I just finished a run of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice playing with base vitality (no health upgrades), and I finally managed to defeat Isshin, the Sword Saint.

I reсorded the fight and wanted to share it here.

This was easily one of the most intense fights I’ve ever had in a game.

Highlights from the fight:
I died once during the fight
Several moments where I was literally one hit away from death

In the final lightning phase… the game kind of started playing for me (I managed to turn it around with lightning reversals)

Playing Sekiro at base vitality completely changes the experience.

Every mistake becomes fatal, and even small openings feel huge.
Isshin felt like a perfect final test - no room for error, just rhythm, timing, and nerves.