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Nioh 2 (PS4) Review
Developer: Team Ninja
Publisher: Koei Tecmo / Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Action RPG / Hack and Slash / Soulslike
Release: 2020
Nioh 2 takes the excellent foundation established by the original Nioh and expands it into a deeper, more complex and considerably more customizable action RPG. Set during Japan's Sengoku period, it combines historical figures and locations with Japanese mythology, supernatural Yokai and brutal samurai combat.
Rather than completely reinventing the formula, Team Ninja focuses on refinement. The result is an exceptionally deep combat system, enormous build variety, excellent enemy design and some outstanding boss encounters. Its biggest problems are the occasionally overwhelming number of systems, repetitive mission structure and a story that struggles to match the quality of the gameplay.
Gameplay & Mechanics
Combat is the undisputed star of Nioh 2.
The game provides multiple weapon categories, each with its own movesets and skill trees. Every weapon can also be used in High, Mid and Low stances, allowing players to change their approach depending on the enemy and situation.
The Ki stamina system is central to combat. Attacking, dodging and blocking consume Ki, while managing it correctly allows you to perform Ki Pulses to recover stamina and maintain pressure.
This creates an extremely technical combat system where simply attacking repeatedly will usually end badly.
Strengths
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Exceptional combat depth.
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High, Mid and Low stances provide meaningful variety.
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Excellent weapon selection.
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Ki management creates another layer of strategy.
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Ki Pulse rewards good timing.
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Extremely satisfying dodging and blocking.
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Huge range of combat skills.
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Excellent build customization.
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Yokai abilities add an entirely new dimension.
Weaknesses
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Very demanding learning curve.
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Large number of systems can overwhelm newcomers.
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Loot management becomes excessive.
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Some mechanics aren't explained particularly well.
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Combat can become exhausting during very long sessions.
The combat is significantly deeper than most Soulslike games. It takes time to understand, but once the mechanics begin to click, Nioh 2 becomes extraordinarily satisfying.
Yokai Powers & Burst Counters
One of the biggest additions is the ability for the player character to embrace their supernatural heritage.
The protagonist is a half-human, half-Yokai, allowing them to use Yokai abilities and temporarily transform into a powerful Yokai form.
Yokai abilities provide additional attacks that can be assigned to different Soul Cores. These abilities can stagger enemies, deal significant damage or provide tactical advantages.
The Burst Counter is another excellent addition. Certain enemy attacks can be countered at the correct moment, rewarding players who learn enemy attack patterns.
These mechanics make Nioh 2 feel distinct from the Souls series rather than simply being another imitation.
Exploration & World Design
Unlike games such as Bloodborne or Dark Souls, Nioh 2 is primarily structured around individual missions rather than one enormous interconnected world.
Missions take place across different areas of Sengoku-era Japan, including villages, castles, forests, caves and supernatural environments.
The levels are often surprisingly intricate, with shortcuts, hidden paths, optional areas and multiple routes.
The Dark Realm adds another layer to exploration. These corrupted areas contain stronger supernatural enemies and can dramatically change the atmosphere of an otherwise familiar location.
The mission-based structure works well for repeated playthroughs, but it also has drawbacks. Some missions reuse areas and layouts, which can make the game feel repetitive.
Story & Themes
Nioh 2 is actually a prequel to the original Nioh.
The player creates their own protagonist, a mysterious half-Yokai warrior who becomes involved in the turbulent events of Sengoku-era Japan.
The story features historical figures alongside supernatural interpretations of Japanese folklore. Characters such as Tokichiro, Oda Nobunaga and other major figures from the period appear throughout the campaign.
The mixture of history and mythology is interesting, particularly when famous historical events are reinterpreted through the game's supernatural setting.
However, the narrative is not the game's strongest feature.
There are a lot of characters, political developments and historical references, but the story can feel secondary to the combat. The player-created protagonist also has limited personality compared with a traditional RPG protagonist.
The themes surrounding humanity, ambition, betrayal and supernatural power are worthwhile, but they don't always receive enough development.
Final Verdict
Nioh 2 is an exceptional action RPG and one of the strongest Soulslike games available on PS4. Rather than attempting to copy Dark Souls, Team Ninja builds upon the first Nioh to create something considerably more mechanically complex.
The combat is the game's greatest achievement. Stances, Ki Pulses, weapon skills, Yokai abilities and Burst Counters combine to create a system with enormous depth. There is always another mechanic to master and another way to improve your character.
The huge loot system and extensive customization further increase the game's longevity, while the excellent boss encounters provide some of its most memorable moments.
The downside is that Nioh 2 can sometimes feel like too much of a good thing. The number of weapons, equipment pieces, skills, currencies and upgrade systems can be overwhelming, while the mission-based structure and repeated environments eventually become familiar.
The story is also largely secondary to the gameplay, but that isn't necessarily a major problem. Nioh 2 is fundamentally a game about mastering combat, developing a powerful build and overcoming increasingly brutal challenges.
For players who enjoy demanding action RPGs, Nioh 2 is one of the best examples of the genre on PS4.
Score: 9/10
