Nioh 2: here's what you need to know before playing the new Team Ninja title

The time of the final release of Nioh 2 is almost here, and after having tested its qualities and features with the definitive demo, we are ready to give you some advice and preventive information to better prepare you for the new game of Koei Tecmo e Team Ninja. After having talked about and hypothesized some of the events that could be covered in the history of this prequel, even after William's adventure in Nioh, it's time to get closer to the very essence of the experience: what we need to know before putting on our armor and take up arms?

Where, how and when?

As you can also read in the special proposed above, the title came to life during the time Sengoku Japanese, with the events that accurately stand out from 1555 onwards. After the excellent success of the first chapter, the team of director Yosuke Hayashi wanted to give players a new experience, which would explain how the world we tasted with Nioh was created.

Here then appears the figure of Oda Nobunaga and all the vicissitudes that led him to become the legendary figure we know, but directly and wisely linked to the actions of our character. Clearly we are far from William's landing on the Japanese coasts, and therefore we will live the adventure of a new character, a protagonist who we will create ourselves.

In the appropriate creation mode, which will be available for various changes even after the start of the game in a special section, we will be able to aesthetically customize every part of our character, starting from sex, up to more specific physical details and various Yokai forms. Indeed, our character will be a metamorph, and will have supernatural abilities thanks to his mixed blood. Clearly, once again most of the events revolve around the Amrita, stones imbued with power that can change the fate of entire wars. Our character will use it to level up and fill the spirit bar to unleash the power of the guardian spirit.

What kind of game is Nioh 2?

As is known, the Nioh series rests on action bases in some ways attributable to Ninja Gaiden, but which sees macroscopic mechanics implemented related to the actions that can be performed in combat, and to a structure of the game areas in a clear soulslike style (however , divided into missions accessible by a general map in turn divided into regions / time periods). This new structure allowed the first chapter to stand out for new feasible strategies, and this feature has been improved in this second chapter.

Each map will have inside sanctuaries, which will allow us to perform actions on our character, such as spending Amrita to level up, purify and manage the Yokai soul cores (one of the great novelties of this second chapter, which allows us to use devastating techniques of the defeated Yokai), receive blessings and so on, as well as refresh ourselves completely ... and bring back to life all the defeated enemies (except those shrouded by the fog yokai world).

The player's task, in most missions - but not always - is to move forward in the area, unlock passages and shortcuts to easily return to certain places after being defeated (oh yes, you will be defeated, as the game can be very punitive like any self-respecting soulslike), and kill a certain final boss that will end the mission. Killing enemies, however, will be essential to gain Amrita and power up, as well as to obtain pieces of equipment to become more resistant to enemy attacks or the elements.

The gameplay leaves a lot of freedom to the player: among the three handles (4 with scabbard), unlockable and customizable skills, customization of the cores, dozens of different weapons, preparable jutsu, management of parries and dodges, the style will be all in our hands.

This point is clearly related to the duration game itself: Nioh offered a great variety of main and secondary missions, and most likely the entirety of Nioh 2 (also given the range of vintages that the game lends itself to covering) will engage the player for many of these. However, to potentially make it even longer, there are the difficulty (and consequently the general test and retry) and also the farming phases to collect Amrita and become stronger and stronger. Clearly, a good deal of less time will take the most skilled and experienced players of the genre.

Can you play cooperatively?

Nioh 2 gives players the opportunity to obtain help, and therefore to face mission parts in the company of real players (in addition to those that can be summoned through the Tombs of Mercy). Through the appropriate portal in the game menu of the map, or through a command on the mission description, the player can decide whether to join other players' games as a visitor, and through special filters it is also possible to play with a friend. Sometimes these mechanics prove to be fundamental for the success of the mission, especially if in the presence of a large number of enemies, or a particularly difficult boss fight.

Will Nioh 2 arrive on PC?

Currently there is no information regarding a possible arrival on PC of Nioh 2, however it is not strictly excluded that the title cannot follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, and also arrive on our computers after a certain period of time following the release on PlayStation 4. .

The title on PlayStation 4 Pro is definitely performing, with loads of around 5 seconds, sometimes even less, and with a stable frame rate. We also point out that, as in Nioh, we will have the choice of giving precedence to graphic performance or fps based on our preferences.

Where can I buy it?

Clearly the title, being PlayStation 4 exclusive, will be available on the PlayStation Store and in all video game retailers in physical format. However, we would like to point out that in these days before the launch it is possible pre-order Nioh 2 in all stores at a discounted price, and also getting bonus items reserved for those who order the game before its release.