Nioh 3 is Set to Take the Souls-like World by Storm

It’s shaping up to be a massive stretch of days if you’re even remotely into Soulslike or action RPGs. You’ve got Code Vein 2 launching, you’ve got the Nioh 3 demo dropping on January 29th, and then, not long after that, the full release of Nioh 3 itself. If you’ve been waiting for something meaty and stylish to sink your teeth into, the coming week is one of those weeks where your backlog doesn’t stand a chance.

Nioh 3 recently showed up on YouTube with a 17-minute gameplay video. There wasn't a long countdown or a lot of advertising; instead, there was just a direct look at the game in action. What you see is a big piece of what's to come, with different environments, types of enemies, and a lot of Yo-kai that you'll have to fight through.

If you’re planning on picking the game up on PC, there’s already some movement on pricing as well. Fanatical currently has Nioh 3 discounted at 12% off, bringing it down to around $61.59 for a Steam copy that redeems directly on Steam. The digital deluxe edition is also on sale for $96.79 instead of the usual $110. This makes it a little cheaper if you were already thinking about getting that version.

The most interesting thing about this is how long it's been since the last entry. Nioh 2 came out in 2020, and now there is a six-year gap between the two games.

Despite that, this doesn’t feel like a series desperately trying to reinvent itself for the sake of it. Gaming as a whole hasn’t undergone some radical visual revolution in that time, but Nioh 3 still manages to look excellent. The visuals are strong, the performance looks solid, and more than anything, the art direction is doing a lot of heavy lifting. That distinct Nioh identity is still here.

You might also notice that the levels feel more open than they did before. There is more space, and travel seems to be a much bigger part of the story than it was in earlier entries. Nioh has never been shy about pushing players, and Nioh 3 will follow in the footsteps of its predecessors from the looks of it.

That said, difficulty has always been a funny talking point with this series. You might hear people describe Nioh and Nioh 2 as brutally hard. Despite the reputation of Soulslike games, if you're used to them, they manage just fine when you actually play. Others, especially those encountering the systems for the first time, still find both games pretty unforgiving. Nioh 3 looks like it’s continuing that tradition.

Verticality is one of the most noticeable things about the gameplay footage.

There is a lot of focus on moving up, down, and across environments instead of just moving forward. Being able to move from rooftop to rooftop and approach fights from different angles adds a new level of strategy to the combat. You don't just react to enemies anymore; you also think about how the environment can help or hurt you.

The dual playstyle system also makes combat more interesting. You can switch between samurai and ninja fighting styles, and each one has its own feel and way of thinking. The ninja style is probably for you if you like speed and fluidity. It stresses moving quickly and fighting in a freer-flowing style. The samurai style, on the other hand, leans into heavier hits and a stronger presence that lets you stand your ground.

Both styles come with their own selection of weapons and techniques, which naturally opens up a lot of room for experimentation. You’re not locked into a single way to play. Some areas or encounters will favor a ninja approach, while others might reward the brute force of the samurai. There are even moments in the footage that give off strong Ninja Gaiden vibes.

The design of the enemies is also different enough to keep you on your toes. It seems like Nioh 3 is not only bringing back old enemies but also adding new ones in interesting ways. Even with all the new choices you have, it still seems like the game will be hard and require you to learn and adapt.

You're not the only one who is scared to jump in; Soulslike games can be scary.

Still, Nioh 3 has something about it that makes it hard to ignore. The settings are beautiful, and the overall presentation feels like a step up from previous games. The dark samurai setting has always been a strong point of the series, and in this game, it feels more real and immersive than ever.

The good news is that you won't have to blindly commit. You can play the demo, which comes out later this week, without having to pay the full $70 up front. Any progress you make in the demo will carry over to the full game. That makes it a lot easier to try things out and see if this is something you want to fully commit to.

Nioh 3 lets you play with other people as well as by yourself. You can work together to fight bosses or explore the open areas if you want to. The Crucible is another part of the game that adds tough areas with better rewards. If you beat the Yo-kai in these areas, you can refresh them, which adds another layer of risk and reward.

As for editions, the new Nioh comes in at $70, while the $110 digital deluxe edition includes a season pass. That season pass covers multiple pieces of DLC, adding new stories, enemies, Yo-kai, bosses, and equipment over time. The first DLC is planned for September 2026, with a second scheduled for February 2027.

Ahead of launch, there’s also an official live broadcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, at 9:00 p.m. JST.

The stream will feature popular Japanese streamer Otsuichi as a guest, with Shohei Taguchi acting as MC, alongside general producer Fumihiko Yasuda and producer Kohei Shibata. You’ll get a closer look at Nioh 3 through gameplay, and the team has confirmed that brand-new information will be revealed during the broadcast.

Even with the higher price point, especially for the deluxe edition, there’s a strong sense that Nioh 3 is going to deliver a lot of content. Both Nioh 1 and Nioh 2 offered substantial experiences, and this entry looks even larger in scope. You’re stepping into an open field filled with constant tension.

People are excited about Nioh 3, which comes out on February 5th, because the first two games were so well received. One thing that still worries people, especially PC players, is how well the game will run at launch. There have been some exceptions, like Dynasty Warriors: Origins, but in the past, Team Ninja games haven't always had the best PC releases.

When you look at everything, it seems like Nioh 3 is going to be something special. It's not the best time for Nioh 3 to come out so close to Code Vein 2, but if you like the genre, there's a good chance it will be at the top of your list.