Nioh is a new exclusive action RPG franchise for PlayStation 4, similar to the Dark Souls series. The protagonist is William, a sailor tasked with eliminating ghosts and supernatural creatures in a tough challenge that joins the PS4 lineup.
A Fictional Sengoku Setting
The game is set in a fictional version of the Sengoku period, when Japan was in the midst of a civil war before the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate. William arrives in Japan and is recruited by Hattori Hanzō, the trusted servant of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who needs his help to deal with ghosts and supernatural creatures that appear on the battlefield. The story draws inspiration from the life of the historical Western samurai William Adams, though it is embellished with supernatural elements for the game.
Hack and Slash Combat with Ki and Stances
Following Hattori Hanzō's orders, William must battle both human enemies and supernatural beings known as yokai. Combat is hack and slash: William can attack enemies and block their blows in return. Every action slowly drains his stamina bar, called Ki. With most weapons, William can switch between three attack stances, each with its own effects: the high stance deals heavier damage but lowers defense; the low stance allows faster attacks and better defense; and the mid stance balances the other two.
Loot, Revenants, and Cooperative Play
As is common in this type of game, defeated enemies drop loot, typically money and weapons. Beyond regular foes, William can summon ghosts called Revenants, which are based on fallen players, to fight at his side and earn experience and money. There will also be a cooperative multiplayer mode where other players can be summoned to help you in battle.
Nioh will be another demanding challenge for the PlayStation 4 lineup, joining the Dark Souls series and Bloodborne. Developed by Team Ninja, Nioh will be available exclusively on PlayStation 4 starting February 7, 2017.
