Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - 4 ways the game is different from the traditional souls/borne experience

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an upcoming action-adventure game by From Software-mostly known for the Dark Souls series as well as the most recent PS4 exclusive title called Bloodborne.

Now, many would think that Sekiro is just another Dark Souls/ Bloodborne clone that From Software is not willing to let go off, well it's not completely wrong neither it's true.

After the previews of the game started pouring in recently its pretty much that Sekiro does indeed builds upon the foundations laid those previous From Software titles but is a completely new experience on its own.

Here are 4 ways Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is different than Souls/ Borne games-

#1 Story

Sekiro

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is set in 16th century Sengoku period of Japan and features an authentic timeline from the past rather than the fantasy or gothic inspired setting in previous From Software titles. What's more, is that this time around the game's storytelling is much more straightforward when compared to other games. You play as a pre-defined character known as Sekiro: a Shinobi who barely makes it alive after being attacked by a leading samurai of Ashima clan as his lord is kidnapped.

This time around there are more cinematics and cutscenes in the game relative to other titles, as well as players can listen to other enemies talking around in the game to get to know about the game's lore.

This is a great addition as people had often complained of how cryptic storytelling in From Software title usually is. However, keep in mind that traditional storytelling is still not very much present in the game and for the most part, Sekiro still serves as your silent undead/hunter from previous games. Relying on item description for additional lore is still needed in the game.

#2 A vibrant colourful world

Sekiro

Previous From Software titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne had often depicted a dark atmosphere which is in relevance with its brutally difficult combat as well as of course the visual limitation of the consoles back then.

Sekiro Shadows Die Twice completely changes the game when it comes to its setting. The game features brightly coloured orange landscapes, cherry blossom trees, snowy mountains, bamboo forests, and many more. It's all in contrast to the game's difficulty of course which still proves to be quite challenging even though it might seem to be deceiving at first glance.

The game also for some reason takes the players back in time and space and features a hidden area known as Hirata State which is perceived as of 3 years ago. Overall, it features a much more of a varied and colourful looking world than other From Software titles in the market.

#3 Character progression

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Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice ditches the role-playing elements of Dark Souls and Bloodborne for a more straightforward approach which is undoubtedly the best thing about the game as of now.

Instead of levelling up stats and choosing the class, Sekiro focuses on growing the player's character more as by improving their skills, by providing them essential tools to practise and master the art of battle.

Sekiro has a default Katana as a weapon and it remains the primary weapon throughout the game. The players will have to master the use of that Katana if they want to survive Sekiro's brutal world. In fact, the game even provides an undying Shinobi known as Immortal Hanbei found in the game's hub place with whom players can practise and improve their combat skills.

In other words, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice provides challenges in the form of more complex enemies and levelling up in respect to mastering your own skills rather than buffing up your stats which will help you take down enemies health easily. This is an amazing thing because it reduces the level of grinding required in the game to reach a certain level before tackling a boss/enemy.

#4 Skill Tree

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Sekiro: Shadow's Die Twice provides a skill tree which falls in line more with the recent God Of War title and Nioh. The game provides with 3 distinct skill trees which players can spend the experience points in to improvise their skills.

These 3 skill trees consist of of-Combat Arts, Shinobi Martial Arts, and Latent Arts.

One of the very first Combat Arts that can be unlocked in the game is something called "Whirlwind Splash" which unleashes a spinning attack, whereas an early Shinobi Martial Arts ability gives players the ability to counter an enemy's thrust, ability to guard or deflect mid-air attacks from different enemies and one of the early Latent Arts ability allows players to carry more Spirit Emblems which in turn allows them to use more prosthetic tools.

These are some of the ways Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice proves its not just another entry in the souls borne formula From Software are so used to making now. It's something entirely new, something even prettier to look at and even deadlier in some ways.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is out 22 March 2019 on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.