Going into “Nioh 2”, I knew next to nothing about it. I never played the original “Nioh” on the PS4. When I got my hands on this title, I didn’t expect it to be like the “Dark Souls” series or “Bloodborne”. Granted, said titles were developed by From Software and “Nioh 2” was brought to us by Team Ninja, the same team who brought “Ninja Gaiden” to the world. But if hardcore gamers know anything about the other titles I just mentioned, they also are aware of just how notoriously punishing and difficult those games truly are. It’s not like you can customize the difficulty as you do with most other games on the market either. You’re stuck with a steep difficulty no matter what you do. And I’ll be perfectly frank, games that intentionally are too hard in the veins of “Dark Souls” are an unnecessary panic attack waiting to happen. In other words, don’t play this if you have serious anxiety issues brought about by everyday life.
The only game of this specific genre that I played outside of this was “Bloodborne”, and that game alone told me what this niche style of game is all about. I begrudgingly respect the intent behind testing the gamer’s reflexes to the core, as it gives the player much more of a sense of thrill and accomplishment with each enemy or boss they overcome. However, it also requires pixel perfect accuracy and skill on account of the player. After all, not everyone has the time or luxury to “get good” as experts of this genre insultingly and condescendingly advise the rest of us. Yeah, try balancing a regular 40-hour work week, while in your spare time get beaten down over and over again by the same wave of enemies, until you miraculously survive one encounter with your sanity somewhat intact. Sure, some can handle challenge better than others, but I personally see no incentive in killing myself over.
With all that thrown on the plate, I will give “Nioh 2” credit on a couple things. The character customization system has plenty of options and venues in which you can tailor your playable character to your own personal preference. The presentation is fine as far as the visuals and audio are concerned. I also appreciate that you can see your enemies’ health and stamina gages, so that can help you determine when to strike them down or use some of your items to help better defend yourself. I resent the fact that you can’t swim or navigate a simple creek, which doesn’t make sense since exposure to such a small body of water shouldn’t kill you that easily. If all the other “Souls” games have that same problem, then I’m all the more justified in calling it out here. Also, when you press the Start button to access menus to browse your inventory, the game is still continuing.
What’s that? You expected the game to pause when you pressed the Start button? Well, too bad! You can’t control that either! If it sounds like my review of “Nioh 2” is more like a review for the whole game genre that “Dark Souls” represents, that’s because it’s practically both. Unless there are more major differences to be found in said games, “Nioh 2” is very much in the same camp as its influences. It’s fine IF, and this is a big IF, you’re into that style of gameplay. And if what I’ve written already is any indication, an experience like “Nioh 2” and anything with the same type of dynamic as “Dark Souls” is certainly not for me. I want to play video games because they’re fun experiences that help me escape from the real world. Not so I can get my blood to boil over dying constantly over a millisecond of hesitation or bad timing. I’ll take a more balanced experience any day. Thanks very much.