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Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is something else. While it’s a game from the same minds that brought us Dark Souls, don’t go into it thinking it’s just another Soulslike — it’s not, and I think that’s what makes it so wild.

First off, forget stamina bars and RPG elements; they don’t exist here. There’s no leveling up your stats, no changing armor for different buffs, and you’re not going to find a sweet spot for magic builds or heavy weapon setups. This is pure, unfiltered skill-based combat, and if that sounds intimidating, well... it is. But it’s also what makes Sekiro such a standout.

I’ve gotta be honest: the combat is what’s going to make or break this game for most people. You’ve got one sword and a whole lot of grit, and that’s pretty much it. The core of the gameplay is all about attacking and parrying. It’s super focused, and that’s intentional. From Software knew exactly what they were doing by designing each fight to challenge your mastery of this single skill set. At first, I found it pretty brutal. There’s no fallback to a ranged build or summonings — it’s just you and your katana, one-on-one with whatever nightmare is staring you down. But once you get the hang of parrying, deflecting, and the glorious Mikiri Counter, the combat transforms from punishing to exhilarating.

The posture system is where Sekiro really sets itself apart. Unlike most games where you’re chipping away at a health bar, here you’re breaking down an enemy’s posture. Every parry, deflect, and attack fills up their posture gauge, and when it’s maxed out, you’re rewarded with a death blow that can end the fight or push them to the next phase. It’s so satisfying that I’d argue it’s one of the best mechanics From Software has ever come up with. One thing to keep in mind: attacking is still important because a lower health bar means you’re going to deal more posture damage. So, finding that balance between pressing your attack and keeping up with deflections is key. It’s a dance, and when you nail it, it feels absolutely incredible.

Now, the game has its lows as well, the steep learning curve is real, and some fights had me on the edge of rage-quitting. But even at my most frustrated, I couldn’t shake the feeling that every death was my fault. The combat is precise, and it rewards practice and timing like nothing else. It’s the type of game where you can come back a week later, fight the same boss, and suddenly it clicks because you’ve gotten better.

TL;DR; If you’re into From Software games and want to test your skills with a fresh take on combat, Sekiro is a must-play. It’s a game that’ll have you cursing your reflexes one minute and feeling like an unstoppable sword master the next. And that’s the magic of it. Absolutely recommended. Just know what you’re getting into — this isn’t your typical Souls game, and that’s kind of the best part. 9/10