Nioh Reviews

Nioh is ranked in the 98th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
IGN
Top Critic
9.6 / 10.0
Feb 6, 2017

Nioh could well take over 100 hours if you set out to master its many side missions on top of its tough campaign, but it’s a challenge well worth taking. The way it builds on its most obvious inspirations with a highly refined combat system and an unexpectedly charming, yet gritty style all its own allows it to boldly carve out its own identity, standing as a shining example of what action RPGs can be.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 6, 2017

There is no better feeling than emerging victorious in NiOh. No matter how many times it takes you, it always leaves you wanting more. Without a doubt, those are the fundamentals which made the Souls series great and NiOh isn't any different.

Review in Arabic | Read full review

Feb 6, 2017

Nioh combines the stiff challenge of Dark Souls, the atmosphere of Onimusha, and the loot farming of Diablo to create an intense experience that's hard to put down.

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Unscored
Feb 6, 2017

To call Nioh a copycat would be doing it a disservice. Combat is tight and layered with options, levels are gorgeously rendered and ooze atmosphere, and the story is entertaining enough to keep me interested yet can still be set aside when I'm more interested in perfecting my ki pulses.

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Feb 6, 2017

Although inspired by greatness, Nioh is a superb game in its own right. Its test of precision and timing strays from the accessibility of most modern games, reminding us all what the thrill of overcoming obstacle feels like. While not everyone will agree with its hard mode approach to design, its combat system is well-crafted enough to win everyone over. This samurai tale might not be so simple, but it's a legendary one that won't soon be forgotten.

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Unscored
Feb 6, 2017

Nioh makes no bones about standing in the shadows of giants, but it extends and polishes the Dark Souls formula so much that it manages to shine just as brightly. Buy it.

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GameCrate
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Feb 6, 2017

Much like From Software’s Souls games and Team Ninja’s previous Ninja Gaiden efforts, Nioh was clearly designed with a very specific sort of gamer in mind, namely a very patient one who doesn’t mind having to constantly learn from their mistakes. If you find enjoyment in the punishing difficulty of such games and you want to delve into a title which could easily suck up hours upon hours of your gaming time, Nioh will certainly not disappoint.

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7.5 / 10.0
Feb 6, 2017

Nioh is a game of highs and lows. It’s a tremendous blast when the combat gets to shine, but it often gets the spotlight after hours of tedium. Instead of crafting a tight 20-hour experience like Ninja Gaiden, Team Ninja has opted to create a title that had me constantly grinding. It’s a flawed experience that really has no respect for the player’s time, but one that I’m ultimately glad to have experienced.

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RPG Site
Top Critic
9 / 10
Feb 6, 2017

This may be one of the best games that I have had the pleasure of playing in years.

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Atomix
Top Critic
91 / 100
Feb 6, 2017

Nioh is impressive in a lot of ways offering us beautiful challenging levels and a deep customizable experience. Even with the comparisions with Souls franchise, Nioh is a tremendous fun title full of personality, Team Ninja developed a memorable game with a brilliant combat system and solid gameplay mechanics

Review in Spanish | Read full review

GameSkinny
Top Critic
Feb 7, 2017

While I normally prefer games that don't go out of their way to frustrate on the difficulty front, I've got to admit this is one of the best examples of the Souls style released yet, and if you love that specific type of game, you're going to love Nioh.

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9 / 10
Feb 7, 2017

Do not dismiss Nioh as just another knockoff; it's so much more than that. By taking some inspiration from others, Team Ninja do prove with a rich combat system and solid foundation that they have the ability to surprise and innovate. The vast majority of the game is a pleasure to play, despite the fact that death is around every corner.  There's a lot I've not even touched upon in this review, simply because it's better experienced than told. For Koei Tecmo at least, all the effort was well worth it.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 7, 2017

Fast but measured combat, with enemies that demand respect.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 7, 2017

Nioh is a surprise delight. In a world of clones, it's great to find a Dark Souls homage that manages to be its own game and stands on its own merits. It's fast-paced, fun, brutal and full of enough mechanics and gameplay features that you could play it for months. You don't need to be a Souls fan to enjoy Nioh'sexcellent gameplay. The story is a little thin, and the environments aren't always great, but if you're looking for fast-paced samurai action or seeking a challenge, Nioh is the game for you.

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4 / 5
Feb 7, 2017

Although it has its share of annoying issues; the combat mechanics, the challenging gameplay and the amount of content will help you overcome anything that affects the experience negatively. An excellent game overall. I recommend it to anyone who wants to spend hours in a world full of challenges, and a fast-paced gameplay that depends more on your skills than your character's attributes.

Review in Arabic | Read full review

Unscored
Feb 8, 2017

‘Nioh’ is game of complex fighting systems. Only the hardcore need apply.

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ACG
Top Critic
Buy
Feb 8, 2017
Nioh Review "Buy, Wait for Sale, Rent, Never Touch?" video thumbnail
7 / 10.0
Feb 8, 2017
NIOH | REVIEW video thumbnail
8.5 / 10.0
Feb 8, 2017

Nioh is a brutal, intense and rewarding experience, which challenges the player to cross highly suggestive landscapes, full of lethal dangers. Although the team ninja game is strong of one of the best combat systems ever seen in the genre panorama, some small doubts remain about the general balance of the gameplay, to which is added the disappointment for the wasted opportunity of a story without bite and for a rather limping technical sector.

Review in Italian | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Feb 8, 2017

Nioh lays the foundations for what could be a successful series, able to differentiate itself with style and good intuitions from the saga that has in fact been the reference point of the genre for many years.

Review in Italian | Read full review