Nioh
Best PS4 Exclusives of 2017
After Dark Souls III released last year, many fans of the brutal action-RPG wondered where they’d get their next fix. While many fingers were crossed for a new FromSoftware title, it didn’t seem to be on the cards, at least not so soon. But then Team Ninja (Ninja Gaiden, Hyrule Warriors) stepped out with their own take on the brutal formula which traded in knights and dragons for samurai and demons. Nioh, a brand new IP from the studio places players in the shoes of William, a man seeking to save his Spirit Guardian in Sengoku and Edo Period Japan.
At first glance, it looks like nothing more than a Dark Souls clone, and in some ways it is. The regenerating foes every time you leave an area or rest at a shrine, the strict management of the soul-like Amrita, gear system, enemies with very specific patterns, and maze-like areas with unlockable shortcuts are all present and accounted for. Where Nioh stands out, though, is in its combat system which is more reminiscent of Team Ninja’s own Ninja Gaiden than FromSoftware’s series. Where Nioh’s inspiration had defense at the forefront, Team Ninja’s game is all about Ki management and powerful combos as well as using potent spirits to gain an edge. Also, blood stains on the ground, which are used in Souls games to show you how others died so you won’t repeat their mistakes, offer challenging fights against the spirits of other players, adding to the more aggressive gameplay.
Throw in the rewarding co-op experience, and a long list of replayable missions and side quests and you have a seriously solid game. It’s a cross between Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Ninja Gaiden, and just another reason to go grab a PS4.
