An insanely difficult new game from the creators of 'Dark Souls' has some players demanding an easy mode, but hardcore fans think it would ruin the creator's vision

To make things even tougher, the bosses in "Sekiro" don't appear in a specific order. Instead, they wait in specific areas of the game until the player encounters them. That means players can accidentally stumble across enemies that are far too strong for them to beat, and some bosses can show up as a complete surprise.

In a lot of ways, playing "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" is a war of attrition. The game expects you to die a ton of times before you understand how to fight properly, and you'll probably die dozens more times trying to figure out the right strategy to beat your very first boss. Success in "Sekiro" feels like the video game equivalent of digging your way through concrete with a spoon.

Sekiro is just full of... surprises pic.twitter.com/GiQtnpw975

— Lazy, Ace of Hearts (@LazyP_765) March 25, 2019

But there are players who feel that the steep difficulty curve is a barrier to enjoyment. For players who struggle to master the flow of combat or can't execute "Sekiro's" advanced moves on command, the game is frustrating, rather than rewarding. Even basic enemies at the start of the game can kill Wolf in just a few hits, and if the player can't beat them in a fight, they simply can't progress.

Game critics and accessibility advocates alike have criticized "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" for its lack of an easy mode, or any other kind of accomodation, for players who want to experience the game without the demanding combat requirement. Hardcore fans of FromSoftware games have argued that this would compromise the game's vision, since it's clearly designed to be hard to beat.

Should games like Sekiro have an 'Easy' mode? Yes. Don't like it? Don't use it. All games should have user-friendly options. All games should be accessible to all users - be it an 'Easy' mode, custom button-mapping, or other accessibility options. Everyone should be able to play.

— Direct-Feed Games (@DirectFeedGames) March 30, 2019

As debate over "Sekiro's" difficulty continues, easy mode advocates claim that players who oppose an easier difficulty are gatekeeping others. Most believe that adding an easy mode to the game would allow more players to experience "Sekiro," even if that experience is slightly different and not defined by how hard it was to beat the game.

On the other hand, fans of FromSoftware have celebrated the experience that "Sekiro" currently provides, and say that overcoming the difficult learning curve is what makes the developer's community of fans passionate and unique.

This isn't good enough. This isn't inclusive enough. If you crave a challenge then good for you, champ, but adding in an easy/ier mode literally has NO IMPACT ON YOU AND YOUR EXPERIENCE AT ALL.

— V. (@_vixx) March 31, 2019

When gamers argue about easy mode in games, it's not about defending the developer's "vision", it's about isolating anybody who isn't them from getting involved in their precious hobby.

— Scrub Quotes: Ice Climbers Die Twice (@ScrubQuotesX) March 31, 2019

Games should have more accessibility, but demanding “every game needs easy mode” takes agency away from developers. Sekiro is a game about making you learn it’s rules, and once you do you have a shared experience with everyone else who played it, and i like that such games exist

— Ben "Ben Pack" Pack (@PackBenPack) April 3, 2019

While I personally wouldn't care if FROM's games had an easy mode, I feel it could deprive a new player from that experience, which has shaped so much of my tolerance. Literally life changing. FROM games create so much more that is beautiful to explore: music, art, story.. 4/9

— Lobosjr (@Lobosjrgaming) March 31, 2019

Understandably, disabled gamers have also had varying takes on adding an easy mode to Sekiro. Some, liked YouTuber Limitlessquad, felt motivated to show off that their skills in the current version of the game in an effort to prove that "Sekiro" doesn't need to be easier.

Blind YouTuber and video game accessibility consultant Steve Saylor published a video sharing his view that an "easy mode" would not remove the challenge for disabled gamers who might need it.

"A lot of games we play that may seem easy for you when it comes to your skill level, are extremely difficult," Saylor said .And when we do get to that point where we do beat the game, or beat a certain challenge. It's not because it was easier for us, it was still a challenge and... and we want to be able to feel the same way in all of the games that we play."

Opinions have also varied on what an easy mode would entail for "Sekiro," whether that would mean features that make the game easier to control, or changes that scale down the difficulty for players who struggle — or some mix of approaches.

Here are my thoughts on the #sekiro #easymode conversation. I read a tweet earlier that said "easy mode is the equivalent to a participation trophy" that is not true.

Watch the clip and make sure to watch the full video here: https://t.co/VaC3sWD6Ip

I'd really appreciate it. pic.twitter.com/ZbZhJmxX0C

— Steve Saylor - BLIND GAMER (@stevesaylor) April 3, 2019

Considering that none of FromSoftware's previous games have adopted an easy mode, it seems unlikely that they'll make one for "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice."

For now it seems like players who can't beat the game themselves will have to settle for watching others give it a shot on YouTube or Twitch. If you're up for a challenge, "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" is available now for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.