Info about Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition:

Official game description:
This Game of the Year Edition now includes bonus content\*:  
\- Reflection and Gauntlet of Strength - new boss challenge modes  
\- Remnants - leave messages and recordings of your actions that other players can view and rate  
\- 3 unlockable cosmetic skins  
Game of the Year - The Game Awards 2019  
Best Action Game of 2019 - IGN  
Over 50 awards and nominations  
Carve your own clever path to vengeance in the critically acclaimed adventure from developer FromSoftware, creators of the Dark Souls series.  
In Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice you are the 'one-armed wolf', a disgraced and disfigured warrior rescued from the brink of death. Bound to protect a young lord who is the descendant of an ancient bloodline, you become the target of many vicious enemies, including the dangerous Ashina clan. When the young lord is captured, nothing will stop you on a perilous quest to regain your honor, not even death itself.  
Explore late 1500s Sengoku Japan, a brutal period of constant life and death conflict, as you come face to face with larger than life foes in a dark and twisted world. Unleash an arsenal of deadly prosthetic tools and powerful ninja abilities while you blend stealth, vertical traversal, and visceral head to head combat in a bloody confrontation.  
Take Revenge. Restore Your Honor. Kill Ingeniously.  
\*Download required.  
Internet connection required for asynchronous Multiplayer.

Release date: Mar 21, 2019

Categories: Soulslike Combat, Action RPG, Stealth Gameplay, Boss Fights, Character Progression, Exploration, Third-Person Perspective, Environmental Storytelling, Skill-based Mastery


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Unmatched Combat System (weight 0.99): The game's combat is widely praised for its fluidity, depth, and unique mechanics like parrying and the posture system. Players highlight its responsiveness, rhythm-based gameplay, and rewarding mastery of swordplay, setting it apart from other action games.
- Satisfying Parry Mechanics (weight 0.93): The parry system is a standout feature, described as highly satisfying, engaging, and well-balanced. Players appreciate its precision, feedback, and the skill-based challenge it introduces, making combat feel like a rhythmic dance.
- Memorable Boss Fights (weight 0.54): Boss fights are frequently cited as highlights, offering dynamic, challenging, and emotionally impactful encounters. Specific bosses like Isshin and Genichiro are praised for their design, narrative integration, and the sense of accomplishment they provide.
- Deep Story and Atmosphere (weight 0.52): The game features a compelling narrative with tragic depth, well-developed characters, and a richly immersive world. The soundtrack and art direction enhance the emotional impact, creating a cohesive and engaging experience.
- Prosthetics and Mobility Tools (weight 0.52): Prosthetic tools and the grappling hook add variety to combat and exploration, introducing verticality and creative strategies. These mechanics are praised for their versatility and impact on gameplay.
- Stunning World Design (weight 0.25): The game's world is lauded for its beauty, atmosphere, and immersive level design. The environments are visually striking, with strong Japanese cultural influences that enhance the overall experience.

Common complaints:
- Steep learning curve frustrates beginners (weight 0.61): The game's initial difficulty is frequently cited as overwhelming, with a punishing learning curve that deters new or casual players. Many reviews highlight frustration during the first 10-13 hours due to unclear mechanics and high difficulty.
- Camera and controls hinder gameplay (weight 0.21): Poor camera mechanics (e.g., clipping into walls, tight-space issues) and input lag (especially for parrying/dodging) disrupt combat flow. Grab hitboxes and wonky controls exacerbate frustration during critical moments.
- Map design causes confusion (weight 0.09): The lack of a traditional map or unclear level design leads to disorientation, with players struggling to navigate or discover hidden mechanics. Instant-death falls and poor signposting compound the issue.
- Death penalties feel punitive (weight 0.08): Losing experience/money on death, combined with tedious re-clearing of minions after failures, creates a frustrating grind. Elite enemies with ranged attackers amplify this issue.
- Cryptic narrative and lore (weight 0.04): The story is criticized as overly obscure, requiring excessive exploration or external resources to understand. Lore is sparse and primarily serves to foreshadow events rather than engage players.

Gameplay feedback:
- Skill-based boss progression (weight 0.63): The game emphasizes mastering boss fight patterns and precise timing over traditional RPG leveling. Players must adapt strategies and learn counters to progress, making skill development the core progression mechanic.
- Stealth and assassination mechanics (weight 0.14): Players can use stealth to thin out enemies or perform backstabs and high-ground assassinations. This adds strategic options for approaching combat and exploration.
- Respawn and resurrection systems (weight 0.1): Quick respawn mechanics and resurrection systems (e.g., double-life) provide narrative and gameplay depth, though they may come with consequences for repeated failures.
- Exploration and hidden rewards (weight 0.09): The game encourages exploration with hidden areas, vertical traversal, and rewards for thorough investigation. This adds replayability and depth to the world design.

Performance notes:
- Mixed performance optimization (weight 0.08): The game generally runs smoothly at 60 FPS with reasonable system requirements, but some players report occasional FPS drops, freezes, and frame time inconsistencies. Optimization is praised, but inconsistencies affect gameplay fluidity.
- Screen tearing issues (weight 0.05): Screen tearing occurs when FPS is unlocked, and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) issues exacerbate the problem, leading to visual discomfort for some players.
- Input lag and FPS limitations (weight 0.04): Input lag is a notable issue, particularly when the game is locked at 60 FPS. This affects responsiveness and player experience, especially in fast-paced scenarios.
- Controller support problems (weight 0.04): Players frequently encounter issues with controller recognition and functionality, disrupting gameplay for those who prefer controllers over keyboard/mouse.
- HDR implementation flaws (weight 0.04): While HDR support enhances visual quality for some players, others report implementation issues that detract from the intended immersive experience.
- Resolution and display issues (weight 0.04): Players report incorrect resolutions at launch and the removal of borderless fullscreen mode, which limits display flexibility and convenience.
- Low hardware requirements (weight 0.03): The game is praised for its low memory usage and modest hardware requirements, making it accessible to a wide range of players. An SSD is recommended for optimal performance.
- Limited ultrawide monitor support (weight 0.02): The game lacks native 21:9 support, which frustrates players using ultrawide monitors, as they experience stretched or incorrect aspect ratios.
- Camera and clipping issues (weight 0.02): Players report camera-related problems, such as clipping and limited settings, which can hinder gameplay visibility and immersion.
- Outdated high-refresh-rate support (weight 0.02): Due to the game's age, it lacks support for high refresh rates or resolutions, which may disappoint players with modern high-end setups.

Recommendations:
- Highly challenging but rewarding (weight 0.57): The game is frequently recommended for players who enjoy difficult, skill-based combat and rewarding experiences. Many reviews highlight its steep learning curve but emphasize the satisfaction of mastering mechanics and overcoming challenges.
- Must-play for action game fans (weight 0.56): The game is widely regarded as a masterpiece for fans of challenging action games, particularly those who appreciate deep combat systems, replayability, and immersive storytelling. It is often described as setting a high standard for the genre.
- Skill-based progression over RPG mechanics (weight 0.52): The game appeals to players who prefer skill-based progression and mastery over traditional RPG mechanics like build variety or stat grinding. It rewards precision, strategy, and adaptation.
- Strong narrative and emotional impact (weight 0.5): The game is praised for its strong narrative, character development, and emotional depth, which enhance the overall experience and make it more immersive for players.
- GOTY-worthy experience (weight 0.06): The game is frequently mentioned as deserving of Game of the Year (GOTY) recognition, with many reviews calling it one of the best and most satisfying games in its genre.
- Best value on sale (weight 0.05): While the game is highly recommended, some reviews suggest purchasing it during a sale to maximize value, particularly for players who may be hesitant about its difficulty or price.
- Backup saves recommended (weight 0.02): Players are advised to make backup saves between sessions to avoid losing progress, likely due to the game's challenging nature and potential for unexpected setbacks.
- Try before Genichiro boss (weight 0.02): Players are encouraged to persevere at least until the Genichiro boss fight to experience the game's core design and combat mechanics, which are often cited as highlights.

Other player notes:
- FromSoftware's evolved slasher design (weight 0.04): Reviewers highlight the game as an evolution of classic slashers, incorporating FromSoftware's signature design philosophy. Many consider it one of the studio's last standout releases before a perceived decline.
- Buddhist themes explored deeply (weight 0.02): The game delves into Buddhist concepts like Anicca (impermanence), Dukkha (suffering), and Anatta (non-self), using its narrative and mechanics to reflect these philosophical ideas.
- Irrelevant external comparisons (weight 0.02): Some reviews draw negative comparisons to unrelated games like *World of Tanks* or *Black Ops III Zombies*, which do not contribute meaningfully to the discussion of this game's design or experience.
- Endings reflect attachment themes (weight 0.02): The game's multiple endings are tied to themes of attachment and letting go, offering players meaningful choices that align with the story's philosophical underpinnings.
- Mods enhance replayability (weight 0.02): Community mods, such as the Resurrection mod, are cited as adding significant replay value by introducing new content, mechanics, or quality-of-life improvements to the base game.
- Loyalty and consequence narratives (weight 0.02): The game explores themes of loyalty and the consequences of one's actions, often through character arcs or player decisions that shape the story's outcome.
- Experimental yet polished execution (weight 0.02): The game is described as experimental in its design or narrative, but its execution is praised as well-crafted and cohesive, avoiding the pitfalls of many ambitious projects.
- Emotional growth through challenges (weight 0.02): Players describe a personal and emotional journey tied to the game's challenges, suggesting that the difficulty and narrative work together to foster a sense of growth or catharsis.
- Accessible for Souls-like newcomers (weight 0.02): The game is noted as a welcoming entry point for first-time Souls-like players, suggesting a balanced difficulty curve or intuitive mechanics that ease newcomers into the genre.
- Technical support for platforms (weight 0.02): The game provides clear save file locations for both Linux and Windows, addressing a niche but practical concern for players managing their game data.
- Pirated before purchasing (weight 0.02): A minor note mentions players pirating the game initially before deciding to buy it, which does not reflect on the game's quality but rather on player behavior or accessibility.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.25): Players frequently cite the game's steep learning curve, punishing difficulty, and unfair boss mechanics as major sources of frustration. Technical issues like camera problems, hit registration, and performance bugs on PC exacerbate the challenge, making early gameplay overwhelming and repetitive. The lack of flexibility in builds and inconsistent mechanics further amplify the frustration.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.16): Players experience satisfaction after mastering the game's combat mechanics, particularly parrying and rhythm-based combat. Overcoming difficult bosses and progressing through the game's challenges after repeated attempts provides a strong sense of achievement. The depth of combat and the feeling of improvement over time are key contributors to this emotion.
- Excitement (weight 0.07): The engaging and dynamic combat system, particularly the parry and counter mechanics, generates excitement among players. Mastering these mechanics and progressing through challenging sections, such as boss fights, creates a thrilling and immersive experience. The game's replayability and the joy of revisiting difficult encounters also contribute to this emotion.
- Joy (weight 0.05): Joy stems from overcoming challenging boss battles and adapting to the game's mechanics after initial struggles. The cinematic combat, satisfying audio-visual feedback (e.g., swords clashing, deathblow effects), and the sense of mastery after investing time into the game create a deeply rewarding experience. Exploring the world and replaying the game further enhance this emotion.
- Admiration (weight 0.05): Players admire the game's innovative combat system, meticulously designed boss fights, and the overall depth of its world and narrative. The learning curve, artistic direction, and cultural richness of the game's setting are frequently praised. Many consider it a masterpiece due to its unique blend of mechanics, storytelling, and aesthetic design.
- Exhilaration (weight 0.04): Exhilaration arises from mastering the game's combat rhythm, particularly parrying and defeating tough bosses. The precision and reactivity of the combat system create a constant adrenaline rush, especially when overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges. The feeling of becoming unstoppable after mastering mechanics is a key highlight.
- Determination (weight 0.03): The game's emphasis on persistence and skill improvement fosters a strong sense of determination. Players are motivated to overcome repeated failures, adapt to the combat system, and improve their parrying and timing. The challenge of the game encourages players to keep trying despite initial struggles.
- Awe (weight 0.03): The game's visual and atmospheric beauty, combined with its deep narrative and world-building, evoke a sense of awe. The sound design, psychological impact, and artistic presentation of boss fights and environments create an immersive and breathtaking experience. Many players describe it as a modern masterpiece.
- Disappointment (weight 0.03): Disappointment arises from the game's perceived shortcomings, such as lack of content, weak rewards for exploration, and technical issues like input lag or performance problems. Some players feel the difficulty overshadows the game's strengths, while others criticize the story's ending or the lack of innovation compared to other titles in the genre.
- Pride (weight 0.03): Players feel a deep sense of pride after mastering the game's combat mechanics and overcoming its challenges. Personal growth, such as improving skills or defeating difficult bosses, creates a strong feeling of accomplishment. The journey from struggling with early-game enemies to becoming a skilled player is a key source of this emotion.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.02): The core gameplay loop, particularly the combat and parrying mechanics, is widely enjoyed. Players appreciate the fluidity of the combat system, the satisfaction of audio-visual feedback, and the overall design of the game. Replaying the game with mods or revisiting boss fights also contributes to long-term enjoyment.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the game's deep storytelling, philosophical themes, and unique setting. The immersive world design, atmospheric music, and combat mechanics are frequently highlighted as standout features. The game's ability to blend challenging gameplay with a rich narrative is highly valued.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): The game evokes nostalgia through its arcade-like combat, replaying boss fights in New Game+, and reflecting on past struggles and growth. Players often reminisce about their first encounters with the game, the challenges they overcame, and the personal growth they experienced while playing.
- Immersion (weight 0.02): The rich world design, Japanese aesthetic, and atmospheric music create a deeply immersive experience. The visuals, sound design, and combat mechanics work together to draw players into the game's world, making boss fights and exploration feel cinematic and engaging.
- Achievement (weight 0.02): Defeating challenging bosses and finally completing the game provide a strong sense of achievement. Progressing from struggling with early-game enemies to mastering the game's mechanics and overcoming its toughest challenges is a key highlight for many players.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Players often feel confused due to the game's unclear navigation, vague story elements, and unexpected enemy behaviors. Missing key items or struggling to understand the game's mechanics, particularly early on, can lead to frustration and a sense of being lost.}