Instead of pouring skill points into specific attributes like dexterity and strength, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’s progression system is centered around experience points and skill trees. Unlike From Software’s older games, Sekiro’s experience points and in-game currency are separate from each other. Additionally, neither will be lost when a player dies. The experience points are earned by defeating enemies and will contribute to the player’s skill point bar. Once the bar is full, a skill point is earned and can then be spent on a skill tree.
Although skill points will be used on skill trees, players will not initially be able to spend their points. Skill trees have to be unlocked first by finding the item that pertains to each tree, and various trees mean different play styles. Although From’s simplified character progression is less-customizable than in its previous games, the esteemed developer insists that the varying skill trees will provide players with the tools they need to mold their characters to fit their playstyles. In addition, From Software believes that the simplified customization options will not hurt Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’s gameplay, or make it inferior to the likes of Dark Souls or Bloodborne.
While From Software seems to be developing Sekiro in such a way that it is much more welcoming to new players than previous games, it is believed that the game will still be extremely difficult and gloomy. Players will not lose experience points and currency when they die, but From did say that dying will have an adverse effect and that there may even be ways to change the resurrection mechanic (though it did not elaborate any further). Also, Sekiro’s Mature ESRB rating demonstrates the kind of game players should be expecting.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice releases on March 22, 2019, for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Source: Game Informer
