Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice: Ways To Shake Up A Second Playthrough

Summary

Sekiro has unique endings & replay value: with different bosses, endings, upgrades, & alternate paths.
New game plus adds challenges: boss rushes, super-charged boss fights, & tougher enemies.
Increase difficulty with Kuro’s Charm & the Demon Bell: stack debuffs for more EXP & Sen.

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has been one of the most challenging and rewarding games I’ve ever played. The depth of its mechanics, the intricacy of its combat system, and the sheer number of secrets it hides make it a game that demands your undivided attention.

The first time I played Sekiro, I was overwhelmed. I died… a lot. But with each death came a lesson learned, a strategy refined, and a newfound respect for the game’s unforgiving nature. It wasn’t until my third playthrough that I truly felt like I had mastered the art of swordplay in Sekiro’s world.

One feature that truly sets Sekiro apart is its New Game Plus mode. This mode not only offers a fresh take on the game but also introduces new challenges and secrets for players to uncover. From the Gauntlets of Strength, to the Inner bosses, to the Demon Bell and Kuro’s Charm, each new challenge pushes your skills to their limits and forces you to adapt or perish.

But let’s not forget about the sheer joy that comes from mastering a difficult enemy or figuring out a hidden pathway. The satisfaction of finally defeating an elusive boss after countless attempts is unparalleled in gaming, and Sekiro has no shortage of such moments.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But Mike, isn’t all this just masochistic self-torture?” Well, my friend, that may be true. But remember, a life lived without a little pain is a life not truly lived! So grab your shinobi prosthetic arm, strap on your courage, and let’s dive back into the world of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Just make sure you have enough Revival Incense on hand, because trust me, you’re gonna need it!

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stands out from other recent titles by FromSoftware. Instead of following the traditional “soulslike” structure, it introduces unique elements, one of which is the concentration on a sole weapon for the player, with minimal extra skills available. This singular focus results in exceptionally refined gameplay within the action genre.

One notable difference is that Sekiro seems more akin to a focused action game rather than the Souls series, featuring a clearer narrative. This could lead some gamers to perceive Sekiro as having less replay potential compared to typical Souls games. However, there are multiple ways to keep the game fresh for subsequent playthroughs. While there may not be various character builds, there are several alternate endings, optional enemies, and subtleties that players might have overlooked during their initial play.

6. Obey The Iron Code

The Shura Ending

When the character known as Owl challenges the player and requests them to turn against Kuro, many players typically resist and opt to fight their Shinobi mentor and foster father instead. But if a player decides to comply with Owl’s proposal, an intriguing outcome occurs. This is the method used by players to uncover the game’s “Evil” ending, effectively concluding the game at this juncture and jumping over the final act.

Opting for treachery towards Kuro results in an encounter against Emma, the medical practitioner who enhances the player’s healing gourd, followed by a decisive battle with the venerable Isshin Ashina. This route, however, does not promise a cheerful conclusion for any party involved. Without revealing the specifics of the ending, it can be assured that Sekiro and Owl will not share a peaceful journey into the sunset.

5. Save Kuro

The Divine Dragon’s Return

Beyond the unforeseen negative conclusion, there are multiple secret positive conclusions to discover during a replay. Instead of resorting to using the Divine Dragon’s Tears and the Mortal Blade to break Kuro’s curse in these alternative endings, you can save him. These hidden endings might be overlooked on the initial playthrough due to their subtlety. One requires listening in on conversations and exploring all available dialogue, while the other has several steps that players may miss if they advance too quickly.

As a devoted admirer, I find myself compelled to share my insights about an engaging adventure. To save Kuro, fellow travelers must seek Emma for the Father’s Bell Charm first. Once obtained, this enchanting trinket opens up a captivating reimagining of Hirata Estate that awaits exploration.

Conquering the optional boss within this new realm grants players the precious Aromatic Flower. This flower serves as a powerful token that can be employed after the climactic battle, when the Dragon’s Tears become available for selection. By presenting the Aromatic Flower then, we unlock an enticing alternate ending to our tale of valor and camaraderie.

In the actual conclusion of the game, there are more intricate stages for players. To begin, they should journey to Mt. Kongo prior to vanquishing Genichiro Ashina. As they advance in this region, they’ll encounter the Divine Child of Rejuvenation. The process involves numerous other steps that can’t all be covered here, but players must engage with this NPC and their side mission throughout the game to ultimately acquire Frozen Tears. This artifact is utilized post-final boss battle to unlock the true ending – a surprisingly joyful finale.

4. Fill The Skill Tree

Try Out High-Tier Techniques

In the initial game cycle of a new title, the experience points (EXP) available may not be sufficient to fully upgrade Sekiro’s extensive skill trees due to later skills and secret techniques requiring a large number of skill points. It is advisable for players to unlock these advanced skills in NG+ cycles as the EXP earned from defeating enemies and bosses is increased here. Additionally, apart from the three skill trees that players gain access to initially, there are also two skill texts that can be overlooked.

The Temple Arts manuscript lies at Mt. Kongo and can be accessed by simply exploring the area. Contrarily, the Mushin Esoteric Text demands that players finish the Tengu of Ashina side mission, which becomes accessible after defeating Gyobu Oniwa. Subsequently, they must master an ultimate skill before conversing with the Tengu again. Experimenting with the fighting styles in both skill trees is advisable to expand the combat possibilities for players.

3. Finish The Prosthetic Arm Upgrades

Ninja Tech

In my gaming experience, it’s quite challenging to fully upgrade every prosthetic tool in a single playthrough. You see, in each new game, there are merely six pieces of the premium Lapis Lazuli upgrade material available. To complete the entire prosthetic tree, you need ten of these rare gems and also have to discover all the distinct prosthetic tools, upgrading them in order. It’s quite common for many players, including myself, to overlook a significant portion of this upgrade path during our initial playthroughs.

As a cinema devotee diving into this immersive gaming experience, it’s definitely worth exploring all the available upgrades. The high-end choices, such as the Lazulite Shuriken and Lazulite Zabimaru, prove their mettle under specific conditions. Moreover, there are intriguing upgrade options for items like the Umbrella and Spring-Spear that expand their functionalities, making them versatile tools in your gaming arsenal.

2. Hone Your Skills

Gauntlets & Inner Bosses

Among the most exciting motivations for revisiting a fresh playthrough of the game Sekiro, an unexpected update has been introduced over a year post its release. This update introduces the option to engage in boss rush challenges and enhanced versions of some of the game’s hardest opponents, which can be accessed directly from a sculptor’s idol.

Players are challenged by the trio of endurance tests, requiring them to battle numerous formidable bosses sequentially, culminating in a showdown against an enhanced version of one of the main final battles. The “Inner” versions of Genichiro, Owl, and Isshin must be overcome. Successfully completing these trials grants access to the Mortal Challenge, which pits players against many of the game’s major bosses, concluding with defeating all three Inner opponents.

To unlock these gauntlets, players must conquer the final boss in the game at least once. However, starting a new game plus mode won’t increase their difficulty. Additionally, players can hone their skills against previously defeated bosses through the Reflections of Strength, which serves as a useful tool for preparing to face these battles consecutively.

1. Challenge Yourself

Kuro’s Charm & The Demon Bell

Apart from allowing players to customize their own difficulties and play styles, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice also offers some pre-set methods to ramp up the challenge during gameplay. One such feature is the Demon Bell at Senpou Temple, which can be discovered in a standard new game by many players. However, most will quickly discard the ominous item’s effects it grants. Having the Bell Demon active imposes a penalty known as Sinister Burden, causing increased damage and posture damage to the player while reducing the same for opponents.

As a dedicated cinephile immersed in the realm of video games, I must say that the addition of this penalty serves to ramp up the challenge level somewhat. However, it’s during NG+ that things truly step up a gear – players are given an intriguing choice: they can choose to return Kuro’s Charm early in their journey. This decision will set off a chain reaction, with enemy stats skyrocketing, player health taking a hit, and perhaps most cruelly, forcing the player to endure damage even when blocking, unless a flawless parry is executed. The effects of this choice compound with the Demon Bell, but they also bring about an increase in EXP and Sen rewards derived from vanquished foes as a sort of compensation.

2025-01-02 11:06