Nioh 3 Revealed With Playable Demo Now Available on PS5

Positioning itself early on as a unique entry in the Soulslike genre, particularly through its deep Yokai themes and intricate loot system, the Nioh series has steadily grown into one of Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja’s most anticipated franchises. The first two titles showcased significant evolution, enhancing gameplay fluidity while maintaining that signature challenge. Now, the developers are officially ready to move forward with the next major instalment: Nioh 3.

Unveiled during the latest State of Play event earlier today, Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja have formally announced and introduced Nioh 3 to the public. Much like its predecessors, the new adventure will centre around intense battles against terrifying Yokai.

Players will step into the shoes of a brand-new protagonist on a path to becoming the next Shogun. However, the third entry introduces several significant changes that aim to evolve the combat experience further. One of the most notable additions is the real-time combat style switching system. For the first time in the series, players will be able to alternate between two distinct fighting styles: Samurai and Ninja.

The Samurai style retains the traditional feel familiar to longtime fans of the franchise. Still, it introduces new mechanics, such as a Deflect system, which allows players to parry incoming attacks with precise timing for strategic advantages. Meanwhile, the newly introduced Ninja style emphasises fast movement, aerial manoeuvres, and the ability to strike enemies from unexpected ranges. Players using this style will also have access to a variety of Ninjutsu techniques, including abilities like Mist, which leaves behind a clone after an attack, and Evade, which enables split-second dodges.

Despite the flexibility offered by being able to switch styles mid-combat, Team Ninja has reassured fans that they can still opt to stick with a single combat style if they prefer a more focused experience.

In addition to gameplay enhancements, Nioh 3 also introduces a larger and more open map design, drawing inspiration from Team Ninja’s recent title, Rise of the Ronin. This expanded world will offer greater freedom in exploration and more optional challenges scattered throughout its environment.

Nioh 3 is officially set for release in early 2026, and will be exclusive to the PlayStation 5. For those eager to try it out, an Alpha Demo is now available for free via the PlayStation Store.