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Nioh 2

Raising the genre's high bar, Nioh 2 runs and plays beautifully. But perhaps you can have too much of a good thing.
Nioh 2 Game Cover
88%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
91% User Score Based on 14,289 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 46 reviews

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Nioh 2 Game Cover

About

Nioh 2 is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game with fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. and was released on February 5, 2021. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Nioh 2 is a historical hack and slash game set in Sengoku-era Japan, where you play as a half-human, half-supernatural Yokai warrior. Experience a challenging action RPG with a revamped combat system and the ability to transform into a full Yokai. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes a Season Pass, exclusive armor and weapons, and additional PS4 customization options. Play solo or with up to 2 players in multiplayer mode.

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Nioh 2 screenshot
Nioh 2 screenshot
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Nioh 2 screenshot
Nioh 2 screenshot
Nioh 2 screenshot
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Nioh 2 screenshot
Nioh 2 screenshot
Nioh 2 screenshot
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91%
Audience ScoreBased on 14,289 reviews
story623 positive mentions
grinding397 negative mentions
  • Nioh 2 offers a refined and complex gameplay experience with engaging combat mechanics, including yokai abilities and burst counters that enhance depth and variety.
  • The game features stunning visuals and a captivating atmosphere that immerses players in the Sengoku period, complemented by a memorable soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Nioh 2 boasts exceptional replayability with diverse character builds, New Game Plus modes, and extensive DLC content, encouraging players to experiment and refine their strategies.
  • The game has a steep learning curve and punishing difficulty that can overwhelm players, detracting from overall enjoyment, especially for those unfamiliar with its mechanics.
  • Many players report performance issues, including crashes, stuttering, and bugs, particularly on PC, which can significantly impact the gameplay experience.
  • The story is often criticized for being disjointed and lacking depth, with some players feeling it fails to create emotional connections with characters due to its convoluted narrative.
  • story
    3,181 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Nioh 2" is generally viewed as a mixed bag, with many players finding it serviceable but lacking depth and coherence compared to its predecessor. While it incorporates historical figures and events from Japan's Sengoku period, the narrative often feels disjointed and is delivered through cutscenes and text that can be confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with the historical context. Overall, while the story may not be the main draw, it provides a backdrop for the game's engaging combat and extensive gameplay mechanics.

    • “Nioh 2's plot unfolds before the events of the first game, functioning as a prequel. It adopts anime-inspired tropes and JRPG narrative techniques, focusing its storytelling on a core group led by the protagonist to reflect the era through intimate details.”
    • “The story is a joy ride and I highly recommend not skipping them because it offers a narrative that augments what your motives are at different parts of the game.”
    • “The story blends well with the setting, making the battles feel even more impactful.”
    • “The story is practically non-existent.”
    • “The story is a complete waste of time, unlike dark souls games where the story is minimal and there aren't really cutscenes, this game forces cutscenes on you (thankfully you can skip them) usually at the beginning and ending of every level.”
    • “The story is both well-done, and wholesome; one capable of dragging tears from my eyes on two occasions.”
  • gameplay
    2,614 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Nioh 2 offers a refined and complex gameplay experience that builds upon its predecessor, introducing new mechanics such as yokai abilities and burst counters, which enhance combat depth and variety. While the game features a steep learning curve due to its numerous systems and mechanics, players who invest time in mastering them will find the combat rewarding and engaging. However, some players may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of mechanics and the game's punishing difficulty, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Absolute peak game, it's got such a fun nuanced combat and gear system that is so addicting to play, and the NG+ cycles are actually fun with new mechanics to engage with.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly addicting, rewarding to those who explore and make full use of the skills while also punishing every single decision or input error heavily.”
    • “Nioh 2 is a superb action game, souls-like, and ARPG hybrid, which blends the best systems and mechanics from each respective genre into a cohesive product.”
    • “After all, Nioh 2 essentially amounts to a copy-paste of its predecessor—whether in its action mechanics, combat system, map design, or core gameplay, it remains virtually identical to the original.”
    • “The so-called 'learning curve' is a vertical wall greased in oil, the mechanics are about as helpful as a chocolate teapot, and all the great customization systems are hidden behind—you guessed it—button-mashing.”
    • “The gameplay loop gets further bogged down by a horrible loot system that throws dozens of useless gear at you per mission making you waste time in menus for a system that doesn't really matter since even when your gear gets better the enemies scale up every mission with you.”
  • graphics
    764 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Nioh 2 have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising the beautiful Japanese artwork, character designs, and atmospheric environments that effectively capture the Sengoku period's aesthetic. While some players noted that the graphical fidelity is not groundbreaking and can feel similar to its predecessor, the game's art style and visual effects, particularly during combat, are often highlighted as standout features. Overall, the visuals are considered well-optimized for performance, though some users experienced technical issues and a lack of advanced graphical options.

    • “The graphics are fantastic and the game's art style goes so hard, with combat feeling very frantic as particle effects fly in every direction and there's constant explosions and magical effects.”
    • “Beyond the combat, the game's dark and captivating atmosphere, stunning visuals, and rich lore completely immersed me in the world of the Sengoku period.”
    • “The complete edition’s graphical fidelity elevates the immersion, making it easy to lose oneself in the otherworldly beauty and foreboding danger of Sengoku Japan, while the performance boost on powerful setups ensures smooth, responsive gameplay.”
    • “The graphics are pretty shite though, severe pop-in, bland environments, it looks like a game from maybe 10 years ago, maybe even 15 at some points.”
    • “The graphics are a little messy with too much lighting effects but it looks good anyway and it's well optimized (these effects can be set to low on options making the game look cleaner).”
    • “The graphics of the game seem dated for a 2020-2021 release.”
  • optimization
    508 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing performance issues such as stuttering and frame drops, particularly on NVIDIA graphics cards. While some users report smooth gameplay on high-end systems, others suggest that lowering certain graphical settings can significantly improve performance. Overall, while the game has made strides in optimization since launch, it still requires further improvements to meet the expectations of a broader range of hardware.

    • “The complete edition’s graphical fidelity elevates the immersion, making it easy to lose oneself in the otherworldly beauty and foreboding danger of Sengoku Japan, while the performance boost on powerful setups ensures smooth, responsive gameplay.”
    • “Nioh 2 instead launched with all of its DLC included, for a discounted price, completely DRM-free, and it's an extremely well-optimized port that looks great, runs great, and isn't overly demanding in terms of computer specs.”
    • “Despite some issues, like incorrect button prompts for mouse and keyboard controls, optimization problems and visuals not much improved over the PlayStation 4 release, the PC version is a solid port that's worth your money, especially if you have the system capable of taking advantage of exclusive features like ultrawide resolutions and up to 120 fps gameplay.”
    • “So badly optimized it really isn't worth it.”
    • “This game is atrociously badly optimized.”
    • “The game is unplayable due to stuttering... do not buy and avoid at all cost!”
  • grinding
    420 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while it offers extensive opportunities for gear optimization and character builds, it can also become excessively tedious and repetitive, especially in the late game and New Game Plus cycles. Players who enjoy deep customization and loot farming may find the grind rewarding, but others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration and a sense of monotony. Overall, the game is characterized by a blend of enjoyable combat and complex mechanics, but the grinding can feel overwhelming and time-consuming for those not inclined towards such gameplay.

    • “If I had a slight gripe about it, and perhaps this is a problem unique to me, but I experienced it in Nioh 1 as well, I always seem to fall behind the recommended level curve. It isn't stopping my progress, but maybe I'm just not grinding as much as this game anticipates.”
    • “And this game is not grindy at all; you don't really need to farm because there are enough side levels to help you on main levels.”
    • “I was definitely not overpowered, as I ran all missions as they appeared, and did no grinding, hardly died, or helped with the torii gates much.”
    • “I rate this game higher than Nioh 1 because it’s essentially an upgraded version, but it still has the same flaws: repeated boss fights and a 100% that requires you to replay the game over and over, farming the same bosses for weapons again and again.”
    • “The farming issue is compounded by the fact that spirits are now also a core part of the grind loop, so there's even more inventory management and random farming for loot.”
    • “The game can get very, very repetitive but it's a learning curve and if you're not one for farming just to be able to move on, well... maybe the community will help you out as they did for me.”
  • music
    328 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Nioh 2" has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and combat experience, featuring a diverse range of orchestral and traditional Japanese compositions that are particularly memorable during boss fights. Many players noted that the soundtrack effectively complements the game's intense action and emotional moments, with some tracks becoming favorites that players revisit outside of the game. However, a few critiques mention that certain pieces can feel repetitive or less impactful compared to the standout tracks, but overall, the music is considered a significant improvement over the first game.

    • “Every single boss has an amazing, memorable soundtrack that ties well with their stories and backgrounds.”
    • “The music also sets the tone very well, from more ambient Japanese horror tracks to energetic war-like tunes, all the way to heroic music playing at really great moments.”
    • “The soundtrack is an absolute banger and bosses provide a fun challenge that encourages you to switch up your play style.”
    • “The OST is forgettable.”
    • “The soundtrack gets kind of repetitive towards the end; it needed more songs, that's for sure.”
    • “80% of the OST bores me to tears; it's 'atmospheric' outside of a few tracks, nothing gets your blood boiling.”
  • replayability
    210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Nioh 2 is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, offering a vast array of build options, weapon types, and difficulty settings that encourage players to experiment and refine their strategies. The inclusion of New Game Plus modes, diverse character customization, and engaging DLC content further enhances its replay value, making it a compelling choice for fans of the action RPG genre. Many players report hundreds of hours of gameplay, highlighting the game's depth and the rewarding nature of its combat system.

    • “The replayability is excellent, with higher difficulty settings adding fresh layers of challenge and strategy, ensuring that every run feels unique and demanding.”
    • “Nioh 2 boasts a lot of replay value through NG+ modes and beyond.”
    • “The sheer variety of builds you can do, the infinite replayability and healthy addition of content from DLCs make Nioh 2 a fulfilling, and ultimately, a fantastic experience.”
    • “Unless you really liked the game and want to play on harder difficulties, there really isn't much replayability.”
    • “So I just finished my first playthrough including all DLC, maybe it's just me but the replay value this game has is abysmal compared to other games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne in my opinion, there's so much more complexity when it comes to how you can build your character and combat itself.”
    • “The game has ultimate replayability and if that's too much for you, doing a single playthrough is more than enough to enjoy what the game offers as a title in the action (J)RPG genre.”
  • atmosphere
    106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in Nioh 2 is often praised for its rich Japanese historical and mythological setting, with detailed environments that evoke a dark yet beautiful ambiance. While many players appreciate the game's unique blend of folklore and immersive visuals, some feel it lacks the cohesive sense of place found in FromSoftware titles, leading to mixed opinions on its overall atmospheric impact. Despite these critiques, the game's sound design and soundtrack contribute significantly to its atmospheric experience, making it a compelling, if not universally acclaimed, setting for action and exploration.

    • “The game oozes atmosphere, especially on the larger and more complex maps.”
    • “Beyond the combat, the game's dark and captivating atmosphere, stunning visuals, and rich lore completely immersed me in the world of the Sengoku period.”
    • “The atmosphere and attention to detail are perfect, the visuals and audio are superb, and the amount of content the game throws at you is borderline overwhelming.”
    • “The environments tend to blend together, lacking the strong sense of place and atmosphere you’d expect from something like a FromSoftware game.”
    • “No fun story, no beautiful atmosphere to soak up and enjoy, nothing.”
    • “The overall atmosphere of the game is worse compared to the original Nioh, because it seems as if sometimes it’s just too much.”
  • stability
    105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game is highly variable, with many users reporting frequent crashes, bugs, and glitches, particularly on PC. While some players experience smooth performance and minimal issues, others face significant problems such as freezing, input failures, and frame drops. Overall, the game appears to run well on certain hardware configurations, but many players recommend caution due to the instability and bugs that can detract from the experience.

    • “The game runs great and even goes up to 120 fps, it looks beautiful and the story has much more comic relief.”
    • “Performance-wise, Nioh 2 runs great; I haven't experienced a single frame spike while playing.”
    • “No bugs and runs great; it just takes the same system from the first game and expands it.”
    • “It is a very good game but it crashes so many times it just freezes. In a game where you can't save any time, only when you arrive at a sanctuary, I had to restart it many times and lost a lot of progress.”
    • “Unfortunately, it's a terrible port - unstable, incomplete, buggy, and just generally a technological dumpster fire.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess post the 1.27 patch—crashes, black screens, and vanishing menu text galore.”
  • humor
    61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in Nioh 2 is a standout feature, with players finding amusement in the game's challenging mechanics, quirky animations, and absurd scenarios, such as comical character interactions and unexpected deaths. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through its over-the-top combat and the humorous dynamics of multiplayer play, making even frustrating moments enjoyable. Overall, the blend of humor with the game's brutal difficulty creates a unique and entertaining experience that resonates well with players.

    • “Nioh 2 is brutal, hilarious, wholesome, and an absolute blast to play once you get over just how hard it is.”
    • “All gameplay loops in souls-like games can be stale, but by god, seeing players leave negative reviews because they're dying and not able to understand the combat system is hilarious.”
    • “There’s a funny moment in Nioh where this floating goat is following you around and it notices one of those elevators that you step on the square in the center to trigger.”
    • “Nioh is either so easy it's not funny or it's a complete joke how hard it is.”
  • emotional
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses, with some players experiencing profound connections to the story and characters, leading to moments of genuine tears and heartfelt reflections. However, others criticize the lack of emotional attachment to many characters due to their sheer number, which can dilute the impact of the narrative. Overall, while the game features powerful storytelling and emotional highs, it struggles with character depth and consistency in emotional engagement.

    • “I won't spoil much more but it's got some awesome moments and even made me cry once or twice.”
    • “The story is both well-done and wholesome; one capable of dragging tears from my eyes on two occasions.”
    • “The tale of Tokichiro is just beautifully done and managed to be quite emotional at times, with an absolutely excellent ending that ties into the first game in an amazing way.”
  • character development
    31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and variety of character builds, while others criticize the lack of intimate storytelling and emotional investment in the characters. While the character designs are often highlighted as beautiful and innovative, the narrative is described as convoluted and lacking in meaningful character arcs. Overall, the combat and customization options are well-received, but the storytelling aspect leaves some players wanting more.

    • “Character development and build variety: 10/10”
    • “The story is a bit convoluted but there are definitely characters you will fall in love with and that have great character development as you progress through the story, like Tockichiro.”
    • “Fantastic and punishing combat action combined with deep character development makes for hundreds of hours of enjoyment, and perhaps a few hours of tears.”
    • “The storytelling is all over the place with no real character development to even make it worthwhile.”
    • “It lacks the necessary character development to make players invested in the story and the fate of each character.”
    • “The game's story is wide in scale, but lacks any intimate character development and plotlines that make you care about the events unfolding.”
  • monetization
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling that it lacks depth and relies on frustrating mechanics and grinding. While some reviews note that it avoids microtransactions, the overall sentiment is that the game feels unfinished and designed primarily for profit rather than player experience. Many players express disappointment, comparing it unfavorably to its predecessor, Nioh 2, which they believe offered a more complete and engaging experience without resorting to exploitative practices.

    • “While other sequels and new entries in the latest history have been anything in-between extremely disappointing and criminally unfinished, Nioh 2 surpassed its predecessor and didn't need microtransactions, loot boxes, or other scummy practices to excel.”
    • “This game is just a cash grab.”
    • “This feels like a jank cash grab port, instead of an actual release.”
    • “It's very dishonest and seems like a simple cash grab.”
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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 46 critic reviews
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107h Median play time
206h Average play time
32-300h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 104 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Nioh 2 is a hack and slash game with fantasy and historical themes.

Nioh 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 206 hours playing Nioh 2.

Nioh 2 was released on February 5, 2021.

Nioh 2 was developed by KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD..

Nioh 2 has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Nioh 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include NiOh, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, The First Berserker: Khazan, STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN, Remnant II and others.