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Nioh 3 consolidates Team Ninja's strengths into a polished action‑RPG that wears its influences proudly. The game echoes the open‑world scope of recent genre peers, borrows stealthy samurai and ninja motifs familiar from modern historical action titles, and doubles down on the dopamine rush of loot-driven progression. Those parallels are not a weakness: they are applied with a deftness that transforms disparate parts into a cohesive whole.
Combat and systems
Combat remains the series' beating heart, with precise timings, posture management and a satisfying risk‑reward loop. Encounters demand attention but reward mastery: aggressive play is tempered by defensive options and well‑timed counters. New mechanics expand the toolbox without cluttering it, allowing for varied builds that support both fluid melee and more calculated ninja‑style approaches.
The loot economy continues to be a compelling motor for play. Drops frequently feel meaningful, and the steady trickle of gear and upgrades encourages experimentation. Progression systems are balanced to keep momentum while still preserving challenge, and the variety of weapons and skills supports distinct playstyles across the campaign.
World and presentation
The world design takes cues from open‑world contemporaries but keeps the verticality and tightly crafted encounters that define the series. Exploration yields tangible rewards, with side activities and optional bosses that complement rather than distract from the main arc. Visuals and sound design capture a tense, atmospheric tone, punctuated by kinetic combat animations that sell each strike and parry.
Difficulty and accessibility
Nioh 3 continues to cater primarily to players who relish demanding combat. Difficulty spikes are present but fair, and encounters encourage learning through repetition rather than artificial padding. Accessibility options have been expanded compared with earlier entries, making the game more approachable for a wider audience without diluting the core challenge.
Writing and structure
The narrative serves as a competent scaffold for gameplay rather than the game's main attraction. Character and story beats fit the setting and maintain momentum, but the title's strengths remain mechanical: engagement comes from mastering encounters and chasing the next meaningful upgrade.
Technical performance
Performance is solid across target platforms, with stable frame‑rates and reasonable load times on current hardware. Occasional camera and pop‑in issues surface in denser areas but do not significantly undermine the overall experience.
Verdict
Nioh 3 is a confident synthesis of successful genre ideas. By refining core combat, making meaningful additions to systems and wrapping it all in a rewarding loot loop, Team Ninja delivers one of the most compelling soulslike action‑RPGs to date. Fans of tough, skill‑based encounters and gear‑driven progression will find much to admire; newcomers with patience for trial and error will discover a generously rewarding journey.
For further perspective, Rock Paper Shotgun's review described the game as a superb blend of elements from across the genre. Read the source review.