Examine individual changes

'{{hatnote|For the Buddhist manifestations, see [[Nio]]. Not to be confused with the chemical formulas [[Ni(OH)2]] or [[NiO(OH)]].}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Infobox video game | title = Nioh | image = Nioh cover art.jpg | developer = [[Team Ninja]] | publisher = [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]{{Video game release|JP|[[Koei Tecmo]]}} | director = Fumihiko Yasuda<br/>Yosuke Hayashi | producer = Hisashi Koinuma<!--Kou Shibusawa is credited as "general producer", so he does not belong here per infobox documentation--> | designer = Masaki Fujita<!--RPG design lead--><br/>Hiroyuki Nishi<!--Action design lead--><br/>Hidehiko Nakajima<!--Action design lead--> | programmer = Yuta Yamazaki<!--Engineering lead--> | artist = Hirohisa Kaneko<!--Art director--><br/>Tsutomu Terada<!--Art design lead--> | writer = Fumihiko Yasuda<br/>Makoto Shibata<br/>Masaki Fujita<br/>Katsuyuki Shiga | composer = [[Yugo Kanno]] | platforms = [[PlayStation 4]] | released = {{Video game release|NA|7 February 2017|PAL|8 February 2017|JP|9 February 2017}} | genre = [[Action role-playing game|Action role-playing]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] }} {{nihongo|'''''Nioh'''''|仁王|Niō|"benevolent king"|lead=yes}} is an [[action role-playing game|action role-playing]] video game developed by [[Team Ninja]] for the [[PlayStation 4]]. It was released worldwide in February 2017, and was published by [[Koei Tecmo]] in Japan and [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] internationally. Gameplay revolves around navigating levels and defeating monsters that have infested an area. ''Nioh'' takes place in the early 1600s during a fictionalized version of the [[Sengoku period]], when Japan was in the midst of civil war prior to the ascension of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]]. A sailor named [[William Adams (sailor)|William]], in pursuit of an enemy, arrives in Japan and is enlisted by [[Hattori Hanzo]], servant to [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]], in defeating [[yōkai]] that are flourishing in the chaos of war. Beginning development in 2004 as a multimedia project based on an unfinished [[Akira Kurosawa]] script, it went through multiple revisions over the following eight years as general producer Kou Shibusawa was dissatisfied with the result. Team Ninja was given the project, and the subsequent development lasted four years. The story was based on the life of historic Western samurai [[William Adams (sailor)|William Adams]], although it was embellished with supernatural elements. First announced in the year it began development, information became sporadic until 2015, when it was reintroduced as a PlayStation 4 exclusive. Alpha and beta demos were released during 2016, to both gauge public reaction to the title and make adjustments based on feedback. Initially scheduled for a 2016 release, the adjustments pushed the release into the following year. Upon release, ''Nioh'' received critical acclaim, with most critics comparing it to the ''[[Souls (series)|Souls]]'' series.<!--Needs expansion with what particular parts of the game were praised, and what parts of the game were disliked--> == Gameplay == [[File:Nioh gameplay screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|256px|A battle in ''Nioh''; William faces a human enemy, and is executing a Ki Pulse to replenish his Ki stamina meter.<ref name="PolyOverview"/>]] ''Nioh'' is an [[action role-playing game]] set in Japan during the year 1600, with players taking the role of a European samurai named William.<ref name="IGNyokai"/> The player guides William on missions through enclosed environments fighting both human enemies and supernatural beings called yokai: missions are self-contained, hold alternate routes William can navigate, and selected from a menu rather than reached by navigating an open world.<ref name="PolyOverview"/><ref name="EuroPreview"/><ref name="GIpreview"/> While navigating environments, William can find various collectables both in crates scattered through the environment and in other places within the environments such as fallen soldiers. These collectables include [[Amrita]], the game's [[experience point]]s (EXP); gold, the in-game currency; new weapons and armor, and consumable items such as bombs. Weapons and armor found in the environment can be taken to a blacksmith, who are able to buy it from William or can break it down into base material.<ref name="PolyOverview"/> Shrines scattered through levels act as checkpoints, allowing players to save progress, replenish health and raise William's experience level through accrued EXP: doing this respawns all normal enemies within an area. Skill points acquired in combat are assigned at shrines.<ref name="EuroPreview"/><ref name="GIpreview"/> Fighting is based around hack and slash combat, with William being able to attack enemies and block their attacks in turn. William can run, dodge, and sprint with these and combat actions draining his Ki stamina bar. When his Ki has been depleted, William is left vulnerable to attack. If timed right, William is able to replenish lost Ki with an action called "Ki pulse".<ref name="EuroPreview"/><ref name="GIpreview"/> The Ki pulse also grants status buffs onto William, and dispels patches of miasma generated by yokai and other supernatural enemies which rapidly saps Ki.<ref name="PolyOverview"/> Defeated enemies drop loot, which includes money and weapons.<ref name="GIpreview"/> The speed at which William can move through levels depends on the weight of his equipped armor; the heavier it is, the faster his Ki will drain. If William dies, all the EXP acquired up to that point is left where he fell, and he must travel back to retrieve it, but if he dies again and therefore failing to reach it, the amount of EXP dropped is lost and the spirit animal is automatically recovered. <ref name="PolyOverview"/> William has access to multiple types of melee weapons: these include single and dual swords, axes, polearms and kusarigama. In addition to melee weapons, William has access to ranged weapons such as a bow, a rifle, and a hand cannon. The more each weapon is used, the stronger and more effective it becomes.<ref name="PolyOverview"/> In combat, William can change between three Stances with melee weapons, with each stance having different effects; High Stance causes higher damage while lowering defense, Low Stance allows for quick attacks and better defense, while Middle Stance balances elements of the other two Stances. These Stances also consume different amounts of Ki depending on their attack strength.<ref name="PolyOverview"/><ref name="GIpreview"/> William can also summon Guardian Spirits, animals which combine his health and Ki into a single meter with added stat boosts such as increasing attack power or defense. Each Guardian Spirit boosts different stats, and can only be switched out at shrines. Guardian Spirits are also lost when William dies, but they can be summoned to him at a shrine at the cost of his lost EXP.<ref name="PolyOverview"/> In addition to normal enemies, William can summon Revenants, hostile ghosts based on other fallen players, to battle and gain experience, money and items.<ref name="EuroPreview"/> A cooperative multiplayer allows for other players to be summoned to help in battles.<ref name="GIpreview"/> William's character growth is governed by EXP. Some statistical points can be assigned to William's character following the game's opening mission, and during the main game stat points can be assigned to William's attributes, which range from increased physical strength to heightened speed. Stat points are split between three skill trees: "Samurai" for weapon skill trees for standard melee combat, "Ninja" for distance weapons such as shurikens and poisons, and "Onmyo" which link to the creation of talismans, consumable items which grant temporary stat boosts. If William finds and guides Kodama to the Shrines within each mission, he can purchase otherwise inaccessible bonus material such as items and weapons. Offerings of items can be made at the shrine in exchange for EXP. Additional buffs can be granted using Prestige Points, which are acquired by fulfilling certain tasks within levels such as dealing a certain amount of damage or killing a number of enemies with one weapon type.<ref name="PolyOverview"/> ==Synopsis== ===Setting and characters=== ''Nioh'' is set in 1600 within a fictionalised [[dark fantasy]] version of the late [[Sengoku period]], a time when the clans of Japan were at war prior to the unification under the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] and the beginning of the [[Edo period]]. Amidst the fighting and high death toll, yokai have appeared and begun wreaking havoc across the land: major yokai threats that appear in the game include Hinoenma, [[Jorōgumo]], and a [[Yuki-onna]] born from the spirit of the wife of [[Oda Nobunaga]] following the [[Honnō-ji incident]].<ref name="IGNyokai"/><ref name="NiohCharactersA"/> The game's main protagonist is William (Ben Peel<ref name="NiohVoices"/>), a blonde-haired Irishman who arrives in Japan in pursuit of an enemy. While there, he crosses paths with [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] ([[Masachika Ichimura]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>) and his ninja servant [[Hattori Hanzo]] ([[Toshiyuki Morikawa]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>), forming an alliance against both William's enemy and the yokai infesting Japan. William is trained in combat by [[Yagyū Munetoshi]], [[Hōzōin In'ei]] and [[Marume Nagayoshi]].<ref name="4Gstaff"/><ref name="NiohCharactersC"/><ref name="NiohCharactersD"/> The main antagonist is [[Edward Kelley]] ([[Hiroyuki Kinoshita]]/Nicholas Boulton<ref name="NiohVoices"/>), a Westerner driving the conflict using his dark alchemical abilities.<ref name="NiohCharactersD"/> William also crosses paths with numerous historical figures from the period: these include Ieyasu's allies [[Ii Naomasa]] ([[Jun Fukuyama]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>) and [[Honda Tadakatsu]] ([[Tesshō Genda]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>); daimyo [[Kuroda Yoshitaka]] ([[Yōhei Tadano]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>) and his son [[Kuroda Nagamasa]] ([[Hiroshi Tsuchida]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>); Ieyasu's main rival [[Ishida Mitsunari]] ([[Takahiro Sakurai]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>) and his allies [[Shima Sakon]] ([[Keiji Fujiwara]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>) and [[Ōtani Yoshitsugu]] ([[Kenyuu Horiuchi]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>); [[Tachibana Ginchiyo]] ([[Shizuka Itō]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>), head of the [[Tachibana clan (samurai)|Tachibana clan]], and her husband [[Tachibana Muneshige|Muneshige]] (Eiji Hanawa<ref name="NiohVoices"/>); hostile mercenary [[Suzuki Magoichi]] ([[Yasuyuki Kase]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>); [[Yasuke]] ([[Richie Campbell (actor)|Richie Campbell]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>), a former favored vassal of Nobunaga; and [[Tenkai]] ([[Takayuki Sugō]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>), a monk of the [[Tiantai]] [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] sect and master manipulator of [[yin and yang]] magic.<ref name="NiohCharactersA"/><ref name="NiohCharactersC"/><ref name="NiohCharactersD"/><ref name="NiohCharactersB"/><ref name="NiohBeta"/> Original characters include Okatsu ([[Emi Takei]]<ref name="NiohVoices"/>), a [[Kunoichi|female ninja]] in Hanzō's clan who holds a dislike for William;<ref name="4Gstaff"/> and Fuku (Risa Shimizu<ref name="NiohVoices"/>), Tenkai's disciple.<ref name="NiohCharactersD"/> ===Plot=== The game opens with a narration by William describing Amrita, a mystical golden stone found in abundance in Japan that is sought by the government of [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]] to secure victory over Spain. William is held in the Tower of London, but breaks out with the help of his Spirit Guardian Saoirse, a being born from the prayers of his home village who saved him from death when he was a boy and now prevents him from dying. William corners Edward Kelley, who is seeking Japan's Amrita. Capturing Saoirse with his own [[Ouroboros]] spirit, Kelley uses her to find Japan, with William going in pursuit. Landing in Japan in 1600, he fights Oni that are ravaging the area, catching the attention of Hanzo Hattori—Hattori offers to help find Kelley in exchange for fighting Oni. On one of his first missions, William is joined by a [[Nekomata]] spirit, who tells him that the delicate balance between good and evil spirits has been disrupted by the past century of war in Japan. William saves Kuroda Nagamasa from a yokai, earning him favor from Tokugawa Ieyasu. Alongside William's exploits, Ieyasu's bid for power enrages Mitsunari and those close to him, who decide to launch an offensive with Kelley's alchemy as their secret weapon. William aids Ieyasu in fighting powerful yokai, despite learning from Okatsu that he murdered many of his family in a ruthless bid for power—Okatsu is one of Ieyasu's illegitimate daughters, and became a ninja to escape him. Kelley continues to plague William, including impersonating [[Tachibana Muneshige]] in an attempt to undermine Muneshige's wife [[Tachibana Ginchiyo|Ginchiyo]]; resurrecting the wife of [[Oda Nobunaga]], [[Nōhime|Princess Nō]], as a yokai; and draining an Amrita seal keeping evil spirits from ravaging [[Kyoto]]. William succeeds in stopping the spirits with help from Tenkai and the Nekomata, who sacrifices itself to give Tenkai time to restore the seal. A later encounter sees William saving Okatsu from Kelley's control, then escaping with her when Ieyasu arrives and Kelley attacks, though Ieyasu is willing to let Okatsu die. Events come to a head during the [[Battle of Sekigahara]], where William faces off against first Ōtani Yoshitsugu—who uses Kelley's alchemy to empower his weakened body—and Shima Sakon. With Sakon defeated and Mitsunari's army routed by Ieyasu's forces, Kelley convinces Mitsunari to allow a ritual that merges three hundred of his soldiers into a [[Gashadokuro]] that William only defeats with help from Hattori and Tenkai. Ieyasu has William pursue Mitsunari, fighting him when Kelley transforms him into a yokai-hybrid before returning him to human form, resulting in his capture by Ieyasu's forces. William heads to confront Kelley in Nobunaga's reconstructed castle, being subdued Nobunaga's resurrected form before Nobunaga rebels against Kelley's control. Cornered and defeated, Kelley uses Ouroboros and Saoirse's energy to resurrect [[Yamata no Orochi]]. William defeats it, then learns from the dying Kelley that he was gathering Amrita and sending it back to England for his master [[John Dee]]. Having reclaimed Saoirse, William decides to disappear, allowing Hattori to avoid killing him on Ieyasu's orders and report him dead. This saddens Okatsu, who had begun to care for him and thought him different from other samurai. Following Mitsunari's execution, Ieyasu establishes his family's rule, setting the [[Edo period]] in motion as an era ruled by humans and hiding the truth of the yokai and William's involvement. Three years later, William returns to England and confronts Dee, who offers him a partnership to guide England towards world conquest following the death of Elizabeth I. William defeats Dee, blinding him and thus neutering his magical abilities. After receiving a vision of Hattori's death at the [[Siege of Osaka]], William decides to return to Japan. ==Development== [[File:Ni-Oh promotional image.jpg|thumb|right|Early promotional artwork for ''Nioh''. While the majority of its original elements were dropped, the setting and blonde-haired protagonist remained constant throughout the game's development.<ref name="WFFCinfo"/><ref name="GemNinja2010"/>]] ''Nioh'' was developed by [[Team Ninja]], a division of the game's publisher [[Koei Tecmo]] who had previously developed the ''[[Ninja Gaiden]]'' and ''[[Dead or Alive (series)|Dead or Alive]]'' series.<ref name="GRinterview"/> It is co-directed by Fumihiko Yasuda and Yosuke Hayashi, and co-produced by Kou Shibusawa and Hisashi Koinuma.<ref name="GSinterview"/><ref name="FamE3"/><ref name="InsideDetails"/> The opening movie was directed by [[Shinji Higuchi]], whose work included ''[[Shin Godzilla]]''. The cinematic director for the game in general was Makoto Kamiya, who had previously supervised special effects for ''[[Death Note: Light Up the New World]]'' and the film version of ''[[I Am a Hero]]''. The music was composed by [[Yugo Kanno]], whose previous work included the ''[[Bayside Shakedown]]'' television film series.<ref name="4Gstaff"/> The concept for the game was created by Shibusawa, who throughout development held a passionate vision for the project, which in turn affecting its development.<ref name="GSinterview"/> The original version of ''Nioh'' was based on ''Oni'', an unfinished script by Japanese film director [[Akira Kurosawa]].<ref name="OniKurosawa"/> According to Yasuda, this initial version "just crashed", and the team had to start all over again. The only elements to survive into the final version were the setting, the protagonist being a blonde-haired foreigner, and the basic scenario concept: the narrative was otherwise changed into an original story based around the life of [[William Adams (sailor)|William Adams]], a European who became a samurai serving Ieyasu, and the events of the Sengoku period.<ref name="WFFCinfo"/><ref name="GSinterview"/><ref name="DesInterview"/> While the original Kurosawa script was dropped in favor of an original story, artistic elements and battle movements were inspired by other Kurosawa pictures such as ''[[Yojimbo (film)|Yojimbo]]'' and ''[[Seven Samurai]]''.<ref name="WFFCinfo"/> Development on the title first began in 2004, when it was designed as a traditional [[Japanese role-playing game]].<ref name="GSinterview"/><ref name="EuroInterview"/> It was being developed internally by [[Koei]], four years prior to its 2008 merger with [[Tecmo]].<ref name="OniKurosawa"/><ref name="DesInterview"/> Development of this initial version ran from 2004 to 2008, lasting approximately four years before all work up to that point was scrapped.<ref name="VG247dev"/> The role-playing version was scrapped by Shibusawa as it did not have enough fun elements within it.<ref name="InsideDetails"/> Production was rebooted and transferred to Omega Force, a division of Koei Tecmo, and shifted in genre to a fast-paced action game similar to their ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]'' series.<ref name="EuroInterview"/><ref name="VG247dev"/> This version was also scrapped, again due to Shibusawa being dissatisfied with the project's direction.<ref name="EuroInterview"/> Team Ninja were first brought on in 2010 to help develop the action gameplay. It was at this stage that the title began evolving into an action role-playing game.<ref name="GemNinja2010"/><ref name="GSdev"/> When first presented with the project by the Koei staff, Team Ninja were skeptical about the project, unsure of its Western protagonist and setting, wondering if it was intended to be another ''Dynasty Warriors''-styled game.<ref name="GSdev"/> Development was fully transferred to Team Ninja in 2012, with subsequent production lasting around four years. Up to this stage, only the basic concepts had been finalized, but when Team Ninja began full development the project solidified into being a full action title.<ref name="GSinterview"/><ref name="EuroInterview"/><ref name="GSdev"/> Team Ninja's staff handled the gameplay aspects, while earlier staff from the original Koei team handled the scenario.<ref name="InsideDetails"/> The alpha version was completed in August 2012.<ref name="AndriaAlpha"/> Rather than outsourcing an engine or carrying an engine over from one of their other properties, the game engine for ''Nioh'' was built from scratch.<ref name="GWIinterview"/> In total, the project was in development for between twelve and thirteen years.<ref name="GSinterview"/><ref name="EuroInterview"/> While a Western main character was settled upon for the final game, the initial concept had a native Samurai as the main protagonist in an original story. As the Koei staff had a history of developing historical titles such as ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' and ''[[Nobunaga's Ambition]]'', they decided to base it on historical events.<ref name="GWIinterview"/> While it was planned for an international release, the team did not try to dilute the Japanese elements for Western players, instead focusing on quality gameplay.<ref name="VG247dev"/> The Sengoku period was chosen as the game's setting due to it being a fertile period in Japanese history for an action title. Shibusawa was also fascinated by Adams' exploits, and the story came to be based on the major events in his life and iterations within Japan, then an isolated nation. They also added fantastic elements such as yokai.<ref name="GSinterview"/><ref name="DesInterview"/><ref name="VG247dev"/> A major influence on the story was [[James Clavell]]'s 1975 novel ''[[Shōgun (novel)|Shōgun]]'', which focused on a [[John Blackthorne|fictional English samurai]] based on the real-life Adams.<ref name="DTinterview"/> The character of William was initially conceived as a Western pirate who became a samurai, then shifted into his current form.<ref name="SilInterview"/> While the majority of the cast spoke Japanese, William spoke English. Initially, William had been fluent in Japanese and characters like Ieyasu had spoken lines in English, but this was seen as unrealistic even within the team's fantastic take on the setting, so they adjusted it. It also represented how William could communicate well with others despite a language barrier.<ref name="GWIinterview"/> The overall theme of the game was the cycle of life and death, which was represented by both William and the enemy yokai. The game's singular focus on death contrasted sharply with Team Ninja's earlier works, which had also incorporated mild erotic elements.<ref name="GRinterview"/> When Team Ninja were first involved with the project, they performed lots of trial and error testing to find a gameplay style best suited to the game's tone.<ref name="SilInfo"/> When the project was given to Team Ninja, Shibusawa told them "to complete the mission of creating ''Nioh''". The decision to give the project to Team Ninja was heavily influenced by the success of ''[[Dark Souls]]'' and other similar titles, dubbed by some as "Masocore" due to their difficult, yet rewarding action gameplay.<ref name="DesInterview"/><ref name="EuroInterview"/><ref name="MCVnioh"/><ref name="PolyPreview"/> Many at Team Ninja were fans of the ''[[Souls (series)|Souls]]'' series, and credited their surge in popularity with saving ''Nioh'' from possible cancellation and allowing progress for development of the game.<ref name="DesInterview"/><ref name="EuroInterview"/> Other influences included ''[[Bloodborne]]'', ''Ninja Gaiden'', ''[[Onimusha]]'' and ''[[Diablo (series)|Diablo]]''.<ref name="DTinterview"/><ref name="InsideInfo"/> The main aim for the developers was to emulate the tough gameplay of both the ''Souls'' series and their earlier work on ''Ninja Gaiden'' while also making it accessible, fair and rewarding for players.<ref name="DesInterview"/><ref name="EuroInterview"/> While the combat was extensively influenced by ''Souls'' games, Team Ninja's use of loot was more heavily influenced by the ''Diablo'' series, as they wanted combat to revolve around player skill rather than gear acquired through combat.<ref name="DTinterview"/> The gameplay incorporated elements of samurai combat from popular culture.<ref name="WFFCinfo"/> Historical accuracy when it came to weapons, armor and fighting styles dominated the gameplay design, which resulted in shields not being added as they were not used in combat by samurai.<ref name="DTinterview"/> Each boss, from yokai to human enemies, had their own appearances and tactics.<ref name="SilInterview"/> The yokai were all drawn from Japanese folklore, although their designs underwent slight alterations from their original forms.<ref name="DTinterview"/> A recurring element for the yokai bosses was how they were designed: first they decided the initial form and impression, then the developers added an element which would catch players off guard: for instance, if a yokai appeared beautiful, they would become ugly at some point during the battle.<ref name="SilInterview"/> ==Release== ''Nioh'' was first announced by original developer Koei in 2004 under its working title "''Oni''". In addition to the game, which was slated for a 2006 release, a feature film directed by Kurosawa's son Hisao Kurosawa would be produced alongside and inspire the game: the entire project's budget was estimated as being three billion yen.<ref name="OniKurosawa"/> The movie tie-in was eventually cancelled in 2005 due to unspecified production problems, with the game becoming a standalone project.<ref name="GSmovieCancelled"/> ''Nioh'' was first shown off in a trailer at the 2005 [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]], where it was announced as a [[PlayStation 3]] exclusive.<ref name="E32005nioh"/> At the time, the title was romanized as "''Ni-Oh''".<ref name="ANNtitle"/> Initially slated for a 2006 release,<ref name="NiohOriginalDate"/> ''Nioh'' missed its announced release date, and no update on the game was issued until 2009, when Koei Tecmo stated that the title was still in development. Similar updates would be issued over the following six years.<ref name="GSinterview"/> The game, now retitled slightly as ''Nioh'', was reintroduced at the 2015 [[Tokyo Game Show]] as a [[PlayStation 4]] exclusive, with a scheduled launch in Japan in 2016.<ref name="NiohPS4Announced"/> It was later announced for an international release at the PlayStation Experience event in December of that year, also in 2016.<ref name="ANNtitle"/> A manga based on the character and setting, called {{nihongo|''Nioh: The Golden Samurai''|仁王～金色の侍～|Niō: Kin'iro no Samurai}}, was written by Yosuke Katayama and began serialization in ''[[Weekly Shōnen Magazine]]'' starting in May 2016.<ref name="NiohManga"/> Initially planned for October 2016, the game was delayed to make final adjustments based on player feedback from demos. The localization was a high priority for Koei Tecmo due to the worldwide release date.<ref name="MCVnioh"/> The game was announced for a worldwide release in February 2017.<ref name="NiohDate"/><ref name="NiohPreorder"/> While Koei Tecmo published the game in Japan, [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] handled publishing duties in mainland Asia, North America and Europe. This was to distribute the game to as wide an audience as possible.<ref name="ANNtitle"/><ref name="NiohPublisher"/> It was released in North America on 7 February, in Europe 8 February, and in Japan on 9 February. Two editions were created: the standard edition featuring the full game, and a Digital Deluxe Edition featuring an additional weapon pack, PS4 theme and season pass. Pre-order bonuses were additional costumes, based respectively on Japanese temple guardian statues and the samurai [[Sanada Yukimura]].<ref name="NiohPreorder"/> The game was also among those that supported the [[PlayStation 4#PlayStation 4 Pro|PlayStation 4 Pro]] model, with graphical enhancements enabling a smooth framerate.<ref name="NiohPS4Pro"/> ===Demos=== A demo version of the game, dubbed the "alpha demo", was released on [[PlayStation Network]] (PSN) on 26 April 2016. The demo was available until 5 May, and completing the demo unlocked access to a free [[downloadable content]] (DLC) pack dubbed "Mark of the Conqueror". This demo was released so Team Ninja could receive feedback from a future online survey to improve the game's mechanics.<ref name="NiohAlpha"/> The demo was downloaded by 850,000 people worldwide, and feedback was positive overall aside from recurring complaints about its lack of tutorials, high difficulty and awkward control scheme.<ref name="AlphaDemoResults"/> Based on this, the team made a number of changes and tweaks to the gameplay.<ref name="FamE3"/> A second "beta" demo released from 23 August to 6 September. It featured new stages, additional weapons and revamped gameplay based on the feedback from the alpha demo.<ref name="NiohBeta"/> Like the alpha demo, downloading the beta demo gave free access to DLC content, this time a pack dubbed "Mark of the Warrior" alongside the original "Mark of the Conqueror" pack. They again undertook a survey of players, and made numerous adjustments and additions to the game based on this feedback.<ref name="NiohBetaResults"/> The game's delay from 2016 to 2017 was caused by these adjustments.<ref name="MCVnioh"/> A third demo, called "Last Chance Trial", was made available from 20 to 23 January in North America and Europe. It gave access to both prior DLC and a final reward for the full game.<ref name="NiohDemoLastchance"/> An official soundtrack, featuring all 45 pieces of music from the game, was released in Japan on February 15.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Greening|first1=Chris|title=Nioh soundtrack coming next week|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/nioh-soundtrack-coming-next-week/|website=Video Game Music Online|accessdate=12 February 2017}}</ref> ==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = 87/100<ref name=MC /> | Destruct = 9/10<ref name="Destruct"/> | EGM = 9/10<ref name="EGM"/> | EuroG = Recommended<ref name="EuroG"/> | Fam = 36/40<ref>http://gematsu.com/2017/02/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1470</ref> | GI = 9/10<ref name="GI"/> | GameRev = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="GameRev"/> | GRadar = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="GRadar"/> | GSpot = 9/10<ref name="GSpot"/> | IGN = 9.6/10<ref name="IGN"/> | Poly = 8/10<ref name="Poly"/> | rev1 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' | rev1Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/what-to-play/nioh-review-justice-samurai-marvel-will-go-classic/</ref> | rev2 = ''[[New York Daily News]]'' | rev2Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/nioh-proves-team-ninja-chops-video-game-review-article-1.2971972</ref> }} ''Nioh'' received "generally favorable" reviews, according to video game [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MC"/> Most critics praised the combat, difficulty, setting, use of Japanese folklore, and aesthetics as high points, as well as giving players the option to choose different graphical modes, while the game's story and inventory management were met with some criticism. ===Sales=== ''Nioh'' opened at number 2 in the UK sales charts.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dayus |first=Oscar |date=13 February 2017 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/top-10-uk-sales-chart-gta-5-beats-nioh-to-no-1/1100-6447780/ |title=Top 10 UK Sales Chart: GTA 5 Beats Nioh To No. 1 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=13 February 2017}}</ref> Retailers [[Amazon.com|Amazon]] and [[Walmart]] sold all their stock of Nioh within the first week of release.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kain |first=Erik |date=8 February 2017 |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2017/02/08/nioh-is-out-of-stock-at-amazon-and-other-retailers/#51a6f9eb13e1 |title='Nioh' Is Already Out Of Stock At Amazon And Other Retailers |publisher=[[Forbes]] |accessdate=13 February 2017}}</ref> It shipped 75,477 copies in its first week in Japan, entering the charts at number 2.<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano|first=Sal |date=15 February 2017 |url=http://gematsu.com/2017/02/media-create-sales-2617-21217 |title=Media Create Sales: 2/6/17 – 2/12/17|publisher=''Gematsu'' |accessdate=15 February 2017}}</ref> On February 24, 2017 Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja announced that ''Nioh'' had shipped one million units worldwide within its first two weeks of sale. The numbers included retail shipments and digital sales.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nioh worldwide sales top one million - Gematsu|url=http://gematsu.com/2017/02/nioh-worldwide-sales-top-one-million|accessdate=24 February 2017|work=Gematsu|date=24 February 2017}}</ref> {{clear}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em|refs= <!-- Japanese --> <ref name="NiohVoices">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/nioh/world.html|script-title=ja:仁王 - World|publisher=Nioh Official Website|accessdate=28 January 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170128164540/http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/nioh/world.html|archivedate=28 January 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohCharactersA">{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201608/26114256.html|script-title=ja:『仁王』黒田孝高、長政親子が登場、新たなステージと妖怪も紹介|publisher=''[[Famitsu]]''|date=26 August 2016|accessdate=12 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827191444/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201608/26114256.html|archivedate=27 August 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohCharactersB">{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201611/04119825.html|script-title=ja:『仁王』主人公ウィリアムを補佐する西軍の武将・石田三成、島左近、大谷吉継を紹介 比叡山ステージの情報も|publisher=''[[Famitsu]]''|date=4 November 2016|accessdate=12 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105132200/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201611/04119825.html|archivedate=5 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohCharactersC">{{cite web|url=http://www.4gamer.net/games/120/G012039/20170113126/|script-title=ja:発売まで1か月を切った「仁王」の最新情報。妖怪達や，ステージの一つ「関ヶ原」，「奥義」を習得可能になる「師匠ミッション」が公開に|publisher=[[4Gamer.net]]|date=13 January 2017|accessdate=28 January 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170128164111/http://www.4gamer.net/games/120/G012039/20170113126/|archivedate=28 January 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohCharactersD">{{cite web|url=http://www.4gamer.net/games/120/G012039/20170127137/|script-title=ja:「仁王」に登場する柳生石舟斎や宝蔵院胤栄，天海などのスクリーンショットが公開。奥義を会得できる「師匠ミッション」とは？|publisher=[[4Gamer.net]]|date=27 January 2017|accessdate=28 January 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170128162155/http://www.4gamer.net/games/120/G012039/20170127137/|archivedate=28 January 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="4Gstaff">{{cite web|url=http://www.4gamer.net/games/120/G012039/20160912028/|script-title=ja:「仁王」に俳優の市村正親さんと武井 咲さんの起用が決定。OPムービーはシン・ゴジラで話題の樋口真嗣監督が手掛ける|publisher=[[4Gamer.net]]|date=12 September 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105230006/http://www.4gamer.net/games/120/G012039/20160912028/|archivedate=5 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="GWIinterview">{{cite web|url=http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1040220.html|script-title=ja:謎のくノ一による超絶プレイが披露！　コーエーテクモ「仁王」ステージレポート|publisher=Game Watch Impress|date=21 January 2017|accessdate=31 January 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170131141940/http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1040220.html|archivedate=31 January 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="FamE3">{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201606/16108617.html|script-title=ja:『仁王』難しさはそのままに、理不尽に感じる部分を調整！ 早矢仕D＆安田Dインタビュー【E3 2016】|publisher=''[[Famitsu]]''|date=16 June 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617143513/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201606/16108617.html|archivedate=17 June 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="InsideDetails">{{cite web|url=http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2015/09/17/91306.html|script-title=ja:【TGS2015】最初はRPGだったが、途中で"NINJA GAIDEN"になってしまった…シブサワ×鯉沼×早矢仕という最強の布陣で贈る『仁王』とは|publisher=Inside Games|date=17 September 2015|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424055502/http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2015/09/17/91306.html|archivedate=24 April 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="InsideInfo">{{cite web|url=http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2016/06/17/99682.html|script-title=ja:【インタビュー】『仁王』はトレハン要素あり！プレイ時間は30～40時間想定で、日本中を旅するストーリーに|publisher=Inside Games|date=17 June 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624190835/http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2016/06/17/99682.html|archivedate=24 June 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohManga">{{cite web|url=https://www.jp.playstation.com/blog/detail/2755/20160404-nioh.html|script-title=ja:ダーク戦国アクションRPG『仁王』のα体験版が4月26日(火)より期間限定配信！ コミカライズ版の連載も決定！|publisher=[[PlayStation Blog|PlayStation Blog Japan]]|date=4 April 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110152802/https://www.jp.playstation.com/blog/detail/2755/20160404-nioh.html|archivedate=10 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <!-- English --> <ref name="PolyOverview">{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/nioh-guide/2017/2/3/14472566/beginners-tips-tricks-help-stances-weapons-armor-shrine-stats-leveling-kodoma-skill-prestige-ki|title=Understanding Nioh: A guide|last1=Tach|first1=David|last2=Parkin|first2=Jeffrey|publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=3 February 2017|accessdate=3 February 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170203230944/http://www.polygon.com/nioh-guide/2017/2/3/14472566/beginners-tips-tricks-help-stances-weapons-armor-shrine-stats-leveling-kodoma-skill-prestige-ki|archivedate=3 February 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="GIpreview">{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/nioh/b/playstation4/archive/2016/09/17/hands-on-with-nioh-at-tgs-2016.aspx|title=Nioh - Nioh May Be Like Dark Souls, But It's Fun In Its Own Right|last=Wallace|first=Kimberley|publisher=''[[Game Informer]]''|date=17 September 2016|accessdate=16 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110135510/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/nioh/b/playstation4/archive/2016/09/17/hands-on-with-nioh-at-tgs-2016.aspx|archivedate=10 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="EuroPreview">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-08-26-nioh-is-a-dark-souls-successor-with-soul|title=Nioh is a Dark Souls imitator with soul|last=Matulef|first=Jeffrey|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]|date=26 August 2016|accessdate=16 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827191830/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-08-26-nioh-is-a-dark-souls-successor-with-soul|archivedate=27 August 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="IGNyokai">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/09/16/tgs-nioh-might-be-the-best-dark-souls-clone-and-thatas-ok|title=TGS: Nioh Might Be The Best Dark Souls Clone, And That's Okay|last=Otero|first=Jose|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=16 September 2016|accessdate=12 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921112603/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/09/16/tgs-nioh-might-be-the-best-dark-souls-clone-and-thatas-ok|archivedate=21 September 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="AndriaAlpha">{{cite web|url=http://andriasang.com/con261/ni_oh_alpha/|title=Ni-Oh Alpha Version is Complete|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|publisher=Andriasang.com|date=8 August 2012|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060414/http://andriasang.com/con261/ni_oh_alpha/|archivedate=4 March 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="SilInfo">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/07/15/whats-next-for-team-ninja-the-short-answer-is-ni-oh/|title=What's Next For Team Ninja? The Short Answer Is Ni-Oh|last=Yip|first=Spencer|publisher=Siliconera|date=15 July 2011|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119103622/http://www.siliconera.com/2011/07/15/whats-next-for-team-ninja-the-short-answer-is-ni-oh/|archivedate=19 January 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="GemNinja2010">{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2010/09/ni-oh-is-alive-team-ninja-aiding-development|title=Ni-Oh is alive, Team Ninja aiding development|last=Romano|first=Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=15 September 2010|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109211840/http://gematsu.com/2010/09/ni-oh-is-alive-team-ninja-aiding-development|archivedate=9 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="EuroInterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-09-30-nioh-director-fumihiko-yasuda-on-difficulty-player-feedback-and-whats-changing|title=Nioh director Fumihiko Yasuda on difficulty, player feedback and what's changing|last=Matulef|first=Jeffrey|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]|date=30 September 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007214337/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-09-30-nioh-director-fumihiko-yasuda-on-difficulty-player-feedback-and-whats-changing|archivedate=7 October 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="PolyPreview">{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2017/1/16/14283772/nioh-pre-review-ps4-playstation-4-team-ninja-gaiden-sony-tecmo-koei|title=Nioh pre-review: more than just a Dark Souls clone|last=Kollar|first=Philip|publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=16 January 2017|accessdate=28 January 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170126220036/http://www.polygon.com/2017/1/16/14283772/nioh-pre-review-ps4-playstation-4-team-ninja-gaiden-sony-tecmo-koei|archivedate=26 January 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="GSinterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-nioh-evolved-from-a-jrpg-to-an-action-game/1100-6443682/|title=How Nioh Evolved from a JRPG to an Action Game|last=Corriea|first=Alexa Ray|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=16 September 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108223049/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-nioh-evolved-from-a-jrpg-to-an-action-game/1100-6443682/|archivedate=8 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="VG247dev">{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2017/01/23/nioh-hands-on-souls-plus-samurai-is-a-pretty-great-idea-it-turns-out/|title=Nioh hands-on: Souls plus samurai is a pretty great idea, it turns out|last=Donaldson|first=Alex|publisher=[[VG247]]|date=23 January 2017|accessdate=28 January 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170126220043/https://www.vg247.com/2017/01/23/nioh-hands-on-souls-plus-samurai-is-a-pretty-great-idea-it-turns-out/|archivedate=27 January 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="GSdev">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nioh-is-a-brutal-return-to-form-for-ninja-gaiden-d/1100-6447134/|title=Nioh Is A Brutal Return To Form For Ninja Gaiden Developer|last=Espineli|first=Matt|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=21 January 2017|accessdate=28 January 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170128223753/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nioh-is-a-brutal-return-to-form-for-ninja-gaiden-d/1100-6447134/|archivedate=28 January 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="WFFCinfo">{{cite web|url=http://wccftech.com/niohs-game-director-the-game-will-take-70-hours-on-average-no-plans-for-pc-release-currently/|title=Nioh's Game Director: The Game Will Take 70 Hours on Average, No Plans for PC Release Currently|last=Palumbo|first=Alessio|publisher=WFFC Tech|date=14 September 2016|accessdate=12 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027131534/http://wccftech.com/niohs-game-director-the-game-will-take-70-hours-on-average-no-plans-for-pc-release-currently/|archivedate=27 October 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="DesInterview">{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/bent-not-broken-nioh-s-flexible-rigidity-370774.phtml|title=Bent, not broken: Nioh's flexible rigidity|last=MacGregor|first=Kyle|publisher=[[Destructoid]]|date=25 June 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625191102/https://www.destructoid.com/bent-not-broken-nioh-s-flexible-rigidity-370774.phtml|archivedate=25 June 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="GRinterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/no-sex-all-death-for-the-director-of-nioh-and-ninja-gaiden/|title=No sex, all death for the director of Nioh and Ninja Gaiden|last=Agnello|first=Anthony John|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|date=16 June 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617144932/http://www.gamesradar.com/no-sex-all-death-for-the-director-of-nioh-and-ninja-gaiden/|archivedate=17 June 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="SilInterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2016/07/13/nioh-director-going-warriors-dark-souls-style-makes-different/|title=Nioh Director On Going From A Warriors To Dark Souls Style, And What Makes It Different|author=Sato|publisher=Siliconera|date=13 July 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715152451/http://www.siliconera.com/2016/07/13/nioh-director-going-warriors-dark-souls-style-makes-different/|archivedate=15 July 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="DTinterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.idigitaltimes.com/nioh-director-says-team-ninja-inspired-shogun-onimusha-and-dark-souls-542675|title='Nioh' Director Says Team Ninja Inspired By 'Shogun', 'Onimusha' And 'Dark Souls'|last=Craft|first=Scott|publisher=[[Digital Times]]|date=27 June 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628140313/http://www.idigitaltimes.com/nioh-director-says-team-ninja-inspired-shogun-onimusha-and-dark-souls-542675|archivedate=28 June 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="OniKurosawa">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2004/10/29/kurosawa-comes-to-ps3|title=Kurosawa Comes to PS3|last=Adams|first=David|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=28 October 2004|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060316140800/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/607/607115p1.html|archivedate=16 March 2006|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="E32005nioh">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nioh-e3-2005-preshow-impressions/1100-6125044/|title=NioH E3 2005 Preshow Impressions|last=Calvert|first=Justin|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=16 May 2005|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409181207/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nioh-e3-2005-preshow-impressions/1100-6125044/|archivedate=9 April 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="ANNtitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-12-06/koei-tecmo-to-release-nioh-ps4-game-in-the-west/.96151|title=Koei Tecmo to Release Nioh PS4 Game in the West|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=6 December 2015|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703043708/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-12-06/koei-tecmo-to-release-nioh-ps4-game-in-the-west/.96151|archivedate=3 July 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="GSmovieCancelled">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/tgs-2005-koei-canceling-ni-oh-movie/1100-6133476/|title=TGS 2005: Koei canceling Ni-Oh movie|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=16 September 2005|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109205430/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/tgs-2005-koei-canceling-ni-oh-movie/1100-6133476/|archivedate=9 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohOriginalDate">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2005/05/25/koei-shares-ni-oh-release-plans|title=Koei Shares Ni-Oh Release Plans|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=25 May 2005|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223003948/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/618/618698p1.html|archivedate=23 February 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohPS4Announced">{{cite web|url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/09/15/tgs-2015-ni-oh-ps4-exclusive-coming-to-japan-in-2016/|title=TGS 2015: Ni-Oh Is Back as a PS4 Exclusive, Coming to Japan in 2016|last=Dunning|first=Jason|publisher=PlayStation Lifestyle|date=15 September 2015|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927103049/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/09/15/tgs-2015-ni-oh-ps4-exclusive-coming-to-japan-in-2016/|archivedate=27 September 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohDate">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-exclusive-nioh-gets-worldwide-release-date/1100-6443515/|title=PS4 Exclusive Nioh Gets Worldwide Release Date|last=Te|first=Zorine|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=13 September 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109213122/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-exclusive-nioh-gets-worldwide-release-date/1100-6443515/|archivedate=9 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="MCVnioh">{{cite web|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/when-dark-souls-met-ninja-gaiden-team-ninja-talks-nioh/0174975|title=When Dark Souls met Ninja Gaiden: Team Ninja talks Nioh|last=Calvin|first=Alex|publisher=''[[Market for Computer and Video Games]]''|date=7 November 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109213620/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/when-dark-souls-met-ninja-gaiden-team-ninja-talks-nioh/0174975|archivedate=9 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohPublisher">{{cite web|url=https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2016/11/03/action-rpg-nioh-to-be-published-by-sie-ps4-pro-enhancements-detailed/|title=Action RPG Nioh to be published by SIE, PS4 Pro enhancements detailed|last=Tamura|first=Naoki|publisher=[[PlayStation Blog]]|date=3 November 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104163305/https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2016/11/03/action-rpg-nioh-to-be-published-by-sie-ps4-pro-enhancements-detailed/|archivedate=4 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohAlpha">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/dark-souls-and-onimusha-inspired-ps4-exclusive-nio/1100-6437356/|title=Dark Souls and Onimusha-Inspired PS4 Exclusive, Nioh, Getting Demo|first=Chris|last=Pereira|date=6 April 2016|accessdate=6 April 2016|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510061010/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/dark-souls-and-onimusha-inspired-ps4-exclusive-nio/1100-6437356/?|archivedate=10 May 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="AlphaDemoResults">{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/5/19/11712714/nioh-alpha-demo-ps4-difficulty-feedback-survey-results|title=First Nioh demo leads to complaints from players over tutorials, balanced difficulty|last=Frank|first=Allegra|publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=19 May 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520125246/http://www.polygon.com/2016/5/19/11712714/nioh-alpha-demo-ps4-difficulty-feedback-survey-results|archivedate=20 May 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohBeta">{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/07/19/nioh-beta-demo-begins-august-23-on-ps4/|title=Nioh Beta Demo Begins August 23 on PS4|first=Chin Soon|last=Sun|date=19 July 2016|accessdate=27 August 2016|publisher=[[PlayStation Blog]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920034638/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/07/19/nioh-beta-demo-begins-august-23-on-ps4/|archivedate=20 September 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohBetaResults">{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2016/09/nioh-beta-demo-survey-results-announced|title=Nioh beta demo survey results announced|last=Romano|first=Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=18 September 2016|accessdate=11 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111181551/http://gematsu.com/2016/09/nioh-beta-demo-survey-results-announced|archivedate=11 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohPreorder">{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2016/11/nioh-digital-deluxe-edition-pre-order-bonuses-announced|title=Nioh digital deluxe edition and pre-order bonuses announced|last=Romano|first=Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=14 November 2016|accessdate=16 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116220723/http://gematsu.com/2016/11/nioh-digital-deluxe-edition-pre-order-bonuses-announced|archivedate=16 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohPS4Pro">{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/11/14/nioh-looking-death-in-the-face/|title=Nioh: Looking Death in the Face|last=Brotherson|first=Corey|publisher=[[PlayStation Blog]]|date=14 November 2016|accessdate=16 November 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115144506/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/11/14/nioh-looking-death-in-the-face/|archivedate=16 November 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="NiohDemoLastchance">{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2017/01/nioh-last-chance-demo-launches-january-21-west|title=Nioh 'Last Chance' demo launches January 21 in the west|last=Romano|first=Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=18 January 2017|accessdate=28 January 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170118202756/http://gematsu.com/2017/01/nioh-last-chance-demo-launches-january-21-west|archivedate=18 January 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/nioh |title=Nioh for PlayStation 4 Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=2 February 2017}}</ref> <ref name="Destruct">{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=2 February 2017 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-nioh-415151.phtml |title=Review: Nioh |publisher=[[Destructoid]] |accessdate=2 February 2017 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170202110956/https://www.destructoid.com/review-nioh-415151.phtml |archivedate=2 February 2017 |deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="EuroG">{{cite web |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=2 February 2017 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-02-02-nioh-review_4 |title=Nioh review - A gaiden light |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |accessdate=2 February 2017 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170202111328/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-02-02-nioh-review_4 |archivedate=2 February 2017 |deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="GI">{{cite web |last=Tack |first=Daniel |date=2 February 2017 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/nioh/b/playstation4/archive/2017/02/02/the-soul-of-the-samurai.aspx |title=The Soul Of The Samurai - Nioh - PlayStation 4 |publisher=[[Game Informer]] |accessdate=2 February 2017 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170202111118/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/nioh/b/playstation4/archive/2017/02/02/the-soul-of-the-samurai.aspx |archivedate=2 February 2017 |deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="GRadar">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/nioh-review/|title=Nioh Review|last=Sullivan|first=Lucas|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|date=6 February 2017|accessdate=6 February 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170206130339/http://www.gamesradar.com/nioh-review/|archivedate=6 February 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2017/02/02/nioh-review|title=Nioh Review|last=Rad|first=Chloe|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=2 February 2017|accessdate=6 February 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170206130016/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/02/02/nioh-review|archivedate=6 February 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="EGM">{{cite web |last=L Patterson |first=Mollie |date=8 February 2017 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/nioh-review/ |title=Nioh review |publisher=''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' |accessdate=8 February 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170209094153/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/nioh-review/|archivedate=9 February 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="GameRev">{{cite web |last=Leack |first=Jonathan |date=6 February 2017 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/nioh |title=Nioh Review |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |accessdate=6 February 2017|archiveurl=http://archive.is/UEa23|archivedate=9 February 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="GSpot">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nioh-review/1900-6416611/|title=Nioh Review|last=Concepcion|first=Miguel|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=8 February 2017|accessdate=9 February 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170209093647/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nioh-review/1900-6416611/|archivedate=9 February 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="Poly">{{cite web |last1=Kollar |first1=Philip |last2=Gies |first2=Arthur |date=8 February 2017 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2017/2/8/14445452/nioh-review-ps4-playstation-4-team-ninja-sony-koei-tecmo |title=Nioh review |publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |accessdate=8 February 2017|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170209094030/http://www.polygon.com/2017/2/8/14445452/nioh-review-ps4-playstation-4-team-ninja-sony-koei-tecmo|archivedate=9 February 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> }} == External links == * {{Official website|http://teamninja-studio.com/nioh/us/index.html}} {{Team Ninja}} {{Akira Kurosawa}} {{Portal bar|Sony|Sony PlayStation|Video games|2010s|Japan}} [[Category:2017 video games]] [[Category:Action role-playing video games]] [[Category:Akira Kurosawa]] [[Category:Cancelled PlayStation 3 games]] [[Category:Demon video games]] [[Category:Fantasy video games]] [[Category:Hack and slash role-playing games]] [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] [[Category:Ninja video games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4-only games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 Pro enhanced games]] [[Category:Sengoku video games]] [[Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment games]] [[Category:Team Ninja games]] [[Category:Tecmo Koei games]] [[Category:Video games based on Japanese mythology]] [[Category:Video games developed in Japan]] [[Category:Video games set in feudal Japan]] [[Category:Video games set in London]] [[Category:Video games set in the 17th century]] [[Category:Video games with downloadable content]]'