Exploration and combat | Gameplay mechanics | NiOh NiOh Guide

This section of NiOh game guide includes the most important information regarding exploring consecutive locations (secrets, hidden passages, loot) and fighting enemies (stances, weapons, armor, enemy numbers).

• Exploration
• Combat

Exploration

Many times during your journeys you can come across bodies that can be searched.

At a first glance, locations in NiOh may look rather linear and simple. But, after taking a second look, it can be said that in Japan there are some interesting locations worth visiting. During your journey you can get a lot of items, scattered around a map. You can come across bodies that can be searched or big and small chests that can contain an interesting equipment or elixir that you can use in your adventure. Look in every cranny because I had numerous situations where, in least expected places, I found an interesting part of armor or Kodama.

Combat

Most of the times, the combat is very dynamic.

NiOh is an action game so everything, that is connected with combat, is very well developed here. In the beginning we must choose which type of weapon our character must use. We decide about our primary weapon, for example, axe or sword. We also have to choose alternative weapon. This choice has an impact on your initial statistics.

In the bottom right corner you can see the stance menu from which you can choose the preferable one.

Another element connected with combat and tactics are the stances. There are three types: high, mid and low. High stance is best suited for a fight where you want to deal a lot of attacks which makes it a very offensive oriented stance. Your attacks deal a lot of damage but its flaw is the defense because it can be easily overcome. Mid stance allows you to balance both offensive and defensive elements. Here, your attacks are not as powerful as with high stance but your blocks are stronger which has a big impact on the gameplay. The last, low stance is a typical defensive stance - your blocks are hard to overcome but your attacks lack the power of other stances.

There is a lot of equipment in the game.

In the game, you can get different types of equipment. Cold steel, such as swords, axes or spears. Projectile weapons, such as bows or rifles. You can also use Ninja skills, which you can develop during the game by using the gained points. Also, you can use Onmyo magic. The ability to use it is also developed when you gain the experience for your character.

The combat becomes harder when you are surrounded by enemies.

During the combat you must remember about a few rules. The first and most important is to choose your enemies wisely. The game itself, during loading screens, tells us that fighting with more than one enemy at the same time means a certain death. And that is true. When you are surrounded, it is hard to win without a scratch. The next rule is to learn your enemies' behaviors. After a short observation you can know what their body language means and how does their attacks look like. This is the key to success because when you know that a given attack has finished, you can go on full offensive and make an attack that will take a lot of health points.