FromSoftware has an interesting relationship with its stories. Ever since the days ofKing’s Field, the developer has emphasized environmental storytelling and obscure dialog over traditional methods of narrative delivery, like abject exposition and a steady pace of cinematics. Games likeBloodborneandElden Ringshow how effective this style of storytelling can be, as it builds a strong, sometimes uncomfortable atmosphere, while allowing players to make their own interpretations.
It also synergizes with custom protagonists, which have been featured in just about every FromSoftware project sinceDemon’s Souls, with a few notable exceptions, not the least of which beingSekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Launching just a few years afterDark Souls 3,Sekiroinitially came across as another soulslike, albeit one rooted more in real-world history and Japanese mythology than Western-inspired high fantasy. While it definitely has a lot in common with the soulslike subgenre,Sekirowound up being something else entirely, with its more focused, sharp combat sandbox being reflective of its more pointed and bespoke narrative. It’s not clear if there will ever be a proper sequel toSekiro, as at least one of its endings hints at a follow-up, but regardless, there are elements of the game that ought to be revisited.
The Case for Another Voiced Protagonist In a FromSoftware Game
Sekiro’s Wolf Gets To Be a Complete Character
He may not be the most expressive or charismatic leading man out there, but Wolf is certainly more interesting thanFromSoftware’s other protagonists. InDark Souls,Bloodborne,Demon’s Souls, andElden Ring, the protagonist is little more than a surrogate for the player, sometimes even being explicitly described as from another land and thus even further disconnected from the plot. This isn’t a bad thing, but it results in much of the story occurring in the player’s imagination, as they wonder what they would do, how they would act, in a given scenario.
Playing as Wolf isn’t as immersive by comparison, but this is made up for in emotional impact.The story ofSekirois deeply personal for Wolf, as his loved ones play pivotal roles in the plot, requiring him to have an actual arc and contend with his complex internal life. An example of how this makes for more effective storytelling can be found in the Shura ending, which is obtained by choosing to betray Kuro and partner with Owl, Wolf’s adoptive father. Similar “evil” endings appear in FromSoftware’s other games, but they lack emotional heft because the player-character is so loosely defined—the player doesn’t have a grasp on what such evil deeds mean to this bland avatar.
But Wolf being torn between his Shinobi honor and his duty to his father, between his love for Kuro and his love for Owl, is a dilemma that is easy to understand. Thus,whether a player completes the Shura endingand sacrifices Kuro, or rejects the proposition and kills Owl, the gravity of the situation is felt much stronger than when a narrative decision is made inBloodborneorElden Ring. Decisions in those games often hinge on philosophical or intellectual problems, not emotional or personal ones.
There’s an argument to be made thatWolf was designed as a parallel toBerserk’s Guts, as they are both deadly warriors who risk life and limb, quite literally, to protect a single helpless individual.
Revisiting this method of storytelling and, ideally, building upon it, could result in more emotionally impactful narratives—something thatFromSoftware games have generally lacked. FromSoftware boasts some of the strongest writers in the industry, and leaning into different narrative styles could help these writers produce better, more diverse, and more intriguing games down the road.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
WHERE TO PLAY
Carve your own clever path to vengeance in the critically acclaimed adventure from developer FromSoftware, creators of the Dark Souls series.In Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice you are the ‘one-armed wolf’, a disgraced and disfigured warrior rescued from the brink of death. Bound to protect a young lord who is the descendant of an ancient bloodline, you become the target of many vicious enemies, including the dangerous Ashina clan. When the young lord is captured, nothing will stop you on a perilous quest to regain your honor, not even death itself.Explore late 1500s Sengoku Japan, a brutal period of constant life and death conflict, as you come face to face with larger than life foes in a dark and twisted world. Unleash an arsenal of deadly prosthetic tools and powerful ninja abilities while you blend stealth, vertical traversal, and visceral head to head combat in a bloody confrontation. Take Revenge. Restore Your Honor. Kill Ingeniously.
