The Hardest FromSoftware Game – It‘s Complicated
As an avid fan who has analyzed the notoriously challenging games of developer FromSoftware, I often get asked which Soulsborne title I consider the most outright difficult. While skillsets and playstyles lead to subjectivity, looking at community data and assessing where early and eventual barriers arise can help determine which game presents the steepest initial learning curve for newcomers. Based on these metrics, I believe FromSoftware‘s rapid-fire combat opus Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice to be the most punishing introduction to the hardcore action-RPG genre.
Sekiro‘s Demand for Precision Platforms the Greatest Challenge
While Souls veterans continue debate whether Bloodborne or older Dark Souls games provide the ultimate challenge, data shows Sekiro hits attrition rates that discourage new players the soonest. According to achievement metrics, only around 30% of Sekiro players on Steam have defeated the final boss – one of the lower completion percentages in FromSoftware‘s catalog. Given that statistic comes from series fans who purchased the game, it indicates hitting more skill check walls than other titles.
Several factors contribute to this barrier. Unlike Soulsborne games, Sekiro utilizes a fixed protagonist and strips away most RPG build customization and overleveling options. Players cannot grind their attributes higher or summon help from cooperative players to overcome obstacles. Instead, progression fully relies on mastering the technical parry-focused swordplay. Sekiro replaces stamina management with a posture system that encourages relentless attacking of foes to break their guard. However, this also means enemies unleash fast, unrelenting offense easily overwhelming the unpracticed.
Sekiro‘s Emphasis on Skill Checks Over Stats
While the Souls series provides intensely challenging scenarios, especially in titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro focuses gameplay almost purely around executing complex swordfight mechanics rather than the stat assignment and build diversity of RPGs. Without flexibility to adjust playstyle, players who struggle with its combat have little recourse to power past skill check bosses guarding progression. This makes the initial learning process extremely frustrating compared to grinding levels or co-op in Souls games to surmount obstacles.
To showcase this, Sekiro‘s climatic bout with the elderly Sword Saint Isshin stands as a supreme test of reflexes and mastery even more intense than Soul of Cinder from Dark Souls III. The multi-phase duel covers huge areas of terrain while unleashing barrages of lightning attacks and massive unblockable strikes to instantly kill the complacent. While optional, Square Enix included the gauntlet specifically to challenge series veterans at the peak of their abilities. Defeating Isshin leaves little question regarding one‘s skill but shows the lengths Sekiro expects technical expertise exceeding past FromSoftware titles.
Closing Thoughts on Assessing Challenge
In closing, determining outright "difficulty" comes loaded with individual skillsets and playstyle subjectivity. Some may still find the proceeded Dark Souls games or Bloodborne just if not more challenging depending on experience. Sekiro itself attempts to mitigate frustration for newcomers through stealth, tools, and some grinding. However, statistical completion rates aligned with focused progression barriers showcase that Sekiro hits the steepest initial learning and skill check curves demanding players step up or walk away. Given many fans buy FromSoftware games specifically seeking punishing-but-rewarding trial-and-error gameplay, that so many hit this wall indicates where the ultimate crucible awaits.
