Nioh 3 review

Image: Team Ninja/Koei Tecmo Games

Team Ninja once stated that it had no plans for a third entry in the Nioh series. Apparently the studio has changed its mind in the last five years or so, however, as here we are with Nioh 3. In any case, it’s nothing to be upset about, as it might just be the best entry in the series yet. And considering how good the previous two entries have been, that’s saying something.

There’s one thing for sure: while many elements of Nioh 3 are instantly familiar, it’s not a sequel for sequel’s sake. Perhaps the very reason that this game exists is because Team Ninja believed it could add some meaningful new features and shake up the gameplay. When it comes to the latter, it mainly does so by changing up the game’s structure. You see, rather than have players select relatively linear missions from a map, Nioh 3 now lets us explore open fields instead.

Team Ninja has been careful to not call Nioh 3 open world, and that’s probably because you don’t have the same level of freedom to explore here as you do in the likes of the mighty Elden Ring. You do get that sense of openness at times, though, at least in some areas, while others simply offer various paths for you to take, each with their own opportunities to engage in combat, gain loot, and more. Like Elden Ring, some areas you enter also present what are essentially legacy dungeons for you to complete, with fearsome bosses waiting for you at the end of them.

On your epic journey in Nioh 3, you’ll find yourself visiting four time periods, working with and facing off against a myriad of historical figures along the way. Though as usual, Yokai are your main threat here, coming in a wide range of shapes and sizes. There are your typical skeletal soldiers which are relatively easy to deal with, hulking one-eyed ogres which you’ll hate because of their penchant to throw huge rocks at you from a distance, giant (and I really do mean giant) imp-like creatures that will try to stomp on you, and a whole lot more. Sure, some of these are reused from previous games, but it’s hard to complain when there’s so much enemy variety.

The bosses here will once again be the highlight for some, being very fearsome indeed. Chances are they will kick your backside multiple times until you’ve learned what they’re capable of and adjust your tactics appropriately. But the good thing here is that the new open field format makes it easier than ever to go away and gain some levels and perhaps upgrade your gear if you’re finding things too tough. There are other ways to make a challenging boss (or area) a little easier as well. Online co-op makes a return, allowing multiple players to work together, and computer-controlled Acolytes can also be summoned for some assistance. It’s just a shame that the latter still requires many more Ochoko Cups than the former.

When it comes to taking down your foes, your options have expanded quite considerably. Once again you’re playing as a Samurai, and will ultimately have access to three stances which each have their own characteristics and range of attacks with the many weapon types available. But with the press of a button, you can now switch over to being a ninja. As you’d expect, you’re faster but squishier in your ninja form, and instead of having access to stances you have a variety of tools and techniques available to you instead.

It’s up to you how you make use of these two fighting styles. You might just want to focus on being a samurai and develop your character solely for that, or you might decide to permanently be a ninja, making ample use of their bonus to back attack damage and more. Most, though, will probably make use of both depending on the situation they find themselves in. Both have their distinct benefits and drawbacks, after all.

On top of all this, you have a wealth of additional systems to further empower your character and give them more options in combat. The Soul Core and Spirit Guardian systems return from Nioh 2, for example. The former doesn’t allow you to briefly turn into a Yokai anymore, but you can summon them during battle and make use of valuable items they provide you with. The Spirit Guardian system, on the other hand, has been expanded, with you gaining access to multiple skills via each Guardian as you make your way through the game, as well as being able to make use of their power to momentarily take on a new form. Some of the Guardians you acquire even open up new traversal options out in the game’s open fields.

Throw in the Diablo-style loot, which now includes special items only found in challenging areas called Crucibles, and you have a game that has so many systems that it verges on overwhelming you, and indeed it may do in the early hours. But after a while they all come together and help make Nioh 3 an utterly engaging experience with boundless depth. You can spend so much time here trying to optimise your character, and thanks to the fact that you can now freely respec whenever you visit a shrine, you’re able to experiment to your heart’s content.

Perhaps the most important thing about Nioh 3, though, is that it’s such a joy to play, even when things aren’t going your way. Controlling your character is a delight, with them being responsive to your commands, and the game’s mechanics have been fine-tuned to make every encounter fun and worthwhile. After Nioh 2, I honestly thought the series couldn’t get any better, but Team Ninja has done it again. This sits alongside Elden Ring when it comes to being a prime example of the Soulslike genre. But as ever, thanks to its Team Ninja pedigree, it should also go down well with anyone who simply enjoys a challenging action game.

With its new open field format, Nioh 3 is undoubtedly the best entry in the series yet, giving players more freedom to explore and making the experience feel more seamless. Add on top of that additional new features, such as the ability to switch between samurai and ninja styles on the fly and being able to freely respec, and you have a stellar example of just how good the Soulslike genre can be. This is an early game of the year contender, without a doubt.10out of 10

We like…

Open field format is brilliant
So many systems that add depth
Two styles to switch between on the fly
Looks and performs great on PS5 Pro

We don’t like…

None!

This review of Nioh 3 is based on the PS5 version, with a code provided by the game’s publisher. It’s available on PS5 and PC.