FromSoftware’s shinobi epic traded rolls for parries and changed action games forever.
A Different Kind of FromSoft Game
While Dark Souls and Elden Ring let players dodge, block, and cheese their way through fights, Sekiro demanded mastery. One sword, one character, and a parry system that turned combat into a rhythm game.
The Deflection System
Sekiro’s posture system made every fight a duel. Attacks could be deflected, posture could be broken, and the iconic ‘deathblow’ gave a sense of earned victory. It was unforgiving — and unforgettable.
Impact on the Industry
Sekiro’s influence is everywhere: games like Lies of P, Wo Long, and Black Myth: Wukong borrow its parry-focused combat. It won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2019, cementing FromSoftware’s status as the genre’s king.
Why It Still Matters
Few games make you feel like a master swordsman. Sekiro did it without stats, builds, or grinding — just pure skill. It remains the definitive test of action game fundamentals.