


Sekiro also received criticism for recycling some of its enemies. If this difficulty level is retained or even further increased in Elden Ring, it might be enough to drive some fans away from the title. Some critics believe that FromSoftware finally went too far with Sekiro, particularly after the game's infamously tough four-stage final boss encounter. Not only did Sekiro feature immensely challenging combat as well as no easy mode, but it even included a "hard mode" that could be toggled by ringing Ashina’s Demon Bell. The first and most hotly debated is the question of difficulty: Sekiro was regarded as FromSoftware’s hardest ever title, which is a big statement for a developer renowned for its brutal and uncompromising releases. Sekiro’s samurai theme was once again ideally suited to the beautiful, balletic skirmishes that the game delivered.ĭespite the praise heaped upon Sekiro, the game did not escape criticism, and a number of its issues could prove detrimental to Elden Ring if they reappear. Sekiro’s combat was also highly praised, once again reimagining the mechanics of its predecessors to focus more on aggressive attacks, perfectly-timed parries, and satisfying death blows. This clever blend of mythology with real Japanese history allowed FromSoftware to conjure a world rich in two of its signature traits: Skilled humanoid warriors battling to the death, and awe-inspiring, magical fantasy visuals.

The game also featured a notable departure from western fantasy settings like Dark Souls’ crumbling castles or Bloodborne’s gothic cathedrals, instead taking place in a fictional Japanese land at the end of the real-life Sengoku period.

These alterations were well received by fans and critics, with the game winning multiple game of the year awards and securing consistently high review scores. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice brought some welcome changes to the long-established Soulslike formula, including the addition of a jump button to add verticality to the world and gameplay design, as well as stealth mechanics appropriate to the game’s samurai setting.
