| Nioh 3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | |||
| Alpha Demo Review | Full Release Review | ||||
Nioh 3 is the newest installment of the dark fantasy action RPG that follows the turbulent Sengoku era! Read on to learn how it plays, what it's about, and everything else we know so far.
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Nioh 3 Gameplay
Samurai and Ninja Playstyles
Nioh 3's combat centers on two switchable playstyles: Samurai and Ninja, each with its own movement options, skills, and weapon sets. The Samurai side retains the three-stance system (high, mid, low) that governs reach, speed, and Ki (stamina) consumption, while the Ninja side emphasizes faster, evasive actions and a different set of skill tools such as ninjutsu and stealth options; the game allows players to switch between those styles during combat to chain different attack patterns and counters.
Weapons work within the said styles. Most weapons have stance- or input-dependent movesets, and the player can chain light and heavy attacks, perform charged or special attacks, and use a Ki management system that ties into recovery options such as Ki Charge. Timing and stance choice affect when to press advantage or to withdraw, and many encounters reward quick adaptation rather than brute force.
Guardian and Skill System
The game replaces and consolidates previous yokai/weapon transformation systems into a Living Artifact mechanic and a reworked guardian/skill system. Players build a spirit or "artifact" gauge during combat to trigger powerful forms and repeatedly call guardian skills, which function both as offensive tools and as counters in specific windows.
Yokai-related abilities and Onmyo-like utilities are present but handled more as limited-use talismans or summons rather than constant passive transformations, so players must choose when to deploy these effects to alter an encounter’s flow.
Traversal Levels
Levels feature a more open-field design and traversal options (jumping, crouching, vertical approaches), which affect encounter setup and let players use terrain and stealth to shape engagements rather than relying solely on linear arena fights.
Nioh 3 Story Plot
Nioh 3 Story
The story of Nioh 3 follows Takechiyo, the young shogun, and his brother, Kunimatsu Tokugawa, who becomes consumed by hatred and is steadily drawn into darkness.
Along the way, Takechiyo encounters Himiko, a mysterious figure whose composure hides deep inner conflict. Together, they uncover a sinister conspiracy designed to transform the world into a living hell. The full scope of this wicked plot eventually comes into focus, one that threatens not only the era’s peace but the fate of the world and humanity itself.
Nioh 3 Setting
Nioh 3 starts its tale in a dark reimagining of Japan’s warring states era, where the fragile peace is shattered.
Takechiyo’s journey takes him across different historical eras, each plagued by a crucible, a corrupted domain that erodes the land itself. These crucibles are home to powerful enemies and treacherous challenges, but they also hold immense rewards. By purifying these areas, players can obtain rare crucible weapons and unlock new guardian spirit skills, deepening both the lore and the combat system.
Nioh 3 Characters
Tokugawa Takechiyo
Takechiyo is the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the designated heir to the Tokugawa shogunate. Though gifted with the rare ability to see guardian spirits from a young age, his talents were often overshadowed by his younger brother, Kunimatsu, casting doubt on his succession. Ultimately, Ieyasu himself affirmed Takechiyo's rightful place as successor.
Tokugawa Kunimatsu
Kunimatsu is the younger brother of Takechiyo, who grows jealous of his sibling's position as heir to the shogunate. In resentment, he allies with dark forces and leads yokai against Takechiyo, becoming a central antagonist in the story.
Himiko
Himiko is portrayed as the queen of the Yamatai Kingdom, and a powerful sorceress who commands the ancient magic of Kido. She serves as both a guide and a formidable presence in the story.
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