Nioh 3 Review, Gameplay Impressions, Videos and Top Features

Nioh 3 from developer Team Ninja isn't just a follow-up to a hit series: It's a direct response to the evolving genre that has blossomed into a juggernaut. 

During the run-up to and well after the release of Nioh 2 in 2020, games like Elden Ring and similar Soulslikes have boomed in popularity. 

The response from Nioh 3? Continuing to do what the series does best, but flesh it out with widely popular concepts. That means a bigger world with more player choice and layers upon layers of new combat options at the fingertips of players, too. 

The result is a fresh-feeling take on the series that boasts some interesting upside to compete with the biggest newcomers in the genre.

Graphics and Gameplay

From a presentation standpoint, Nioh 3 hits all the right marks. 

The graphics are fantastic on player models and the sometimes huge skyboxes offer depth to the now-expanded playscape. There can be muddy textures at times if one gets close enough, but it's hard to care much when the visually stunning battle effects, compelling physics and next-gen stuff like reflections look so good.

It's a presentation package that nails the diverse world well, too. There are lonely forest bits, red-laced, moody demonic areas and so much more to explore. On a sound design note, it, too, does the expected job for a combat slasher with a fun soundtrack and booming battle effects that add weight.

Exploration-wise, Nioh 3 breaks some trends by shifting away from the linear levels of the past to a much bigger world  (which it dubs "open-field"). There are plenty of areas to explore and some standard open-world-feeling stuff like side quests and optional challenges. 

Actual traversal of the lands feels good in a speedy-ninja sort of way. But frankly, most players are probably here for the combat. 

In basic samurai combat, players can pick from three weapons stances. Ki is the spendable resource for special moves and the basics like quick and strong attacks, plus parries and dodges. Parries are new to the series. But there's a fun feedback loop via a "Ki Pulse," which restores the stamina after sets of attacks and combos. 

The feedback loop for being aggressive doesn't stop there, either. A separate "Arts Proficiency" meter charges, leading to what is basically a super attack that does more damage and causes less Ki drainage, as well as expanded combos. 

Certain enemies carry their own Ki gauges, too. Both player and enemy alike are vulnerable to big damage if their Ki gauges exhaust, leaving them staggered. 

And that's just one playstyle for combat. 

Fresh to Nioh 3 is a Ninja playstyle. It doesn't share equipment with the traditional playstyle, but it's exactly what it sounds like: players dodge more, using agility and even aerial attacks. A sort of stealth plays a role, too, as Ki gets swapped out for a Mist feature that creates a distracting clone while the player dodges. Attacking from behind can even do bonus damage, creating its own fun feedback loop. 

Players are free to swap between the two playstyles, which is a nice overall touch for a system that feels great. There are difficulty spikes, sure, but it's always fun to experiment with different approaches, including a nice stealth system that lets players thin out crowds now. 

Guardian Spirits return, too, and have their own special gauge that fills through combat and collection. Unleashing the associated Living Artifact talents will minimize attack impact on Ki, plus add the element of the spirit to a player's weapons. 

Story and more

Players assume the role of protagonist Tokugawa Takechiyo, who is set to become shogun. 

As if it would ever be so simple, right?

Things go awry over some standard sibling jealousy, then things get not-so-standard as demonic forces and even a bit of time shenanigans come into play. 

It's a fun romp, even if it feels pretty by-the-books. Even so, the journey is a nice vehicle to get players in the action and out exploring, so it does the job well. 

Progression feels solid in a way that respects the player's time. It starts with another fantastic character creator from Team Ninja, then goes from there. Put in time exploring the world and be properly rewarded, that sort of thing. 

The skill trees for classes and weapons are intimidating to parse through and make tough choices, but not anything too wild that gamers who have picked up an Assassin's Creed or similar won't expect. There's more build crafting here than perhaps anticipated, which is a great thing. 

Nioh 3 offers multiplayer modes that slot into the "expected" column, too. Similar to other games in the space, players can summon others for help or assist others. Campaign saved data is based on the host's game. There's also a fun clan feature, where swearing allegiance to a clan lets players partake in online battles.

Given the number of enemies on screen at times, the battle effects and some really good-looking dynamic weather, Nioh 3 runs impressively well. Nioh 3 also gets bonus points for a strong suite of accessibility options.

Conclusion 

Nioh 3 is a nice medley composed of the best bits of the series and some obvious must-have modernizations to keep things fresh. 

In short, it's the best game in the series to date. 

Expanding the world, offering deep progression and demanding creativity in its stances and overall combat across various degrees of challenge, Nioh 3 is a timesink of the best order. 

With this effort, Nioh is now less of a niche in the genre that was shoved aside and more standing next to the FromSoft, all while threatening to pull ahead.