I clearly need to do those tutorials because I do not remember reading those specific details about health affecting posture regen or that mashing the block narrowed the window.
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Souls Veterans: What are your initial thoughts after playing Sekiro?
- Thread starter GameShrink
- Start date
https://kotaku.com/sekiro-is-way-better-when-you-stop-playing-it-like-a-so-1833545053
This says it all.
On the other hand it is really ironic to see souls fans complain about difficulty here.
If only I knew how to spell git gud in kanji, lol!
This says it all.
On the other hand it is really ironic to see souls fans complain about difficulty here.
If only I knew how to spell git gud in kanji, lol!
I wish that stealth was a bit more refined. Sometimes I can run right past enemies and they won't even notice, but other times they'll somehow see me through a wall.
I'm also not a fan of having to hold down a button to collect sen and items from defeated enemies. A minor nitpick, but still.
I'm also not a fan of having to hold down a button to collect sen and items from defeated enemies. A minor nitpick, but still.
Love the setting and the atmosphere, but I'm not sure I have the patience to keep banging my head against the difficulty. Its far harder than any of the Souls games and requires twitchy, reaction-based gameplay that isn't really my forte. I'm sure if I persist, I'll eventually "git gud", but I really can't be bothered to invest the time and effort it'll take to get there because I'm just not having that much fun and I'm getting a bit irritated by the repetition already. I'm still reasonably early in the game, and the lack of healing items and unforgiving nature of the combat is wearing me down. Its so punishing, and I'm not really looking to be punished, so I'm not sure I'll stick it out.
For all the undeniably cool things about Sekiro, I do think the balance is poor. I'm not convinced making the opening so unforgiving is the right move. So far I've not felt a sense of accomplishment when I've finally beaten a tough enemy. It more a case of "thank fuck that is over" and then "here we go again" when the next one appears straight afterwards.
For all the undeniably cool things about Sekiro, I do think the balance is poor. I'm not convinced making the opening so unforgiving is the right move. So far I've not felt a sense of accomplishment when I've finally beaten a tough enemy. It more a case of "thank fuck that is over" and then "here we go again" when the next one appears straight afterwards.
The first and third point are most definetly somewhere in the turorial or at least in the tips section during loading screens. Same with the fact that your posture regenarates equally slower the less health you have, and the fact that holding block regenerates it faster.
The second point is just basic observation. The harder an enemy hits the more posture damage it does when only blocking instead of parrying, so if you're already at half meter and block an especially heavy hit like from Owl or the Corrupted Monk for example, it can easily happen that you immediately get staggered.
Overheads (with long windups most of the time) pin you to the ground when not blocked.
It's not really more difficult in my opinion, it's just different and with less cheese, so some veterans might be having trouble breaking with the souls habits that have built up over 5 games.
I was just thinking about it in this way, yeah. I'm only a few hours in, and have just hit a particularly challenging boss battle (so my current plan is to grind out some skill points and search for more shinobi arm tools), but it already feels so different from a souls game. Like, it still has a familiar feel (like BB did). The sound effects and music all sound like they came from a From game. The cutscenes, atmosphere, etc all feel From. But there's an uncanny valley here that differentiates it completely from their past games of this ilk. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, but coming at it from a completely new angle does help the game stand out on its own rather than being constantly compared to the past games.
There are some changes I am disappointed in as a long time souls player, at this point. But even still its a quality game, and I'm looking forward to completing it.
I agree with all of this other than liking BB more. Im not finished with it yet but Im already wishing for a sequel, even more than BB 2.
Not falling in love with it immediately like I did Bloodborne and the Souls games. I blazed through Bloodborne and that was an easy Plat.
The lack of character progression in this just really sucks the life out of it for me and I don't have that "I can't stop playing" feeling I had with every single Soulsborne game.
It could really use Difficulty settings or something for those who don't like Naked-Souls.
And I fucking hate the extra kick in the balls that is the Dragonrot mechanic.
The lack of character progression in this just really sucks the life out of it for me and I don't have that "I can't stop playing" feeling I had with every single Soulsborne game.
It could really use Difficulty settings or something for those who don't like Naked-Souls.
And I fucking hate the extra kick in the balls that is the Dragonrot mechanic.
It's a completely different kind of game. Really impressed with how different it feels too. The gameplay is the best of the bunch by far, and I've loved what I've seen so far. Such an uncompromising game, and that's why it's great.
Fromsoftware has always dealt with the typical whiners, and cry babies over their challenge in their games. I love how challenging it is. The game demands nothing but respect from the player, and gives it in return.
Fromsoftware has always dealt with the typical whiners, and cry babies over their challenge in their games. I love how challenging it is. The game demands nothing but respect from the player, and gives it in return.
I was shocked how little I liked it. The Soulsborne games have been, by a long way, my favourite series of the last ten years. I kind of just blindly presumed I'd be really into Sekiro. I think it's really dull. I think having to clear out fodder every time to fight the interesting encounters is total bullshit, and the lack of RPG stuff really cripples my desire to explore the levels. I feel massively over powered for normal enemies, and woefully inept at meaningful ones, I think the difficulty is entirely out of whack for me, and I think it's boring to look at.
Bloodborne is the best action game I've ever played, I binned Sekiro after like four hours.
Bloodborne is the best action game I've ever played, I binned Sekiro after like four hours.
A lot of it feels unrefined and limited. Like the giraffe guy, you just mash lb/l1 and tap the attack button when his posture breaks. Or the snap seeds that are completely useless in the fight they're meant for because of their bad radius and the fight's mechanics. A bunch of skills in the tree feel like they should have just been part of the default set or at least early 1 point skills. The stealth is a mess and a lot of mob encounters can be solved by spamming attack. Being able to only equip one skill at a time is also incredibly awkward after coming off DMC5
Yeah fair enough - maybe come back to it once you've got your Soulsborne fix elsewhere
Bloodborne 2 on PS5 is totally gonna be a thing
There's a lot more RPG stuff than you think, but it opens up branch after branch the more you progress. I'm at 25 hours and just three hours ago a whole new set of things opened up to me, it now feels a lot more like an RPG - although the lack of fashion is still v disappointing.
It really just keeps opening up and up the more you play - 4 hours is nothing. Almost like binning Dark Souls at the Firelink Shrine.
There are only 2 or 3 minibosses you HAVE to clear out the normal enemies for btw, and zero main bosses require this. A couple of other minibosses have goons nearby but with a touch of exploration you can get past them all in seconds
Pity you think it's boring to look at, but rest assured some of the later parts absolutely rival Bloodborne's best, imo. Sekiro is a vast, vast game
I'm not sure where it ranks yet, but it's on the same level as Dark Souls 1 and Bloodborne for sure.
The bolded is exactly why I'm finding the repetition more tedious in this than I do in the Souls games, and why I find this such an irritating game. I feel like its wasting my time. I'm not learning anything fighting the mobs, and ignoring them isn't an option.
I love it so far. Possibly my favorite on top of Bloodborne. I just really like these games that change enough of the Souls formula I really hope one or both of them can get sequels because I vastly prefer them to the Souls games. I really like the more focused approach of Sekiro, not having to manage stats and gear much. Bloodborne also because it was a little simpler and the trick weapons were great and lowered the number of different weapons.
Mostly because I love amazing environments and Bloodborne and Sekiro are the absolute best to me. Not like the Souls games don't have great locations but the art styles and themes of the other 2 are way more to my liking.
Fantastic game.
Mostly because I love amazing environments and Bloodborne and Sekiro are the absolute best to me. Not like the Souls games don't have great locations but the art styles and themes of the other 2 are way more to my liking.
Fantastic game.
Firelink Shrine is half an hour into DkS1, so are you implying Sekiro is eight times the length? Because, it isn't. Moreover, whilst I understand the sentiment, I like Dark Souls from the start. Even if after six hours I would have liked Sekiro, that's absurd to me, I'm not going to force myself through something I am not enjoying in the hope I will at some point. Imagine if I didn't at any point, and I just have a horrible fifty hours?
I'm not saying the game isn't great, I've no doubt many people truly love it and see it as of great value. I do not, and that's okay. Not all games are for all people.
In some ways, it may be my own fault for going on media blackout. Maybe I would have held off if I'd have known what it actually was.
I'm a long way off compleating the game and unlikely to do so any time soon with my schedule at the moment. But here are a few of my thoughts.
I much prefer the combat over other FS games, I'd only really put Nioh, NG and DMC5/4 above it from a combat mechanics point of view. Encounters feel far more refined and a lot more fun because of that. Still quite a lot of jank in there but far better than the souls games in that regard.
Really enjoying the twist on a Japanese setting, doesn't feel derivative at all. Made me really want FS to do a new Souls-like set in ancient China.
Really like the pace of the game. Lots to keep you busy without the busywork. Streamlined if you want it to be. Loads of action. Loads of stealth. Lots of jumping around and exploring everywhere. So many secrets.
Found the prosthetics to be a bit disappointing so far. They just aren't that fun and slow the pace of combat down. Besides experimentation I've found them useless except for shield and hat enemies so far.
Easily my favourite ninja game but too early for me to say anything else.
I much prefer the combat over other FS games, I'd only really put Nioh, NG and DMC5/4 above it from a combat mechanics point of view. Encounters feel far more refined and a lot more fun because of that. Still quite a lot of jank in there but far better than the souls games in that regard.
Really enjoying the twist on a Japanese setting, doesn't feel derivative at all. Made me really want FS to do a new Souls-like set in ancient China.
Really like the pace of the game. Lots to keep you busy without the busywork. Streamlined if you want it to be. Loads of action. Loads of stealth. Lots of jumping around and exploring everywhere. So many secrets.
Found the prosthetics to be a bit disappointing so far. They just aren't that fun and slow the pace of combat down. Besides experimentation I've found them useless except for shield and hat enemies so far.
Easily my favourite ninja game but too early for me to say anything else.
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How I felt lol. Combat is whew though. I've love a tenchu reboot that is just a less bit less wild combat wise. Still enjoying sekiro though.
Dragonrot honestly barely changes the game. It's essentially nothing. Also you'll die 1/10th as much after the first 10 hours.
It's so ineffectual I actually feel it's one of the only poor design decisions in the game - not because of its presence but because it doesn't affect gameplay enough
My thoughts so far are that as a first experience, it's head and shoulders above any of the Souls games or Bloodborne. The game is incredible.
I have a feeling it may not hold up to multiple playthroughs quite as well being as it's an action game and does not have quite the build variety that an RPG like the Souls games have.
I have a feeling it may not hold up to multiple playthroughs quite as well being as it's an action game and does not have quite the build variety that an RPG like the Souls games have.
It's bound to lead to a lot smug "git gud" bullshit from people who want to feel superior after too many "casuals" were able to beat the Souls games.
I'm at Ashina Castle right now (about 8 hours in), and it's hard as fuck. Those samurai in blue robes can kill me in two swift hits. I sometimes use up all my Healing Gourd on one of these guys. And bosses also kill me in 1-2 hits, so there's barely any difference between regular enemies and bosses.
Combat just feels too limiting. Maybe this will change somewhat, but right now I feel all I do is hit L1 to deflect and R1 to strike. And that's about it. It's a rhythm game that feels a bit repetitive. Sure, Dark Souls didn't have particularly complicated combat, but you could use different weapons to change things up a bit.
I've seen my fair share of "jidaigeki", so I know an overly complicated story that hits you with names left and right is not unusual for the genre. But most of the time I have no idea who or what the characters are referring to. And not in a mysterious Dark Souls way, but more in a "convoluted exposition" way.
I'm at Ashina Castle right now (about 8 hours in), and it's hard as fuck. Those samurai in blue robes can kill me in two swift hits. I sometimes use up all my Healing Gourd on one of these guys. And bosses also kill me in 1-2 hits, so there's barely any difference between regular enemies and bosses.
Combat just feels too limiting. Maybe this will change somewhat, but right now I feel all I do is hit L1 to deflect and R1 to strike. And that's about it. It's a rhythm game that feels a bit repetitive. Sure, Dark Souls didn't have particularly complicated combat, but you could use different weapons to change things up a bit.
I've seen my fair share of "jidaigeki", so I know an overly complicated story that hits you with names left and right is not unusual for the genre. But most of the time I have no idea who or what the characters are referring to. And not in a mysterious Dark Souls way, but more in a "convoluted exposition" way.
I'm only about 5 hours in, but so far, I'm rather enjoying it. Combat's tough but exceptionally satisfying when you get the rhythm down. I'm already feeling a little annoyed that I can't change my weapon or armor, though, but I figured going in that would be my biggest issue - doubt that I'm going to complete Sekiro more than once or twice, which is quite different from my habits with Soulsborne titles.
I went back to bloodborne...
I was having a blast with Sekiro, but hit a few difficulty walls that I didn't want to smash through yet. That and I love going Guts build (two hand ultra greatsword no shield/parry) in all the Soulsborne games, and not being able to do so is making me enjoy Sekiro less.
I was having a blast with Sekiro, but hit a few difficulty walls that I didn't want to smash through yet. That and I love going Guts build (two hand ultra greatsword no shield/parry) in all the Soulsborne games, and not being able to do so is making me enjoy Sekiro less.
Divided, granted just did the opening/tutorial area but unless it is rather short I don't see myself enjoying a 1-combo action game without other weapons/builds and From levels of difficulty, which here I assume means enemies will eventually unleash a 7-hit combo you have to party hit bu hit a la Daigo.
Those dudes shocked me when I first encountered them, couldn't believe how tough they were compared to what had come before. Just stand right in front of them take your finger completely off the left stick if you have too. Deflect their attacks, or wait for the kanji symbol (often the first thing they do) and just Miriki counter, it's really the only move they have. They are actually training you for an upcoming fight.
Also there are stealth options in that area, because facing more than one at a time can still be a pain, the ceiling is accessible. Good luck.
Yep, thank you.
I was merely refuting your points that the challenge of unequal power between player and computer is somehow different here than in souls.
If you want advice idk what more i can give you then the game has. You have gone over everything you need to beat him at that point and in addition stopped the game for you as you approached and told you "kill this guy with fire, hes weak to fire".
I loved the battle flow immediately. Your mentality is so much different.
Its tied with Nioh (Nioh is effing brilliant...flat out...in terms of combat) as the best actual gameplay on these types of games.
Its tied with Nioh (Nioh is effing brilliant...flat out...in terms of combat) as the best actual gameplay on these types of games.
The game has a great atmosphere and the movement is a lot of fun now that we can jump and grapple around.
My main problem is the difficulty. I just don't have the reaction time to be able to deflect or use the right move in the split second you get to avoid death. Enemies can hit hard and fast and you can die in an instant. Souls was hard but at least you could summon help from other players.
After hearing about the performance on Xbox One X, I sold the sealed copy and went with the PC version. Not only does it run perfect, but I can actually play the game now because I gave in and downloaded a trainer. Boosting my attack and health made the game a lot more fun for me.
Overall, it's too hard for me without cheats, but I think it's a great game and I'm happy with it.
My main problem is the difficulty. I just don't have the reaction time to be able to deflect or use the right move in the split second you get to avoid death. Enemies can hit hard and fast and you can die in an instant. Souls was hard but at least you could summon help from other players.
After hearing about the performance on Xbox One X, I sold the sealed copy and went with the PC version. Not only does it run perfect, but I can actually play the game now because I gave in and downloaded a trainer. Boosting my attack and health made the game a lot more fun for me.
Overall, it's too hard for me without cheats, but I think it's a great game and I'm happy with it.
I'm honestly not really digging it as much as I'd like.
While I can see the merits in the combat system, the parry based system just doesn't click with me. I like moving and dodging a lot more. Which I understand that this is necessary but the parry is even more so due to the posture system.
Some of the bosses are really weak. There are a few that ride mounts that while not being very difficult themselves, the camera in the small, confined areas they put them in are the hardest part of these fights. I know that not having to compensate for multiple builds and strategies allows From to make more focused encounters, but I miss the ability to try new and different things and there are limited ways to handle bosses as a result.
Death in this game, thus far, feels overly punishing. You lose so many resources upon death without any real way to get them back. Also the stacking of dragon rot, even when you don't revive, seems unnecessary. For a game that is about trial and error, they don't really give you any leeway.
While I can see the merits in the combat system, the parry based system just doesn't click with me. I like moving and dodging a lot more. Which I understand that this is necessary but the parry is even more so due to the posture system.
Some of the bosses are really weak. There are a few that ride mounts that while not being very difficult themselves, the camera in the small, confined areas they put them in are the hardest part of these fights. I know that not having to compensate for multiple builds and strategies allows From to make more focused encounters, but I miss the ability to try new and different things and there are limited ways to handle bosses as a result.
Death in this game, thus far, feels overly punishing. You lose so many resources upon death without any real way to get them back. Also the stacking of dragon rot, even when you don't revive, seems unnecessary. For a game that is about trial and error, they don't really give you any leeway.
As a soul veteran, it's not Dark Souls and that's a good thing. It's an amazing game, but it's not a souls game and is instead a different beast with several similarities. Tough as nails, I love the combat and so far I can't put it down. The parry system could do some work, as it's possible to get through many encounters without using it. Which is odd as this is supposed to be a huge mechanic that needs to be used. Instead, it's there to make encounters easier, if you use it.
My point was that the way in which the challenge is presented is different and that it doesn't incentivize me to get better at it because of it's seeming arbitrary nature; not that the game is tilted against the player (because obviously that's From's ethos).
For me it's not as good as any Dark Souls or Bloodborne.
Cons
- Scenarios lacks personality against any Souls. The art direction overall it's very weak.
- Combat it's good and fun, but I found it a little repetitive after my first walkthrough. Also there not so much potential besides new endings for NG+. The lack of builds and multiplayer really kills the replayability.
- I feel that combat it's not as rewarding like killing Ornstein and Smough, Midir, Gael, Fume Knight, Kalameet, Lothric, etc etc.
- Lack of builds/weapons/skins/fashion
- Enemies feel a little repetitive.
- And my worst fear: combat feels old after NG. The parry system it's fun but using it on EVERY combat feels weird. I want more options.
- Little sense of progression. The early game it's really punishing and I feel it will push away so many people to enjoy a good adventure.
Pros
- Exploration feels really good, I still got lost sometimes.
- More straight forward lore and story.
- More music.
- Human bosses. I love human bosses.
I've finished the game and now I'm in the middle of my second run. I'll probably gonna finish it again and never comeback since I feel that I've explored everything and tried every ability and prosthetic.
Overall it's a good game, but I will never recommend this game to anyone, at least if they REALLY love hard and frustrating games.
Now I'm going back to DS3 hehe.
Cons
- Scenarios lacks personality against any Souls. The art direction overall it's very weak.
- Combat it's good and fun, but I found it a little repetitive after my first walkthrough. Also there not so much potential besides new endings for NG+. The lack of builds and multiplayer really kills the replayability.
- I feel that combat it's not as rewarding like killing Ornstein and Smough, Midir, Gael, Fume Knight, Kalameet, Lothric, etc etc.
- Lack of builds/weapons/skins/fashion
- Enemies feel a little repetitive.
- And my worst fear: combat feels old after NG. The parry system it's fun but using it on EVERY combat feels weird. I want more options.
- Little sense of progression. The early game it's really punishing and I feel it will push away so many people to enjoy a good adventure.
Pros
- Exploration feels really good, I still got lost sometimes.
- More straight forward lore and story.
- More music.
- Human bosses. I love human bosses.
I've finished the game and now I'm in the middle of my second run. I'll probably gonna finish it again and never comeback since I feel that I've explored everything and tried every ability and prosthetic.
Overall it's a good game, but I will never recommend this game to anyone, at least if they REALLY love hard and frustrating games.
Now I'm going back to DS3 hehe.
Played all the others (i.e. DeS, DS1-3, BB) and I'm happy with how different it is, whilst retaining some of its aspects.
Hard as nails, though.
Hard as nails, though.
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I've beaten DeS, DS1-3 and BB multiple times. I've platinumed them all.
So far, my feelings about Sekiro are pretty mixed. I'm about 10 hours in, and I've only beaten two "real" bosses (the horse guy and Lady Butterfly).
The game is HARD. It's easily harder than any of the soulsborne games. Maybe a little too hard for me, I feel. Am I having fun playing it? Well, sometimes yes, but most of the time I just feel frustrated as hell. Especially when fighting against the bosses/minibosses. I disliked parrying in Souls games, almost never used it, and this game's battle system is all about that. I have shit reflexes. Also I feel the PS4 version has some input lag, and it isn't helping at all.
So far, I actually like the setting and exploring the world, and some of the stealth mechanics are pretty cool. There also seems to be more story/cutscenes than Souls games had, which is nice.
I will continue playing... but this might be the first From game that I won't beat.
So far, my feelings about Sekiro are pretty mixed. I'm about 10 hours in, and I've only beaten two "real" bosses (the horse guy and Lady Butterfly).
The game is HARD. It's easily harder than any of the soulsborne games. Maybe a little too hard for me, I feel. Am I having fun playing it? Well, sometimes yes, but most of the time I just feel frustrated as hell. Especially when fighting against the bosses/minibosses. I disliked parrying in Souls games, almost never used it, and this game's battle system is all about that. I have shit reflexes. Also I feel the PS4 version has some input lag, and it isn't helping at all.
So far, I actually like the setting and exploring the world, and some of the stealth mechanics are pretty cool. There also seems to be more story/cutscenes than Souls games had, which is nice.
I will continue playing... but this might be the first From game that I won't beat.
The fuck... are we playing the same game here? This is not accurate to my experience at all. Especially prosthetics being useless... you really need to experiment, they can be really useful against bosses.
I love all From games. Dark Souls is my favorite but I got the platinums for Bloodborne and Demon's Souls and love the games as much. Sekiro is different, and I haven't it finished yet, but it might end up as my new favorite. I think it's an absolute masterpiece and while there are areas I don't like in the Soulsborne series, in Sekiro in 25h everything was perfectly designed.
I always prefer a game presents you with its intended difficulty, but I do think there should be options to adjust it to your liking. The typical difficulty settings don't really work for me because it feels like the game is asking me how I want to experience it, instead of telling me how it's supposed to be experienced.
I like thinge like cheat codes, assist/relaxed modes. Where you know this isn't quite the intended experience but you can adjust it to your liking.
I am on the fence on Souls games needing difficulty, as it's a very intended experience, and you can always grind and/or summon if you get stuck. It makes a sometime painful difficulty manageable for most people, with determination and (occasionally) teamwork.
In Sekiro, you are on your own at all times. You can't grind, you can't call for help. It's just you, and a brick wall. Sekiro needs a difficulty setting.
In Sekiro, you are on your own at all times. You can't grind, you can't call for help. It's just you, and a brick wall. Sekiro needs a difficulty setting.
My entire strategy to beat Genichiro was saving emblems for his last phase where I used Mist Raven at every unblockable attack. I'm convinced most people used other things to beat him.
I'm still early. The general thought so far is it is too punishing for small mistakes. Starting with 1 healing charge is absurd. And the fact that you need to go through tough fights to get the items to upgrade health and healing charges etc defeats the purpose lol
This is probably the best description of the combat I've seen. It is a rhythm game. It's less about learning movesets as it is about getting in the rhythm and executing things via muscle memory. Personally, I'm not to fond of that.
This doesn't make any sense. You have to learn what enemies do in order to counter it.