Info about Nioh: Complete Edition:

Official game description:
Ready to die? Experience the newest brutal action game from Team NINJA and Koei Tecmo Games. In the age of samurai, a lone traveler lands on the shores of Japan. He must fight his way through the vicious warriors and supernatural Yokai that infest the land in order to find that which he seeks.  
The Complete Edition contains the full game, as well as the three expansions with additional story chapters: Dragon of the North, Defiant Honor, and Bloodshed's End.  
Dragon of the North  
This expansion opens up the Tohoku region, where the "one-eyed dragon" Date Masamune is secretly gathering spirit stones.  
Defiant Honor  
Fight your way through the Siege of Osaka's winter campaign as you follow the story of one of Japan's greatest generals from the Warring States period, the brave Sanada Yukimura.  
Bloodshed's End  
Join the summer campaign of the Siege of Osaka as the Warring States period draws to a close in this, the final chapter of William's tale.  
Steam Exclusive Bonus  
Enjoy wearing the "Dharmachakra Kabuto," a helmet exclusive to the Steam version of Nioh! You can claim yours by selecting "Boons" from a shrine.

Release date: Nov 7, 2017

Categories: Soulslike Combat, Action RPG, Loot System with Rarity, Stance Switching Mechanic, Co-op Multiplayer, Ninjutsu and Onmyo Magic, Boss Fights Including Duos, Grinding Mechanics

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 100; verdict: Tier 1: The Grinder; summary: The audit finds a strong Wiki Tax driven by external data dependency. The decisive evidence is the explicit mention of 'Smithing Text farming' and late-game grinding, which matches Tier 1 The Grinder under the strict priority rules. Users also report build and mechanics guide dependency, map and navigation confusion, and technical issues, but the Tier 1 farming trigger overrides those secondary themes for scoring.
- Proton/Linux: score 25; verdict: Minor Linux Friction; summary: The audit found limited Linux/Proton feedback. One user reports the game is the most playable on Linux with CachyOS/KDE, indicating good out-of-the-box compatibility. Another user reports a Linux-specific peripheral issue: the game does not recognize alternative mouse buttons, and Razer configuration software is not available on Linux, forcing them to use Windows. Overall, the game appears to run well on Linux, with minor input configuration friction.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The audit of Nioh on Steam Deck reveals a mixed but generally workable experience. Contrary to Steam's 'Unsupported' badge, multiple reviewers report the game runs well or 'perfectly' on the device, which is a notable positive. However, meaningful friction remains: the game effectively mandates a controller with unfriendly keyboard-mouse support, the menu/interface is widely described as unintuitive, and there are recurring reports of crashes, black-screen freezes, and general PC instability. The dominant technical concern is instability, while the controller requirement and confusing UI add recurring tinkering/adaptation overhead.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Low-end Windows cohorts trend positive, the 8-11GB and 12-15GB VRAM cohorts are negative, and the 16GB+ VRAM cohort is mixed due to persistent optimization complaints.
  - Sample size: 260 (7% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / <16GB RAM (positive, 85 reports): Reports are mostly positive: the game runs acceptably on low-end systems, though some users note stutters, weak keyboard and mouse optimization, and generally poor optimization.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (negative, 63 reports): Negative reports dominate, with users citing severe optimization problems, unstable frame rates, resolution locks, and stuttering even on high-VRAM systems.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM (positive, 42 reports): Mostly positive: users recommend the game and treat it as runnable across a wide range of hardware, but one reviewer questions whether it will be optimized.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (negative, 41 reports): Negative: the only included report describes frequent crashes, white and black screens, controller and audio failures, and other instability.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (mixed, 17 reports): Mixed: some high-end users recommend it despite stutters, FPS drops, and controller lag, while others report serious performance issues, high CPU temperatures, and a rough PC version.
  - Caveats: 260 of 3623 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently frame Nioh's value around its frequent deep discounts rather than its $49.99 base price. Repeated explicit anchors cluster at roughly $4-$5 ('worth the $5 it goes on sale for', 'picked it up on sale for 3.99', 'goes as low as $5 on sale'), while several reviewers cap acceptable value near $10 and explicitly warn against paying full price. A minority accepts a somewhat higher ceiling, calling it 'worth the 12 or so dollars' on sale or 'worth your time and money even at full price,' and praising the sheer volume of content as justifying the cost. Non-English reviews reinforce the low anchor, with buyers citing roughly $4-$6 equivalent sale prices as great value while rating full-price value poorly. Taken together, the community treats the fair base-game price as far below the current $49.99, centered on roughly a $5-$15 range, with the low end driven by consistent sale pricing and the high end by those who accept paying modestly more for the extensive content.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 161.9h
  - Story completion: 25.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: 200.0h
  - Reasoning: gameCompletion is set from the explicit 100% Steam achievement report of 161.9 hours, which also notes 2+ playthroughs and full collectible/Abyss requirements. storyCompletion is set around 25 hours because one review states the main first playthrough took about 25 hours before entering DLC, with other reports supporting roughly 17-30 hours for the base campaign. endgame is set to 200 hours because one review reports being near 200 hours after finishing the story while still having much to do, and another reports 400 hours played after fully completing the game, indicating a very long post-story/NG+/Abyss tail. sessionLength is null because no review provides a clear typical single-session duration.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Nioh often begins rough due to a steep learning curve, punishing bosses, and an unclear tutorial, but many players say it becomes fun after they push through the early phase and start understanding the combat. Reports of immediate fun exist, while others find the late game or DLC repetitive.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: After the early rough phase
  - Time to anchor: 20h 0m
  - Friction: Brutal, discouraging early game and steep learning curve.; Tutorial poorly explains Ki and Living Weapons.; Punishing early and tutorial bosses with repeated deaths.; Poor keyboard and mouse prompts and awkward default controls.; Limited healing and tedious healing-item farming.; Maze-like level design and unfair enemy placements.
  - Unlock drivers: Pushing through the early brutal phase.; Understanding the combat system.; Learning Ki and choosing a weapon that fits your style.; Animation cancelling, build experimentation, and loot progression.; Improving gear and personal skill until content becomes clearable.; No longer treating every mission as a 100% clear.
  - Conditions: If players push through the early game.; If players learn the combat and Ki systems.; If players find a weapon that matches their style.; If players enjoy Diablo-style loot and build crafting.; If players use a controller.; If players play co-op with friends.; If players tolerate grinding and repetition.; If players engage with NG+ cycles and late-game loot.
- Player Archetypes:
  - Hardcore Souls Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: To overcome punishing difficulty and prove mastery through repeated boss attempts and refined combat.
    - Playstyle: Learns enemy patterns, uses stance switching and ki pulse, dodges and blocks precisely, and treats each death as a lesson.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Elden Ring; Sekiro
  - Build Optimization Grinder (buy)
    - Motivation: To endlessly experiment with builds, loot, and optimization paths across repeated playthroughs.
    - Playstyle: Farms gear, reruns missions and NG+ cycles, mixes weapon skills, stats, ninjutsu, and onmyo magic, and min-maxes equipment sets.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Diablo; Ninja Gaiden; Monster Hunter; Dark Souls
  - Co-op Adventurer (sale)
    - Motivation: To share the punishing campaign with a friend and progress together through co-op missions.
    - Playstyle: Uses Torii Gate, summons partners, clears missions together, and values shared loot, achievements, and coordinated boss fights.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Dark Souls 3
  - Patient Souls Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: To experience a Souls-like for the first time with tools that make the challenge manageable.
    - Playstyle: Uses ninjutsu, onmyo magic, summons, and simple weapon strategies; learns slowly and relies on accessibility options.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: first souls-like; bad at action games
    - Reference games: Dark Souls


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Outstanding Combat System (weight 0.28): The combat system is widely praised as exceptional, with depth, technicality, and satisfying feedback. Many reviewers consider it the game's strongest aspect and among the best in the genre.
- Engaging Gameplay Experience (weight 0.2): The core gameplay loop is highly enjoyable, responsive, and addictive, making the game fun and engaging for a wide audience.
- Weapon Variety and Styles (weight 0.19): Players appreciate the wide range of weapons, each with unique moves, stances, and skills, offering diverse playstyles and strategic depth.
- Satisfying Boss Fights (weight 0.14): Boss encounters are well-designed, memorable, and offer unique mechanics and multiple phases. Defeating them provides immense satisfaction.
- Comparisons to Nioh 2 (weight 0.12): Many reviewers compare this game to Nioh 2, noting that while it is excellent, Nioh 2 is often considered slightly better overall in combat, builds, and design.
- Challenging but Rewarding Difficulty (weight 0.1): The game is often described as brutally difficult yet fair, with satisfying progression and a strong sense of accomplishment upon overcoming challenges.
- Solid Souls-like Experience (weight 0.05): The game is recognized as a strong entry in the souls-like genre, offering a unique and enjoyable take on the formula.
- Playstyle Flexibility and Build Variety (weight 0.05): Players have the freedom to experiment with different builds and playstyles, enhancing replayability and personal expression.
- Overall Positive Impressions (weight 0.05): General sentiment is positive, with many describing the game as good, decent, or interesting despite some flaws.

Common complaints:
- Poor keyboard and mouse support (weight 0.16): The game has poor keyboard and mouse adaptation, with controls designed for controllers and only controller button prompts shown, making it incomprehensible for PC players.
- Enemies deal excessive damage (weight 0.14): Enemies hit extremely hard, often taking half or more of the player's health in a single hit, leading to frequent one-shots and stun locks.
- Enemy variety is lacking (weight 0.12): Many reviewers note repetitive enemy types, scarce variety, and reused monsters throughout the campaign, making combat feel monotonous.
- Forgettable and bland story (weight 0.09): The narrative is average, forgettable, and uninteresting, failing to engage players.
- Side missions reuse maps (weight 0.08): Side missions often reuse the same maps or smaller/reversed versions, with slightly varied enemies, leading to repetition.
- Brutal early game difficulty (weight 0.08): The early game is excessively punishing and discouraging, with a brutal difficulty curve that may drive new players away.
- Punishing difficulty with one-hit deaths (weight 0.08): The game is extremely punishing with nearly one-hit deaths throughout, causing repeated player deaths.
- Poor stat and weapon balance (weight 0.07): Stats feel arbitrarily designed and poorly balanced, with terrible numerical balance affecting character and weapon effectiveness.
- Bosses are overly difficult (weight 0.06): Bosses are extremely hard, with ridiculous difficulty and too much health, making battles frustrating.
- PC optimization issues (weight 0.06): PC optimization is poor or non-existent, though some note issues don't interfere with experience.
- Heavy enemy stacking (weight 0.06): Enemies stack in large numbers, causing mobs especially in later levels, overwhelming the player.
- Unreasonable difficulty curve (weight 0.05): Difficulty curve is poorly designed with extreme spikes after certain points, making progression frustrating.
- Annoying map design (weight 0.04): Map design is intentionally annoying, with horrendous layouts that feel hellish to navigate.
- Ugly graphics (weight 0.04): Graphics are considered ugly and terrible, detracting from the visual experience.
- Clunky and imprecise controls (weight 0.04): Controls feel clunky and imprecise, even with a controller, making gameplay difficult.
- Repetitive gameplay over time (weight 0.04): The game becomes tedious and repetitive over time, with certain elements feeling monotonous.
- Unsatisfactory level design (weight 0.04): Map and level design are unsatisfactory, with bad enemy placement dragging down the overall experience.
- Unfair DLC difficulty (weight 0.04): DLC difficulty is unfair compared to the base game, representing an obscene step up that feels unbalanced.

Gameplay feedback:
- Soulslike Action RPG Design (weight 0.17): The game is widely described as a Soulslike action RPG with mission-based structure and its own style and pace. It borrows from the Dark Souls formula while incorporating platforming and hack-and-slash elements.
- Stance Switching Mechanic (weight 0.17): A stance mechanic is present, allowing players to switch between stances that affect attacks, parries, and dodges. It is often combined with skill systems for varied combat approaches.
- Loot System with Rarity (weight 0.12): The game features a randomized loot system with item rarity, dismantling, and inventory management options. Enemies drop abundant equipment, encouraging frequent gear upgrades.
- Stamina and Ki Management (weight 0.12): Combat revolves around stamina or Ki management, with attacking consuming stamina and a limited starting bar. The Ki Pulse mechanic is central for stamina control during fights.
- Side Missions and Quests (weight 0.12): Players note the presence of side missions and quests that aid character development and provide rewards, including as post-game content. These coexist with a main mission structure.
- Boss Fights Including Duos (weight 0.12): Boss fights are a core feature, with mentions of double boss encounters, including two-on-one fights and DLC bosses. They are a recurring highlight in player feedback.
- Combo and Combat Depth (weight 0.11): The combat system emphasizes aggressive combos, technical moves, and abilities, with a focus on intricate mechanics. It is described as combo-heavy and central to the gameplay experience.
- Challenging Boss Encounters (weight 0.11): Bosses present specific weaknesses and a difficulty curve, with the first boss being a significant challenge. Later bosses, like the second, act as skill walls requiring repeated attempts.
- Co-op Multiplayer Support (weight 0.09): The game supports co-op multiplayer for up to two players, including a shared revival bar that depletes on death. Some versions also feature PvP alongside co-op.
- Keyboard and Mouse Support (weight 0.07): Players confirm that the game supports keyboard and mouse controls, though some note the absence of keyboard input in certain contexts. The control scheme is a notable point of discussion.
- Ki Pulse and Stance Combat (weight 0.07): Combat features a fast, weighty system integrating Ki Pulse and stance switching, with three distinct stances. These mechanics are highlighted as core to the combat flow.
- Weapon Variety and Styles (weight 0.07): The game offers multiple weapon types, each with unique characteristics, strengths, and playstyles, including axes, spears, swords, and more. This variety supports diverse combat approaches.
- Ninjutsu and Onmyo Magic (weight 0.07): Equipment, Guardian Spirits, Ninjutsu, and Onmyo Magic systems are integral, enabling various builds. Players can utilize these systems for strategic advantages in combat.
- Multi-Enemy Battles (weight 0.06): Players frequently encounter combat against multiple enemies, including boss fights with several foes. This adds complexity and challenge to encounters.

Performance notes:
- PC Optimization Poor (weight 0.14): Many players report non-existent or terrible PC optimization, with frequent stuttering and frame drops even on high-end hardware. This is a widespread issue affecting the overall experience.
- Frequent Crashes and Freezes (weight 0.1): Crashes, freezes, and white/black screens occur regularly on PC, sometimes requiring multiple restarts per session. Specific triggers include skill preview videos and Bluetooth conflicts.
- General PC Technical Issues (weight 0.06): Various technical issues on PC are reported, including input delays and menu glitches. These contribute to a poor overall experience.
- Positive Optimization Experiences (weight 0.06): A few players report the game is very optimized or runs smoothly on various systems, including old and current computers. However, these are isolated cases.
- FPS Capped at 60 (weight 0.06): The game restricts frame rate to 60 FPS with no option to go higher, which limits performance on capable systems. Some players note the cap feels inconsistent or higher.
- Bluetooth Controller Conflicts (weight 0.04): Performance issues arise when Bluetooth controllers are connected, causing stutters and sound problems. The game may run better without them.
- Runs Well on Steam Deck (weight 0.03): Despite being marked 'Unsupported', the game plays very well on Steam Deck according to some users. This suggests potential compatibility beyond official labels.
- Frame Drops During Boss Fights (weight 0.03): The game sometimes drops frames during boss fights on PC, affecting combat performance. Players note it could be smoother.
- Visual Experience Better on PC (weight 0.03): Some players find the PC version visually superior despite optimization issues. This highlights a trade-off between performance and graphics.
- Game Cannot Start (weight 0.02): Some users report the game fails to start entirely. This is a critical issue preventing access to the game.
- Black Screen During Cutscenes (weight 0.02): A black screen appears when cutscenes start, causing boss fights to restart even on low settings. This disrupts gameplay progression.
- Steam Port Anti-Aliasing Issue (weight 0.02): The Steam version crashes unless anti-aliasing is disabled in GPU settings. This workaround indicates a specific compatibility bug.
- Severe Flickering and Headaches (weight 0.02): Severe flickering occurs, causing headaches after playing for a while. This health-related issue is serious for affected players.
- Frame Skipping at High Render Scale (weight 0.02): Setting render scale to high causes severe frame skipping and optimization problems. Players must lower settings to avoid this.
- Sound Cuts Out Constantly (weight 0.02): Audio cuts out frequently during gameplay, disrupting immersion. This is a recurring technical issue.
- Controller Input Failures After Respawn (weight 0.02): After respawning, controller inputs sometimes stop being acknowledged. This can hinder gameplay progress.
- Controller Unresponsive or Unrecognized (weight 0.02): Controllers may become unresponsive or not be recognized by the game. This affects players using various controller types.
- Minor Bugs Reported (weight 0.02): Some players encounter minor bugs that do not severely impact the experience. These are less critical than other issues.

Recommendations:
- Excellent for Souls-like enthusiasts (weight 0.18): Many praise the game as a great Souls-like, recommending it to fans of the genre. It is frequently called one of the best in the genre.
- Nioh 1 beginner-friendly entry (weight 0.12): Many reviewers consider Nioh 1 the most beginner-friendly entry point, recommending it before Nioh 2 or Nioh 3. However, some suggest starting with Nioh 2 instead for a smoother introduction to the series.
- Overwhelmingly positive and recommended (weight 0.1): A large number of reviews give strong, unconditional recommendations. Players express high satisfaction and wholeheartedly endorse the game.
- Great for complex combat and challenge (weight 0.09): Fans of deep combat systems and brutal challenges highly recommend this game. It is praised for its difficulty and the satisfaction of mastering its mechanics.
- Purchase primarily on sale (weight 0.07): A recurring recommendation is to buy the game only when discounted. Reviewers feel the full price may not be justified, but the game becomes worthwhile at a reduced cost.
- Requires patience and tolerance (weight 0.05): The game is considered a gem for patient players, but not suitable for those who get frustrated easily or lack patience. It demands a calm approach.
- Conditional recommendation based on preferences (weight 0.05): Some reviewers recommend the game only if you are not strictly looking for a Souls-like experience. If you dislike action games, it may not be for you.
- Strong recommendation for franchise fans (weight 0.05): Players who already enjoy the Nioh series or are coming from Nioh 3 highly recommend this game. It is seen as a must-play for those invested in the franchise.
- Worth the price at full (weight 0.04): Several reviewers find the game worth its full price, not just on sale. They feel the content and experience justify the cost.
- Not worth time or money (weight 0.04): A subset of reviewers strongly advises against buying this game, calling it a waste of money and not even worth a very low price. They feel it is not worth the investment.
- Mixed personal dislike and non-recommendation (weight 0.04): Some reviewers personally dislike the game and cannot recommend it, often stating they do not want to play it again. This sentiment appears in a small but notable group.
- Controller strongly recommended (weight 0.03): Using a controller is highly recommended for the best experience. Keyboard and mouse are said to ruin the gameplay.
- Recommended for co-op and gear progression (weight 0.03): Players who enjoy cooperative play and gear progression recommend this game. It is seen as particularly enjoyable for those aspects.
- Alternatives like Dark Souls preferred (weight 0.03): Some reviewers suggest playing other similar games such as Dark Souls, Elden Ring, or Bloodborne instead. They feel those titles offer a better experience.
- Avoid buying game and DLC (weight 0.03): A small group explicitly advises against purchasing the game and its DLC. They do not recommend spending money on it.

Other player notes:
- Dark Souls comparison prevalence (weight 0.25): Many reviewers compare the game to Dark Souls and other soulslikes, noting similarities in mechanics, complexity, and atmosphere. Some state that souls elements do not fit well, while others appreciate the unique identity despite the comparisons.
- DLC content included (weight 0.12): The game includes DLC content, with some versions bundling all DLCs. Reviewers note the presence of three DLCs and additional content like New Game+.
- Nioh 2 improves over Nioh 1 (weight 0.12): Reviewers widely consider Nioh 2 to be better than Nioh 1, with improvements in balance, mechanics, and overall quality. Nioh 1 is seen as less polished and more experimental.
- FromSoftware game comparisons (weight 0.09): The game is frequently compared to FromSoftware titles like Sekiro and Elden Ring, with comparisons focusing on structure and gameplay style. However, reviewers note it is not a simple clone and has its own identity.
- PC port of console game (weight 0.08): The game is a console port to PC, available on both PS4 and PC. Reviewers note it is a port from another platform.
- Interest in Nioh 2 and Nioh 3 (weight 0.07): Reviewers express intent to move to Nioh 2 after finishing Nioh, and mention Nioh 3 as upcoming. Some compare the game to Nioh 2 and Nioh 3 as alternatives.
- Comparison to Nioh and Onimusha (weight 0.06): Some reviewers compare the game to Nioh 2 and Onimusha, highlighting similarities in setting and gameplay. These comparisons often mention the game's feudal Japan setting.
- Nioh 1 as franchise foundation (weight 0.05): Nioh 1 is regarded as the foundation of the franchise and a solid entry point, despite being known for its high difficulty. It is the first installment in the series.
- Compared to Nioh 1 and Nioh 2 (weight 0.04): The game is compared to Nioh 1 and Nioh 2, with some calling it the Dark Souls 1 of the Nioh series. Reviewers also compare it to FromSoftware's Souls games.
- Soulslike and Ninja Gaiden hybrid (weight 0.04): The game is described as a hybrid of soulslike mechanics, Diablo-like loot, and Ninja Gaiden-style action. Comparisons to Ninja Gaiden and Diablo are common.
- Sengoku period historical setting (weight 0.04): The game features a Sengoku period setting with real historical figures and Japanese aesthetics. Reviewers highlight the historical names and Nobunaga/Tokugawa era.
- New Game Plus availability (weight 0.04): The game includes a New Game Plus system with scaling enemy difficulty and multiple playthroughs. Reviewers mention the loop and difficulty tiers.
- Long development time noted (weight 0.04): The game was allegedly in development for over a decade, a point mentioned by several reviewers. This long development cycle is often noted in reviews.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.25): Players frequently report frustration due to brutal early-game difficulty with enemies dealing extreme damage and one-shot kills, combined with poorly designed level layouts that include traps and maze-like structures. Severe technical issues such as poor keyboard and mouse controls, crashes, and broken lock-on systems are compounded by unfair boss fights and forced multi-enemy encounters that can wipe players quickly.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Disappointment stems from the game failing to meet expectations as a souls-like, with generic story, dated graphics, and heavy asset reuse across maps and enemies. The overly complex and unbalanced systems, grind-heavy progression, and poor PC optimization make the experience feel like a lazy port that loses its appeal in later playthroughs and DLC.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.1): Players enjoy the deep, fast-paced combat system featuring multiple stances, ki pulse mechanics, and varied weapon playstyles, which becomes highly satisfying once mastered. The co-op experience, progression, and the challenge itself are frequently cited as reasons for continued enjoyment despite the game's difficulty.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Satisfaction comes from overcoming challenging bosses and mastering complex mechanics like ki pulse and stance switching, leading to a strong sense of progression and achievement. Completing all achievements or the Abyss provides a rewarding experience despite the initial difficulty.
- Love (weight 0.04): Players express love for the game due to its rewarding combat loop, deep mechanics, and the perfect blend of Ninja Gaiden-style action with souls-like elements. The setting, character design, and the game's ability to make players feel powerful after learning its systems contribute to a lasting affection.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement is driven by the intricate combat system, build variety, and the thrill of mastering new weapons and abilities. The game's replayability, intense boss fights, and anticipation for sequels keep players engaged and eager to explore more content.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger arises from perceived artificial difficulty, unfair enemy placement, and poorly designed bosses that feel cheap and frustrating. Technical issues like broken lock-on, input-reading AI, and long run-backs further exacerbate the feeling that the game is intentionally punishing rather than fair.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance is caused by minor but persistent issues such as the lock-on system switching targets unexpectedly, lack of keyboard and mouse prompts, and tedious map traversal. Repeated deaths from environmental hazards, grinding for resources, and unskippable animations add to the irritation.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom sets in due to repetitive level design, enemy variety, and a grind-heavy endgame that turns into a farming chore. The Abyss and late-game content are often described as monotonous with little variation.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise is felt when the game exceeds expectations, particularly in its deep combat system and the hybrid of genres that works better than anticipated. Players are also surprised by the difficulty, which is higher than expected even for a souls-like.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Disgust is triggered by cheap enemy placements, such as mob stacking in side quests, and maps that feel designed to frustrate players with dark, unclear environments and unfair mechanics. The perceived developer intent to annoy players contributes to this strong negative reaction.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Addiction stems from the satisfying and complex combat system that becomes hard to put down once mastered, coupled with a rewarding loot and progression loop. The difficulty and constant challenge keep players engaged despite flaws.
- Discomfort (weight 0.01): Discomfort is primarily caused by overly dark and foggy environments that strain the eyes, along with harsh color palettes and poor lighting. The overall gameplay experience can feel physically uncomfortable due to these visual issues.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is directed at the depth and variety of the combat system, the historical authenticity of teachers and martial arts schools, and the excellent action mechanics. The game's ambitious design and beautiful character models also earn respect.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from unclear game systems, lack of keyboard and mouse UI, and a story that assumes knowledge of Japanese history. The blending of soulslike and action game elements without proper explanation leaves players unsure of how to progress.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Appreciation is expressed for the masterfully done combat system, deep equipment progression, and the immersive Japanese setting and lore. The game is seen as an underrated souls-like with excellent boss mechanics and story content.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement comes from humorous design quirks, such as the lock-on system spasming during boss fights, and absurd moments like an enemy instantly turning 180 degrees. These unintentional comedic elements provide lighthearted relief.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Dissatisfaction is caused by overly complex systems, bad PC controls, and poor boss designs, especially double boss fights. Weak gear drops and minimal reward for progress further diminish the experience.
- Fun (weight 0.01): Fun is derived from the combat system, co-op play, and equipment customization, with the later parts of the game being particularly enjoyable after pushing through the early difficulty. The variety of bosses and mechanics keeps the experience entertaining.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief is felt upon unlocking Onmyo magic to ease boss fights, or when finally beating a tough boss, though it often feels more like the end of torture than achievement. Completing all achievements also brings relief.}