Nioh 3 - Review

It seems like Japan just can’t escape the curse of Amita and Spirit Stones. Once again, we thrust back into conflict and turmoil, a battle for the Shogunate, and this time… well, that time… and maybe that time as well… There’s time travel. Nioh 3 is the third entry into the now beloved Nioh series. A series that had fans gobsmacked when a second entry was announced, people were almost just as surprised with the announcement of the third game. Nioh 2 was a huge step forward for the series, but does Nioh 3 continue that trend, or is third time unlucky?

For those who may be on the fence, but don’t want anything really spoiled for them. I’ll lay this out early for you. Nioh 3 may actually be the best game in the trilogy. It is action-packed, full of content to engage in and has tuned the difficulty to the exact right point to really give you a challenge but be an approachable and engaging fun time. Now that’s out of the way, for those who need a bit more, let us get into the nitty gritty.

Nioh 3 is the next action RPG to take its mission focused, linear world into the open world environment. Moreso an open environment or zone-based experience, Nioh 3 gives you large maps divided into smaller zones filled with a myriad of formidable enemies, a plethora of friendly Yokai and lots of chests to open. What Nioh 3 does differently to all the others is in keeping with their mission-based focus and incorporating that into the open world exploration in a few different ways.

The part that will grab longtime fans of the series is the side missions that will open up as you progress through that game in the battle scroll. These are missions you can accept when you go to a shrine. These take you to separate maps, a lot of the time in similar but different variations of maps you’ve explored. They’ll give you unique bosses, historical bites fused with the Nioh lore and stylings. These fill the niche of what once was the mission based Nioh, while not attempting to belittle what Nioh 3 is trying to move towards.

The other way is through side quests in the world, and dungeons I’d compare to Legacy dungeons in Elden Ring. You’ll go through these missions with a fixed goal but can still leave to explore the greater world if you feel underpowered, or in need of buffs you get from Kodama and Jizo statues, or from the titles you can get by doing a plethora of tasks in the greater world. These side missions through spirits, or the main quests in dungeons the world feels alive with both quests and things to explore, fight and see. Making Nioh 3 the most actively involved game in the series, with lots of different things to do.

Nioh 3 has decided to go the dangerous, and surprisingly growingly common, route of having a time travelling story. Unlike the previous games which follow a pseudo historical narrative, the first game with the use of William who is a representation of William Adams. Or the ongoing wars around the time of Nobunaga’s ascent, Nioh 3 has decided to incorporate more eras of Japanese history into its pseudo historical storytelling, through the traversing of time. You’ll experience the end of Ieyasu Tokugawa’s Shogunate period, the Warring States period, even going back to the Heian period, which often gets overlooked or forgotten about.

Couple this with a generally intriguing story, one that is a little bit more loosey-goosy than the previous games, but does the time travel in an interesting way. Rather than going back to the earliest date first and working forward, it jumps more all over the place. Going further back in time and having characters who aren’t completely inept and unable to tell that you don’t quite belong. There is also a cast of characters who are aware of the requirements of a time traveller to cleanse the Crucinite and stop the timeline from being destroyed. It is a bizarre direction to take, but it is done so well in Nioh 3.

Nioh 3 introduces a few new weapon types as well as completely new style of combat and gameplay around this. You’ll be able to have access to Ninjutsu at will, by switching to Ninja form with the press of a button. Ninja form plays completely different to Samurai and gives you access to even more weapon types than before. The inclusion of Caestus and Talons as weapon types, Caestus for Samurai, Talons for Ninja really gives new rapid fire and up close and personal ways to play. Each weapon style feels distinct from the others, and this in turn really fits the fluid, rapid playstyle of Nioh.

Onmyo magic makes a return too but works a little differently again (and for the better). You’ll get Soul Cores from enemies are you progress through the game. Similar to the summoning feature from Nioh 2, Nioh 3 allows you to set the Soul Cores in two different positions. One allows you to summon that creature a certain amount of times to hit and damage enemies. Some doing more Ki damage, some doing more health. In Dark World moments in the overworld or in boss fights, Yokai summons will even do more damage as they too receive the Dark World benefits. Set in the other position you are granted access to a myriad of buffing, debuffing or damaging spell talismans, similar to how it has worked previously.

The improved access to Ninjutsu as a skill base, rather than a talisman one, as well as an expanded Onmyo magic system really gives you more ways to engage and play the game, without making you feel completely restricted to a single playstyle. Couple this with the ability to reset all your allocated levels anytime you go to the level up menu at a shrine, means you are never locked into one style of play. You get to change and experiment as you go, without being punished for wanting to try something different, or getting fixated on a particular style of play for longer periods of time.

There is a lot that can be said about Nioh 3, but the best way to experience the true nuance and experiences of the upwards 50-hour journey, is to play it yourself. Nioh 3 is easily the most accessible in the series and gives you more content than ever. The new combat styles are implemented immaculately and in a way that doesn’t force you into just one style. The mission focused aspect is still present will give you the freedom to explore and experience a world that feels inherently like Nioh should, while also feeling brand new. Time travel stories can be a little wishy-washy at times, and while Nioh 3 falls a little bit into that trap, it is done just well enough that it can easily be overlooked. The Open World (or Open Field as the developers put it) style works fantastically and really does take Nioh 3 to the next level once again. Easily the most impressive, well thought out and enjoyable game in the trilogy.

The Score

10

Review code provided by Koei Tecmo

The Pros

Ninja and Samurai feel distinct and fun to switch between

Returning familiar bosses show a care for the past, while new bosses all feel unique and different

New friendly and unfriendly Yokai are interesting, unique and add even more to the overall game

The Cons

Time Travel stories can be a little bit too much for some players

Mute main characters are really something that needs to be done away with in 2026 and beyond