Nioh 2

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 13,110 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Nioh 2 Game Cover
Raising the genre's high bar, Nioh 2 runs and plays beautifully. But perhaps you can have too much of a good thing.
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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.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 13,110 reviews
story571 positive mentions
grinding363 negative mentions
  • story2,882 mentions

    The story in "Nioh 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it less engaging than its predecessor. While some appreciate the incorporation of historical figures and Japanese folklore, others criticize the narrative for being convoluted and poorly presented, often relying on text rather than immersive storytelling. The mission-based structure allows for varied gameplay but can lead to repetitive environments and a lack of cohesive world-building, making the story feel secondary to the combat and gameplay mechanics. Overall, while the story has its moments, it is generally viewed as a weaker aspect of the game compared to its rich combat system and character customization.

    • “The storyline centers on themes of power, revenge, and the supernatural, with the player-character drawn into the chaotic power struggles of Japan’s warring clans and mythological forces.”
    • “The story is gripping, with characters that are fully fleshed out and a setting that is a well-conceptualized mythological Japan.”
    • “Nioh 2 is a masterpiece of dark Japanese fantasy, offering a blend of challenging gameplay, rich storytelling, and rewarding progression.”
    • “The characters feel like there was no effort placed in them, with the story going in one yet no direction.”
    • “The game's story, while actually pretty good, is poorly told and as such if you like stories in your games this is not the game for you.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay2,399 mentions

    The gameplay of Nioh 2 is characterized by its deep and complex mechanics, combining fast-paced action with a variety of combat styles and character customization options. Players can expect a steep learning curve due to the multitude of systems, including ki management, stance switching, and yokai abilities, which can initially feel overwhelming but ultimately lead to a rewarding experience as they master the intricacies of combat. While the game retains the challenging nature of its predecessor, it introduces new mechanics that enhance gameplay depth and replayability, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.

    • “Strong core gameplay, smooth controls, and a must slower paced souls-like experience that requires precise timing for attacks and defense. Boss fights are challenging but not as difficult as typical souls games, keeping you on your toes with elemental effects. A great game that is a must-play for any souls-like fan.”
    • “The gameplay loop is one of the best I have ever experienced; it truly feels like no matter your playtime, you are always learning something new. The sheer amount of mechanics and depth in the combat system is impressive, making it a rewarding experience for players who invest time into mastering it.”
    • “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. The gameplay is fast-paced and fluid, with a great variety of weapons and combat styles that keep the experience fresh and engaging.”
    • “The sheer amount of bullshit mechanics in this is absolutely insane.”
    • “The gameplay is below mediocre.”
    • “The dark realm passages are the worst game mechanic I've seen in a very long time, ah yes that's what I want in a game; just make the fight take longer and limit your moves.”
  • graphics721 mentions

    The graphics of "Nioh 2" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the game's art style, character designs, and vibrant environments that reflect the Sengoku period of Japan. While some players noted improvements over the first game, others felt the graphics were only marginally better and criticized issues like texture quality and performance drops on certain setups. Overall, the visuals are considered solid but not groundbreaking, with a strong emphasis on unique enemy designs and atmospheric effects that enhance the gameplay experience.

    • “The art style of the enemies is unique, epic, and cool.”
    • “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.”
    • “With its meticulously designed enemies, flexible combat system, and beautiful graphics, it stands as a unique and satisfying entry in the action RPG genre.”
    • “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.”
    • “Graphics are mediocre, both in terms of art direction and quality of textures (especially for a 2021 game).”
    • “The graphics didn't change a lot and for such small levels fps can drop at 40-45 (1440p, rtx 2080s, 8700k 4.9ghz).”
  • optimization492 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues such as frame drops and stuttering, particularly in graphically intense areas. While some users report smooth gameplay on high-end systems, others with similar setups encounter severe performance dips, especially when effects settings are high. Overall, while there are improvements noted since launch, many players recommend adjusting settings for better performance and suggest waiting for further optimization patches.

    • “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.”
    • “Besides having to do a single adjustment outside what is expected, I had no issues whatsoever and game optimization is top notch.”
    • “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.”
    • “So badly optimized it really isn't worth it.”
    • “Very poorly optimized; almost the worst performance I have ever seen.”
    • “The game is unplayable due to stuttering... do not buy and avoid at all costs!”
  • grinding386 mentions

    The grinding aspect of Nioh 2 has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious, particularly in the late game and New Game Plus cycles. While some appreciate the depth and customization opportunities that come with grinding for gear and crafting, others feel that the repetitive nature of farming for items and managing inventory detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game is characterized as grind-heavy, appealing primarily to those who enjoy loot-based mechanics and extensive character builds.

    • “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.”
    • “Nioh 2 is much better than the first Nioh. Even though the main character is silent rather than William from the first Nioh, and it's kind of hard to spot a difference between the two games, still the story is cool and gameplay, as always, is great. It's challenging enough if you're running a lightweight build or not grinding a lot.”
    • “This game isn't for everyone: you won't get much enjoyment out of just finishing the standard difficulty, the story is kinda bad, it can get very grindy, especially once you reach the last difficulty and need to farm ethereal graces, and much of its design is genuinely evil (enemies input read you and i-frame dodge through your attacks, they recover out of their moments of vulnerability by interrupting and damaging you, and other stuff like that).”
    • “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.”
    • “It's hard, engaging, grinding feels good, it never gets boring.”
  • music310 mentions

    The music in "Nioh 2" has received a mixed reception, with many praising its epic orchestral compositions that enhance the game's atmosphere and combat intensity, particularly during boss fights. While some tracks are memorable and emotionally impactful, others are criticized for being repetitive or forgettable. Overall, the soundtrack is generally regarded as a significant improvement over the first game, contributing positively to the overall experience despite some subjective opinions on its variety and memorability.

    • “The soundtrack is equally epic, perfectly complementing the intensity of the action.”
    • “Musically, 'Nioh 2' continues to impress with a soundtrack that perfectly complements the action and atmosphere.”
    • “The music is simply a treat to listen to, the graphics are absolutely beautiful, the gameplay is solid, and the story is well written.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability180 mentions

    Nioh 2 is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its diverse weapon types, customizable builds, and challenging gameplay. Players appreciate the depth of its combat system and the numerous new game plus (NG+) modes, which significantly enhance the replay value. Overall, the game offers a rich experience that encourages experimentation and repeated playthroughs, making it a standout title in the action RPG genre.

    • “With over a half dozen weapon types and the expansive and highly customizable moves and stance system, Nioh 2 is an astonishingly pleasing (if not difficult) game to play, with a considerable replayability factor.”
    • “Your character has so much complexity to its movesets and builds, the game is almost infinitely replayable.”
    • “The sheer variety of builds you can do, the infinite replayability, and the healthy addition of content from DLCs make Nioh 2 a fulfilling and ultimately 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.”
    • “Great souls-like, though it lacks some of the replayability that Dark Souls has.”
  • stability103 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs, particularly on PC. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay with high frame rates and minimal issues, others have faced significant technical problems that hinder their experience. Overall, the game's stability appears to vary widely depending on hardware and specific patches, with some players recommending waiting for further updates to address the numerous glitches.

    • “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 freezes and crashes constantly on any hardware, with any of my PCs, and fails to be fixed in any of the updates.”
  • atmosphere88 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Nioh 2" is often praised for its dark, immersive environments inspired by Japanese folklore, featuring beautifully rendered visuals and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. However, some players feel it lacks the depth and memorability found in the "Dark Souls" series, with criticisms aimed at the level design and storytelling coherence. Overall, while the game successfully creates a captivating atmosphere, opinions vary on its effectiveness compared to its predecessors and other titles in the genre.

    • “The attention to detail in environments like spanning haunted forests, storm-ravaged villages, and eerie temples is nothing far from exceptional, adding to the game’s dark and atmospheric tone.”
    • “The game’s visual design is nothing short of spectacular, with beautifully rendered environments that are both intricate and atmospheric.”
    • “The atmosphere and attention to details are perfect, the visuals and audio are superb, and the amount of content the game throws at you is borderline overwhelming.”
    • “If you have always enjoyed Dark Souls for its beautiful world design, gruesome storytelling, and bleak atmosphere, then Nioh will not have much for you to offer.”
    • “The game has no atmosphere and zero thought behind the choices made in design.”
    • “And I am really disappointed in Nioh 2 not only not being an upgrade from Nioh, but rather being a downgrade, both in its atmosphere and mechanics.”
  • humor59 mentions

    The humor in Nioh 2 is often described as a blend of dark comedy and absurdity, with players finding amusement in the game's challenging mechanics and the often ridiculous situations that arise during gameplay. Many reviewers highlight the funny character customization options, amusing animations, and humorous interactions, particularly in cooperative play, which enhance the overall experience. While the game can be brutally difficult, players frequently laugh at their own misfortunes and the game's quirky elements, making it a uniquely entertaining experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Nioh 2 is brutal, hilarious, wholesome, and an absolute blast to play once you get over just how hard it is.”
    • “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 (just like there is in every souls game).”
    • “Nioh is either so easy it's not funny or it's a complete joke how hard it is.”
  • emotional49 mentions

    Players describe the emotional aspect of the game as a profound journey filled with highs and lows, often leading to tears and deep connections with the story and characters. While some characters may lack depth, the overall narrative and aesthetic evoke strong feelings, particularly for those familiar with Japanese history and culture. The combination of challenging gameplay and heartfelt storytelling creates an emotional rollercoaster that resonates with many, making it a memorable experience despite its difficulties.

    • “The game is an emotional rollercoaster.”
    • “I can't remember a game where the story has moved me so and made me feel so many strong emotions.”
    • “The story is both well-done and wholesome; one capable of dragging tears from my eyes on two occasions.”
  • character development31 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and variety of character design and combat mechanics, while others criticize the lack of meaningful narrative progression and emotional investment in the characters. While players appreciate the innovative character creation system and beautiful designs, many feel that the convoluted story detracts from the overall character development experience. Overall, the game excels in visual aesthetics and gameplay mechanics but falls short in delivering a compelling narrative that fosters player attachment to the characters.

    • “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.”
    • “The depth of combat, the depth of character development and creation as the game goes on, is incredible.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization12 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with players feeling that the reliance on grinding for materials and the forced equipment changes detract from the experience, despite the absence of microtransactions. Many reviewers perceive the game as a cash grab, lacking the depth and polish of its predecessor, and express frustration over the design choices that seem to prioritize profit over player enjoyment. Overall, while some appreciate the absence of traditional monetization tactics, the game's structure and mechanics have led to a perception of it being a cynical sequel.

    • “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.”
    • “Speaking of grinding, materials that let you reroll for better bonuses on gear are locked behind daily missions called twilight missions or rare drops if you visit someone else's world for co-op. That's completely absurd to me considering the fact this is mainly a single-player game that doesn't even have microtransactions. I cannot fathom what Team Ninja was thinking here.”
    • “This feels like a jank cash grab port, instead of an actual release.”
    • “It's very dishonest and seems like a simple cash grab.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

Buy Nioh 2

Play time

99hMedian play time
203hAverage play time
30-300hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 105 analyzed playthroughs

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