Nioh 2 Score Breakdown: Loot System and Build Variety
Nioh 2, developed by Team Ninja, stands as a masterful action RPG that refines and expands upon the foundations laid by its predecessor. Among its many praised aspects, two elements consistently rise to the forefront of discussion: its intricate loot system and its staggering depth of build variety. These are not just ancillary features; they are the twin engines that power the game’s enduring replayability and deeply engaging core loop. A breakdown of these systems reveals why Nioh 2 is often considered a benchmark in the genre.
The Loot System: A Symphony of Randomization
At first glance, Nioh 2’s loot system might appear overwhelmingly complex, even convoluted. A constant torrent of colored beams signaling new gear drops can be intimidating. However, this initial chaos gives way to a deeply rewarding and strategic system that expertly balances instant gratification with long-term investment.
The loot is structured around a familiar color-coded rarity hierarchy: white, yellow, blue, purple, and ultimately, the coveted green "Divine" and "Ethereal" graces in the endgame. This system provides clear, visual milestones for progression. Yet, Team Ninja’s genius lies in the layers added atop this basic structure. Every piece of armor and weaponry comes with a randomly generated set of perks and special effects, known as "Fixed" and "Inheritable" stats.
This is where the system transforms from a simple numbers game into a complex puzzle. Players are not just looking for a "better sword"; they are hunting for a sword with the exact combination of effects that synergizes with their chosen playstyle and build. For instance, one might seek a pair of tonfa with "Attack Bonus (Courage)" and "Imbue Purity," while also having an inheritable slot to transfer a coveted skill like "Break" from another item.
The "Soul Matching" mechanic allows players to invest in and upgrade their favorite gear by sacrificing higher-level items, while "Tempering" at the blacksmith enables the targeted rerolling of specific attributes using a rare currency (Divine Umbracite). This ensures that no drop is ever truly worthless. Even mediocre gear can be disassembled for materials, sold for gold, or offered at a shrine for Elixirs, creating a rewarding cycle where every mission contributes to character power in some tangible way.
The loot system’s greatest strength is its ability to make the player feel like an active archaeologist of their own arsenal. Finding that perfectly rolled piece is a thrill, but so is the strategic process of crafting it through the game’s robust systems. It encourages constant experimentation and turns inventory management from a chore into a compelling meta-game.
Build Variety: The Canvas of Combat
The loot system would be meaningless without an equally robust framework for its application. This is where Nioh 2’s build variety truly shines, offering players an almost unparalleled degree of freedom in defining their combat identity. This variety is built upon several interconnected pillars.
First are the weapons. With 11 distinct weapon types—each with three unique skill trees and an entirely different move set—the foundational choice is immense. Mastering the swift, stinging combos of the Switchglaive feels entirely different from wrestling with the deliberate, powerful axe swings. This choice alone dictates a significant portion of the player’s engagement with combat.
The second pillar is the deep Stat and "Yokai" system. The stat allocation goes beyond simple damage scaling. Courage affects Ki regeneration, Dexterity empowers Ninjutsu, and Magic boosts Onmyo potency. More importantly, the Yokai Shift forms (Feral, Brute, Phantom) and the equipped Soul Cores add another massive layer. Soul Cores, dropped by Yokai enemies, grant access to powerful abilities like Ippon-Datara’s hammer smash or the Magatsu Warrior’s spinning blades. Choosing which cores to equip, which to upgrade, and how their passive bonuses align with your stats and gear is a core part of buildcrafting.
This culminates in the endgame with "Grace" sets. These are special set bonuses attached to Divine and Ethereal gear that are not bound to a specific armor type. Finding a full set of "Izanagi’s Grace" that focuses on purity and damage recovery allows for a build that is entirely distinct from one built around "Takemikazuchi’s Grace" and lightning damage. This system decouples power from fashion and allows for near-infinite combinations.
The synergy between these systems is where true magic happens. A player can create a high-stakes, glass-cannon build using the "One-Eyed Dragon" armor set with a spear, focusing on raw aggression. Another might craft a tricky, evasive build utilizing the "Flying Kato" set, shurikens, and the Phantom Yokai form for maximum Ninjutsu spam. A third could become an immovable tank with heavy armor, an axe, and a combination of Soul Cores that grant life recovery and hyper-armor. The possibilities are not just numerous; they are meaningfully different, each requiring a shift in tactics and playstyle.
The Symbiotic Relationship
The true brilliance of Nioh 2 is how these two systems—loot and builds—feed into each other in a perfect symbiotic loop. The desire to experiment with a new build concept is the primary driver for engaging with the loot system. The thought, "I want to make a build that uses the Splitstaff and stacks fire damage," sends a player back into missions with a specific goal: to find Splitstaffs with fire imbument, armor with "Imbue Fire" bonuses, and Soul Cores that complement the strategy.
Conversely, finding a truly exceptional, rare piece of loot can be the catalyst for an entirely new build. A Divine helmet with a perfect roll for "Anima Charge" might inspire a player to abandon their current setup and dive headfirst into creating a Yokai Ability-focused build they had never before considered. The loot provides the tools, and the build variety provides the blueprint, creating a cycle of experimentation that can sustain hundreds of hours of gameplay.
In conclusion, Nioh 2’s loot system and build variety are not merely features; they are the heart and soul of the experience. The loot system is a deep, rewarding, and intelligently structured economy that respects the player’s time and intelligence. The build variety is a vast canvas that empowers player expression and strategic depth. Together, they form a cohesive and endlessly engaging whole, cementing Nioh 2’s legacy as a title that understands and perfects the core tenets of the action RPG genre. It is a game that doesn’t just give you a character to level up; it gives you a workshop to master.
