Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice2019

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is one of the best action adventures of all time. What makes this game so special is its unique combat system based on precision, timing and responsiveness. Unlike many other soul likes, you can’t just rely on dodge roles or defensive play. Instead, you have to parry attacks, break the stance of opponents and wait for the right moment for a deadly counterattack. The combat system feels incredibly fluid, direct and satisfying. Each battle has a certain intensity that only a few games achieve. Especially the boss fights are among the absolute highlights and demand everything. In addition, there are the various prosthetic tools, which offer additional tactical possibilities and extend the gameplay meaningfully. The world is also excellently designed. The different areas offer varied environments, beautiful architecture and numerous secrets. The vertical freedom of movement provided by the Enterhaken ensures that the exploration feels completely different than in classic soul likes. Technically, the game also convinces with a strong art style, fluid animations and an impressive atmosphere. Especially the Japanese-inspired design and the soundtrack fit together perfectly. FromSoftware deserves special praise and especially Hidetaka Miyazaki. The studio has proven with Sekiro that it does not rest on a successful formula, but is ready to go new ways. Instead of simply adopting the well-known Souls mechanics, an independent combat system was developed, which is still one of the best of its kind today. Of course, the game is not perfect. The level of difficulty can be extremely frustrating, especially for beginners, as there are few opportunities to gain a clear advantage through leveling or better equipment. In addition, the playful freedom is significantly more limited compared to Elden Ring. The selection of weapons and different builds is also relatively limited, which may reduce replayability for some players. Also, the exploration does not always offer the same variety as in other FromSoftware games. Conclusion: Sekiro is an extraordinary action adventure that convinces above all with its almost perfect combat system, its precise control and its outstanding boss fights. While lacking the build diversity and playful freedom of other soul likes, it offers an incredibly thoughtful and unique gameplay experience.

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