How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 85 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 83 | 670 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (88)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 50
“The game is limited by the static nature of its mission-based structure and the protagonist’s severe lack of motivation.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“This has got to be the best "souls" clone yet. It is perfectly balanced, has tons of customization and improvement options, a great character editor and hundreds of satisfying challenges that will get you to improve, with each step you take. Weaker story and several minor flaws, do reduce the perfect score, but this is still a strong "9 - I would die again!"”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Nioh 2, despite being quite derivative, full of repetitive missions, and lacking true challenges later in the game, remains a riveting experience. This prequel looks like a mirrored image of the first game, but with some pretty ingenious level design, exciting enemies, and hugely satisfying combat and character creation systems, this game really hits home.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“While it may be incredibly similar to what came before it, Nioh 2 smartly adds yet more depth and mechanics to its engagements to make for one of the best combat systems around. Notwithstanding its poor skill trees, forgettable narrative, and minor balance issues, Team Ninja has put together gameplay excellence. An essential playthrough for anyone who considers themselves a fan of the original or From Software's output.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Brutal from start to finish, Nioh 2 turns its outstanding combat system into a deadly dance that knows how to be cruel with defeat, but honorable with victory. It may not be far from the first game, but it was enough to refine the elements that founded the franchise to deliver one of the best titles of the closing of this generation.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Nioh 2 is going to be compared to Sekiro, but it is its own beast. It's an excellent follow-up to the original game, and it isn't any lesser for being compared to FromSoft's attempt at the samurai Soulsborne genre. The new features help keep the smooth gameplay feeling intense and exciting, and the various tweaks do wonders for keeping the game fresh. Its biggest flaw is being "more of the same," but the original game was fun enough that a fresh new set of enemies and items is worth a lot. Just be prepared to die a lot. A whole lot. As in, "I saw multiple corpses by the first enemy of the game."”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Team ninja has succeeded in making a souls-like action RPG with a combat system on the verge of perfection, supported by a compelling and interesting story. Unfortunately, the reuse of assets and the multiplayer system ruin the overall quality of Nioh 2.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Ultimately, that excruciating difficulty and the feeling it evokes are baked into Nioh's DNA, though, and its boss fights remain compelling even as they vex and frustrate. Though it sometimes feels like a curse as you play, it is a testament that Nioh 2 successfully grabs and holds your complete attention so close for so long.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Even when considering its shortcomings, it's hard to deny the quality of Nioh 2 overall. There’s a lot here, and considering how heavily the game leans on combat, it's very smart to offer the player so much freedom to find their own way forward. All of the weapons feel viable, and not only are there so many to choose from, but how you specifically wield each one and what you support those weapons with can vary significantly. While Nioh 2 doesn't have the same sort of spark that accompanied the original game, in many ways, it highlights why the series is special and refines the groundwork of what came before.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Nioh 2 builds on the excellence of the original with a fistful of new twists and ideas, from new Yokai abilities to full-on co-op through the entire game. Nioh 2 might well be the best Soulslike that isn’t a FromSoftware game, and it's easily one of my personal contenders for Game of the Year.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I was impressed by the improvements to the story and Team Ninja's commitment to maintaining what worked in the first game and building on what didn't. I should mention that the music is as good as it was in the first game, and I know I enjoyed the boss fights more as well, even if some did drive me up the wall.”
read full review ↗ - 79
“Nioh 2 is basically Nioh with a new finish, to me, a person fond of the game, it's not a problem. But I think it's important for you - the rest of you - to realize that Nioh 2 is even less original than my pick-up-lines in the club. Where I can't go anymore, by the way. Thanks, Corona.”
read full review ↗
Slant Magazine
PLAY Zine
GRYOnline.pl
Push Square
LevelUp
Worth Playing
Eurogamer
GameSpot
Easy Allies
TheSixthAxis
GameSkinny
Power Unlimited…and 76 more tracked reviews.