Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is FromSoftware's 2019 action-adventure game set in Sengoku-era Japan. Unlike Dark Souls or Elden Ring, Sekiro has a fixed protagonist — Wolf, a shinobi — and replaces stamina management with a posture system that rewards aggressive, rhythmic sword combat. It won the Game of the Year 2019 at The Game Awards and sold over 10 million copies worldwide. The PC version on Steam is widely considered the definitive platform: it supports uncapped frame rates, ultrawide monitors, and benefits substantially from a high-refresh-rate display.
This guide covers installation, optimal PC settings, and the core mechanics you need to understand before your first boss.
System Requirements
Sekiro is a 2019 game and runs on an older version of FromSoftware's in-house engine. Most mid-range PCs handle it without issue. The game does not support DLSS or FSR upscaling natively, but runs smoothly at native resolution on modest hardware.
| Tier | CPU | GPU | RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum (720p/30fps) | Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD equivalent | GeForce GTX 760 / AMD Radeon R9 270X | 8 GB | 25 GB HDD |
| Recommended (1080p/60fps) | Intel Core i7-7700K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | GeForce GTX 1070 8GB / AMD RX 5700 | 8 GB | 25 GB SSD |
| High (1440p/60fps+) | Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X | GeForce RTX 2070 / AMD RX 5700 XT | 16 GB | 25 GB SSD |
| 4K/Ultra | Intel Core i9-10900K or AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | GeForce RTX 3080 / AMD RX 6800 XT | 16 GB | 25 GB NVMe |
Important notes:
- The game is CPU-sensitive at higher frame rates. If you're targeting 144fps+, a strong CPU matters more than GPU.
- An SSD is recommended for faster area loads; the HDD minimum works but loads are noticeably slower.
- 25 GB of storage is all that's required — the base game is compact by modern standards.
How to Download and Install Sekiro on PC
Steam (Only Distribution Platform)
Sekiro is available exclusively on Steam — there is no Epic Games Store version and no Xbox Game Pass release.
- Open Steam (download at store.steampowered.com if not installed).
- Search for "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" or use the direct store page.
- Purchase the GOTY Edition — it includes the base game and the Gauntlets of Strength challenge modes added in the 2021 GOTY update. The original non-GOTY edition no longer exists separately.
- In your Library, select Sekiro and click Install.
- Choose your installation drive. 25 GB required.
- Launch the game once Steam finishes downloading.
First launch: The game will create a configuration file on first run. You do not need EAC (Easy Anti-Cheat) — Sekiro has no anti-cheat system, which is one reason the modding community is active.
Controller Setup
Sekiro is designed around a controller and plays significantly better with one. The game's timing-based combat translates less intuitively to keyboard and mouse — deflecting (the core mechanic) requires pressing at precise moments, and a controller D-pad or analog triggers give a more natural feel.
| Controller | Setup Method |
|---|---|
| Xbox controller (any) | Plug in USB or pair via Xbox Wireless Adapter — detected automatically |
| DualSense / DS4 (PlayStation) | Connect via USB for native detection; Steam Input can map it as an Xbox pad |
| Steam Deck | Verified on Steam Deck; default controller layout works well |
| Keyboard + Mouse | Supported but not recommended for the posture-based combat |
Best PC Settings for Sekiro
In-Game Graphics Settings
Sekiro's graphics options are simpler than modern UE5 titles. There's no DLSS, no FSR, no ray tracing — it's a 2019 engine rendering natively.
| Setting | Recommended | Performance Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920×1080 (or native) | Very High | No upscaler available — render native or lower resolution |
| Quality | High | High | "High" vs "Maximum" is a small visual jump; "Low" gives a meaningful FPS boost |
| Shadow Quality | Medium | High | Most significant individual setting for FPS on older GPUs |
| Motion Blur | Off | Low | Off is standard for any action game requiring precise visual tracking |
| Depth of Field | Off | Negligible | Reduces cinematic blur during exploration; personal preference |
| SSAO (Ambient Occlusion) | On | Low-Moderate | Improves visual grounding of characters; minor cost |
| Anti-Aliasing | On | Low | TAA-style; Off looks noticeably jagged on edges |
Frame Rate and V-Sync
Sekiro is one of the few games where running above 60fps requires a specific approach. By default, the game caps at 60fps and ties some physics and animation updates to this cap. Running above 60fps without a mod can cause issues with certain animations.
Recommended setup:
- If your monitor is 60Hz: set in-game to 60fps cap, V-Sync on, display mode Fullscreen.
- If your monitor is 144Hz+: use the community Sekiro FPS Unlocker and More mod (available on Nexus Mods). This safely removes the 60fps cap and corrects physics scaling for higher frame rates. Without this mod, 144fps play can affect water physics and minor animation speeds.
Resolution and Display
- Fullscreen: Best performance. Use this by default.
- Windowed/Borderless: Use if you Alt-Tab frequently for builds or guides.
- Ultrawide (21:9): Sekiro does not natively support ultrawide — the game pillarboxes to 16:9. The community Sekiro Ultrawide Fix mod adds full 21:9 support.
The Core System: Posture and Deflect
The single most important thing to understand about Sekiro before playing is that it is not a dodge-roll game. Dark Souls and Elden Ring reward strategic evasion. Sekiro punishes passive play and rewards holding ground and deflecting.
Posture
Every enemy and Wolf himself has a Posture bar — a hidden stamina-equivalent that fills when they block or receive pressure, and naturally recovers when not under attack. When an enemy's Posture bar fills completely, they are Posture Broken, leaving them open to a Deathblow — a one-hit kill (or one-hit phase transition on bosses).
High-vitality enemies (bosses especially) recover Posture quickly if you stop attacking. The counter-intuitive lesson: stay close and keep the pressure on, even if you can't find an opening to deal Vitality damage. Constant aggression chips Posture faster than it recovers.
Deflect (Parry)
Press the block button at the exact moment an enemy attack would connect to execute a Deflect instead of a regular block. A successful Deflect:
- Negates all incoming damage to Wolf
- Deals significant Posture damage to the attacker
- Makes a distinctive metallic clang sound (audio cue for success)
A failed or late block still reduces damage but builds Posture on Wolf instead. A missed deflect against a heavy attack can leave Wolf vulnerable.
The deflect timing window is generous compared to most parry systems in other games — it is much more forgiving than Bloodborne's rally parry or Ghost of Tsushima's Perfect Block. Most players find the rhythm within 2–4 hours of play.
Mikiri Counter
One of the first Shinobi Arts upgrades you should purchase. When an enemy initiates a Perilous Thrust attack (indicated by a red kanji warning), pressing the Dodge button into the attack executes a Mikiri Counter — Wolf stomps the thrusting weapon into the ground and deals massive Posture damage. The Mikiri Counter is essential for fights where enemies use thrusts (including several early bosses).
Perilous Attacks (Red Kanji)
A red warning kanji appears before certain unblockable attacks:
- Thrust (刺): Counter with Mikiri Counter (dodge into the attack)
- Sweep (下): Jump over the attack (and optionally kick the enemy mid-air for Posture damage)
- Grab: Dodge away immediately — these deal heavy Vitality damage and cannot be deflected or blocked
Skills, Prosthetic Tools, and Upgrades
Skill Trees
Wolf gains Skill Points from accumulated combat experience. These are spent in three trees:
| Tree | Focus | Priority Skills |
|---|---|---|
| Shinobi Arts | Shinobi combat techniques | Mikiri Counter (mandatory, buy first), Suppress Presence |
| Mushin Arts | Advanced combat and Skill Point efficiency | Late-game tree; unlock Mushin Arts scroll first |
| Prosthetic Arts | Boosts for Prosthetic Tools | Scale with your tool usage preference |
First skill to buy: Mikiri Counter (Shinobi Arts tree). It changes the difficulty of many early encounters significantly.
Prosthetic Tools
Wolf's left arm is a prosthetic fitted with interchangeable tools:
| Tool | Where Found | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Shuriken Wheel | Hirata Estate (early) | Interrupting aerial enemies, chip damage on fleeing enemies |
| Flame Vent | Hirata Estate (early) | Excellent against enemies with "Terror" weakness (skin enemies, certain bosses) |
| Loaded Axe | Ashina Outskirts (early) | Breaks shields instantly; heavy Posture damage |
| Firecrackers | Found via NPC purchase (Battlefield Memorial Mob) | Stuns enemies and horses; essential for the Blazing Bull boss |
| Loaded Umbrella | Sunken Valley | Deflects fire and arrows; Projected Force upgrade is powerful |
| Loaded Spear | Sunken Valley | Strips armour and specific enemy weaknesses |
Prosthetic Tools cost Spirit Emblems to use. Spirit Emblem capacity is limited — manage tool use actively rather than spamming.
Upgrade Currencies
| Currency | Source | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Sen | Dropped by enemies | Purchasing items, materials |
| Skill Points | Accumulated combat XP | Unlocking active skills |
| Prayer Beads (×4 = 1 set) | Major mini-bosses | Increases Max Vitality and Posture |
| Memory | Remembrance of boss victories | Increases Attack Power |
| Upgrade Materials (Steel/Lump of Fat Wax/etc.) | Found/purchased | Upgrading Prosthetic Tools |
Priority upgrade path: Collect 4 Prayer Beads → upgrade Vitality/Posture → buy Memory upgrades → invest in the Prosthetic Tools you're actively using.
Key Early Bosses and How to Approach Them
Gyoubu Osakatsu Masataka (First Major Boss)
A mounted general on horseback. The key: use Firecrackers (purchased from the Battlefield Memorial Mob NPC before the fight) to panic the horse, then attack aggressively during the stagger. The Shuriken Wheel can interrupt his galloping charges. Focus on Posture damage — his Vitality is high but his Posture breaks quickly with consistent aggression.
Lady Butterfly (Optional Early Boss)
Located in Hirata Estate. Harder than Gyoubu — she moves fast, uses illusions in Phase 2, and requires solid Deflect fundamentals. This is where most new players either learn the posture system or get stuck. Tip: Stay very close. Retreat invites her to throw projectiles. Deflect the projectile barrage in Phase 2 by holding block while she summons illusions.
Genichiro Ashina
The game's first major difficulty spike. Genichiro uses all three Perilous Attack types (thrust, sweep, and grab) and transitions to a lightning phase in Phase 3. Phase 3: When he jumps and charges lightning, use Plunging Deathblow or jump and press attack to redirect the lightning back at him — this is required to deal the final killing blow and also teaches the lightning deflect mechanic used in later fights.
PC-Specific Fixes and Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Stuck at 60fps on 144Hz monitor | Install Sekiro FPS Unlocker and More from Nexus Mods |
| Ultrawide shows black bars | Install Sekiro Ultrawide fix mod |
| Controller not detected | Steam → Big Picture → Controller Settings → enable PlayStation/Generic support |
| Game stutters on load | Move to SSD; the shader compilation on HDD causes micro-freezes |
| Mouse sensitivity feels off | K+M aiming is natively somewhat stiff; third-party ini tweaks exist on community forums |
| Frametime spikes | Close background apps; GPU driver clean install (DDU); game does not heavily use DirectX 12 features |
| Game won't launch | Verify game files via Steam (Library → Right-click → Properties → Local Files → Verify) |
| Save file not loading | Steam Cloud save sync; check %APPDATA%\Sekiro for local save file backup |
Sekiro vs. Elden Ring vs. Dark Souls 3: Which to Play First
| Aspect | Sekiro | Elden Ring | Dark Souls 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat Style | Parry/posture-based, fixed protagonist | Roll-based, build diversity | Roll-based, methodical |
| Open World | No (linear with branching paths) | Yes (massive) | No (interconnected world) |
| Difficulty for beginners | Steep early; satisfying mastery | More accessible | Methodical, punishing |
| Story clarity | Clear narrative focus | Cryptic, environmental | Cryptic, optional |
| Controller required? | Strongly recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| Mods on PC | Active community, quality-of-life mods | Growing ecosystem | Extensive history |
If you enjoy timing-based rhythmic combat and want a focused story — Sekiro first. If you want build diversity and exploration — Elden Ring first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sekiro on Xbox Game Pass or PS Plus? No. Sekiro is Steam-exclusive on PC. It is not on Game Pass, PS Plus Extra, or any subscription service as of 2026. It must be purchased outright (standard price ~€59.99; frequent Steam Sales bring it to €20–30).
Can I play with keyboard and mouse? Yes, the game supports K+M natively, but the deflect timing and fluid combat feel significantly better with a controller. Most players who start on K+M eventually switch to a controller.
Does Sekiro have multiplayer? No. Sekiro is entirely single-player. There is no co-op, no invasions, and no PvP of any kind.
How long is Sekiro? A first playthrough typically takes 30–50 hours depending on how many optional areas and bosses you explore. The speedrun record is under 30 minutes using known skips. New Game+ cycles are faster with retained upgrades.
Is the game on Steam Deck? Yes — Sekiro is Steam Deck Verified. The default control layout works correctly. Performance targets 60fps on the Deck at medium-low settings.
Are there difficulty options? No. Unlike Elden Ring, Sekiro has no difficulty slider, no summon system to assist with bosses, and no way to meaningfully over-level beyond the core upgrade system. The game is designed as a single experience — the intended difficulty is the designed experience.
Does upgrading Attack Power make bosses significantly easier? Yes — each Memory (boss drop) increases your attack power by a flat amount and is the primary power-scaling mechanic. Completing optional bosses and collecting Memories is the closest Sekiro has to "levelling up."
Does Sekiro have DLC? The GOTY Edition (the version currently sold on Steam) includes the Gauntlets of Strength challenge modes — remixed boss sequences designed for experienced players. These are the only additions to the base game and are included in all current purchases.