Dark Souls' biggest competitor is free for PS Plus subscribers this month
A cut above the rest
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PlayStation Plussubscribers are in for a treat this November, as among the colorful roster of free-to-keep games coming to the console is 2020’s Nioh 2 and Nioh 2 Remastered.
This fast-paced action RPG from Team Ninja puts its own spin on a notoriously punishing fantasy genre, as popularized by FromSoftware’sDark Soulsseries. Souls games aren’t for everyone, and many players have conceded an infuriating defeat in the face of its steep difficulty spikes, style-over-story attitude, and grueling boss battles - but for those who love a challenge, it remainsone of the best PS5 gamesand is now available for free onPlayStation Plus.
However, Nioh 2 isn’t your everyday wannabe Soulslike.
Immortal combat
Playing as a half-human, half-demonic spirit known as a yokai, the game tasks you with customizing main character Hide. As you traverse the Sengoku Era, you’ll be faced with all the slashing and dashing beloved by all Souls fans - but with far more of a storyline at its core.
The focus on Hide’s character arc differs from the strict focus on aesthetics as seen in Dark Souls,carefully building storyline into the combat sequencesby micro dosing the player with reminders that their character is constantly stuck between two worlds.
These elements are deftly woven into the gameplay rather than feeling hamfisted, making for a challenging gaming experience that still goes toe-to-toe with thebest RPGs.
When looking at Nioh 2 alongside its fellowPlayStation Plus November games, it definitely stands out from the crowd. The Lego Harry Potter Collection is perfect for Potterheads looking to gear up for 2023’s hotly-anticipatedHogwarts Legacy, and indie gem Heavenly Bodies pairs ragdoll AI with zero-gravity action – but Nioh 2 definitely deserves its share of the spotlight, especially with the lack ofElden RingDLC to keep Souls fans busy.
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There have been rumblings of an Elden DLC coming soon in light ofFuture Press’s announcementthat they would be delaying Volume 2 of their covetedElden Ringstrategy guide, The Book of Knowledge.
Could this delay be a hint at new content being released soon? Who knows, but in the meantime, you might as well pick up Nioh 2 with your PlayStation Plus subscription.
Jasmine is a freelance writer and podcaster based in the UK. Whether it’s a Sims 4 lore deep-dive or a guide to securing kills in Dead By Daylight, her work is featured on TheGamer as well as the door of her mother’s fridge. When she’s not aggressively championing the Oxford comma on Twitter, you can find her scoping out the local music scene or buying gaudy Halloween decorations all year round.
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