Nioh 2

The opinions on the story of Nioh 2 are quite varied among critics. Some reviewers, such as Merlin'in Kazanı and Noisy Pixel, appreciated the engaging narrative that immerses players in a world filled with Yokai creatures and Japanese folklore. IGN Spain also commended the seamless blending of Yokai mythology with Japanese history, offering a rich and immersive experience. Additionally, GamePro Germany and GRYOnline.pl highlighted how the story serves as a backdrop to the challenging gameplay, delving into Japanese history and culture with thematic depth. On the other hand, several critics expressed negative opinions regarding the story of Nioh 2. Critics like 3DJuegos and Cheat Code Central criticized the narrative for being weak, disjointed, and lacking a cohesive storyline to engage players. COGconnected and Cultured Vultures found the story to be overshadowed by cringy English dubbing, with thin narrative threads and cutscenes that feel disconnected. Slant Magazine also mentioned that the story is emotionally shallow and poorly presented, lacking in motivation for the protagonist and relying too heavily on players' familiarity with historical figures. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards the story of Nioh 2 being a mixed bag. While some reviewers appreciated the immersive world-building and engaging narrative elements, others found the storytelling to be lacking in coherence and depth. The focus on gameplay mechanics, combat, and character development seems to overshadow the main plot for many critics, as noted by Game Rant and Push Square. Despite some positive aspects, such as the incorporation of Japanese history and folklore, the general sentiment suggests that the story of Nioh 2 falls short in providing a truly compelling and cohesive narrative experience for players.

The gameplay of Nioh 2 has been widely praised by the majority of critics for its depth, complexity, and rewarding combat mechanics. Critics such as Cheat Code Central and Gamer.nl commend the game for introducing new elements like Yokai abilities, Burst Counters, and a variety of weapons that add strategic depth and diversity to the gameplay experience. The combat system is highlighted for its precision, requiring players to master different strategies and offering a wide range of options to approach encounters. Additionally, the addition of features like the Dark Realm, Anima meter, and Yokai Shift form, as mentioned by Daily Star and Merlin'in Kazanı, contribute to the challenging and engaging nature of the gameplay. On the downside, some critics, like COGconnected and Cultured Vultures, point out that the gameplay of Nioh 2 can feel unnecessarily complex or overwhelming at times. The intricate loot and upgrade system, as highlighted by CGMagazine, may require a significant investment of time to fully grasp, potentially alienating players looking for a more straightforward experience. The unbalanced Dark Realm sections, as criticized by Cheat Code Central, could disrupt the flow of gameplay and hinder the overall enjoyment for some players. Additionally, the high barrier to entry mentioned by Stevivor may pose a challenge for newcomers to the series who may find the learning curve steep. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the gameplay of Nioh 2. The game is praised for its deep and rewarding combat mechanics, diverse weapon options, and strategic depth, as noted by Easy Allies and Hardcore Gamer. The improvements and refinements made to the combat system, as highlighted by Game Revolution and The Digital Fix, have elevated the gameplay experience and solidified Nioh 2 as a standout title in the action RPG genre. Despite some minor criticisms regarding complexity and difficulty, the majority of critics agree that Nioh 2 delivers a satisfying and engaging gameplay experience that will appeal to fans of challenging and strategic combat games.

The critics generally praise the graphics and visual design of Nioh 2 for various aspects. They appreciate the consistent art style with the first game, detailed character models, and impressive enemy designs. Critics like COGconnected commend the sharp and impressive character models and monster designs, while God is a Geek highlights the stunning environments ranging from mist-wreathed forests to fire-ravaged battlefields. Additionally, the game's blend of historical accuracy with fantastical elements, as noted by GRYOnline.pl, and the improved character customization, as mentioned by RPG Site, contribute to a visually engaging experience. On the flip side, some critics point out certain drawbacks in the graphics and visual design of Nioh 2. Video Chums and DarkStation mention issues with dark areas causing visual problems and occasional camera issues, respectively. Meristation criticizes the game for occasional visual issues and enemy repetition, while LevelUp notes technical limitations in graphics and level design. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment leans towards the positive aspects of the game's visuals, with most reviewers acknowledging the game's stunning style, polished action, and improved graphics, even if not pushing the PS4 to its limit, as stated by Push Square. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Nioh 2 delivers a visually consistent and engaging experience, maintaining the beautiful visuals of its predecessor while introducing improvements such as enhanced character customization and visually stunning levels. The game's attention to detail in enemy and level design, as highlighted by Noisy Pixel, along with the variety of environments and vibrant colors capturing war-torn Japan's beauty, as praised by Vandal, contribute to a positive reception. Despite some minor issues and criticisms, the majority of critics appreciate the game's graphics, character designs, and level intricacy, making Nioh 2 a top-tier game experience in terms of visuals and design.

In terms of positives, the sound design and music of Nioh 2 received high praise from several critics. Hobby Consolas noted that the improved musical score stands out, while Press Start Australia highlighted the epic and sweeping score that provides an intense backdrop to major battles, elevating the overall feel of the game. IGN Spain also commended the Japanese voice acting, traditional soundtrack, and sound effects for enhancing the game's atmosphere, creating an immersive experience for players. Additionally, Easy Allies mentioned how the sound design added tension and excitement to gameplay, with cues like burst counter warnings and soul core attacks enhancing the overall experience. On the negative side, COGconnected pointed out the cringy English dubbing as a downside of the game, which detracted from the overall experience for some players. SpazioGames mentioned the disappointment of significant recycling of assets, including music, which could have impacted the freshness and immersion of the game for certain players. Worth Playing also noted that while the voice acting and music were good, nothing stood out exceptionally, indicating a lack of standout elements in these aspects. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Nioh 2 excels in its sound design and music, with the majority of reviewers praising the enhanced soundtrack, immersive sound effects, and atmospheric elements that contribute to the overall gameplay experience. Critics like LevelUp and Meristation highlighted how the audio design complements the gameplay and narrative well, setting the tone for epic encounters and enhancing the storytelling. Despite some criticisms regarding English dubbing and asset recycling, the general sentiment leans towards the positive, with the soundtrack being a standout feature that elevates the game's immersive qualities and adds depth to the overall experience.

Summary unavailable

In terms of the technical performance on the PS4 platform, the critics generally praised Nioh 2 for its smooth gameplay and stable framerate. Areajugones highlighted the enhanced combat mechanics, while CGMagazine specifically mentioned the fast loading times and smooth performance on outdated hardware. Gamer.nl and RPG Site appreciated the game running at 60fps on a regular PS4, with the option to choose different settings for optimal performance. Additionally, Video Chums noted the smooth online experience for the most part. On the flip side, some critics did point out certain negatives regarding the technical performance on PS4. Atomix and PlaySense both mentioned occasional frame drops during cutscenes, impacting the overall experience. God is a Geek highlighted framerate drops during stylized cutscenes, which could be a noticeable issue for players. Jeuxvideo.com also noted AI companions acting unpredictably, potentially affecting gameplay immersion. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Nioh 2 delivers a technically advanced experience on the PS4 platform, with smooth gameplay, stable framerates, and various performance options to cater to different player preferences. While there were occasional issues like frame drops during cutscenes and AI unpredictability, the majority of reviewers appreciated the game's technical achievements and optimizations. The inclusion of different display modes on the PS4 Pro, as mentioned by Wccftech, further adds to the overall positive reception of Nioh 2's technical performance across different PS4 models.

The majority of critics praised the replay value of Nioh 2, highlighting its extensive gameplay experience, challenging levels, diverse mission types, and various customization options. Critics like 3DJuegos and Atomix appreciated the additional missions, endgame content, and rewarding gameplay that catered to fans seeking more challenges and exploration. The game's deep customization systems, revamped skill trees, and unique builds, as noted by CGMagazine and RPG Site, added to the replayability by providing players with the freedom to tailor their playstyle and experiment with different strategies. Additionally, the inclusion of co-op options, NPC companions, and multiplayer features, as mentioned by Easy Allies and IGN Spain, offered different ways to experience the game and further enhance its replay value. On the downside, some critics pointed out certain aspects that could detract from the overall replayability of Nioh 2. COGconnected mentioned that engaging with the skill trees might not be worth it, potentially limiting the incentive for players to explore all available options. Cheat Code Central highlighted that less seasoned players might struggle with the difficulty of the Yokai Realm sequences, which could lead to frustration and hinder their enjoyment of repeated playthroughs. SpazioGames also noted the lackluster side missions and non-existent narrative, which could impact the overall motivation for players to engage in additional playthroughs. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the replay value of Nioh 2. The game's depth in terms of builds, progression systems, and customization options, as highlighted by Gaming Nexus and Screen Rant, provides endless potential for variety and experimentation, appealing to players looking for a challenging and rewarding experience. The inclusion of multiplayer features, extensive crafting systems, and the ability to carry over save data from the first game, as noted by USgamer and Wccftech, further solidify Nioh 2's position as a title with high replay value. Despite some minor criticisms, the majority of critics agree that Nioh 2 offers a compelling gameplay experience that encourages multiple playthroughs, making it a standout title in terms of replayability within the action RPG genre.