Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice review

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the purest real-time combat test on this list. You play the one-armed wolf in late 1500s Sengoku Japan, and FromSoftware's Steam page says you combine prosthetic tools and ninja abilities with stealth, vertical traversal and head-to-head fights. It won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2019, per the Steam page. The GOTY Edition on Steam adds Reflection and Gauntlet of Strength boss challenge modes, plus Remnants that let other players view and rate recordings of your actions. Hardware needs are low, with 25 GB of storage and a GTX 760 at minimum. It is a weaker fit for RPG fans who like builds, though: you play a fixed character, there is no difficulty setting and no co-op, and Steam does not list it as playable without timed input. It costs $59.99.

Who it is for

Players who want the toughest one-on-one sword fights

Price

$59.99 one-time purchase on Steam (US store).

. Restore Your Honor. Kill Ingeniously. $59.99 Buy on Steam
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Prosthetic tools and ninja abilities alongside sword combat
• Stealth and vertical traversal mixed with head-to-head fights
• GOTY Edition adds Reflection and Gauntlet of Strength boss challenge modes
• Remnants that let other players view and rate recordings of your actions
• Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2019, per the Steam page

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The most focused sword combat on the list
• Strength: Low minimum specs: 25 GB and a GTX 760
• Strength: GOTY Edition includes boss challenge modes at no extra cost
• Weakness: No difficulty setting and no co-op
• Weakness: Fixed character, with less build variety than other picks
• Weakness: Steam does not list it as playable without timed input

Key facts

• Developer: FromSoftware
• Released on Steam: March 21, 2019
• Metascore (Steam data): 88
• Award: Game of the Year, The Game Awards 2019
• Storage (minimum): 25 GB

Where it ranks

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is No. 8 in our Best Action RPGs verdict.