Nioh 3 Review
Exactly what action RPG fans want!
Watch the review or…
Read it here!
Title: Nioh 3
Release: February 5, 2026
Platform: PS5 PC
Developer: Koei Tecmo Games CO.
Publisher: Koei Tecmo Games CO.
Genre: RPG Action Souls-like
ESRB: M
Reviewed on: PC
Time Played: 40.5 Hours
I spent forty hours getting my butt kicked by legends of Japanese history, and honestly, I’m ready for forty more.
I never actually played the first entry in this series, but I fell head over heels for the sequel. Because of that, I had high expectations for this third installment, and I can happily say it lived up to every bit of that anticipation. The loop of overcoming grueling challenges, the meticulous hunt for the perfect equipment, and the ability to customize a character to fit a specific vision are incredibly addictive. I can’t put this game down.
The various Yokai serving as the primary opposition are fascinating. If you don’t know, Yokai are supernatural beings drawn directly from Japanese folklore. After the series first introduced me to them, I spent time researching the creatures I fought and genuinely enjoyed learning the history behind these real-world monsters. The attention to detail extends to the cast as well, since most of the characters are based on historical figures famous for their feats during that era. While I wouldn’t call myself a history buff, there is a unique satisfaction in reading about the legend who just finished kicking my butt in a boss fight.
One of the standout elements is the design of the creatures. They are equal parts terrifying and formidable. Most of them look the part, though a few appear deceptive. Some enemies didn’t look particularly strong, yet they would consistently surprise me by landing a flurry of hits before I could even react. This high level of design is consistent across the various environments and characters as well.
Mid-combat, the game offers a mechanic to instantly switch between Ninja and Samurai styles. To be honest, I rarely used this. I stuck with the Ninja path because I prefer a high-speed approach. My strategy involves landing several quick strikes before retreating to throw projectiles, which I find more engaging than a stationary build focused on parrying and heavy, slow attacks. The sheer volume of weapon choices and builds felt a little overwhelming at first, so I committed to a single weapon and a focused Ninja style. While splitting the loot pool between the two styles wasn’t a deal breaker, I found it frustrating that dropped accessories were locked to one style or the other. This made farming for specific gear much more tedious than it needed to be.
Fortunately, a blacksmith was available to craft specific equipment, provided I had the necessary recipes and currency. With the massive amount of loot I gathered, the toughest decision was whether to sell everything for gold or dismantle it for parts. I eventually found a set of gear that offered perfect bonuses for a projectile-focused build, but maintaining that equipment became expensive as the difficulty scaled. When crafting gear, the attributes are randomized. If I got a lucky roll, I would invest in leveling that piece up. If it rolled poorly, I would simply craft a newer version at a higher level to save money.
The game’s world structure is another interesting highlight. Rather than a single massive landmass, the game is broken into large, sectioned maps from different eras. Each section has a recommended level. When I started, I headed straight for the most difficult area available, which was about sixteen levels above my own. I gained levels so quickly that by the time I finished that section, the rest of that map became trivial because I was defeating enemies too quickly. However, that power trip ended as I progressed. Even when I met the level requirements, the enemies became significantly more aggressive, forcing me to use every tool at my disposal to survive.
I chose the kusarigama as my primary weapon. Like all the weapons here, it has an extensive list of moves. Specific button combinations trigger different attacks, with multiple possible attacks per combination. Unlocking the skill tree for a weapon grants access to these moves, which I then managed in a separate menu. There were many impressive skills available, and while I tried to experiment, I usually fell back on a few reliable favorites to win the tougher encounters.
I am currently nearly forty hours into the game and haven’t even finished the first journey. I am already looking forward to the higher difficulty tiers and the hunt for even rarer equipment. Eventually, it will shift into a dedicated grind for gear, but the challenges remain rewarding and the world is a joy to explore. I expect to be playing this for a long time, especially if future DLC adds even more depth.
With that, it is time to give this game a formal rating and place it on the shelf.
The visuals are stunning, particularly the creature designs, earning it a 5.
The story is decent, though it feels somewhat typical and repetitive. It wasn’t my primary focus, but it served its purpose in moving the action forward, so I’ll give it a 3.
The gameplay is where Nioh truly excels. The depth of customization and the constant challenge provide immense value, earning another 5.
The longevity is impressive because of how much there is to find and the inclusion of a more difficult second playthrough, which earns a 4.
I am still having fun playing this game. I love everything about it. I can hardly put it down. That is another 5.
This brings the average score for Nioh 3 to a 4.4 out of 5, earning it a spot in my special reserve. If you appreciate Japanese mythology and demanding combat, this is something you should experience. You don’t need to have played the previous titles to understand what’s happening, though you might miss some context for certain aspects of the game. There are also significant quality-of-life improvements compared to older entries. However, if this doesn’t seem like your thing right now, you can check out the other reviews appearing on the screen to find something that fits your taste.