Why Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Isn’t a Soulsborne Game

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, developed by FromSoftware, undeniably shares DNA with the Dark Souls series and Bloodborne. However, it diverges significantly enough to warrant its own classification. Sekiro isn’t a Soulsborne game primarily because it prioritizes a specific, heavily scripted narrative with a defined protagonist, emphasizes aggressive, parry-focused combat over RPG-style character customization, and features a fixed player character with limited build variety compared to the customizable player avatars and ambiguous narratives characteristic of Soulsborne games. These fundamental differences in gameplay mechanics, narrative structure, and player agency push it outside the established boundaries of the Soulsborne genre.

Key Differences Between Sekiro and Soulsborne

Understanding why Sekiro doesn’t quite fit the Soulsborne mold requires examining the core elements that define each. While developed by the same studio and sharing certain design philosophies, the distinct divergences become clear upon closer inspection.

Narrative Structure and Protagonist

Soulsborne games are renowned for their ambiguous narratives and player-driven stories. You are often an unnamed, voiceless protagonist dropped into a decaying world with minimal direction. The story unfolds through item descriptions, environmental storytelling, and cryptic dialogue. The focus is on piecing together the lore yourself and creating your own experience within the world.

Sekiro, on the other hand, features a predefined protagonist, Wolf, with a distinct personality, a strong sense of purpose, and a direct connection to the central narrative. The story is far more linear and traditionally told through cutscenes and character interactions. Wolf’s goal is clear: protect his young lord, Kuro. This clear objective and Wolf’s established character arc are departures from the player-driven narratives of Soulsborne titles.

Combat Mechanics

The combat system is arguably the most significant differentiator. Soulsborne games emphasize RPG-style combat with varied weapon choices, armor sets, and stat builds. Players have considerable freedom in how they approach each encounter, relying on dodging, blocking, and strategic attacks based on their chosen build.

Sekiro’s combat is far more focused on precision parrying and posture breaking. It is a rhythm-based system that rewards aggression and precise timing. While upgrades and prosthetic tools offer some variety, the core combat loop revolves around deflecting enemy attacks to stagger them and open them up for a deathblow. This emphasis on deflection and posture management, rather than traditional rolling and weapon-based attacks, fundamentally changes the gameplay experience. Stamina management, a cornerstone of Soulsborne combat, is largely absent in Sekiro.

Character Progression and Customization

Soulsborne games are characterized by their deep RPG elements, allowing for extensive character customization. Players invest souls (or blood echoes in Bloodborne) into various stats like strength, dexterity, and vitality, allowing them to tailor their character to their preferred playstyle. Weapon and armor choices further enhance this customization, creating a diverse range of possible builds.

Sekiro offers a more linear progression system. While players can acquire new combat arts, prosthetic tools, and upgrade their attack power and vitality, the core character build remains relatively static. The focus is on mastering the existing combat system rather than creating a unique build. This limited character customization is a key difference from the RPG-heavy character progression in Soulsborne games.

World Design and Exploration

Both Sekiro and Soulsborne games feature intricate and interconnected world designs. However, the emphasis differs. Soulsborne games often feature vast, sprawling environments with multiple branching paths and hidden areas encouraging exploration. The interconnectedness of these areas is a defining feature, creating a sense of discovery and rewarding curiosity.

Sekiro’s world, while beautifully crafted, is more linear and segmented. While there are some branching paths and hidden areas, the overall structure is more directed, guiding players along a more defined route. The game also heavily utilizes a grappling hook for traversal, adding a verticality absent in most Soulsborne titles, and further distinguishing its level design.

Why the Confusion? Shared DNA and Design Philosophies

Despite these differences, the confusion is understandable. Sekiro undeniably shares DNA with the Soulsborne games:

• High Difficulty: All these games are known for their challenging gameplay and unforgiving difficulty.
• Punishing Combat: Mistakes are severely punished, requiring players to learn enemy patterns and react accordingly.
• Intricate Level Design: FromSoftware is renowned for its intricate and interconnected level designs.
• Dark Fantasy Setting: All the games share a dark and often bleak atmosphere.
• Environmental Storytelling: Lore is often revealed through environmental details and cryptic dialogue.

These shared elements contribute to the perception that Sekiro belongs to the Soulsborne genre. However, the fundamental differences in narrative, combat, and progression ultimately set it apart.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sekiro and Soulsborne Games

1. Is Sekiro harder than Dark Souls?

Sekiro and Dark Souls are difficult in different ways. Sekiro demands precise timing and mastery of its parry-focused combat system, while Dark Souls relies more on strategic dodging, blocking, and resource management. Many players find Sekiro more difficult initially due to its unfamiliar combat mechanics, but opinions vary greatly.

2. Does Sekiro have multiplayer like Dark Souls?

No, Sekiro is a purely single-player experience. It does not feature any online multiplayer components, such as co-op or player-versus-player (PvP) interactions, unlike the Dark Souls series.

3. Can you summon help in Sekiro?

No, Sekiro does not allow for summoning other players for assistance. You are entirely on your own throughout the game.

4. Is there character creation in Sekiro?

No, Sekiro does not feature character creation. You play as Wolf, a predefined protagonist with a fixed appearance and backstory.

5. Are there different builds in Sekiro?

While you can acquire new combat arts, prosthetic tools, and upgrade your stats, Sekiro’s character progression is more linear than Soulsborne games. There isn’t the same level of build variety as in Dark Souls or Bloodborne.

6. Can you customize your armor in Sekiro?

No, you cannot change or customize Wolf’s outfit in Sekiro beyond a few unlockable cosmetic changes. Armor plays no role in the game’s mechanics.

7. Is there stamina management in Sekiro?

Stamina management is significantly less important in Sekiro compared to Soulsborne games. The focus is on posture and deflecting attacks, rather than managing a stamina bar for rolling and attacking.

8. Is Sekiro more linear than Dark Souls?

Yes, Sekiro features a more linear and directed world structure than Dark Souls, although it still contains some branching paths and hidden areas.

9. Does Sekiro have multiple endings?

Yes, Sekiro has multiple endings that depend on the player’s choices and actions throughout the game.

10. What is the posture system in Sekiro?

The posture system is a key mechanic in Sekiro’s combat. By deflecting enemy attacks with precise timing, you can break their posture, leaving them vulnerable to a deathblow. Enemies can also break your posture if you fail to defend properly.

11. Is there an easy mode in Sekiro?

No, Sekiro does not have difficulty settings, including an easy mode. The game is designed to be challenging and requires players to master its combat mechanics.

12. What are prosthetic tools in Sekiro?

Prosthetic tools are specialized weapons and gadgets that Wolf can equip on his prosthetic arm. They offer a variety of combat options and can be upgraded throughout the game.

13. Is Sekiro worth playing if I like Dark Souls?

Yes, even though it is not a Soulsborne game, Sekiro is a highly acclaimed title from FromSoftware and is worth playing for fans of their previous work. However, be prepared for a different combat system and a more linear experience.

14. Will there be a Sekiro 2?

As of now, FromSoftware has not announced any plans for a Sekiro sequel.

15. What genre is Sekiro if not Soulsborne?

Sekiro is often categorized as an action-adventure game with elements of stealth and a focus on precision combat. It draws inspiration from games like Tenchu and emphasizes skill-based gameplay and a strong narrative focus.