PLAYSTATION
NIOH 3
Developer/publisher Koei Tecmo (Team Ninja) Format PC, PS5 Release Early 2026
As delicious as the combat in the Nioh games often is, we felt like we’d had our fill after two, and Team Ninja seemed to have moved on as well, slightly yet significantly changing direction with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. After SGF’s surprise announcement of Nioh 3, though, the first demo has us licking our lips again.
All feels familiar until we’re invited to switch fighting styles and our character transforms at the press of a button. If there was ever a sense that Nioh was a crossbreed of Dark Souls and Ninja Gaiden, it’s heightened here, as our samurai avatar changes costumes faster than Superman to become a masked assassin. Rather than a mere outfit choice, this heralds an entirely new approach to combat (and makes the character transitions of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows feel laboured in comparison). The methodical ki pulsing that defined the way of the samurai switches to a quick spin that moves you around an opponent, encouraging you to get behind them for increased damage output. Aerial attacks are more dynamic thanks to a flurry of airborne kicks you can unleash, and you can momentarily stun foes with a quick shuriken throw. The contrast is great indeed, allowing for major tactical shifts mid-battle.