Yokai Soul Cores

Lore & Background

The narrative of Nioh 2 centers on Hide, a customizable protagonist who battles yokai and supernatural beings while navigating the chaos of the late Sengoku period. Throughout their journey, which includes time-travel elements to the Heian era, Hide encounters numerous legendary figures such as Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Queen Himiko. The story reveals that Yokai disturbances are often fueled by the dark power of Otakemaru, a key antagonist, and the legendary Sohayamaru blade. Key figures like Tokugawa Ieyasu and other historical warlords play major roles in Japan's stability. Hide utilizes their guardian spirit to traverse these timelines, purifying corrupted areas and defeating enemies who have fallen under malevolent yokai influence.

Reader's Guide

Nioh 3 features two distinct playstyles that players can freely switch between at will: Samurai and Ninja. The Samurai style retains the series' signature three weapon stances and Ki management system, where combat actions consume Ki but can be restored via 'Ki Pulse' after combos. A new parrying mechanic is introduced, along with an 'Arts Proficiency' gauge that fills as damage is dealt, allowing for devastating attacks once full. The Ninja playstyle offers a faster, evasion-focused approach that replaces weapon stances with three ninja tools and introduces the 'Mist' ability to create distracting clones.

While these styles do not share equipment, both allow access to Guardian Spirit transformations, skills, and Soul Cores during combat. Players can also explore larger, less linear spaces to find points of interest for side quests or optional challenges, supported by online modes like 'Summon Visitor' for boss assistance and 'Expedition' for shared exploration.

Did You Know?

• The game features a Yokai Shift ability that allows players to temporarily transform into a powerful yokai form, not a 'Mist' ability.
• Nioh 2 allows switching between two melee weapon slots and two ranged weapon slots, but there is no distinct 'Samurai' vs 'Ninja' playstyle toggle.
• The narrative reveals that Minamoto no Yoritomo is not depicted as a yokai creator; instead, Otakemaru and the Sohayamaru are central to the lore.
• Kunimatsu, Hiruko, Murakumo, and Crucinite are not canon elements; the game's story focuses on Hide, Tokichiro, and the conflict with Otakemaru.

Dual Combat Systems

Nioh 3 introduces a dual combat system allowing seamless switching between Samurai and Ninja playstyles. The Samurai style focuses on three weapon stances, Ki management via 'Ki Pulse,' and building an 'Arts Proficiency' gauge to unleash powerful attacks, enhanced by a new parrying mechanic. In contrast, the Ninja style prioritizes speed and aerial agility, utilizing three unique ninja tools instead of stances and replacing Ki Pulse with a 'Mist' ability that summons a clone for distraction and flanking. Although equipment is exclusive to each style, players can adapt dynamically to enemy types by switching instantly. This system retains core series elements like Guardian Spirit transformations and Soul Cores while offering distinct tactical approaches, ensuring freedom in how challenges are approached without locking players into a single playstyle.

Temporal Narrative Journey

The plot follows Tokugawa Takechiyo as he travels through four eras to alter fate after his brother Kunimatsu corrupts Edo Castle in 1622. Using the guardian spirit Kusanagi, Takechiyo first journeys to 1572 Sengoku Japan to aid Honda Tadakatsu against Takeda Shingen, defeating him within a Crucible at Hamamatsu Castle. The timeline shifts to 1190 Heian-era Kyoto, where he helps Minamoto no Yoshitsune purify barriers and confronts Yoritomo's military use of Crucibles.

Next, in the Yayoi period of 247, Takechiyo meets Himiko and battles her brother Hiruko, who introduced Crucinite to the world. The final temporal jump takes him to the Bakumatsu era in 1864, where he allies with Takasugi Shinsaku to defeat Okita Soji and Tokugawa Yoshinobu. Throughout these journeys, Takechiyo encounters historical figures like Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Yoritomo, Himiko, Saito Fuku, Hattori Hanzo, and Takasugi Shinsaku, uncovering the origins of the corruption threatening Japan.

Expanded World Design

Unlike its predecessors, Nioh 3 features larger, less linear explorable spaces that encourage discovery. Players can find points of interest scattered throughout these environments to complete side quests or optional combat challenges. The game supports two online multiplayer modes: 'Summon Visitor,' which allows players to call others for help in difficult boss fights, and 'Expedition,' enabling cooperative exploration of open fields. These design choices emphasize freedom and community interaction while maintaining the series' intense action. The world spans multiple historical periods, from 1572 Sengoku Japan to 1864 Bakumatsu, each offering unique landscapes and challenges tied to the narrative of Crucinite corruption.

Origins of Corruption

The central conflict arises from Crucinite, a dark substance scattered throughout time that corrupts individuals and summons 'Crucibles,' domains where yokai hold the advantage. The source reveals that Hiruko, Himiko's brother from the Yayoi period in 247, was the first to introduce Crucinite, gaining immortality before being sealed in the Eternal Rift. However, the guardian spirit Murakumo later escaped this seal to possess Kunimatsu, whose pride made him vulnerable. Key figures like Minamoto no Yoritomo exploited Crucibles to create yokai for military dominance, while others sought purification through Spirit Trees. Takechiyo's mission involves cleansing these corrupted areas across four eras—1572, 1190, 247, and 1864—to prevent the spread of this dark influence and save Japan from the cycle of destruction.