Sekiro's subtle influence 

Big thanks to Activision for sponsoring this video. In addition to being an excellent game in its own right, Sekiro was a crucial pitstop in From Software's history. Dark Souls III strongly revolves around the concept of burning out so hard that you're left even trying to burn the ashes, and Sekiro was just what was needed to reinvigorate From before moving onto Elden Ring. Tackling new design decisions, different visual styles, and big changes in how the story is related to the player helped mature the unique formula they've been tweaking all this time.

There's something about the way they animated this game, plus the sound design, that just cranks everything to 11. There's an exaggerated movement and fluidity to the animations that gives an intensity to the traversal and combat like no other game. The clanging parry battles ending in thunderous ultra-violent finishers, blended with the graceful acrobatics in unforgettable locations...what a masterpiece of a game.

One additional similarity between Sekiro and Elden Ring, is the dexterous prosthetic arms of both Wolf and Malenia, and the theme of a growing internal disease that is both a curse and a source of strength.

I love how in Sekiro blocking is an offensive action. There's nothing better than blocking an attack and immediately having a deathblow opening!

I'm kinda surprised that Activision is sponsoring videos about an almost 3 year old game, but I'm certainly not complaining because Sekiro deserves every last bit of coverage and analysis it gets, even now with Elden Ring having arrived to the scene harder and louder than Radahn's meteor attack

I wanted more sekiro. More maps, more bosses, more combat arts. The game was fantastic.

Sekiro always scared me because there are no shortcuts and barely any cheeses, you just have to get intimate with the games mechanics. That being said, I'm so excited to give it a shot now that I've beaten Elden Ring!

I wish Swimming made it to Elden Ring, there's so many areas where it would have been useful in ER and would have opened up another avenue to the exploration and biomes of the game.

Just bought sekiro and having a blast, its Truly one of their best games

Sekiro is just a perfect fromsoft game for me. I wouldn't add or take anything from it, it's just a full, rounded experience. I love the combat system, the setting and the stealth. And it has the best, the most epic final boss.

Even more so than Elden Ring, I think Sekiro is From Software’s first work since the original Dark Souls that will go down as a true milestone game. The term “modern classic” is thrown around so often that it’s lost almost all meaning, but I can think of no better way to describe this masterpiece. It’s *that* good, and I have a feeling it will only grow in esteem as time goes by.

Sekiro is some of the best combat I've experienced in any game I've ever played, I really hope to they continue to do more with those mechanics.

My favorite aspect of Sekiro is how historically authentic it is. FromSoft essentially took the real world late Sengoku period and added fantastical elements, along with all of the social effects that includes. I hope they do more of these environments, I would love to see this treatment for a mid-15th century Europe.

As much as having a billion options in Elden Ring can be quite nice, there's a lot to be said about just focusing on a single mechanic or playstyle and stripping away all the rest. It speaks volumes how many people in this comments section are talking about it being one of their favorite, if not their very favorite, Fromsoft game, and that games don't need to be insanely replayable to be beloved (despite low replayability being seen as a bad thing in a lot of gaming discussion). I would love for Fromsoft to alternate between making larger games with more variety like Elden Ring and making smaller, much more paired-down experiences like Sekiro. It would be, I think, nice.

Sekiro is probably one of my favorite from soft games. Captures ninja mythology and mythical Japan in such a refreshing way, but also familiar. Makes me feel like such a bad ass when I play lol

Still wish Sekiro got DLC. Was really wanting a moonlight prosthetic

When Sekiro came out I was uninterested in learning new mechanics, because I was expecting "ninja dark souls". In retrospect I'm glad it turned out the way it did and I can't wait to finally get back into it

Great video Zullie , Sekiro was the culmination of everything I had ever wanted in a game and that is what gives it the #1 spot in my book . Hopefully these sponsored videos lead to more people to discover the game and maybe to more sekiro content like DLC or a sekiro 2 ... Who knows , only time will tell!

My favorite part of Sekiro is that the old adage in the Dark Souls community, “git gud” is actually genuine advice since aside from just simply mastering the mechanics, there’s really no “win build” you can make

Most of the time ppl say they loved the first Soulsborne game they played the most...I differ in that aspect, i played DS3 first, and Bloodborne + Sekiro after i already finished Dark Souls series. However i still think Sekiro and Bloodborne are their best works by far, even though medieval fantasy is my favorite theme and architecture, i still found these games overall more enjoyable.

The combat in sekiro stood out the most to me. the clashing of blades was so much more intense than what we had in darksouls and even eldenring. I hope that future fromsoft games will have a similar combat to sekiro.

I still remember my first time seeing the overview of Fountainhead Palace. The lighting and shader design and implementation really made it feel mystical and distinct from the other environments you explore in Sekiro.

Literally one of my favorite games of all time, it's just perfect. To have a Sekiro 2 or a game in the same universe with a very similar combat system would be godly.

Visually, Sekiro is probably my favorite of From's games. There is a kind of bizarre compare and contrast between humans and animals. There were animal/human monstrosities in other From games, but it didn't feel like a consistent theme until Sekiro. It feels like most un-Disney way imaginable of representing the personification of animals in folklore.

Fantastic video. I am slightly disappointed that Sekiro never included a variant of the moonlight sword, but I still appreciate how the game dared to be different, and followed it's own path without borrowing too much from other games.

I know this is an ad, but sekiro needs a sequel or dlc

Seeing such a huge studio finally taking risks was such a breath of fresh air, and I truly hope more Triple-A studios diversify their work and bring us fascinating new games, much like small team/indie devs, but on a better budget and with space and time for more refinement.

These videos you're producing about Sekiro have helped prompt my purchase. Thank you!

I do like Sekiro's change in setting. It makes me wonder if there'll be more additions to the SoulsBorne series that also use different locales and time periods. Like, what if we got a futuristic 40k type setting (With futuristic "Chainswords" and "Power Klaws" type weapons to incorporate the melee focused nature of the series)? Or a Fallout-esk post apocalypse setting (Given that the games themselves tend to literally be post-apocalypse worlds)? Maybe even an ancient greek setting? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the medival fantasy setting of the Souls series and ER. But it would be interesting to see more games from FromSoft that push them into new settings.

Zullie getting paid by Activision is genuinely surreal. This is the same person that decided one day to roleplay as a character from DS2 to impress the 10 people that would have seen him. Congrats, you've come a long way!

I love that this is effectively a short video essay. Keep up the awesome work Zullie 💜

genuinely love the way you said how elden ring shows from at their boundry pushing limits, and sekiro shows the careful craftsmanship they can bring. amazing.

From a design point of view, I'd remark that it's way easier to make western medieval imagery your own, but Japanese bushido style is so distinct that it's hard if not impossible, to make your own and deviate from what makes it what it is. I certainly don't remember having seen it done, you can always tell that that's what it is, it's never inspired by, it IS.

I really really really hope they make another game like sekiro, and I hope they apply the stuff that worked better than their traditional games to stuff like elden ring dlc or elden ring 2. I think a bloodborne 2 with verticality in city environments would work so well, almost like an old assassins creed game but with monsters in the streets and hunters on the roof tops

Love your work Zullie, you deserve all the love and attention this will bring your way

Your videos are very well done and help me understand a ton of stuff I glossed over! Thank you!

I love the mobility Sekiro possesses. I had a hard time getting into other From games because of the lack of movement options. Being able to move around more in the environment, for me, makes the experience much more interesting and somewhat less taxing.

Great video! While I, personally, didn't really like Sekiro, I can still recognize what a great game it is. The locations are beautiful and the story is just as interesting as you'd expect in a From game. The game play, while not my cup of tea, is tight and focused and really sells the master swordsman fantasy, as well as the silent ninja assassin feel.

Great videos, I'm really glad they asked you to make them!

Zullie, your work is really fantastic. The visual scenes you choose that coincide with your well written material and simple yet effective editing show a high level of craftsmanship and care. I can truly say I want to see you grow indefinitely.

I like the mention of main characters interacting with each other which adds a grounding element to them, I never really thought of that, it might be what makes Elden Ring and Sekiro feel a bit more believable to me than something like DS3, or even Bloodborne; the only people that ever felt like actual people to me in Bloodborne were Maria, Gehrman and Eileen, because we either see or learn that they were, or are, active agents in this world whilst everyone else just sort of... is around

Congrats for getting such a big sponsor, you deserve it.

Speaking to Games Industry, From Software community manager Yasuhiro Kitao revealed that Sekiro was originally planned as a new installment of Tenchu, the studio's long-dormant stealth-action ninja series. "When we originally set out to create something different from Dark Souls and our previous titles, we thought it would be interesting to make a Japanese themed game. So from that we started going in the direction of the shinobi and ninja, and of course Tenchu was an IP with that history; that was the original impetus for this project," Kitao explained. According to Kitao, From Software approached "a number of companies" with the project, and Activision was immediately on board. As the two studios worked together, the project eventually grew beyond its Tenchu roots and into its own original title. "[A]s we developed and as we partnered with Activision, and started building it together, it started becoming its own thing and the game we wanted to make was no longer just Tenchu, so it really evolved into its own thing," Kitao said.

Great video as always. I'm glad to see that you're getting good sponsors and recognition. Thanks!

Elden ring is amazing, but sekiro is the only fromsoftware game wich i'm proud of that i didn't gave up, and finished this game all by myself!

On one hand, you being sponsored by Activision gives me hope that a new sekiro game is coming. On the other hand I have this great fear that Activision has hired another Studio to make a sequel instead of from software and that really scares the shit out of me

Sekiro is my most replayed game, I've gone back to it numerous times.

Great video as always Zullie. I've often wondered whether Sekiro was made so that FromSoft could test out different features & ideas to see what could be implemented into Elden Ring. For example, Gyobu Oniwa & his horse gave rise to numerous mounted bosses in Elden Ring and might have helped in testing the foundations for Torrent. You also made a very good point about the incredibly varied areas in Sekiro such as Fountainhead Palace & Senpou Temple which will have helped FromSoft when creating Elden Ring areas like Altus Plateau or Siofra River. Sekiro is an incredible game & is definitely a top 3 FromSoft game but as I said initially, I often wonder if it was just used as a testing bed for features & ideas that would later be implemented into Elden Ring.

seKINO bros we can't stop WINNING ☝🏻☝🏻☝🏻

I wish you talked more about the parrying. To me, combat is 80% of my experience with these games, and so imo parrying is pretty much the defining difference that makes Sekiro. Love the game. You can partly blame some of Elden Ring's boss and enemy movesets on Sekiro.

Love the video, Zullie. Content, presentation and editing impeccable as always

Out of all the from games I’ve played Sekiro hold number one spot for my favorite. From the combat, to the story, to the fact that from diverted from their usual plot structure to give us fleshed out personally enthralling characters, it all just feels right

There is something funny that people don’t realize. Out of this amazing catalogue that is the Souls/Miyazaki games. Sekiro is THE ONLY GAME THAT BELONGS TO FROMSOFT. The IP of Dark Souls is owned by Bandai, Elden Ring is no different (correct me if I’m wrong). Demon’s Souls and Bloodborne are owned by SONY. But in the case of Sekiro, it was published by activision BUT RIGHTS REMAINED TO FROMSOFT. So if the world turned upside down tomorrow, Fromsoft will always have the last word on the future of Sekiro compared to their other projects.

In my opinion from are at their best when they do new things. The souls formula has reached it's peak for me now with Elden Ring, as an best of of all frequent mechanics and themes. I honestely don't want another typical souls game but something that breaks the foundation in a magnificent way like sekiro does is simply refreshing.

Zullie, these two videos have been spectacular. You always have succh wonderful content.

Man, Sekiro was just... *chef kiss* Thank you for all your hard work and research ; this mini series was really fascinating!

Sekiro is the proof that FromSoft is wasted on Bamco. Every game they made under them has been a total mess full of cut content. Meanwhile Sekiro is easily the most "complete" and finished title they made to date.

We need another Sekiro!!

This explains so much, I had wanted a new tenchu game for so long and when Sekiro came out it scratched that itch. It makes so much sense now.

Had no idea of the history between Tenchu and Sekiro. Tenchu was one of my favorite games growing up, especially Fatal Shadows and Tenchu Z. Nothing has ever really quite captured the magic of playing through those games again. Sekiro does have a lot of similarities and I compared them on launch. I'm so delighted to see two games I love have a tie back to one another. Thanks as always Zullie.

soo far I like the sponsored videos :D makes you appreciate the games even more

I want Sekiro 2 so badly. And I want it to continue from the Dragon's Homecoming ending or the Shura ending. I want more weapons, abilities, prosthetics, ninjutsus and customization too.

Acquire, the studio that made the original 2 Tenchu games went on to make Shinobido for PS2. (Basically Tenchu 3) Fun game, you had a crafting system where you could make your own ninja weapons (things like poisons, bombs and health etc. ) and had a map editor to create your own missions.

oh my goodness what is this song it makes me so happy

When you look back, it's surprising how many elements of Elden Ring's gameplay were inspired by or taken from Sekiro. Hell, there is even the Meteoric Ore Blade whose R2 is straight up Ichimonji, and the abnormally high stance damage it does when fully charged makes it even more blatant.

I still need to play sekiro

Didn't expect this type of sponsored video but it's well done. Thank you for all the videos.

wonderful pair of videos

For FromSoftware's first foray into an entirely Japanese ascetic, it was done masterfully. I can confidently say that the locales of Ashina are nothing short of breathtaking in their vibrant decay regardless of where I found myself sneaking and deathblowing my way though.

If only we could have gotten a DLC for Sekiro...

I'm so incredibly happy you're getting this sponsorship!

Grats on getting sponsored!

Sekiro is the culmination of From Software's respect to its roots and traditions and it's predilection towards breaking the mould. Sekiro just flows beautifully, giving you ample time to learn and execute and it truly is one breathtaking experience in the sense that you need to take it all in, the path of countless failures, the few victories that make it WORTH every single second spent on the game. It's one ideal is to strive for perfection and not hesitate in the face of an insurmountable enemy in pursuing that perfection.

Sekiro is truthfully so underrated

Yet in 2014 Dark Souls 2 was born and it also has its own subtle influence on the later fromsoft releases. Ahhh, I love that game 🥰. A game I finally enjoyed after years since Tenchu 2 and Tenchu Wrath of Heavens.

What a lovely peaceful video

Activision once again continues to keep giving our lovable witch that sweet sweet money.😺

I wish elden ring did more to break the mould. Its the from soft game ive played the least, simply because it felt like finishing it once was enough. I might not have liked sekiros changes too much(actual QTE combat), but i still played it more because of how different it was. But elden rings gameplay felt too much like retreading ground after ds3, and with the map too annoying large when so many encounters are repeated, it was the most tedious and offputting of the post demon souls from games to me. An incredibly well made game, but far safer than i would have liked from a new from soft IP

The background music is beautiful

Honestly these videos make me want to play sekiro more than any gameplay or anything I have seen. Like the fact that they sponsor a dedicated lore master of the series to discuss "what sets sekiro apart from the soulsborne series" is just remarkable, it shows how truly cared for their games are and how proud of them they are, most game devs would only want big shot youtubers showing off explosive gameplay (though im not sure they didn't do this at all, i dont actually know, but that isn't the point) anyone that doesn't recognize fromsoft for giving their all to craft a wonderful experience is trully missing out.

I found Sekiro very disappointing. Definitely From's weakest game to me. Blows my mind that people love it so much.

Excellent video Zullie. The stance breaking mechanic in Elden Ring was borrowed from Sekiro as well, right?

Just beautiful.

I really hope From Software makes another game with a specific character and main weapon, like Sekiro, but with a strength build. Make an equally refined combat system for a greatsword. It could be their most Berserk like game yet. Or like a prequel to Sekiro where you play as Roberto's dad. Seeing how good they can make the combat when it's focused on one build, I just wanna see it done with other weapons.

Why is Activision sponsoring Sekiro videos after all these years? 🤔 Sequel coming soon?

Sekiro was my first and favorite, I can't wait for more

sekiro and elden ring is epitome of gaming for me . from large maps of elden always gave me sense of exploring more and more with sekiro excelllent conbat + tune ( specially in senpou temple ) the bell and the hare rama tune is just too soothing to hear.

Something I appreciated about sekiro I cant say for Elden ring: Not a lotta re-used assets if any.

After 100h on Elden Ring, Sekiro is definitely the better, smaller but more cohesive game. It never drops and maintains quality throughout the whole adventure, peaking at Fountainhead Palace. Elden Ring sadly takes a massive dip in quality after Morgott’s encounter. Still, neither can touch Bloodborne.

You reminded me Tenchu exists and now I miss it terribly.

Sekiro and Bloodborne are still their masterpiece. ER just made several footsteps in the wrong direction

Sekiro was a joy to 100%. The flow of combat just felt great once you became really good at it.

I am still playing sekiro , yesterday even after beating the game 10 times I still find new things

Beautiful! Congrats on the sponsor!

It is a crime against humanity to not have a DLC developed for this game

Sekiro was my first ever From Software and hold a special place in my heart. It was my introduction to some of the best gaming experiences of my life. Great video as always, very interesting.

Sekiro was awesome save for one thing: Limited ammo through those spirit tags or whatever. Just a timewasting mechanic that punishes persistence.

You could have removed the "Activision sponsor" part of the video and I would have not spotted or known a single difference in quality on the subject matter. This speaks volumes about your content, Zullie. Every video project you create maintains that seamless and polished quality regardless of your incentives for uploading it. These two were definitely longer and deeper looks into the development of Sekiro, its enjoining history both within its timeline of development and relationship to actual Sengoku era Japan (be that as it may a very loose, mythologically-defined abstraction of that history) Many of my friends fail to see the appeal of your videos, but what I think they're missing is the perspective of viewing them as art or history exhibits. They're not just simply putting things from each game on display, you vivisect each and every concept or asset presented in any of these videos and reveal as many of the gritty details about its purpose or place in each of the FROM games. I hope one day someone catalogues your videos just as much as the games themselves. You are a crucial component of understanding the relationship between FROM and the things they create, and a lot of development history and meaningful design decisions are made much more thoroughly apparent through your critical eye and motivated approach to reveal any and all truths hidden or forgotten. You're a credit to this community, and it is better for your involvement.

I recently got this game and just finished my first ending. I think it's quickly become my favourite Fromsoft game ever, I thought nothing would top my love for Bloodborne or Elden Ring. But Sekiro has hooked me. I am not that good at timing games and my "parries" are awful. Yet I can't stop trying to get better, I love jumping around and grappling across rooftops and ravines. The fast pace battles with the various tools, trying to figure out which works the best on what enemy. Having to look close and study the movements to know which counter to even use. Victory in this game feels so sweet.

Thank you for pointing this out! I heard rumors years back that they were making a Tenchu successor so when this game was announced i went crazy! i LOVED Tenchui games as a kid