Nioh 2 cover art

Nioh 2

A stance-switching action RPG where input precision meets deep loot theorycraft.

Here's the argument for where this game sits - disagree freely.
Match your experience?
EXECUTION9 /10READS1 /10VARIANCE2 /10OPTIMIZATION8 /10

the cheat-test profile

The four axes - the argument

Each axis is rated on its own - how far one cheat would trivialize the game here. They don't trade off; low on all four means the game is an experience, not a contest.

  1. Execution

    cheat: Aimbot - perfect inputs

    9/10

    Stance switching, ki pulse, burst counters demand inputs

  2. Reads

    cheat: Out-predict an adaptive opponent

    1/10

    Scripted enemies, no adaptation

  3. Variance

    cheat: See what's hidden / map the RNG

    2/10

    Loot drops with affix randomness

  4. Optimization

    cheat: A perfect solver / coach

    8/10

    Deep build crafting and stance theorycraft central

How to read this

Each axis is named by the cheat that would break the game along it. Execution is the hands. Reads is out-thinking an adaptive opponent. Variance is hidden information & RNG. Optimization is the solvable systems layer. A game's region is the top one or two axes.

These four aren't one rating split four ways - they're independent 0-10 questions. A 9 on one axis takes nothing from the others, and a game low on all four isn't missing data: it's telling you there's no skill here to cheat.

The basis is how the majority actually plays this game - not a niche mode or a personal run. For a game with very different modes (a story campaign versus ranked multiplayer), that's the version most people mean.

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Game details

Released
2020
Developer
Team NINJA
Franchise
Nioh
Platforms
PS4
Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
IGDB critics
84/100
IGDB users
82/100
Role-playing (RPG)Hack and slash/Beat 'em upAdventureActionFantasyHistorical