Nioh 3

Nioh 3 is an action role-playing game from Team Ninja, published by Koei Tecmo. As the third game in the series, it came out on PlayStation 5 and Windows on February 6, 2026. Unlike its predecessor, which was a prequel, this story unfolds after everything that happened in the earlier titles.

The player controls Tokugawa Takechiyo, the grandchild of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who fights yokai and other supernatural creatures while rising to become Shogun. As in Nioh 2, players can fully customize the protagonist’s appearance. The game is played from a third-person perspective.

Two distinct playstyles are available. The Samurai style works like previous Nioh games, with three weapon stances. Combat uses Ki, which can be restored with a Ki Pulse after combos or attacks. Dealing damage fills an Arts Proficiency gauge, and when full, players can unleash a powerful strike. A new parrying mechanic is also included. The Ninja playstyle is faster and focuses on evasion, aerial moves, and ranged attacks. Instead of stances, it offers three ninja tools. The Ki Pulse is replaced by Mist, which creates a clone to distract enemies, letting the player dash behind them for heavy damage. The two styles don’t share equipment, but players can switch between them freely. Guardian spirit transformations, skills, and Soul Cores also return.

The game is less linear than its predecessors, with larger areas to explore. Points of interest offer side quests or optional combat challenges. Online multiplayer includes Summon Visitor, for help with tough bosses, and Expedition, for exploring open fields together.

The story begins in 1622, as Takechiyo is about to be appointed Shogun at Edo Castle. His younger brother, Kunimatsu, bitter about the succession, falls into darkness and leads a yokai attack. Empowered by a sinister force, he kills Saitō Fuku, Hattori Masanari, and Yagyu Munenori. Before he can kill Takechiyo, the guardian spirit Kusanagi sends Takechiyo back to 1572. Over the journey, Takechiyo travels through the Sengoku, Heian, and Bakumatsu eras, meeting figures like Himiko, Saito Fuku (now his wet nurse and Onmyo mentor), Hattori Hanzo, Honda Tadakatsu, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Yagyu Munenori, and Takasugi Shinsaku. He clashes with Takeda Shingen, Minamoto no Yoritomo, Okita Sōji, and Tokugawa Yoshinobu.