early FROM games such as Otogi or Tenchu - i.e levels rather than a pseudo-open world that you teleport around in.

    I can see why people like it and it's great to have some more single player games on the market - but I personally couldn't get into the game due it's parrying/combat mechanics (something that turned me off the likes of Bloodborne and Nioh), lack of variety or levelling system and the fact that bosses get all their health back after you kill them.    … Expand
  2. Mandrax
    Mar 24, 2019
    9
    Lots of bad reviews here because From Software didn't make the game the person wanted (i.e another Soulsborne game) rather than because Sekiro is a bad game. Sekiro is a VERY good game. Whilst it has some of the feeling of Souls game, it clearly is a different beast.

    The combat system feels fresh, but is very difficult to master. It feels satisfying however when you get into a fight    Lots of bad reviews here because From Software didn't make the game the person wanted (i.e another Soulsborne game) rather than because Sekiro is a bad game. Sekiro is a VERY good game. Whilst it has some of the feeling of Souls game, it clearly is a different beast.

    The combat system feels fresh, but is very difficult to master. It feels satisfying however when you get into a fight where you are blocking and scoring hits on the counter. It feels realistic. The movement is fluid and jumping over trees and buildings using the grappling hook feels very satisfying.

    Whilst Sekiro doesn't have all of the customisation Dark Souls had, there is still enough to get your teeth into. With skill trees for both your character and your prosthetic weapon, it's not just a shallow action game with very little substance.

    The game is hard. I mean REALLY hard. But it's also a great deal of fun. I'm a massive Dark Souls fan, but I appreciate that this is a different direction, and it's a game that Miyazaki and his team have done a fantastic job with. Don't be put off by people who are upset that it's not another Souls game or that it's single-player only. There is enough in this game to keep any Souls fan busy.    … Expand
  3. Scordark
    Mar 24, 2019
    10
    I play in PC.

    GRAPHICS: The optimitzation is simply perfect and the game looks really well. Of course is not top graphic master race but enought. The ambience and effects of light are superb. GAMEPLAY: This is not a game for all people, this game is just for masochists. It's a game made for fans of SOULS style that love to suffer. FROM SOFTWARE knows what his fans want and in this    I play in PC.

    GRAPHICS: The optimitzation is simply perfect and the game looks really well. Of course is not top graphic master race but enought. The ambience and effects of light are superb.

    GAMEPLAY: This is not a game for all people, this game is just for masochists. It's a game made for fans of SOULS style that love to suffer. FROM SOFTWARE knows what his fans want and in this game you have all you wish. I played all SOULS and BLOODBORNE, I completed DARSOULS 3 without dying and after that for my BLOODBORNE seems very easy (for take an idea of my skill in that genere). But in Sekiro... OMFG... This is madness. The level of "trial and error" reminds me a 80*s game and I love it. So for me this game mix DAR SOULS difficult + BLOODBORNE fast combat and give to us an unforgettable experience highly recomended.

    If you love this kind of games I'm sure that you enjoy it, if not... Try first SOULS or BLOODBORNE or you end mad playing this cos I'm sure that you'll die a lot... who forewarned is forearmed

    xD    … Expand
  4. ofcaveb
    Mar 24, 2019
    9
    The game is good, good graphics, good mechanics, AI of the NPC good, is challenging, is not repetitive, does not have to spend 2/3 of the game doing side quests, fun and well done fights scheme. Sekiro presents several ways to accomplish missions, and brings the touch of FromSoftware in its great difficulty and punishing the player for his mistakes. But the game is not perfect. The cameraThe game is good, good graphics, good mechanics, AI of the NPC good, is challenging, is not repetitive, does not have to spend 2/3 of the game doing side quests, fun and well done fights scheme. Sekiro presents several ways to accomplish missions, and brings the touch of FromSoftware in its great difficulty and punishing the player for his mistakes. But the game is not perfect. The camera disrupts the player in small places, rendering occurring in front of him, some bugs mainly with NPCs. But do not take away the brightness of the work. I hope they are corrected.… Expand
  5. crimsonshuriken
    Mar 24, 2019
    10
    Playing this on PC. The controls are tight and responsive that leads to a difficult but fair and very satisfying gameplay experience. Its extremely atmospheric, it always has a surprise up its sleeve and it actually has a story and an antagonist. Its simply a terrific game, much less iterative than the previous efforts From Software has published before. I feel their work has finallyPlaying this on PC. The controls are tight and responsive that leads to a difficult but fair and very satisfying gameplay experience. Its extremely atmospheric, it always has a surprise up its sleeve and it actually has a story and an antagonist. Its simply a terrific game, much less iterative than the previous efforts From Software has published before. I feel their work has finally reached a point of polish that deserves wide spread appeal and recognition.… Expand
  6. Roken2440
    Mar 24, 2019
    8
    As long time souls fan spanning from Demon souls to Blood born this game is truly a great successor of the souls franchise. I will say forget everything you know about combat in previous souls game in term of advanced combat. This game will completely punish you for even attempting to play it like any of the other souls game and teaches you a whole new way to look at combat allowing a newAs long time souls fan spanning from Demon souls to Blood born this game is truly a great successor of the souls franchise. I will say forget everything you know about combat in previous souls game in term of advanced combat. This game will completely punish you for even attempting to play it like any of the other souls game and teaches you a whole new way to look at combat allowing a new whole brand of skills to develop as you progress. Every time a new boss had appeared and i felt like i learned something new in combat without it telling me like how to space cretin bosses or learning how to make incredible high speed deflections. Every fight i felt like i was in so far i felt a real accomplishment and i love it.… Expand
  7. Arikv2
    Mar 24, 2019
    7
    Parts of the combat system are very unreliable, and it seems they needed more refinement on their new system. This is too bad because the exploration is excellent.
  8. Bebop_01
    Mar 24, 2019
    10
    First: Ignore all red ratings. This reviews are made from stupid fanboys of the other games or from people which posted the review before even playing it. It’s a shame that a lot journalists can’t see what level of game this, rating it like Dmc5 what a joke enough. The worldbuilding, combat and story are clever interesting and absolut genius like always when FS makes a game. It’s harderFirst: Ignore all red ratings. This reviews are made from stupid fanboys of the other games or from people which posted the review before even playing it. It’s a shame that a lot journalists can’t see what level of game this, rating it like Dmc5 what a joke enough. The worldbuilding, combat and story are clever interesting and absolut genius like always when FS makes a game. It’s harder yes but never unfair. And nooo, the Second Life is not random^^. It’s the third life which depends on % chance … Expand
  9. GenXY
    Mar 24, 2019
    10
    This game is fantastic, taking the genre up a notch! If you do not like difficult single player games, do NOT play this. And please do NOT give it a rating, wouldn't be very fair to this gem. This game is absolutely kicking my butt right now, but I'm loving ever second of it. It's like Ninja Gaiden/Shinobi and the Soulsborne series studied real sword fighting and then had a baby and taughtThis game is fantastic, taking the genre up a notch! If you do not like difficult single player games, do NOT play this. And please do NOT give it a rating, wouldn't be very fair to this gem. This game is absolutely kicking my butt right now, but I'm loving ever second of it. It's like Ninja Gaiden/Shinobi and the Soulsborne series studied real sword fighting and then had a baby and taught it everything! Great and rewarding experience. This will test your gaming mettle, so be prepared and know what you are in for!… Expand
  10. ultimatesoll
    Mar 24, 2019
    10
    Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an action game that strong mix-up of Tenchu and Nioh.
    The plot takes place of the fantastic sengoku era of Japan. Controlling a sole protagonist one-armed ninja who fight against demons and their minions. The main character “Okami” will be facing with numerous strong enemies, such as: giant snake, golem-like undead samurai warriors, ogres, kunoichis and lots    Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an action game that strong mix-up of Tenchu and Nioh.
    The plot takes place of the fantastic sengoku era of Japan. Controlling a sole protagonist one-armed ninja who fight against demons and their minions. The main character “Okami” will be facing with numerous strong enemies, such as: giant snake, golem-like undead samurai warriors, ogres, kunoichis and lots of inhuman beings throughout the game.

    Comparing to Dark Souls series, Sekiro is a quite different game. You can either finish off your opponents by full stealth technique or one vs all melee combat style. You can sneak on the ledges, roofs, hills or hiding in the bushes, inside of the walls (just like Tenchu series). Our main character can learn new techniques and collect many new items, power-ups in addition to to his sub-weapons. The combat is heavily based on “sword on sword” gameplay. You can also use your “grappling hook” a lot along with the other gears you have. Unlike the Souls series, you have to be capable with one single character and his skills. Battle and dodge system is perfect despite some difficulties you have to struggle with, at the beginning.

    I can clearly say that boss battles so tough yet super fascinating (sometimes frustrating). So therefore, game gives you a ressurrection option whenever you beaten up. Not to mention this is a fast paced game.

    There are some similarity between the Souls game and Sekiro since it’s the spiritual successor of Souls games. Boss fights, bonfires and estus-like potions just some of them. The campaign has influenced by Souls/Bloodborne theme. The atmosphere is so epic, especially during the boss battles. Surprisingly some clashes are harder then any normal boss battle.

    Visuals are gorgeous but i can’t say the same for the frame-rates. Even PS4 Pro and Xbox One X can’t handle with the stable frame rate at lower resolutions (it barely hits 45fps). This is a big flaw of the game unfortunately, i hope they fixed it with a proper patch soon. Sounds, voices, soundtrack, they all awesome and you can feel the heat!

    From Software did a great job on this game. Along with DMC 5, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twices is one of the best action-adventure game of 2019. Highly recommending this game for all DS and epic journey fans. Play on.    … Expand
  11. WYKYDTRON
    Mar 24, 2019
    4
    This feels like the game FromSoft should've made BEFORE Demon's Souls. An average, rough-around-the-edges project with a sparkle of potential, but it's not, it's their newest game. It is severely lacking content and features compared to previous titles, and a narrative seems to have developed where comparing Sekiro to Dark Souls or Bloodborne is taboo. Thing is, it IS Dark Souls, all theThis feels like the game FromSoft should've made BEFORE Demon's Souls. An average, rough-around-the-edges project with a sparkle of potential, but it's not, it's their newest game. It is severely lacking content and features compared to previous titles, and a narrative seems to have developed where comparing Sekiro to Dark Souls or Bloodborne is taboo. Thing is, it IS Dark Souls, all the major hallmarks are there, but with a different coat of paint. You have shrines instead of bonfires, but they serve the same purpose. Enemies respawn if you die or rest, even the item descriptions and the wording of those descriptions is almost identical to items from Dark Souls or Bloodborne. Comparison is inevitable and it works to Sekiro's detriment as it simply does not measure up.

    What I absolutely despise about this game is the extreme narrow approach to play style. You have one weapon, a few gadgets that serve VERY specific purposes and some special moves, none of which have been terribly effective so far. I'll admit I never really got "gud" at the Souls games, I enjoyed playing them with my friends, I enjoyed co-op, strength builds, miracles, playing my character my way. But not Sekiro, oh no. You must parry. It is the only way to play the game. I've never been a big fan of parrying, the PVP community from the Souls games absolutely soured me on the whole mechanic. I think it's cheap, dishonest and essentially shuts out any alternative styles.
    Sekiro suffers from it's lack of leveling up. In Dark Souls, if you were struggling, you could grind a bit, increase your health or your strength or pump your spells a little more. You could upgrade your weapon, or try a different one. Sekiro has no options. One build, one weapon, one technique, rinse and repeat. It's dull, it's not challenging it's just tedious, more about rote memorisation and pattern recognition than adapting.
    Plus, the game doesn't play by its own rules. Early on, I came across a...mini-boss maybe? A big samurai guy that needs TWO death blows to kill. I figured I could get the first one with a sneak attack, and after trying and failing a couple times to fight him face to face I thought I'd just grapple away, wait for him to stop aggroing and sneak attack him again for the second deathblow. But no. He regenerates completely. The game has just said "No, play it OUR way". Even though Wolf is a sneaky shinobi man who uses trickery and subterfuge, except don't use trickery or subterfuge, just parry you scrub.

    So that's why I'm giving Parry Souls: Shadows Parry Twice a 4/10. This might be a 5 or 6/10 if it was a different studio, but FromSoft can do and have done better. This is a step in the wrong direction for them. I refuse to praise this stripping away of content and options as "trying something new". New isn't always good.    … Expand
  12. albertoBG
    Mar 24, 2019
    5
    es una mierda no me lo puedo pasar, podria haber sido un buen juego si hubieran puesto la opcion de elegir la dificultad porque no todo el mundo es buenisimo jugando videojuegos y este juego es muy dificil, una pena porque me gusta la jugabilidad, pero la dificultad no me gusta nada y eso le quita muchos puntos - it's crap I can not pass it, it could have been a good game if they had putes una mierda no me lo puedo pasar, podria haber sido un buen juego si hubieran puesto la opcion de elegir la dificultad porque no todo el mundo es buenisimo jugando videojuegos y este juego es muy dificil, una pena porque me gusta la jugabilidad, pero la dificultad no me gusta nada y eso le quita muchos puntos - it's crap I can not pass it, it could have been a good game if they had put the option to choose the difficulty because not everyone is great playing video games and this game is very difficult, a pity because I like the gameplay, but the difficulty I do not like anything and that takes away many points… Expand
  13. randomPlayer42
    Mar 24, 2019
    10
    I played every soulsborne game from ds1 onward and this is the best next to Bloodborne in my opinion. It's really fast pace and doesn't allow you to roll through attacks anymore as much as its predecessors did, but instead forces you to get good at the game. I died about 20 times to the first boss(ogre) and was about to get angry, but then realized you really have to change your playstyleI played every soulsborne game from ds1 onward and this is the best next to Bloodborne in my opinion. It's really fast pace and doesn't allow you to roll through attacks anymore as much as its predecessors did, but instead forces you to get good at the game. I died about 20 times to the first boss(ogre) and was about to get angry, but then realized you really have to change your playstyle (which is a good thing as its not dark souls anymore). Furthermore the graphics are great for this kind of game and the scenery is breathtaking at times. If you're a fan of difficult games, that reward you for good reflexes and observation go for it. It has to be said tho, for this kind of game don't be ashamed to look up guides if you struggles some enemies are a bit tricky. My complaint is, that you can't customize your charakter as much, I'd like to at least see some cosmetic la changes or new blades.… Expand
  14. Kamamura
    Mar 24, 2019
    10
    Fantastic, spectacular, amazing, difficult, crisp, fresh, electrifying, superb!

    The game is everything I hoped it will be, but above all, it bring a fresh, demanding combat system for anyone who wants to push their limits and be challenged! No longer you can fall back to always safe methods like spamming rolls, or cower behind the shield. In the spirit of samurai classics like Go Rin No    Fantastic, spectacular, amazing, difficult, crisp, fresh, electrifying, superb!

    The game is everything I hoped it will be, but above all, it bring a fresh, demanding combat system for anyone who wants to push their limits and be challenged! No longer you can fall back to always safe methods like spamming rolls, or cower behind the shield. In the spirit of samurai classics like Go Rin No Sho or Hagakure, Sekiro wants you to face the danger head on - unflinching, with straight body and alert mind, depending on your well honed defensive reflexes to push on attack until you break the enemy's posture and score a deathblow, brushing aside attacks and tricks of your foes as you go. The feeling of accomplishment after defeating a boss in this game is unrivaled.

    Compared to tired, formulaic "triple A" games-as-service like Anthem or Assassin's Creed that offer only ego pampering and boring routine sprinkled with a few trinkets from lootboxes, Sekiro does not want to scam you for extra money with lootbox lottery, does not want to hook you up for boredom shifts that resemble work, no, Sekiro is a honest, purely single player game cooked with raw difficulty, solid, well thought design and thick, immersive atmosphere we know from the Souls games.

    Congrats, From Software, you have conquered the gaming world again!    … Expand
  15. faull
    Mar 24, 2019
    10
    Jogo do ano! Ação e combates excelentes com uma jogabilidade fluida. Ninja Gaiden, Tenchu e Soulsborne, combinação perfeita!
  16. ralmd
    Mar 24, 2019
    10
    Sekiro is not for everyone, but what game is? This is the perfect game for the perfect audience. Bloodborne was my favorite game of all time in terms of gameplay and Sekiro is fighting for that position, as well as giving me a compeling story in a world that is absolutly mesmerizing and inspiring. Sekiro is gameplay porn. 10/10.
  17. WillTheWise
    Mar 24, 2019
    9
    -great world/level design and enemy placement, this is incredibly important in a game where you die a lot
    -cleverly placed items that encourage you to explore or lead you into traps
    -grounded combat (as opposed to hack n slash games like dmc) with similiar, simple inputs like the Souls/borne games, but with new options and more fancy looking abilities and animations -challenging and    -great world/level design and enemy placement, this is incredibly important in a game where you die a lot
    -cleverly placed items that encourage you to explore or lead you into traps
    -grounded combat (as opposed to hack n slash games like dmc) with similiar, simple inputs like the Souls/borne games, but with new options and more fancy looking abilities and animations
    -challenging and fair difficulty paired with the "face to face" combat makes beating (mini)bosses really satisfying
    -beautiful art design that overshadows the underwhelming graphics
    -and most importantly, the shinobi prosthetic is awesome

    From Software did it again.    … Expand
  18. TheDevilCorrect
    Mar 24, 2019
    8
    Great game if you go in understanding there is some serious repetition.

    Dying, yes; but chances are you'll be running back (and forth) to the "save statue" to rest, rather than dying, because you can rez once before you suffer and penalties. Of course everything respawns so you gotta fight ur way back. The jump+grab ledge function is flighty. I get that they want precision, but it    Great game if you go in understanding there is some serious repetition.

    Dying, yes; but chances are you'll be running back (and forth) to the "save statue" to rest, rather than dying, because you can rez once before you suffer and penalties. Of course everything respawns so you gotta fight ur way back.
    The jump+grab ledge function is flighty. I get that they want precision, but it really translates in to just not feeling great or natural. Of course after you (irl) start to fatigue after hours of repetition these jumps to ledges start getting even more difficult and add to a mounting frustration level.

    Lastly, there are the annotations when you are being attacked. See, the game is dependent on these "worded" ques from semi-bosses. They tell you- when your enemy is about to thrust his weapon at you, or is about to perform a sweeping attack; in which there are very specific ways to counter each move. You get this information in two ways. One, the actual motion of your enemy, who will telegraph his strike type for maybe a second in real time. Which is pretty quick for most of us, considering the "mental stress of battle." The second indicator, is a word, which would be great, except it's in Japanese, and that's a problem if you don't speak Japanese. You may have to memorize the actually move that the blocky red and orange Japanese phrase means. So this weird symbol mean he going to "thrust attack."..etc. This could add hours of repetition if you don't take the time to do so.

    Don't get me wrong, it's a great game, but it's certainly not for everybody. The repetition is a bit mind melting.    … Expand
  19. Stuvok
    Mar 24, 2019
    10
    Instant game of the year contender. From Software's Sekiro shows why it was going to be a Tenchu game. It's lineage is undeniable but this is the most hardcore Tenchu game you've ever played. It's without a doubt easier and harder than their previous souls series. The general enemies are easier then they have ever been because you can stealth kill everybody in the level if you soInstant game of the year contender. From Software's Sekiro shows why it was going to be a Tenchu game. It's lineage is undeniable but this is the most hardcore Tenchu game you've ever played. It's without a doubt easier and harder than their previous souls series. The general enemies are easier then they have ever been because you can stealth kill everybody in the level if you so choose. 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.

    If you can make it past the first mini boss and main boss then you are set. When going through the game the path you are on may not be the lowest level/easiest way and there is no way to tell so if you get stuck just try a different path in the world. This will help you gradually improve your character as you find beads in chests, from vendors, or from any mini bosses you manage to kill.
    These gives you extra HP and stamina to block with. If you manage to kill any main boss you get a permanent damage boost. You may also stumble across the more than a dozen weapons you can equip on your shinobi arm. Find one that really makes you more comfortable when you play is a huge benefit.

    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 1080ti at 4k I get a solid 60fps on a mixture of High and Highest settings so the game runs well also much better than previous From games.

    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 gorgeous modern Tenchu game. #gameoftheyear maybe    … Expand
  20. mrvertigo89
    Mar 24, 2019
    7
    FromSoft tends to be the only studio that I'll actually pre-order from, and I did with Sekiro. Long-time fan of the ridiculous difficulty, Demon Souls (closely followed by Bloodborne) is my favourite game of all time, and I love dark souls too.

    Sekiro is a bit of a different bag. It's a good game, the movement is fun, as are the ninja tools, and the stealth is well integrated into the    FromSoft tends to be the only studio that I'll actually pre-order from, and I did with Sekiro. Long-time fan of the ridiculous difficulty, Demon Souls (closely followed by Bloodborne) is my favourite game of all time, and I love dark souls too.

    Sekiro is a bit of a different bag. It's a good game, the movement is fun, as are the ninja tools, and the stealth is well integrated into the general gameplay - and particularly with minibosses. However, I think this will be the first FromSoft game I don't try to platinum. Mainly because I don't think I'll play through it more than once.

    The bosses are not so much difficult as long, everything has lots of health and the classic secret third phase is thrown into the mix too. Remember fighting those demons in DS3 expansion, when they morph into an even bigger demon when they die... well it's that. The frustration of Nameless King's second phase where it takes so long to get to it. None of this I'd mind on its own, except you don't get to build a character anymore.

    You can earn experience and unlock skills, but these don't really change your fighting prowess the way maxing a quality build would, or getting a new weapon. Upgrades (at least in terms of damage) are contingent on defeating bosses, so again sometimes you smash against a brick-wall of difficulty, but can't go off and build your character to come back stronger. You just hit it again and again. Obvs, with no co-op this also rules out that as a way to overcome a particularly **** boss (looking at you Fume Knight from DS2).

    The world is good, the story is much less subtle but I guess that's fine given there is an actual narrative, but with no new builds to try, and no desire to fight some of the bosses again, I think I'll be putting it down when I'm done and playing through one of the others again.

    Fingers crossed for Blooborne 2!    … Expand
  21. Sucheit
    Mar 24, 2019
    0
    ds and bb felt fair but this **** is not, your recovery after death is at random chance... WHY IS THAT?
  22. duracellman
    Mar 24, 2019
    10
    I had to come to grips with the lack of RPG mechanics, but I think From have created a masterpiece. The game being based on a specific character / weapon allowed them to make something incredibly focused while retaining signature From oddness, ambiguity, and intricate world design.

    People saying the combat is just about parrying now have not mastered the combat. In practice, deflection    I had to come to grips with the lack of RPG mechanics, but I think From have created a masterpiece. The game being based on a specific character / weapon allowed them to make something incredibly focused while retaining signature From oddness, ambiguity, and intricate world design.

    People saying the combat is just about parrying now have not mastered the combat. In practice, deflection works pretty differently than parrying in Dark Souls. There's so much more nuance to the combat now, from crowd control options, when to jump, dodge, block or deflect, move interruptions, combat arts, combos with prosthetic attachments good against certain enemies, etc. The posture system alone makes it completely different than Dark Souls. You can not play it like those games even if it seems like you can get away with it. If you're playing well you will be aggressive, attacking often and performing very deliberate moves against specific enemies.

    Once the combat clicked I was amazed at how fluid and fun it can be, and that a lot of tough enemies can be taken down pretty quickly if you play well. One thing it does have in common with Souls is that the longer a boss stays alive, the harder it is to deal with. And like Dark Souls it's a difficult game because it wants you to learn how to play it right, and execution in Sekiro is even more challenging, and even more satisfying than From's other games.    … Expand
  23. MrKid
    Mar 24, 2019
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. i was amped for this game. Never played dark souls or bloodborne, but saw the preview at E3 and wanted to get into it.

    What the first fight was a terrible glimpse into what became the complete opposite of what i wanted and thought the game was. Going into the first boss fight, I had the combat down and most of the timings. Im about 15% through the game and I really dont want to spend to much time on it as its just.....Repetitive (to much for a open world game).
    Forget the fact if you die, you lose half you gold and whatever else (it's pretty meaningless) but if you go rest after a tough fight, enemies respawn (besides bosses). Why developers did that is a question I guess is a continuation from past games.

    The game looks good (Graphics are a bit poorer than i expected) but it is a open world game and the story is somewhat worth following. I wish they had a bit more "lead me to my next goal" type of thing and more weapons to choose from (Maybe i'm too early to change mu Katina) but its not a bad game.    … Expand
  24. DrChocolate
    Mar 23, 2019
    10
    For an old school Tenchu fan like me, this is the game I was waiting for.
    For veteran SoulsBorn fans, it might take time to learn the new combat system, but once you master it, you will feel like a god.
    You can pause, you can swim, you can jump, and while you have more freedom of exploration and movement than ever, the combat's steep learning curve can really punish you early in the    For an old school Tenchu fan like me, this is the game I was waiting for.
    For veteran SoulsBorn fans, it might take time to learn the new combat system, but once you master it, you will feel like a god.
    You can pause, you can swim, you can jump, and while you have more freedom of exploration and movement than ever, the combat's steep learning curve can really punish you early in the game.- The progression is cruel, but fair and extremely satisfying. It is admittedly a hard game, but if you stick with it, you will love it.    … Expand
  25. MurphyBrandon
    Mar 23, 2019
    10
    The swordsmanship in Sekiro feels swift and powerful. The game gives the player immediate feedback using visual and audio cues. Winning a duel is always well-deserved and never just lucky. Deflecting attacks, jumping over sweeps, and quick-stepping into thrusts will reward the player appropriately. The large enemies aren't stacked with health points like in other games. They are dangerousThe swordsmanship in Sekiro feels swift and powerful. The game gives the player immediate feedback using visual and audio cues. Winning a duel is always well-deserved and never just lucky. Deflecting attacks, jumping over sweeps, and quick-stepping into thrusts will reward the player appropriately. The large enemies aren't stacked with health points like in other games. They are dangerous yet vulnerable. Stealth killing some of the tougher enemies is also possible if you prefer ninjas over samurai. Plus, the traversal around the diverse, beautiful world is fun thanks to the wall jump and grappling hook.… Expand
  26. Acguydance
    Mar 23, 2019
    7
    WARNING: DO NOT EVEN TOUCH THIS GAME IF YOU CAN BARELY SOLO "BLOODBORNE" IN THE HARDEST DIFFICULTY.
    This game is awfully hard. Perhaps one of the hardest games of the decade. You need ALOT of dying and practicing and positioning to learn the pattern of the enemies, and it takes forever to bring down a foe while they can simply crush you like a poorly built sand castle. Accompanied by    WARNING: DO NOT EVEN TOUCH THIS GAME IF YOU CAN BARELY SOLO "BLOODBORNE" IN THE HARDEST DIFFICULTY.
    This game is awfully hard. Perhaps one of the hardest games of the decade. You need ALOT of dying and practicing and positioning to learn the pattern of the enemies, and it takes forever to bring down a foe while they can simply crush you like a poorly built sand castle. Accompanied by the speedy combat system, you are going to experience waves of stomach hurting and hair pulling situations. In exchange, the sense of accomplishment is immeasurable when you beat a boss.

    So is this game FUN? Generally, because of the punishing difficulty, NOT REALLY.
    BUT, the combat itself is superbly entertaining and you will find your self sweating your hands over hours after playing SEKIRO. If you are a die hard Action Gamer that like to play any game from the hardest difficulty, this IS your Game. Else, Just skip this for your own sake.    … Expand
  27. NeoReaper
    Mar 23, 2019
    0
    They tried to rip -off Nioh and failed at every corner. You can clearly tell things were ripped out of the game as well.
  28. DariusGQ
    Mar 23, 2019
    10
    Just awesome.
    I love Souls series. But this is something else.
    When Dark SOuls meets Tenchu & Ninja Gaiden.
    Incredible level design.

    No more words. Just play this game.
  29. KingBags
    Mar 23, 2019
    10
    Sekiro is a fun challenge with fast paced combat and From Software's usual grittiness.
  30. SliceNDiceXD
    Mar 23, 2019
    10
    My expectations were high, and Sekiro managed to exceed them. FromSoftware, once again, delivers the best level design in video games. However, this time around they have included a combat engine with a greater degree of dynamism, allowing for intense skirmishes based on parrying, deflecting, and good 'ol maneuvering. Honestly, combat is the best a FromSoftware game has ever been. ItMy expectations were high, and Sekiro managed to exceed them. FromSoftware, once again, delivers the best level design in video games. However, this time around they have included a combat engine with a greater degree of dynamism, allowing for intense skirmishes based on parrying, deflecting, and good 'ol maneuvering. Honestly, combat is the best a FromSoftware game has ever been. It stands among the best in the entire art form. The world is rich and beautiful and well realized. The leveling system has been dramatically simplified, but in its place is a fantastic system for developing, and upgrading, your shinobi prosthetic (which essentially acts as a sub-weapon). The traversal in this game is shockingly satisfying. I was not expecting that. I figured we would get something along the line of the grappling hook in the Arkham games (which I always found a little cumbersome), but instead the grappling hook feels fast and fluid. The traversal in this game feels like it mixes the best elements of the traditional Souls level design/progression, with BotW's emphasis on verticality and freedom. The balance it strikes is extremely satisfying, providing an end result that makes the traversal feel incredible, but without undermining the tight level design. Sekiro is a marvel. It is going to be brought down by the barrier of entry (which forces people to play Sekiro in a thoughtful manner), as frustrated gamers are bound to lash out, but don't pay them any mind. Sekiro is one of the best games ever made. Quite possibly the best game of this generation.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best PS4 Game of 2019
5
#5 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019
5
#5 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 77 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 76 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 77
  3. Negative: 1 out of 77
  1. RPGamer
    Dec 17, 2024
    90
    Overall, Sekiro is defined by its riveting, challenging, and ultimately highly rewarding gameplay. Stemming from simplicity but giving a wide variety of different combat options, few games come close to matching the exhilarating rush that Sekiro’s best moments provide. Exploring its atmospherically engrossing levels is a treat, from a visual, musical, and atmospheric standpoint. Even if exploration and character storylines are sometimes hampered by Dragonrot, repeatedly severing the immortality of bosses with brutal “Shinobi Executions” and discovering the ritual secrets of eternal life offers a captivating experience that stands out as one of FromSoftware’s best and most distinctive titles.
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  2. Gamers' Temple
    May 15, 2019
    90
    Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an enjoyable, yet deeply challenging game. It's not really a Dark Souls with samurais game, but whether or not you enjoyed the difficulty level of the battles in Dark Souls will be a good benchmark in gauging how much you'll like Sekiro. If you're persistent, up for a challenge, and don't become frustrated easily, then Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an easy game to recommend.
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  3. Daily Star
    Apr 28, 2019
    100
    Though Sekiro feels impossibly hard at times, the level of euphoria you experience when delivering a death blow to a tricky boss or when you finally clear a castle grounds of all enemies is almost unparalleled.
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