Nioh 2 is an action RPG from Team Ninja, set in a supernatural version of Sengoku-era Japan. It is a prequel to the original Nioh. It was released on PlayStation 4 on 13 March 2020 (12 March in Japan); a Complete Edition followed on PC (Nioh 2: Complete Edition) and PS5 (Nioh 2 Remastered: Complete Edition) on 5 February 2021. Sony Interactive Entertainment published it outside Japan on PlayStation. You create your own protagonist, who is half-yokai.
Combat uses three stances (High, Mid and Low), Ki Pulse, which recovers stamina after an attack, Burst Counters against marked attacks, and Soul Cores, which are dropped by yokai and unlock Yokai Skills for your Guardian Spirit. On a PlayStation controller, Ki Pulse is R1, Burst Counter is R2 + Circle, Yokai Shift is Circle + Triangle once the Amrita gauge is full, and stances are changed with R1 plus Triangle, Square or X.
Three expansions were released after the main game: The Tengu's Disciple, Darkness in the Capital and The First Samurai. All are included in both Complete Editions. Nioh 2 has 11 melee weapon types (Swords, Dual Swords, Spears, Splitstaff, Axes & Hammers, Kusarigamas, Odachis, Tonfas, Hatchets, Switchglaives and Fists) and 3 ranged types (Bows, Handcannons and Rifles). A third game, Nioh 3, was released on 6 February 2026.
Yokai occasionally drop Soul Cores. After you purify one at a shrine and attune it to your Guardian Spirit, it unlocks a Yokai Skill; the Enki core unlocks Monkey Dance and the Kasha core unlocks Hellfire Wheel.
High, Mid and Low stance each have their own moveset for every weapon. On PlayStation you change stance with R1 plus Triangle, Square or X.
Ki Pulse (R1 on PlayStation) recovers Ki after an attack. Burst Counter (R2 + Circle) interrupts attacks that carry the burst warning.
Enemies drop randomized gear, and weapons are split into 11 melee and 3 ranged types, each tied to particular attributes.
Release facts, mechanics and boss details on this page were checked against these sources on 12 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.