Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
News, coverage and analysis tracking Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice across the outlets.
Latest coverage
I've spent over 50 hours in Phantom Blade Zero—here are my top 20 tips to conquer the Wulin
This guide offers over 20 tips for mastering Phantom Blade Zero, a martial arts action game that diverges from typical soulslike mechanics. It highlights key differences such as not losing souls upon death and the importance of exploration, combat strategies, weapon experimentation, and accessory customization to overcome challenges.
Despite initial player concerns, Capcom feels good about Onimusha: Way of the Sword's difficulty, and says it has the data to prove it got it right
Capcom game director Satoru Nihei believes the difficulty in Onimusha: Way of the Sword strikes the right balance between challenge and player satisfaction, citing in-game data that aligns with the team's goals. While some early criticisms about passive enemies remain, the overall consensus and critical reception suggest the game successfully delivers a satisfying combat experience.
Phantom Blade Zero review – the first kungfupunk video game
Phantom Blade Zero offers a unique blend of Wuxia action and Soulslike elements, featuring a complex combat system and impressive visuals. However, the game suffers from significant inconsistencies in graphics, animation, and storytelling, making it difficult to recommend unreservedly despite its strengths in boss battles and combat mechanics.
Games Inbox: What is the point of next gen consoles?
Readers debate the necessity and value of next-generation consoles, questioning their technological advancements and market impact. Other topics include the enjoyment and flaws of Onimusha: Warlords, the potential of Yoshi And The Mysterious Book, and the unsustainable business models of North American game development.
Based on player data, Capcom's pretty happy with the difficulty level of Onimusha: Way of the Sword: 'We think…
Capcom is satisfied with the difficulty level of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, based on player data. Director Satoru Nihei stated that while the game isn't intended to be as challenging as titles like Sekiro or Nioh, players do encounter points where they struggle and die, but are ultimately able to progress and feel a sense of accomplishment. The team aimed for a roughly 20-hour experience with a mostly linear structure and optional exploration elements.
Phantom Blade Zero isn't even out yet, but it could be 'one of the year's breakout hits' as it shifts half a million copies on Steam alone
Phantom Blade Zero has achieved significant pre-order success on Steam, selling an estimated 500,000 copies and generating $24 million in revenue ahead of its October 28th launch. The game also boasts 2.5 million wishlists, indicating strong potential for it to become a breakout single-player hit.
Games Inbox: What is BioWare’s best game?
Readers express concern over the future of BioWare, with many citing EA's management as a detrimental factor. Mass Effect 2 is highlighted as a past peak for the studio, while other readers discuss the aging mechanics of The Witcher 3 Remastered and the uncertain future of console gaming.
Valor Mortis review: "First-person Souslike parrying feels clutch, but I need more for this to truly stand out"
Valor Mortis is a functional Soulslike with a first-person perspective and parry-focused combat, but it struggles to stand out in a crowded genre. While it features some charming writing and a fresh parkour element, its gameplay ideas have been done better elsewhere, and scripted parkour sequences are frustratingly bad. Technical issues like crashes and framerate drops were also present at launch.
Ghost Of Tsushima Anime Taps Star Wars: Visions Talent For Its 2028 Release
Crunchyroll has revealed new details for the upcoming Ghost of Tsushima anime, including a 2028 release window and key cast and crew members. Takanobu Mizuno, known for Star Wars: Visions, will direct the project at Kamikaze Douga, with Hayate Inc. confirming voice actors Mayumi Saco and Shinya Fukumatsu. The article also notes the growing trend of video game anime adaptations, mentioning projects for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Bloodborne, and Death Stranding.
Phantom Blade Zero is a game we'll be talking about for years to come
Phantom Blade Zero, developed by S-Game, is shaping up to be a major action game hit with its stylish 'kung-fu punk' aesthetic and deep combat. The preview highlights the fluid, cinematic action, intricate design, and challenging boss fights that draw comparisons to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Director Soulframe emphasizes the blend of traditional Wuxia culture with modern pop culture, aiming to create a playable kung-fu movie experience.
'Open world fatigue' is one reason indie RPG Entropy is borrowing from the classics: 'PS1, PS2, GameCube games really never outstayed their welcome'
Lead developer James Wragg of Lovely Hellplace discusses 'open world fatigue' in modern games, contrasting it with the more concise and intentional design of older titles from the PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, and GameCube eras. His upcoming RPG, Entropy, aims to blend simple JRPG combat with tactical elements, drawing inspiration from classics like Fallout and XCOM.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 now has a multiplayer mod that brings RP servers to the acclaimed RPG's open world
A modding group has released an open beta for a multiplayer mod for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, transforming the acclaimed RPG into an open-world experience. This mod allows players to explore the map of Bohemia together in a persistent world, with features like combat and interactive elements synced across servers.
Not Everything Needs To Be A Soulslike, And Onimusha: Way Of The Sword Shows Why
The article argues that the industry's over-reliance on the Soulslike formula, pioneered by FromSoftware, has led to a lack of variety in action games. Onimusha: Way of the Sword is highlighted as a refreshing example of an action game that successfully deviates from this trend by focusing on diverse defensive mechanics rather than solely on reactive combat.
What the Hell is Going on With Halo and Xbox?
Xbox Game Studios has announced significant layoffs at Halo Studios, formerly 343 Industries, with 268 roles eliminated. A smaller team will continue to support existing Halo titles, while a new, separate team under Activision will develop the next mainline Halo installment. This move is part of a broader strategy to accelerate franchise output and streamline development, though it has led to widespread criticism regarding job security and studio management.
Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki was always "fascinated" by the "weird" executives of other companies: "I use some of them as enemy characters in our games"
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed that he finds other company executives to be "weird" and "fascinating," even using some of them as inspiration for enemy characters in games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring. He stated that his role as president has exposed him to new experiences and people, which influences his game design.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword’s Combat Feedback Was Inspired by Super Mario Odyssey, Says Director
Onimusha: Way of the Sword director Satoru Nihei revealed that Super Mario Odyssey's accessible yet dynamic action gameplay inspired the combat feedback in the new Onimusha title. Producer Akihito Kadowaki cited the Gundam series, particularly Gundam Versus, for its character design influence. The game achieved over one million sales on launch day, pushing the franchise past 10 million total sales.
Deep in FromSoftware's sicko arc, Elden Ring and Dark Souls boss Hidetaka Miyazaki says "you can't make anything that's as fun" just by following the same old rules
FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki believes that adhering strictly to established rules in game development leads to stale and uninteresting experiences. He emphasizes that focusing on what the developers find interesting has been key to the studio's success across titles like Elden Ring and Dark Souls, allowing them to create unique and fun games.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword’s Combat Is Doing A Lot of Heavy Lifting
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a strong revival with excellent combat mechanics, but its surrounding elements like story and exploration fall short. While the game's combat, including Issen and parrying, is universally praised and contributes to memorable boss fights, the hub world and side quests lack variety and depth. Despite these shortcomings, the game is considered a worthy return for the series, with its core gameplay loop being its greatest strength.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword proves the parry formula is far from stale, you just need to get freaky with it
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is praised for its innovative approach to the parry mechanic, offering multiple layers of defensive options that keep combat engaging. While some games may overuse parries, Onimusha demonstrates the mechanic's potential for depth and player expression, contrasting with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Nine Sols.
Sekiro: No Defeat anime director pleads with fans to not watch the new trailer because it accidentally contains a huge…
The director of the upcoming anime Sekiro: No Defeat, Kenichi Kutsuna, has urged fans not to watch a newly released trailer due to an accidental "cinematic reveal" that spoils a significant moment. Kutsuna attributed the error to production company Arch, while noting that Kadokawa Corporation is not to blame. The trailer shows a fight scene between Wolf and Genichiro, likely depicting Wolf losing his arm.
