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Here's when you'll be able to play the Nioh 2 open beta

...and nope, there won't be an easy mode.

If you're itching to lay your hands on the next Nioh game sooner rather than later, I have good news - Team Ninja has confirmed an open beta for the upcoming action RPG will launch in early November on PlayStation 4.

"Yokai hunters, ready to face the Dark Realm?" teases PlayStation on Twitter. "Play the Nioh 2 Open Beta starting November 1 to 10, available at PS Store."

While Team Ninja also showcased new Nioh 2 gameplay at Tokyo Game Show, producer Fumihiko Yasuda reportedly confirmed in a behind-closed-doors TGS presentation hosted by Sony Interactive Entertainment that while there'll be new multiplayer modes, there won't be an easy setting - and the difficulty will stack the more players you have to help you out.

"The game is a so-called Masocore game, so we want the difficulty to be the same for everyone, even if you may be able to see people beat the bosses on YouTube and that sort of stuff," reports Twinfinite.

"Yet we do have things to help out players, for example, the Benevolent Graves and three-player multiplayer, and we do think those will be a big helping hand for people to beat the game."

Nioh 2 is set for release sometime in 2020 on PlayStation 4. As yet, there's no confirmation if/when the sequel will be coming to PC. The PS4 demo is expected to be available for all, regardless of whether or not you're a paid-up PS+ subscriber.

Digital Foundry went hands-on with Nioh 2 in May. John said: "Based on what we've seen so far, Nioh 2 is shaping up as a solid sequel that perhaps plays it a little too safely, but that's OK - the original is one of the better action games of the generation and I'm eager to see what Nioh 2 ultimately delivers when it launches. If Team Ninja can cut down some of the grindy elements that persisted in the original, this could be an even better game."

Cover image for YouTube video7 tips to get you started in Nioh (new gameplay)