Sekiro: Shadows Die TwiceandNioh 2are two games with a lot in common. Both are Souls-likes, with the genre’s classic focus on challenge and progression. Both are set during the Sengoku Jidai period of 16th century Japan, a time of warring states, heroes, and villains. Finally,SekiroandNioh 2both feature beautiful levels to explore, secrets to find, and bosses to overcome.
With two such similar games, the obvious question becomes: Which is better? To reach a fair answer, it’s important to break both of the games down, compare what they do the same, and what they do differently. Ultimately, there can only be one “Best Samurai Souls-like.”
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Nioh 2’s Advantages
Theprequel of 2017’sNiohdoesn’t stray far from the formula of its predecessor. Players take on the role of Hide, a half-Yokai spirit known as a Shiftling, during the Sengoku era of Japan. As warring Daimyos clash across the country, the player battles against humans and hostile Yokai alike.
One of the biggest ways thatNioh 2differs fromSekirois in its loot and progression systems. Throughout the game, players not only learn new techniques, but also acquire new weaponry and armor. The variety of weapons on offer allow for a wide-range of different gameplay styles, depending on player preference. Each character is capable of equipping two weapons at once, which can be switched between freely, and this really helps keep the gameplay fresh, compared toSekiro’s single katana.
The other area in whichNioh 2outdoes its samurai-competitor is in co-op. FromSoftware’s approach to co-operative play in its various series has always been a contentious feature. NeitherDark SoulsnorBloodborneencourage co-operative play, preferring to limit it by introducing hurdles for players to overcome. Even worse,Sekirodoesn’t have any kind of co-op at all.Nioh 2not only allows three-player co-op missions, provided the invited player has already completed the level in question, but also allows players to go back and repeat their favorite levels as a team.
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Sekiro’s Advantages
When lead director Hidetaka Miyazaki set out to makeSekiro, he wanted to depart fromFromSoftware’s classic Souls-like formula. To this end,Sekiromoves the focus from loot, character customization, and ability scores to stealth, exploration, and boss battles.Sekiroalso features a larger focus on characterization and the story of an individual.
It’s this last choice which also givesSekiroan edge overNioh 2. While the protagonist ofNioh 2is a voiceless blank-slate,Sekiro’s Wolfis an intriguing character with his own personality, backstory, and goals. This point of connection helps to draw players into the story, leaving them feeling more like a participant than a spectator.
The other majoradvantage thatSekirohasoverNioh 2lies in its gameplay and polish. FromSoftware is top dog in the Souls-like business—the company started it after all—and it really shows inSekiro. The gameplay is slick, fast-paced, and exciting, with just enough of that FromSoftware difficulty to make each triumph extra special. On top of this, the game has a level of polish in its art, music, and ambience that really helps to anchor the player in the world.
So Which Is Better?
FromSoftware took a risk withSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, a step away from the popular formula that it first created withDemon’s Souls. That risk paid off, andSekirois not only the best samurai Souls-like, but also one of thebest Souls-likes out there. The emphasis on characterization, the freedom of movement, and the purity of the gameplay all setSekiroabove its competitors.
None of this is a mark againstNioh 2,of course, which remains an excellent Souls-like in its own right. Its depth and variety far overshadowthe simplicity ofSekiro’s systems, but perhaps not always toNioh 2’s advantage. Complexity can be overwhelming for some players, particularly when twinned with the brutal difficulty of a Souls-like, andSekirocaptures that sweet spot.
