2019-05-01+Official+PlayStation+Magazine+-+UK+Edition

081

REVIEW

however. Die too often and a
taint called Dragonrot spreads
among those who have come in
contact with you. This is both
a human consequence and a
way to reduce your chance of
receiving Unseen Aid.

REALITY FIGHTS
Even though From Software
was inspired by a real period
in Japan’s history, Sekiro
combines the realistic with
the supernatural through its
combat. The way of fighting
and the threat of death feel
pressing and real, while
inventive main bosses draw
from yokai, Japanese ghosts.
It’s an interesting contrast that
unfortunately isn’t inspected
too closely, as the game ditches
expansive lore for a dense
experience with a fully fleshed-
out narrative. There are many
nooks and crannies to explore,
from a fort in the mountains,
dusted with snow to humid
bamboo groves. The changing
environments force you to

VERDICT

Above The Wolf
always carries
a knife to butter
his rolls.

Right Good hits
are always hard
work, but it
feels absolutely
fantastic when
you land one.

Above You’ll have so many questions aboutfeudal-erasurgeries...

THE OPM BREAKDOWN

Combines ideas from Dark

Souls and Bloodborne to create

something new. Immensely

difficult but never unfair,

it’s a beautiful and rousing

experience. Malindy Hetfeld

rethink your stealth tactics,

too. You can feel that Sekiro

was designed as a challenge

even for those well-versed with

From Software’s back catalogue,

subverting expectations

without feeling unfamiliar.

You’re free to explore and

finish tasks in a non-linear

fashion, but if you get stuck it’s

never hard to find a hint.

Through all of this, Sekiro

rewards mastery of its core

systems (and perhaps a tiny bit

of luck), making you excited

to see the next enemy and

test your mettle. Everything

from environments to battles

encourages creative thinking,

making it an intensely personal

and satisfying experience. Even

if you die a lot.

2% Making

extra sure you

lock onto

opponents

in battle.

3% Listening

in on people

to gather

important bits

of info.

10%Jumping

fromrooftoroof

withyourgrappling

hook.Wahey!

5%Dispatching

enemieswith

sneakystealth

takedowns.

WHAT YOU DO IN... SEKIRO

73%

Dying and

swearing you’ll

get it rightthe

next time.

7% Trying to

figure out where

to go next.

STAT PACK

Main bosses to

knock off – and

you’ve got the

same number

of mid-bosses

to beat.

Prayer beads to

collect from

those dozen

mid-bosses for

a very welcome

health upgrade.

Prosthetic Tools

to find and

upgrade

throughout your

monster-battling

adventure.

67412 5

1467, to be

precise: the year

the Sengoku

period that

inspired Sekiro

began.

HOW TO... BEAT THE CHAINED OGRE

Eavesdropping on the

soldiers reveals the

ogre’s fear of fire. Find

a flamethrower upgrade

at Hirata estates. When

there’s a gap in the

battle, hitting i will

stun this early

mini-boss as he reels

backward, allowing you

to get in some free hits.

THE FIRSTFIVE HOURS...

1 After a fateful battle, the Wolf wakes in Ashina and learns about his

prosthetic arm. 2 The nearby area is heavily guarded; soon you take on

the first general. 3 In order to confront your past, you relive a siege on

your home three years ago. 4 Here you take on a deranged general and

his mercenaries... 5 And battle a worthy opponent in a sea of flames.

Hour mileage may vary – this game is unabashedly tough.

1 2 3 4 5

IS IT BETTER THAN?

YES

Sekiro feels more

focused than its

cousin. But it’s a close

one, as their playstyles

are quite different.

NO

Narratively, angry

Kratos pummels the

One-Armed Wolf’s

adventure into

the dust.

YES

Onimusha was an

accurate samurai

fantasy in 2001,

but Sekiro is far

superior in design.