re: Official Sekiro Thread

I'm like 95% done with the game (65 hours in), it's taking me way longer than most people, a combination of me dying a shite ton but also being very thorough and trying to not miss anything. I'm also doing the longest ending apparently.

Lots of random thoughts:

1. I get most of the story but there are details I'm missing:

So Kuro's home is Ashina castle, I got that part. At first I thought he was taken there, but based on the waypoint description it's clear he lives there. Is Ashina the name of a family or kingdom? I hear everyone making references to it, even the bad dudes. So the castle was taken over by bad guys and he's essentially being held prisoner in his own home by the lightening guy (who cuts off your hand at the start) till you rescue him. I assume all the henchmen you fight along the way and in the castle are his army?

And then later new bad guys will show up fighting the first bad guys? Apparently the Interior Ministry or something? I don't fully understand the factions.

The Hirata estate is essentially a flashback sequence, where you see how you acquired the Dragon's Power. Who was Lady Butterfly working for when she was attempting to get Kuro? Or was she doing her own thing? With so many people after Kuro, hard to keep track of.

2. Game is far less cryptic than Dark Souls games, the NPC's are much more explicit in telling you where to go and what to do, and with which actions will lead to what ending. It still doesn't hold your hand (glowing arrows telling you where to go and shite). I think this is good for this game but I home if they make another DS game it's back tot he more cryptic style.

3. They do a good job with environmental variety in the back 50% of the game. The first half kinda all looks the same (slightly snowy, mountainous Japanese temples) but there's a lot of variety later.

4. Was surprised how little I used the prosthetics. I barely used them the whole game. Essentially only tried them if I was struggling with something. Like they introduce the axe to break shields, and throw a few shield mobs at you, and then you never see them for the rest of the game. Same story with "red eyes" monsters that fear fire, there's almost none of them (so far). I'm surprised they didn't integrate the prosthetic tools more heavily. You can basically ignore them and still do everything.

5. I've been perpetually broke, a testament to the amount I die I guess.

6. Less gimmick fights than previous From games, can really only think of two. The guy on the bridge was ok. The Folding Screen monkies were a massive disappointment. I was all prepped for some awesome cat and mouse puzzle game in this huge interesting area they built... and the proceeded to easily locate and kill all the monkies with absolutely no difficulty at all.

7. Game has more action 'set pieces' than past From games and they are all good and then integrated them very well into the overall game (the snake sections, the storming of the gun fort, etc.)

8. Game replayability will come from seeing all the other endings and also maxing out all the skills trees I guess. The game will play lightening fast in NG+ I get the feeling, unless they mix up enemy positions. Knowing how to navigate every area optimally and how to take out the enemies efficiently is a huge part of the game and once you know that for an area you can crush it. In NG+ you also will have all the tools and skills available right away making things faster as well. I'm interested to see what they do in NG+.

Git gud

I'd spoiler mark your post


MIDGAME SPOILERS

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So Kuro's home is Ashina castle, I got that part.

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No. Ishiin Ashina staged a coup and took control of the land 20 years prior. They are now falling apart and everything is in disarray. Kuro was taken and you were given the blood at Hirata Estate (Kuro is an adopted son in the Hirata clan). Ashina clan wanted Kuro in a desperate attempt to use his blood and reestablish power. The waypoint's name being "Kuro's Room" is just something to indicate his location. That room isnt very distinct otherwise and I don't know what they would've called it lol. You are killing Ashina men in the castle and surrounding area.

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And then later new bad guys will show up fighting the first bad guys? Apparently the Interior Ministry or something? I don't fully understand the factions.

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it's the Owl's shinobi clan.

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Who was Lady Butterfly working for when she was attempting to get Kuro? Or was she doing her own thing? With so many people after Kuro, hard to keep track of.

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She was one of the Wolf's mentors, and an assumed friend of Owl. She wanted the power of Kuro's blood just like Owl and the Ashinas did, which is why she assisted him in the double-cross.

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yeah, i got there Tues night and took the 2nd choice.

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Ditto. Apparently the first choice cuts the game short quite a bit since you don't go to the follow-on location. You probably already know where that will be but I'm not going to point it out and spoil it for others.

I'll just say there are certain enemies in that part that SUCK.

Literally. You'll see what I mean.

ETA: And if you find a little old lady that gives you advice, follow it. There's no way in hell you'll make it through otherwise.

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Tough to say right now since I’m probably about halfway through. Right now though, I’d say

Dark Souls
Bloodborne
Sekiro
Dark Souls III
Demon’s Souls
Dark Souls II

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My exact order as well. I played them all in the order they were released except Demon's Souls, so that one is harder for me to fairly evaluate.

Dude the flaming bull is so god damn frustrating. It seems like it should be an easy boss fight but it keeps kicking my arse. The first boss took me two tries. I’ve died at least two dozen times to this fricking thing.

Use the shuriken and the fire cracker

Funny the horse guy killed me a ton but I beat the bull on my first real attempt.

yep. he is like the "gateway fight." a hard skill check to ensure that you've learned the necessary skills to succeed. after him, your options to proceed open up. game just keeps getting better, enjoy.

I don’t think I can ever go back to Dark Souls combat after this game. There’s just so many awesome ways to approach an enemy rather than just timing your dodge rolls correctly. Some fights where aggression is the best way to proceed (seven spears), some where well timed deflects are the way to go (lady butterfly), and then some that are a combination of everything.

Really good shite.