The Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Mini-Boss that Makes Players Quit the Game
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a challenging game, but it’s not difficult. Not by a long shot. I dispel that in this article.
However.
Plenty of people still find this game very difficult, and I wanted to find out why. So once again, let’s use data to clarify the picture:
Goodness, what’s going on between receiving your sword and Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa? That’s a massive drop off between the beginning of the game and the 1st boss!
In fact, 34% — over 1 in 3 players — drop out of the game before they even get to the 1st boss! What’s going on?
What is happening between receiving Kusabimaru to start the adventure, and 1st boss Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa? What’s preventing 1 in 3 players from experiencing the rest of the game?
It’s this guy:
Fuck this guy.
Why Does the Chained Ogre Suck?
Up until this point, you only fight 2 mini-bosses, both of them samurai.
This is the 1st time in the game you fight something bigger than you, that also has a Grab Attack.
And it SUCKS.
There are 2 reasons why 1 in 3 players don’t cross this threshold:
1. There is No Clever Way to Beat this Mini-Boss
You can’t sneak up behind it to take off a health bar.
Yes, if you’re sneaky and use a Gachiin’s Sugar, this is doable. BUT you only get 2 of this consumable at this point in the game. Not much opportunity to experiment, is there?
And there’s nothing about the environment and fight arena that will help you. Tree branch, cliffside, stairs, overlook, walls, corners? They do NOTHING. No alternative path, no vantage point, no interactive tools or equipment.
The Chained Ogre hates fire — and the game will suggest using the Flame Vent Prosthetic Tool. However, your fire attack does next to no damage to it, other than stunning the Chained Ogre for a bit to get some extra hits in.
You are occasionally prompted to grapple to Chained Ogre, but this just closes the distance. If you’ve unlocked Grappling Hook Attack — it adds a whopping 1 extra hit in.
There’s no AHA! moment in this fight. No realisation. There’s no click.
You’re forced to play the game on its own terms — which is to whack the Chained Ogre for 2 health bars until it dies. This goes on for 2–3+ minutes.
What a shitty game experience for most players.
2. The BULLSHIT Tracking of the Grab Attack
EVERYONE screams at Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice because of this: the hit box for the Chained Ogre’s Grab Attack is rage quit inducing.
You’ll be visibly clear of the Grab Attack — you’re jumping away, dodging backwards or stepping to the side, etc. Doesn’t matter what you do — the hit box is so big, you’re almost always magically transported into the Grab Attack.
From a game studio with a reputation for games that are supposed to be Tough but Fair, this is particularly FRUSTRATING and UNFAIR.
Everyone hates this mini-boss, and for very good reason.
The Chained Ogre — Fight Strategy
Learn the attack patterns and battle flow:
2–3 hits. Dodge the attack. 2–3 hits. Dodge the Grab Attack. That’s it.
Don’t get greedy. Be patient. Time your dodges well. Dodge forward left / right. Take your time, and frame it as an endurance fight.
It throws you off the cliff? Don’t panic, simply grapple back to safety on the tree branch.
Summary
Play the game like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Not Dark Souls.
Defeat Chained Ogre on it’s own merits. Yes, it’s the most bullshit part of the game. But stick through it!
I promise you the rest of the game is legit much more fun.
