Team Ninja's action RPG Nioh has officially released exclusively on the PlayStation 4! The game, which has been closely compared to the Dark Souls series, has been receiving some stellar reviews so far.
Review aggregators, such as OpenCritic and Metacritic have rated the game as 88 and 87, respectively, based on a number of reviews. A majority of game news sites have scored the game in the nines, citing the tough gameplay, combat, and overall uniqueness of the game being well worth the price of the game.
The games that inspired Nioh are pretty clear in the gameplay, but it meshes them together so well that you won't feel like you're playing a game you've played before.
Our very own review of Nioh hasn't received a score yet, we are doing out best to take our time with the game before slapping on a score. You can check out our review-in-progress here.
If you approach NiOh with the right mindset, all the frustration due to the ruthless level of challenge will turn into satisfaction when you overcome each obstacle. If you want to feel like a true samurai mastering the complex ways of or Japanese warfare, and you’re willing to pay the blood price for it, this is your game.
[9/10]
Nioh could well take over 100 hours if you set out to master its many side missions on top of its tough campaign, but it’s a challenge well worth taking. The way it builds on its most obvious inspirations with a highly refined combat system and an unexpectedly charming, yet gritty style all its own allows it to boldly carve out its own identity, standing as a shining example of what action RPGs can be.
[9.6/10]
With its emphasis on challenging combat and light storytelling elements that are at times bordering on parody (in a good way), Nioh feels like a true successor to the Ninja Gaiden series and fills a nice void that Souls left behind. Did Team Ninja ever leave? Whatever the case might be, it's back.
[9/10]
Nioh will break you down (and note this clearly, this is an uncompromising game that does not mind crushing your dreams) before it lifts you up, but you soon crave the thrill of mastering a new weapon or toppling a titanic boss. Endless optimization and customization, engaging encounters, and unparalleled combat by yourself or with a friend make Nioh an excellent choice for your next dark action/RPG.
[9/10]
Nioh is Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja taking a more measured approach to what they do best, and is a surprisingly feature-heavy and battle-focused heir to the Soulsborne method. But it ultimately stands on its own, and is a worthy addition to any Action RPG library.
[4/5]
Nioh’s development began in 2004. After having to scrap the game once and start development from scratch, it's amazing to see Team Ninja deliver a near-perfect title. Everything that Nioh does is masterfully crafted and balanced exactly the way a video game should be. If you’re a fan of action/adventure games, Nioh is a must-own. Hell, if you are a fan of video games, I can’t recommend Nioh enough.
[9.5/10]
