The wait is finally over, and the verdict is clear: Nioh 3 is not just a sequel; it is the definitive evolution of the hardcore action-RPG. Released last week on PlayStation 5 and PC, Team Ninja’s latest entry shatters the corridor-based constraints of its predecessors, delivering a sprawling "Open Field" historical epic that has already secured our Editors’ Choice award. After spending 60 hours with Tokugawa Takechiyo’s time-bending saga, it is evident that the developers have successfully married the punishing technical depth of Nioh 2 with the expansive freedom of Rise of the Ronin.

The Dual-Style Revolution: Ninja vs. Samurai

The headline feature dominating the discourse over the last 48 hours is the new dual-style combat system. For the first time, Team Ninja has bifurcated the gameplay into two distinct disciplines: the classic Samurai Style and the all-new Ninja Style. This decision transforms the game’s accessibility without diluting its mechanical richness.

Veterans will feel right at home with Samurai Style. It retains the three-stance system (High, Mid, Low) and the essential Ki Pulse mechanic that defines the series' rhythm. However, the Ninja Style is the true game-changer. Designed for agility and evasion, it completely removes the Ki Pulse requirement, replacing it with high-speed dodges and aerial ninjutsu maneuvers. In our testing, this style proved to be the perfect on-ramp for newcomers intimidated by the series' notorious difficulty, offering a fluid, almost character-action game feel that contrasts sharply with the calculated stamina management of the Samurai.

Exploration: Breaking the Mission Mold

Gone is the rigid mission selection screen of 2020. Nioh 3 introduces interconnected "Open Field" maps that span the Heian, Sengoku, and Edo periods. While not a fully seamless open world in the traditional sense, these massive zones offer a sense of scale and discovery previously absent from the franchise. You aren't just selecting a level; you are traversing a war-torn Japan ravaged by the "Crucible" calamity.

The level design encourages verticality—a lesson clearly learned from Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. Players can now grapple onto rooftops to ambush Yokai or uncover hidden shrines that serve as fast-travel points. This shift has also revitalized the loot system. Discovering a chest behind a waterfall feels far more rewarding now that you’ve physically trekked there rather than simply clearing a linear corridor. The loot itself has been streamlined; while the "Diablo-style" gear shower remains, the sheer volume of junk items has been reduced in favor of more meaningful, distinct drops like the coveted Hellfrost Equipment Set.

Boss Design and Difficulty

It wouldn't be a Team Ninja game without crushing boss fights, and Nioh 3 delivers some of the studio's finest work. The narrative conflict, pitting the protagonist against his brother Tokugawa Kunimatsu, provides an emotional anchor for the duel-heavy encounters. The AI has seen a significant upgrade; human bosses now react dynamically to your stance changes, forcing players to switch between Samurai and Ninja styles on the fly.

One boss in particular, the spectral Jakotsu-baba, has been the subject of intense community discussion over the last two days. Her ability to shift the arena’s era mid-fight—forcing you to adapt to different environmental hazards—is a masterclass in encounter design. While the Ninja Style offers more evasion options, these fights still demand precise timing and pattern recognition. The game never feels easy, but it feels consistently fair.

PC Performance and Visuals

On the technical front, the PC version is a robust port, a welcome surprise given the studio's rocky history with PC optimization. On our test rig (RTX 4080, Ryzen 7 7800X3D), Nioh 3 maintained a locked 120 FPS at 4K with DLSS set to Quality. The particle effects during Yokai Realm shifts are dazzling, and the load times are virtually nonexistent.

However, handheld performance tells a different story. As noted in early reports and confirmed by our testing, the game struggles on Steam Deck, often dipping below 30 FPS in the larger Open Field areas. Players looking to take the demon hunting on the go should wait for upcoming optimization patches or stick to streaming from a main rig.

Verdict

Nioh 3 is a triumph. It respects the legacy of its hardcore fanbase while opening the gates for a new generation of players. The narrative, spanning centuries of Japanese history, is surprisingly coherent, and the combat remains best-in-class. If you have been waiting for the next great action-RPG, this is it. The Shogunate awaits.

Score: 9.5/10

  • Pros: Incredible combat depth, new accessible Ninja Style, rewarding exploration, excellent PC optimization.
  • Cons: Poor Steam Deck performance, camera can still get wonky in tight corners.