“He laughed”: Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Reaction After Elden Ring Voice Actor Brought up the Hardest Game He Has Ever Created

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Games developed by FromSoftware are renowned for their challenging nature, which has even led to a specific genre being coined in reference to them. Those who have perished numerous times at the hands of bosses such as Malenia or Isshin, the Sword Saint, will likely resonate with this observation. However, what does Hidetaka Miyazaki himself think about his works?

During Shaun Dooley’s initial encounter with Miyazaki, it’s no surprise that he showed some enthusiasm, much like a fan would. Fast forward to a 2024 interview, Dooley revealed his interaction with Miyazaki and confessed that the challenging game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice was beyond his skill level. To this, Miyazaki responded with laughter.

Hidetaka Miyazaki knows exactly what Sekiro has done to us

For Shaun Dooley, venturing into video game voice acting was a completely fresh endeavor. Prior to securing the roles of Bloody Finger Hunter Yura and Shabriri in Elden Ring, he hadn’t been involved in any gaming projects. In an interview on Dan Allen’s YouTube channel on June 19, 2024, Dooley shared his journey to landing this job.

In early 2020, his talent agency reminded him that Liquid Violet, a recording studio based in London, was interested in him for a part in Hidetaka Miyazaki’s game. Curious if it might be Elden Ring, Dooley promptly inquired. After securing the role, Miyazaki himself traveled to London not long after to meet the cast members.

Enthusiastic about FromSoftware games, Dooley conveyed to Miyazaki – via an interpreter – his affection for “Bloodborne”. He admitted that “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” was overly challenging for him. Later, Dooley shared that Miyazaki chuckled upon hearing this. He characterized the experience as extraordinary, akin to “being a child in a candy store” while conversing with someone he deeply respects as the greatest video game director ever.

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It’s clear that Sekiro stands out among Miyazaki’s games due to its challenging nature. However, Elden Ring offers a unique level of adaptability that Sekiro lacks. Players can summon Spirit Ashes, experiment with various builds, and bring in co-op partners for tough boss fights. This design element allows the game to be tailored to our preferred level of difficulty, making it more personalized.

Elden Ring can’t compare to Sekiro because it actually gives us options

It’s no secret that FromSoftware is adept at creating demanding games, and this is something we’re all familiar with. However, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice distinguishes itself within their collection of titles. Unlike Elden Ring, in Sekiro, players can’t modify their character build or bypass a boss to tackle other tasks first. Instead, it presents a more linear progression of difficulty, which sets it apart and has led many fans to declare it the most challenging game FromSoftware has ever produced.

Sekiro is renowned as FromSoftware’s toughest game due to the scarcity of “shortcut” strategies. In contrast, Elden Ring offers magic, bleed builds, and other techniques that simplify encounters with bosses. However, in Sekiro, there are no such options available. Instead, mastering parrying, deflections, and learning enemy attack patterns becomes the primary means of advancement. Stealth mechanics, which the game does offer, are seldom effective against most bosses.

There’s no simple path to victory, and it’s one’s skill that ultimately decides the outcome – this is why Sekiro stands supreme. Miyazaki’s amusement at Dooley’s remark about Sekiro isn’t malicious, but rather a knowing giggle from an artist who truly grasps the masterpiece he has created. And for this reason, he remains our greatest of all time (GOAT).

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2025-03-20 13:23