Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Now Available On PC, PS4, Xbox One

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is finally here! Developed by FromSoftware, the game is available for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC through Steam.

Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, of BloodBorne and Dark Souls fame, Sekiro is set on late 16th century feudal Japan. Players take the role of the "one-armed wolf" that has been willed to protect and obey through a shinobi prosthetic arm. Players battle their way across a beautiful and dark world in order to restore the honor of the one-armed wolf, rescue his master, and exact revenge.

Similar to previous games FromSoftware has released, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice continues to make use of the legacy started by games like Demon's Souls. Players experience gameplay that, while challenging, is also highly rewarding. The game allows for unique combat that puts focus on creativity, technique, and patience. Players will need to master the posture system, which allows them to deflect attacks while being aggressive and defensive at the same time. In most games in the genre, doing a constant attack is the only way to lower the health of the enemy. However, in Sekiro, players use a katana and utilize the concepts of balance and poise. Thus, if they can see an opening and attack it, it is possible to kill an enemy with one blow. There is also a stealth feature wherein players can eliminate enemies provided that they can reach a certain range undetected.

A crazy mechanic called Resurrection gives players the choice to go for a tactical retreat or deceive the enemy and go for a counter-offensive. As the game's name implies, players can "die" twice, getting revived after the first death. The prosthetic arm allows for different items to be attached like a loaded axe, or a grappling hook.

Miyazaki revealed that the game is set in the Sengoku era and depicts a great battle that is faced head-on by the one-armed wolf. He added that true to the style of FromSoftware, "withered and ruined landscapes combined with a vibrant color palette make for a game world" with the player always just a step away from dying. Miyazaki says that "[i]t is our hope that new and old fans alike will enjoy our shinobi’s journey; rich with intense and dynamic combat."

Initial reviews for the game, according to Metacritic, has seen "universal acclaim" for PC and Xbox versions, with the PS4 versions getting "generally favorable" reviews.