Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice dev went through enemy animations frame-by-frame to ensure readability
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice developer From Software took on a big challenge when it decided to make deflecting enemy attacks a core component of combat.
Other From Software games like the Souls series, as well as Bloodborne, have each had their own version of attack parries. Though being able to learn the timing was always challenging, you could mostly finish these games without needing to parry.
This changes with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice thanks to the new posture system, which means you'll be duelling with enemies rather than simply trying to drop their health to zero. In order for this to work, players need to be able to read enemy movements quickly so they can respond.
Lead game designer Masaru Yamamura told Game Informer that this meant the team had to go through every animation frame-by-frame to make sure they are clear enough for the player to read and react to. To compensate, From made the window tighter as a way of conditioning players to be precise.
If you manage to pull it off, you'll be rewarded with one of many deathblow animations, which From hopes will be satisfying.
In the same preview, we learned that The Wolf, Sekiro's protagonist, won't be silent.