Upon finally beating Sword Saint Isshin and completing the game for the first time, I was insistent that this was an easy five star game. While doing a couple NG+ runs for the platinum, it became obvious just how much of the game is superfluous and mediocre at best. You could largely cut out much of the first half of the game (and try not putting the least fun mini-bosses in the game towards the very beginning) and it would be a much tighter and more polished experience.

That being said, the combat system and boss fights are so incredibly satisfying that it would be hard for me to give this game anything less than a near-perfect score. Sekiro is at its best when it focuses on getting everything it can out of its combat system, and it hits those highs in nearly every single boss fight, keeping you on your toes all the while without losing sight of being fair and well-designed.