5/5

I started and gave up on Sekiro seven times before it finally clicked. Combining fast-paced and simplistic combat with forgiving parry windows, Sekiro is easy to pick up and difficult to master. Unlike most From Software games, the narrative sits front and center, telling a story rich with lore and, at times, emotional. The boss fights are the main event, as always with From Software. Every boss fight is difficult but fair. Every time I lost a fight, I knew exactly what I did wrong and learned from my mistakes. Sekiro is demanding but rewarding, has the most satisfying combat of any game I have played, is one of the best games I have ever played, and the most difficult I have finished.

Review

Likes

• Fast, satisfying melee combat
• Large parry windows
• Bosses are difficult, but fair
• Narrative not hidden in item descriptions
• Linear game design

• XP loss on death makes early learning curve more difficult

Dislikes

Score

5/5

"Hesitation is defeat."

I started and gave up on Sekiro seven times before it finally clicked. Combining fast-paced and simplistic combat with forgiving parry windows, Sekiro is easy to pick up and difficult to master. Unlike most From Software games, the narrative sits front and center, telling a story rich with lore and, at times, emotional. The boss fights are the main event, as always with From Software. Every boss fight is difficult but fair. Every time I lost a fight, I knew exactly what I did wrong and learned from my mistakes. Sekiro is demanding but rewarding, has the most satisfying combat of any game I have played, is one of the best games I have ever played, and the most difficult I have finished.

Review

Likes

• Fast, satisfying melee combat
• Large parry windows
• Bosses are difficult, but fair
• Narrative not hidden in item descriptions
• Linear game design

• XP loss on death makes early learning curve more difficult

Dislikes

Score

5/5

"Hesitation is defeat."