Yes, Nioh 2 is a pre-mid-sequel to Nioh 2 since you don't play the same character as in Nioh 1.
There are overlapping characters between both but.
Also I'm saying you should play 2 before 1 because the gameplay is much more polished and there are a lot of QoL changes, Nioh 1 would just feel clunky.
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Going through the DLC now, idk if it's because i'm overleveled but steam roll most of the bosses, only Yoshitsune gave me legit trouble, died a lot of times the the Umiyudo boss because I kept hitting the tentacles instead of the face
There's still Ashiya Doman and Ren Hayabusa
Also anyone else farm smithing and skill texts? Sacred Bird Cry looks epic and also fills your Yokai shift gauge.
Also sucks the protag doesn't get any romance options, like Vergil-but-she's-a-Waifu here