I cheesed DoH with the cliff trick and I swear it's the most fun I've had in this game yet, apart from clowning several bosses after (Hirata boss) Lady Butterfly put me through the grinder early on. I laughed and laughed. And took a screenshot and video clip. And then laughed some more.
No, DoH, thank you.
Kinda bummed I missed out on the special dialogue though. (big boss/endgame/lore spoilers) I was positive I gave the sculptor all 4 sakes, and eavesdropped as much as I could. Maybe I missed some other trigger. If you don't know what I'm talking about: during the boss battle Sekiro can realize that the Demon of Hatred is the Sculptor. After the battle, the old lady where you first find Tengu confirms it. If you don't get the dialogue, she says perhaps it's better you didn't realize who DoH was. What nonsense, he was my one-armed monkey bro. :(
And now for my latest complaints:
- I'm sick and tired of how sluggish the combat feels when I'm trying my best to block and deflect, then I get forced into block stun, then my posture breaks and I'm flat on my ass, eating hit after hit. I'm working on the final boss here, and he's so fucking fast that he hits me between my hits, then locks me down with absurdly strong attacks of his own. And of course this asshole rushes you down when you attempt to take a three second long swig of your damned gourd. Why is my character the slowest ninja in history? This is a life and death situation, you moron. You're not sipping sake with Emma right now.
- The overused bosses are a little much. Was (1st Hirata boss) The Drunkard really such a compelling enemy design that he's worth fighting two more times if I want all the prayer beads? (Late game areas) Hirata 2, and the blue Ministry miniboss in Ashina Outskirts when everything's on fire. Come on.
- (Late game area/boss) The Sakura Bull of the Palace in Fountainhead was also bullshit. It was an easy kill because I got him to crash into the wall and stun himself, but still. The first version was dumpster fire boss design. I can't imagine anyone would relish the thought of repeating it.
- Why do I have to fight (mid/late game boss)Genichiro yet again, before the final final boss? Sit the hell down, chump. I already endured three phases of your crap at Ashina Castle. His new attacks are damned annoying too. I really enjoy losing half my health when I block, or taking the full attack in my face when I'm not quite close enough to jump off his head. The fight just feels like a gratuitous kick in the balls, a cheap shot designed to drain your gourds before you can get down to business.
- What's the point of collecting all 10 health/posture upgrades if a boss can take me out in two swipes no matter what? I went through hell to get all those beads. I'm missing the logic here.
I can't wait to finish this annoying game and get back to DMC5, where the characters damn well listen to my button inputs and don't lie on the ground at random or spend an entire afternoon in block stun before remembering they've got a fight to finish.
Slow ass game. I hate watching my dumb character get stuck in a year-long animation when I see an attack coming and I'm frantically trying to respond to it. Fucking move, you idiot. Not enjoyable at all.