Nioh

Press StartJames Berich

9/10

While it’s easy to sit back and write Nioh off as another Dark Souls clone, it’s something very different. Yes, it’s slightly less challenging to get into, but it’s a result of some incredibly synergistic systems that work so well together to improve and smooth the player experience. Nioh is still a difficult game, mind you, but it’s an experience that consistently rewards players for performing well.

Game SkinnyRango the Mercenary

9/10

Taking the time to review a strong contender for 2017's Game of the Year. Nioh is Team Ninja's greatest masterpiece since Ninja Gaiden.

WellPlayedJordan Garcia

9/10

Nioh is an impressive feat of versatility, creativity, solid development and polish. While keeping to its historical roots, Nioh's story has some neat nuances which may touch the hearts of many. Themes of love, racism and righteousness help solidify the story as a fantastic spin on Japan’s rich history

Gaming NexusSean Cahill

9/10

A stunning take on feudal Japan awaits players with a fresh style of leveling, a unique battle system, and a challenge that will make even the most hardened players question what they're doing taking on this game.

Capsule ComputersTravis Bruno

9/10

Although Nioh may initially seem like a copycat, it does more than enough to stand on its own and outshine other games of its type in many ways making it one of the best action games you can play this year.

Impulse GamerSean Warhurst

After initially starting development in 2004, a year where both Lindsey Lohan and Steven Seagal inexplicably released albums, Action-RPG Nioh is finally here

Push SquareJohn Cal McCormick

8/10

Republished on Wednesday 30th October 2019: We're bringing this review back from the archives following the announcement of October's PlayStation Plus lineup. The original text follows.

PC GamerLauren Morton

78/100

An iffy port and inconsistent level design trouble an otherwise deep and challenging samurai action RPG.

eXputerHanzala Iftikhar

Although plagued with frustrating loot, uneven story pacing, and repetition, there’s no denying Nioh 1’s combat sets a superb foundation.

Worth PlayingChris "Atom" DeAngelus

7/10

Nioh is a dark, samurai-centric action RPG where players will traverse war-torn Japan as William, a blonde-haired swordsman whose background as a fierce warrior and seasoned knowledge of the blade allows him to survive in the demon-plagued land of the samurai.

Rock Paper ShotgunAdam Smith

Unscored

Nioh is like Dark Souls in so far as the halts to progress and forced repetition of fights function. You move forward, you fall, you learn, you try again. Experience works almost identically, tied to a form of currency that must be cashed in before death, adding a delicious risk/reward factor. The masses of loot initially seem like the biggest difference between this and a From Software game, and could kid you into thinking Nioh is a game about raising stats above all else, but it's not. That's a small part of it. Really, it's a game about raising your own level and mastering one of the finest...

Sirus GamingLeif Rey Bornales

Unscored

This is an excellent game and a game like this deserves to have a spot in your collection. Whether you’re a newbie to challenging games like this or you’re a veteran who knows the mechanics too well. This is a game that’s worth your money and time. I would happily go back into it to kill another yokai.