Nioh 3: Does It Dethrone The Original? Gamers Sound Off!

Alright, Team Ninja's back at it again, and this time, they've really swung for the fences. Nioh 3, reviewed here on the PS5, isn't just another sequel; it's a bold evolution of the Soulslike formula, daring to venture into open-world territory in a post-Elden Ring landscape. And honestly? They've nailed it. Koei Tecmo published it and it releases February 6, 2026, so mark your calendars.

Nioh 3: Does It Dethrone The Original? Gamers Soun...

The core Nioh DNA is still there, that satisfying blend of brutal combat and deep customization, but Nioh 3 injects a healthy dose of freedom and a genuinely thrilling new gameplay style into the mix. In my opinion, this installment is the high watermark for the series.

The story kicks off with Tokugawa Takechiyo, a young future Shogun in 17th-century Japan. It is an accessible story. But, wouldn't you know it, his jealous older brother pulls a real power move and sacrifices his soul to some nasty yokai, throwing the whole country into chaos. Now, Takechiyo has to bounce around time, from ancient history all the way to the 19th century, battling corrupted historical figures. Okay, the "visit era, cleanse soul, repeat" structure can feel a little familiar, but honestly, the time-travel element is just too much fun to hold it against them. Plus, the themes of leadership and responsibility actually give the narrative some surprising emotional depth.

But the real game-changer is the new style-shift mechanic. With a simple button press, you can instantly switch between two distinct gameplay styles: Samurai, which is your classic Nioh experience of carefully timed Ki Pulses and stance-switching, and the brand-new Ninja style. This new style, which I gravitated toward immediately, is all about speed and agility. Forget heavy armor and deliberate strikes; the Ninja style ditches sword stances for ninja tools, magic, and a whole lot of acrobatic maneuvers. It's like a shot of Ninja Gaiden adrenaline straight into Nioh's veins.

The best part? Both styles are completely viable, and the game actively encourages you to experiment. Mastering the "Burst Break," a timed counter that you execute by switching styles, is incredibly satisfying. I spent over 70 hours with this game, and the constant switching kept the combat fresh and engaging. Samurai duels feel like strategic chess matches, while the Ninja gameplay is a whirlwind of constant movement, ranged attacks, and crazy combos. And with separate loadouts and the ability to respec skill points, you have all the freedom to tailor your playstyle to any situation.

Of course, it wouldn't be Nioh without a mountain of customization options. From Guardian Spirits and Soul Cores to unlocking class abilities and min-maxing your loot, there's a dizzying array of systems to dive into. Yes, that means spending time in menus, but the game does a good job of introducing new features gradually, so you don't feel completely overwhelmed. The big, new twist is that Nioh 3 ditches the linear level design of its predecessors in favor of expansive, explorable maps. Think Elden Ring, but with a distinctly Nioh flavor. This open-world approach actually makes the game's difficulty more manageable. Hit a wall? No problem! Just go explore somewhere else, level up, find better gear, and come back stronger.