There isn't a single area in the game that isn't visually striking, and thanks to the fact that a photo mode has been included with Nioh 2: The Complete Edition, you can capture some great screenshots. Players with keen eyes can spot hidden items and shortcuts, and there are many opportunities for you to use the environment to your advantage in combat.Īesthetically, the game perfectly captures both the vibrant beauties and the sobering horrors of Sengoku-era Japan. This makes the villages, castles, and caverns you explore feel like connected, believable locales rather than stages clearly designed for a video game. Much like areas in Dark Souls, locations in Nioh 2 loop back on themselves in clever and natural ways, and also often have multiple paths forward.

The game's world design is also stellar, from both a gameplay and a visual standpoint. There are other special mechanics too, such as different stances that change the speed and direction of your attacks and a Guardian Spirit ultimate ability you can briefly use for increased damage and survivability. However, once you master the timing, the combat has an addicting, unique rhythm to it.

The window for a Ki Pulse is small, and if you mess it up, you'll often be forced to eat damage. This mechanic allows you to either keep up the pressure or successfully dodge away from return strikes. To get around this, you need to press the right bumper at the right time (represented by blue particles after attacking) to perform a Ki Pulse, which instantly returns a large portion of your stamina and cleanses enemy energy pools. In Nioh 2, attacks use more stamina than they do in other games, and enemies can create pools of energy that reduce how quickly you get it back. Sony Interactive Entertainment/Koei Tecmo

Nioh complete edition physical