The biggest addition is actually one of my favorite weapon types: The Odachi, a style of long sword that is about the length of a spear (and about as slow) but with a moveset somewhere in between an axe and short sword. From what I’ve heard there are minimal lag issues compared to say Dark Souls III on the PS4. My experience with PvP in this game was always great but I stopped experimenting with it after the second DLC came out. The Dragon of the North DLC added quite a bit of extras to the game as a whole as it ushered in refined PvP matches and proper matchmaking along with a new set of campaign missions. These appear as normal human enemies, but grow a long serpent neck that can strangle you, and spit fire/poison. Dragon of the North One of several new Yokai enemy types introduced across the three DLC packs. After completing the final DLC I am still just level 199 (30 levels under the suggested range for the final areas) all because I wasn’t afraid to summon visitors for an easier co-op experience. And lets get real here even if the game is too damn hard, summon some visitors into your game! You’re not supposed to try and solo the whole thing. I suggest giving Nioh time to soak in and take your time learning the combat and systems, I always felt like the game rewarded me for the time I put into it. So, if you get lost in menus and just can’t do complex RPG tasks such as character class builds and gear upgrading, it might seem like a very hard game.

With careful reading and some thoughtful equipment choices you can become invincible in just a short period of time. It is a game of systems that has the complexity of a CRPG and the visceral combat of Dark Souls but with much more speed, finesse, and variety.

You could easily complete Nioh in 30-40 hours and still get a lot out of the game, but if you dig into everything the game has to offer you might be closer to 200 hours once you’ve seen and done everything. The quality of the game has increased steadily since release and they’d honed the systems and improved quality of life for players well before integrating PvP, three DLC releases, and several new modes. Nioh isn’t my favorite game of 2017 because of it’s lengthy main story or incredibly nuanced and fluid third person combat, what has kept me going back and playing this game the entire year is the amazing support that Team Ninja has offered for it.

Nioh dragon of the north review