Nioh
Pros
- Deep and engaging combat system.
- Rich and atmospheric world steeped in Japanese history and mythology.
- Vast character customization options allow for a high degree of playstyle personalization.
- Intricate level design packed with secrets and optional challenges.
- Robust crafting and loot system promotes continual character progression.
Cons
- High difficulty level could be off-putting for casual players.
Travel to the tumultuous world of 17th century Japan with Nioh, a brutal, adrenaline-pumping action RPG that takes the souls-like genre to exhilarating new heights. Developed and published by KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD, this highly-praised game offers a perfect blend of strategic combat, in-depth character customization, and immersive storytelling set in a rich, atmospheric world.
- Developer: KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
- Publisher: KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
- Release Date: 2017
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
- Official website: Nioh Official Site
- Genre: Action RPG, Souls-like
The Adventure Begins: Storyline & Gameplay
Nioh’s narrative takes inspiration from the true historical figure, William Adams, a 17th-century sailor who arrived in Japan and navigated its complex feudal landscape to become a revered Western Samurai. Infused with mythological elements, Nioh sees William battling both human and demonic enemies across varied locations, on a quest to vanquish evil threatening the land.
Taking cues from the iconic Dark Souls series and incorporating elements reminiscent of Diablo, Nioh is a deep and punishing action RPG that offers players a satisfyingly complex combat system. With each type of weapon offering unique attack styles, combos, and stances, the combat feels intricate and engaging. Add to that, the Ki (stamina) management mechanic makes each battle a tactical endeavor, where reading enemy moves and precisely timing attacks can be the difference between glorious victory and crushing defeat.
In addition to melee combat, Nioh provides a range of projectile weapons and elemental magic for ranged attacks, allowing players to tackle encounters from different approaches. The strategic depth is further enhanced by the presence of the Guardian Spirits, mythical beings that imbue William with unique buffs and powerful special attacks.
Making Your Mark: Character Customization
Nioh boasts a deep character customization system that gives players tremendous freedom in shaping their character’s abilities and playstyle. With the vast array of weapons, armor, skills, and guardian spirits to choose from, every decision impacts the gameplay experience, creating a high level of replayability.
The game also features a robust crafting and rarity system that encourages players to seek out better gear, fostering an addictive loop of combat and progression that’s hard to resist. The variety of armor sets and their visual aesthetics not only augment William’s stats but also contribute significantly to the game’s atmosphere and lore immersion.
A Brutal yet Rewarding Journey
Despite its often punishing difficulty, Nioh is consistently rewarding. Its intricate levels are filled with secrets to discover and challenging enemies to defeat. The satisfaction derived from overcoming the game’s many challenging bosses is immense, often requiring strategic planning and precise execution to prevail. The addition of New Game Plus and higher difficulty tiers provide even greater challenges and rewards, ensuring that Nioh offers plenty of replay value for those brave enough to face its trials.
Conclusion
Nioh is an absorbing and challenging souls-like action RPG that successfully carves its own identity with its complex combat, detailed customization, and richly-realized world. Its steep difficulty may deter some, but for those who embrace its trials, Nioh offers a deeply rewarding experience teeming with intricate battles, surprising depth, and a hauntingly beautiful world that remains captivating from beginning to end.
Nioh System Requirements
Minimum Requirements
- Memory: 6 GB RAM
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 780 VRAM 3GB or over AMD Radeon™ R9 280 VRAM 3GB or over
- CPU: Intel® Core™ i5 3550 or over
- File Size: 80 GB available space
- OS: Windows® 10 64bit, Windows® 8.1 64bit, Windows® 7 64bit
Recommended Requirements
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 VRAM 6GB or over AMD Radeon™ R9 380X VRAM 4GB or over
- CPU: Intel® Core™ i7 4770K or over
- File Size: 80 GB available space
- OS: Windows® 10 64bit, Windows® 8.1 64bit, Windows® 7 64bit