A Potential Sekiro Sequel Would Face a Major Fork in the Road

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A Potential Sekiro Sequel Would Face a Major Fork in the Road

As a longtime fan of FromSoftware games, I can’t help but feel excited at the prospect of a Sekiro sequel. The original game was a masterpiece that seamlessly blended historical Japan with supernatural elements, creating an immersive and unique world for players to explore. However, I do have some concerns about how a sequel might handle its setting without stepping too close to the original’s footsteps.

The game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice by FromSoftware is frequently hailed as one of their finest creations, and even among the greatest action games ever made. Despite not having any official downloadable content (DLC) for Sekiro, there’s a possibility that a sequel could be developed in the future. Such a game would have great potential. However, if a sequel were to materialize, FromSoftware would face one significant design challenge.

Among the distinctive features that make Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stand out among other games developed by FromSoftware, one of the most notable differences lies in its setting. Games such as Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and the upcoming Elden Ring are set in entirely fantastical universes, although they may draw inspiration from European fantasy or Victorian-era aesthetics. In contrast, Sekiro is situated in a fictionalized version of historical Japan during the 16th century, which gives it a greater connection to our world and its rules. Although the game includes otherworldly creatures and supernatural abilities, it is undeniably the FromSoftware title with the highest degree of realism, which could potentially pose challenges for any potential sequel.

Sekiro Being Linked to the Real World Poses a Difficult Question About Its Sequel’s Setting

Sekiro 2 Could Be Stuck In Time

In Sekiro, the game setting is woven from 16th-century Japanese history, traditional folklore, and Buddhist ideologies, giving rise to a unique yet strangely recognizable universe. The main adversarial force, the Ashina Clan, is modeled after an authentic clan with the same name, enhancing the narrative’s connection to real life. These historical underpinnings can be seen in the game’s layout, which mirrors the architectural styles of the period. More fantastical locations within the game, such as the Fountainhead Palace, draw inspiration from ancient Japanese estates.

In a straight sequel to Sekiro, there’s a risk that the game may resemble its predecessor too closely due to similarities in real-world references. Unlike Dark Souls, which has a flexible timeline, enabling FromSoftware to make significant changes between releases without extensive explanations, Sekiro 2 would face challenges if it were to leap forward or backward through time significantly. This is because such a move could have substantial impacts on both the storyline and gameplay, potentially conflicting with historical facts.

In the same broad historical period, there’s an issue of familiarity. Japan is known for its diversity, but since Japan was less developed in the 16th century compared to other periods, the sequel might lack significant visual variety. Moreover, given the intricate limitations surrounding shifting Sekiro to a different timeframe, the story may be constricted in this direction.

A direct sequel to Sekiro could wind up looking and feeling a bit too similar to its predecessor.

Why Real-World Constraints May Not Matter for Sekiro 2

If a hypothetical “Sekiro 2” ever comes out, and if it sticks to some aspects of the original’s narrative, there are numerous ways it could differ from its predecessor in appearance, atmosphere, and gameplay. For instance, the “Return” ending of Sekiro opens up possibilities for an intriguing sequel, as it presents a quest to return the Divine Dragon to its native land, which might be another real-world country such as China or Korea. This could lead to fresh opportunities in terms of level design and storytelling.

Instead, and perhaps more intriguingly, the home of the Divine Dragon might be an entirely made-up, mythical land. This could open up a wealth of fantasy elements for Sekiro 2, with these elements being grounded more in Japanese folklore rather than the European influences found in other FromSoftware RPGs. However, this change would mean letting go of the real-world connections that added depth to the original game, instead providing a less restrained, more immersive experience.

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2024-09-08 23:33