Nioh 3

This is an excellent Souls-like title with a unique battle system to mix up the usual formulas. The setting looks immense and gameplay is addictive despite many a death at the hands of gruesome monsters...It's as good a Souls-like game as Elden Ring.

Nioh 3 still struggles with cheap boss fights and clumsy controls, but the thrilling action and spectacular world design more than make up for its faults. This is the best entry in the franchise and it isn't even close.

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.

Three decades in the making, Nioh 3 stands as the culmination of everything Team Ninja has learned over the past 30 years. Its vast, beautifully crafted world invites exploration and rewards curiosity at every turn, offering a wealth of discoveries and formidable foes that constantly test your skill. Nioh 3 is not only the strongest entry in the series to date, but also one of the finest action RPGs of its generation.

Each design decision, whether in narrative pacing or mechanical complexity, converges to strengthen the hardcore experience that has always defined the franchise. It is a work that understands its identity, honors its legacy, and looks ahead. Nioh 3 is not just another chapter in the trilogy; it is the technical and artistic pinnacle of the saga, establishing itself as an instant classic of the action genre.

Nioh 3 represents the series at its most refined and confident. Combat is precise, expressive, and endlessly rewarding, while open-field design gives the world room to breathe without sacrificing focus. Crucibles deliver punishing, carefully balanced challenges that reward preparation and mastery in equal measure.

The third entry in the series retains Nioh’s recognizable hardcore identity while significantly changing the approach to many aspects of the game. Moving away from linear missions in favor of an open world, integrating a variety of combat styles, and making an effort to make the game more accessible to newcomers — all of this makes Nioh 3 Team Ninja’s most ambitious project to date.

Nioh 3 is the most ambitious and densely featured entry in the series, with a vast world to explore and extremely satisfying systems and combat to master. It does for the Nioh franchise what Elden Ring did for the Dark Souls world. Nioh 3 offers a huge amount of content and flexibility. It can be immensely challenging, but there are plenty of ways and an array of tools and approaches to mitigate the difficulty. Nioh has always perched between being niche and mainstream. Nioh 3 should help this excellent series broaden its audience while appealing to long-time fans as well. Lovers of Soulslikes, Team NINJA's games, and well-made action titles in general won't be disappointed.

If there's a company that knows its way around action RPGs, it's Team NINJA. But with Nioh 3, it feels as if they have finally perfected their vision. This is the culmination of their endless quest to create the ultimate action RPG experience centered around a satisfying flow state, and they've achieved it in the bloodiest and most glorious way possible.

As if possessed by the spirit of Masamune, Team Ninja has forged its finest work within the Nioh saga; a game as satisfying to play as it is deep in its systems. If Nioh 3 were a katana, it would be worthy of the shogun himself.

Is it the best Nioh game? Despite how overwrought it is in some areas, it’s the Nioh title I’ve felt the most driven to keep returning to.

Nioh 3 is a superbly enjoyable culmination of action RPG fun and its open environments are bursting with so much rewarding content that it's hard to put it down whenever you start playing. It may be a big change of pace but I'm incredibly happy with everything it offers.

Even in a genre as saturated as the Soulslike, nothing compares to the Nioh series, and Nioh 3 stands out as the best in the trilogy. The transition to an open world isn’t perfect, but the rewarding exploration, stunning landscapes, and thrilling optional boss battles more than make up for any minor issues. Add to that top-notch combat, an extremely customizable character creation system, a lengthy campaign with a deep New Game+ mode where the loot system really shines, and an auto-equip feature that’s a true godsend, and you have yet another Team Ninja hit that sits at the top of the Soulslike genre.

Nioh 3 has one of the best combat systems and endless mechanics and customization options that can overwhelm even the most avid fan. The combination of ninja mode and samurai mode is a unique evolution for the franchise.

Nioh 3 proves to be more than just another Souls-like entry in an abundant genre. Nioh 3 turns out to be an experience that was both rewarding and deeply engaging. Its greatest strength lies in its combat depth. The dual-stance system—Samurai and Ninja—creates a dynamic back-and-forth that forces players to think, adapt, and master timing rather than rely solely on button-mashing. The KI system, switching between stances, varied weapons types, Ninjutsu, martial arts abilities, talent tree, and expansive build options ensure that no two battles feel the same. Boss fights are challenging yet fair, offering flexibility and strategic freedom that make victories feel earned rather than frustrating.

Not only is Nioh 3 the best entry in the series, it's also the most accessible entry as well. Whether you're a fan of Soulslikes, previous Nioh entries, or just good samurai action, don't hesitate to check this one out.

It may not replace Elden Ring in my heart, but Nioh 3 is a new high bar for the series and one of the most engaging and exciting Soulslikes I've had the fortune of playing. Top-of-the-line combat and a brand-new and surprisingly engaging open world make it a fantastic place to start for newcomers or longtime franchise fans alike. Aside from a somewhat weak plot, there's nothing holding back Nioh 3; it's absolutely worth picking up.

If you thrive on deep combat systems, layered progression, and high difficulty, this is easily one of Team Ninja’s most refined efforts. For me, it’s a game I admire as much as I wrestle with. But there is enough there to to make want to go for 100%.

Nioh 3 is a fantastic leap forward for Team Ninja’s generally great but increasingly stagnant take on Soulslikes. I had to stop myself from seeking out the next awesome hidden boss or from learning a cool new weapon to see credits to write this review, and the experience largely manages to maintain its excitement throughout its lengthy runtime. Nioh 3’s hardships are many, and failure is plentiful, but its thrills are bigger and more impressive than ever before.

Nioh 3 is a culmination of fast-paced combat system of the series with beautiful and rich Japanese mythology full of different eras and yokai influence. The addition of Ninja combat style pushes Nioh further and open levels are providing players with new options. This is best of Team Ninja and already one of top videogames of 2026.

In short, Nioh 3 surpasses its predecessors in scope, mechanics, and technical polish, while retaining almost everything that made Nioh and Nioh 2 special.

The best Soulslike not made by FromSoftware, which expands and improves on the series’ exceptional combat with two separate play styles and a fantastically wide range of enemies and locations.

Nioh 3 brings the formula developed by its predecessors to near perfection, and the open, yet not overly expansive, world is a great addition. The complex combat system, while requiring skill to use to its full potential, is one of the best in the genre.

The leap that the NiOh series has made from game to game bodes well for the future. NiOh 3 can already compete with the best representatives of the soulslike genre. The exploration itself may not yet have that sense of wonder that was present in Elden Ring, and the recycling of enemies is a bit of a nuisance, but I consider NiOh 3 to be the best instalment in the series, and its heart, the combat system, really shines here.

From quality-of-life enhancements like this, to excellent new additions and refinements to its core systems, Nioh 3 is absolutely superb across the board. It's an evolution of the Nioh formula where every single new idea lands. There might still be a couple of issues, but they're relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Nioh 3 is Team Ninja at its very best, learning from its own development side quests to return with renewed vigor. The end result is the best game in the series so far, and one not to be missed.

While Nioh 3 was a very big learning curve, with lots of different stats and combos to keep track of. I’m not going to tell you how long some of the bosses took me, but once I had it semi-figured out, it was fantastic fun.

Ultimately, Nioh 3 feels like a confident step forward for the series, expanding player freedom through its Ninja style, Style Shift system, and deep build-crafting without losing what makes Nioh work. While its open-field design can lean on tired ideas, it rarely drags the experience down, and the game's combat is the strongest it has ever been. I enjoyed my time with Nioh 3 enough to immediately jump into New Game Plus, which says a lot on its own, and I'm looking forward to seeing how things play out now with the increased difficulty and customization options it offers. It also helps how well the game runs on the PS5, where it has performed smoothly for me from start to finish with no technical issues to speak of. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Nioh 3 proves that the series still has room to grow, experiment, and surprise.

Nioh 3 is a testament to player expression. For the third entry of a series in an extremely busy, competitive genre, Team Ninja has always managed to set themselves apart with Nioh. By incorporating open areas to explore and gain confidence and experience in, players will be able to find a playstyle that works best for them. It won’t always be easy but Nioh 3 straddles that delicate line between expert challenge and thrilling victory, where your pulse is racing having exhausted all your options, finally pulling off a clutch encounter with a sliver of life to spare, breathing a sigh of satisfaction at your resounding success.

Nioh 3 delivers arguably one of the finest combat systems in gaming history; it's a sheer masterclass in addictive gameplay that will absolutely captivate Souls-like fans looking for their next high-octane fix.

Nioh 3 is a masterpiece! A super complete action RPG, more accessible than the previous installments, with excellent replayability and, above all, an absolutely brilliant combat system. The samurai and ninja modes, the culmination of Team Ninja's expertise, blend together perfectly and form the foundation of a generous and addictive experience. The open areas are always designed to facilitate progression, and the co-op mode is the perfect finishing touch. A must-play for fans of the genre.

Nioh 3 is an incredible game that expands on the core gameplay of its predecessors and drops players into a vast world where they can unleash their combat potential to their heart's content. It's a huge step-up for the series as a whole, and I'm excited to see where it goes next.

Nioh remains at the top of the soulslike genre, outside of FromSoft's own titles. The third instalment's ninja style fighting and more open world are both excellent additions to the formula.

An open field and two distinct battle styles mark Nioh 3’s key changes, blending well with the series’ trademark difficulty. While enemy variety remains limited, it is well suited to test your skills and kick off the year with intensity.

Nioh 3 doesn’t settle for iterative improvements. Instead, it pulls together Team Ninja’s best mechanics from past entries, folds in welcome touches from its other games, and backs it all up with genuinely strong new additions that feel mechanically sound and consistently engaging.

Nioh 3 is the best game yet in the franchise. Featuring varied combat and rewarding players for exploring its open fields, Team Ninja has created a unique and fulfilling action role-playing game. Whether you’re a newcomer to the series or have played the prior two games, there’s a blast to be had either alone or with friends in this stellar PS5 game.

Nioh 3 is a fast, relentless, and tough thrill ride that maintains a great sense of progression while rewarding exploration and player freedom. The sheer amount of options is overwhelming, while opening the door to the souls-like genre for newcomers with its Ninja Gaiden-inspired action.

Nioh 3 is an evolution of Team Ninja as a studio. The solid foundation laid by the first two Nioh titles paved the way for aspects of Ninja Gaiden, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and Rise of the Ronin to combine into the third and most ambitious entry in the series. This is a must play for any fan as Team Ninja truly cooked with this one.

Nioh 3 represents a bold evolution for Team Ninja's punishing samurai saga. Where the first two entries excelled in tight, mission-based structure and stance mastery, this sequel leaps into larger open fields packed with content, such as side quests and Crucible trials, delivering that signature tension with far more freedom to explore. The real game-changer? Seamless switching between Samurai and Ninja modes mid-fight, allowing you to chain fast-paced combos with Ninjutsu and powerful Onmyo Magic.

Nioh 3 takes the best elements of the series past and Team Ninja's legacy in delivering one of the most fun and feature-rich action games to start off the new year.

Nioh 3 refines the series by expanding its combat and structure without losing its identity. The ability to switch between Samurai and Ninja styles adds meaningful depth, changing how encounters are approached and keeping combat consistently engaging. Open-ended maps improve exploration and pacing, even though enemy and asset repetition still exists. Technical performance on PS5 shows some instability, and the visuals feel limited by an aging engine. Even so, its combat systems are the strongest the franchise has ever delivered, making Nioh 3 a confident and exciting evolution.

Nioh 3 fractures Team Ninja’s formula, pushing players to master brutal Samurai power and lethal Ninja agility in every demanding encounter.

You don’t change a winning team, as they say. Except that you absolutely can replace a winning team with an even stronger one. These 60 hours spent with Nioh 3 have done more than dispel our doubts—they’ve shown us that every change introduced by Koei Tecmo was conceived with exceptional care and relevance. Nioh 3 has become an exploration game, and it feels like this was its calling from the very beginning…Smartly reconfigured around the complementarity between samurai and ninja, enhanced by well-judged new mechanics, and boasting unshakeable nervousness, versatility, and depth, Nioh 3’s combat system reaches remarkable heights of intensity and enjoyment. The few flaws that can be pointed out—such as a weak story and recycled enemies—won’t prevent Team Ninja’s game from taking its crown.

Nioh 3 is a worthy addition to the franchise: the story engages, the world invites exploration, and the combat system constantly challenges you. Technically solid, though the graphics could be sharper, it’s a game that both fans and newcomers will enjoy for hours.

A triumphant evolution of the series for existing fans, and the best possible jumping-on point (though far from an easy one) for new ones. Nioh 3 demands care, planning, and patience – and gives immense satisfaction in the form of a brutal but engrossing adventure in return.

Nioh 3 represents Team Ninja’s full maturity and a true evolution for the soulslike genre. With its dual combat styles and open-map design, the game successfully lowers the barrier to entry for newcomers without compromising on its signature difficulty. This results in an experience that is as rewarding and entertaining for long-time fans as it is for those approaching a soulslike for the first time. While there are some criticisms regarding frame rate stability and enemy AI, these issues do not ultimately undermine the overall experience. In a market saturated with titles that are mere pale imitations of FromSoftware’s work, often falling into the 'more of the same' trap, Nioh 3 stands out. It does so not just through its soulslike mechanics, but by the way it masters them, blending them with a unique identity. The result is an original game that brings a breath of fresh air to the genre.

Nioh 3 refines its core strengths with exceptional, demanding combat while the story remains secondary. A confident evolution for fans, but a tough entry point for newcomers.

Gripes around accessibility aside, Team Ninja can comfortably take a bow, having finally achieved the full potential for this wonderful series with Nioh 3.

In the roughly 60 hours I spent with Nioh 3, I often only reluctantly put the controller down for breaks. The enhanced gameplay structure and clever, new elements reliably prevent you from getting frustrated and losing your temper on a boss, without sacrificing the series' signature edge. Nioh 3's more open approach reliably motivates you to keep at it and consistently creates an exemplary, captivating flow. If you've only ever tentatively eyed the Nioh games from afar, this latest installment offers the best opportunity yet to jump into the series.

Nioh 3 moves beautifully with smooth, glowing, brutal combat and a huge array of special abilities to equip and call upon.

Nioh 3 is a triumphant adventure that stands up to the mightiest contemporaries in the Soulslike genre… It’s impressive how consistently strong the series is, and Nioh 3 does not disappoint.

Nioh 3 is a bold and rewarding evolution of Team Ninja’s action RPG formula, expanding the series into an open-field format without losing the tight, satisfying combat it’s known for. Though the narrative falters early, its gameplay depth, time-spanning structure, and layered progression systems make it a must-play for fans of skill-based combat. From its masterful boss encounters to its robust exploration mechanics, Nioh 3 delivers a dense, challenging experience for those willing to invest in its systems.

While my gripes with the series as a whole persist in this third entry, Team Ninja also makes great strides in refining and innovating upon its strong points. Nioh 3 is a confident step forward for Team Ninja, and the strongest entry in the series yet.

Nioh 3 is bigger, better and knows exactly what it wants. A better version of the previous 2 games that not only improved upon them, but to create the best combat in Team Ninja’s history and that exploration aspect they added was the icing on the cake.

Nioh 3 may stumble slightly with its narrative and a bit of bloating from the new open zone design, but it’s still far and away the best game in the series to date. Consistently excellent combat, well-designed bosses, and a new form that adds even more depth and value to already meticulously put-together mechanics make Nioh 3 more than a worthy challenger to Elden Ring.

Nioh 3 is not just another "Souls-like", it is a title that respects the foundation of the genre while building a unique identity upon it. It masterfully strikes a delicate balance between the harshness of punishment and the thrill of reward. With its compelling story and boss fights that serve as the ultimate test of skill, I can confidently say it is the best Souls-like experience I have ever had.

How well Nioh 3 turned out is no coincidence. Team Ninja shows once again that it understands how to craft soulslike games, delivering a truly entertaining experience. The combat mechanics not only feel polished, but also purposeful and varied. Progression remains complex, yet still approachable. This is another well rounded installment that you will enjoy from start to finish.

Nioh 3 proves that sequels can still bring fresh ideas to an established franchise. By introducing more open regions and meaningful side activities, the new soulslike retains the strengths of its predecessors while addressing their shortcomings. The result is a well-crafted narrative, unforgettable boss battles, and a wealth of content, all supported by a progression system that feels inviting to both newcomers and longtime fans.

Nioh 3 is the best installment in the series so far! The dual character system, with its two completely different fighting styles (Samurai and Ninja), makes for thrilling and varied action. The sheer number of spectacular bosses adds to the appeal. But the richly detailed and highly motivating semi-open world also makes the third installment of Team Ninja's action RPG stand out within the series and the Soulslike genre in general.

Despite the refined combat system, updated graphics engine, slightly more interesting plot, and the inclusion of open-field gameplay, Nioh 3 hasn't become a completely different experience from its predecessors. Choosing to embark on a journey through time with the protagonist Tokugawa Takechiyo, you'll face terrifying monsters of all sizes, who will fight you with all their might and sometimes seem unfair, impossible to overcome... unless you put in the effort and utilize all the tools the game offers. The score you see below was incredibly difficult to assign, as we wanted it to reflect both the numerous improvements and the consistently high level of commitment required to enjoy everything else: the landscapes, the design of the bosses and common enemies, the powerful Japanese voice acting, and the many graphic details that depict myths and legends, history and fantasy. In short, Nioh 3 is still Nioh: incredibly challenging, but also incredibly satisfying.

Nioh 3 is a game that took me a while to get into. I wasn’t feeling the first hour or two, and I initially couldn’t get to grips with the Burst Break mechanic. At some point, though, it clicked, and I got into the groove; the world opened up, and the game was transformed. From that point, I couldn’t put it down. There’s a lot to like here, and enough to keep players engaged for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours, with a multitude of different build possibilities and ways to attack any given objective. Lacklustre graphics presentation aside, I couldn’t find many faults with Nioh 3. Definitely one to check out.

Nioh 3 stays true to the franchise’s roots and focuses on refining its formula to deliver its most polished, deep, and satisfying gameplay experience to date. Combat shines brighter than ever thanks to the introduction of the Ninja and Samurai styles, while exploration gains new relevance with the addition of open maps, making progression highly rewarding. Although the limited enemy variety, a boring story, and repeated elements from previous entries can create a sense of déjà vu, the game largely succeeds in its goals and stands as franchise most complete entry yet. It’s not a revolution, but rather the natural evolution many action fans were hoping for.

Nioh 3 is the best soulslike made by Team Ninja so far. The game perfects its original formula and delivers one of the best combat systems in the genre. Although it has some slips like massive enemy reuse and some repetitive activities in its open world, it's still a game that shines above many others.

Nioh 3 evolves the series' formula with semi-open world maps and an even deeper and more dynamic combat system, maintaining challenging and highly satisfying encounters. Despite stumbles in the narrative, enemy repetition, and visual aspects, the gameplay remains the highlight of the experience, and should easily please fans of action RPGs.

Nioh 3 is, in other words, a game that exists, thrives, and potentially fails solely in the hands. It will give you as much of itself as you’re willing to accept—regardless of how crammed your gullet already is. It has no soul, and wouldn’t know what to do with one if it did. But it does inspire the kind of fascination inevitably produced by a machine that has been engineered meticulously for a singular purpose. It’s huge, aggressive, and—if I didn’t need to put a few more polish passes on this review—I’d probably be playing it right now. The crux is this: It’s impossible to imagine a better Nioh game. Whether that’s an expression of praise or damnation is left for the reader to decide.

Even faster, more versatile, and more fun than its predecessors, but Team Ninja still needs to improve performance for Nioh 3 on PS5.

Nioh 3 refines its formula with a dual combat style system—Samurai and Ninja—that adds a new strategic layer while improving upon established mechanics. The action shifts to 'Open Fields,' offering larger maps packed with activities. Ultimately, it is an improved experience, though its steep difficulty remains a high barrier for newcomers.

Nioh 3 may not be the peak of the series, but it remains a strong title that understands what makes Nioh special. For fans, it’s an experience worth diving into. For newcomers, it’s a deeply rewarding introduction. And for me, it’s another reminder of why this series still stands above most Soulslikes chasing the same crown.

Nioh 3 makes minor updates to the formula that was so successful in Nioh 2 but transplants it into a time-travelling open-world adventure. Asset recycling is a little egregious, but it's a tough new Nioh outing that fans of the series will eat up.

Nioh 3 is a mechanically rich action RPG that refines the series’ trademark combat while experimenting with a semi-open structure. Its strongest moments deliver exceptional flow and mastery, though repetitive objectives and technical issues hold it back. Not the series’ peak, but still one of the most satisfying skill-driven RPGs available.

Nioh 3 is ultimately less of a leap from its predecessor than Elden Ring was from Dark Souls 3, but that's to be expected from a direct sequel versus the introductory act of a new franchise. [Issue#421, p.96]

If you’re to judge Nioh 3 by its obvious inspiration, Team Ninja comes up a little short here. Its open world and impenetrable lore lack the invention and sheer charisma of the peerless Elden Ring. That said, the two-in-one personality gives such a distinctive flavour to the combat that some hardened From Software fans might be forced to re-consider their loyalties.

With Nioh 3, Team NINJA delivers its most ambitious entry to date, and easily its most divisive. In an effort to modernize the formula and appeal to a wider audience, the studio shifts toward open areas inspired by games like Elden Ring. The downside is that this evolution comes at the cost of the series’ core identity. At its best, Nioh 3 is still a combat juggernaut. The fighting system is incredibly deep, the Samurai/Ninja duality is a smart and satisfying addition, and the sheer variety of builds, weapons, and playstyles is impressive. Few games in the genre reward skill, experimentation, and long-term commitment quite like it does. Unfortunately, the open-field structure never truly comes together. Exploration feels flat, enemy and asset reuse is hard to ignore, the story lacks impact, and the overall presentation feels dated, especially by 2026 standards. In the end, Nioh 3 is a great fit for hardcore fans who come for the combat and the challenge, but it’s unlikely to win over players looking for a striking open world, a memorable story, or a strong visual showcase.

Nioh 3 nails the marriage between RPG and hack-and-slash from a gameplay perspective. I’m excited to jump back in to leave no stone unturned in its open world, too, but not without compromise.

Nioh returns with a third entry that aims to establish a much deeper, more distinctive identity. This time, Nioh 3 leans into a more direct, in-your-face style of gameplay, with more versatile movement that lets you switch on the fly between Samurai and Ninja modes. It also encourages exploration through a semi-open world, featuring some platforming and more varied transitions between scenes. And while it can slip into recycled enemies and animations at times, it remains relentlessly challenging, addictive, and epic.

Nioh 3 is a fantastically crafted game that blends several intricate and engaging elements to produce a great combat experience. While it has some issues that hinder gameplay, it’s still one of the most engaging soulslikes.

The first Nioh marked a great debut for a long-dormant project that had been considered vaporware at one point, and Nioh 2 refined both the mechanics and the storytelling style. In places, Nioh 3 feels like a manufactured return to the series, changing up the formula and resulting in a more mixed bag, and that's what Nioh 3 turned out to be in my eyes. If you come to Nioh primarily for fights and challenges, you will enjoy this new game because it brings an even more varied action combat system. Overall though, those also hoping to find compelling storytelling and worldbuilding might end up finding those aspects rather lackluster.

As a huge Team Ninja fan who has played all their games, it's impossible not to feel that Nioh 3 has become their new benchmark. It continues the work done in Nioh 2, shows that it has learned from Rise of the Ronin and injects new energy with well-implemented mechanics.

Nioh 3 has two pillars: Its duality of ninja and samurai combat and an open world filled with things to do. Fans of the franchise will especially enjoy the fast-paced action and speed, but will also be the victims of its main flaw.

Nioh 3 is a smart evolution of a winning formula. Team Ninja successfully transitions to an Open Field structure without losing the tightness of its level design, while the new Samurai/Ninja duality adds a fresh tactical layer to an already stellar combat system. The game feels fairer and more accessible than its predecessors, removing artificial frustration in favor of readable challenges. While the narrative plays it safe and side content remains repetitive, the core loop is stronger than ever. A must-play for fans of the genre.

Nioh 3's gameplay still excels, but there are some noticeable issues. Ninja style is a fantastic, fun new way to play the game and build characters around, but Team Ninja doubled legacy inventory management issues from previous games. Samurai style remains enjoyable and refined yet also feels a bit too tame when compared to the speedy new Ninja style. Nioh 3's balancing also feels off, swinging back and forth between easy to difficult, and then very easy in co-op. It's a lot of fun to play, but the experience can vary wildly. Still, Nioh 3 is the culmination of Team Ninja's continued work on refining the Nioh experience. Nioh 3's ambition has yielded the most enjoyable and accessible entry in the franchise yet.

For me, Nioh 3 represents a series that has matured, honing its edges and expanding into a true, modern ARPG experience. Some may disagree, but for me, Nioh 3 is this series at its blood-soaked peak.

Nioh 3 adds its own contribution to the series, with gameplay that is richer and more demanding than ever, and formidable bosses that require players to make good use of all the mechanics available to them. The more open and free structure of the world also allows players to explore and progress at their own pace, mitigating the difficulty. It's a shame that the level design tends to suffer as a result, while the clunkiness of previous titles tends to get worse, with an unsuitable interface and equipment management that is far too time-consuming in our opinion. This sequel should appeal to fans, but it may struggle to win over a new audience, especially with its increased price tag.

Nioh 3 is a game that breathes ambition, a title that dares and isn’t afraid to throw the player into chaos. It’s frenetic, brilliant in many moments, and incredibly rewarding when you master its complexities. The combat system is deep and layered, and the introduction of Samurai and Ninja styles adds a level of tactical choice never seen before.

Nioh 3 is the culmination of Team Ninja's three previous souls-like games, pushing each aspect a little further. While not entirely perfect, it is steadily approaching perfection. It is one of the must-have souls-like games for any fan of the genre.

Nioh 3 is a fantastic game thanks to its glorious combat system and a well designed open world, but there's a lot of reused enemies from the past games and visually is outdated.

Innovation is the ki to success for Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo, as Nioh 3 iterates on the formula once more to take an already great 'masocore' series to new heights.

Nioh 3 takes all the best bits from Team Ninja’s previous efforts to form its greatest action experience in a very long time. Its new open zone maps provide more ways than ever to engage with its sublime, intense combat system — even if the activities themselves are entirely unoriginal. This is a familiar feeling title for a fanbase that knows what it wants, for few franchises do hardcore action better. Nioh 3 is its latest triumph.

Nioh 3 offers some of the best action and boss fights in the series. However, it is held back by some open world pitfalls that make the experience feel a bit bloated. Regardless, it is a great and ambitious heck of a ride.

The game's sheer complexity and overwhelming mass of systems and stuff makes it a bit hard to recommend, and there were definitely times when I was pulling out my hair in frustration in the game or finding myself unclear on how I was supposed to proceed. I feel like a smaller and more balanced game would have likely been an overall better experience. But at the end of the day, Nioh 3 aims big. While I can't say if it's going to satisfy series fans perfectly, this one is definitely earning a thumbs up from me.

While the open world of Nioh 3 isn't as fully fleshed out as many other current games, the strong foundation of the Nioh series is still fully intact.

Between a vast open world and new combat styles, Nioh 3 is the series' most ambitious title yet, even if the changes don't always strike true.

If Nioh 3’s first steps are more awkward than its predecessor’s, then the strange, dense, quasi-open world action RPG it blossoms into is more compelling than that game’s compact, knotty levels.

Nioh 3 feels like the summation of Team Ninja's efforts from the last decade. Its combat is varied and tight, much like its level design, and it's a fantastic adventure. Storytelling could use some work, but the action is flawless.

When Nioh 3 is at its best, it’s extremely good. Some of the open-world segments can easily hold their own against the best levels from previous games. A number of the new bosses also measure up to the series’ better boss fights. Unfortunately, an open world also comes with the usual complaints.

Nioh 3 is a bubbling cauldron of ideas and mechanics—undeniably fascinating—now featuring a dual combat system that lets you switch between samurai and ninja styles, both top-tier in terms of quality. Customization is through the roof: you’ll be swimming in thousands of weapons and armor pieces, happily getting lost among the sheer number of skills and moves available right from the start. That said, the game world—more open than ever—still feels like yet another liminal playground built purely for our rampages, lacking a story strong enough to hold everything together. There are no memorable legends or truly empathetic characters to light up its gloomy paths. Difficulty comes and goes in waves, swinging between relatively gentle stretches and brutal spikes of pain, especially when facing certain damn bosses with particularly messy and hard-to-read attack patterns. And then there are simply too many systems in play: too many blessings, the regular parry, the deflecting one, the purifying one, the anti-explosive one. Many of these layers don’t make Nioh 3 deeper—just more confusing, and noticeably less elegant.

Nioh 3 modifies the series formula, producing mixed results. The game features a more varied action combat system for fights and challenges. As far as action goes, it still features some of the best mechanics in the genre, even if it's on the easier side, and regular enemies are exploitable. Storytelling and worldbuilding lack depth, but the headliner has always been getting lost and fighting for survival in these types of games. At worst, this is just another decent soulslike action RPG that doesn't break the mould. The big open world is welcome, but it does not deliver on its full potential due to uninspired level design.

Nioh 3 has thrilling combat, character specialisation and spectacle that are the tried and true staples for both a Team Ninja game and a Nioh game in and of itself. Boss fights are grandiose, and you’ve got plenty of neat kit to feel like a ninja/samurai hybrid badass. You’re not going to be utterly disappointed with the series’ return, but thanks to its open world-ish trappings and overabundance of systems and loot that stops you from getting attached to any one thing, you’re likely not going to be over the moon about it either. It’s Soulslike junk food. It goes down well while you’re in it, but it’s not going to sit or stay well with you for long.

Nioh 3 feels weighed down by its own scope. There’s a lot of space, and not quite enough content to fill it all adequately. If Nioh as a series was going to move towards an open world, there definitely could have been a better balance between scope and content. This is a game that could have benefited had it traded at least one of the time periods for more unique yokai and more missions. If it had to be this big, the performance issues and eventual repetition indicate it needed a bit more heat and time in the crucible. That said, it does maintain ferocious, ruthless, fast-paced action combat, punctuated by blood-pumping compositions, and it has a generally competent story and world built around it. Just don’t expect it to excel in every dimension.

Nioh 3 expands the series from tight bitesized focus to expansive open world design over multiple time periods. And while the third samurai soulslike still plays incredibly, its structurally compromised by recycled enemies, easy difficulty, too much loot and a nonsense plot. Bigger is not always better.

Too much of Nioh 3 is too similar to past Nioh games, so while that means it has a few glorious boss fights and fluid controls, it lets down the innovative spirit the series was founded on.