Recs.
Updated
Nioh is an action-RPG exclusive to the PS4. It features very intense Souls-like combat and offers rewarding exploration in a Japanese-themed game world.
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Fast-paced, intense combat
Nioh is a very fast-paced game, which also rewards awareness and patience. The combat in it is all about dodging, countering enemy attacks, and looking for openings. You will quickly regret any hasty decisions (like fighting three demon Samurai out in the open) since they'll most likely lead to your death.
It also features some very intense boss fights that further expand upon this core concept. The fights are much longer and requires you to focus the entire time. Nothing beats the sense of accomplishment when you finally beat a giant mythical demon.
Pro High replay value
Every new game mode gets more brutal, but what really keeps you playing Nioh is the insanely high level cap (750) and the skills you'll get only by playing even further after finishing it. You can also level up your spirits and overlevel your stats, so be ready to play it for some hundreds of hours if you're willing to.
Pro Rewarding exploration
Exploring in Nioh feels worthwhile since it helps you find new equipment and rare materials. This will help progress your character, allowing you to defeat enemies in fewer hits and giving you a smoother playthrough overall. It's also very exciting to accidentally stumble upon secret areas.
Pro Combat style variety
There are 7 weapon types in Nioh, each one featuring its own movesets that can be expanded by learning skills. Despite common swords getting more attention because of its ease of use and huge availability of unique models, you may find yourself more comfortable with spears of axes, since those two particular types are amazing in fiercer battles.
Cons
Con Punishing difficulty for beginners of the genre
Nioh, like any other Souls-like title, has a very brutal entry difficulty. If you're new to the Souls-like genre, you'll have to get used to a lot of the mechanics, dodging, and, most importantly, dying. This can be the source of extreme frustration for the first ten hours or so, which causes a lot of players to quit during that time. If you can get over this initial hurdle, you'll finally start enjoying the game. The acquired skills will also carry over to other games in the same genre.
Con The story isn't particularly good or meaningful
Nioh has kind of a throwaway story. You won't fall in love with any characters, and nothing that happens will shock or awe you.