For what it’s worth, I didn’t feel any fatigue, but I also wasn’t blown away (outside of Benkei, who rules). Expect several remixes that make sense in the context of the DLC story, a few all-new faces – including an unforgettable blob of flesh – and plenty of repeats. I’ll never get tired of flinging myself into the air.Īs for new enemy types, there’s just enough. It starts out deceptively basic (and a little underwhelming), but as you open up the skill trees, you’ll see how versatile and combo-rich the Splitstaff can be. I took the entire DLC as an excuse to wield the Ninja Gaiden-esque Splitstaff weapon, and you should too. If you know the routes, you can fly on through to the boss – a highlight of The Tengu’s Disciple that I won’t spoil here. If you’re playing meticulously, you can spend a lot of time poking around without realizing it. In both areas, Team Ninja makes great use of vertical space without letting exploration feel like a chore to get through. The second main mission is a mine that opens up into a bamboo forest. The level design has a natural flow to it, and if you get slight Nioh 1 vibes from the stormy aesthetic, you’re right on the money – the big bad yokai is like a refined version of Umi-bozu. The first stage is a trek across half-sunken ships with legendary figures like Minamoto no Yoshitsune and his badass warrior monk companion, Benkei, who you’ll get to team up with to crack open giant crabs. It took me around five hours to comb every mission once. That said, they’re solid – and highly replayable. The first mission, A Song to Calm the Storm, has a recommended level of 120.Īfter hearing that the DLC included 10 missions, I was initially disappointed to find out that only two of them are main story missions while the rest are shorter sub-missions and boss rematches. To access the Yashima region in The Tengu’s Disciple, you’ll need to finish the main story of Nioh 2. MSRP: $9.99 ($19.99 Season Pass for three DLC packs)įirst, a bit of housekeeping. Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
If you aren’t holding out for the (hopefully inevitable) PC version of Nioh 2, it’s time to travel back in time to 1185. The Tengu’s Disciple is the first of three story expansions, but it feels pretty self-contained.
It’s a testament to this game – and Team Ninja’s general update and DLC strategy – that I’m not burned out.
Remember the Lunar Staff? It’s back (in Nioh form)Īfter spending an absurd amount of time with Nioh 2 this year in pursuit of the platinum trophy, New Game+, and incrementally better character builds, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to return so soon.