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When 30 (!) French devs escape from Ubisoft to build their own game, they proved that the real issue with big studios isn’t lack of talent or heart, but horrendous corporate leadership.

Over 90 hours later and the only thing in the game I haven't finished is reaching max level, I can confidently say this is my favorite game of the year but not just that.

Bringing back this more active turn based combat to this scale is so refreshing. I love the genre but I can see how similar it all ends up feeling, not that I mind, but this game reels you in from the first hidden encounter in the prologue all the way to the end of the main story and grueling post-game content. On expert difficulty, this is no joke but the build diversity is phenomenal. There's so many different things to choose from and some absolutely busted stuff too. I switched my builds only twice to help deal with some encounters and then ended up making all of my party so busted without fully trying just from a few changes. Each character has so much depth to just their singular gameplay systems even before figuring out synergies. I'm excited to do other playthroughs where I choose a different main lineup.

The narrative is one of the best I've experienced in a game. Thematically, everything fits together and leads to endings that are legitimately hard to choose between. The characters are well realized and so damn real, especially with their eyes and expressions, with writing to match. The game's tone is dark yet there's beautifully light and funny moments that don't feel abrupt which also helps you to immerse in this gorgeous world Sandfall have created. I did see that there's already an adaptation in the works and I think there's just no way any could fit the surrealist nature of the world and creatures that are in this game.

And the music! One of the best soundtracks in all of gaming and all of media in general. Everything's a bop and there's over eight hours of it! I especially loved the track toward the end of the prologue, the Goblu theme, Monoco and Gustave's theme, and the remixes of the main theme.

The world map is beautifully designed and with lots of secrets and encounters to find. At over 90 hours, I wasn't tired of exploring one bit. The level design is phenomenal too but some might be too large for their own good. It's not really a complaint, though. I think the design really helps instill the feeling of adventure and that's another this game is a masterclass in. It's a proper adventure to an entirely unknown place.

It could run a bit better but it runs as well as it needs to with it being a turn based game. I'm too busy being wowed by the insanity happening on screen, the character's emotions, or enjoying the music to care about any areas where the frames dip closer to 60 than not. Besides, I played on all ultra so I can hardly complain. If I turned settings down, I'm sure I'd get way more which I was usually getting anyway.

In 5, 10, 20 years, I have a feeling I'll still call this game one thing - My favorite game of all time.

"A brutal, beautiful journey through feudal Japan that rewards patience, skill, and perseverance."

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is not your typical FromSoftware game, even though it shares the studio's signature difficulty and atmospheric storytelling. Unlike the Soulsborne titles, Sekiro leans heavily into action and precise combat rather than RPG elements. There are no stats to grind—just your own skill to sharpen.

The swordplay is incredibly tight and satisfying. Every encounter feels like a deadly duel where posture, timing, and reflexes matter more than raw damage. Boss fights are intense and memorable, and the learning curve is steep but fair. Death is part of the process—each failure teaches something new.

The game world is stunningly crafted, with gorgeous, varied environments inspired by late 1500s Japan. The level design encourages exploration, and the verticality introduced by the grappling hook adds a fresh dynamic to movement and combat.

Narratively, Sekiro tells a more direct story than previous FromSoftware games, but still leaves room for interpretation and mystery. The voice acting and music are excellent, further immersing you in its unique world.

It’s not a game for everyone. The lack of difficulty options, limited character customization, and punishing learning curve can be off-putting. But for players looking for a challenging and rewarding experience, Sekiro stands as one of the finest action games of its generation.