Nioh Last Chance Demo Community Impressions: Pushing All The Right Buttons
Jan. 24, 2017Nioh Last Chance Demo Community Impressions: Pushing All The Right Buttons
TheNiohLast Chance Demo over the weekend gave us all a chance at one final appetizer with the game before it’s launch on February 7th on the PS4. This was our first hands on with the game since last year’sBeta Demoand it was a chance to see all the new changes implemented after the community feedback survey. We’re going to look at what the demo included section by section along with some quotes from the Fextralife community on their impressions. Assuming that what was in the demo will be included the main game, there will bespoilersso beware!
Themain missionof the demo is calledMemories of Death-Liliesand it’s a wonderful level that presents a lot of Nioh’s fundamental design concepts. First of all traversing the level is methodical and really teaches the player how to make use of their combat and environmental knowledge. As in past demos, you can’t go charging in and instead have to pullenemiescarefully to neutralize any numbers advantage. Even when you managed to get them 1 on 1, some of the yokai, like theRaven Tenguwere strong enough to be considered mini-bosses. In this way, the game is very reminiscent ofDemon’s Soulswhere the progress you make is so valuable and death can be a discouraging acknowledgement that you have a lot of ground to make up. Also similar to Demon’s Souls are meaningful shortcuts sprinkled through that come as a godsend. The location featured in the mission was full of enticing nooks and crannies to explore, even if you knew that death was lurking.
The demo featured many newweaponsand types which players were eager to try, and many of them were satisfying additions to the game, such as theTanegashima Matchlockand theKusagiramacategory which are offensive powerhouses. This is amplified once you combine them with the overwhelming options provided byskillsandstances. There is going to be a ton to study and learn, with many unexpected outcomes and building intricacies. Soulsborne build and moveset theory crafters are going to have a field day with Nioh.
I love it! I had so much of a Demon’s Souls feel going carefully around corners, distrusting chests, and kicking boulders down hills to defeat hordes of enemies instead of them dropping the boulder on me. – Fexelea
I can’t think of anything that would improve better upon the Dark Souls formula than the heavier feel and the stance/ki recovery system. The weapon types feel distinct and have their own uses. – Aiki-Otoshi
There is a ton of depth to the system, both the fighting system with the stance mix ups, the diverse weapons and the skills allocation etc…it is actually slightly overwhelming at first but I am sure that this should turn out to give lots of satisfaction in the long run. – announakis
The best thing about the enemy designs though isn’t their attack patterns or gritty art style, but their health/stamina bars…yeah, being able to see their active stamina and exploit when they run out is AMAZING and it really gives the game a sense of equality between the player and the AI. – Aiki-Otoshi
The 2 mainbossesof the demo were theOgressand a particularly challenging honor duel withTachibana Muneshige. Ogress was found at the end of the game’s main mission in an arena of lilies and featured a deadly rapid claw attack similar toMergo’s Wet NurseinBloodborneand a particularly frustrating jump attack that tracked in midair, making quick movements and dodging a priority. Her fight was a lesson in pattern study and a bit of fortune and for some this fight was a good reason to try the game’s cooperativemultiplayerfor the first time.
Upon defeating her, a new mini-mission challenged you to an honor duel withTachibana Muneshige. That’s right, an honor duel, so no cooperator could come along. He was no joke and comes at you at first sight, bringing the type of quick pain not seen sinceSatsukiin Demon’s Souls. Yes there was a cheese strategy that floated through the internet, however, taking him straight on especially under-leveled was a true lesson for any who felt the demo’s difficulty had been toned down from the beta. All that we’ve seen so far from the demos leads me to believe that these bosses are being carefully crafted and will all be memorable, iconic fights that call back to classic days of gaming. Their challenge brought attention to the value of preserving and saving yourGuardian Spiritsfor when you need them the most. Those fleeting seconds of invincibility can be the difference between life and death against these brutal foes.
Ogress is darn hard, and her range is just on the edge of being unfair, but it just stays within fair boundaries. – HazamaOuroborous
Fighting Tachibana Muneshige underleveled is not fun… – Agurzil
TheTwilight Missionsmay eventually be referred to as “The True Nioh Starts Here”, the way Soulsborne enthusiasts love referring to NG+. This was almost impossible solo, as the regular enemies were boss types! Jumping in with a cooperator was much more doable, but even progressing to the halfway point was a test in the blue revival limit meter. The loot rewards during this portion were outstanding however, and were worth the masochism of the mission. The enemies and boss all were heavy hitters and were tweaked to be singular challenges rather than tossing extra enemies at you. Eventually, Twilight Missions will be seen as proving grounds for the higher level gameplay mechanics and build theorists as well as wonderful farming locations for those looking for the rarer quality loot and other materials. The Diablo style loot system was also in full effect, with characters pulling in hundreds of pieces of gear with ease. It’s possible this will be toned down for the full release as we were flush in no time at all.
I really like that the twilight boss did not have lesser enemies added. – Lelouch465
TheBlacksmithis where the game’s upgrade system takes place and the options we have are dizzying. We had seen light elements of this system in the prior demo, but in the Last Chance Demo we got to see most of the options that will be available and fully fleshed out. Beyond the typical Buy & Sell we canForge,Soul Match,Refashion,Reforge, andDisassemble. They all have tremendous depth and all interact with each other, making the Blacksmith a spot you’re going to be spending a ton of time learning and experimenting with. Forge lets you create newequipment, Soul Match lets you level up a piece of equipment by sacrificing another, Refashion lets you paste the appearance of one piece of equipment onto another without altering stats, Reforge lets you reroll the specific attributes of a piece of gear such as it’s item discovery bonus, and Disassemble is a way to take all of that loot you don’t want and turn it into valuableSmithing Materialto Forge new gear. The game was already deep as is, between the combat mechanics, itemization and skills so adding a Blacksmith that does this much feels like Christmas.
The crafting system is blowing my mind. – Fexelea
I can’t believe we are not only getting a crafting system but also transmog. This just went up to my personal GOTY – MercwithMouth82
The Nioh Last Chance Demo was short in content compared to what the main game will contain but still felt packed to the gills. There was just so much to do, explore, and then redo because what Team Ninja has created here is so inviting. This is proof that the difficulty formula can work if players feel like it’s fair and in Nioh it feels fair. Personally, I died to the Ogress when she had a sliver of health left because I got cute and tried to bomb her from range. I abandoned my strategy of staying in her back pocket which was working and instead went for a cheaper kill. It backfired on me precisely because pulling back to do something that seemed safer had actually exposed me. I was devastated and went silent when she clawed me down and punched my thigh so hard I gave myself an instant bruise. But I didn’t feel like I had been cheated. The game taught me a lesson, and gave me the tools I needed to overcome the obstacle, but it was up to me to stay disciplined.
There’s also a lot of variety being put into the game. It’s very evident when staring at the starting point screen. Between the Main Missions and Twilight Missions alone, there is going to be a lot of gameplay to spend time with. But, if you’re not feeling up to the challenge ofcombatand want something a little more relaxing, you could easily spend hours with the Blacksmith playing around with the different possibilities for all the gear. That’s just the obvious stuff. It’s clear that there is even so much more going on under the hood as far as mechanics,statsand skills go and the game’s difficulty will mean players will undoubtedly spend ample time parsing out the hidden deals of how the game’s mechanics works. All to get an edge. Furthermore, after launchPvPis coming, and it’s presumably going to be an arena/dojo type setting that will pit players against the most dangerous game, other players. All of this content in addition to properDLChas Nioh shaping up to be an early surprise contender for game of the year. We have to say, we saw this coming.
This was a total blast to play. I was sad when there was no more left to do. – Shadeon
The greatest thing in the game so far is how they handle the shooting: keeping the third person view is a must in these games. – announakis
I’m really enjoying what I’ve experienced so far with Nioh, from the Alpha to the Beta and this last one. – olavrell
I’ll be getting this for sure. – Nahztek-Shadowpath
For Soulsborne and/or Ninja Gaiden veterans this game will be amazing. – Themochalatte
Well. I played for over 18 out of those 48 hours and got to level 48…I think I like what’s there. – NukaCola
Bushido Blade and Dark Souls went into a bar…and had a one night stand that resulted in Nioh’s combat mechanics. – skarekrow13
February 7th can’t come soon enough.
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Emergence
Editor at Fextralife. I look for the substantial in gaming and I try to connect video games to the emotions and stories they elicit. I love all things culture and history and have an odd fondness for the planet Jupiter. I think my dogs are pretty awesome too.
Lol, can’t believe you used that quote. Still stand by that though
Ahem, there is a fangirl in the room too.
Flames Yajnaji
Lol idk why you think we’re fanboys for liking it. I think the game is great, I enjoyed it a lot and I’m really looking forward to playing the full version. It has great combat, good character customization, a great time period of history to work from and Yokai added for spice.
Still think its overrated and now you can flame me down to smitherens because I’m not a fanboy like you all.
