Nioh 2 Review (PS4)
Introduction
This is the prequel to Nioh, developed by Team Ninja and published by Koei Tecmo in Japan, published in other regions by Sony. This game features Character Creation, where you can edit your character's appearance. This game also boasts new enemies, as well as several new gameplay mechanics.
Story
You play as Hide, a shiftling who is both human and yokai. You will be working together with Tokichiro, who wants to make a mark in Japan's history by collecting Amrita stones. You will also meet other historical figures, such as Nobunaga.
The story is mediocre. Hide is a flat character, but unfortunately he is also a silent character where he doesn't interact much in the game's story and cutscenes. This is unfortunate, as the character has potential. Tokichiro is the most likable character among the rest, as well as Nobunaga and Koroku. However, most of the supporting cast do not have much interaction or story exposition in this game, making it hard to like them unless you are very familiar with their real-life history.
Gameplay
Before you start the game, you can change your character's appearance, such as different gender, hairstyle, etc. You can always change your character's appearance before tackling a Main Mission or Sub Mission.
This game plays like the previous game. Story progression is mission based, where you must complete the Main Missions to progress the game's story. Each Main Mission has their own unique areas, where you must explore and defeat the story mission's boss. You may find obstacles while exploring, such as traps, human enemies, Yokai enemies, and etc. While exploring, you may also use the shrines to restore your health, upgrade your character's stats, and get blessing.
Sub Missions are also included in this game. Some Sub Missions has unique areas, and others use the same locations from the main missions, except with blocked sections. They are generally more linear than main missions, and shorter in nature. Completing them will reward you items, money and Amrita.
Upgrading is the same as the previous game. You can upgrade your stats by spending Amrita, which is earned by defeating enemies or completing Missions. As you upgrade your stats, you need to spend more Amrita to upgrade your stats. Your character can also equip different types of weapons as well as armour sets. They can be found by defeating enemies, opening chests, or buying them from the blacksmith. Each equipment piece has different effects, so it is best if you take note of them if you are planning to specialise your character in certain ways.
One of the new additions to the customisation is the Soul Core feature. Soul Cores are obtained by defeating Yokai enemies, and you can equip them for additional passive effects as well as the ability to use their special ability. The Skills tree is also revamped, where you can learn new skills for your weapons by using them often.
Combat remains largely the same as the previous game, where you can switch stances while using a weapon, use special techniques, and dodging attacks. Three new combat functions have been added in this game, which are Burst Counters, Yokai Ability, and Yokai Shift. Burst Counter is a counterattack move where you can use it to counter enemies' strongest attacks and damage their Ki heavily. The type of Burst Counter is determined from what Guardian Spirit you are equipping currently. Yokai Ability is a special move where you can use against enemies with special effects, but you can only use them if you are equipping certain Soul Cores. Yokai Shift allows you to transform your character into Yokai form, where they can deal some serious damage.
Enemies come in different variety, such as human enemies and Yokai enemies. Enemies have their own health and Ki gauge, where you can deplete them by attacking them. Depleting their Ki allows you to perform grapple attacks, which can be devastating. It is also a key strategy to beat them, especially bosses. Yokai enemies also have access to Dark Realm, where this cause your Ki regeneration to be slower than usual, and they are also stronger in that realm. You may dispel them by defeating them, making other Yokai enemies easier to kill. Boss fights also return in this game, with many bosses have access to unique abilities, appearances, and stats. As usual, dying will cause you to lose all gained Amrita, but you can retrieve it by touching your Guardian Spirit without dying again. Dyign another time will cause your lost Amrita to be lost permanently.
The gameplay is great. Overall, I think this game has better and polished gameplay over the first game, and the first game is already good. The new additions such as Burst Counters and Soul Cores are welcomed in this game. However, I find that this game has some issues, such as the poor design of some large sized bosses, weak Yokai Shift ability, and many reused areas from the first game in Sub Missions. Regardless, the gameplay is still great, with fun combat, challenging enemies, and tons of builds that can be utilised in combat.
This game also has good controls and presentation. The button assignments are pretty well-utilised for the most part, although I do have issues when switching between different Guardian Spirits. Presentation is good as well, with good UI design that don't obstruct your view while playing the game. The text size for the subtitles and menu are reasonably good as well.
Graphics
Like the first game, Nioh 2 has amazing graphics. Great looking characters, environments, and Yokai enemies. Solid framerate and you can choose between different performance mode while playing the game.
Sound
This game has good soundtrack. The soundtrack is a bit more memorable than the first game's soundtrack, personally. The Japanese voice acting is good, and you can switch between Japanese or English voice option when you play this game.
Replay Value
This game has very high replay value. You may play the game again in New Game Plus mode called Dream of the Strong, where all main and sub missions have tougher enemies. You may also find all Kodama, complete optional missions and etc.
Conclusion
This is a great game, despite suffer from story and character issues like the first game. However, I think this game is much more fun to play than the first game, such as new mechanics like Burst Counters, Soul Cores, etc. For those who like the first game, try out this game and you may like it. It is one of the best games that I have played this year, so far.
Score
Story: 7/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 10/10
Sound: 8/10
Final Score: 8.5/10 or 34/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- More Nioh fun and challenge.
- Tokichiro is a likable character.
- Great combat.
- Hard and challenging.
- Great variety of weapons.
- Good new gameplay additions such as Soul Cores and Burst Counter.
- Great boss designs,
- Revamped and better Skills tree.
- Great graphics.
- Very high replay value.
Cons
- Mediocre story.
- Hide is a poorly developed main character.
- Many underdeveloped supporting characters.
- Some design issues on certain large sized bosses.
- Yokai Shift is too weak to utilise fully in the game.
- Reused areas from the first game and this game's missions in Sub Missions.
**Screenshots are from official PlayStation US game page.
This is the prequel to Nioh, developed by Team Ninja and published by Koei Tecmo in Japan, published in other regions by Sony. This game features Character Creation, where you can edit your character's appearance. This game also boasts new enemies, as well as several new gameplay mechanics.
Story
Play as Hide, a shiftling.
The story is mediocre. Hide is a flat character, but unfortunately he is also a silent character where he doesn't interact much in the game's story and cutscenes. This is unfortunate, as the character has potential. Tokichiro is the most likable character among the rest, as well as Nobunaga and Koroku. However, most of the supporting cast do not have much interaction or story exposition in this game, making it hard to like them unless you are very familiar with their real-life history.
Gameplay
Customise your character's appearance, gender, etc.
Before you start the game, you can change your character's appearance, such as different gender, hairstyle, etc. You can always change your character's appearance before tackling a Main Mission or Sub Mission.
This game plays like the previous game. Story progression is mission based, where you must complete the Main Missions to progress the game's story. Each Main Mission has their own unique areas, where you must explore and defeat the story mission's boss. You may find obstacles while exploring, such as traps, human enemies, Yokai enemies, and etc. While exploring, you may also use the shrines to restore your health, upgrade your character's stats, and get blessing.
Sub Missions are also included in this game. Some Sub Missions has unique areas, and others use the same locations from the main missions, except with blocked sections. They are generally more linear than main missions, and shorter in nature. Completing them will reward you items, money and Amrita.
Acquire Soul Cores to use their special ability.
One of the new additions to the customisation is the Soul Core feature. Soul Cores are obtained by defeating Yokai enemies, and you can equip them for additional passive effects as well as the ability to use their special ability. The Skills tree is also revamped, where you can learn new skills for your weapons by using them often.
Fight against a variety of Yokai enemies.
Combat remains largely the same as the previous game, where you can switch stances while using a weapon, use special techniques, and dodging attacks. Three new combat functions have been added in this game, which are Burst Counters, Yokai Ability, and Yokai Shift. Burst Counter is a counterattack move where you can use it to counter enemies' strongest attacks and damage their Ki heavily. The type of Burst Counter is determined from what Guardian Spirit you are equipping currently. Yokai Ability is a special move where you can use against enemies with special effects, but you can only use them if you are equipping certain Soul Cores. Yokai Shift allows you to transform your character into Yokai form, where they can deal some serious damage.
Enemies come in different variety, such as human enemies and Yokai enemies. Enemies have their own health and Ki gauge, where you can deplete them by attacking them. Depleting their Ki allows you to perform grapple attacks, which can be devastating. It is also a key strategy to beat them, especially bosses. Yokai enemies also have access to Dark Realm, where this cause your Ki regeneration to be slower than usual, and they are also stronger in that realm. You may dispel them by defeating them, making other Yokai enemies easier to kill. Boss fights also return in this game, with many bosses have access to unique abilities, appearances, and stats. As usual, dying will cause you to lose all gained Amrita, but you can retrieve it by touching your Guardian Spirit without dying again. Dyign another time will cause your lost Amrita to be lost permanently.
The gameplay is great. Overall, I think this game has better and polished gameplay over the first game, and the first game is already good. The new additions such as Burst Counters and Soul Cores are welcomed in this game. However, I find that this game has some issues, such as the poor design of some large sized bosses, weak Yokai Shift ability, and many reused areas from the first game in Sub Missions. Regardless, the gameplay is still great, with fun combat, challenging enemies, and tons of builds that can be utilised in combat.
This game also has good controls and presentation. The button assignments are pretty well-utilised for the most part, although I do have issues when switching between different Guardian Spirits. Presentation is good as well, with good UI design that don't obstruct your view while playing the game. The text size for the subtitles and menu are reasonably good as well.
Graphics
Amazing graphics.
Sound
Good soundtrack. Dual audio too.
Replay Value
Very high replay value.
Conclusion
Great game, although same story issues and characterisation issues like the first game.
Score
Story: 7/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 10/10
Sound: 8/10
Final Score: 8.5/10 or 34/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- More Nioh fun and challenge.
- Tokichiro is a likable character.
- Great combat.
- Hard and challenging.
- Great variety of weapons.
- Good new gameplay additions such as Soul Cores and Burst Counter.
- Great boss designs,
- Revamped and better Skills tree.
- Great graphics.
- Very high replay value.
Cons
- Mediocre story.
- Hide is a poorly developed main character.
- Many underdeveloped supporting characters.
- Some design issues on certain large sized bosses.
- Yokai Shift is too weak to utilise fully in the game.
- Reused areas from the first game and this game's missions in Sub Missions.
**Screenshots are from official PlayStation US game page.
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