Nioh 3, A Sequel Done Right, A Review

After a very strong start to 2026 for fans of soulslike games, where the season was opened by Code Vein 2, following anime vampires, it was time for a famous Japanese history tale combined with demons. Nioh 3 decided not to give the competition too much breathing room and to take over the throne as the current “hot stuff” title when it comes to soulslike games.

The first Nioh was more than revolutionary in its own way, as a child of Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo studios, because they realized they didn’t have to make only Ninja Gaiden in order to harass players and “eat their souls.” The trick and detail that distinguished Nioh from other soulslike games was an interesting approach to the legendary stance system, which made every weapon (and there are plenty of them) ideal for the playstyle of any fan willing to dedicate some time to this brilliant game. Of course, the setting itself—Japan’s Edo period and wars involving legendary historical figures—also contributed to a highly entertaining perspective on the game.

Nioh 2 was a beautiful continuation of a successful era, given that people were so hungry for a sequel that it was practically inevitable. It managed not only to improve upon the first installment but also to introduce new mechanics and, for the first time, a large number of missions that didn’t allow you to rush through the game simply. They also didn’t hold back on DLCs, which are among the rare examples that justified their price, as they offered many new missions and enemies rather than just basic aesthetics and a few costumes.

In the mood for something completely different? Check out our Cairn review!

Nioh 3 and the Weight of Expectations After Two Defining Entries

After both installments laid an exceptionally strong foundation, everyone was surprised when the third Nioh was announced at the end of 2025. Players were ecstatic, theories and “prayers to the gods of the internet” were flying everywhere, all in hopes that some part of the story or mechanics would leak to the public. Fortunately, players didn’t have to wait long, and Nioh 3 finally saw the light of day. The question remains: what did Team Ninja do this time, and did they manage to make the series even better, or is this the moment when a series suffers an epochal fall into obscurity due to a series of poor management decisions?

In old-era Japan, during the reign of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Tokugawa shogunate, you are the future heir to the title of shogun, tasked with keeping Japan united. As everywhere in the world, battles for the throne have always been popular, and you are no exception. On the day of the new shogunate ceremony, demons known as Yokai attack the kingdom and kill almost everyone.

The protagonist attempts to escape, but at the last moment discovers that his older brother harbors ambitions of becoming shogun himself, testing the quality of his katana directly on you. In a final attempt at murder, the hero is saved by a divine being resembling spirit animals, familiar to players from previous installments. You become a warrior for justice capable of traveling through time (which is coincidentally similar to the story of Code Vein 2, where time travel is a central theme), and the adventure of Nioh 3 throws you into various eras of Japanese history and chaos populated by well-known Yokai creatures.

 Combat Evolution: Samurai and Ninja Styles United

The game’s tutorial practically encompasses the entire first act, so just when you think you’ve mastered everything, new options and challenges appear. In previous installments, Nioh offered different weapon and equipment styles, allowing you to play as a samurai who confronts enemies head-on or as a ninja “buzzsaw” that delivers an incredible number of hits in seconds.

Nioh 3 has decided that every character will have both Samurai and Ninja styles, which you switch between at the press of a button. The Samurai retains the familiar Low/Mid/High stance mechanics, while the Ninja focuses on item spam, speed, and agility, using shurikens, bombs, and traps. The Samurai possesses the well-known Ki Pulse for cleansing demon-corrupted zones, while the Ninja has an additional evade that allows easy access behind enemies and deals extra damage. 

While Nioh 2 featured a deflect mechanic for red attacks, this time it is performed using the style-switch button. We’re not entirely sure this is a good decision, as players who prefer one style are forced to switch back after a deflect, while the enemy’s stun window is extremely short. Another strange decision is that some weapons are not immediately available, unlike in previous installments. A prime example is the famous axe, one of the favorite “one-hit wonder” weapons, which is unlocked only after the first boss, something that can be frustrating.

Nioh 3 Rewards Curiosity With Meaningful Progression

After the introduction, you arrive in the first region of Japan, divided into different historical periods. This time, you do not select missions; instead, you find yourself in an open-world environment in the style of Elden Ring. The game encourages gradual exploration, and the rewards are exceptionally well-balanced, ensuring that effort is always worthwhile. A new addition is mini-arenas called Crucibles, where the game locks you in and throws waves of demons at you that must be defeated. These fights recall the brutality for which Team Ninja has been known since the Ninja Gaiden days. Destroying Crucible locations grants additional spirit power, and in some cases, is mandatory, as they block key parts of the map.

As you explore, you encounter sections that can only be accessed later, once you acquire new Spirit animals that allow climbing, walking on water, or breaking obstacles. This introduces a metroidvania element with plenty of backtracking, reminiscent of design choices seen in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Map discovery and side missions provide stat boosts, experience, money, and new skills. Exploration is rewarding and never becomes tedious, which is commendable in an era oversaturated with open-world games. After more than 40 hours of playtime, there is still a strong sense that much content remains, as Team Ninja clearly aimed to surpass the already massive Nioh 2.

Nioh 3 Maintains Variety Even After Dozens of Hours

For additional items, experience, and money, special missions are available in closed maps with clearly defined objectives, contributing to the game’s replayability factor. Conversations with NPCs unlock new tasks, and it’s up to you whether you focus on the main story or exploration. Most enemies from previous installments return alongside new creatures, so there is never a shortage of targets for collecting Amrita. As before, enemies fight dirty: they shoot at you from elevated positions, shove you into chasms, and use traps without mercy. 

As a result, you are forced to fight without restraint, because in every battle it’s either you or them. Finding and crafting gear remains an important part of the experience, and Clan Battles have returned in an improved form. Multiplayer is fun, and the grave system allows summoning help using Ochoko cups. Each world introduces new mechanics and challenges, so very few sections feel repetitive, aside from the Crucible structure itself.

In Conclusion

When everything is taken into account, we get a fusion of attention to detail, experience, and love for the series, packaged within a high-quality open-world system that excellently rewards exploration. Despite a few questionable decisions, Nioh 3 is an extremely entertaining game that never becomes boring at any point.

Game rating: 9.5/10

Because the game significantly evolves the series with a rich open world, deep combat systems, and strong replay value, despite a few questionable design choices.

Age recommendation for kids

Recommended for ages 16+, because the game features intense combat, dark themes involving demons and death, complex mechanics, and a difficulty level that requires mature problem-solving and emotional resilience.

Gemini AI-style summary

Nioh 3 expands the series into a richly detailed open world, blending samurai and ninja combat styles, deep RPG systems, and challenging soulslike design to deliver one of the strongest action RPG experiences of its generation.