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The Greatest Lie FromSoftware Ever Told

CyclicalZ

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Why is the Guardian Ape the greatest lie FromSoftware ever told? This deep dive analysis breaks down how Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice shatters its own rules. After teaching you the rigid laws of its combat loop in Act 1, the game's second act completely subverts everything you've learned. We explore the "house" of FromSoft game design, investigating how the immortal zombies of Mibu Village, the posture-heavy Corrupted Monk, and the legendary Shinobi Execution fake-out fundamentally manipulate player expectations. Is this just FromSoftware trolling us, or is it a masterclass in psychological game design?

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Introduction
2:23 - Subversive Bosses
4:25 - Armored Warrior
6:21 - Folding Screen Monkeys
8:28 - Gun Fort
9:54 - Corrupted Monk
12:10 - Guardian Ape
13:48 - But Why?

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#sekiro #fromsoftware #guardianape #soulslike #gamedesign #gaming #gamereview #sekiroshadowsdietwice #eldenring #bloodborne #cyclicalz

20 Comments

@cyclicalzgaming Creator 1 month ago Pinned

If you enjoyed the breakdown in this video, we're building a cool community on Discord to discuss awesome games and game design! Drop in and say hi 👇
https://discord.gg/Yh6hc9TPPb

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@launcelotdulake8075 6 months ago

I will never forgive IGN for spoiling the guardian ape's second phase within the first 60 seconds of their Sekiro review

@aryandairshad 6 months ago

Actually I believe Fromsoftware's unbroken rule is "the camera is not on your side"

@nickparry4997 6 months ago

Greatest lie Fromsoft ever told: "A titanite slab? That's all I got?"

@MrGreenPong 6 months ago

When i finaly defeated the ape i went happily towards the fog covering the small cave with the flower, only to realize its not going away. I turned around and my words were "oh youre gotha be fucking me..." as the damn thing was picking its head up

@awakenthechosen 6 months ago

Guardian Ape was one of the best choreographed & paced big-enemy fights in any game ever. Super underrated.

@gowary 6 months ago

Dark souls 3 also has a similar moment with sister Friede, after beating her 2nd stage the game rewards you with a Titanite Slab luring you into a state of false security only to hear her moments later and see her final form

@SaifXCX 6 months ago

I remember my first walkthrough, the guardian ape's 1st phase was so hard that when i finished it i put down the controller and got out to get some air, when i came back i found him alive again, i didn't know why until i killed him again 😂

@Milan_Wukong 6 months ago

Monke best boss. Monke takes 15 seconds to reconnect his head to Bluetooth and here we go again. Nice video

@p.istvan8744 6 months ago

I personally think act 2 ends with Great Shinobi Owl. He is the culmination of everything.
His shinobi tricks tell you how to position like with the Folding Screen Monkeys.
His health needs to be drained before posture like with the Corrupted Monk.
And like the Guardian Ape he has that phase transition where he begs for his life.

@akanji8285 6 months ago

I know a lot of people don’t like instant death mechanics, but I really liked it in the ape fight. Him putting his head back on to scream is so terrifying it will stop your heart.

@zhengistasbolatov8480 6 months ago (edited)

The thing about invisible monkey is that he follows you. I kept hearing footsteps behind me, and at some point it clicked "the fourth empty paper screen is for invisible monkey"! And with sudden back attack I got him.

@51909relapseminem 6 months ago

I remember the first time I beat phase 1 of the Guardian Ape, I was wondering why the dog wall wasn't disappearing. Then I saw the headless ape health bar, heard the boss music, and just sat there stone faces while I let the ape kill me. Then I turned off the game and didn't touch it again for another 2 months

@theradacore 5 months ago

Genichiro was the only boss I’ve ever played where after 50 attempts several YouTube videos and yelling that he still pulls out a move you’ve never seen. What an epic moment. Sekiro was just peak video gaming

@raggedcritical 6 months ago

Not for nothing, but the Gun Fort is sort of a stealth / parkour section if done right. There are other ways to cross than the rope bridge that result in you taking a lot less fire.

@phollie801 3 months ago

1:39 it’s cause you didn’t kill enough of them… they eventually stop spawning, and is a fantastic sen and blue juice farming spot once you get there because they do keep respawning for a bit

@elfbruh 2 months ago

4:08 AYO????? since when can you do that????😭😭

@sambeckettcat 5 months ago

One of my favorite subversions was fighting Owl for the first time, with all the tricks and deceptions he pulls, including a fake surrender

@benperry4336 5 months ago

Getting the titanite slab after defeating the second phase of Sister Friede in DS3 before being jumpscared by her black flame form was pretty peak for me too