Nioh Collection Review on PS5

The Nioh collection features challenging combat, otherworldly foes and has never looked better with a bevy of PS5 enhancements, my full review.

The Nioh Collection has arrived on the PS5, packing remasters of Nioh and Nioh 2, plus all their associated DLC and expansions. If you are looking for challenging combat, tough missions and a world to get lost in for hours Nioh is the samurai experience you have been waiting for!

If Looks Could Kill

The Nioh titles looked stunning when they originally released on the PlayStation 4, and as you might have guessed, they look stunning on the PS5. Both games now feature a 4K graphics mode, a 120 frame-per-second mode, and a quality mode. The latter reduces resolution in favour of better effects and greater draw distance. You’ll also be treated to substantially faster load times thanks to the PS5’s lightening fast SSD. This is a massive plus in game where you’ll be dying and reloading a lot.

"You’ll also be treated to substantially faster load times thanks to the PS5’s lightening fast SSD. This is a massive plus in game where you’ll be dying and reloading a lot."

Outstanding Gameplay

One of the biggest highlights of the series is the visceral, pinpoint accurate gameplay. The series is developed by Team Ninja, a division of Koei Tecmo creators of Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden. These developers know a thing or two about extremely polished, exceptional gameplay and it shines bright in Nioh. The game is arcade-like in its frantic, yet superb combat. There’s even support for the advanced feedback and haptics from the DualSense controller, so you’ll feel the blows of combat in all new ways.

The series borrows from a few different genres layering Souls-like combat with arcade fighter speed, and a deep loot system inspired by dungeon crawlers. The combat is fast and intense; it will keep you coming back for more especially with a wide range of weapons at your disposal.

"The series borrows from a few different genres layering Souls-like combat with arcade fighter speed, and a deep loot system inspired by dungeon crawlers."

Your Personal War Chest

Another aspect about the combat that makes it so unique is the difference the feel of each weapon. Your arsenal is also massive, you can loot swords, spears, axes, hatchets and more. Not to mention you have a bow, matchlock and canon at your disposal. Even with all these different armaments Team Ninja has managed to make them all feel unique and specialized. Dual welding swords offers fast frantic combat, hammers and larges axes are slow but do massive damage and can stagger opponents. Each weapon has a huge skill tree with 30 unlocks that add finishing blows or special attacks.

"Even with all these different armaments Team Ninja has managed to make them all feel unique and specialized."

Massive Weapon Variety and Accessibility

Another element Nioh has gotten right is how easy it makes switching between weapons. You can earn your mastery for a multitude of weapons. A big standout is the Yokai attacks in Nioh 2 which are ultra-powerful and visually stunning.

If you love loot, you’re going to be enamoured with what Nioh has to offer. The game is constantly throwing new weapons and objects your way with a massive 500 item limit to sort and store it. You’ll be spending a lot of your time sorting said inventory which could be a plus or a minus depending on your feelings around building your character. If you enjoy a game with a strong “loot loop” like Borderlands, Destiny or Diablo, Nioh has hours of fun in store for you.

"If you enjoy a game with a strong “loot loop” like Borderlands, Destiny or Diablo, Nioh has hours of fun in store for you."

Slick Online Multiplayer System

Nioh features a well-designed online system that is convenient, fun and effective when you need it. The multiplayer system isn’t as convoluted as Dark Souls games and gets you into the action quickly. It also isn’t as restrictive as the Souls system which has limitations with who you could be match made with. Nioh really streamlines the process you can simply go to your Torri Gate and get matched up quickly. You also aren’t capped with character levels, so you pair up with just about anyone.

"Nioh features a well-designed online system that is convenient, fun and effective when you need it."

You can request help from players far above your level if you get stuck, even with bosses. I also found it satisfying to “pay it forward” on the battlefield and join much lower-level players to help them through tough spots.

Final Thoughts

The Nioh Collection is a must-play even if you’ve had an outside curiosity about the series. It’s at its absolute best on the PlayStation 5 visually and technically. The next-gen hardware offers different graphical performance options, DualSense feedback support and lightning-fast load times. If you are a fan of any Souls games, Nioh evolves the formula in a lot of unique ways for the better. The value in this collection is also fantastic with two full games and their expansions providing the potential for hundreds of hours of gameplay. If you are up for the challenge, Nioh Collection offers refined combat, graphics and online play.

Nioh Collection Pros

+ Stunning Graphics

+ All-in-one package with both games and all DLC included

+ Cross-play and cross-save support with PS4

+ Hundreds of hours of play

Nioh Collection Cons

- Very steep difficulty curve

Overall Game Score

Gameplay: 9.0/10

Graphics: 9.0/10

Sound: 9.0/10

Replayability: 9.5/10

Overall Rating:

36.5/40 (91%)

A copy of the game was provided by PlayStation for the purpose of this review.