Both Nioh (and its sequel) and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stand as landmark titles in the realm of samurai-themed action games. Each draws from Japan’s feudal past, but they do so with sharply different philosophies. While Nioh leans into RPG systems and historical-fantasy hybrid storytelling, Sekiro presents a tight, singular vision grounded in skill-based swordplay and narrative structure. Comparing them is not just a matter of mechanics or difficulty, but of intent.
Combat and Mechanics
Nioh is built for customisation. Players select from a variety of weapons, each with distinct movesets, and are encouraged to tinker with builds, stances, elemental effects, and magic. It borrows heavily from the Dark Souls formula, but layers on Japanese martial arts-inspired flourishes. The inclusion of Ki management (essentially stamina) and the Ki Pulse system rewards precision, but allows room for experimentation. The presence of loot and gear scaling also means Nioh can feel closer to an ARPG at times.
Sekiro, by contrast, is far more focused. There are no character stats to allocate, no weapon classes to switch between. The game hinges on mastery of one combat system: posture-breaking duels based on rhythm, deflection, and observation. Every enemy encounter, from footsoldiers to bosses, demands a grasp of timing and patience. It is less about builds and more about pure mechanical skill.
Setting and Storytelling
Nioh tells a fantastical story loosely tied to historical events and figures, using yokai, legendary warriors, and foreign alchemists. The first game follows William Adams, a real-life English sailor turned samurai, while the second gives players a custom protagonist. Its narrative unfolds through missions and cutscenes, but often lacks cohesion due to its segmented structure.
Sekiro tells a focused, tightly-wound tale of loyalty and duty in a mythologised Sengoku-era setting. Its environments are interconnected, echoing the structure of earlier FromSoftware titles like Bloodborne, and its storytelling is laced with subtlety. Themes of honour, decay, and resurrection are deeply embedded in the level design, boss fights, and side characters. There’s less freedom, but more dramatic weight.
Boss Design and Challenge
Boss fights are a centrepiece for both series. Nioh offers a wide range of human and yokai bosses, but they vary in quality. Some lean too heavily on spectacle or elemental gimmicks, while others provide genuinely rewarding tests of skill. The ability to summon other players or use overpowered builds can diminish the challenge if desired.
Sekiro is ruthless but fair. Its bosses are designed as martial puzzles, each with tight attack patterns and minimal room for error. There is no co-op or RPG safety net. This purist approach can be frustrating, but when it clicks, the satisfaction is unrivalled.
Visual and Audio Design
Visually, Nioh is dense and stylised, with armour and weapons that shimmer with mystical energy. Environments range from haunted villages to storm-battered castles, though some assets are reused across levels. The music is serviceable, but not particularly distinctive.
Sekiro is cleaner and more cinematic. Environments are built with verticality and exploration in mind, often showcasing stunning vistas and atmospheric lighting. Its soundtrack, steeped in traditional Japanese instrumentation, enhances the weight of every encounter.
The Seven Swords takeaway
Nioh excels in variety, depth, and customisation. It offers tremendous replay value, especially for players who enjoy buildcraft and loot-driven progression. Sekiro strips away all excess to deliver a sharply focused experience, where every duel is a test of understanding and execution.
If you’re drawn to precision combat and narrative elegance, Sekiro holds the edge. But for those who want freedom, depth, and a broader slice of supernatural samurai warfare, Nioh may prove more enduring. Ultimately, both are among the best samurai games ever made, and which one is “better” depends on how you define mastery.
