Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Excellent graphics and creative interconnected level design. Strong combat with animation quirks.

A standout FromSoftware game that improves on Dark Souls and Bloodborne with vibrant color, a gorgeous feudal-Japan setting, well-placed checkpoints, and meaningful skill-based progression instead of dull stat menus. Its punishing combat rewards aggressive parrying over dodging, and while brutally hard and rage-inducing, mastering it delivers some of the most memorable and satisfying gaming moments.

A great, deliberately crafted FromSoftware game that earns its difficulty rather than apologizing for it, with phenomenal level design, a satisfying parry-based combat flow, and a strong sense of player skill mastering each boss. The resurrection system feels excellent, though Dragon Rot is a tedious rather than meaningful penalty and the camera can frustrate in tight corridors. A standout worth playing at roughly an 8.5 to 9.

Fextralife calls Sekiro a day-one buy for any Souls fan ready to let go of RPG and get fully into action. Rewarding combat, challenging gameplay, and intricate level design stand next to acclaimed Souls titles, though lack of multiplayer hurts replayability.

Yahtzee: solid challenge marred by inflexible combat that forces parrying and undermines stealth systems.

AJ Rapid Fire: 8/10.

Before You Buy: fantastic combat; excellent boss design.

EA: must play; exhilarating posture combat.