The Divine Dragon of Sekiro: A Breathtaking Fusion of Real-World Mythos and In-Game Legends

Highlights

The Divine Dragon fight in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice breaks expectations and showcases FromSoftware's unique development skills.

The encounter with the Divine Dragon in the game is not simply a test of skill but rather a complex puzzle, distinguishing it from other boss fights.

By incorporating elements of Japanese and Korean myths, as well as drawing inspiration from previous Soulsborne titles, the Divine Dragon's weapon and design details effectively establish a connection to Sekiro's Japanese setting.

In FromSoftware's core titles, bosses are typically known for their intense difficulty. However, the Divine Dragon in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a unique exception, as it surpasses expectations and offers an incredible experience. This battle delves into the deep lore of FromSoftware's games, incorporating familiar themes and featuring a fan-favorite weapon in a new and interesting form.

For dedicated fans of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, it may be challenging to appreciate the Divine Dragon as it is considered one of the easier fights in the game. However, what sets the Divine Dragon apart is its ability to showcase FromSoftware's impressive development skills and showcase their imaginative capabilities even further.

Simple and Thematic Combat

The battle against the Divine Dragon would be better suited for Demon's Souls rather than Sekiro. It is more of a puzzle to solve rather than a test of skill. Throughout two phases, players must uncover the secret to damaging the Divine Dragon, which is easier than actually figuring out the solution. The Divine Dragon is similar to FromSoftware's gimmick bosses, where the first phase relies on deathblows and the second phase involves dodging and lightning reversals.

While it is likely that players will die at least once in their first playthrough, the fight becomes more predictable in New Game Plus or faster runs. If every fight in Sekiro consistently increased in difficulty, the game would lose its impact and fail to create its own twist on the Soul-like formula. Instead, the Divine Dragon showcases FromSoftware's themes seen in Demon's Souls and Elden Ring, while also incorporating real-world inspirations into the game's lore.

The Fleeing Divine Dragon Grounds Sekiro's Japanese Setting

Sekiro stands out from other FromSoftware titles by setting the game in a fictional province of Japan instead of a completely made-up world. This decision allows for a deeper connection to Japanese mythology and the historical ties between Japan and other East Asian countries, particularly Korea.

The connection to Korea is subtly hinted at in the dialogue and descriptions surrounding the Divine Dragon in Sekiro. However, the strongest proof of this can be found in the choice of weapon used by the Divine Dragon. While the protagonist, Wolf, does not actually change his weapon throughout the game, he does have the option to equip a second katana for specific deathblows and special attacks. It is during these moments that fans of FromSoftware will recognize the appearance of an iconic weapon.

The Moonlight Greatsword, wielded by the Divine Dragon in a unique form, appears in Sekiro as a radiant version of the Seven-Branched Sword. This legendary sword holds significance in Japanese history, believed to have been given to a Yamato lord in Japan by the king of Baekje. While the Moonlight Greatsword's appearance adds to the combat dynamics of the fight, with its ability to emit beams of light that players must avoid during damage phases, it is the symbolism of the Seven-Branched Sword that reveals more about the Divine Dragon.

Another notable design element in the Divine Dragon encounter is the presence of trees and corrupted bark, which represents the boss's current state after being expelled from its homeland and harvested for tears before players encounter it. Tree motifs have been a recurring theme in FromSoftware's games, predating the Erdtree's dominance in the world of Elden Ring. Bark and roots often serve as the initial signs of decay in many worlds, and this connection to rotting trees can be seen in both Dark Souls' infested Great Hollow and the Divine Dragon's presence in Sekiro, emphasizing a link between the two franchises.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.