Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (new From Software game)

[Multidirectional]

Sekiro combat with latency, what could go wrong?

 

[cvv]

Sekiro combat with latency, what could go wrong?

Clearly the whole parry game doesn't work in PvP so it's just a glorified DMC5-like whack-n-slash. Latency shouldn't matter much for this mess.

 

[Multidirectional]

Clearly the whole parry game doesn't work in PvP so it's just a glorified DMC5-like whack-n-slash. Latency shouldn't matter much for this mess.

I was talking more about co-op. But even if it worked perfectly I'm not sure why would you want co-op in such an easy game.

Also, combat in that video doesn't look anything like DMC5, you clearly haven't played any DMCs.

 

[cvv]

I was talking more about co-op. But even if it worked perfectly I'm not sure why would you want co-op in such an easy game.

I spent 4 hours on the Demon and 6 hours on the Saint. And 2 hours into each fight I was ready to offer my left testicle to the Satan for a Sunbro.

Also, combat in that video doesn't look anything like DMC5, you clearly haven't played any DMCs.

It's just based on my impression of the DMC games as unsophisticated button-mashy glorified arcades we used to play as kids on the coin machines in seedy funpark booths.

 

[Wunderbar]

I spent 4 hours on the Demon and 6 hours on the Saint. And 2 hours into each fight I was ready to offer my left testicle to the Satan for a Sunbro..

boss's AI and movesets weren't designed around coop, second player will simply break the system.

 

[cvv]

I spent 4 hours on the Demon and 6 hours on the Saint. And 2 hours into each fight I was ready to offer my left testicle to the Satan for a Sunbro..

boss's AI and movesets weren't designed around coop, second player will simply break the system.

I lean to disagree but I reserve my full judgement. With so many bosses spinning, flailing around and doing blast-wave AoEs I don't think it would be that easy. I took me 3 or 4 tries to beat the Drunkard with the samurai-bro and he has barely any AoE.

Anyway someone should already try it so we know for sure.

 

[Silva]

Shadowrush technique is the shit. Well worth the wait. Shirahagi Snake-eyes never knew what hit her.

I got the Senpou arts scroll but it seems meh. Is it worth it? (no spoilers please)

 

[Jinn]

It's just based on my impression of the DMC games as unsophisticated button-mashy glorified arcades we used to play as kids on the coin machines in seedy funpark booths.

This is a misinformed impression, to say the least.

 

[Wunderbar]

I got the Senpou arts scroll but it seems meh. Is it worth it? (no spoilers please)

"Senpou leaping kicks" allows you to jump over certain attacks and punish enemies for a more posture damage than using a regular jump. It is rather hard to pull off though.

 

[Multidirectional]

It's just based on my impression of the DMC games as unsophisticated button-mashy glorified arcades we used to play as kids on the coin machines in seedy funpark booths.

Then I don't know what you call Sekiro, because DMC combat is way more complex.

 

[Silva]

Does sugar increase prosthetic tools damage too? Because phantom kunai unmodified took half of O'rin of the Water's life. If sugar increases the damage, I could have almost killed Orin only with Kunai.

(the downside of phantom kunai is that it doesn't seem to stagger enemies as normal shuriken does)

 

[Multidirectional]

Man I gotta play around with all those prosthetics more, apparently I haven't been doing it enough even after I started using Spirit Emblem Capacity mod.

 

[Black Angel]

I got the Senpou arts scroll but it seems meh. Is it worth it? (no spoilers please)

"Senpou leaping kicks" allows you to jump over certain attacks and punish enemies for a more posture damage than using a regular jump. It is rather hard to pull off though.

Leaping Kicks actually trivialize said certain attacks, though. What's rather hard to pull off, imo, is that split second first kick at the very start of the combat art which counts as an air attack, which could count as a punishment for jumping enemies.

Does sugar increase prosthetic tools damage too?

Should be. There are no explanation that the sugar doesn't increase prosthetic tools damage or only increasing regular damage.

 

[Silva]

You know what game this reminds me the most? Kenseiden from the Sega Master System.

 

[sullynathan]

Too many characters wacking on a boss at once is going to fill up that posture meter quick.

 

[Silva]

Got to fountain palace. Great atmosphere and one of the most original areas theme-wise in Soulsbornedom.

Also, almost rage-quit in Corrupted Monk and had to resort to googling. In the end I killed her through ash/firecrak in her face then pow, pow, pow repeat-> stealth kill 2nd phase -> ash/firecrack then pow, pow, pow repeat again 3rd phase. It made the fight banal.

 

[Silva]

By the way, about prosthetic tools:

My impression so far is that they definitely have an impact on bosses, but I ain't finding it a very elegant implementation of the concept. What I wish prosthetic did was opening up new avenues of engagement that you could focus and develop according to personal style. What it does is making bosses a gimmick guess game, where you have a dozen or more tools and have to guess the right one that devs chose for this one boss (the choice not always apparent).

That's a pretty old school mindset, I give you that, and if that's the intention then kudos for the devs. But I can't stop wondering how the game would have been if say, focusing on spear prosthetic upgrades allowed me to become a lancer shinobi specialist, not so different from a build in DS, and tackle challenges lancer-style ways. More or less like Dishonored let's you focus on certain abilities opening up stylistic avenues of play. But this would probably make the game too easy for From standards.

Anyway, this isn't a bash on the game. It's amazing and some segments are giving me that same rush of tension I felt the first time playing Dark Souls. That alone makes it better than DS2 and DS3 for me.

 

[Silva]

Wow Divine Dragon fight is amazing. It's easy as fuck yeah, but it's friggin beautiful. They nailed the atmosphere in Fountain palace and divine dragon. The sound design finally came on its own.

_ _ _ _ _

Btw, I think I found out what my problem with the music is:

First I definitely think that Yuka guy composer wasn't as inspiring here as he was in DS and BB. Period. The bosses tracks here are a shadow of those games.

Second, the action music stays on even when enemies are in alert/yellow stage, which makes it loop indefinitely sometimes even when I want to stealth around in a calm manner immersed in the environs. At these times the action music ends up suppressing good atmospheric sounds like footsteps, the wind, birds singing, etc. It breaks my immersion, my feeling of "being there" and replaces it with some generic action movie vibe.

And finally, the music instruments sound too... artificial? I'm not an expert on the matter but it seems like they make little use of real instruments like shamisen, flutes or those taiko drums, and instead rely in synthetic sounds?

Here is what I think is a great feudal Japan "action music":



Now a Sekiro one:



The Sekiro one uses what seems to be a synthesized violin or cello at the core, and the melody is more westernized and generic? Sure there are insturmental flourishes but its complimentary. While the Shogun one makes better use of traditional Japanese instruments at the core and the melody seems more eastern in nature? Anyway, I know this is more subjective and dependent on taste, but I can't stop feeling that the music was a big missed opportunity here.

 

[Wunderbar]

It's a limited budget thing, hiring an orchestra with real instruments isn't cheap.

 

[Silva]

It's a limited budget thing, hiring an orchestra with real instruments isn't cheap.

Could be. Or maybe it's on purpose, Miyazaki seem to be a big fan of the west. It would explain the cellos and synths.


Anyway, finished it. :D

Default ending, Immortal Severance or something. I could go for another one called Return but I preferred to see the normal one first. Very sad to see

Spoiler

the boy dying.

Took all day to beat Kensei Ashina Isshin. Can't say I liked him, though. I mean, he is superb from a lore and atmosphere and moveset POV but he's too oppressive, you must memorize his moves to the smallest detail like Guitar Hero on very hard otherwise you're fucked. My favorite bosses were the ones that give the player more... freedom of expression. Madam Butterfly and Guardian Ape are my fave. Also, found the mini-bosses and normal enemies really good. Matador recommended this after I said I loved fighting the hunters in BB cause it felt like a proper duel, and he's spot on (thanks bro). O'rin of the Water is perfect, Gyoubu Oniwa, Jouzou (the samurai helper only makes the fight more epic), and the first time you find those flying Tengu ninjas on the roofs (while low on estus) ? Amazing. I've read that Shichiman fights are great too but I got scared of them and went the cheese route with Lilac Umbrella.

I also liked the smaller and more intimate story here. Being a bodyguard only minding his master safety felt a lot different than saving worlds. From really nailed the theme. I hope they release a DLC or a sequel at some point. Perhaps situated in the past, showing Tomoe, first divine heir Takeru, young Isshin, the Hirata family, neighbour clans, etc. All this through the eyes of a young Orangutan (the sculptor) in his shinobi days would be fucking cool.

But I digress. Amazing game. 9/10. Going into NG+ next.

 

[Multidirectional]

Going into NG+ next.

A fresh run is a much better experience, to really see how much you've improved at it. NG+ is just boring and only worth doing for the evil ending perhaps.

 

[Silva]

Going into NG+ next.

A fresh run is a much better experience, to really see how much you've improved at it. NG+ is just boring and only worth doing for the evil ending perhaps.

Are you sure? A NG+ run where you start with most tools and techniques sounds like the perfect way yo break the game in fun ways. Don't get me wrong, I usually play Souls in the least cheesy way possible (Dex builds) but Sekiro kinda asks to be broken through creative combos. Or at least that's the impression I got from the first run.

 

[Wunderbar]

Silva you can't really break Sekiro, it plays the same on NG+ except easier since you have most of your tools from the get go.

Starting from NG and wrecking bosses first try without NG+ tools/skills and other baggage feels much better.

 

[Multidirectional]

NG+ is just easy mode. If you feel like toying around with tools then go ahead, but even your sword "breaks" the game at that point.
If you really want to be able to play around with tools more - install a Spirit Emblem Capacity mod and go for a fresh run. I always use this one now so I could go ham with prosthetics/ninjutsus/combat arts on regular enemies.

 

[Alphard]

NG+ is just easy mode. If you feel like toying around with tools then go ahead, but even your sword "breaks" the game at that point.
If you really want to be able to play around with tools more - install a Spirit Emblem Capacity mod and go for a fresh run. I always use this one now so I could go ham with prosthetics/ninjutsus/combat arts on regular enemies.

kuroless make ng+ bosses much harder, at least it did for me. especially the bull and old isshin.
also make game frustrating as hell . do not recommend