Nioh 3

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Nioh 3
Nioh 3 cover art 2026.jpg
Developer Team Ninja
Publisher Koei Tecmo
Directors Hayato Shibuya
Masaki Fujita
Producers Fumihiko Yasuda
Kohei Shibata
Artists Kensaku Tabuchi
Hirohisa Kaneko
Writers Saeyoung Yang
Makoto Shibata
Hiroko Takahashi
Takumi Oyama
Composers Yugo Kanno
Akihiro Manabe [1]
Engine Katana Engine
Platforms
ReleaseFebruary 6, 2026
Genres Action role-playing, hack and slash
Modes Single-player, multiplayer

Nioh 3 is an action role-playing video game developed by Team Ninja and published by Koei Tecmo. The third installment in the Nioh series, the game was released for PlayStation 5 and Windows on February 6, 2026. Although its predecessor Nioh 2 (2020) acted as a prequel to the original game, the third installment takes place after all of the events of the previous games.

Contents

Gameplay

Nioh 3 is an action role-playing game played from a third-person perspective. In the game, the player controls Tokugawa Takechiyo, the grandchild of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who battles yokai and supernatural beings as they ascend to the role of Shogun. [2] Similar to Nioh 2, players will be able to fully customize the protagonist's appearance. [3]

The game features two distinct playstyles. The Samurai style plays similarly to previous Nioh games, with players having access to three weapon stances. Combat actions consume Ki, but players can use "Ki Pulse" to restore stamina after performing a combo or attack. As players deal damage to enemies, their "Arts Proficiency" gradually increases. Once the gauge is filled, players can unleash a devastating attack. The game also introduces a new parrying mechanic. [4]

The game also introduces the Ninja playstyle, which is faster, evasion-focused, and excels at aerial attacks and ranged attacks. [5] Weapon stances are replaced by three ninja tools that players can use in combat. Instead of Ki Pulse, the Ninja playstyle features "Mist," allowing players to create a clone of themselves to distract enemies, enabling a quick dash behind them for devastating damage. While the two playstyle do not share any equipment, players can freely switch between the two playstyles at will. As with its predecessors, players can also use guardian spirit transformations and skills, as well as Soul Cores, during combat. [6]

Unlike its predecessors, Nioh 3 is less linear and features larger explorable spaces. Players can discover points of interest where they can find and complete side quests or optional combat challenges. In addition to the single-player mode, the game offers two online multiplayer modes: "Summon Visitor," which allows players to summon another player for assistance with difficult boss fights, and "Expedition," which enables players to explore the open fields together. [7]

Synopsis

Setting and characters

In 1622, Edo Castle stands on the brink of the protagonist Tokugawa Takechiyo's imminent appointment as the next shogun. Takechiyo's younger brother, Tokugawa Kunimatsu, consumed by hatred toward his sibling's succession, falls into darkness. Empowered by a sinister force, he leads a horde of yokai in a fierce assault against Takechiyo. The era of peace suddenly turns into hell, and in dire straits, Takechiyo transcends time to change fate and save Japan through the mysterious power of their guardian spirit, Kusanagi. [3]

Over the course of their journey, apart from the early Edo period, Takechiyo also ventures into the Sengoku, Heian and Bakumatsu [8] eras, encountering both returning and new historical characters such as Himiko, Saito Fuku (who is now the protagonist's wet nurse and Onmyo magic mentor), Hattori Hanzo, Honda Tadakatsu, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Yagyu Munenori and Takasugi Shinsaku. Takechiyo also comes into conflict with individuals such as Takeda Shingen, Minamoto no Yoritomo, Okita Sōji and Tokugawa Yoshinobu.

Main plot

The game opens with Takechiyo undergoing a training session at the dojo in Edo Castle prior to being appointed as shogun, only to be forced to evacuate along with Kunimatsu after yokai suddenly invade the premises. After heading to the designated basement area, Kunimatsu, manifesting the corrupted Guardian Spirit Murakumo, slays Fuku as she is about to erect a protective barrier, revealing he had done the same to Munenori and Hanzo. Just as Kunimatsu is about to bring down his blade on Takechiyo, a bright light emanates from Kusanagi, transporting Takechiyo to the Warring States period in 1572.

Takechiyo comes to the aid of the Tokugawa Forces fighting against Takeda Shingen's Crimson Army, assisting Honda Tadakatsu against Yamagata Masakage and forcing the latter to retreat. Impressed by Takechiyo's skills, Tadakatsu informs them of the ongoing situation and his intent to seek Tokugawa Ieyasu's aid. Takechiyo soon meets up with Ieyasu, the second Hattori Hanzo, as well as Ii Naotora, who informs Takechiyo about the presence of Crucinite disrupting the timeline, handing them a Guiding Mirror. They collectively devise a strategy to defeat Shingen, first beating Baba Nobuharu at Futamata Castle and defeating a transformed Masakage at the Battle of Mikatagahara, before finally confronting and defeating Shingen twice - first within the Crucible at Hamamatsu Castle, and again in his Yokai form at his camp in Saigagake. Shingen acknowledges Takechiyo's strength, having depended on the Spirit Stones to achieve his goals having been beset by old age and illness. Shortly after, Takechiyo vanishes in Kusanagi's light as Ieyasu realizes their identity and purpose.

Arriving in the Heian period in 1190, Takechiyo soon confronts the Great Tengu at Mount Kurama, with Minamoto no Yoshitsune coming to their aid. Yoshitsune explains about the conflict between him and his brother, Minamoto no Yoritomo. While the former wished for peace between humans and yokai, the latter wanted to do so via military force. Yoritomo called down the Crucible upon Kyoto in this era to create yokai, only to use the power of his forces to subdue them and lay claim to the title of Shogun. Takechiyo assists Yoshitsune as well as Shizuka Gozen with purifying three barriers in the area that will allow them to eventually reach the Crucible. Yoritomo attacks Yoshitsune and forces him into the Crucible, before discerning Shizuka's plot to use the Spirit Tree to purify it, setting it ablaze.Takechiyo defeats Yoritomo and earn their respect, before planting the unburned young branches of the Spirit Tree prior to departing once more.

Next, Takechiyo appeared in the Yayoi period in 247, meeting with Himiko, the queen of Yamatai, and fought alongside her against her younger brother, Hiruko, who caused the Crucinite to appear in the first place. Having been rendered immortal by the use of Crucinite, Himiko is forced to seal him within the Eternal Rift, but Murakumo, the Guardian Spirit of Hiruko, would find a way to travel through time to possess Kunimatsu, whose prideful nature made him vulnerable to Murakumo's dark influence and set the stage for subsequent events to unfold.

Returning to the day of the shogun ceremony, Takechiyo demonstrates their growth by defeating Kunimatsu in battle. However, Hiruko fuses with Kunimatsu and Kusanagi was unable to destroy his crucinite. Himiko suddenly appears, sending Takechiyo to the future to find the light of hope at the end of time.

Appearing at the end of the Bakumatsu period in 1864, Takechiyo teams up with Takasugi Shinsaku of the loyalists, and Himiko, known as O-Ryo in this time. They enter the Imperial Palace Crucible and defeat Okita Soji of the Shinsengumi, as well as Tokugawa Yoshinobu, whose anger and sadness at unable to fulfill his dream of being Shogun drove him to play host to the Crucinite. The Spirit Tree that Takechiyo had planted in the Heian era had now grown into its full form, which proceeded to empower Kusanagi and restore it to its true stature. Takechiyo travels back to the present for the final time.

Takechiyo's actions have altered fate and saved the lives of Munenori, Hanzo and Fuku, but Edo Castle has warped into a horrific state. Fighting their way through the nightmare to Kunimatsu waiting at the castle keep, they emerge victorious in the final battle with Hiruko, who kills Himiko before vanishing. Takechiyo takes on the name Iemitsu and becomes the third shogun of the Edo shogunate, continuing to work as both a samurai and ninja to support the peaceful world they now live in. If the player chooses to spare Kunimatsu, he will be seen assisting Takechiyo as their kagemusha (shadow warrior). Himiko's spirit is seen observing Takechiyo from afar.

Development

Nioh 3 is developed by Koei Tecmo division Team Ninja, marking it as the first game in the series without involvement from fellow division Kou Shibusawa (though Shibusawa himself returns as executive producer) and publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment. Fumihiko Yasuda, director of the previous games, serves as general producer. Yasuda said that the team wanted to "create a new kind of action that would act as a major centerpiece" that marked the evolution of the Nioh gameplay formula. Popularity of ninjas in areas outside of Japan and the team's experience making Ninja Gaiden games also contributed to the decision. To further differentiate the gameplay between Samurai and Ninja, the team decided not to give Ninja Ki Pulse, despite it being one of the signature gameplay elements in past games. [6] However, the game does not limit players to any one playstyle. Players can freely switch between the two playstyles as the team wanted to give them freedom in how they want to approach a challenge. [9]

Nioh 3 was announced in June 2025 by Koei Tecmo. A time-limited demo for the game was released for the PlayStation 5. [10] The game was released for PlayStation 5 and Windows on February 6, 2026. It will receive two downloadable contents, with the first DLC arriving by September 2026, and the second DLC by February 2027. [11] New stories and weapons are confirmed to be included with each DLC. [12] A playable demo for PS5 and PC from Jan 29, 2026 was announced along with a new trailer at The Game Awards 2025. [13]

Reception

Nioh 3 received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic. [14] [15] Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received "mighty" approval, being recommended by 93% critics. [16]

Sales

The game reached 88,045 concurrent players on Steam during its launch week, doubling the record set by Nioh 2. [32] By February 20, the game had sold more than 1 million copies, pushing the franchise's culmulative sales to 10 million. [33]

References

  1. ↑ "コーエーテクモゲームス『仁王3』の音楽を担当しました". January 20, 2026.
  2. ↑ Down, Aaron (June 5, 2025). "Nioh 3 release date window, demo, trailer, and more". PCGamesN . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Nioh 3". Nioh 3. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  4. ↑ Saltzman, Mitchell (September 13, 2025). "Nioh 3 Looks Set to Level Up from Nioh 1 and 2 – IGN First". IGN . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  5. ↑ Wood, Austin (June 5, 2025). "Nioh 3 announced for 2026: Team Ninja's genuinely great Soulslike series is back with a bigger open world, and there's a demo out today". GamesRadar . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  6. 1 2 "How Nioh 3 is Changing the Game with Ninja Style and the Distinctive Mist System – IGN First". IGN . September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  7. ↑ Romano, Sal (June 4, 2025). "Nioh 3 announced for PS5, PC". Gematsu. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  8. ↑ Romano, Sal (November 21, 2025). "Nioh 3 reveals Bakumatsu period". Gematsu. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Nioh 3: Will You Play as a Samurai, a Ninja, or Both? Exclusive Team Ninja Interview – IGN First". IGN . September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  10. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (June 4, 2025). "Nioh 3 Revealed At State Of Play, Free Demo Out Today". GameSpot . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Pre-purchase Nioh 3 on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  12. ↑ "欢迎大家在"黑神话"新作前体验《仁王3》Team NINJA安田文彦采访". weibo.com. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Nioh 3". Nioh 3. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  14. 1 2 "Nioh 3 for PC Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Nioh 3 for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Nioh 3". OpenCritic . Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  17. ↑ Barovic, Andrej (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 review – A soulslike anyone can love". Destructoid . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  18. ↑ Peppiatt, Dom (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 review - a historical high for Team Ninja". Eurogamer . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  19. ↑ Wakeling, Richard (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 Review - Rise Of The Shogun". GameSpot . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  20. ↑ Kemp, Luke (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 review: "Brutal samurai and ninja clashes across wide maps avoid retreading Elden Ring – this Soulslike is all demon killer, no filler"". GamesRadar . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  21. ↑ Dunsmore, Kevin (February 4, 2026). "Review: Nioh 3". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  22. ↑ Saltzman, Mitchell (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 Review". IGN . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  23. ↑ Parker, Lewis (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 review". PC Gamer . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  24. ↑ Croft, Liam (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 Review (PS5)". Push Square . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  25. ↑ McClain, Jordan (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 Review". RPGamer. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  26. ↑ Lu, Zek (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 Review". RPGFan. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  27. ↑ Denzer, TJ (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 review: A winding road of demons & duels". Shacknews . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  28. ↑ Wood, Rhys (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 taking the series to an open-world format works shockingly well — thanks to that and its style-switching combat, it's become one of the best soulslikes I've ever played". TechRadar . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  29. ↑ Aubrey, Dave (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 Review: Team Ninja on top form with one of its best 'masocore' games yet". Video Games Chronicle . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  30. ↑ Saed, Sherif (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 review - Team Ninja's most accomplished action game, and the series' most accessible". VG247 . Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  31. ↑ Evergreen, Mars (February 4, 2026). "Nioh 3 review – Breath of the mild". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  32. ↑ Maker, Connor (February 9, 2026). "Nioh 3 reaches almost 90,000 concurrent players on PC after launch, over doubling series record". Eurogamer . Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  33. ↑ Hyldbakk Furu, Erik (February 20, 2026). "Nioh 3 has sold more than 1 million copies". Gamereactor. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
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