DaRmaZat The wait is finally over. After six years of anticipation, Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja return to the dark, supernatural landscapes of an alternate Sengoku-era Japan with Nioh 3. Where the first two entries defined the genre with tight, mission-based levels, this third installment shatters the mold by introducing a vast, seamless open field. It’s a radical shift for the franchise; instead of selecting stages from a map, you are thrust into a continuous world where survival no longer depends on mastering one style, but two. Does this new direction elevate the formula, or is it simply trying to do too much at once?
From Placid Training Grounds to a Crimson Inferno
After crafting your ideal warrior in an impressively deep—and immensely satisfying—character creator, Nioh 3’s story kicks off within the walls of Edo Castle. You play as Lord Takechiyo, training under the watchful eye of Lord Munenori to eventually claim your place as Shogun. Your rival and sparring partner, Lord Kunimatsu, provides a stern test of your skills—skills that are put to the ultimate test sooner than expected. Without warning, the sky turns a haunting crimson, and the castle is besieged by a nightmarish parade of Yokai and the ruthless bandits of the Red Horde.
As everyone around you is slaughtered, you are forced to flee with a handful of allies, carving a path through the most grotesque abominations imaginable. It quickly becomes clear that you are the only one with the raw strength and spirit to cleanse the land of this filth. While the plot beats might feel familiar to genre veterans, the execution is gripping. More importantly, the wonderfully implemented souls-based combat is so refined that it’s the primary reason you simply cannot skip this game if you have even a passing interest in the soulslike genre.
Two Souls, One Warrior
In a move that feels somewhat similar to the dual-protagonist approach of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows—except here it’s for one and the same character—Nioh 3 allows you to switch between two distinct combat identities at the touch of a button. You can face your enemies head-on with Samurai Style or utilize the quick movements and specialized techniques of Ninja Style. Personally, I found myself gravitating toward the Ninja; there is a certain thrill in the agility and speed that brute force just can’t match. Each style comes with its own unique attire, preferred weaponry, and skill trees—each with its own set of pros and cons.
The Samurai style remains centered on the management of Ki (your energy). Unlike standard stamina in other games, Ki is a core stat that can be partially recovered mid-fight via a well-timed Ki Pulse. This style focuses on Martial Arts proficiency and “Purification of Strength”. Meanwhile, the Ninja style grants access to stealth attacks, Mist-evades, and powerful Ninjutsu. Some core moves, such as the Gale Sprint and the life-saving Burst Breaks (essential for countering enemies when they glow red), are shared across both styles, ensuring a fluid transition between the two.
A Wealth of Tools and Spiritual Guidance
The game offers a staggering amount of assistance for those struggling with its brutal difficulty. You can summon a Visitor (co-op player) or an Acolyte (an AI-controlled bot) to help you tackle the most imposing bosses. Additionally, you are accompanied by a Guardian Spirit—an animal guide that grants you spiritual power, allowing you to temporarily transform into a Living Artifact. These spirits also act as guardian angels, directly impacting your skill stats and offering unique special moves. Beyond the spirits, the world is teeming with helpful (and weird) creatures like Scampusses, Chijikos, and the iconic green Kodamas, all of which contribute to the depth of your build.
“Nioh 3 is one of the most complete and versatile soulslikes I have ever played.”
In classic soulslike fashion, death is inevitable but not entirely punishing. If you fall, you have one chance to return to your grave to reclaim your lost Amrita. Fail to reach it, and that currency is gone forever. I won’t even attempt to dive into every nested mechanic here—terms like Stances, Corruption, Soul Cores, and the difference between the Crucible and Lesser Crucible deserve their own dedicated articles. The point is: Nioh 3 is one of the most complete and versatile soulslikes I have ever played. The luxury of being able to freely test styles, specialize in specific weapon sets, and customize shortcuts for your favorite tools makes the combat feel incredibly responsive and, frankly, addictive.
A Brutal, Beautiful World That’s Easy to Get Lost In
In addition to the main quest, the world is filled with optional enemy bases to conquer and Battle Scrolls that allow you to replay missions or tackle exclusive challenges either solo or in co-op. Nioh 3 provides enough tools that you never feel forced to grind by respawning the same mobs at a Shrine, though that remains an option for those who want it. Make no mistake: this is a “brute of a game”, a hard bone to chew on, but the sense of reward when you finally find your flow is unmatched.
“The sense of reward when you finally find your flow is unmatched.“
It is dangerously easy to lose yourself in the side content. The open-world universe is vast, featuring diverse regions that are beautifully detailed. Every vista radiates historical Japanese folklore and culture; furthermore, the voice acting is solid in both English and Japanese, and the musical score is equally breathtaking, perfectly capturing the tension of the Warring States period.
Final Thoughts
Though the year has only just begun, Nioh 3 is easily one of the best games—if not the best game—I’ve played so far in 2026. The world is stunning, the soulslike combat is fluid, and the mechanics are deep and intelligently designed.
However, the PC version currently suffers from some stability and performance issues. I experienced several crashes, some occurring during cutscenes right after a boss fight, forcing me to repeat the entire encounter. There are also sporadic traversal stutters and frame rate drops, even after lowering the quality settings or toggling upscaling and frame generation. Nioh 3 desperately needs a few patches to iron out these technical quirks on PC. Once those are fixed, this will undoubtedly stand as one of the greatest soulslikes in existence.
Additional Information
Release Date: Feb 6, 2026
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: Koei Tecmo/Team Ninja
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Relevant links: Available on STEAM
