Chapter 267 If the enemy is silent, he must be acting like a monster
“Editor-in-Chief Simon, it’s been more than 72 hours since the game was released. It’s really time for us to release the test scores.”
It’s night, in the western part of the United States, in a two-story single-family villa in San Jose, San Francisco.
A man in his mid-thirties, wearing pink silk pajamas, was walking on the cashmere carpet in the living room on the first floor of the villa, listening to the voice of his assistant on the phone.
“So far, nearly fifteen evaluation media, including Global Players, SLGamers, TT Video Games, Tiantian Youbao, etc., have rated and reviewed “Sekiro”,”
The assistant on the phone sounded a little anxious:
“We really need to hurry up.”
Yes.
As one of the chief editors of SNG Games, Matt Simon has always been responsible for reviewing the most popular games of the quarter or even the year.
This time, the important task of writing a review of "Sekiro" naturally fell on him.
Today, as the pioneering 3S-level masterpiece of Golden Wind, Sekiro has undoubtedly achieved great success on a global scale.
Although the regular gameplay of this game is 25-40 hours long, it is considered a very grueling masterpiece for the review media.
However, those international first-line game media still rushed to the game about 48 hours after its release. Through fierce fighting and suffering day and night, they cleared the game and made the first evaluation.
Among these reviews, some focus on the technical capabilities of the game, such as SLGamers’ review—
[9.9/10 points: An unprecedented game. As the game designer Sam said, the future is already here. The refined combat feel and rich and free action realization not only put this game on the altar, but also It also opens up a more exciting path for future somatosensory action games...]
Some focus on the design concept of the game, such as Hummingbird Game—
[9.8/10 points: It’s hard to imagine that a game full of negative feedback in terms of difficulty can be so fascinating. Each BOSS is like an insurmountable mountain in life. Only when you climb over Only in the past can I experience the sense of accomplishment that reaches my toes...]
Some also focus on the narrative of the game, such as Global Players—
[9.9/10 points: Unlike all previous games, in this game, part of the plot you learn, even some important plots, are pieced together through scattered information and the words of others. Although this kind of fragmented narrative will always make people confused, there is no doubt that it allows players to experience the immersion under the rolling torrent of the times. Here, you are just a person wrapped in fate. Independent individuals, making insignificant but exhausting efforts to fight against fate...]
In addition, there are also those who talk about the exquisite design of each BOSS, some who say that the design of its prosthetic hand is wonderful and novel, and some who even select the story of its supporting role that is independent from the protagonist for special analysis.
To name a few.
Obviously, there are indeed many aspects that can be analyzed for this work that is enough to shock the entire gaming community.
After all, judging from the current situation, it has four endings alone—
The first one is [Step into Shura], which is also the first ending to be played.
In this ending, Sekiro faced the suggestion of his adoptive father who had "resurrected from the dead" on the castle tower, and chose to nod his head and acquiesce, no longer protecting Miko Kuro, but handing him over to his adoptive father.
However, just when the adoptive father thought that he had great power and was about to gain the power of immortality to rule the world, the wolf stabbed him in the heart from behind, avenging the stabbing he suffered three years ago.
After killing his father and betraying his master, Sekiro embarked on the path of Shura, and not even the old Yishin could stop him.
Standing on the castle tower, looking at Ashina Castle which is like a **** on earth, Sekiro Ninja set up the fire of **** with his prosthetic hand and completely turned into a killing machine...
The second one is [Cut off the Immortal], which is the second ending that has been conquered.
In this ending, the wolf did not find any other way to kill the immortal, so he could only execute it step by step according to Jiuro's method.
Finally, Kuro took the Tears of the Sakura Dragon, and Sekiro also raised the Immortal Sword, killing Kuro with his own hands and cutting off the Immortality.
The third one is [returning to normalcy], which is also the only ending that was personally praised by Sam. It can be called the official ending in Sam’s mind—
That is, Sekiro exchanged his life for Kuro to return to normal life and live an ordinary life.
As for the last one [Dragon’s Homecoming], it was unlocked by a Chinese player nearly 50 hours after the game was released. It is also the most complicated but perfect ending of the entire game—
In this ending, players will get to know the ‘Son of Transformation’ in Xianfeng Temple when they get the red Immortal Slash.
According to various fragmentary clues, players need to kill the White Snake God, take out the ‘Snake Persimmon’ of the White Snake God and the ‘Dried Snake Persimmon’ it guards and let the Son of God eat it.
After that, the Son of God will turn into a cradle of dragon Yin and shed tears of ice.
In the ending, if Jiulang takes Ice Tears and Dragon Tears, the Son of God will become one with Jiulang, and then embark on the journey of the dragon's return home, sending Long Yin back to its original place, completely letting the dragon Yin disappears.
That is to say.
These four endings alone are enough for players to play multiple games!
There are so many points that can be analyzed about this game.
From in-game to out-of-game, there are countless.
But it’s precisely because of this!
Simon feels that he really cannot use precise language to comprehensively evaluate this game.
It is a great innovation in the gaming industry and an insurmountable milestone.
If we talk about the Titanfall time travel level back then, it is a level design ceiling that no one can surpass so far.
The entire work of Sekiro is as amazing a monument as a time travel level.
No more than that.
Simon doesn’t want to comment on the game this way.
So, how should we evaluate this game?
[…This is a tragic song about an idealist’s failed attempt, a story about the loneliness of a late hero who is unable to recover, a romance about daring to die generously for the beliefs in his heart, and a work about the transformation of a wolf into a human being. 】
【It is the beginning and the end of the curtain】
【It is the game of the year in my mind】
—"Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice"
【SNG score: 10/10】
…
Ten points! Full marks!
The next day!
With the release of 10 points from Matt Simon, editor-in-chief of SNG Review, the world's largest gaming media website.
ˆDiscussions and reports about the work "Sekiro" have also been pushed to an unprecedented climax!
《Another masterpiece is born! "Sekiro" received a perfect score from SNG! 》
《The lowest is 9.8 and the highest is 10! The uncrowned king of the annual game is born! 》
《The altar is moving with Sam! 》
—Unprecedented innovation and a design that has already arrived in the future, Sekiro has become another perfect masterpiece produced by Golden Wind after continuing to go to the moon!
《Gu Sheng and his mobile altar! 》
—Impeccable game performance, Sekiro has undoubtedly become one of the most watched 3S-level masterpieces this year!
log by Golden Wind’s first 3S-level work is a hit! 》
—As Golden Wind’s first 3S-level work after being promoted to a medium-sized game company, Sekiro, with its sophisticated production and innovative gameplay, has received high scores from major game rating media, and even successfully ranked among the top 3S games in the history of SNG evaluations. Five perfect game seats!
Various reports are emerging one after another.
The players’ discussions are getting louder and louder!
In just one and a half months!
The popularity curves of the two games "Torii" and "Sekiro" show an extremely exaggerated shape!
This side of the wolf is getting higher and higher, infinitely upward.
Over the torii gate, it is getting lower and lower, infinitely downward. By the time the "SNG 10-point evaluation" became popular, Torii's popularity curve had almost fallen to the freezing point, and it was beginning to be infinitely closer to being forgotten.
And this is not over yet.
In this update, the attack AI logic of some BOSS and elites will be slightly adjusted, and some minor bugs will be fixed, and then—
Open creative workshops.
When the news came, players even omitted a bunch of messy little adjustments.
after all.
These last six words are so exciting!
In an instant!
The players’ enthusiasm was instantly detonated!
And after just one night!
There are tens of thousands of mods already available in Sekiro’s creative workshop!
So if at this time, you are a friend who has just been rescued from Mars and watched the live broadcast of the game "Sekiro" for the first time, you will be "lucky" to see the following screen -
On the castle tower, Sakurajima Mai, who is wearing a bunny girl costume and holding a lightsaber, is fighting against Ash who is holding an arc scimitar on the opposite side. The tinkling sound of iron is heard and sparks are flying...
In the collapse valley, as the protagonist continues to use the hook rope to fly up and down in the canyon, there are formations of gravel behind him, and the ground shakes. Looking back, a Thomas the Tank Engine that covers the sky is licking the face of a devilish smile. chase…
In the aquatic village, the fog is thick, and the charming Meowth is playing the piccolo. Once alerted, he will wave the flute in his hand and clumsily hit you, and then accidentally fall to the ground...
In the Palace of Origin above the sky, in front of Yinglong, Bald Qiang held an ax and declared war on the earth-shaking Yinglong arrogantly: "If you only have this kind of strength, you can't compare to the two of me from Gouxiong Ridge." Old friend…”
All kinds of weird and outrageous mods have been added to the game.
Even some unruly villains changed the background music without authorization in the ending of Shura.
On a scorched purgatory-like land, Sekiro held a wedge pill in his hand, lit a blazing fire of karma in his left hand, and turned his back to Isshin and Yongzhen, who were dying.
At this time, the music played—
唔唔! Thump thump thump thump!
Nevergonnagiveyouup!
Nevergonnaletyoudown!
“Being cheated again—!”
As a designer, Gu Sheng even had the urge to close the creative workshop when he saw this mod for the first time.
I’m convinced.
How come you can be deceived here?
As a Shura, killing Yongzhen's wife and Lao Yixin is enough of a shame, but the background music also has to deceive others.
Even though he is such a psychopath, he can't help but doubt the mental state of his own group of players.
that's all!
The popularity of "Sekiro" is rising. It has been going on for more than a week. Not only has it not declined at all, but it has continued to soar!
As for "Torii", under such heavy pressure, it seems to have disappeared.
Theoretically, this is a bit strange.
You must know that Torii is Comella’s key 3S-level project this quarter or even the entire second half of the year.
Although it is hopeless to compete with Sekiro, who is now in full swing, on the frontal battlefield, even if you exclude the factor of confronting Sekiro, this game still needs to make a return!
Since the end of the exhibition, it has been in a state of decline until now.
During this period, apart from Chief Designer Koizumi’s “public relations” operation that stole the chicken but lost the rice, there was no further action.
It’s like this game has been forgotten not only by the player market, but also by Comela itself.
Even now, the popularity of "Torii" is not as high as that of the other two games also produced by Comela, "Wild Dunk EX" and "Hot Rally: Return"!
“What kind of evil are these grandchildren holding back?”
In the office, Lu Bian put down the heat curve chart of Sekiro and Torii, frowned and said.
good!
Such anomalies naturally attracted the attention of Golden Wind executives.
Obviously.
There is nothing wrong with the "calm" situation in Comela today.
A project with an investment of more than 200 million dollars has performed so poorly in the market. Let alone rivals, it can't even compete in its own games with lower investment. Why is Comella so indifferent?
What about Xuanfa?
What about marketing?
We will not say that you are discrediting us.
Don’t you need to do some publicity for your own game, at least to make it recover its cost?
Not prepared.
Thus said Comella.
At least for now, it seems that Comella is not prepared for this at all.
“If your opponent is silent, he must be acting like a monster...”
Gu Sheng was naturally aware of this.
It’s just that he doesn’t understand and can’t figure out why the top management of Comora would be so cruel to “Torii”.
Are you holding back to become a wolf?
Won't.
I can’t say no.
It can’t be done.
With high scores of 9.9 and 10 points by all evaluation media, it was an unprecedented carnival in the gaming circle. It was praised as an "epoch-making game" by many media and even Jimmy Lawrence, an executive of the American International Data Corporation (IDC), one of the organizers of GDC.
Today's Sekiro is definitely not a game where Comela can incite public opinion and destroy word-of-mouth with its rhythm.
Let’s just say it.
At this time, if Comella still wants to attack Golden Wind on the level of public opinion and pull them down from the altar, it would be better to turn around and develop another game, which may cost less than hyping up public opinion.
So…
Since he is not trying to attack us, what is the purpose of Comella's cruel tactics?
Gu Sheng couldn’t figure it out.
because of this-
…
“…It makes no sense at all!”
At the same time, at the top level of Comela Headquarters, at the shareholders’ meeting, Kamikoshi Kage was pointing at the many data behind him and vowed:
“This time the project was announced and arranged properly, and the targeted strategies were well prepared. Both in terms of game quality and layout planning, everything was flawless,”
“So this loss, this major failure, I beg you shareholders to think about it carefully——”
“Isn’t this completely unreasonable?”
—
PS: The next chapter is half an hour late, and adjustments are being made.
(End of this chapter)