It finally happened. After years of silence and speculation, Team Ninja took the stage at The Game Awards 2025 to officially unveil Nioh 3. If you thought the series had peaked with Nioh 2, you might want to reconsider. The debut trailer didn’t just show us more of the tight, punishing combat we love—it completely rewrote the playbook with expansive new environments and a dual-style combat system that looks absolutely game-changing.
The best part? We don’t have to wait long. The game is launching on February 6, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and PC. Even better, a playable demo is dropping next month. Let’s dive into the details of what might be the biggest Soulslike of 2026.
The “Open Field” Evolution
The biggest shock of the night was the shift in level design. While previous games were mission-based with enclosed levels, Nioh 3 introduces what Team Ninja calls an “Open Field” system. To be clear, the developers have stated this isn’t a traditional “Open World” filled with empty space and fetch quests. Instead, think of it as massive, interconnected zones that offer true freedom of exploration while maintaining the density and danger the series is known for.
This means no more staring at a map screen to select your next mission. You will seamlessly travel between war-torn villages, yokai-infested forests, and massive castles. The trailer showed off a stunning sense of scale, with the protagonist traversing a sprawling battlefield on horseback before seamlessly engaging a massive boss.
Samurai vs. Ninja: Choose Your Path
Mechanically, the most exciting addition is the ability to instantly switch between two distinct “Styles”: Samurai and Ninja. In previous games, your build dictated your playstyle. In Nioh 3, you appear to be a master of both, swapping on the fly to adapt to the situation.
The Samurai Style focuses on the grounded, technical combat veterans are used to—perfect parries (including a new “Deflect” mechanic), heavy armor, and direct confrontation. The Ninja Style, however, is all about speed, stealth, and mobility. The trailer showed the player using ninjutsu to grapple up walls, ambush enemies from above, and use clones to distract bosses. Combining these two styles in real-time combos looks incredibly stylish.
Comparison: Nioh 2 vs. Nioh 3
| Feature | Nioh 2 | Nioh 3 |
|---|---|---|
| World Design | Mission-based (Map Menu) | Open Field (Interconnected Zones) |
| Combat System | Stance Switching (High/Mid/Low) | Style Switching (Samurai/Ninja) + Stances |
| Protagonist | Custom Character (Hide) | Tokugawa Takechiyo (Rumored/Fixed) |
| Release Date | March 2020 | February 6, 2026 |
A Story of Brothers
Narratively, the game seems to be diving deep into the history of the Tokugawa shogunate. Hints from the trailer suggest we will be playing as a young Tokugawa Ieyasu (going by his childhood name, Takechiyo) in a conflict that pits him against his own brother. The setting is the height of the Warring States period, but as always, twisted by dark mythology. Expect to fight historical warlords who have been corrupted into horrific yokai monstrosities.
Conclusion
Nioh 3 is shaping up to be the evolution fans have been dreaming of. By breaking out of the mission-based structure and giving us more dynamic combat tools, Team Ninja is proving they aren’t afraid to take risks. Mark your calendars for January 29, 2026—that is when the demo drops, and you can bet we will be there day one to die a thousand times.
FAQs
When is Nioh 3 releasing?
The full game launches on February 6, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and PC.
Is there a demo for Nioh 3?
Yes! A playable demo will be available on January 29, 2026. Save data from the demo will carry over to the full game.
Is Nioh 3 open world?
Team Ninja describes it as “Open Field.” It features large, seamless interconnected areas rather than a massive, empty open world map.
What platforms is Nioh 3 on?
It has been announced for PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam). No Xbox version has been confirmed yet.
Can you create your own character?
Unlike Nioh 2, early info suggests a fixed protagonist (Tokugawa Takechiyo), similar to the first Nioh game’s William, to tell a more focused story.