It's time for FromSoftware to return to a well that only Sekiro taps into

Among the various Soulslike games FromSoftware has developed over the years, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stands out from the rest thanks to unique moments throughout the game and combat that future FromSoftware games should return to. Unlike previous Soulslike games which Dark souls series or Blood borne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice pushed the envelope with its combat through a more strategic combination of health and stance meters. Understanding and applying the latter is crucial to Sekiropp players, as it paves the way for the game's most memorable moments when defeating enemies via Deathblows.

Because of Sekiros stance and Deathblow mechanics, boss fights become as challenging as they are rewarding when players finally beat them, especially when they deliver climactic and arguably scripted final blows. But by controlling how enemies and bosses come together in this way, FromSoftware achieves balanced boss fights in Sekiro which other Soulslike games may have missed, with the best example being The Great Serpent. From the first encounter with the giant snake to its final defeat, the big snake perfectly shows how games like Sekiro creating in-game lore, engaging sequences and satisfying moments for players throughout the game's mechanics.

Sekiro Wolf Cinematic with shadows on one side of his face

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Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice will never get a sequel, but one of its boldest changes should live on

A sequel to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice seems increasingly unlikely, but that doesn't mean FromSoftware can't build on its foundation.

The Great Serpent is the perfect boss for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice wants players to face the great snake

The great serpent is among Sekiros most memorable and iconic bosses thanks to their size and encounters with the player. Upon reaching the Sunken Valley Passage, players will eventually come face to face with the Great Serpent, spending most of these encounters dodging its attacks and avoiding detection. Unlike Sekiros other bosses where players ultimately engage in one-on-one battles, the large snake cannot be fought directly, with players having to find ways or tricks to bypass the snake wherever they encounter it.

The story behind the great snake enhances the world of Sekiro

But both big snakes in Sekiro are optional boss fights and are not required to complete the game, but defeating the first one is required if players want to unlock an alternate ending. Seemingly inspired by Japanese historical cultural beliefs surrounding snakes and their ties to gods and divinity, the Great Serpent provides flesh Sekiros lore and wider story as an alternate mode for Immortal Severance, which adds weight to its death as another example of the greed for immortality. As a result, the player's scripted encounters with the Great Serpent will make them aware of the creature, but the decision to kill it will be their own.

Furthermore, its death also resembles Japanese cultural depictions of shinobi and other warriors killing giant snakes, even down to the trope of impaling the snake's head with a sword to kill it. Should the players have solved Sekiros “puzzle” required to navigate around the snake until the final encounter, killing the large snake will see players drop from above and stab its head, a sequence that takes advantage of the game's Deathblow mechanic. After encountering the snake several times, embraced Sekiros stealth gameplay to avoid it, and when it reaches its final resting place, the long-awaited death may be another factor that makes the great snake so memorable.

Future FromSoftware games should revisit Sekiro's Great Serpent

With confirmation that FromSoftware will break away from the open world design seen in Fire Ring and return to linear gameplay and revisit bosses like the Great Serpent from Sekiro could inspire the developer's next Soulslike game and how players navigate the world. Through several required and optional encounters with the Great Serpent, Sekiro builds suspense and intrigue among players as they face a god-like leviathan boss, and offers the rewarding experience of finally killing it through scripted sequences and tailored gameplay mechanics. Regardless of what's in store with FromSoftware's next Soulslike, why Sekiro excelled with its most memorable managers should be reviewed.