Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a thoroughly entertaining and rewarding action game that stands alongside the greatest entries in the genre.

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"Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" is an action-adventure game set in 16th century Japan, where you play as a disgraced warrior on a quest to rescue your kidnapped lord and regain your honor. This Game of the Year Edition includes bonus content such as new boss challenge modes, recordable messages for other players, and cosmetic skins. Prepare for a challenging journey with deep combat and stunning visuals.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 86,774 reviews

gameplay3,708 positive mentions

grinding939 negative mentions

gameplay
10,294 mentions
36 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" is characterized by its unique mechanics that diverge significantly from traditional souls games, focusing heavily on deflection, posture management, and stealth. Players must master these mechanics to succeed, leading to a steep learning curve that can be frustrating initially but ultimately rewarding as they experience the satisfaction of overcoming challenging bosses. The game emphasizes aggressive play and precise timing, creating a fast-paced combat experience that many players find exhilarating and addictive once they grasp the core mechanics.
- “The gameplay, the mechanics, the places you explore, the challenges... it doesn't get better than this.”
- “The parry mechanic is one of the most satisfying gameplay elements ever created, and I wish this game had gotten DLC or gets a sequel.”
- “The gameplay is so smooth that sometimes it feels like you are deflecting in real life!”
- “The gameplay is just not enjoyable at all; the combat mechanics make no sense.”
- “The gameplay, while polished, can feel overly punishing and frustrating, especially with the dragonrot mechanic.”
- “The mechanics are so finely tuned that, even when you’re struggling, you can see the path to victory—you just have to muster the will to walk it.”
story
8,261 mentions
45 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice* is generally praised for its clarity and emotional depth compared to other FromSoftware titles, featuring a straightforward narrative centered on the protagonist, Wolf, who embarks on a quest to rescue his kidnapped lord and confront the challenges of immortality. Players appreciate the integration of Japanese folklore and the personal stakes involved, with multiple endings that enhance replayability. However, some critiques highlight that while the story is engaging, it may lack the intricate lore and ambiguity that fans of the Souls series have come to expect, leading to mixed feelings about its depth and complexity.
- “The story explores the perfect mix of a historically-accurate Sengoku era and the fantastical mythologies and folktales of Japan.”
- “This deeply personal story, woven with Japanese folklore, is enriched by compelling characters and understated yet poignant storytelling.”
- “The narrative is equally gripping, following Wolf, a loyal shinobi, on a quest to protect his master and unravel a tale of honor, loss, and immortality.”
- “The story is not engaging for me personally, and I feel that the game absolutely bludgeons the player with it.”
- “The story is a bit confusing and the fights are either incredibly easy or complete bullshit.”
- “The story is very short and mediocre at best.”
graphics
3,202 mentions
61 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" are widely praised for their stunning visuals and artistic design, effectively capturing the beauty of feudal Japan. Many players appreciate the game's vibrant color palette and intricate environments, which enhance the overall atmosphere and immersion. While some critiques mention that the graphics may not be groundbreaking compared to other recent titles, the unique art style and attention to detail are consistently highlighted as standout features.
- “The game has beautiful visuals without trying to be something they're not or trying too hard.”
- “The graphics still hold strong on the verge of 2025 as they did in 2019.”
- “Graphically, 'Sekiro' is stunning, capturing the beauty and brutality of feudal Japan with a distinctly FromSoftware touch.”
- “The graphics are trash for a newer game, PC options suck, and the gameplay is too difficult and not enjoyable.”
- “Graphics are not good enough for a 2019 game.”
- “The graphics are pretty low-key for a game of this day and age.”
music
1,745 mentions
53 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the game's immersive experience. While some players find the soundtrack beautiful and fitting for the game's feudal Japanese setting, others criticize it for being repetitive and less memorable compared to previous FromSoftware titles like "Dark Souls" and "Bloodborne." Overall, the music effectively complements the intense combat and exploration, but it may not leave a lasting impression for all players.
- “The soundtrack further complements this visual depth, blending traditional Japanese instrumentation with somber melodies that underscore the tension and urgency of Wolf’s journey.”
- “The music enhances this, with its hauntingly beautiful traditional Japanese themes and intense battle music.”
- “The music is fantastic, a lot more subtle than a lot of games in this genre.”
- “I had to turn off the music; the same combat music for hours was too much for me.”
- “It could be that the game is, as many have described it, 'a rhythm game without music.' I think that even with a more suited engine and proper musical cues, it would still be a mess because it's the developers, not the engine, that can only do Dark Souls.”
- “The music is mid, but the bosses are so well-made.”
grinding
1,099 mentions
3 % positive mentions
12 % neutral mentions
85 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect in "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the game's focus on skill mastery over traditional grinding for levels, many find the necessity to repeatedly farm for experience points and materials tedious, especially when facing challenging bosses. The lack of character builds and the punishing death mechanics contribute to a sense of frustration, as players often feel compelled to grind to progress, leading to a repetitive gameplay experience. Overall, while the game rewards skill and practice, the grinding can detract from the enjoyment for some players.
- “Challenging but not tedious, devastating but not frustrating, every aspect is perfect. The dev knew what they were making and delivered; it's my favorite FromSoftware game.”
- “No grinding for levels here.”
- “Very light on the RPG elements, in a good way; progress is mainly dependent on you getting better at the game, not grinding levels or getting the right skill.”
- “Grinding to improve your stats so you can beat bosses is useless; you need to suck it up.”
- “Every enemy encounter becomes a tedious trial-and-error grind, sucking all the fun out of what could have been a thrilling samurai adventure.”
- “The only critique point I can really think of is that some mini-bosses are just tedious.”
replayability
896 mentions
28 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Replayability in "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" is a mixed bag among players. While many appreciate the game's multiple endings and the ability to replay boss fights, which enhance its replay value, others criticize its lack of build diversity and character customization, leading to a more linear experience that diminishes long-term replayability compared to other FromSoftware titles. Overall, the game offers significant replay potential for those who enjoy mastering its combat mechanics, but it may not satisfy players seeking varied playstyles or extensive replay options.
- “The replayability is insane; I'm on NG+, and it's incredibly rewarding to learn the moveset of enemies and parry them to death.”
- “Replayability with the different endings and the fact that you cannot upgrade all your tools in one playthrough is great.”
- “The game has incredible replayability, and will always have my favorite boss of any video game of all time, Isshin the Sword Saint.”
- “The game's rigid focus on a single playstyle limits replayability and build diversity, which may turn off players looking for the flexibility and customization found in Soulsborne games.”
- “While this could be an upside to some, to me it's a major downside since it kind of makes skill progression a bit too underwhelming and thus heavily hits replayability.”
- “The absence of multiplayer features further limits replayability and the sense of community that many have come to love in FromSoftware games.”
atmosphere
891 mentions
64 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" is widely praised for its immersive and breathtaking design, capturing the essence of feudal Japan through stunning visuals, intricate environments, and a haunting soundtrack. Players appreciate the game's ability to blend beauty with danger, creating a rich, atmospheric experience that enhances both exploration and combat. While some critiques mention a lack of variety compared to other FromSoftware titles, the overall consensus highlights the game's exceptional world-building and atmospheric storytelling.
- “The game's atmosphere is nothing short of mesmerizing, with meticulously detailed environments, hauntingly beautiful music, and a sense of ambiance that keeps players entranced from start to finish.”
- “From the crumbling ruins of Ashina Castle to the serene beauty of Senpou Temple, every location feels meticulously crafted and brimming with atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is absolutely incredible; the sound of the crows cawing makes it way more immersive, and the signs of war like claw marks and broken armor make it even closer to the lore.”
- “There is a distinct lack of rich and interesting atmosphere when compared to their other titles.”
- “The atmosphere is boring, and the enemies are mid and annoying later in the game.”
- “The game lacks a grim dark atmosphere, was extremely shallow in terms of builds and loot was not as exciting.”
optimization
485 mentions
40 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its ability to run smoothly on a variety of hardware, including lower-end machines, while others report significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and a frustrating 60fps cap. Some users have successfully tweaked settings to improve performance, but many still experience inconsistent gameplay, particularly during intense moments. Overall, while the game showcases impressive visuals and mechanics, its optimization remains a contentious topic among players.
- “Very good game with excellent performance even on slightly lower-end machines.”
- “Optimization is through the roof; this game easily runs on almost any PC in the past 10 years while still looking utterly beautiful.”
- “The optimization ensures that the game retains its visual prowess without compromising stability.”
- “The optimization is terrible and the controller input does not even work.”
- “This game is poorly optimized, even though I've exceeded the recommended hardware requirements, the game still struggles to run and has constant performance drops, buy at your own risk.”
- “The performance is absolutely dreadful!”
emotional
314 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" is a complex tapestry of triumph, frustration, and poignant storytelling. Many players express a deep connection to the protagonist's journey, experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions ranging from joy and satisfaction upon defeating challenging bosses to heartbreak during key narrative moments. While some critiques highlight a lack of emotional depth in character development, the game's stunning visuals, intense combat, and evocative soundtrack contribute to a memorable emotional experience that resonates with players long after they finish the game.
- “My first souls game and this is a game that makes you want to cry because it is complicated and rejoice because it is so beautifully made at the same time.”
- “However, its narrative lacks the emotional depth of other narrative-driven games, and its stealth mechanics feel underdeveloped.”
- “Fromsoftware's 'Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice' is not merely a game; it's an emotional rollercoaster that takes players on a journey through the depths of determination, loss, and redemption.”
- “Boring story that made me skip all cutscenes and dialogues; I couldn't care about the characters. The world design is a mess that I had to search for a walkthrough to find my way.”
- “The intrusive and boring story, uninteresting hidden items, bad optimization, and no gamma slider further subtract from the score.”
- “Besides that, the game has a very dull and boring story.”
humor
283 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often described as a mix of dark and absurd, with players finding amusement in the game's challenging mechanics and quirky enemy designs, particularly the infamous monkeys. Many reviews highlight the comedic frustration of dying repeatedly, with players laughing at their own failures and the game's unexpected moments, such as a boss throwing feces. Overall, while the game has a serious tone, it incorporates lighthearted elements that provide a humorous contrast to its difficulty.
- “The game is super funny.”
- “Funny little game about a shinobi.”
- “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is like that tough-love coach who keeps pushing you to be better while simultaneously laughing at your feeble attempts.”
- “Not funny, played a few hours and uninstalled.”
- “It was difficult for the sake of 'let's make it difficult' in a very unfunny way.”
- “In some levels, you need to find the best order to kill the enemies silently - this was not funny in 'Commandos', and it is neither funny here.”
stability
196 mentions
23 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
74 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly with controller support and hitboxes. While some users noted that the game runs well on certain platforms like the Steam Deck and Linux, others experienced frequent freezes, crashes, and frustrating gameplay mechanics that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a major concern for a substantial number of players, overshadowing its positive aspects.
- “The game runs great, no issues with frame rate or screen tearing, as long as you have the system minimum requirements.”
- “Cherry on the cake: the game is bug free and is very well optimized.”
- “Overall the game seems very complete and bug free (for a casual playthrough), graphics are a notch better than DS3 and it runs smoothly on my 4-5 year old machine.”
- “Paid for a game and got a buggy pile of shit that can barely render what the fuck a keybind is.”
- “Unfortunately this game is too buggy to enjoy.”
- “The game is super buggy and the beginning when you get to the first boss it becomes borderline game breaking.”
character development
108 mentions
55 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
Character development in "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" is often praised for its depth and integration with Japanese storytelling traditions, particularly through the protagonist Wolf's personal journey and encounters. While many players appreciate the intricate character designs and the emotional weight of the narrative, some feel that the character development is somewhat linear and less varied compared to previous FromSoftware titles. Overall, the game successfully combines stunning visuals and atmospheric storytelling, though it may not satisfy those seeking extensive RPG-style character customization.
- “The stakes are personal, and the character development of Wolf is intriguingly nuanced, adding layers of tension and investment as players progress.”
- “The narrative and character development in Sekiro are deeply rooted in Japanese storytelling traditions, reflecting the complexities of the human spirit through Wolf’s trials and encounters.”
- “The intricate lore and character development create a rich and immersive experience.”
- “Character development is quite linear and not very much varied.”
- “The world building is as good as always in a FromSoftware game; however, the lack of character development leaves the game feeling hollow compared to a regular Souls game.”
- “If you are looking for another Souls-style RPG, you might be a tad bit disappointed since Sekiro discarded most RPG-like character development features.”
monetization
60 mentions
7 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
42 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is overwhelmingly praised for its absence of microtransactions, loot boxes, or any form of predatory monetization schemes. Players appreciate the complete experience offered without additional costs or content locked behind paywalls, highlighting it as a refreshing change in an industry often plagued by such practices. Overall, the game is celebrated for being a fully realized product that prioritizes gameplay and player experience over monetization.
- “Thankfully there's no monetization or any real influence from Activision you would expect to see otherwise.”
- “I mean first of all, it won Game of the Year, which is absolutely unheard of for a single-player, story-driven action RPG with no DLC or other monetization to speak of.”
- “No microtransactions, no DLC, no predatory monetization scheme, the entire game is included.”
- “In an era where full-priced games are filled to the brim with microtransactions, locked out content, or boring open worlds with equally boring cut-and-paste content, occasionally a gem like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice comes along and reminds us why we play games in the first place.”
- “It's hard to find a single player game without microtransactions or any crap in it.”
- “Many games nowadays expect you to keep buying in: microtransactions, season passes, cosmetics, etc. I get it, developers and publishers end up earning more money for a single game instead of having to work on the next game.”