Prologue

Begin your journey in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice with our detailed walkthrough of the Prologue. Learn essential controls, stealth mechanics, and how to escape Ashina Castle with Kuro.

This is the game's prologue and it acts as a tutorial for players to learn the basic game controls. At the start, you’ll have low health, but there's no immediate threat of combat. You can proceed forward, pick up the Ornamental Letter, and follow the on-screen instructions. You'll soon find yourself on a snowy path. Turn around to locate a broken section of the floor where the letter was dropped. Afterward, return to the tunnel exit, continue forward, and you'll be instructed to press Square to hug the wall. Walls that can be hugged have white scratch marks on them. Once you're hugging a wall, use the directional L button to move along the edge. Press L towards the wall's edge to trigger a "Peek" view, allowing you to see ahead without exposing yourself.

When ready, press Square to release the wall, initiating the Stealth tutorial. You must bypass these guards unnoticed since you don't have a sword. Listen in on their conversation about Sekiro’s lost will to live, as it's your first chance to Eavesdrop. Press the Left Thumbstick to crouch and move stealthily through the grass, following it to the underfloor of a nearby structure. Here, you can trigger another Eavesdrop by looking up at the broken floor and pressing down on the D-pad. The "Eavesdrop" icon will have a red tick mark after you’ve listened. Move to the other end of the underfloor and exit through more tall grass. Another Eavesdrop position will reveal soldiers discussing a broken portion of the tower. The gate is locked, but the broken wall might be an entry point. You'll then get a tutorial on Ledge Hanging. Like Wall Hugging, press Square to hang from a ledge, then use the directional L thumbstick to move along it. Press Square again to climb back up. Look for white paint on the edges, indicating climbable walls.

Move to the end of the ledge, jump across a broken stone bridge, and grab onto the surface. Shimmy along the edge and climb up using the same controls. Next, jump to higher ground, then jump and grab onto the tower ledge. A nearby hole on the left will allow you to enter. After a cutscene, Kuro will express his gratitude and give you your Katana, Kusabimaru, asking you to pledge your service. Kuro will mention that you are wounded and provide you with a Healing Gourd, which functions like the Estus Flask from the Souls series, allowing limited healing until you rest at a Sculptor's Idol. When asked about previous injuries, Sekiro will reveal he doesn’t remember the events of "that night," to which Kuro responds that they can discuss it later. He then tasks you with helping him escape Ashina Castle.

Kuro mentions a secret passage beneath the moat’s bridge, a detail he learned from Lord Isshin. Your task is to find this passage and use a "reed whistle" to signal him. A Quick Items tutorial will now appear on the screen. Before leaving through the main door, go upstairs to collect a Pellet, which slowly restores Vitality over time, similar to the gems from Dark Souls 2. Heal yourself and exit through the door. You can either try to avoid combat by sneaking or engage with the enemies ahead. A Posture tutorial will now appear on the screen.