Nioh is a game of the genre known as Souls-like. That is, it is a game that is relentlessly difficult, but at the same time fair, where you have to manage your stamina, return to the point where you died to avoid losing resources, and open shortcuts to checkpoints to return faster after each death.

But what sets it apart are the following:
* The loot is randomized, meaning you find it in large quantities, and you can identify/roll the good pieces of the same item that have statistics that match your build, while breaking/selling/ignoring the rest. Those who have played games like Diablo 3 will feel right at home.
* The weapons are divided into types with specific moves for each, but each weapon type has a huge repertoire of moves, 3 different stances that change the way you play, as well as many additional moves and tricks that can be learned by spending skill points. This means that even if you build your character around a specific weapon type, you will constantly discover new tricks.
* In addition to managing your own Ki (stamina), you also have to pay attention to the enemy's stamina. If your Ki or that of other human enemies drops below 0 due to attacks or damage, you will be stunned and vulnerable to critical attacks (the same goes for enemies). The demons you fight lose and regain Ki much more slowly, and if they run out, you can stun-lock them until they perform a move that replenishes it.
* The world is divided into stages and missions, many of which are repeated when you do side quests. However, what it lacks in unity, it makes up for in size, as each stage is huge with many secrets to discover.
* The game has a mechanic called ki pulse, where by pressing a button at the right moment, you can quickly regain the ki you just spent.
* Finally, when things get tough, you can use your Guardian Spirit to become all-powerful for a short period of time.

The games take place during the end of the historical period of the Warring States in Japan, but with the addition of demons (yokai). The story often suffers from this, as many important figures from history and mythology make their appearance and disappear just as quickly, which as a non-Japanese player, you may have no idea who they are, what their significance is, and why you should care.
In the first game, you control Adam Williams (a historical figure), a pirate who worked for the British Empire and after a disastrous journey, ends up in the then-isolated Japan and becomes the first Western samurai. In the game, Adam travels to Japan and teams up with Tokugawa (another historical figure) because the alchemist Edward Kelley (another historical figure) stole his Guardian Spirit, which had unique properties, to use it in a conspiracy that prolongs the civil war.
In the second game, your character, which you create, is a half-human, half-demon. It takes place shortly before and during the events of the first game, where your character teams up with a merchant named Tōkichirō and a demon hunter named Mumyo to profit from the turmoil, but end up playing a significant role in the war.

In the online aspect, there are the usual suspects with PVP and co-op. You can summon AI versions of players who died on the track to defeat them and get loot like the items they were wearing when they died. In the second game, you can also summon friendly versions of players who died to help for a period of time.

Both games are fantastic and huge. They include all the DLC and expansions that were released, as well as many graphical improvements. The second game improves many mechanics that were touched upon in the first game and is a must for everyone.
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Hints for beginners:
* The bosses in the early stages of the first game are very difficult, especially for beginners. Especially Hino Enma in the second stage and Nue in the third. Be patient as the rest are generally more manageable.
* Learn to do ki pulse. It is essential for conserving ki, clearing yokai corruption on the floor, and as the game progresses, it will assume that you have mastered it.
* Learn to do Yokai burst in the second game. It interrupts the most dangerous attacks, leaves enemies vulnerable, buffs you based on the skills you invested in, and the game will assume that you have learned it when it increases the difficulty.
* You can learn Backstab as a Ninja skill in both games. In the first game, you can learn it immediately by finding it in the Skill tree. In the second game, it is a bit more difficult as it has a prerequisite.
* The odachi (long sword) is a weapon that was introduced in the expansion of the first game along with the tonfa. It is not user-friendly as its full combos tend to automatically change your stance, so I do not recommend it for beginners.
* Magic, Ninjutsu, and spirits in the first game are generally support tricks. Do not solely build your character around these statistics.
* Always wear an item or spirit that gives Kodama sense, the first time you play each stage, to find and collect them all on the first go.
* The Sloth Talisman in magic is very powerful. You may want to persist or avoid it depending on the challenge you want from the game.
* After the apparent end of the first game, an additional mission appears as an epilogue, in the form of a ship. Do not ignore it.