Getting stuck on a FromSoftware boss is part of the experience. The first time I came up against Ornstein and Smough I was absolutely demolished, but it was my perseverance and willingness to try new strategies that eventually helped me beat them. This tenacity is no less required in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, but what if you decided to stay on one boss forever? Well, that’s exactly what this player has been doing for almost a year, as they document their experience while waiting for FromSoftware to bring more of the game into their life.
With the Elden Ring Nightreign release date closing in, FromSoftware’s multiplayer twist on the soulslike game formula is almost upon us. It promises to be something very new for the studio behind Dark Souls, but it’s not the first time it’s done something wildly different. 2019’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice moved the developer’s focus to action-orientated combat, with posture, balance, parrying, and a prosthetic arm key to victory. We’re coming up on six years since Sekiro dropped, and one dedicated players is conquering one of the game’s hardest bosses until FromSoftware takes notice.
The YouTube channel ‘Killing Inner Isshin Everyday’ is doing exactly what the name implies. Saturday March 15 marks attempt 328, with each uploaded to the channel every day starting in 2024. The dedicated player, known as ‘Vargas151_’ on Twitch, says they’re doing this “until FromSoftware announces more Sekiro content, or my sanity runs out, whichever one comes first.” Considering they’ve made it almost a year, I think they’re doing very well (via ResetEra).
To keep things interesting, however, there are some rules. They can only use a sword, and that means no prosthetics, healing, items, combat arts, reviving, or charms, and they can’t get hit once. Unavoidable chip damage from lighting reversals is permitted, but that’s it. You might think another Sekiro boss is actually harder, but that doesn’t mean you can deny the skill and dedication put on display here.
While there’s been no DLC or even a sequel in the years since Sekiro, FromSoftware did at least revisit it. An update from 2020 added a boss rush mode, the ability to leave messages and recordings, and a handful of unlockable cosmetic skins.
If you’ve never played the game but fancy giving it a try, now’s the time. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is 50% off on Steam until Thursday March 20, so expect to pay $29.99 / £24.95 until then. Just head right here.
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