2018, in so many ways, is a year marked by controversy. Many great games, mind you, but a level of silliness and backward business practice so astronomically confounding – so very boggling to both mind and wallet – that most of us are still reeling from the impact; or cringing from the taste on our tongues. Luckily then, that particular dumpster fire has more or less sailed. 2019 is geared to deliver a stellar lineup in general. But gaming’s titanic trio in Sony, Microsoft & Nintendo respectively are left in something of an unsure position as they either look to the future, try to find their place in the present or both.

Inch by inch, death by death, progression felt like a path to power that players had to truly earn in From Software’s Dark Souls series. It was well worth it though, as trekking back to locations that you had suffered to survive through many hours before, provided players with a satisfying walk in the park once they’d earned new skills …

At E3 this year, Bloodborne and Dark souls developer From Software announced that its next game would be published by Activision. It’s an announcement that took many by surprise, as they seem to be incompatible. Years ago, Activision stopped publishing games that weren’t part of its mega-franchises like Call of Duty, Destiny or family-friendly fare like Skylanders and more recently, …

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice might be a blank slate for From Software to try something new, but they're painting with some familiar brushes that will entice Dark Souls fans.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is From Software's attempt to show everyone that they can make far more than just the next Dark Souls. And it's going to be in your hands as early as March.

Sekiro is also utterly gorgeous thanks to its Japanese palette that mixes bloodshed with mythology, and the increased sense of aggression and adventure makes for a very different game when compared to its predecessors that were developed at From Software. Naturally, I had some questions. Fortunately, From Software’s Yasuhiro Kitao and his translator had some answers for me, when we chatted during an E3 2018 session where a lengthy slice of Sekiro was shown off behind closed doors.

After a trilogy of some of the most brutal gameplay ever imagined and a smash-hit with Bloodborne, what’s next for From Software?A game that is even bloodier, more violent and boasts more freedom of movement than ever before in the form of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, having the right stance could be the difference between life and a not so permanent death. While the one-armed wolf will have plenty of tricks up his demonic sleeve that’ll allow him to overcome all manner of ghastly mythology run amok, it’s the sword that forms the basis of Sekiro’s offense and defense.