“Hesitation is defeat.”
Is From Software’s latest, notoriously difficult video game worth enduring? One does not simply play Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, but the payoff is unlike what most of its peers have to offer. In today’s episode, Alex and I take as much of a look at Sekiro as we do the mystique, philosophies, and history of its creators.
Here to refill our Healing Gourds is none other than Mono Memory – From Software devotee, resident synthwavist, and our first international guest. Mono Memory is responsible for much of the music book-ending our episodes this year, and we’re thrilled to have him join us.
By revisiting the studio’s other critical darlings, Dark Souls and Bloodbourne, we discover how they’ve grown as artists, what distinguishes each franchise, and how a game over screen can be a narrative vehicle.
Additional Notes & Credits
- Mono Memory, is an 80’s inspired synthwave artist and producer based in Edinburgh. Music in today’s episode is courtesy of him, all of which can be found on his Bandcamp and Twitter pages. Be sure to grab a copy of his new RE:MIXED [The Save Rooms] mixtape before it sells out again.
- Additional music is from the OST to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, “Emma, the Physician”
- Alex Koval is my co-host and dear friend since 2nd grade – we’ve bonded over video games ever since. His Platinum Trophy for completing Bloodbourne shines brilliantly.
- Watch us take on Sekiro‘s most intense boss fights on Screen Looking’s new Twitch channel
- References include interviews with Hidetaka Miyazaki from Game Informer, Telegraph UK and the PlayStation Blog, with additional analysis by Vice.
- “The Ashina Style is deeply rooted in the flow of the Fountainhead waters. They believe the act of successfully deflecting a blade is akin to a carp ascending a waterfall.“