Now this one’s got Ninja Gaiden written all over it. If you weren’t already hyped enough for the arrival of the first part of  Nioh 2’s DLC, you’re about to be. Let’s take a look at the Splitstaff.

Ever since the original Nioh launched in February 2017, the series has constantly been compared to Dark Souls. While this seems to be true of just about every game these days, the comparisons are certainly apt where Nioh’s concerned, in terms of the gameplay, the visual style, the general vibe and so on.

While Team Ninja’s effort cuts its own path in terms of the combat - which perhaps has nuances that require a more strategic and considered approach than Dark Souls - the range of weaponry available to the player is rather similar in both series. In the design of blades, additional affects and other traits, the player’s arsenal is rather similar.

When it comes to Nioh 2’s DLC, then, fans will also want to see some vicious new toys to play with. Bloodborne’s expansion The Old Hunters, for instance, brought us such incredible weapons as Simon’s Bowblade (a curved sword that transforms into a bow with incredible power at high Bloodtinge levels) and the Whirligig Saw (a hideous mace/circular saw that literally tears through enemies).

As Destructoid reports, Team Ninja have given fans a sneak previous of one of Nioh 2’s new weapons, the Splitstaff. While it may not be as ground-breaking as one of Bloodborne’s Trick Weapons, it looks absolutely fantastic all the same:

As the devs explain, the Splitstaff is a versatile new weapon that boasts surprising reach. With the mechanic of holding the button to switch to segmented attacks, coupled with the possibilities that tip-spinning offers, this stylish new weapon is sure to be a hit with lots of fans. We don’t yet know what else it might be capable of (“special changes to some techniques,” you say?), but in titles like these, a simple weapon change fundamentally changes the player’s approach to combat and brings a new level of freshness.

We can’t wait to see the true potential of the Splitstaff and the other weapons the DLC may bring to the game. The first of three instalments, The Tengu’s Disciple, launches on July 30.

NEXT: Nioh 2’s Director Hints At Possible Ideas For A Sequel