Saying a game is a “Souls-like” is like saying it is a “Metroidvania” or “Roguelike.” Games likeMetroidandRogueestablished themselves for being impactful games that distinguished themselves as a subgenre. When we think every type of game has been made, a new genre or subgenre emerges.
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The criteria for a Souls-like is in a grey area. As a newly formed subgenre, we have yet to define the game type’s characteristics clearly.Nioh 2is the latest addition to the Souls-like genre. Here are ten reasons whyNioh 2isn’t another Souls-like game.
10A Story That Connects To The Original In A Meaningful Way
Dark Soulsgames have a loose connection with each other. The protagonist of the series changes from The Chosen Undead to The Bearer of the Curse to Ashen One.Nioh 2has a more meaningful connection to the original.
For the sake of not spoilingNioh 2, we won’t go into the extent in whichNioh 2connects to the original.Nioh 2relates toNiohin a meaningful way, and we recommend playing the first before the second.
9A Hack And Slash Focus
It’s easy to see why many people are callingNioh 2a Souls-like game. It uses a stamina and health bar, with the usage of magic as a possibility.Nioh 2is similarly paced, yet we can’t ignore its hack and slash focus.
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Especially when playing multiplayer, the game contains hacking and slashing against recurring enemies.Dark Soulsis an arduous journey with a wider enemy variety, whereasNioh 2is more of a hack and slash type.
8Seamless Three-Player Co-Op
Connecting to other players inDark Souls 3is too needlessly complicated for reasons we cannot explain. It requires using specific in-game items to connect with other players. It’s an understatement to say thatNioh 2has an exceptional online multiplayer mode. Expedition allows you to play with friends and strangers with ease. It gives the game replay value if you want to go back and play previous bosses. These reasons explain whyNioh 2isn’t another Souls-like game.
7It’s Really, Really Long
Nioh 2is longer than anyDark Soulsgame if you do the extra content, which is almost impossible to avoid. Sub missions are almost required since the game has absurd level demands that do not fit the recommended levels. If you finishedNioh 2, chances are you completed some of the sub missions as they are vital to progression. CompletingNioh 2will take players, on average,fifty hours to beat.
6A Loot System Like No Other
Dark Soulshas a loot system, butNioh 2can be considered superior, given its wide variety of items. You can even collectsets of items to gain bonuses.You might not make use of all the items in the game because there are so many of them. In this case, however, more is better.Nioh 2offers a selection of items to improve your character.
It should be noted thatNioh 2’s loot system isn’t perfect. Some players might not enjoy sorting through anabundance of items.Dark Soulsitems are more meaningful, whereas you may get throughNioh 2without using most of the items. They attempted something new to the Souls-like genre, and we have to give them credit for it.
5PlayStation Exclusive
Aside fromDemon SoulsandBloodborne,all of the Souls-like games are multi-platform. All of the games from the coreDark Soulsseries are multi-platform games that were developed by FromSoftware. It could be said thatNioh 2is different since it’s a PlayStation exclusive developed by a different company. The fact it was developed by a different company leads us to our next point.
4Developed By Team Ninja
Team Ninja is the bold and ambitious video game developer who brought difficult games likeNinja GaidenandNioh,as well asDead or Alive. Before there was aDemon SoulsorDark Souls, Team Ninja created action games with a sword-wielding protagonist. The gameplay ofNinja Gaidenis phenomenal; it still holds up today.
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A plethora of reasons can explain whyNioh 2isn’t just another Souls-like game. It could be said thatNioh 2isn’t a Souls-like because a different company developed it.
3An Easier Game
Souls-like games are characterized by challenging gameplay that becomes progressively more difficult. Boss fights can require strenuous effort and multiple attempts. Perhaps it isNioh 2’s sub missions that make the game easier. Sub missions allow players to level their character to prepare for the next battle.Nioh 2is, without a doubt, a more relaxed game. Can a Souls-like game be easy? The very definition of a Souls-like doesn’t allow it.
2Yokai Shifts And Soul Cores
Nioh 2added new gameplay mechanics that fundamentally shifted the series—and yes, we mean Yokai Shifts. Yokai Shifts provide the user with a burst of energy in a transformation that is nothing short of majestic. The player can inflict massive damage to an opponent in combination with Soul Core Yokai abilities. We’ve never seen anything like this in aDark Soulsgame.
1A Less Convoluted Story
To fully understand the story ofNioh 2, you have to read excruciatingly long journal entries. The story doesn’t do the most excellent job of telling itself in cutscenes. You can, however, still enjoy the basic plot that is you trying to defeat the defeat evil entities while you journey as the spawn of a human and a Yokai.
Dark Souls' plot, on the other hand, is so convoluted that many of us are still confused.Nioh 2’s story might not be simple, but at least we have a chance at understanding it. Regardless, each game has enjoyable gameplay even if you are deeply confused by their plots.
