Action adventure · FromSoftware / Activision · 2019
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
4.8/5
White hot
A one-armed shinobi in war-torn Japan. Sword clashes built on rhythm and posture. The purest combat FromSoftware has made.
Help on offer
No difficulty settings; stealth and tools help a lot.
What you do
Deflect strikes in time to break an enemy's posture, use a prosthetic arm of tools, and explore castles and valleys vertically with a grappling hook.
Who it suits
Players who want the sharpest sword fighting in games and accept being beaten many times.
First contact
You wake in a well, sneak through a castle and meet your first real swordsman. You lose. Then you start to hear the rhythm.
The grind
Every boss is a dance to learn. Deflecting perfectly feels incredible once it clicks.
When to cool down
Idols are frequent. If a boss has beaten you for an hour, rest at the idol and stop.
Burns bright
- Perfect sword combat
- Every fight is a lesson
- Beautiful Japan
Burns you
- No co-op or summons
- Can be brutal
Verdict
The best sword fighting in games. Learn the rhythm, then rest.
Next in the fire
Written by the Ember Forge desk. Updated 25 October 2026. Facts checked against publisher and store pages at that date. Set a limit with the Cool-down timer before you start.