Where to Start · Nioh
Where to Start with Nioh
Nioh is Team Ninja's action RPG series set in a supernatural version of historical Japan — Sengoku-era warlords, yokai demons, and William Adams (a real historical figure, the first Western samurai) as the protagonist of the first game.
The series draws direct comparison to FromSoftware's Soulsborne games — punishing difficulty, stamina management, learning enemy patterns — but adds significantly deeper systems on top: a stance system with three combat positions each with different movesets, a loot-heavy RPG layer with hundreds of weapon and armour sets, and a ki pulse mechanic that rewards timing your recovery. If you want something harder and more mechanically dense than Dark Souls, Nioh is the answer.
If you only play one Nioh game
Play Nioh 2 (2020). It is the better game in every respect — more yokai variety, the Yokai Shift ability letting you transform into demon form, more weapon types, and a protagonist you create rather than William Adams. Nioh 2 is a prequel to the first game but functions as a standalone experience — the story connects but you miss nothing significant by starting here. The Nioh 2 Complete Edition on PS5/PC includes all three DLC expansions and is the definitive version.
Nioh 1 — where to start for the full story
Nioh (2017) follows William Adams — an Irish sailor and historical samurai — through Sengoku-era Japan fighting both historical figures and supernatural yokai. The loot system, the stance mechanics (High, Mid, Low for each weapon type), and the ki pulse system are all established here. Nioh is available in the Nioh Complete Edition on PS4/PC including all DLC. Play it before Nioh 2 if the complete story context matters to you, but Nioh 2 is mechanically superior and the recommended entry point for newcomers.
The stance system
Nioh's defining mechanic is the three-stance system. High stance deals more damage but is slower and costs more ki. Mid stance is balanced. Low stance is fastest with the lowest ki cost. Each weapon type has completely different movesets across all three stances — mastering stance switching mid-combat is the skill expression ceiling of the game. Begin in Mid stance and learn High and Low as you grow comfortable.
The ki pulse
Ki is Nioh's stamina equivalent. Unlike Souls games where stamina regenerates automatically, Nioh requires a timed button press (the ki pulse) to recover ki immediately after an action. Mastering the ki pulse is the single most important skill in both games — enemies drain your ki on hit, leaving you stunned. A well-timed ki pulse after every attack string keeps you mobile and dangerous. The ki pulse separates Nioh from its Souls comparisons more than any other mechanic.
How Nioh compares to Dark Souls
Both series punish mistakes and reward learning enemy patterns. Nioh is more mechanically complex — deeper combat system, more build variety, more loot management. Dark Souls has more atmospheric world design and more environmental storytelling. Nioh's levels are more linear mission-based stages rather than interconnected worlds. If you want deeper combat systems, Nioh. If you want more cohesive world design, Dark Souls. Many players love both.
What platforms you need
Nioh 2 Complete Edition — PS4/PS5/PC. Nioh Complete Edition — PS4/PC. Both are on PlayStation Plus in some tiers. No Xbox or Switch versions exist.
Recommended order
Nioh 2 first — it is the better game and a valid standalone. Nioh 1 after for the complete William Adams story. All DLC for both games is worth playing — each adds a substantial new region and boss set.