Having finished the beta I can safely say that Nioh 2 is a better Nioh in every regard. The combat, as seen by the video above, has a high skill ceiling and players can really express themselves with how they use Nioh 2s various systems. The level design is an extremely fun linear interconnecting maze. The music is a massive step above Nioh. Game has a fun and enjoyable art style, especially with Yokai designs which range from cute to terrifying.
The RPG mechanics are my favorite RPG mechanics in any RPG ever. That is because like Nioh, Nioh 2 encourages players to create as broken a build as possible while nerfing various abilities and items that were too trivial (like my infinite kisarigama combos that broke all human enemies or sloth talismans). Proficiency has become a major focus in 2 and all for the better as it lets us level up our stats more liberally while still allowing us to upgrade omnyo and ninjutsu. Building YOUR character is now a reality. While we could craft William into so many amazing different builds, there has been so many additions to skills that the breadth of builds possible is insane.
Additions like Yokai forms, burst counters, and soul cores all play so wonderfully into the ither systems. It feels so natural. I will argue burst counters need a bit of a buff but that can be done before release.
Theres just so much to love about Nioh 2 and itd easily be GOTY2020 if not for Destroy All Humans Remake
