Best Nioh 2 Settings In 2023

The majority of players are trying to enjoy its perfect Fantasy RPG that gets topped by decent Hack and Slash combat. However, the game runs very terribly, and the most common problem seems to be stuttering. Sometimes, there are also crashes, but for that, we have addressed a very accurate solution. As always, we look forward to providing optimized settings for Nioh 2 Guide for PC Players.

All things considered, we found the best Nioh 2 PC Settings and also further enhanced it through some Windows 10 Optimizations. Altogether, these resulted in a tremendous FPS Boost, and we also got rid of the Stuttering Problem. If you are in the same loop of finding a good Nioh 2 Performance guide, this is the right place. Besides, Divine Gear is also around the corner.

Our guide is divided into three parts. The first one would focus on Nioh 2 in-game settings, while the second will suggest an important AMD/Nvidia Graphics preset. And the third is all about Windows 10 tweaks that will enhance your PC for Gaming.

More Settings Guide: Escape From Tarkov: Best Settings

Before we do all these, It is imperative that you first match your system requirements with Nioh 2’s. Likewise, also create a restore point, in case of any accidental change we didn’t suggest.

Windows 10 Optimizations For Nioh 2

As explained in the first segment of the guide. The last part would contain some necessary Windows 10 Optimizations that will further improve FPS In Nioh 2 and also assist in stopping stutters. These optimizations are entirely safe, and done within Windows 10, so you don’t have to download any external softwares. Keep in mind that these optimizations will not only have a positive impact on your Nioh 2 Performance. But they will also provide additional benefits across all games and help make your Windows 10 more faster.

Enable Game Mode

Fire and foremost, enable Game Mode for maximum FPS Boost in Nioh 2. This feature validates the lack of performance in games and therefore allows the Hardware to run at maximum speeds. Besides, it also ensures that any background applications aren’t interrupting the process, which is usually the cause of stuttering. Microsoft specifically built the Game Mode feature in Windows 10 to assist gamers in high-performance games like Warzone.

1. Open Start > Type Game Mode Settings
2. Checkmark Game Mode

   

Make Sure Ultimate Performance is Enabled

Looking at the heading, you might be confused; what does Ultimate Performance mean? Well, this is a Power Plan Option that utilizes Hardware to the fullest. By default, the Windows 10 layout has a very balanced power plan that further contains numerous thresholds, and therefore Hardware cannot perform at maximum speeds. We did address this in Game Mode, but Ultimate Performance further substantiates this goal.

1. Copy this code given below and paste it inside Windows PowerShell
2. Afterwards, Open Edit Power Plan > Power Options > Checkmark Ultimate Performance

   

Increase Nioh 2 Priority

Suppose you have an RTX 3080 or a similar high-end Graphics Card, and you are still unable to get decent FPS in Nioh 2. Then, the primary reason could be the failure to fully utilize the GPU while playing the game. This problem has been around for a lot of time, and many users who do not bother checking their VRAM usage in MSI Afterburner fail to recognise it. In some cases, the game, mostly newer ones, for example Cyberpunk 2077, aren’t fully optimize to make the full use of the graphis card. This results in only 30 to 40 percent of the card being used, and therefore, you experience significantly lower FPS.

There are multiple ways to fix this, and what we have always recommended is turning up the GPU Priority from Windows 10 Graphics Profile. This feature is within the Windows itself, and does not require any third-party software. Besides, you can also count on this feature for safety purposes.

1. Through Search > Open Graphics Settings

   

2. Now add Nioh 2 through the Browse Button and set its Priority to High Performance

   

Delete Temp Files

By all means, if you aren’t here for the best Nioh 2 PC Settings Guide, then there are a decent amount of chances, your game is suffering from crashes. These crashes have many reasons, but if you want to eliminate any externalities related to the virus, this step is for you.

With that being said, most users who go through the process of uninstalling programs, fail to understand that these programs aren’t removed completely. They often have leftover files in folders like temp, potentially virus-infected, and burden your drive, which further results in slow speed. Make notes, that these files are completely useless, and apart from containing potential viruses and slowing your drive. They don’t have any purpose; you can delete them without any hesitation.

1. Search for %temp% in run

   

2. Click on CTRL + A on your Keyboard > Right Click Any File > Delete

   

3. Alongside this, you can also perform a Disk Cleanup that would have similar benefits and could further boost performance. Having said that, here is how you can perform a Disk Cleanup.
4. Right-Click the drive where Nioh 2 is installed > properties

   

5. Click on Disk Cleanup Under General Tab > Checkmark the files you want to remove (note these will be deleted permanently) > Click at “Clean Up System Files” and agree to administration details

   

Disable Unnecessary Startup Applications

In many cases, the CPU and Memory are the core components that cause Performance Problems in Nioh 2. These two components are continuously being utilized in Windows 10 by various third-party programs, that run in the background. Although, you might not always open these applications, but due to some tweaks, they are bound to start along your PC. In the same vein, once these are running simultaneously along Nioh 2, they are consistently squeezing a chunk of power, which significantly impacts your FPS.

In order to enhance it, you will have to disable all the unnecessary services and applications.

1. Through Run > Search And Open msconfig

   

2. Under Services Tab > Checkmark Hide All Microsoft Services > These include the important ones that are essential for Windows 10 usage
3. Afterward, from the new list, uncheck all application and click on apply plus ok
4. Go to Startup Tab and Disable All Applications That Have Startup Impact Higher Than Medium

Uncheck Hardware Acceleration

In most methods suggested above, we have already worked around reducing the CPU burden and prioritizing hardware for gaming. Besides, we have also taken the initiative to minimise crashings in Nioh 2 and further improve performance.

Other than these, there is also Hardware Acceleration, which is a new set of meta that enables the application to run differently, allowing it to unpack resources more efficiently. This does not have any major impact, on how the core functions of the application vary. Usually, the Hardware Acceleration feature is enabled within most third-party common applications, including Discord, Battle net, and Google Chrome.

Here is how you can disable this feature and improve performance across all games, including Nioh 2.

1. Under Google Chrome Settings > System > Uncheck “Use Hardware Acceleration when available.”

   

2. Proceed to Discord Settings >  Appearance > Uncheck Hardware Acceleration

   

3. Under Additional Mouse Options > Pointer Options > Uncheck Enhance Pointer Precision

   

If you are wondering what the Enhance Pointer Precision feature does; this consistently changes the DPI of your mouse, which further results in comfort as you move it at a different pace. Consequently, this also has drawbacks because it regularly changes the DPI; this feature relies on hardware. Thus, you can put it in the same definition bracket as Hardware Acceleration. Make notes that this feature also causes tremendous inconsistency across Competitive FPS games.

Disable Full-Screen Optimization and Xbox Game Bar

Although, Microsoft would throw you their marketing agenda, claiming Full-Screen Optimization purely enhances the gaming experience with improved performance. This isn’t precisely true; in fact, here at eXputer, we have benchmarked a list of games, and always found out that with full-screen optimization disabled, there were always better FPS with no problems as such related to crashings and stutters. This is also the case with Nioh 2, which is a new game, and has problems that could be easily addressed by this method.

Before we do that, every reader must know about Full-Screen Optimization; it was automatically turned on across most applications after the anniversary update. When enabled, the feature runs the program in borderless full-screen mode, which basically sets the meta of quickly Alt Tabbing, and minimizing more efficiently. This feature hasn’t been fully utilized across all games, and many including Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, seem to run in a weird-hybrid mode, that ultimately causes performance loss. There are two ways you can disable it, and both are checkmarks that you should be aware of.

1. Open Xbox Game Bar, which is one of the core purposes of Full-Screen Optimization

   

2. Now, Disable Everything across the Game Bar and Captures Tab

   

3. Once done, you now have to ensure it is manually disabled as well. This can be done through the Nioh 2 Game Properties.
4. Head over to compatibility mode > checkmark “Disable Full-Screen Optimization” and click on apply.

Nvidia Settings For Nioh 2

Under this section, we will configure Nioh 2 through the Nvidia Control Panel. This feature usually offers more in-depth game settings, since it is configured through external software that compromises more promising optimization. Keep in mind that this step is for Nvidia Users, and for AMD Users, we would recommend scrolling down. Or, you could also copy the AMD Tweaks from Rainbow Six Siege settings, which are renowned.

Having said that, first things first, make sure that your Nvidia Drivers are updated to the latest version. This is important as Nvidia recently released its WHQL 461.72 Drivers, which has added DLSS along with several other features to Nioh 2. The drivers can be updated through either the Control Panel or Nvidia Site.

1. After you are done updating the drivers, open the Nvidia Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings > Add Nioh 2
2. Now make the following changes
3. Under the Change Resolution Tab, make sure the resolution is native, and you have select the correct monitor along with highest refresh rate available. Moreover, also checkmark “Use Nvidia Color Settings” and copy the configurations from the picture below.

   

4. Afterwards, go to the Adjust Desktop Size and Position Tab, and Checkmark Full Screen under Scaling Option.

   

Proceed to Manage 3D Settings Tab > Add Nioh 2 through the Browse Option and configure the following

1. Image Sharpening: Use Global Setting (Off)
2. Anisotropic Filtering: Use Global Setting (Off) (Application-controlled)
3. Antialiasing – FXAA: Use Global Setting (Off)
4. Antialiasing – Gamma Correction: Use Global Setting (On)
5. Antialiasing – Mode: Use Global Setting (Application-controlled)
6. Once again, select Use Global Setting (Off) under Antialiasing – Transparency
7. Turn off Background Application Max Frame Rate
8. Select Your Primary Graphics Card under CUDA -GPUs
9. Off under Low Latency Mode

   

10. Max Frame Rate: Use Global Setting (Off)
11. Multi-Frame Sampled AA (MFAAA) — Use Global Setting (Off)
12. OpenGL Rendering GPU — Use Global Setting (Auto-Select)
13. Power Management mode — Prefer maximum performance
14. Shader Cache: Use Global Setting (On)
15. Disable Texture Filtering – Anisotropic Sample Optimization
16. Texture Filtering – Negative LOD Bias — Use Global Setting (Allow)
17. Quality under Texture Filtering – Quality
18. Select Use Global Setting (On) Under Texture Filtering – Trilinear Optimization
19. Disable Triple Buffering
20. Disable Vertical Sync If you already have FreeSync or GSync Monitor plus the correct Graphics Card to support it
21. Virtual Reality pre-rendered frames: Use Global Setting (1)

These were all the healthy settings that you must configure if you have an Nvidia Graphics Card. The settings can result in almost 40% performance improvement in Nioh 2. You can also expect some benefits in other games.

AMD Settings For Nioh 2

If you aren’t using an Nvidia Graphics Card, then the wise thing to do is follow this section. Over here, we will configure few tweaks, that will significantly improve performance. These changes are mostly the important ones that aren’t only beneficial in Nioh 2, but are required for all games.

Provided these settings are essential; you should first make sure that the latest AMD Drivers are installed. These can be validated through the AMD Auto Detect Drivers or from Control Panel that would show the latest driver’s availability.

1. Open AMD Crimson > Proceed to the Graphics Tab > Select Standard
2. Radeon Anti-Lag – Enabled – Radeon Anti-Lag helps tremendously in solving stutters, this could be a cure for Nioh 2 as well.
3. Radeon Chill – Disabled
4. Radeon Boost – Disabled
5. Radeon Image Sharpening – Enabled
6. Sharpness – This is subjective, and could be also configured through AMD FreeStyle in the game. We recommend keeping it at 70%.
7. Radeon Enhanced Sync – Disabled
8. Wait for Vertical Refresh – If you aren’t using a high refresh rate monitor, then V-SYNC could be very helpful in eliminating tears and stutters. However, keep in mind that this limits the FPS to 60, thus your high refresh rate would be useless.
9. Checkmark Use Application Settings In Anti-Aliasing tab.
10. Anti-Aliasing Method – Multisampling
11. Morphological Anti-Aliasing – Disabled
12. Anisotropic Filtering – Disabled
13. Texture Filtering Quality – Standard ( You can certainly go with Performance, and that would result in higher FPS. However, it does come with the consequence of bad textures, and unless your system requirements are lower than required, do not bother.)
14. Surface Format Optimization – Enabled
15. Tessellation Mode – Override Application Settings
16. Maximum Tessellation Level – off
17. OpenGL Triple Buffering – Disabled
18. GPU Workload – Graphics
19. Perform Reset – Reset Shader Cache
20. Under Display Tab, do the following:
21. AMD FreeSync: Enabled – Once again this comes down to your monitor, and if it supports FreeSync
22. Virtual Super Resolution – Disabled
23. GPU Scaling – Disabled
24. Scaling Mode – Preserve Aspect Ratio
25. Integer Scaling – Disabled

How to Fix Crashes In Nioh 2

Before we proceed to the final segments of the guide, which are essentially related to in-game Nioh 2 Settings, we highly recommend that every user must acknowledge Nioh 2’s config file contains the right display mode and resolution. This seems to hold a lot of importance; as per various users on Reddit and other forums, the game consistently crashes due to the config file, which sometimes does not change with the game. Moreover, many users who are also unable to reach the game menu can do nothing. This Nioh 2 config file is located inside Documents > Koei Tecmo > NIOH2. The file contains all the important Nioh 2 Settings.

1. Head over to Documents > Koei Tecmo > NIOH2

   

2. Open the config.xml > write FULL SCREEN under DISP_MODE and also affirm your native resolution in SCR_REZ Section

   

3. Also make sure, the rest of the settings are exactly like the picture above

Best Nioh 2 Settings

In the final segments of the guide, we have now come across the Nioh 2 in-game Graphics Settings that should hold the most significance, but they don’t. As with every other game, the in-game graphics settings are very detailed; this wasn’t the case with Nioh 2. Therefore, we went above and beyond to configure AMD/Nvidia Control Panels that gave us an edge over the optimization and further boost the graphics along with performance. Here at eXputer, we spent an enormous amount of time trying and test various settings; nearly all hadn’t impacted the game as we would have thought. Besides, it’s also reasonable to presume that given this game is a PC port from PS4, there shouldn’t be many depths to details.

All things considered, these are the best Nioh 2 PC Settings; keep in mind that Nvidia/AMD Control Panel tweaks are really import for the finest optimization.

Setting Type: Custom

This is necessary as then you would be able to configure all things manually.

Screen Resolution: Select Native

Go with the highest available resolution in your setting. This would max out the best visuals and ensure the monitor runs at its highest refresh rate.

Rendering Resolution: 100%

At 120%, there isn’t any considerable difference in terms of visuals. Moreover, the performance impact was slightly higher than we anticipated, and If you have a graphics card higher than the one mentioned in system requirements, happily tweak it to 120%.

Frame Rate Cap: Highest

Once again, go with the highest available option; this is a frame threshold that does not allow your game to go above it. Usually, a lot of monitors at 60, and keeping it capped at 60 is fine. However, if you have a higher refresh rate monitor, think twice and match it with the given value.

Shadows: High Quality

There was little to no difference in performance, compared to Medium. Additionally, we did notice more smoothest in the shadows when they were set to High Quality.

Motion Blur: Off

As always, Motion Blur is an unnecessary feature when we are looking for the most acceptable optimization options. All it does is add a new layer of Blurriness to the particles that aren’t being focused, this does look good in Cinematics, but you wouldn’t want it enabled all the time.

Dynamic Reflections: Off

Although this setting has mostly a lot of impact on performance, we weren’t able to figure out the difference, and given that this only has slight graphical improvement in games like Overwatch. This was again the case here, and it didn’t seem to be worth paying attention to. Having said that, it boils down to your personnel choice, and keep it enable if your System Specifications are decent.

Ambient Occlusion: On

In contrast to other settings in the game, Ambient Occlusion made a significant difference in terms of visuals. The setting brought forward an incredible connection between shadows, surfaces, and objects. We also saw more clarity in the sunlight, and all in all, it makes a huge difference in Nioh 2. Keep in mind that this setting mostly looks to be effective during the daytime; therefore, avoid seeing differences in the introduction where it’s night.

Apart from this, many users complain in other games, that this causes tremendous performance bugs, which is true, and you figure your preference regarding stuttering and crashes through this.

Texture Quality: High

Similar to Ambient Occlusion, Texture Quality significantly improves all elements in Nioh 2. The graphics setting also does not have loads of consequences, and therefore, we would highly recommend keeping it turned on. Suppose, your Graphics Card was different and slightly lower than recommended; this is the setting you should look at In terms of improving the performance.

Effect Quality: High

As per various users and our benchmarks, the Effect Quality setting isn’t fully optimized in Nioh 2. We weren’t able to figure out the added elements, nor the difference in graphical quality, but rest assured, keep it at High, the difference is nominal but once you turn it off, there are some moments that are extremely bad textured. The difference in performance wasn’t huge, because we were always getting High FPS due to the core optimizations.

Nvidia ShadowPlay Highlights: Off

As explained in earlier segments of the guide, we don’t want any sort of Overlay as such related to Xbox that have been disabled through Game Bar. This also goes for Nvidia ShadowPlay that is always enabled in the background and sometimes, given you accidentally click a keybind; it automatically starts recording, and you end up losing FPS. Notwithstanding, the overlay enabled in the background on its own isn’t beneficial for performance either.

Nioh 2 Optimization Thoughts

Unlike other games we have configured here on eXputer, whether that be Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War or Cyberpunk 2077, Nioh 2 does not have loads of features that you can figure and benchmark. Besides, this does have its advantages because the game core graphics are outstanding, and you aren’t dependent on some tweaks that would completely change its dynamics.

Moreover, it should also be noted that on the dark side – this setting isn’t beneficial for those who want to narrow all settings and get the most out of their graphics card. This also explains why we did so much calculation in the Nvidia and AMD Graphics Card Segment, that would completely take the visual quality to the next-level, while still maintaining consistent Frames. By all means, this guide focused on the Best Nioh 2 PC Settings; however, if you are still unable to fix crashes and stutters, we highly recommend deleting the config file from documents or contact the developers.