Nioh 2 presents a more challenging experience compared to the original.
Nioh 2 presents a more challenging experience compared to the original.
It did fall a bit short at first. I collected quite a few weapons that looked good stat-wise, but ultimately the stronger one was the clear winner. The real weaknesses came from using talismans rather than inherent bonuses. Armor is even less useful here—everything tends to kill you if you make a mistake late in the game.
I believe Nioh 2 presents a greater challenge compared to the original mainly because it doesn't allow as much flexibility in progression as the first title. The progression system is significantly more extensive and sophisticated than in Nioh 1. It's essentially an enhanced version of the earlier game. EDIT: There seems to be confusion around terms like "forced lock on" or "changed camera" in this discussion. In reality, the game relies on the same engine and commands, maintaining a consistent feel with Nioh 1. The camera remains unchanged from the first installment. You only need to engage the lock if you choose to, as it's not mandatory for character tracking.
I've been through the second match for a few hours now. It's a bit more challenging than the first, mainly due to its tighter gameplay and less room for mistakes. Still, it retains some of the issues from the first version: certain attacks, even those that are slow and telegraphed, can feel like guaranteed instant kills unless you time your dodge precisely. The tutorials are similar to the first one, offering only basic guidance like "swords are sharp, use them to cut enemies in half." Beyond those basics, things have improved for me. The skill tree has changed significantly—points come from using specific weapons rather than just accumulating them and deciding what to do with them. Stances now feel more refined and offer real advantages. Compared to the first game, where low stances were just repetitive, here I'm switching between stances and getting some solid combos. Enemies are tougher too, especially the Yokai.