Vibe Check: Sekiro
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019) is the latest game by From Software, the highly acclaimed studio behind Dark Souls and Bloodborne. Sekiro was well received for a multitude of things like amazing combat, memorable bosses like the Headless Ape and buttery smooth gameplay. Even though Sekiro can be rage inducing at times, I think there's also a beautiful and calming side to it. The semi-open world of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, set in feudal Japan, is one of the prettiest game worlds in recent memory. Sekiro is a must play for anime fans and fans of Japanese culture and history, as well as fans of games such as Ghost of Tsushima or Nioh. In this review / video essay I'm focusing on the atmosphere of Sekiro's world and how different game mechanics come together to create that atmosphere.