Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice definitely has some big shoes to fill. After all, this game was created by the same people who made the Dark Souls franchise, and we all know how popular those games were. Players were expecting something similar from Sekiro - if not in tone, at least in difficulty level. Dark Souls was many things, but easy wasn't one of them. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is definitely a new direction from the legendary developers. With a much more polished look and an all new Japanese focus, it's an entirely new game. But make no mistake, it's still just as challenging as its spiritual predecessors.

Not only is this game extremely difficult, but it's also filled with all kinds of secrets and hidden items. In many cases, these hidden items are pretty much mandatory if you want to have any level of success in this game. Most of the time, games throw in a couple easter eggs and hidden ages for fun. You don't have to find any of them - and if you do, it's just a moral victory. But in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, you're not just encouraged to find the various hidden prosthetics, prayer beads, and other hidden items. You're basically forced to hunt them down. Since this game is so hard, you need every advantage you can get. And that's why you should be searching for these 20 Hidden Things Everyone Completely Missed In Sekiro.

The Great Colored Carp Achievement

The great colored carp is one of the coolest little details hidden in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and it's also something that a lot of people miss. This is also a very complicated achievement to get, and it involves a few different things.

But the short version is simple: Ring the feeding bell, then head over to the river, and feed the great colored card some "Truly Precious Bait." This is a unique item that you'll have to find. After feeding the fish, he will swim away. After that, seek him out at the Guardian Ape's Watering Hole. You'll find the fish's carcass, and you can take his whiskers.

The Demon Of Hatred Secret Boss Fight

There are tons of optional bosses in this game, but few are actually hidden. And perhaps one of the most hidden and secret bosses of all is the Demon Of Hatred. If you manage to find this titan, you'll realize that you've stumbled onto a seriously powerful enemy.

You'll find this boss at the Ashina Castle Grounds, but you'll only be able to access him after using the Sculpture's Idol. This boss is completely optional, but it comes with its own unique rewards, including an achievement, a special memory, and 2 lapis lazuli. This is a boss that few people have found, and it's pretty epic.

The Mortal Blade

The mortal blade is actually a very important item to find in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. This is because you'll need the Mortal Blade in order to find a few other secrets and hidden items later on in the game. The mortal blade is a legendary weapon that defeats undead creatures. But it also comes at a price...

In order to get the blade, you have to complete a few challenges in the Senpou Temple Area. A lot of players get confused about the Mortal Blade, because it's not actually a new sword for you to use. Instead, it's more of an upgrade for your sword. Specifically, it's a Combat Art.

Ring The Demon Bell For Increased Difficulty (And Better Drops)

One of the coolest features of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is its difficulty level. This game is seriously challenging, although that's hardly a surprise given the fact that it was made by the creators of the legendary Dark Souls franchise. Believe it or not, there's a way to make Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice even more difficult...

This is the Demon Bell. It's located just past the Sculpture's idol, and you have to physically ring this giant bell to activate it. After you take this drastic action, the game's difficulty rises significantly. But there's one important silver lining - item drops become much better as well. It's an interesting risk you can take.

You Can Set Your Sword On Fire

Intricate games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice allow you to get seriously creative with your attacks. You can combine different status effects, combos and equipment to great effect. One of the most simple ways to do this is to simply set your sword on fire. With your katana ablaze, you deal additional burning damage in spectacular fashion.

You can accomplish this by simply waving your sword around over a fire. The blade should catch fire, and you'll have that effect for a short duration. It's definitely a cool way to give yourself a much needed edge in combat when the going gets tough.

How To Actually Use Sake

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice doesn't shy away from the realities of feudal Japan. In those days, people were always willing to partake in a few refreshing drinks to lighten the mood of this dark time, and that's where Sake comes into play. Sake is actually an item in this game, but a few players seem unsure what to do with it.

Sake is best used on other people. Share your Sake with random NPCs, and they'll immediately become much more open about things, sharing details, and secrets that they might otherwise stay silent about. This is a great way to learn new things, and get clues about hidden secrets.

Could A Corrupted Form Of Buddhism Be Responsible For The Undying?

You only need to play Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice for a few minutes before you realize that the Undead or "Undying" play a big role in this game. It seems like everywhere you turn, there's some kind of undead creature or warrior who is intent on dragging you down into the depths of the underworld.

But where did this all come from? One of the most interesting fan theories states that the undead presence actually stems from a corrupted form of Buddhism. According to the theory, it has its root in the Buddhist desire for Nirvana, or life beyond death. Perhaps some of the practitioners took things a little too far in their quest for everlasting life. Interestingly, there is evidence for this theory scattered throughout the game.

The Mushin Esoteric Text

The Mushin Esoteric Text isn't really a secret per se, but it's definitely one of the hardest things to get in this game. It's so hard in fact, that many people aren't even aware of its existence... At least not yet, anyway. In order to obtain the Mushin Esoteric Text, you need to master the final skill in any of the skill trees.

Once you've done this, simply talk to Tengu and he'll give you the precious Mushin Esoteric Text. Why is this such a big deal? The Mushin Arts are basically the key to beating the toughest enemies in the game. The Mushin Arts unlock deadly ultimate attacks - although you'll have to master at least two final skills of any tree to unlock them.

Hidden Tooth Item

One of the most bizarre items in the game is the Hidden Tooth Item. This is essentially a game over pill hidden inside your own tooth. You guessed it - you use this to end your life in battle. Why would you want to do this? Basically, you get to resurrect more than once while in battle, if you use this item correctly.

How do you get it? All you need to do is defeat Hanbei the Undying. Of course, the only way to do this is to use the Mortal Blade. You need to be sure that you're ready to fight him, because he will be removed from the game. He drops the Hidden Tooth Item.

The Secret Treasure Chests

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is filled with all kinds of awesome treasure chests that contain some very good loot. It's always a smart idea to search out there various treasure chests, because they contain things like prayer beads, gourd seeds, and even things like prosthetic tools. Because this game is so challenging, it's almost mandatory to find all of the hidden treasure chests, in order to give yourself a slight advantage over the enemies.

Treasure chests are hidden all over the lands. Sometimes, you'll have to use your grappling hook to cross otherwise imable areas. Sometimes, you'll have to use your own intelligence and wit. And sometimes, you'll have to find secret ages...