User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2628 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Apr 15, 2017
    10
    A very good game! With so much content in a type of gameplay similar to Dark Souls, but it's better with more options and battle style. Play against the warriors from feudal Japan in a journey with William. The First ocident to master the sword. This game is really 10/10.
  2. Feb 12, 2017
    10
    I'm a long time fan of the Souls series (Dark Souls 1 through 3), and though I do still love those games they've grown long in the tooth. Nioh is truly the first game of its type to challenge Dark Souls for the top spot of action RPGs. But comparing it only to Dark Souls would do it a disservice as it's far from a simple Souls clone. Numerous systems, like the Ki Pulse system (an 'activeI'm a long time fan of the Souls series (Dark Souls 1 through 3), and though I do still love those games they've grown long in the tooth. Nioh is truly the first game of its type to challenge Dark Souls for the top spot of action RPGs. But comparing it only to Dark Souls would do it a disservice as it's far from a simple Souls clone. Numerous systems, like the Ki Pulse system (an 'active reload' system for your stamina) keep the combat fresh and intense. There's also a lot of depth to be had. Even a simple sword has three different stances, each with their own move set, that you can string together. Switching stances frequently and smartly is a key skill to have in this game. Simply put, this is one of my favorite combat systems in any game ever.

    The atmosphere and music in this game are also great. If you're looking for a tough, innovative action game in the style of Dark Souls, Nioh is 100% for you. Seriously, if you have a PS4, BUY THIS GAME.
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  3. Feb 9, 2017
    10
    There is a very simple equation to define this game.

    Dark Souls + Ninja Gaiden + Onimusha + Diablo + a TON of love= Nioh

    Need I say more? I think not!
  4. Mar 26, 2020
    10
    Now that Nioh 2 was about to release, I dived deep into Nioh 1 in preparations for its successor. Strangely, having played both games recently, I must say that Nioh 1 is probably still my favourite of the two.

    Don't get me wrong, Nioh 2 is an excellent game, but Nioh 1 has better opening in my opinion, so far more interesting characters and the combat was already satisfying enough for
    Now that Nioh 2 was about to release, I dived deep into Nioh 1 in preparations for its successor. Strangely, having played both games recently, I must say that Nioh 1 is probably still my favourite of the two.

    Don't get me wrong, Nioh 2 is an excellent game, but Nioh 1 has better opening in my opinion, so far more interesting characters and the combat was already satisfying enough for me...
    While certainly inspired by Souls series, Nioh is very much its own thing. It has possibly the best combat system of any Soulslikes, I can wholeheartedly recommend it to any fan of challenging action RPGs.
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  5. Feb 11, 2017
    10
    If you liked dark souls and or bloodborne you owe it to yourself to play Nioh. Nioh is not just some clone or knock off of those games, it's a relentless action Rpg with it's own style and feel. The combat is refined and feels just right. The levels are excellent and look great. One of the issues that i had with the dark souls and blodborne series was load times. This game loads veryIf you liked dark souls and or bloodborne you owe it to yourself to play Nioh. Nioh is not just some clone or knock off of those games, it's a relentless action Rpg with it's own style and feel. The combat is refined and feels just right. The levels are excellent and look great. One of the issues that i had with the dark souls and blodborne series was load times. This game loads very quickly and makes you want to keep playing after a tough boss fight. The range weapons are not only an option, they are a big part of the combat. Everything about this game screams quality and refinement. The story is kind of weak and fails to make a connection. The side missions are also a nice touch and add to the game. Fantastic game for action fans. Expand
  6. Feb 8, 2017
    10
    I think i'm in love: you will be too. Man, this game is fun. Deep, strategic combat system: challenging bosses;
    and a lovely Japanese aesthetic propel you forward with countless delights. A must play.
  7. Feb 10, 2017
    10
    This game is a masterpiece, Does so many things right and beautifully. It seemed hard at first but once you start changing stances through combos, watching the mobs' animation things get easier. The combat just flows. Awesome ki system that rewards meaningful combos. Tons of content and customization. Graphics are really cool too. Bosses are very balanced and well made. Only downsideThis game is a masterpiece, Does so many things right and beautifully. It seemed hard at first but once you start changing stances through combos, watching the mobs' animation things get easier. The combat just flows. Awesome ki system that rewards meaningful combos. Tons of content and customization. Graphics are really cool too. Bosses are very balanced and well made. Only downside compared to a Souls game i would say is the level design but it is still pretty good. Expand
  8. Sep 20, 2017
    10
    Dark Souls was great, Bloodborne was better and this is the best! If you liked DS's you will LOVE this game. There is not even slight thing you can say against this game. Graphics is not best out there, but satisfying with best gameplay you can imagine!
  9. Dec 29, 2019
    10
    At the beginning I was thinking it was quite a "normal" game but once you see the level design and the huge variety of skills I felt in love. The only things that they should focus on Nioh2 are improving the story and reducing the number of objects.
  10. Apr 30, 2017
    10
    Awesome bloodborne/darksouls type game. It has the faster combat style more like bloodborne which I prefer as well. boss fights were fun and not nearly as frustrating as some of the BB / souls games. In my opinion this was a little easier than either one of those, but I think that was a good thing. While I like the tough games sometimes it is nice to have one that is approachable, even forAwesome bloodborne/darksouls type game. It has the faster combat style more like bloodborne which I prefer as well. boss fights were fun and not nearly as frustrating as some of the BB / souls games. In my opinion this was a little easier than either one of those, but I think that was a good thing. While I like the tough games sometimes it is nice to have one that is approachable, even for someone newer to the genre, yet still challenging enough for veterans. Expand
  11. Apr 2, 2019
    10
    Fantastic Game! A masterpiece of Team Ninja. The difficulty is hard? in some points, yes...but if you already play the first Ninja Gaiden or Sigma, Demons Souls and others with same style, you can do it too.
  12. Feb 7, 2017
    10
    I was lucky enought to get my preorder 5 days early. Since I started playing, I cant put it down. This is the most fun I've had playing a game in a long time. Dark Souls on steroids. I absolutely love it!
  13. Feb 13, 2017
    10
    i had high expectations of this game, but wow. It's even better than I thought it will be. I did just finish the masterpiece "Bloodborne" before going to this. This is a much faster game with a frame-rate that doesn't kill your eyes / brain.

    Thank god! 60 fps is a must in game like this. It's very good that you have options to choose from.
  14. Feb 17, 2017
    10
    To call this game a "Soulsborne copy" is an insult to Nioh, while it does take some elements from Soulsborne games they aren't alike. The combat is an absolute thrill and requires a lot of attention and management, the skill ceiling is VERY high and even higher than Soulsborne games!
  15. Feb 7, 2017
    10
    Nioh achieves what Dark Souls 3 could not do for me. Really make me excited to go back and play more. Great setting, great combat system and tons of content (from what i've heard). This is a must have for all fans of action rpgs
  16. Feb 22, 2017
    10
    The most fun I've had in a long time playing a game. It's clearly better than the souls series & it's funny that all the negative reviews are those saying it's to hard.
  17. Mar 14, 2017
    10
    In 2 words: Holy cow!
    This game is just that great, after spending hundred hours on Dark soul3 +DLC first on PS4 and then on PC and finishing that game i went for Nioh and at first i thought it would be rip of but the more i played the more i loved this game. There is a depth into this game. All the customization i could make to play the style i liked. There are so many weapon choices and
    In 2 words: Holy cow!
    This game is just that great, after spending hundred hours on Dark soul3 +DLC first on PS4 and then on PC and finishing that game i went for Nioh and at first i thought it would be rip of but the more i played the more i loved this game. There is a depth into this game. All the customization i could make to play the style i liked. There are so many weapon choices and it all feels very fluid and most importantly FUN. I feel like a real ninja playing this game which gives me a tingly feeling in my stomach.
    There are very few games that come close to this perfect game. I finished the game at level 127 which i think it higher then most people. I like to do every single side quest and enjoy the game and not rush through it. I think i must have spend atleast 140h or so on this game and i want to continue playing for a NG+.
    I badly like to start with Zelda which i have been saving or i would for sure go for a NG+.
    If you have not played it i really recommend this game, its not something you want to miss if you own a PS4.
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  18. Nov 12, 2019
    10
    Nioh is everything you would want from a soulslike game and more!! Dark RPG world, really deep Japanese-Oriental lore, easy camera movement, mesmerising sound and moves, moves, moves, literally endless moves to cut down your enemies.The graphicks are better than dark souls games with good art direction. Not as good as bloodborne but they support the game enough.The gameplay really standsNioh is everything you would want from a soulslike game and more!! Dark RPG world, really deep Japanese-Oriental lore, easy camera movement, mesmerising sound and moves, moves, moves, literally endless moves to cut down your enemies.The graphicks are better than dark souls games with good art direction. Not as good as bloodborne but they support the game enough.The gameplay really stands out in this game it Expand
  19. Feb 7, 2017
    10
    Se você gosta de Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne e Onimusha pode comprar sem medo, é um jogo incrível.

    O jogo possui uma fluidez e jogabilidade mais rápida e precisa que os jogos que citei acima, na verdade, o jogo tem elementos melhorados de todos os jogos acima, o Stealth de Bloodborne, os inimigos muito parecidos com Dark Souls, o gênero parecido com Onimusha e os bosses tão
    Se você gosta de Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne e Onimusha pode comprar sem medo, é um jogo incrível.

    O jogo possui uma fluidez e jogabilidade mais rápida e precisa que os jogos que citei acima, na verdade, o jogo tem elementos melhorados de todos os jogos acima, o Stealth de Bloodborne, os inimigos muito parecidos com Dark Souls, o gênero parecido com Onimusha e os bosses tão difíceis como no Demon's Souls, o jogo consegue ser melhor que todos acima no quesito Action RPG, ele possui mais personalizações, mais opções de jogabilidade, mais armas usáveis e o cenário do jogo consegue ser muito melhor que o do Dark Souls, é simplesmente incrível, no pôr do Sol, noite, dia, o jogo é perfeito no quesito gráfico, cenário e ambiente. Os inimigos do jogo são muito variados também, muito mais no que os jogos acima, o jogo possui uma dificuldade natural é difícil achar o Elixir que recupera seu HP e claro, existem milhares de inimigos difíceis e variados, a história do jogo está longe de ser ruim, é muito boa na verdade. Se você é um jogador (a) experiente em RPG's como DS, DM, Bloodborne e Onimusha, pode comprar, não irá se arrepender.
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  20. Feb 12, 2017
    10
    This is my first review..................... I love metacritic. Great site! I've been gaming since the days of Pong, Atari and Intellivision. I'm going to keep it short on this first review as I think everyone has covered how great this game is already. I love this game!!! It is so well done!!! Between Dark Souls, Bloodbourne and now Nioh these are great days to be a gamer!!! This gameThis is my first review..................... I love metacritic. Great site! I've been gaming since the days of Pong, Atari and Intellivision. I'm going to keep it short on this first review as I think everyone has covered how great this game is already. I love this game!!! It is so well done!!! Between Dark Souls, Bloodbourne and now Nioh these are great days to be a gamer!!! This game brings us back to the biggest reason we are gamers...TO HAVE FUN!!! Expand
  21. Feb 17, 2017
    10
    یک بازی محشر همراه با داستان و اکشن فوق العاده، شاید بشه گفت از دارک سولز 3 هم بهتره و پیشنهاد میکنم حتما بازیش کنین.
  22. Mar 8, 2017
    10
    Absolutely love this game. Very souls-esque, with a bit of ninja gaiden and a diablo-esque loot system. My favourite game of the year so far without a doubt. 10/10 ratings get thrown about in the user reviews far too often but this is one of those games that truly deserve it. Of course that 10/10 would be dependent on whether you enjoy games like these. It's an unforgiving game, much likeAbsolutely love this game. Very souls-esque, with a bit of ninja gaiden and a diablo-esque loot system. My favourite game of the year so far without a doubt. 10/10 ratings get thrown about in the user reviews far too often but this is one of those games that truly deserve it. Of course that 10/10 would be dependent on whether you enjoy games like these. It's an unforgiving game, much like the Souls series but if that is your type of game then you will absolutely love this. Pick it up, Thank you Team Ninja! Expand
  23. Feb 18, 2017
    10
    I can't believe myself when I'm saying this but I was skeptical before the game launched and said to myself that this game could not be like Dark Souls but I was wrong.

    This game is the best Souls game up to date it's like mixing bloodborne and dynasty warrior to gather and this game was the result
    it's fast and beautiful and has better story tiling then Dark Souls.
  24. Feb 8, 2017
    10
    Team NINJA is back! Taking influences from many modern action-RPGS, (notably From Software's Soulsborne series) this game manages to blend those influences together and serve them up in a complex, tight and overall novel way. The only thing I could knock it for so far is the story, but when a game is this fun it's a minor gripe and arguably not really the "point" of the game itself. GoingTeam NINJA is back! Taking influences from many modern action-RPGS, (notably From Software's Soulsborne series) this game manages to blend those influences together and serve them up in a complex, tight and overall novel way. The only thing I could knock it for so far is the story, but when a game is this fun it's a minor gripe and arguably not really the "point" of the game itself. Going in, know this is a game with quite a bit of depth, but it's very easy to pick up and play, but like Ninja Gaiden before it, it's very difficult to master. Expand
  25. Mar 20, 2017
    10
    I have played through 2+ times......finished all missions.....platinum'd it.....finished both title lists...which includes beating each boss 5 times and beating each boss and not getting hit.....went on random missions and got into the top 15 of my clan ranking....maxed my proficiency in all weapons....fiddled around with a barehanded build....

    I don't want to go overboard but this
    I have played through 2+ times......finished all missions.....platinum'd it.....finished both title lists...which includes beating each boss 5 times and beating each boss and not getting hit.....went on random missions and got into the top 15 of my clan ranking....maxed my proficiency in all weapons....fiddled around with a barehanded build....

    I don't want to go overboard but this might be the greatest game I have ever played.

    For most games, I get to the end and just want it to be over....I was disappointed when this game ended. So I played it again....and was disappointed again when I finished it a second time.

    I have played 250+ hours of this game and still want more.....I don't think there is a greater compliment than that.
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  26. Feb 8, 2017
    10
    In the current dark age of gaming, during the reign of soulless Ubisoft-like open world tower-capture simulators... This game is a shining ray of hope! A masterpiece! Something actually worth your time and cash! Love it! Embrace it! Accept the challenge!
  27. Feb 10, 2017
    10
    Really great game. Very challenging and rewarding gameplay. Combat is even more nuanced than Souls games while residing comfortably in the same genre. While it does take much inspiration from Souls games, it's by no mean a clone. Your character has 3 different stances which change the way each weapon is utilized and you often need to switch up your stance mid battle as your enemies adaptReally great game. Very challenging and rewarding gameplay. Combat is even more nuanced than Souls games while residing comfortably in the same genre. While it does take much inspiration from Souls games, it's by no mean a clone. Your character has 3 different stances which change the way each weapon is utilized and you often need to switch up your stance mid battle as your enemies adapt to your attacks. This means that to be successful you'll need to think on the fly and learn from mistakes. There are also many more tracked stats that help to level your player up as well as promoting the use of different weapons and play styles. A must own for anyone who likes a real challenge. Expand
  28. Feb 7, 2017
    10
    This is one of the best Action RPGs ever made. If you love From Software Souls series this game is a must buy. I you like Action RPGs please do a favor for yourself and buy this masterpiece.
  29. May 16, 2017
    10
    This is dark souls cloning done right. They didn't just copy dark souls, they built upon it to create something wholly unique. The game is brutally difficult however, even more so than dark souls but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment. It all works after you master the combat system.
  30. Mar 2, 2017
    10
    Nioh has perhaps the deepest and most fluid combat system I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing in any video game. Combined with an epic narrative, a compelling musical score and incredible aesthetics makes this one of the greatest Action RPGs I've honestly ever played during the 70+ hours of addicting gameplay it has given to me.
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 100 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 97 out of 100
  2. Negative: 0 out of 100
  1. games(TM)
    May 26, 2017
    80
    Challenging, beautiful and unique. [Issue#105, p.82]
  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Apr 11, 2017
    90
    The small, scattered levels live in the shadows of the Souls/Bloodborne worlds. Otherwise, Nioh matches - and occasionally surpasses - FromSoftware's genre giants. [Apr 2017, p.77]
  3. CD-Action
    Apr 5, 2017
    85
    After a series of letdowns Team Ninja returns to form it displayed with Ninja Gaiden Black. Nioh is a variation on the Souls series, and although it is not as intriguing story wise, its gameplay is much more enjoyable. [04/2017, p.46]