Saying a game is a "Souls-like" is like saying it is a "Metroidvania" or "Roguelike." Games like Metroid and Rogue established 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.
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 2 is the latest addition to the Souls-like genre. Here are ten reasons why Nioh 2 isn't another Souls-like game.
10 A Story That Connects To The Original In A Meaningful Way
Dark Souls games 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 2 has a more meaningful connection to the original.
For the sake of not spoiling Nioh 2, we won't go into the extent in which Nioh 2 connects to the original. Nioh 2 relates to Nioh in a meaningful way, and we recommend playing the first before the second.
9 A Hack And Slash Focus
It's easy to see why many people are calling Nioh 2 a Souls-like game. It uses a stamina and health bar, with the usage of magic as a possibility. Nioh 2 is similarly paced, yet we can't ignore its hack and slash focus.
Especially when playing multiplayer, the game contains hacking and slashing against recurring enemies. Dark Souls is an arduous journey with a wider enemy variety, whereas Nioh 2 is more of a hack and slash type.
8 Seamless Three-Player Co-Op
Connecting to other players in Dark Souls 3 is 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 that Nioh 2 has 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 why Nioh 2 isn't another Souls-like game.
7 It's Really, Really Long
Nioh 2 is longer than any Dark Souls game 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 finished Nioh 2, chances are you completed some of the sub missions as they are vital to progression. Completing Nioh 2 will take players, on average, fifty hours to beat.
6 A Loot System Like No Other
Dark Souls has a loot system, but Nioh 2 can be considered superior, given its wide variety of items. You can even collect sets 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 2 offers a selection of items to improve your character.
It should be noted that Nioh 2's loot system isn't perfect. Some players might not enjoy sorting through an abundance of items. Dark Souls items are more meaningful, whereas you can get through Nioh 2 without using most of the items. They attempted something new to the Souls-like genre, and we have to give them credit for it.
5 PlayStation Exclusive
Aside from Demon Souls and Bloodborne, all of the Souls-like games are multi-platform. All of the games from the core Dark Souls series are multi-platform games that were developed by FromSoftware. It could be said that Nioh 2 is 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.
4 Developed By Team Ninja
Team Ninja is the bold and ambitious video game developer who brought difficult games like Ninja Gaiden and Nioh, as well as Dead or Alive. Before there was a Demon Souls or Dark Souls, Team Ninja created action games with a sword-wielding protagonist. The gameplay of Ninja Gaiden is phenomenal; it still holds up today.
A plethora of reasons can explain why Nioh 2 isn't just another Souls-like game. It could be said that Nioh 2 isn't a Souls-like because a different company developed it.
3 An 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 is Nioh 2's sub missions that make the game easier. Sub missions allow players to level their character to prepare for the next battle. Nioh 2 is, 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.
2 Yokai Shifts And Soul Cores
Nioh 2 added 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 a Dark Souls game.
1 A Less Convoluted Story
To fully understand the story of Nioh 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.