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Team Ninja’s latest entry tightens an already distinct identity. Nioh 3 combines the punishing, precise melee of its predecessors with broader character systems and more approachable pacing, producing the most accomplished outing in the series to date. The result is a game that borrows confidently from Team Ninja’s own catalogue — Nioh, Rise of the Ronin and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty — while forging a voice of its own in the crowded soulslike space.
Combat and Design
Combat remains the beating heart. Encounters demand attention to timing, stance choice and stamina management, but the learning curve feels more generous than earlier entries. Weapon variety is extensive and each armament feels distinct. The revamped stance and posture mechanics grant greater tactical options and reward adaptation, whether in single-target duels or multi-enemy skirmishes.
Enemy and boss design are strong throughout. Bosses land with weighty animations and memorable attack patterns, encouraging pattern recognition rather than simple stat checks. Smaller encounters introduce enough variety to keep journeys between major set pieces engaging. Quick restart loops and well-positioned checkpoints ensure difficulty rarely becomes frustrating for prolonged stretches.
Progression and Customisation
Progression is deeper than before. A revised skill tree, more meaningful loot drops and flexible build archetypes permit multiple playstyles without resorting to monotony. Soulslike staples — weapon upgrades, armour tweaks and consumable strategies — are present and expanded, while new systems offer fresh avenues for character identity. Build diversity is supported by items that synergise in satisfying ways, encouraging experimentation across multiple playthroughs.
Multiplayer co-op returns in a functional form. Co-operative encounters add a welcome layer of tactics for tougher fights, although matchmaking can feel uneven at times. PvP elements exist but remain peripheral to the core single-player experience.
Presentation and Performance
On PS5, Nioh 3 performs admirably. Two primary modes cater to different priorities: a highest-fidelity option with enhanced effects and a performance mode favouring a stable frame-rate. Load times are short and the game takes good advantage of the console’s hardware without ever feeling like a technical showcase. Environments are varied, from claustrophobic temples to sprawling war-torn landscapes, and while some areas occasionally reuse assets, production values remain high.
Character and creature art direction leans into the developer’s signature blend of historical Japan and mythic horror. Visual clarity during combat keeps important telegraphs readable, an essential detail given the game’s focus on split-second decisions.
Sound and Music
Sound design underpins the combat experience with crisp weapon impacts and satisfying, punchy audio cues. The soundtrack switches between tense, atmospheric pieces and driving rhythms that escalate during boss battles. Voice work is competent and supports the narrative without distracting from the central action.
Accessibility and Difficulty
Nioh 3 balances challenge and accessibility more sensibly than earlier entries. Difficulty remains high for those seeking rigorous trials, but optional systems and clearer tutorials help players acclimatise. Difficulty options and assistive mechanics ensure the core experience is within reach while retaining its signature edge.
Replayability
Endgame systems and build variety extend longevity. New game plus modes and optional challenge content cater to completionists and min-maxers. The depth of customisation and the satisfaction of refining a build give the title substantial replay value.
Verdict
Nioh 3 stands as Team Ninja’s most coherent action RPG effort. It evolves the series’ strengths — precise combat, rewarding progression and distinctive world-building — while smoothing some of the rougher edges from past entries. This is a title that will appeal to fans of demanding action games and anyone who values tactical melee combat. It may not redefine the genre, but it cements Team Ninja’s reputation as a leading studio for high-quality, hard-edged action experiences.
Score: 8/10