Nioh A Feudal Phenomenon

To the casual observer, Nioh appears to be a carbon copy of the Dark Souls formula. For the most part, that generalization would be an accurate reflection of the game. Don’t be fooled though; this is no copy & paste job. In actuality, Nioh manages to break free from the shackles of its heralded typecast. Mainly, this is due to its richly cinematic story, magical mythos and dynamic combat.

 

All of which help Nioh to nullify those naysayers. Of course, Nioh stands on the shoulders of giants, that much is true. But it marks its territory on the somewhat oversaturated role-playing genre in emphatic fashion. From Software had better watch their backs from this day forth. Besides, there’s a new Anglo-Irish kid on the block, and he’s planning a hostile takeover.

Nioh is an action RPG developed by Team Ninja. Part dungeon-crawler part Metroidvania role-player, Nioh shamelessly adheres to genre conventions, but it delivers upon every aspect to a near-perfect degree of excellence. That said, the general concepts and combat systems at play here are not alien. Nor are they authentic, but slick, streamlined and stylish execution create a package that’s to darn good to neglect.

 

Nioh takes place during the 1600’s amidst the backdrop of a war-torn Japan. Despite the game using historical context semi-true to life, this is a highly-fictional depiction of the Sengoku Period. The story charts the journey of William. The unlikely hero with an Irish accent enlisted to destroy evil entities and malevolent monsters wreaking havoc across the lands. All of which, appear to be capitalizing on the chaos and carnage of a divided Japan. A country on the brink of civil crisis.

 

Unlike Bloodborne, which portrays a nameless and speechless lead act, William is a multi-dimensional protagonist with well-written dialogue and a kick-butt aesthetic. After all, an Anglo-Irish samurai is not something you see every day. (I wish it were though, that would be sweet). As a result, Nioh issues a lavishly presented yet layered cinematic story rich with depth and meaning.

 

It’s a tale of destiny, that shares themes of love, loss and the primordial struggle of good vs. evil. A spirited yarn full of soul and packed with personality. All in all, the story paces well and forces you to live out on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

 

Much of the settings throughout the game hold a striking resemblance to those of Onimusha, Capcoms hack and slash survival horror. Whether that’s in the burnt-out buildings, scorched plains or dimly-lit dungeons, Nioh captures that same mood and atmosphere with just as much impact, if not more. Better still, the dark tones and faded textures depict a dire dystopian world, in a way that many few have done to date. As odd as it is ominous, this is a place where true evil resides. Luckily, our number one demon slayer is in town to mop up the mess.

In true dungeon crawling style, players must make their way through each level, collecting loot and gear from fallen foes along the way. Attack wise, William has two melee slots and a further dozen for ranged based weapons. All of which assign to the quickdraw menu for easy access. Also, items like medicine and elixirs are useable via the shortlist item dial should you need them on the fly. For the most part, the intuitive controls and slick on-screen user interface issue a free-flowing experience. Thanks to the smooth-running systems at play, the onus is on you to prevail. Hence, there are no excuses here.

 

It’s pick-up-and-play stuff from the go, in every sense. Reflective of most RPG’s, William has a health and stamina gauge. The latter of which drains with the use of strong attacks and evasive moves like dodging and rolling. All the while, absorbing blows from the block and parry skills further reduce stamina.

 

One small gripe I do have is just how easy it is to misdirect a block. Thus, the floaty controls of this mechanic, make it tough to execute that said action in the right direction. Also, sometimes you’ll be facing away from the enemy, exposed, yet the block will still be valid. In turn, this can deter you from adopting a defensive mindset at times. Despite the smooth transitional play of combat.

Nioh is in a class of its own regarding combat. Firstly, let’s pay tribute to the quality of each opponent. Impressively, the enemy A.I is fine-tuned and responsive. Therefore, there are no needless lunges or kamikaze acts of heroism. Each foe presents a new challenge, a unique blend of defense and attack, and a mix of light and heavy-hits, which adds an air of unpredictability to the outcome of each encounter.

 

Like the Souls games in many respects, success is a by-product of failure while trial and error are a one-way ticket to progression. Only by careful study of the enemy’s strengths and susceptibilities will you gain the upper hand here. Running and slashing will get you nowhere.

 

Next up, I would like to touch on the weaponry. Primarily, there are just so many variables at play in Nioh, that combat never gives-off the illusion of a grind. Not only are there a wide-ranging gamut of brutal weapons to select upon but each of them has a unique, executable style. Meaning, each slice, slash, thrust, and jab is different depending on the blade of choice. As a result, you rarely feel as though you are doing the same thing twice. Add to that, the statistical weapon modifiers and attack multipliers. Then you have a multi-dimensional system that healthily rewards item management.

 

All in all, its blend of dynamic combat, cinematic story-telling, and inspired artistic flair work in unison to create a polished package, full of charm, challenge, and charisma. Fans of the souls’ games do not want to miss out on this RPG triumph.

 

As you can surmise folks, I loved Nioh, but I’d like to hear about your thoughts and experiences. Please comment below. Your views are valued, always.