This game taught me the very hard way to fight masterly with the katana. Like in real life the katana here is more than just a sword; is has a soul of its own. You have to be one with it, if you want to master this game. In contrast to any Souls or Souls-like game the victory over an oppenent isn't the most rewarding, in Sekiro it is sword combat itself which has one of the best fighting systems I have ever known in a game so far. Thus, the combats against every minor or big boss are an extraordinary immersive and intensive experience. Like in a real sword duel everything – or in other words your victory or death - depends on whether you can „read“ the movements of your opponents or not; furthermore, if you can handle your katana the perfectly right way, especially to block and parry all of your opponent's attacks in the very right moment. And if you do so, you can decide the duel in your favour in a very brief moment, so that you kill your enemy and will be victorious … or you will be dead also in just a few seconds ;).

Overall a great game from From Software, which has some similarities to their previous games (Dark Souls 1-3, Bloodborne), but in its way and style it is very unique and outstanding, especially because of its exceptional duels, which will make you tensed up and sweat like in no other game before. Yes, it is quite difficult, but everyone can handle it, who has the patience and passion to try a difficult and severe situation or boss fight over and over again - even if there will be only little progress at times - and is willing to learn from his/her own mistakes.

In my opinion, the best game of this year so far. Truly recommended!