Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – Compelling Reasons to Begin Anew in 2025

FromSoftware has been on a remarkable upward trajectory with its game releases, and Elden Ring catapulted the studio into the limelight like never before. While titles such as Armored Core and the Dark Souls series initially got FromSoftware on gamers’ radars, it was Elden Ring that truly brought them into the mainstream. By December 2024, Elden Ring had amassed an impressive 28.6 million copies sold, nearly tripling Dark Souls 3’s sales in half the time and almost tripling the lifetime sales of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

These numbers highlight how many new gamers have joined the FromSoftware fan base since Elden Ring’s debut. While the expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, served as an exciting holdover, these new enthusiasts might be on the lookout for another thrilling adventure. For those seeking an experience similar to Elden Ring, delving into the Dark Souls trilogy, Demon’s Souls, or Bloodborne seems like the next logical step. However, it’s crucial to remember that Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice should not be overlooked.

New FromSoftware Fans Shouldn’t Miss Out on Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro – A Faster and Even More Challenging Soulslike Experience

Elden Ring followed in the footsteps of Dark Souls, though it introduced fresh elements like a mount, a jumping mechanic, and a vast open world. With its roots in the third-person action RPG formula established by Dark Souls, fans of Elden Ring would likely find the transition back to earlier FromSoftware titles appealing.

On the contrary, Sekiro offers a distinctive experience. It shares some basic features, like a lock-on system and leveling, yet stands apart as a more linear, story-centric game with a unique combat system.

In Sekiro, players are equipped with just one primary weapon. The gameplay emphasizes perfecting deflection and timing to exploit enemy weaknesses. Combat in Sekiro involves parrying incoming attacks to deplete an enemy’s Posture meter, eventually leaving them vulnerable to a critical strike. Success demands precision in blocking, evading unblockable attacks, and seizing the moment to strike.

The balance and challenge of Sekiro set it apart from other titles in the genre, offering a rewarding experience even against lesser foes, sometimes surpassing the difficulty of Dark Souls’ most formidable bosses.

Sekiro Offers a Refreshing Take on the Feudal Japan Setting

The setting of Feudal Japan has captured the imaginations of game developers for decades, and it’s becoming increasingly popular today. Recent titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows and the upcoming Ghost of Yotei promise immersive adventures at the close of the Sengoku period.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, though rooted in the same historical era, embraces a fantasy element that sets it apart. As players journey through Sekiro, they’ll encounter armored samurai as well as mythical adversaries such as invisible monks, colossal serpents, and apes wielding their own severed heads in battle.

This unique blend of historical and fantastical elements creates a captivating world that offers a bold interpretation of Feudal Japan, making Sekiro a must-play for any fans of FromSoftware’s captivating storytelling and innovative gameplay mechanics.