3.5/5 ★ – fernanriv13's review of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

As someone still finding their footing with FromSoftware games, I've always looked at Sekiro as the ultimate benchmark. I believe my experience with the Jedi games and Lies of P gave me a solid foundation, but my time with Sekiro proved to be a different beast entirely. Overall, I appreciate the game’s stronger focus on storytelling compared to other FromSoft titles, and the leveling system was a refreshing change from the usual "Souls" mechanic. For most of the game, I was having genuine fun making my way through the different environments and bosses. However, my experience was soured by the final boss. I understand the "get good" mentality, but after countless hours of trial and error, frustration outweighed enjoyment. It became mentally exhausting. When I finally beat the boss, it felt more like a weight lifted rather than a moment of joy. I don't know if I'll ever experience that kind of emotional intensity in a game again, but honestly? I’m not sure I want to.