When Team Ninja announced Nioh 3 would finally descend onto the PlayStation 5 on February 6, 2026, skepticism ran high. Could the developers successfully transition their tight, mission-based combat into a sprawling open world without losing the claustrophobic intensity the series is known for? The answer, definitively, is yes. Nioh 3 isn't just a sequel; it is a reinvention that marries the technical prowess of the PS5 Pro with a punishingly brilliant new combat system. After 60 hours of dying, adapting, and triumphing as Tokugawa Takechiyo, it is clear that this is the best Soulslike game of 2026.

The Duality of Death: Samurai vs. Ninja Combat

The heart of Nioh 3 lies in its radically overhauled combat identity. Gone is the overwhelming loot-explosion of the past, replaced by a streamlined yet deeper dual-style system. You are no longer just switching weapons; you are toggling between two distinct philosophies of war: the grounded, parry-heavy Samurai and the kinetic, aerial Ninja.

The Samurai stance feels familiar to veterans, focusing on Ki pulses and heavy counters that shatter enemy posture. However, the Ninja style completely upends the formula. Instead of a traditional block, the Ninja employs the new "Mist" mechanic—a stamina-draining dodge that leaves behind a shadow decoy, allowing you to teleport behind aggressors for critical backstabs. Mastering the flow between these two styles is mandatory. One boss fight against a corrupted warlord required me to use Samurai grit to tank heavy hammer blows, then instantly snap into Ninja form to double-jump over a shockwave and rain down shuriken. It is fluid, demanding, and utterly intoxicating.

Living Weapon Synchronization

The prompt-acclaimed Living Weapon synchronization system is the game's "ace in the hole." Unlike previous iterations where your guardian spirit was a temporary power-up, you can now momentarily sync with your spirit for singular, devastating combo finishers. Timing a sync perfectly to interrupt a boss’s unblockable grab attack is one of the most satisfying feelings in gaming history, adding a rhythmic layer to the chaos that rivals Sekiro in sheer tactile pleasure.

A World of Warlords and Demons

Moving Nioh 3 to an open-field structure was a gamble, but Team Ninja has pulled it off by rejecting the emptiness often found in modern open worlds. The Sengoku-era Japan depicted here is dense and vertical. You aren't just riding a horse across empty plains; you are grappling up burning pagodas and navigating yokai-infested forests that feel like interconnected dungeons.

The narrative, centering on the fratricidal conflict between the protagonist Takechiyo and his brother Kunimatsu, provides a personal stake that grounds the supernatural horror. While the story remains melodramatic in typical genre fashion, the facial animations and voice acting are a significant step up, selling the tragedy of a family torn apart by ambition and demon blood.

PS5 Pro Performance: A Technical Marvel

Playing on the standard PS5 offers a rock-solid experience, but Nioh 3 on PS5 Pro is a revelation. Utilizing Sony's PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), the game maintains a blistering 60 frames per second at a native-looking 4K resolution, even during particle-heavy boss fights. Ray-traced reflections in the rain-slicked streets of Kyoto add a layer of immersion that feels truly "next-gen."

Loading times are virtually non-existent, a crucial feature for a game where death is a constant companion. The DualSense implementation is also standout; you can feel the difference between clashing steel and cutting through yokai flesh through the haptic feedback, while the adaptive triggers lock up when your stamina is depleted, communicating your vulnerability instantly.

Nioh 3 vs. Elden Ring: A New King?

Comparisons to Elden Ring are inevitable given the shift to an open map. However, Nioh 3 carves its own path. Where FromSoftware’s masterpiece emphasizes exploration and ambiguity, Team Ninja doubles down on mechanical depth and aggression. Nioh 3 difficulty is far more relentless; there are no "easy" dungeons to grind for levels. Every encounter is a skill check.

If you preferred the slower, methodical pace of Dark Souls, Nioh 3 might feel overwhelming. But for those who crave the speed of Bloodborne combined with the complexity of a fighting game, this is the pinnacle of the genre. It doesn't try to be Elden Ring 2; it succeeds at being the ultimate Nioh.

The Verdict

Nioh 3 is a brutal, beautiful, and uncompromising evolution of the action-RPG. By refining its combat into the Samurai/Ninja duality and setting it loose in a meticulously crafted open world, Team Ninja has created a title that demands your best and rewards you with unmatched satisfaction. It is not just a worthy sequel; it is the first essential PS5 exclusive of 2026.