3D gameSwordplay-focused action-adventureOriginal by FromSoftware
Sekiro turns combat into a blade-on-blade rhythm game. Rather than whittling down an enemy's health, you break their posture with deflections to open up a deathblow. Every well-timed parry is rewarded with a satisfying spark and clang. Grappling onto rooftops, scouting enemy territory in secret and gruelling duels make the player feel like a true shinobi.
For a similar game, the heart is a parry and posture system that works with millisecond precision. On top of that come enemy attack patterns, perilous-attack warnings, vertical movement with a grappling hook and stealth assassinations. A realistic target for a small team is a first “Sekiro-style” release with a single castle or village, a few enemy types and 2–3 duel bosses. Swapping Japan for a different culture can make the game feel more original.
Why Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice works: the core loop
Systems you need to build a game like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Deflection and posture
Well-timed blocks fill the enemy's posture bar; a broken posture opens a deathblow.
Perilous attack warnings
Visual cues marking unblockable attacks, each with its own answer (jump, dodge, counter).
Grappling hook traversal
Zipping to anchor points on trees and rooftops, taking exploration and stealth into the vertical dimension.
Stealth and assassination
Hiding in tall grass, eavesdropping and backstab deathblows to thin out enemies before open combat.
Prosthetic tools
Extra tools such as a shield-breaking axe or a flamethrower that are effective against specific enemies.
Resurrection mechanic
A limited number of revivals after death, a risk element that makes dying part of the fight.
What goes into the first version, what comes later
First version (soft launch)
- One castle or village area and 4–6 hours of play
- Deflection, posture and deathblow system
- Grappling movement and basic stealth
- 6–8 enemy types and 2–3 duel bosses
- Two or three prosthetic tools and a small skill tree
Later updates
- New areas and bosses
- More prosthetic tools and skill branches
- Boss rush and difficulty modes
- New Game+ and alternative endings
The hard parts of this genre
Parry timing
Too narrow a window feels punishing, too wide feels boring; input latency and frame timing must be tested on every platform.
Enemy attack patterns
Each enemy should be readable yet unpredictable; designing rhythm and variation takes real expertise.
Audio and visual feedback
Sparks, steel sounds, camera and rumble: half of the parry feeling comes from feedback.
Team, timeline and budget
The estimate is based on the genre’s core systems, content volume, multiplayer and live-ops needs plus QA and project management: about 428 person-days for the full scope and 192 person-days for the first version. Cutting scope (fewer levels, one map, fewer characters) lowers the budget directly. Store accounts, servers, audio licences and user-acquisition budget are separate items. We send a fixed written price within 24 hours after the game design document.
Monetisation
Action games like this are sold as premium titles. A demo is especially effective for showing off the combat feel. If the game succeeds, a paid expansion with new bosses and areas, or free updates, can keep community and sales momentum going. In-game purchases are rarely welcome in this genre.
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Choosing a game development company for a game like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Most people searching “make a game like sekiro” are really looking for a reliable game development company. When comparing quotes, check four things:
- Can you play their released 3D games on your own phone?
- Are the source code, art files and store accounts transferred to you by contract?
- Do they build a playable prototype first and show a demo every two weeks?
- Are ads, in-app purchases and analytics set up as part of the quote?
Copyright and originality
Game mechanics on their own are generally not protected, but names, logos, characters, art, audio and level designs are. That is why we build a game “like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” with your own name, art and world. This is not legal advice; we recommend a trademark search before launch.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to make a game like Sekiro?
The original is the work of a large, experienced studio. An MVP with one area and a few bosses can be completed by an experienced small team in about a year; fine-tuning the combat is the longest phase.
Will there be copyright issues?
Mechanics such as deflection, a posture bar and a grappling hook are generally free to use. Characters, the name, the world, boss designs and music cannot be copied. This is not legal advice.
Can a similar game work on mobile?
Parrying is hard on a touchscreen, but a simplified version with controller support is possible. Still, the core audience for this genre is on PC and console.
What should I look for when choosing a studio to build a game like Sekiro?
Look for combat design and animation experience. Seeing a playable prototype of a single duel boss in the first months is the best way to judge the combat feel.
