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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Excerpt from a couple of months old interview done by Denfaminicogamer with Koei Tecmo founder and CEO Yoichi Erikawa (not sure how this sales info was missed by games media):

-- Nioh has been a hot topic among game fans and has received a great response overseas as well.

Erikawa:
There aren't many historically themed action games, but this one has been more popular overseas than in Japan. At the moment, Nioh 1 and 2 have sold nearly 8 million copies.

About 90% of those sales are in the West. Recently, the Disney+ show "SHOGUN" has been getting a lot of attention. I think that dramas and games about history, such as Japan and China, are becoming popular. As for manga and anime, historical topics haven't been very popular up until now, but they've been accepted quite a bit recently.

 

[Lokaum D+]

such an underrated game, imo Nioh 2 has the best combat in video game, cant wait for Ronin PC release.

 

[HRK69]

Nioh 2 easily boasts the best combat in any third-person game. When it finally clicks, something truly special happens. And to top it off, the multiplayer is seamless.

The Complete Edition is dirt cheap on PC:

Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition PC

Buy Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition PC ✔️ CD Key ✔️ Instant download ✔️ Fantastic price ✔️ Digital Download ✔️

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Potential of 100's of hours of gameplay

 

[Fbh]

It's not a Nintendo game, a nostalgia bait remake or a game about gambling for underage looking anime girls, of course japan wasn't into it.

But yeah the Nioh games are great. 2 in particular was awesome.
I hope they keep the series going.

 

[ssringo]

The endgame gear grind sucks but that's true of any loot based game. Otherwise fantastic games and I got hundreds of hours of entertainment from them.

 

[Hookshot]

White Yasuke liked by the same amount of Japanese as black Yasuke

 

[The Shepard]

So we're definitely getting nioh 3 then at some point. Hopefully it's sooner rather them later. Nioh 2 was my lockdown game and got the platinum in both games during it.

 

[coachmcguirk91]

If Team Ninja ever had the time and resources to develop a AAA game they would be considered a top 10 developer in the industry. The combat in most their games is fantastic. The Nioh series deserves Black Myth Wukong sales

 

[Kerotan]

The West loves the east more then the east itself.

 

[Zacfoldor]

Nioh 2 - tis legend.

Nioh 3 when? Why have I languished in despair for so long? 4m sales a title? Why is TN sleeping on this juggernaut? I bet their other games have sold like shit compared to Nioh.

 

[Woopah]

It's not a Nintendo game, a nostalgia bait remake or a game about gambling for underage looking anime girls, of course japan wasn't into it.

But yeah the Nioh games are great. 2 in particular was awesome.
I hope they keep the series going.

The games didn't sell bad in Japan. Around 90% of PS4s were sold in the West so the ratio makes sense.

 

[Soodanim]

The article and OP don't do anything to help matters, but I don't think people are putting any thought into the Japan vs West statistic. Compre Japan's userbase to the entire West. 10% isn't even nearly bad.

 

[Lokaum D+]

Nioh 2 - tis legend.

Nioh 3 when? Why have I languished in despair for so long? 4m sales a title? Why is TN sleeping on this juggernaut? I bet their other games have sold like shit compared to Nioh.

its called Rise of the Ronin and release on March 11

 

[NeverYouMind]

Nioh 2 easily boasts the best combat in any third-person game. When it finally clicks, something truly special happens. And to top it off, the multiplayer is seamless.

Not when 6th and 7th generation action games exist. Stamina system, ki pulse, endgame buff stack necessity, and gimped movement system keep it from greatness. It also suffers from repetitiveness of subpar content.

 

[10v12]

Nioh 2 - tis legend.

Nioh 3 when? Why have I languished in despair for so long? 4m sales a title? Why is TN sleeping on this juggernaut? I bet their other games have sold like shit compared to Nioh.

Would love a Nioh 3, but I can't help but be wary because all of their games post-Nioh 2 have had extremely watered down combat compared to Nioh. RoTR was a step in the right direction but even then it's nowhere close.

 

[Duellist]

its called Rise of the Ronin and release on March 11

Ya no lol

 

[Lokaum D+]

Ya no lol

Ya yes lol

 

[Schmendrick]

So why then did we get mediocre stuff like Ronin and Wo Long instead of a Ni'Oh sequel?

 

[Physiognomonics]

So why then did we get mediocre stuff like Ronin and Wo Long instead of a Ni'Oh sequel?

Making more accessible and cinematic games for the West. Wait...something is wrong then!

 

[cinnamonandgravy]

nioh3 and xcom3 are what i want from this gen

 

[Da1337Vinci]

Not my favorite franchise of their way too much item management.

I need my action like Vanquish, DMC or Sekiro everything available early but master them only through repetition.

Thankful for the franchise and its success to allow them to exists and invest in their other franchises.

 

[NeverYouMind]

So why then did we get mediocre stuff like Ronin and Wo Long instead of a Ni'Oh sequel?

Wo Long's DLC and updates made it better than the two Niohs.

 

[Duellist]

Ya yes lol

your opinion dude. I’m playing the game right now and while there are definitely similarities it doesn’t hold a candle to the Nioh series. IMO

 

[HYDE]

I loved Nioh 1 & 2…where is my Nioh 3?

 

[MagiusNecros]

So why then did we get mediocre stuff like Ronin and Wo Long instead of a Ni'Oh sequel?

Because Hide is OP and I don't think a Half Yokai Protagonist can be topped anytime soon.

 

[Sakura]

It's not a Nintendo game, a nostalgia bait remake or a game about gambling for underage looking anime girls, of course japan wasn't into it.

But yeah the Nioh games are great. 2 in particular was awesome.
I hope they keep the series going.

I don't think that's fair. The west is like over 10 times the population of just Japan, why shouldn't sales be higher.

 

[AngelMuffin]

such an underrated game, imo Nioh 2 has the best combat in video game, cant wait for Ronin PC release.

Not underrated at all. Sitting at an 86 on Meta Critic. Maybe under-appreciated or not quite as popular as From games, but underrated it is not.

 

[yogaflame]

I havent purchase Nioh 1 and 2 yet. Is it really good?

 

[Futaleufu]

In Nioh 1 for some reason the kusarigama/ninja builds don't work properly in the extra fight against Hayabusa. The rest of the game is very good.

 

[FreeY$L]

its called Rise of the Ronin and release on March 11

Its an extremely dumbed down ubi-slop with none of the depth of nioh, and all of its shortcomings (the loot system).

 

[Hudo]

What about Stranger of Paradise? That was the real Final Fantasy XVI (or the Final Fantasy 1 remake, depending on how you want to look at it).

 

[Thief1987]

Not underrated at all. Sitting at an 86 on Meta Critic. Maybe under-appreciated or not quite as popular as From games, but underrated it is not.

Well it's underrated because original is at 88, and Nioh 2 is superior in every way.

 

[Gonzito]

Nioh 2 is peak gaming

If you haven't played you are missing out so much

 

[mèx]

Well deserved, Nioh is fucking great.

Wo Long's DLC and updates made it better than the two Niohs.

Agree. Nioh is great but Wo Long is better. I played the full game with one of the DLC weapons (longsword) and it was awesome from start to end. Game kept on my toes until the very end, it was a good challenge.

Regardless, I will buy any game Team Ninja makes. Their combat systems are always peak.

 

[FewRope]

Would love a Nioh 3, but I can't help but be wary because all of their games post-Nioh 2 have had extremely watered down combat compared to Nioh. RoTR was a step in the right direction but even then it's nowhere close.

I'm sorry but... no? Nioh 2 makes Nioh 1 completely obsolete

 

[DaciaJC]

I'm sorry but... no? Nioh 2 makes Nioh 1 completely obsolete

"post-Nioh 2" meaning all their games after Nioh 2 had watered down combat.

 

[FewRope]

"post-Nioh 2" meaning all their games after Nioh 2 had watered down combat.

You are right, had a brain fart. I stand corrected

 

[Aion002]

I havent purchase Nioh 1 and 2 yet. Is it really good?

It is. But if you will like it or not, it will depend on:


Do you like difficult action combat focused games like Ninja Gaiden, Sekiro or Dark Souls?

If not, you won't. If you do:

Do you like loot based stuff, build variety and somes souls like elements (imagine Dark Souls meets Diablo)?

If not, you won't. If you do:

Yes, you will like it a lot.


The games aren't perfect, the level design and enemy variety are not the best.

But the combat is amazing, there a lot of build variety for those that like to have multiple gameplay styles and customization, the stages are challenging, the coop is great and there's tons of replayability.

If you end up enjoying it, they also made Wo Long (which is similar, but faster), Stranger of Paradise (which is basically Nioh + Final Fantasy) and Rise of The Ronin (which is a mix of Nioh + Wo Long + Open World).

 

[AngelMuffin]

Well it's underrated because original is at 88, and Nioh 2 is superior in every way.

Nothing is over/underrated, The majority has spoken. Now, you may personally not agree with the majority but that does not mean something is over/underrated.

 

[NeverYouMind]

What about Stranger of Paradise? That was the real Final Fantasy XVI (or the Final Fantasy 1 remake, depending on how you want to look at it).

It is dope. Still playing it in bursts when I'm in the mood. The most balls to the wall Final Fantasy installment and one of the most thematically amusing Team Ninja games.

 

[MagiusNecros]

Never played Nioh 1. Analysis told me I can go right ahead and just play Nioh 2(no regrets!) which is Nioh 1 but better in every way and has a more complex combat system with itemization on par with Diablo 2. Some dislike this because they have to use brain to figure out what gear is good but to me it's more engaging this way.

Wo Long is a different beast from Nioh 2 and thus wants you to play a different way. And is a more streamlined experience to an extent.

Rise of the Ronin is what I've read is Nioh 1 + Wo Long and Open World....but I think it turns out it's Tenchu: Nioh Edition.

I've yet to play RotR to judge properly but it's probably an easier Nioh 2 from a mechanics standpoint.

Nioh 2 has a great in-depth system where the player and enemies/bosses use the same rules in combat. Anything they can do to pressure you...you can do to them. And among that you can Megaman Core Souls for abilities and passives, turn into one of 3 interchangeable Demons, stance swap for different attacks/movesets, timed button presses for quick Ki Pulse regeneration, red telegraphed attacks that must be avoided or interrupted or suffer heavy damage, mix and match consumables, ranged weapons, magic and your skills level up the more you use those skills. Use Ninjutsu you get skill points for Ninjutsu. Stellar. Not to mention the build variety.

And just when you get the hang of it you fight a boss that becomes a roadblock and teaches you new mechanics and makes you a better player. To a point where you memorize how every enemy fights and can make decisions on how to engage them. And after learning the fight...that tough enemy or boss becomes a walk in the park.

So let's frame it as Nioh 1 was the beginning, Nioh 2 is Peak, Wo Long is more streamlined and RotR is supposed to be a healthy mix of Nioh and Wo Long.

I think from a Lore standpoint Nioh 2 should be tougher since you are fighting Demons and Yokai primarily. Wo Long and RotR not as much. Not sure RotR has any.

 

[NeverYouMind]

Never played Nioh 1. Analysis told me I can go right ahead and just play Nioh 2(no regrets!) which is Nioh 1 but better in every way and has a more complex combat system with itemization on par with Diablo 2. Some dislike this because they have to use brain to figure out what gear is good but to me it's more engaging this way.

Wo Long is a different beast from Nioh 2 and thus wants you to play a different way. And is a more streamlined experience to an extent.

Rise of the Ronin is what I've read is Nioh 1 + Wo Long and Open World....but I think it turns out it's Tenchu: Nioh Edition.

I've yet to play RotR to judge properly but it's probably an easier Nioh 2 from a mechanics standpoint.

Nioh 2 has a great in-depth system where the player and enemies/bosses use the same rules in combat. Anything they can do to pressure you...you can do to them. And among that you can Megaman Core Souls for abilities and passives, turn into one of 3 interchangeable Demons, stance swap for different attacks/movesets, timed button presses for quick Ki Pulse regeneration, red telegraphed attacks that must be avoided or interrupted or suffer heavy damage, mix and match consumables, ranged weapons, magic and your skills level up the more you use those skills. Use Ninjutsu you get skill points for Ninjutsu. Stellar. Not to mention the build variety.

And just when you get the hang of it you fight a boss that becomes a roadblock and teaches you new mechanics and makes you a better player. To a point where you memorize how every enemy fights and can make decisions on how to engage them. And after learning the fight...that tough enemy or boss becomes a walk in the park.

So let's frame it as Nioh 1 was the beginning, Nioh 2 is Peak, Wo Long is more streamlined and RotR is supposed to be a healthy mix of Nioh and Wo Long.

I think from a Lore standpoint Nioh 2 should be tougher since you are fighting Demons and Yokai primarily. Wo Long and RotR not as much. Not sure RotR has any.

Nioh 2 is not that complicated. Low stance is garbage thereby leaving you with two valid weapon stances. Only a select few weapons offer decent stamina to damage ratio or stopping power. As for bosses, just Omnyo buff and spam tonfa or ninjitsu/magic to which enemy has vulnerability while dodging the big attacks and maybe pull off a burst counter every so often. If you take half their health just finish them off with the Yokai form. Wo Long has some fantastic boss designs that trump anything in Nioh 2 and similarly your build determines your success (but all weapon forms are surprisingly valid with the right martial arts and bonuses).

 

[MagiusNecros]

Nioh 2 is not that complicated. Low stance is garbage thereby leaving you with two valid weapon stances. Only a select few weapons offer decent stamina to damage ratio or stopping power. As for bosses, just Omnyo buff and spam tonfa or ninjitsu/magic to which enemy has vulnerability while dodging the big attacks and maybe pull off a burst counter every so often. If you take half their health just finish them off with the Yokai form. Wo Long has some fantastic boss designs that trump anything in Nioh 2 and similarly your build determines your success (but all weapon forms are surprisingly valid with the right martial arts and bonuses).

Low stance is useful for quick dodge, mobility, applying status effects quickly, weak multi-hit. Funny you would say this since Low stance Tonfa is AMAZING for applying status.

I use all stances equally since Splitstaff is soooooo versatile and can be used as a regular staff or do the split for the sweet multihit and AoE. Such a fun weapon.

Each stance has it's use when used in practice. Hard hitter and relies more on Iframes? High stance. Safe middle ground? Neutral/Mid Stance. Fast quick hits or just striking low? Low stance.

That speaks for it's complexity. Many ways to approach an encounter. Being complex and being complicated are very different things. The experimentation among the weapon types and even mixing in ranged weapons is what makes Nioh 2 so great.

 

[NeverYouMind]

Low stance is useful for quick dodge, mobility, applying status effects quickly, weak multi-hit. Funny you would say this since Low stance Tonfa is AMAZING for applying status.

I use all stances equally since Splitstaff is soooooo versatile and can be used as a regular staff or do the split for the sweet multihit and AoE. Such a fun weapon.

Each stance has it's use when used in practice. Hard hitter and relies more on Iframes? High stance. Safe middle ground? Neutral/Mid Stance. Fast quick hits or just striking low? Low stance.

That speaks for it's complexity. Many ways to approach an encounter. Being complex and being complicated are very different things. The experimentation among the weapon types and even mixing in ranged weapons is what makes Nioh 2 so great.

You know what else is great for mobility? Tiger Running scroll with either of the two stances that do damage. You know what is even better for applying statuses? Ninjutsu and magic with either of the two stances that do damage. Why have three half assed stances when 1 or 2 with all the best qualities are more practical? Ranged weapons are practically in every action game ever. This gameplay design is too convoluted for its own good regardless.

P.S. Splitstaff is the biggest rip off of the whole DLC. Many combos get stuffed by enemy blocking.

 

[MagiusNecros]

P.S. Splitstaff is the biggest rip off of the whole DLC. Many combos get stuffed by enemy blocking.

ok

 

[NeverYouMind]

ok

Those don't block and magic did most of the work...

 

[Heart_Attack]

I love the bangers that Team Ninja have released in the last decade.

Nioh, Nioh 2, Wu Long, and even Rise of the Ninja. They deserve all the success in the world. Even if the latter are not as great as NIOH, they are still good games.

 

[BennyBlanco]

What about Stranger of Paradise? That was the real Final Fantasy XVI (or the Final Fantasy 1 remake, depending on how you want to look at it).

 

[Clear]

Wo Long's DLC and updates made it better than the two Niohs.

I wouldn't go that far, but its final form DLC3 + final patches was massively better than how it started out.

Wo Long had balance issues for a long time, it wasn't as lumpy as FFO (which was pretty broken after DLC1) but it wasn't a smooth path.

Its also considerably simpler and narrower mechanically than NIoh 2, so I'd place it qualiity-wise somewhere between 1 & 2 in its "finished" form, but for awhile it was less good than Nioh 1.

 

[Andrew Evenstar]

i'm new to the series and just started nioh 1 after elden ring DLC. i'm probably about half way through just beating Yuki-Onna. I'm really excited to play through 2. My old good friend whitegoat on youtube is a legend at these games and inspired me to play them.