You’re Sleeping on One of the Most Underrated Soulslikes Ever

by

It’s odd how limited the conversation about Souls-like games has become. Considering this genre is all about trying new things and deep dedication, discussions about the best games feel surprisingly fixed. We keep hearing the same titles praised, the same design ideas held as perfect, and anything different is often overlooked.

For years, the Nioh series has quietly stood out as one of the most polished and challenging Soulslike games available. Despite its depth and demanding gameplay, it’s surprisingly often left out of discussions about the best in the genre. With Nioh 3 coming soon, it’s becoming clear that this oversight might simply be due to a lack of awareness. Nioh wasn’t designed to be easy; it aimed to be incredibly deep, and that’s why it hasn’t always gotten the attention it deserves. Now, fans of the Souls games really should give it another look.

Why Nioh Never Found Mass Appeal Among Souls Fans

Nioh didn’t become widely popular for a very clear reason: it’s significantly more demanding than most games in the ‘Souls-like’ genre. While games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring gently introduce players to their complex systems through exploration and immersive worlds, Nioh immediately throws a lot at you – different combat stances, managing your stamina (ki), a wide variety of weapon skills, diverse enemy types, and a complex loot system reminiscent of Diablo. This depth can be exciting for some, but for many others, it feels overwhelming and discouraging rather than intriguing.

As a huge fan of action RPGs, I’ve always found Nioh to be a bit of an outlier, and in a good way. Unlike a lot of Souls-like games, it doesn’t really lean into that mysterious, open-ended storytelling. Nioh‘s levels, at least through the third game, are more like distinct missions rather than one big connected world. The story itself is pretty straightforward, rooted in real history and focused on the characters, which I appreciated. And the boss fights? They’re less about slowly figuring out a pattern and more about testing your skills – fast-paced and demanding. Honestly, the combat feels different too – quicker, more precise, and it really rewards mastering the mechanics. If you’re used to the slower pace and atmospheric exploration of other games in the genre, Nioh might feel like it’s speaking a totally different language, but I think that’s what makes it so special.

Nioh’s extensive loot system has been a sticking point for some fans of the Souls series. Unlike games with carefully chosen weapon drops, Nioh throws a lot of gear at you – swords, armor, and various upgrades. Some players found this overwhelming and felt it added unnecessary complexity to an already challenging game. Nioh didn’t try to be easier or more accessible, and it stayed true to its own design. While it’s considered one of the best Soulslike games available, that unwillingness to compromise likely prevented it from becoming more widely popular.

Why Nioh’s Depth Is Exactly What Souls Fans Are Missing

Pay close attention: Nioh truly shines because its challenging aspects actually become advantages once you learn to use them. Its stance system offers more ways to approach combat than any other game in the ‘Souls-like’ genre, even surpassing titles like Dark Souls 3 and Elden Ring. The way you manage stamina, called Ki pulsing, isn’t just about avoiding exhaustion – it’s an active mechanic that rewards skillful timing and awareness. Nioh isn’t about simply getting through fights; it’s about completely mastering them, and that makes all the difference.

Once you get the hang of the item system, it opens up tons of ways to experiment with different character builds – more than most other games in this style. In Nioh, builds aren’t just ideas; you feel the impact of your choices right away. The way your weapons, armor, spirits, and skills work together really changes how the game plays. It’s rare to find a Soulslike that lets you focus on a specific playstyle so clearly and consistently rewards you for it.

What truly sets Nioh apart is how it respects your growth as a player, in a way that feels reminiscent of classic games. It doesn’t make things easy just to make you feel powerful. It’s a challenging game that won’t coddle you, and it expects you to persevere. Instead of lowering the difficulty, it pushes you to improve. Once you get the hang of Nioh, you’re not just responding to enemies – you’re actively controlling the fight. You’ll learn to lure attacks, deplete enemy stamina, capitalize on their errors, and overcome challenges that once seemed insurmountable. That feeling of truly earning your victories is rare, especially in challenging games. Nioh is designed to test your skills, teaching you how to win both within its rules and by adapting your own strategies. If this still doesn’t quite click, you really need to experience Nioh for yourself to understand what makes it special.

Look, Nioh wasn’t ignored because it was a bad game – not at all! It flew under the radar because it was unapologetically itself, refusing to simplify things to appeal to everyone. With Nioh 3 on the way and so many ‘Souls-like’ games coming out, I think it’s a perfect time to really appreciate what makes a game truly deep. If you’re a Souls fan who loves really getting good at a game, who wants a ton of options in combat, and who thrives on mastering complex systems, Nioh shouldn’t be considered some weird exception. It should be the standard! Honestly, if you haven’t given it a try yet, now’s the time to jump in and experience the awesome Yokai action.

Nioh 3 will officially launch February 5, 2026, on Windows PC (Steam) and PS5.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

Read More

2026-02-02 22:11