The New Game + modes are also fantastic, as they change enemy placement and other subtle changes that is much more than just dialing up enemy health and damage. This can all be a bit overwhelming, but overall if you stick with the game and learn its systems it is very rewarding. It's just a sham to have to slog through it all as it just gets tiresome after awhile to have to constantly sell piles of useless items.

BUT - once you reach the end-game and start getting divine weapons to refine your character build, the loot system turns around again and becomes very rewarding as you try to craft a perfect set for your build.

The system works overall, I just feel like there's a little too much loot. But on the plus side, finding a rare weapon of a type that you haven't tried yet encourages you to keep trying new things. It's just a bit of chore to have to clear out your inventory after every mission. There is also a diablo-like loot mechanic, which I think is one of the few negatives of the game.

So in addition to the samurai, ninjitsu, and onmyo options, you can build a character around having strong guardian spirit as well. As you kill enemies, your spirit gauge builds up which lets you enter into a 'super' mode when full. There is also a 'guardian spirit' system, which is kind of like a spirit animal that follows you around. On top of the melee system (which you use 'samurai points' to level), you have 'ninjutsu' points (throwing weapons, traps, other tricks), and 'onmyo' points (magic). You have three stances which each have several attacks, so you have exponentially more options in combat than in the soulsborne formula. So the system encourages you to learn your entire move set and how to string together combos using different weapons. Team Ninja took the Dark Souls stamina system and added a combo system where you can regain your stamina by switching your stances and weapons and using different move sets. You have three stances This game is overall really enjoyable.

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